John Panelo
photo by Alvin Panganiban

When and how did you start photography?

• I started teaching myself photography when I first had my digital camera. It was Fujitsu 4800 acquired way back 2002. I believe it was like 1.3MP and I got it through eBay. The first and only thing I got in eBay. I then started learning the terms, basics, and functions of a camera. Was keen on getting SLR camera after a year but it was rather too expensive for me. So I settled for those one-click, twist, wait for the light type camera. Instamatic!

  So it really took me a while before I got my first DSLR and be serious about it. It was March 2007 when I decided it’s high time for me to upgrade my skills… and my camera :P

  And so it started!

Tell us more about your photography history

• Boredom. I was quite new in Singapore back then and I need to do something to kill some time… Visiting killsometime.com or theboredomkiller.com is not adequate.

  So having purchased my first DSLR camera is pretty breathtaking apart from of course I’m shooting alone. That’s when I met this group of boring Filipinos. Started thinking maybe killsometime.com is really that worth it. Kidding aside, these guys became my best friends here in Singapore and we all started PinoyCSers on that very day. As they say, the rest is history.

  Also won a competition here in Singapore. My photo was chosen as the Month’s Best (together with four others) in the Day Scene category of Singapore Flyer photo contest last August and it was included in the finals (Top 10 overall) as well. Not to mention that some of my photos were cited as week’s best for the Singaporean group – Macro Maniacs of Singapore.

  It already paid off!

Basic body and lens setup (name just one body and one lens that you always use)

• Canon 40D and my 70-200mm f2.8 lens. Sweet combination!

Would you consider turning pro?

• If it means shooting for CNN or for those wildlife/nature channels… Yes!

Favorite subjects to capture:

• Nature / Animals / Wildlife – Always been captivated by it.

Favorite photo captured to date:

He smiled for me

My Best Seller (Stock Photo)

Name members whose photographs amaze you

• Steve Parish, Michael Huugan, and almost all professional wildlife photographers. Of course it includes my local heroes, Rey Aguila and Leo Baquerfo of PinoyCSers!

Do you have a visual on a dream image you want to capture?
More like images I want to capture the most…

• Remaining wonders of the ancient world and the new ones as well.
• Current war-torn countries
• Wildlife in Africa

Name one non-electric camera gear that you cannot live without.

• My ever reliable rain plastic cover for my camera.

Approximately, how many gb of photos do you have to date?

• 314 GB. I store every single click captured by my camera as much as I can.

Ever experienced an embarrassing moment related related to photography?

• The Dawn Concert. Packed my gear, checked my batteries, and readied all my lenses. The event came, I assembled everything… I forgot my memory card! I was not able to capture the moment.

  They were my heroes. I grew up listening to their music. *sad face*

Where can we see your portfolio?

• my flickr
• my personal gallery

How did you found out PinoyCSers?

• We actually founded this group on that same day I went out to meet them. In spite of the fact that we merely talked with each other during that shoot we still managed to come up with a name that was agreed upon.

  PinoyCSers is originally from Club Snap forum thread. Most of the founding members were also members of that and are quite active on the thread.

  At first I was having the idea of PinoyCSers as like Pinoy Creative Shooters, then again most of us are starters and it might raise some eyebrows at that time. But hell yeah, at least we are Cool and anyone can be cool like us… thus, PINOY Cool ShootERS!

  We built a photography family not just a shooting buddy.

Give readers one tip to capture great photos

• Patience. Always look for that great moment! It may take a while but it’s worth it.