AJ Jorge
Photo by Pen Reyes-Jorge

When and how did you start photography?

• Year 2000, I started with a Sony DSC S30 digital camera (a merely 1.3MP camera!), it was surprisingly good with a f2.8 max aperture and during that time, astig ka kung naka-digital camera ka. When it died I bought a Canon A520 camera which is the top of the line among the Canon PnS line then. Then I moved to the ‘big guns’ line - DSLR.

Tell us more about your photography history

• Okay, so when I landed a job here in Singapore there are 2 things I promised myself to buy. (1) my first laptop and (2) my first DSLR. When I got my approved credit card from the mail, I literally went the following day at Courts to buy the Canon 350D. Kaskas agad ng credit card for 0% 12 months to pay.
  I initially went alone, shooting anything for the first two weeks until I googled Pinoy Photographers Singapore. And here I am.

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

• So far I have Canon 400D and my only lens – a Tamron 17-50mm F2.8. Yung Canon 350D ko ay napunta na sa biyenan ko na film photographer ever since.

Would you consider turning pro?

• Yes why not. Though I must admit that it is kinda scary but when people likes the picture you have for them, it is enough of a reward.

Favorite subjects to capture:

• I’m leaning on concert scenes but it would be hard to pursue unless you have friends who would take you for the ride. Landscapes and scenery would be my next favorite.

Favorite photo captured to date:

• My take on Sydney Opera House.
  This may not be a spectacular shot for you but never in my wildest dream that I thought I will be able to set foot in Sydney. Talagang nung andito ako, lagi ko pinapaalala sa sarili ko na “AJ, asa Sydney ka!” Nakaka-overwhelm yung pakiramdam. One thing I realized, if you set your dream on something, it will come true.

  

  Another image that I like is the shot I have of Raymund Marasigan. Given na yung lumaki tayo sa henerasyon ng Eheads, pero itong banda nya na Sandwich ay gustong gusto ko rin. As with the image above, hindi ko rin akalain na makakapanood ako ng live concert ng Sandwich dito sa Singapore at makakapagkuha pa ng picture sa harap mismo ng stage. Fanboy moment ito at hindi ako mapakali habang concert nila.

  

Name members whose photographs amaze you:

• Gustong gusto ko yung mga macro nila Art, Roy at Leo.
  Gusto ko yung subtle touches ng processing ni Doc Benji.
  Gusto ko rin yung streetphotos ni Alvin.
  Sige na nga, gusto ko rin yung mga kuha ni Eric at Panelo (wag sanang lumaki ang ulo).

Do you have a visual on a dream image you want to capture?

• More on dream places: New Zealand’s greenery and fields (ala LOTR) tapos yung scene sa Paris with the Eiffel Tower somewhere in the background.

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

• My ever reliable Crumpler 6Million sling bag. Pag umuuwi ako ng Pinas, dito ko nilalagay mga iba kong damit tapos ilalagay ko sya sa maleta, hand carry ko kasi yung isa pang bag na andun yung laptop at camera gear.

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

• I’d say about 100gb. Dinedelete ko agad yung mga ‘tapon shots’. And once in a while, sinisilip ko library ng photos and delete more especially those rapid fire moments. 5-8 images of the same thing. Hehe

Ever experienced an embarrassing moment related to photography?

• Nung nagsisimula pa lang ako, pumunta ako sa may Merlion kasi may fireworks display. Dala dala ko yung 350D, kit lens na 18-55mm at tripod na yero kasi libre lang nung binili ko. Pambihira, pagdating ko dun sa lugar, mga monster camera at monster tripod yung mga katabi ko. Talagang nanliit ako sa mga nakatabi kong lokal. Kulang na lang hipan nila yung tripod ko at pihadong babagsak iyon. Sa isip-isip ko, pinagtatawanan ako ng mga singkit. Pero tinapos ko pa rin yung pag-shoot ko, ayun puro siko, ulo at balikat ang foreground ng fireworks ko. Wala akong matanaw na maayos. Mula nun, di ko na nilabas yung tripod ko. Hanggang ngayon, andun lang sya sa cabinet.

Where can we see your portfolio?

• Meron akong Flickr at personal blog site na share kami ni misis pero minsanan na lang ma-update.

How did you found out PinoyCSers?

• Nag-google lang ako ng Pinoy Photographers Singapore. First hit sya. Maski ngayon, first hit pa rin sya. Try mo.
  Very much active since then and I can proudly say that I’ve made friends with the people here. Naging pamilya na rin ang turingan namin dito. Kung umpisa ay shooting buddies lang, ngayon talagang alam mo na okay din naman makasama ang mga members dito. Sama lang ng sama sa mga aya ng shoot at makikita mo rin ang masayang samahan dito.

Give readers one tip to capture great photos.

• For the very very first time users of SLRs or point and shoot for that matter, I always advice to shoot in P mode for the first few months and just learn to tweak ISO and WB. Pag nasanay na sa P mode, level up to Av mode or Tv mode then play with the numbers para malaman mo kung ano ang effect ng changes na ginagawa mo. Pag sanay na, then full manual na.
  Another great advice that I picked up somewhere, change your vantage point of view. Huwag laging eye level and subject mo. Make it interesting and give another dimension to it. Kunwari yung mga food shots, wag lagi from the top ang kuha, move your vantage point from the side of the dish to get another view point.