When and how did you start photography?

• My interest in photography goes way back.. almost 10 years ago. During that time, things were very different. The only person I knew who had a similar interest in camera was ex-pres Joel V.

Tell us more about your photography history

• Joel and I were both busy with other things, so there was really no chance to practice and learn. Anyway, to cut the long story short, my Minolta Dynax 500si didn’t see much action until my interest in photography almost vanished. But alas! In 2005, an old friend of mine asked me to take their family picture using his Nikon D70 camera. As soon as the thing landed on my hands, I knew my wallet was going to take a hit.. big time! Two months later, I was holding on to my very own Nikon D70s! Then the rest is history…

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

• I usually go with my Nikon D300 paired with my nikon 16-85mm lens… good range!

Would you consider turning pro?

• Right now, I’m still 50-50 on the idea. I think the main reason why I’m enjoying photography now is because I don’t get stressed by it. Right now it’s just a hobby, an outlet of some sort. But eventually, it is still a possible business venture that me and my wife are thinking of. Most probably, we’ll be setting it up in the Philippines. I think the market back home for this kind of business hasn’t peaked yet. It’s on a steady climb, but way too far from its peak…

Favorite subjects to capture:

• Right now, I’m trying to focus on portraiture. So subject-wise, people. But on the side, taking photos of lightning also challenges me.

Favorite photo captured to date:

• For now, it would be this one. I guess I can safely claim that it’s one of a kind!
  

Name members whose photographs amaze you:

• Ka-Rommie on portraiture, LeoB on macro, dannyS and alvin on street ops, glensky for his style.

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

• Nothing as of yet. But I do visualize on being able to create images with minimal effort on setup, shooting (no machine gun mode),
  framing and lighting. I think it’s achievable with enough practice.

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

• My nikon remote cord mc-30. I’ve always been fascinated with capturing lightning (my other fav subject). I can’t imagine taking those shots without it.

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

• i’ve got around 1TB of photos including the backups.

Ever experienced an embarrassing moment related to photography?

• none so far… *crossing my fingers*

Where can we see your portfolio?

• I have my flickr collection here and our pbase website here

How did you found out PinoyCSers?

• Through Joel V. I was asking him to join the group that I was with then but I ended up joining PinoyCSers instead.

Give readers one tip to capture great photos.

• Always be wary of the background. A noisy background will always find a way to ruin an image, no matter what.

When and how did you start photography?

• I started my photography in 2004 when my daughter was born. Just using PnS that time then one of my friend encouraged my to buy dslr. Then naging adik-adik na..hehehe

Tell us more about your photography history

• In 2004, I had my first digital camera (Nikon Pns) and joined a few photography forums and in 2005 I bought my 1st DSLR camera(Canon 350D) and become more serious about it. Shoot and enjoyed all forms/genres of photography. In 2006, I upgraded to Canon 30D and added a few lenses. 2007, I joined PinoyCSers from there I met a lot of talented and creative photography enthusiast/hobbyist. Joined my very first photo competition and won (singapore Flyer).

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

• Canon EOS 30D + Canon 24-70 f2.8

Would you consider turning pro?

• If there’s an opportunity, why not?!

Favorite subjects to capture:

• people, insects, landscapes, nature/li>

Favorite photo captured to date:

Name members whose photographs amaze you:

• Every member new and old and to name a few Benjie Balmoris, Glen Tungol, Romie Angeles, Eric Matias, Marc Obfenda /li>

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

• Winter Landscape

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

• Camera Bag

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

• 500gb

Ever experienced an embarrassing moment related to photography?

• None

Where can we see your portfolio?

• I have my flickr collection here

How did you found out PinoyCSers?

• thru Clubsnap then nag-join din ako sa yahoogroup..

Give readers one tip to capture great photos.

• Try to compose more and to hit the shutter less.

When and how did you start photography?

• I started doing my photography addiction way back year 2006, I’ve decided to try this hobby to kill my sress & homesickness in our country. I usually lurk at tipidpc’s photography thread.. then I’ve decided to get DSLR ..

Tell us more about your photography history

• History.. hmmmm… Matagal na akong nahihilig sa photography, gamet ko pa noon Kodak digicam 4 megapixel … during the year of 2006 , after 6 months staying here in Singapore, I decided to get a DSLR… so many brand na pwedeng pagpilian… Nikon, Canon, Olympus , Sony & Pentax.. But what captures me was pentax, kasi madalas ko syang makita sa mga photos ng beatles..
  Usually gamet pa nila.. And I want to be unique, because very few are using Pentax..hehe. Kame lang yata ni Gerry ang pentax sa group.

  My first shot. Using my Pentax *IstDL:

  

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

• Pentax K20D + Tamrom 70-200mm 2.8, Tamron 90mm + Pentax 50mm 1.4 = for street photography.

Would you consider turning pro?

• Hmmm… pwede siguro. Why not?!

Favorite subjects to capture:

• People & Objects

Favorite photo captured to date:

• April, 2007
  

  dec, 2007
  

  may 2007
  

Name members whose photographs amaze you:

• So many to mention..
  Genald = Master of Portraits..
  Leo B. = for those Macro
  Danny = for those unique StreetPhoto
  David Tong = for those reviews & tips on his post & on his blog.
  Ka-Romie = for those sizzling photo-ops models he have..
  At madami pang iba..

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

• Jumpshot sa Grand Canyon.

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

• Panyo or face towel.

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

• Di ko na mabilang.. But currently I have 2,333 items posted on my flickr

Ever experienced an embarrassing moment related to photography?

• Nung sinita ako sa Changi Rd, coast line. while doing streetphotography. Di ko alam na di pwede kuhanan yung mga military boat nila, Hinintuan ako ng patrol, at pinasakay. Akala ko Ikukulong na ako, at ipapa-deport sa pinas. Then binababa nila ako sa Changi Village, sinabihan ako na bawal kumuha ng photos doon..then pinabura sa aken lahat ng nasa SD card ko.

Where can we see your portfolio?

• My own website Trail-seeker.com which so far redirects to my flickr account.

How did you found out PinoyCSers?

• Hmm nung nakita ko yung signature ni J. Panelo sa tipidpc.com, then I’ve decided to join here..

Give readers one tip to capture great photos.

• Don’t be afraid to experiment. Do something extra. Put some creativity. Because that will be your signature on your photo.

When and how did you start photography?

• I’ve always been interested with photography. Even with film camera’s I love taking pictures of different things. Although wasn’t able to pursue the hobby since it’s really quite expensive. When I got to Singapore, I was able to buy a Lumix FZ50 and that started me into taking photography.

Tell us more about your photography history

• Officially started my photography with a Lumix FZ50 with a Sunpak 383 super flash. Then I moved to a second hand Canon 300D (c/o Sherwin Moreno). Not too long I bought my very first Lens, a Sigma 18-200. When I moved to Sydney, my sister asked for a camera so I gave her my old 300D and 18-200 lens and bought a 450D with an IS kit lens and a 55-200mm lens.

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

• For now, I’m using a 450D with a 18-55 IS kit lens. Haven’t tried buying a new walkaround since d pa laspag ang kit lens e.

Would you consider turning pro?

• Before I wanted to. But now, not as much. If given the chance, sure. But as of now, I’m just happy with it as a hobby.

Favorite subjects to capture:

• I’m more into portraiture photography I guess since that’s the subject I love to shoot.

Favorite photo captured to date:

• This shot was taken during the Wes Workshop which was my first workshop ever.

  

  Another one is this shot of Pixie mischief from Model mayhem. This is the first time I went on a shoot on my own. Was really nervous but was quite happy of the outcome.

  

Name members whose photographs amaze you:

• Genald Tungol - Love his style kaya minsan nasasabihan akong gaya gaya ng style nya e.
  Ericson Matias - Love the post processing style
  Benji Balmoris - Love his concepts

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

• hmmm… medyo madami e… dami kong gustong theme na ishoot na hopefully magawa ko rin minsan in the near future.

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

• I’d say a tripod since I’m starting to get into the strobist style and I still don’t have a lightstand. So for now, the tripod is my choice.

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

• um… around 300GB, give or take. Karamihan kasi raw e. kaya malaki.

Ever experienced an embarrassing moment related to photography?

• When I was waiting for my wife (nag pa-parlor sya kasama ng housemate ko), I went to the circular quay to do some solo shooting with my Lumix. When I got there, I was just in time for a fashion show. I was able to get a nice spot (not good, not bad) and when everyone was shooting, nanliit ung camera ko kasi puro bigating SLR ung gamit nila. Pero kinapalan ko na lang mukha ko. Tuloy parin.

Where can we see your portfolio?

• It’s scattered all over the net actually. most updated one should be my multiply account. I also have a flickr account. I have WIP website: www.marcobfenda.com

How did you found out PinoyCSers?

• Kasalanan ni Joel V. at Franco. Nakasama ko sila dating mag shoot e. Niyaya akong sumali kaya ayun, na hook na ako sa CSers.

Give readers one tip to capture great photos.

• I have 2 advices actually, kung oks lang.
  1. Just keep on shooting kahit kayo lang magisa. Kahit anong sabihin nila, practice makes perfect. Kung gusto mong mag shoot, shoot ka. Kung gusto mo sama sa mga photoshoots, sama ka. Kahit na sabihin mong newbie or baguhan ka lang, lahat nagsimula dyan so wag ng mahiya.
  2. Wag matakot mag post ng images sa forum naten. It’s actually another way to learn. Kahit na minsan walang sumasagot, oks lang. Post pa rin. Just think of it as a challenge. Keep posting hanggang sa may mag comment. Kung d man maganda, then good kasi nagiging honest sila syo. can?

When and how did you start photography?

• It all started when I was in high school, I was the photo editor of our school organ. But after that, my interest stopped when I went to college as I focused on other things. I mean studies ha!

  When I started travelling coz of my work as a consultant, this interest came back and that BBB virus kicked into overdrive! Lol

Tell us more about your photography history

• It all started with those point and shoot cams til I got a Fuji prosumer camera. It was a great camera but the feel of changing lense led me to buy a real dslr cam, a d70s. However, as I kept on shooting and meeting people from PinoyCSers, my hunger for a better camera and lense brought to buy several bodies and lenses. In a span of two years, my bodies were the following: d70s, d200, d300 and my current, a d700. I started with mostly third party lenses to now the set of Nikon trinity lenses./li>

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

• I always bring my Nikon D700 and Nikkor 14-24mm f2.8 lens.

Would you consider turning pro?

• Never considered this however, you’ll never know if this recession will affect me (hope not!).

Favorite subjects to capture:

• I shoot anything actually and I bring my dslr everyday! Currently, I like landscapes and portraits. But I also like events photography.

Favorite photo captured to date:

• I have lots of favourite photos. However, I want to show here is the very 1st studio shot I have done. It was with Photo Arts Association of Singapore and I learned a lot from them.

  

  But the one favourite photo I have captured to date is Viktoria:
  

Name members whose photographs amaze you:

• Do I need to mention Genald Tungol pa ba??? Never met him though, but I have always admired his work. I also like photos of Parc Cruz, John Panelo, Eric Matias, Ka Romie and Leo B.

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

• Hmmm… Angelina Jolie or Megan Fox

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

• Hand strap, I don’t like neck straps

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

• More than 1TB coz I don’t delete bad photos. Maybe someday will have time to clean my files.

Ever experienced an embarrassing moment related to photography?

• Most of the time. When I insist to take the models photo…with me beside them

Where can we see your portfolio?

• My Multiply site and my Flickr site.

How did you found out PinoyCSers?

• When I was assigned in SG, I met some photographers thru EB’s and photoshoots. I heard they had this yahoo group. So I joined, til they setup the site and I became member no. 6!

  Never regretted joining the group and til now having fun communicating with members and joining EB’s even outside Singapore.

Give readers one tip to capture great photos.

• Get tips from this forum and members and always practice

PinoyCSers at St. John’s Island

PinoyCSers at Kisu Island

PinoyCSers photoshoot with Mable

Incidentally, the ever generous Ka Romie is giving away an 8gb thumbdrive for the best shot last Mable shoot. All participants from that shoot is encouraged to post his best shot on this thread and members will vote for their favorite photo!

When and how did you start photography?

• Well, I started holding a camera when I was in high school. Taga-hawak lang po coz my father is also a part-time photographer doing gigs on wedding, birthdays, family reunion, etc.. But later on I got interested assisting my father for his event photography and learned from him about photography. Kaya, hands-on tips on every event and learning the proper manual setting of apertures, shutter speed (we’re using film then).

Tell us more about your photography history

• Maybe it’s in our genes (father-side) ‘coz my late grandfather was also an artist, musician, and photography buff just like my father. During the ’80s, I was a company official photographer, events photographer on wedding ng mga kaibigan, kumpare’t kumare at kamag-anakan (walang bayad, pakain lang). It was when I came here in Singapore in 1995 na nabigyan ng husto ang photography ko. I was always at Orchard Road then during weekends doing street photography. I’ve used manual film camera using negative films then when I’ve got so many photo albums (very bulky coz kahon-kahon ba naman ang storage eh), I’ve decided to switch to slide film (pero maliliit na kahon naman for storing my slides). I’m very hesistant before in using digital as my medium on photography ‘coz I know hindi mapapantayan ng digital and film eh.. pero bumigay din, it was 2005 when I’ve tried using digital camera as a back-up of my slide photography. My first digital camera was compact Canon A80. When I bought my first dSLR (2007), Canon EOS 400D, naging active uli ako sa portraits photography.

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

• Canon 40D and my 24-70mm f2.8 lens (interchanging now with Canon EOS 5D Mark II).

Would you consider turning pro?

• Why not? Pangarap ko ito noon pa. But being a professional photographer for me means that 90% of your income comes from photography. So, part-time muna and full-time hobbyist.

Favorite subjects to capture:

• Portraitures and landscapes with some nature, action, macro, events photography.

Favorite photo captured to date:

• I’ve got so many favorite photos that I’ve captured but these 2 photos are my top favorites:

  Looking Through The Eyes of Alyona
  
  (picked as Editor’s Pick and Finalist at www.betterphoto.com, and also as Editor’s Choice at www.photoanswers.co.uk)

  Singapore Flyer (non-winning photo)
  
  (One of my non-winning entries to the Singapore Flyer Photo Contest 2007. Although this photo does not won for Night Scene Category competition, it was used as one of the Singapore Flyer advertisement photo seen on the newspaper, TV, their website, and bochures.)

Name members whose photographs amaze you:

• Doc Benji on his portaitures, Ka Leo B on macros together with bARTman & Roy-bin and Erick on his textures/digital arts. John Panelo for his great shots and oh, pati na si Alvin P on his street photography…

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

• Yeah, mga celebrities (Pinay and International models). Also, landscapes at Colorado, USA.

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

• My Lowepro bags.

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

• I’ve got 7 portable HD (160~320, and 500GB capacity) and 4 of these are full na.

Ever experienced an embarrassing moment related to photography?

• Hehehe, I have one that I will not forget and want to share with you:
  It was 1986 when I was an official photographer of ex-Philseco in Subic, Zambales. I remember that time I’m in-charge of covering the big event or milestone of our company then, the delivery of the floating dock from our yard to US Naval Base in Olongapo City. This floating dock has been repaired/assembled in Philseco. I’m following the delivery of floating dock (towing with tugboats) to US Naval Base, nag-hire ako ng bangka na may iisang katig or outrigger just to take pictures of that event… when we are in the middle of the sea (sa laot), bigla na lang tumaob ang bangka! I think it was my fault coz I shifted my position sa walang katig na lugar. Luckily, the camera (Canon AV-1) I’m using was strapped to my neck at hindi ito nahulog sa dagat. Only it got wet coz kasama kong lumubog eh. I was rescued by the US Naval Base Coast Guard and was eventually taken onboard to our tugboats… Ang siste pa, ini-radio sa office ang paglubog ko at pag-rescue ng US Naval Base Coast Guard sa akin na buong opisina naririnig na “Si Romy Angeles ay na-rescue ng US CoastGguard sa tumaob na bangka”.

  Well, the camera was repaired and the negative film was not damaged (only the exposed ones), and my shots/pictures were okey.

  Moral of the story:

  1. Don’t ride on the small with only 1 outrigger (katig) boat unless you know how to balance yourself there.
  2. Always strap your camera to your neck.
  3. When your camera is dropped in the sea water (lubog talaga), just wash it first with fresh water to remove the salt water content to avoid fast corrosion of internal parts and send it to Service Center at baka ma-repair pa.
  4. Learn how to swim or wear lifejacket when covering event photography at sea (ako hindi na lumangoy eh, kumapit na lang sa tumaob na bangka. Do you know na natihaya namin ng bangkero ang bangka before the coast guard arrived?)

Where can we see your portfolio?

• My Multiply site and my Flickr site and at www.betterphoto.com (just search my real name there).

How did you found out PinoyCSers?

• When I met Rey Aguila during our photoshoot at PAS (Photo-Art Association of Singapore), he asked me to join ClubSnap (CS) coz many Pinoys are members of CS. During the shoot of Nanda organized by Charby of CS, I met Doc Benji… through him I’ve learned na may nabubuong group ang mga Pinoy sa CS at ayun nabuo ang PinoyCSers na kasama ako.

Give readers one tip to capture great photos.

• Learn to focus on the eyes for portraits, the composition, exposure, and creativity for photography. If you’ll study the works of others, just learn their work flow, their techniques but create your own style or signatures.

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.

PinoyCSers continue to make friends with fellow photography enthusiasts based in Singapore. Celebrating the second year anniversary of the group last May 1, 2009 at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, we do away with our cameras (most of us anyway) and savored the camaraderie and fun during this outing. In as much as we would love for the pioneer members to attend the celebration, they are already oceans away from Singapore. The group is now tracking members as far as Canada, Malaysia, Philippines and even Australia.

Thank you all for your support for the site and as we celebrate this anniversary, we are launching a limited edition version 3 of our official PinoyCSers tshirt. Head over to the forums and let Eric Matias know your intention of buying a shirt.

More power to us all and, as always, keep on shooting!

>>>A lot more pictures can be found here.

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

  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.

When and how did you start photography
Photography started out when I was still in college back in the Philippines, bale part siya ng curriculum, pero it was an expensive hobby and branded for the rich kid, eh poor kid ako so ayun kahit meron akong slr na Nikon F601 hindi ko na-maximize kasi nga medyo mahal. Then I came to work in Singapore but it took me more than 2 years to buy a DSLR medyo namamahalan pa rin ako. But the urge to continue with taking photo is irresistible kaya ayun, I bought my first DSLR na Nikon D80 with 28-105mm lens nung Dec 2006.

Tell us more about your photography history
After I bought it nung Dec 06, hindi ko naman agad nagamit kasi tinatamad magshoot at walang kasama. Nakakabato mag-shoot mag-isa kasi walang ka-bolahan. Then si Tophy nagpag-isipan na bumili ng camera nung March 07 then we started shooting together every week. After that we met a lot of photo buddies along the way, I’ve also attended a lot of seminar/workshop to learn and ang pinakamahalaga is to be able to interact dun sa mga photographers para mas maintindihan ko kung pano sila mag-isip.

Basic body and lens setup
(name just one body and one lens that you always use)
I am always using my 18-200 with my Fuji. This is good combo for me and it does give me what I usually want sa mga photos ko.

Would you consider turning pro?
Syempre naman but not as a full time photographer but more of a photographer na teacher then kung merong mga photo assignments then bakit hindi.

Favorite subjects to capture:
As of now medyo confused pa din ako kung ano talaga ang gusto ko but I enjoyed taking photos of people, landscape, IR (infrared) and objects (texture o hindi).

Favorite photo captured to date:
This photo gave my first and only winning image:

My first time to win a photography competition and I am really proud and very very happy with it.
My shot was chosen as one of the five winners for the month of September. There are about 10 winners each month - 5 for day scene and 5 for the night scene category. My shot belong to the day scene category winners. The wife of my good friend TeeJay also won under the night scene category.

But nothing is more important than this 3 images – my family

My son M:

bunso ko, ABCD:

and finally, my wife Che

Name members whose photographs amaze you
I am always fascinated by the images of Genald Tungol, Parc Cruz, Richard Larrios & Ruel Tafalla. Most of my influence din kasi are pinoys. Meron din akong nakikitang images ng mga foreigner but I am drawn towards the style of the pinoys.

Do you have a visual on a dream image you want to capture?
I wanted to shoot portrait of famous people esp photographer/s then turn them into a digital painting.

Name one non-electric camera gear that you cannot live without.
Camera neck strap, mahirap ata na lagi mong bitbit ung camera mo…hehehe

Approximately, how many gb of photos do you have to date?
mga nasa 200GB na siguro kasama na dun mga psd files na ni-edit ko. Pag di ko kasi kailangan ung photo eh nide-delete ko na just to save up some space sa hard disk.

Ever experienced an embarrassing moment related related to photography?
I can’t remember anything but I guess pwede na to: I was the official photographer sa church anniversary naming last March 2009. Then meron isang presentation na dim lights. I had to go near to capture the event, then one of the usher stopped me from going near the stage kasi bawal daw dun sa area na yun so I had no choice but to tell him na I’m the official photographer. I felt embarrassed kasi simula pa lang nung event I was there taking photos on the stage and at the back area and I was stopped kung kelan malapit ng matapos.

Where can we see your portfolio?
my website is on it’s way konting modification na lang but I have my photosharing website:
My multiply
my flickr

How did you found out PinoyCSers?
I did not find it because WE founded it together with other pinoys na mahilig sa photography and we grew bigger ang better. WE founded it believing in one thing and that is “Harmony Through Photography”.

Give readers one tip to capture great photos
My good friend and the person I consider my mentor have always told me na to shoot with objective regardless kung ano man ung gusto mong i-shoot and I believed that. And the other thing is, you should enjoy what you are doing and do it for the sake of enjoying that moment and not to please or wait for sweet words to praise your work. Learn to accept criticism kahit na nasaktan ung pride mo. It would help you to improve your skill.

Noel (originally from Singapore, moved to Malaysia and sent to Melbourne) together with Jerwin (Singapore then to Melbourne) took a long bus ride from Melbourne to meet up with Benji and Marc in Sydney.

I must say that their road trip was a standing success with additional bird sighting from their bus ride. Suffice to say that the moderators of the forum deleted the image link given by Noel showing what kind of bird they saw. Hint: don’t touch my birdie.

Jerwin, Noel, Benji and Marc

…and a somewhat formal shot

Noel, Marc, Benji and Jerwin

See more pictures here…

With a little bit of hurried planning, the three of us were able to meet for some model shoot and a personal photo session.

Marc was able to get one Aussie model for us and we did what we do best - ‘Subok lang ng subok!’ at ‘Tsamba lang ng tsamba!’.
We were able to document the whole shoot thanks to Pen and her trusty iPhone. See the whole bunch here.

Jessica De Armitt set by Marc, AJ & Benji.

Tanya Leanne set by Marc & Benji.

As they say here, “Have a good one, mate!”

Photo by Eugene Ison

What: Farewell Macro EB, Atbp
Where: SBG ( Singapore Botanical Garden)
When: Aug 9, 2008 - Saturday
Time: 8:00 AM
Meeting Place: SBG Marsh Garden

More info here…

Cityscape
The urban equivalent of a landscape—the shape a city (or one of its parts) presents to the eye, particularly from a distance.

——————–
Send your entries at admin@pinoycsers.org (PinoyCSers Cityscape as the subject).

Last day of submission: 27 August 2008 11:59pm
Voting Period: 28 August - 2 September 2008

Winner will receive 1 year Flickr Pro Account!
From Ruel Tafalia Foundation

Please read the Rules and Regulation.
——————–

Good luck everyone!

1st Place - Happy Ostrich

2nd Place
Ang Pinakamaligayang Araw! by Nicko Evangelista

3rd Place
Ano Daw? by JP Alcaraz

You can view the entries and the results here. Congratulations to the winners and to all who joined! You all deserve to be in the list!

Send your entries at admin@pinoycsers.org
Last day of submission: 27 July 2008 11:59pm
Voting Period: 28 July - 2 Aug 2008

Winner will receive 1 year Flickr Pro Account!
c/o Rowena Aro Foundation

Please read the Rules and Regulation. You need a minimum of 50 relevant forum postings before you can join this competition.