"... art of bouldering"

Terrence, Corona Del Mar

My cousin knew I used to climb. I did well at it as my spidey/monkey senses kick in whenever I get strapped, and smell the climbing chalk. This day was different... Terrence never told me they climb with no ropes. That for me is like climbing naked; I have fear of heights for crying out loud.

That day, I decided to just shoot away despite the want of climbing. My senses told me otherwise.

"... no vacancy"

Space for one more?

NO VACANCY... I was excited to enroll for Spring '10 semester, to be greeted with "0" slot available for "Fashion Photography" class. It's all good, I am for sure petitioning for this class. Go Fashionista!

"... meet Fabrizio"

Fabrizio of EF1 Motorsports (photo taken by Lan Nguyen)

Fabrizio of EF1 Motorsports was kind enough to become my next victim... of being photographed for my Environmental Portrait assignment. After being declined 3 times, I was a bit weary if I would be able to find someone to shoot for this assignment. Turns out, one of the founders of DPE Wheels Jojo Cagungun, knew a mechanic where most of his wheels and cars are being serviced. Jojo knew I got turned down a couple of times by other mechanics, and when he said he will help me find one... he was not kidding.

Fabrizio's garage was what I envisioned from the start; car lifts, dollies, tires, cherry picker, engines, and power tools. The photography team came down there as planned, talked to Fabrizio, and scouted for locations. Fabrizio was kind enough to let us roam the garage despite his people working on different projects (the only thing we couldn't do is to go under the car lifts). The shoot lasted for an hour and a half, no strobes/tungsten needed due to skylights... must I say that I love skylights!

My heartfelt gratitude to Jojo of DPE Wheels, Fabrizio of EF1 Motorsports, and Lan for assisting me with this project.

"photog wanted... photog spoted"

Can you spot the photographer in this photo?

"pray hard, work hard..."

"... walk with me"

Shot this at probably one of the lowest point in my A180 school. I felt helpless and useless with all the rolls I have shot for one of my project. Nothing creative was coming out from me at one point, it was a "PHD" feeling... Press Here Dummy! I started questioning myself, seeking for answers how to solve what I was experiencing. At 11:00 pm... I decided to take a walk around our neighborhood. I carried with me "Bella" (501 Hasselblad) and walked to wherever the road leads me. I told my wife to find me in case I do not come back around 12:30 am just to be on the safe side. Upon my "journey", I encountered this bridge. I have been planning to shoot this bridge before but never had the time and opportunity. Then I realized that sometimes in my life, answers are very elusive to find... yet I just need to take a moment and not force the issue. It took me at least 2 years to shoot this bridge until that night. My plan to shoot it never was meant to be, and yet I was able to shoot it at the least expected moment...

"zen ROCKS!..."

"... lonely flower"

"... butterflies and flowers"

"modern day Mary Poppins..."

Lan & Jerod - Mary Poppins Inspired

I was fortunate to shoot my group strobe assignment in studio, with the help of dependable models Lan and Jerod. Mary Poppins was my inspiration for this project. Umbrella = Flying = Stop Motion! It was a fun shoot to begin with since Lan and Jerod have both been jumping for our other photographer schoolmates... I guess you'll see their faces on a lot of prints that will be presented to Agatha :)

Thanks again Lan and Jerod for modelling... Thanks Shannon for assisting!

"... Sin City"

Vegas strip

... need I say more??? Vegas trip was a blast, and just like the photo... it was a BLUR!!!

(photo shot with Zoom out technique)

"the stop..."

Bus Stop - Manila, Philippines

I have decided to go green... not 100% yet. Taking baby steps, and taking the bus again after 9 years. Bus and Subway have been my trusty friends during my brief stay in the Big Apple. It was very liberating, a humbling experience. Growing up with chauffeurs to drive me around, I have always dreamt of taking public transportation just for experience. My parents would not stop me, however they would always say it's safer to travel on our own cars. Moving to the Big Apple introduced me to things foreign to me; from taking the bus and train, to doing my own laundry.

... and I quote Brian Tracy "Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new"...

"... solitude"

Back Bay, Newport Beach

... a time to rest, think without being disturbed.

I decided to put myself in the state of short term solitude, to decompress from daily stress, and recover my creative senses. It has always worked time and time again where you either find me inside a church talking to Him, or outside where I reconnect with Mother Nature. Today was the day where I decided to walk that path... a path that leads to rediscovering my soul, my passion.

"Shirt The Kids Campaign"

Being fortunate to enjoy the necessities in life, I continue to reconnect myself to my Motherland by participating and supporting different campaigns. I have been lucky to network with the owners and makers of "Pnoy Apparel", a San Diego based company on one of the red carpet events I covered. What more could I ask for besides shooting jobs, and at the same time supporting charity campaigns. Life is good!!!

"...I'm up here"

I'm up here!

Shooting at different and weird angles are always fun. It brings back my childhood days of playing hide and seek, or climbing trees to pretend like a bird and enjoy the view.

On this shot that I did for my niece, I decided to climb a tree just for fun. Did I care about the thousand worth of equipment I had on top of the tree? Honestly, I did not (I know, the Photo Fairies are looking at me weird when I said that). It was the fun factor and being a child again that made this photo session a memorable one. My niece though wanted to climb up with me after I was done taking the photo. What can I do... kids just love me! :)

"... not so Old World"

Old World Portrait

I've never made coffee as far as I can remember. I do not drink coffee for the fact that caffeine makes me sleepy. You may be wondering why I brought up coffee when I have an old world inspired portrait. You'll find out... soon.

As part of our assignment, we were given the task to shoot something of today with an old world feel to it. I have decided to go with "entertainer" of the olden age. How did I come about with that concept... EJ Bellocq inspired. Far from what I have conceptualized, I am still happy with the images I have produced. Also, I was able to work with my wife on this assignment... although the 4x5 was not what she expected (not as easy as a digital camera).

...about the coffee - make 4 cups of coffee, leave your print submerged for a day, and you got a nicely toned print Old World style! Toning may differ depending on brand :)

"mat board fun..."

Weekend almost over... Monday Marker fast approaching... assignments being finalized... equipments to be returned... equipments to be reserved... studio to be reserved... films to be processed... contact sheets and photos to be printed... just what to expect weekly, it's fun!

In every struggle, we just have to take it in a positive note. After prepping mat boards for my assignment, I was again reminded why this is fun, you have to accept that it is fun no matter what... Happy Sunday to all!