"... 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!..."