Been Out, But The Photos Don’t Come Out Quite Right
Manila Symphony Orchestra, with guest conductor Joseph Esmilla
Model photography has taken a rest, even though I’ve bought a cheap one-light kit, inspired largely by the OneLight Workshop. Decided to just go out and photo-document my usual: gigs.
First up was the manila Symphony Orchestra, with fellow Rangefinder Filipinas member Joseph Esmilla guest-conducting. There was no intention to take anything serious from the event, I just happen to have a camera with me because I intended to go somewhere else after the event. Glad enough to have the shot posted above. It was my first time to attend a classical music concert, which surprised the people I went with. It was a great concert, and I wished then I was exposed and understood the music better, along with the nuances of this sort of concert-going.
Lucban Pahiyas Festival 2010
Late post, since I only shot film this time, and have just recently developed the rolls.
Lucban, Quezon/May 15, 2010
Taken with a Seagull 4A TLR camera, past-date Fujicolor 100
I haven’t been to Lucban’s Pahiyas festival for a long time, though I’ve gone there on a few occasions with my photography group, just not during Pahiyas-time. The chance to go there again was just timely, since work wasn’t in the way that day. Personal fact to establish first: my mother is a native of Tayabas, a neighboring town of Lucban, where I’ve spent countless summer vacations in my younger years. Tayabas has its own version of Pahiyas as well, but I do remember us going to the more popular Lucban festivities.
Non-Band Gig Shots (2006-2007)
1234 Beach Rock Shanghai (China); September 17, 2006
Pau and Aby
Done with two photoshoots more from the last one. Let’s start with the latest:
Stylist/MUA: Nariese Giangan
Model: Pau Paguia
The decision to go outdoors for the Monday shoot was because Nariese insisted our model Pau must look great in natural environs. I gave in. I was hesitant that we’ll be shooting where everyone else does their pre-nup and cosplay shoots (UP Diliman), but we really didn’t have much of a choice. I was concerned about being cited by security, too, but since Pau was still studying there, I held on to that silver lining.
Still, I wasn’t all too confident. Part of my first model shoot was also held there, and I wasn’t all too happy with the output. The time where I got genuinely excited was seeing Pau posing with the sun behind her, her brown hair glowing, and her smile innocently captivating. As always, Nariese’s choice of clothes was impeccable, the accessories stood as integral accents to the model. I honestly felt inferior to all these elements, but like anyone who finds himself underwater, I had to swim.
Sorry, the metaphors are probably because I’ve been wolfing down Haruki Murakami audiobooks non-stop.
These Mondays of June
Since the 7th of this month, I’ve alloted Mondays to plan photoshoots. Not bands, but with models, and usually in a studio. The stars seem to be aligning this time, since I am learning new things here. For example:
Stylist/MUA: Nariese Giangan
Model: Gliter Villarin
Let’s start the story with Nariese. I met Nariese online, by means of us being followers of the band Paramita. We met a year or two ago, and did actually plan a shoot before, but that didn’t materialize. We kept in touch, and just at the start of this month, we started discussing the possibility of us getting together again and push through with a shoot, her doing the model’s makeup, assuming the stylist role, and myself as the photographer.
On previous shoots, I haven’t had anyone else to attend to the model’s makeup, clothes, etc., so this was a welcome change: those’re a couple of things I’m definitely glad to have someone take care of. Also, my work restdays this June fall on Sundays and Mondays, when band gigs are non-existent, and this would take my photographic fill.