JCBulatao Photography.

Ok. Totally non-photography related post. I just thought I'd take the time out to say that a year and a half (give or take a week) has passed since I started this blog. I hope that, in its own little way, it's been able to help those who've made its way here. I hope my intermittent nuggets of information mattered, in some little way to you, my dear readers. I would've wanted to be more active in my blogging, but as it stands, it seems I have barely any time for it. So out the window goes all my resolutions and goals for the blog for the past year and a half... But as the birth of a new year looms ever closer, my passion for the blog will perhaps be reborn as well. I don't want to make excuses but... I know life's been busy, and I've been preoccupied with living it, and for that, I apologize to you dear blog. I shall endeavor not to neglect you again. But perhaps not with the fervor I once believed I'd possibly have. Starting today, once a week... perhaps...

As I was writing my previous entry about using available light for photography, I thought I'd blog about product photography using (sort of) available lighting as well. Now, I don't claim to be an expert in any of this. While I was fortunate to apprentice with Carlos Legaspi for a very short time, I still feel that I lack the equipment and experience to go into commercial photography and be successful at it like he is. However, I've made my attempts at such on a small scale by using materials available to one with a small budget. I may not have the high-powered flash units, the sprawling studio, or the material that a successful commercial photography studio has, but I think that I've been able to come up with some fairly acceptable product shots using several PVC pipes, joints, stiff paper, white cloth and several fluorescent clip lamps (by acceptable I mean good enough to use on ebay or on multiply, and even for a certain stock photography site) . All above mentioned...

I don't pretend to be an expert when it comes to lighting. I have an idea what good lighting is like (portraiture) whether indoor or outdoor, though I can't say I'm able to achieve it with precision. Taking photos with available light, avoiding flashes and strobes, gives one's photos a different feeling, even letting a viewer feel as if he or she were truly there. Outdoor portraiture depends a lot on the sun as your major light source, and it's not something you can switch on, and off at will. Light modification outdoors takes a lot of creativity, and often other people besides yourself. Lighting subjects indoors is another challenge altogether. Different indoor lighting fixtures give off different colors, not to mention different amounts of light. Depending on the situation, there are several things you might need to consider to adapt to said light, or in a different circumstance, you might consider having the light adapt to you. If you're lucky enough to ...

Why Olympus? I've been asked this question many times, by Nikon and Canon users mostly (as they make up majority of the camera-toting population of the country). I've owned 4 digital cameras in my time, the latter 3 being Olympus units. And each time I was readying myself to upgrade, a friend or a relative would ask me why I stick to the brand. I'm writing this entry basically to answer said question in case it is posed by anyone else who has yet to ask me and have not heard my long-winded answer. So Why? The short version: Basically coz I'm used to it. Basically. Yeah. That's about it. Long version: 1) I like the 4/3rds standard. Olympus cameras use the 4/3rds standard, which, if you're not familiar with, is the same standard your monitor display uses. Shallow reason, fine. But I like the standard. I figure that you lose less detail in most photograph croppings compared to other brands. Canon and Nikon both use the 2/3rds standard, which is fine for your usual ...

I think most of you now know that I'm the proud owner of an E410 two lens kit. :) And it has dawned on me that I need a better carrying case. I used to be able to carry my digicam around in a neat little pouch, or wrapped in thick cloth / one of my shirts and inserted in my bag. While that provided my C-5000-Z ample protection, and was relatively ok enough for the bulkier C-8080 WZ (though somewhat more difficult as its general shape was a bit awkward for any of the pouches I owned, and it occupied a lot of space in my already always full backpack), I couldn't bare to do that to my new baby. I'd been looking at camera bags since I got it but couldn't bring myself to spend the amount of money needed to buy something that would look good and do the job. Luckily though, on the way back to the store from the restroom (its a long walk) I decided to take a quick peak into Living Well at The Podium. Low and behold, amidst all the sale items, that which I needed appeared to me....

:) Know any cute babies? :) Any stage-mommy mommies in the making? :) TPC is looking for infant models. :)

T o those who know me and / or read this blog semi-regularly, you probably know that I've been using two very functional point and shoots for my personal photography. Those who've had a personal relationship with those cameras know that they've served me well and have provided many an entertaining moment (particularly with the video recording function hehe). However, after so many years of experiencing their limitations, I've decided to upgrade. To do so, I had to say goodbye to one of my cameras, to my Olympus C-8080 WZ. I 've said good bye to the 8080's amazing versatility, it's video recording capability, it's comfortable bulk and all-in-one lens (all-in-one kasi wala ka naman talagang choice. hehe). And I've finally said hello to my first DSLR, the olympus E-410. :) It's smaller than the 8080, and doesn't have your standard camera grip, which has made it challenging to handle and stabilize. However, it is lighter, faster, and since it ...

SALE SALE SALE!! :) The Podium Mall is having its 3 day sale from October 3 to 5 . In line with this, The Picture Company is going to give free sessions for non-members on those dates. :) For those who would want to become members, you can get in on the action for 30% less than the original price! That's a big discount! :) With the membership, you can enjoy unlimited photo sessions during your membership year and pay only for the prints that you want, plus loads of other freebies and priviledges! :) Come one, com all! :D Visit The Picture Company Podium this October 3, 4 and 5 to avail of this wonderful discount and FREEBIE!!! :D To see the perks of being a Picture Company member visit this site: http://www.picturecompany.com.ph/member.html :D

W oohoo!! I mentioned this model in a previous entry about the E420. And it's finally arrived. Was it worth waiting for? Well, near as I can tell, it is. pictures from dpreview.com Announced May 13, 2008, the E520 is Olympus' upper-entry level camera upgrade to the E510. The E520 sports similar features to its older counterpart, with nearly identical external features, even down to the measurements and weight. One of the few cosmetic differences one would notice between the two would be blue markings instead of green. Another would be a differently texutrized and finished command dial. However, one of the biggest differences between the E510 and E520 comes in a bigger 2.7 inch, 230,000 pixel LCD screen. E510 rear (photo from dpreview) VS E520 rear (photo from dpreview) While both the E510 and E520 have the sensor-shift image stabilization feature, (a feature you won't find in their compact little brothers, the E410 and E420), other improvements you'll find in the later ...

Ok, long time no blog. :) In light of the inadvertent success of CBTL's promo (though I think they didn't intend it to be so), The Picture Company Podium is proud to present (tantananan!)... Just print out the above coupon and present it at our Podium branch to avail of this promo. :) It's advisable to call 6375929 or 6342632 in advance to book a slot. :) Hope I get to shoot your photos. :) I repeat. FREE SESSION. :) just pay for the prints you want! :D See you all there!

I haven't been blogging in forever. :) Just want to share one of the few photos I've taken lately that hasn't involved work or travel. :) I'll probably blog about the travel, but let's reserve that for another, more serious entry. :) Click for bigger image. For now, lets take a look at what we get when I try my hand at Macro Photography... Spider in halftone pattern... the bloody spider kept jumping to the camera.

F irst of all, I've to apologize for the erratic nature of my blogging life. :) I haven't been really able to follow through with many or any of my personal projects, and I guess that's the price one pays for being dedicated to one's craft. Being a kiddie portrait photographer slash child entertainer isn't quite as easy as it sounds. It's fun though, to be sure. :) (If you happen to be reading this blog entry and are interested and the above job, you can check out the www.picturecompany.com.ph site) . I f portrait photography and kids aren't your cup of tea, there's loads of other photography-avenues to travel. There's landscape photography, Product Photography, photo journalism, Events, and wedding photography among others (beyond this small list, I cannot think of any more, but that just goes to show what little I know, doesn't it?:p) O f all of the above, aside from kiddie portrait photography, I could say I've had experience with produc...

I was recently introduced to this term by a co-worker who said she'd been called one by her friend when said friend learned that she is now a photographer at The Picture Company . Supposedly " maniniyot " is the tagalog / filipino word for "photographer". Ok, first off, as far as the word goes, I'm not even sure if it's a real word. I can't begin to fathom what tagalog root-word could've birthed such a word (obvious from this reaction perhaps my revulsion to the term) if it is at all, in fact, tagalog. But language being such that it is, evolving I mean, I'm sure it was only a matter of time before we would invent such a word. Spurred on by curiosity and annoyance, googling (also an invented word now that one thinks about it) the term pointed me to several websites and blogs having to do with photography, and to a youtube video entitled "Mr. Kodaker (Ang Maniniyot) - Max Surban - Karaoke". All said links, none of which providing d...

J ust so people don't think I'm BS ing about the birds I've seen... I know it's not my best work. It's grainy and pretty backlit. :) I just need a more capable camera.

Well hello world. Long time no blog. :) I wish I could dazzle the world with amazing tales of my travels as of late, it being the summer months and all, however my current occupation is keeping me busy at the moment. I'd love to be able to travel and go on safaris and what not. Though the closest to a safari I might ever really get to go to would be in Zoobic. I discovered something recently however. Or rather I remembered something. I once heard my mom's officemates talk about bird watching around the Ateneo Campus. I think there was even a bird-watching club of sorts there. Didn't give it much thought at the time. I really couldn't imagine myself running around campus with birding binoculars and camera in tow, waiting for the slightest sign of wild, feathered friends. Recently however, after my little adventure in Rizal park, having encountered the not-so-wild variety of resident birds and after reflecting on the birds I did see in captivity on a recent visit to the A...

I just thought I'd share some photos I took of some of the accommodations available at Subic Sweet Water resort. Mind you, we didn't get to go around all the villas, just the two main buildings of the resort (hitherto fore called building A, which the building where the kitchen is located, and building B, which is newer and bigger - I think - than the previous) . And even in those buildings, I just took photos of the living areas on the 2nd floors of both buildings. :) Just to give you an idea, basically, you'd be able to pretty much house at least 12 people in each of these rooms (16 in the bigger space in building B) . We wanted to explore some more but the army soldiers occupying the rest of the resort were kinda intimidating. For the original blog entry about Subic Sweet Water, please click here . I apologize in advance for the sucky wide-angle shots. :D I'll take better pictures next time. I promise. :D "Building A" Living Area, building A...

O ne of my recent entries had to do with setting personal projects as far as photography is concerned. I talked about possibly going around town to take pictures of monuments and iconic places. The other morning I was able to do just that. Here are some photos I took of the Rizal Monument at Rizal park, the surrounding views and statues, as well as the people who frequent / visit the area. I don't think I've ever actually been to Rizal park. Or at least, I don't ever remember having gone there, even when I was younger. Basically, the trip there was very much like my first time, if it wasn't in fact my first visit ever. I decided to park in front of the Museo Pambata (if I'm not mistaken) . From there, I walked to the masonic clock which is across the road from Jose Rizal himself. My first few photos show the KM 0 marker and the clock itself. I don't know who decided to make Manila, or this point in Manila the basis for distance to and from almost any locatio...

I 've previously shared with you several instances of my travels around the Philippines. This is the latest in the series, I guess. Hahaha. I t's summer time, and what better place to go than the beach? Because of insistent public demand (well, more like glowing reviews from beach goers from certain forums) , we decided to go to Subic Sweet Water Beach Resort. And I gotta say, this particular place is probably one of the best beaches I've been to lately, if not one of the best beaches I've been to period . D on't let the name fool you though. It might be called a resort, but it's really not (well, technically it really is but...) . I'd say, it's more of a haven actually. I home away from home, away from all the hustle and bustle and stress that the over-commercialized Subic Bay freeport area represents. It's fine and nearly white sand, it's breath-taking vistas, cool and surprisingly not so salty water (my personal estimation compared to some bea...

Just thought about this right now. I blogged about advice Charles Traub gave to aspiring young photographers the other night. Now I'm thinking of going down that list and "doing" them tasks one by one. :) A challenge to myself! I've to be able to do it all within... 3 months? Is 3 months fair? Hmmm. Well, maybe not all. At least 50% of them. Haha. Actually understanding or interpreting the list and putting it into motion will be the bigger challenge I think. We'll see. I'm particularly interested in the one that says "Do fifty of them—you definitely will get a show." Hahahah. Maybe I'll combine that with "Do it big, if you can't, do it in red." Hmmmmmmm. I'm excited!

I n a previous and unrelated post, I mentioned this handy little component of my current digital cameras. I actually considered this a requirement when I went shopping for both my digital cameras in the past. Why? Well, for a couple of reasons really, which really points to the main issue of the need for artificial light in everyday and almost every night photography. Olympus c-5000z hot shoe Olympus c-8080wz hot shoe S o basically, a hot shoe on any camera allows the photographer to use additional artificial light sources because, hey, let's face it, the on-board flash can only do so much. :) Aside from being able to use an actual flash unit directly connected to the flash via the hot shoe, with the right accessories, you can also use other flash units (professional studio or otherwise) that are off the camera as well, giving you a wide range of possibilities lighting-wise. W hile the presence or absence of the hot shoe does not necessarily measure a camera's worth or a camera...

Here are a few more noteworthy photos from Maundy Thursday's trip around Manila. Other shots on my FlickR . :) tamad kasi i- post lahat . Hehehe After visiting most of the churches on the list and saying our prayers, we ended up in the parking lot behind the CCP where we sought shade and relief, and ate lunch (and discovered that the CRV actually has a fold out table in back by default). UST church, probably the squarest church ever... Gothic, yes. Rusty too. view from the back, San Sebastian Church Stained Glass Window a Gothic ceiling The Payong in use I remember coming here... but I never realized that it shared the compound with Adamson. Encountered these folks at two churches. UST and at Nstra Sra. de Guia The statue / image encased in glass is oooooooooooold (and miraculous too). Greenest indoor color cast not attributed to fluorescent lighting ever (I think). I should've taken a picture of the doors to this place... last church we visited that day. A reminder to Parishi...