JCBulatao Photography.

Well, this update is actually a couple of weeks old but might as well share it (as I have via plurk and facebook anyway). :) I went and got myself a strobist umbrella set. Splurged on some upgrades and options as well. 1.) 6 foot stand --> 9 foot stand 2.) 36 inch shoot through umbrella --> 43 inches 3.) Swivel umbrella bracket. + PT-04 remote trigger set (had to get the PT-04 set as the other model didn't trigger my current flash for some reason). I actually bought a couple of blowers as well while I was there (cheap at 150). I'm loving it (or at least the fact that I own it hehe). Unfortunately for me, there were some considerations that I didn't, well, consider. :) The strobist kit picked a 6 foot stand for a reason: portability. The 9 foot stand is anything but. It gives a lot of height though, and I'm sure that I'll be needing it eventually (like for Christmas family photos and what not). All purchases made from TayHua trading corp . For this ...

While I haven't been posting any of my own creations, impressions or capturations (as I believe that photos are moments one captures and and rarely ever creates from scratch), I have, while reading strobist , stumbled upon a man who's photography fascinates me. His name is Clay Enos . The article in particular features a video of him doing street photography, rather using a portion of the street as his studio, and giving tips on how to do it. It doesn't involve all that much in the way of technology and equipment, and it seems like something I would love to try. As a photographer I lean towards portraiture more than anything. I'll try to take a good photo of a particularly breathtaking landscape when I'm there, or cover a party or three to chronicle a happy experience, but given the choice I know I would take portraits ahead, above and beyond anything else. Street photography for me holds such an allure. The challenge of the venue, lighting au natural, and the excit...

First off, it's been forever since I last wrote in any of my blogs. Just a statement of fact. Now on to the main thought of this entry... In my quest (albeit inconsistent and rambling) to better myself as a photographer, I have, on occasion, visited several sites to learn new concepts, study other people's photos and make my own little tools and things, like the light tent for example... I previously blogged about strobist and it being one of the sites I would love to make this blog like, a wellspring of info and learning. I recently stumbled onto a site which would also help give ideas and let one express their creativity for feedback. Stumbled onto inspi.re via facebook. From what I can tell, its a community of photographers of different skill levels who group themselves according to their specific interests. There's a community strictly for black and white photography, DSLR users, Nature photography etc. What I like about it is that they require participation via votin...

W hile most of what I think I might be blogging about in this series of entries will be about how to utilize your DSLR, a lot of what I plan to go on about can also be found in some more prosumer-level point and shoot cameras ( like those I actually own ). T ake Program mode for example ( accessible on SLRs and Prosumers by turning your mode dial to the "P" mode, or by going into menu and changing shooting modes - for some point and shoot compact cameras ). W hile most point and shoot users undoubtedly have used the full auto mode at one point or another, they might not realize that they have options for a greater range of control over their photography experience. W hen one uses full auto in shooting, the photographer gives up all control to the camera's on-board computer, and will just use their camera to basically chronicle what's happening around them without giving a second thought to exposure settings, whether or not to use flash, etc... using the Program mo...

I still can't get over how pretentious this all is. However, we've got to start somewhere. And this, my dear fellow photography enthusiasts, is where it should all begin. While one can always get one's camera straight out of the box and try pointing it at anything at moves, clicking the shutter release and start taking pictures, such doesn't a good photographer make. First step should be to read the owners manual, as is with any sophisticated piece of equipment that anyone would dare to use. Getting to know your camera in this way allows for a more comprehensive understanding of what it can and can't do. At the very least, going through the owner's manual helps you differentiate between the myriad of buttons that any modern digital camera presents its owners with. Acquaint yourself with every button, lever, knob, wheel and switch your camera has so as not to lose yourself somewhere down the line. You don't always have to read it from cover to cover thoug...

Like Socrates once said (though I know I might be paraphrasing), a wise man knows that he knows nothing. Well, I don't think I'm too proud to admit it. :) There are times when I feel like I need to improve my work, look at more pictures, emulate greater / more skilled photographers to add to my own skill set. However, in my 14 or so years of "being a photographer", I'd like to think I've learned enough to get by. I've been taking photos for roughly 14 or so years. I got my first camera when I was 13, back when I was still in 7th grade I think. It was one of those point and shoot deals which used 110 film ( Does anyone remember what 110 film looks like? Do they still even make it? ). Anyway, I took photos on a field trip we had to who knows where anymore... and in immortalizing those moments (albeit temporarily on 3R prints I've long since lost), I've been hooked ever since. Photography isn't always just point and shoot though, as I would...

O k. When I started this blog, I was aiming to impart some wisdom as far as taking good pictures goes. I was hoping to talk about techniques, some basic, like Rule of Thirds, and other things I've picked up along the way. Truth is though, I wouldn't know where to start. I wouldn't know what to call whatever technique I used to cover so-and-so's wedding or take product shots for our little business. I guess I'm more of an applied-photography sort of guy. Not to say that I don't know anything. I just don't know what to call them, or if it's even a technique at all. I just know I learned it from somewhere, from someone, and when I tried it by myself, it worked. T his is my first attempt at sharing something almost everyone knows. :) If it's at all helpful, please do say so. Comments welcome. R ule of Thirds Ok. This particular rule, for the uninitiated (if there are any out there reading this blog) is a rule of thumb for composition. It states that an...