JCBulatao Photography.

Goddaughters. Mga inaanak. Tampisaw Posing Sunset by the bay Bubbles - taken by Neng

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...

As most of you know, I am an Olympus user. I love the format, the colors, and the cameras that I've been lucky enough to have had the pleasure of using. That being said, I don't believe that I am what I am only because of the camera that I use. Despite what I previously believed, and what I sometimes may feel because of equipment-envy, a Photographer is not his / her camera. When it comes to photography and the art of capturing the moment, one does not have to have the top of the line, full-frame, DSLR. What I've learned, after 10 plus years of taking photos, is that the sky is the limit when it comes to what a photographer can do with the equipment he / she has. Skill, art with the instrument is what will differentiate a photographer from a camera owner, however high tech his / her gear is. While everyone, given the correct financial breaks and availability of funds, can own the best camera on the market, not everyone who might own said camera will be able to utilize it qu...

I recently stumbled upon this, Olympus' newest DSLR on my favorite source for photo info but found it uncharacteristically lacking. Search engine results and preliminary reviews almost make me want to take back what I said about the E-3. Almost... I'd probably still go for the E-3, however, I'm sure I'd also jump at the chance to hold / own / use the Olympus E-30. Announced November of last year, one wonders where the E-30 fit in Olympus' scheme of things. Well, supposedly it is positioning itself between the rugged Professional E-3 and the less than pro E-520. It's not as rugged, nor weather sealed as the E-3 (which used magnesium alloy, versus the E-30's structural plastic), and weighs in just midway between the two models. Dimensions-wise however it shares the E-3's girth, if only to be slightly shorter by 10mm. Additionally a newly designed viewfinder [penta]prism makes it lighter than the pro, but at the same time gives it a better view than the 520...

Tonight is supposedly the night of the fullest and brightest moon of the year. Tonight or last night. Was only able to take photos of the moon tonight though. Shot using Olympus E410, film speed 200-400, f5.6, shutter speed variable, using full 150mm.

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...