Portraits Reinvented: A Photography Workshop

 If anybody is reading my blog, you might notice that I love taking photos. I have several blog entries here about the workshops that I attended to. Most of them are sponsored by Canon. Last Saturday, November 7, They organized an workshop at PCCI in Makati.  We have Canon’s crusader of Light Ibarra Deri and his daughter Dail Deri as our instructors. The focus for this session is about Portraits. Here we will learned about the basic principles in Portrait Photography and what makes your subject beautiful.

Credits to Canon Marketing Philippines

With the 3 hour event, we have learned a lot and we had models to practice our new skills. Below are some of the sample photos.

They had also provided snacks and freebies. I only paid 300.00 but the free items are almost worth more than P1000.00. Aside from the certificate, I received a shirt, ID lace, camera cleaning kit and a P1000.00 voucher that I can use in PCCI.

Take Home Goodies

I feel lucky to join this event and I am looking forward to the next activities organized by Canon.I encourage all new camera owners to join their upcoming class because I can guarantee you that it's worth it. 

Paint the town Red with Canon Photomarathon 2012

Canon has recently concluded its National Photomarathon last Dec. 8 in Fort Santiago in Intramuros,Manila. The event started at around 8am with about 2000 participants. It was well supported by a number of Sponsors. They have 3 categories; Point and Shoot, DSLR and Video.
I participated in the DSLR category. First thing that I got after signing up is the goodie bag containing the shirt,id and meal stubs. I really like the short because it says "Go out and Shoot". Its one thing I should do often. I hope I have more time to do that next year.
They have two themes this year. The first one is:

Entering the seven gates of Feudal Lords 

The Stream of Imagination and 400 year unfolds, 

Fortified from strength 

of Distinguished and ever loyal subject 

Is vibrant urban fabric of life 

where colonial past reflect

The second theme is kinda tricky as well:

A magical city that will shape our 

Future 

With Nationalism embedded in our 

Culture 

The heroic legacy of dungeons you 

will see 

Gleaming with amber spectrum and 

Classic Beauty

For the first theme I went around Fort Santiago but I cant seem to find the right inspiration. Its a good thing I used to study in PLM during college and I know a beautiful place that I've been missing so much. I went to San Diego Gardens. Was a little surprise that I have to pay P75.00 just to go there again. I used to hang out there before for free. I took a photo of the view from from the walls and also of the ruins in that garden.

One thing that I like about this event is that it has given me opportunities to meet new people who share the same interest with me. I met Chelle and her husband Dex and their friend Garry. It was also their first time to join in the contest but they had been taking photos for a very long time now. I'm really amaze with what they do. I hope next time I can join them in one of their photo gigs or in the next photomarathon.

Chelle and Garry

After a long day of shooting, Canon provided a program with Kuya Kim Atienza and Alodia Gosiengfiao as special guest and provided fun games and prizes to all participants. I was lucky enough to win a Tenba camera bag and a small shoulder bag. :)

I was really not expecting to win anything that day since I know there are thousands of other participants in the event. They had also encourage everyone to take part of the Advocacy Group of Canon who assist different organization. They had announced the finalist for the photo contest and there will be live judging on who will get the fabulous prizes. I was really glad that Dex was one of the finalist and two of his photos were chosen to go against 7 other photographers. Being chosen over 2800 participants is a big honor enough for everyone. I hope one day I'll get my chance soon.

Dex and his two entries. 

I really have no regrets on choosing Canon as my brand of camera. They really excel not only in build and quality of their products but also in the aftersale service. The free photoskwela/workshop with the Brand Ambassadors/Cruisaders of Light alone is one way of showing they care about their customers and wants them to improve their skills. I'm looking forward to the next event from Canon Philippines and hopefully win with a great photo.

Canon Click, Print and Treat

Canon does it again! They had organized activity together with HidalgoGomez Store Owners Association in putting up this Halloween event, Click, Print and Treat. It was a photography workshop at the same time cosplay competition. The workshop was facilitated by Canon Brand Ambassador, Jay Tablante and the Cosplay Queen Alodia Gosiengfiao.

I really learned a lot of things from Jay. I now understand what he means with "Photography is the last thing you should now". Its really a plus factor if a photographer knows something about makeup,fashion, clothes because that makes it easier for him to work and collaborate ideas with his group.

Another lesson that he had shared is that one should never stop in being child and imagine. It can get you all the inspiration that you need to create a wonderful shot.

Here are some photos from the event

The busy street of Hidalgo 

The model/ her character was supposed to  look psychotic

Jay doing a demo on how to look psychotic

This is the entry that I submitted.

Ms. Alodia during the award ceremony

Alodia and the winner of the Cosplay

They were also giving away cool prizes for those with great photos. The theme for the contest  is Cosplayers in Quiapo. Too bad my shots weren't that good enough. Hopefully next time I can win in one of their contest. 

Anyway congrats to Canon and everyone who had organized the event. Hopefully this will pave the way in bringing more people to shop in Quiapo.

Canon Photography Seminar

I had this opportunity last April 21 to join Canon's photography seminar held in SM North EDSA. Its Canon's treat for the 15 years here in their loyal customers for the padt 15 years. We had Canon Ambassadors of Light Jay Jallorina, Jay Tablante and Per-Andre Hoffman as our insructors. This is one class surely i will never forget. It made me inspire more in taking photos and be a well-known Landscape and Travel photographer.This also gives me the opportunity to meet other photographers and make friends.

Sir Jay Jallorina taught us about the 3 important elements to create a breathtaking photo; Vision, Skill and Execution. Another topics is about the different techniques and tools that we will be needing to achieve the perfect shot. I find all the topics so interesting, I'm definitely going to save money to attend one of his Chasing Light trainings. I wish I can list all the topic here in my blog soon.

Sir Jay with my new friend, Victoria

The second part of the training is with sir Per-Andre Hoffman, he is one of the well known travel photographer whose works are published in National Geographic Magazines. He taught his techniques in photo printing and color management without using any software. He also told us that NatGeo doesnt accept photos with too much editing through photoshop.  He has been from almost every continent and all those photos are so amazing.

Sir Per Andre demonstrating his steps to Happy Way of Printing

Here is 

I'm really thankful that I chose Canon for my camera because the aftersales service is good and they really do take care of their customers by providing training with great masters. Looking forward for another photoskwela class.

Someday our work will also get published by international magazines. :-)

Sir Per Andre was so kind and even signed my brochure

Canon Photoskwela Plus

I recently attended the Canon Photoskwela Plus last saturday, March 24 at the Canon Imagenation Center in Manila Zoo. We had sir Jiggie Alejandrino and sir Noel Puyat as our instructor. They taught us with the basic operations of our cameras and tips on how we can make a simple snapshot into a photograph. Indeed their lessons helped me a lot in improving my art.  This gave me also an opportunity to meet other people who shares the same passion in photography.

I hope canon will provide us with more Photoskwela classes to everyone. I'm really thankful for that wonderful time yesterday.

Here are some of the photos from our class:

Our Classroom for the day :-)

Here is the view from the Imagenation Center

Adding Canon in the Photo

The horse was on the other side of the river. Canon let me use their EF300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in my Canon 1100D for this shot. I hope next time they can include it in the prize. :-)

Prizes for the best photo

Mother and Child

Mist and Leaf Thanks to this photo, I won the Black Rapid RS4 strap.