When it is raining, what is "it?"

When it is raining, what is "it?"

Answer here

Going Yellow

I've been teaching photographic lighting for a little over two years now.  My hobby-turned-profession has taken me to different places, I've met many different people, and I've learned a lot of new things.  I've taken fashion shots for magazine covers, food shots for restaurant and hotel menus, event coverage for company websites, lifestyle shots for developers' billboards, product shots for entrepreneurs, and many other commissioned shoots.  Many people have helped me along the way, and I can't even begin to thank them all for the support and helping hands that they have unselfishly given.  There's the secondary photographer, the assistant holding the reflector, the makeup artist, the stylist, and many other people directly involved with the shoots.  And then there are the people who have helped me in another way.  The small pep talks, the introductions to prospective clients, the referrals, the little favors.  These people have helped me become who I am today. 

Recently, I've received a little more help from someone.  And that someone is a little company known as NIKON.  I've been a Canon user since the beginning, and that decision was based mostly on what system my friends were using at the time.  The prevailing thought when I made that decision was "who has more lenses and accessories that I can borrow?"  And the answer was, of course, Canon.  I also leaned towards them because of the local service centers that provided support for your camera woes.  Through the years though, the makers of the system that I was already heavily invested in did little in the way of direct support to their professional clientele.  When I would go to their service center to get my camera repaired or cleaned, the least I expected was a service unit that they could lend me so that I could continue with my craft while they took care of my gear.  Nil.  Zip.  Nada.  I've asked more than a few times if I could test some lenses or test some other units, and all I managed to get was a verbal parry camouflaged as a joke.  It was frustrating!

Nikon Philippines (under Columbia Digital) got my partner, Parc Cruz, as an endorser a few months ago, and we've been endorsing the brand at our workshops since then.  Nikon would also come over and give away some items to our participants.  Our posters had their logo on them as well, so it was a win-win situation.  I had a dilemma though.  My system was Canon.  I was having a very difficult time helping Parc endorse Nikon while I was using another competing brand.  A few nights ago, my predicament would change dramatically.  I got a message in my Facebook inbox, and guess who it was from?  Nikon. They welcomed me to the family and asked if I could drop by their office on Thursday.  I thanked them and told them that I'd be glad to go meet them. 

When I got to their head office, I met with their CEO, and two people from their marketing department.  We talked about plans, how we could mutually help each other, and how to grow together as company and endorser.  After  a few hours and some signatures later, they loaded me with a sort of "welcome package" consisting of some items that would send me on my way into the Nikon universe.  A shiny new D300s Digital SLR, a prime lens, and some other accessories were in the package.  They also threw in some Nikon paraphernalia like bag tags, a keychain and a calendar, to mention a few.  I was awestruck with the showering of items and toys and thought to myself, "now THIS is support."  I've yet to get used to the controls of the new camera and test out its capabilities, but I know this early that this is the start of a beautiful relationship. :)

Multiplying Money

Yesterday, I was with my friends Parc and Reo.  We dropped by a car audio shop and took a look around.  I needed a wooden spacer to install my new speakers, so I asked them if they had any.  Junior, the owner, asked me to come back the following day so that he could make some to my specifications.

Today, I decided to save some gas and bike going to Junior's shop, which is roughly 15kms away from my place.  When I got there, the spacers were done and they looked perfect.  Junior was still out to lunch, so I whiled away some time looking at his wares.  By the time I was on my way home an hour later, my backpack was around 8 lbs heavier, my wallet was a LOT lighter, and I was happy.  I ended up shopping for all the necessary wires and fittings to "future-proof" my car audio system.  8 meters of Ryan Audio gauge 4 wires, 12 meters of Audiomax gauge 16 speaker wires, Stinger RCA cables, a Ryan Audio distribution fuse block, and two pieces of half inch wooden spacers.  My initial Php300 purchase of wooden spacers turned into a shopping spree worth a little more (ok, ok, a LOT more).  At least I saved a little money by riding my bike instead of driving my car there.  Hahaha!

That got me thinking... how did it happen?  I wasn't sales-talked into it.  I don't really NEED to have these expensive items to get my audio system working.  But I made the purchase anyway.  Go figure!  Maybe I was thinking that I would eventually upgrade anyway, so I did it right the first time.  Maybe that's just me trying to justify the purchase.  But whatever!  I'm smiling! :D

RCBC Rooftop Helipad

Parc Cruz

Helipad

I was highly fortunate to have been invited to shoot at the rooftop helipad of RCBC Tower, in Makati.  Access to places like this are very limited, and highly exclusive.  One of our friends was able to pull some strings and get a permit to shoot at this awesome venue!

We got to RCBC Plaza at around 5PM.  After a few minutes clearing up our permit and waiting for our group to be complete, we were ushered in and led to the service elevators of the Yuchengco tower.  A few more minutes and some transfers later, we were finally at the uppermost area of the building.  The helipad was great, but the view from the top was just awesome!  All around, we could see the metropolis sprawling in all directions.  Cameras were brought out, tripods were set up, and shutters began clicking.  The shoot had begun.

People were scattering in all directions, some in groups or pairs, some by themselves.  Wide lenses, telephoto lenses, large apertures, small apertures, long exposures, fast shutters, and all sorts of angles were being used.  We were having such a great time!

Around three and a half hours later, our memory cards were full and our bodies were aching.  But we were all exhilarated!  We were all very happy with our captures, but we were all hungry at this point.  We decided to eat out at Kanin Club in Ayala Triangle Gardens.  Dinuguan, Callos, Kangkong, and a lot of different dishes were on the table and we all had our fill (and more!).

We went home in high spirits and with full bellies. It's been a while since I had a fun shoot, and this one made me appreciate the joy that I felt when I first got into photography.  It was a worthwhile experience and I hope I get to do it more often. :)

Looking Up

Nightscape II