I AM A DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER

At the Opon Marian Shrine

estan — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:27:29 +0000

A devotee of the Birhen sa Regla (Our Lady of Remedies) in Opon, Mactan, silently prays before the icon's image

The church in Opon, Mactan Is. is the national shrine of the Our Lady of Remedies and with the feast day just two weeks ahead, many devotees come here to pray.Similar Posts:

Enicka turns 6

estan — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:33:32 +0000

My niece is now 6 years old

This image was included in the 2006 Angkor Photo Festival nightly projections.Similar Posts:

Landscapes of faith, study #2

estan — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:10:18 +0000

A Marian grotto (Our Lady of Lourdes) at the vicinity of Kawasan Falls in Badian, Cebu

While at Kawasan Falls in Badian, Cebu, this Marian grotto caught my attention while looking around the area. This is my second experimental shot for a series that I’m thinking of pursuing. The first study is this one.

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Landscapes of faith?

estan — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:02:47 +0000

View of the belfry of Oslob Church and the unfinished cuartel

I’ve been thinking of adding to my Pagtu-o work something like “landscapes of faith” or how tangible expressions of Filipino faith is part of his surroundings and life but I’m still experimenting on how I should make it.Similar Posts:

Blink. (2002)

estan — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:43:39 +0000

A wonderful book featuring 100 emerging photographers selected by 10 curators

I have seen this book previously, in fact, a few years ago sold at one of the big bookstores in Metro Manila. However, I missed this one that time. Lately, I have found wonderful books at a bargain bookstore where I got my Nan Goldin and it was also the place where I bought Blink.

Its a big book consisting of 100 up and coming photographers (circa 2002) from different styles from around the world chosen by 10 curators and gives a snapshot of the world of contemporary photography. From fashion to photojournalism. From art to digital photography, it showcases the different ideas, approaches and techniques. The curators also selected 10 writers whose work range from fiction to theory and have touched a chord with their experience.

A wonderful book that is still relevant today.Similar Posts:

As It Is: Portrait works by 8 photographers

estan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:05:00 +0000

Portrait works by Frankie Callaghan, Candice Reyes, Tesa Celdran, Dennis Rito, Geric Cruz, Dennis Vega, Miguel Nacianceno and Tammy David

Last September, the German photographer Espen Eichhöfer was invited by the Goethe Institut – Manila, a contribution to its regional project, City Scapes, to conduct a workshop for eight Filipino photographers at the Silverlens Gallery. It’s the second time that this kind of workshop was held, the first, with Peter Bialobrzeski that culminated in the Mapping Invisible Cities traveling exhibit.

This time, Goethe Institut focused on the Philippines as it was the only country in the Southeast Asian region that enthusiastically responded to the first workshop. With the theme Portraits, eight photographers interpreted it and the output is
AS IT IS.

Like the first work, Urban Manila, I designed this website.Similar Posts:

A 12 year old photographer just impressed me

estan — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:12:34 +0000

Gabriel Lumbab, 12 years old has a natural talent in taking images. He seems to have an eye for well composed photos.

The young photographer's work.

Looking at the displayed images at the children’s mini photo exhibit at Fort San Pedro last weekend, two images struck me: a photo of a flower against the sky and the façade of the old cuartel inside the fort.

Composition and framing was quite good considering that these are kids 13 years old and below with no photography training who joined a two day workshop. When I asked who the young photographers are, I was told that it belonged to one boy: Gabriel Lumbab, 12 years old. I was almost speechless! What shocked me more was when Lorens, one of the mentor-photographers, told me that Gabriel only attended the practical part (second day).

This kid has a natural eye for good images. The two complex photos demonstrate his grasp for balance and what is considered good composition. If this talent is nurtured, he will reach great heights.Similar Posts:

Children’s mini photo exhibit

estan — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:03:00 +0000

Half of the output of a childrens photo workshop that was part of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation's activities

I was just amazed at the output of a children’s photo workshop conducted by two friends for a series of activities including drawing, performance arts, etc, by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation’s Kids at the Museum program at the back of the Fort San Pedro last Saturday. One in particular, Gabriel Lumbab blew me away.Similar Posts:

Honoring the dead in Cebu now up in demotix.com

estan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:55:13 +0000

My fourth photo story in Demotix taken during the All Souls' Day eve

The images I took of the All Souls’ Day eve is now up at Demotix. It consists of 11 images all taken at the Talisay City Catholic cemetery at night. The work revolves around the dakung krus (literally, big cross) which is a common area where people offer candles and prayers instead of going from burial plot to burial plot and niche to niche.

From that center, I went around the vicinity but limited my shots within the public area where the dead are buried on the ground and in apartment link niches stacked one on top of each other.

As the night deepens, more people are coming and the main walkway gets crowded with visitors bearing candles and flowers.

All Soul’s Day eve is also an occasion to catch up with relatives and friends as mini reunions are formed.

“Day of the Dead” slideshow with free PDFSimilar Posts:

All Souls Day eve in Talisay City, Cebu

estan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:50:28 +0000

On the eve of All Souls’ Day celebrated 2 November, most Filipinos flock to the cemeteries to honor the departed. In Talisay City, Cebu, the glow of a thousand candles is just spectacular.

At one section of the cemetery where space is so tight.

At the common area, a man lights a candle for a departed.

In another area, this family was praying the rosary

Burial niches stacked on top of one another

“Day of the Dead” slideshow with free PDF

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