Category: Recent News

Photography Tips: Top 5 must-see inspiring photography titles on Netflix during lockdown

April 15, 2020

Fact: many of us have been binge-watching on Netflix almost everyday during the enhanced community quarantine. So true. Include us on that guilty list. And since we are on Netflix, may we humbly suggest our Top 5 personal favorites of must-watch documentary/films related to photography, in no particular order.

LA Originals (Estevan Oriol, Photographer)
1 Hour, 32 Minutes.

https://www.netflix.com/title/80995284

Photography Tips: Understanding negative space can boost your photography skills

April 15, 2020

by Jayson Arquiza

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The goal is to develop a good eye in photography, and understanding negative space is one of the most effective ways to improve your composition. It builds a relationship between your main subject and the background, with only a small part of your composition that has the object on it. Less is definitely more. It has a unique effect that commands more attention away from your subject. As a result, viewers will take more time to look at it.

#fotografíashare: Shot on Canon 6D and 50mm Lens // ISO 200 f/1.8 1/60 sec

Photography Tips: Always a good idea to pair your photos with an incredibly strong caption

April 14, 2020

by Jayson Arquiza

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Last January 8, 2020 we were honored to be invited by PAWP (Philippine Association of Wedding Planners) to experience Balesin Island Club. During our stay, we joined their social media campaign of promoting #BreathtakingBalesinEvents by posting images of our stay. Throughout the island tour we focused our strategy on the detail shots paired with a strong caption.

Breathtaking up to the smallest details. This is @balesinislandclub. Every piece of Balesin was well-thought of and crafted with love. We heart the visuals, truly breathtaking! Thank you for the opportunity of this experience! #BreathtakingBalesinEvents #jaysonandjoanne #BalesinIslandClub
@jaysonandjoanne on Instagram

Photography Tips: Get to know and master your awesome camera

April 14, 2020

by Jayson Arquiza

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There are countless camera bodies, lenses, and accessories available in the market today. Different brands, different models, different price range. Every year, each of those brand releases a newer one. Technology is incredibly fast, and sometimes you get the pressure of always upgrading. The misconception that the latest camera gear will produce you the best images.

#fotografíashare: Shot on Canon 6D and 100mm Lens // ISO 640 f/2.8 1/320 sec

Unfortunately, you are mislead. Please bear in mind that the best camera is the one you have and the one you know. As the saying goes, it’s the indian, not the pana. An entry-level camera can do great images if utilized properly so start by getting familiar with your camera. Master every inch of it, every feature, and maximize it’s capabilities.

Photography Tips: How to develop a healthy photographer mindset?

April 13, 2020

by Jayson Arquiza

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If you are just starting photography, never compare yourself with anyone, that is completely discouraging. You maybe measuring your beginnings with someone’s middle, or even a pro photographer’s prime. The correct mindset should be you competing with yourself. Have them only as your inspirations, the goal should always be self improvement. Everyone is a newbie at some point, you should enjoy the process.

Another wrong mindset is when you tell yourself “I’ll practice photography when I go to vacation to insert travel destination here!” Wrong again, Never make excuses that you will only shoot when you travel. Start by simply going outside and make your surrounding interesting.

Keep putting in the work, and nonetheless you will improve.

Photography Share: The story behind our grand winning photo at the Canon Photo Marathon 2019

April 12, 2020

by Jo Anne Arquiza

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Jayson and I have told the story over a hundred times, we joined the Canon Photo Maration 2019 Sipat Pilipinas as a husband-and-wife bonding time. A competition with a mixed adrenaline rush and photography-centered creative exercise. This was our first time ever to join such a prestigious photo contest. Coming in, we already saw a similar tandem (not sure if they were boyfriend-and-girlfriend or a married couple) also joining the contest. Pretty much sure, we were all crazy excited! We had planned out most of our ideas beforehand. We also knew the locations we wanted to shoot.

#fotografíaShare: Shot on Canon 5D Mark III and 24mm Lens // ISO 200 f/2.5 1/320 sec

We were there as early as 6am for the registration, paid Php 550 each for the contest fee. We then waited for the 8AM introduction and briefing. The rules and mechanics were explained to us and we were tasked to set our cameras to a specific date and time. Finally, the theme for the morning photo challenge was revealed – it was Dream.

Photography Tips: Shooting prenups on the fly and maximizing the spots

April 11, 2020

by Jo Anne Arquiza

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Sharing with you a few photography hacks when shooting a pre-wedding here in the Philippines. We like to shoot our prenups efficiently fast. We know that preparations, makeup, and styling usually takes time therefore during photo shoot we make sure that we make the most out of it. Scouting is the key and being spontaneous in any given location is always important. Keep in mind to maximize the spots even before moving to another location. We are sharing 3 sets of examples below to help demonstrate how quickly you can make the best use of your time working in a relatively small area.

Example A: RJ and Crystal
Location: Hotel veranda/porch

#fotografíatips: Find a good spot to sit the couple, where they can just talk and cheer each other. Spot preferably with a shallow depth of field, wherein subject can clearly stand out.

Filipino photographer Jo Avila shares his Covid-19 journey

April 10, 2020

by Jayson Arquiza

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Many in the industry knows him as misterkodaker and he is one of the Philippines’ masters that I personally look up to. I am still stunned learning that he had been diagnosed with the Covid-19 virus. He was my photography teacher way back 2006 and I have so much respect on him as a mentor. I praise God for his speedy recovery.

Sharing with you the story of his battle here:

It was around 2 am on March 16, 2020 when I found myself outside the ER of a hospital near my Antipolo residence. It was the second day of the Metro-wide community quarantine.

I explained that I had been suffering from diarrhea the past two days and vomited prior to proceeding the hospital.

While in the ER, they took a stool sample, hooked me up to an IV and allowed me to sleep for two hours.

Since the results of the stool sample showed no trace of bacteria, I was prescribed medicine and oral rehydration salts and sent home.

On March 22, 2020 I was back in the ER. I still had diarrhea. The ER doctor took note that I was coughing and had a cold. The decision was made that I should be admitted as a PUI.

Unfortunately, the hospital could not accommodate me since 20 of their nurses were under quarantine. My wife and I started to think of other hospitals where I could be admitted. Antipolo and Metro Manila hospitals were already at full capacity.

At this point, my dad and elder brother had been informed about my situation. With their help, arrangements had been made for an ambulance to pick me up at home and bring me to Qualimed in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Photography Share: Introducing our approach in Street Photography

April 9, 2020

by Jayson Arquiza

It has been a good practice that we exercise street photography whenever we travel abroad. We go on our own approach of purely “shooting strangers” and just “random people” across the street. We brand these photographs as Street and Portraits. If you dig deeper, you may also realize how shooting candid photographs helps to enhance your skills as a wedding photographer.

#fotografíatips: (1) Shoot as discreet as possible. (2) Set the picture profile default to Monochrome, do this to remove the color distraction and focus on your composition. (3) Look for the light, find a good spot with striking balance of high key and shadows. (4) Look for unique and interesting subject[s]. Remember every photo has a story. Lastly, (5) Enjoy!

#fotografíashare: Canon 5D Mark II and 100mm Lens // ISO 160 f/2.8 1/250 sec // Melbourne, AU