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What do you do when the power is out? You pick up a camera and take a photo of yourself!
Thanks to Aquilles Kalixto P. Maraan from the Middle East for sending me this wonderful gift.
I thought that it was time to change my avatar. I had my tripod, found good available light inspite of the weather, and used this scarf that was given to me as gift. It's not a keffiyeh, by the way. It just looks like one. Please don't see this self-portrait as a political protest.
I have said many times before, The Afghan Girl serves as my inspiration. With this, I also tried to bring out the Mona Lisa feel. I cannot explain it but this is what came out of my impromptu shoot.
MODEL: PARC PHOTOGRAPHY: PARC POST PROCESSING: PARC LIGHTING: BY FRANK
Took me a couple of shots because a self-portrait with a tripod is harder to do, especially if you're alone in doing it.
Presenting my third masterpiece in this series: my self-portrait.
Once again, my good friend Edwin Loyola sent me a file for me to play with. I played with the "photo", just for the record. Please don't get any ideas. I wasn't with him when this was taken. Hahaha! I just am in a defensive mode because this photo really popped in my email and shocked the wits out of me. I can imagine what you may be thinking. I don't normally get this kind of email from my buddies.
In fairness, before I got the email he did warn me about it.
And to his credit, too...he could carry the look well. He's a true artist with a body to die for hahahah! *joke*
For Edwin!
By the way, the photo did not come with the background and Edwin didn't have any wings either. I added all that since, as I said, I was playing with the photo. :)
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The original photo (without the wings and background) by Edwin was published and reviewed in the past. Here is the review.
We can certainly take this portrait of a man as an outstanding example of the excellent, almost unbeatable range of tonal values, the impressive plasticity and the fineness of detail rendition that can be obtained when this method is fully mastered. This cannot be achieved to such perfection in coloured photographic images, no matter how much the quality of today's photo chemical and, more recently, digital resources has been optimised. But perhaps the reason for our sensing great value when looking at a perfect black-and-white photo really lies in the way the process of seeing pictures takes place in our consciousness. Since our normal, everyday perception is geared to the full range of the spectrum of visible colours, it could be that we automatically rate a black-and-white picture as being something valuable and special because of the reduction of its colours. One thing that puzzles me, however, is why it should be that this process apparently does not work in the same way when it comes to black-and-white television pictures.
However, this quality bonus of a black-and-white photograph only comes to bear if the photographer displays absolute, perfect mastery of the technique, both when capturing the image and during finishing in the lab.
Edwin Loyola from the Philippines, the author of this photo of a male nude,certainly deserves to be awarded the unqualified title of master of this technique. This picture is simply perfect. It contains every nuance, all the way from pure white to deep black, with the finest of transitions. In addition, he makes such controlled use of this modulation that the flowing, merging forms of the body are brought out beautifully.
The photographer used just a single light source for his picture. Although it is positioned very low on the left, almost in the manner of graze lighting, the right-hand side of the body is still not lost in darkness. Perhaps he set up a reflector on the right, such as a white or grey wall. Whatever the case may be, Edwin Loyola succeeded in ensuring that even the parts of the body lying in the shade retain some very delicate definition and are not swamped in black.
The composition of the photo is also admirable. The man's pose clearly conveys virility and strength, but without in any way looking "pushy" - the impression is entirely one of reticence and discreetness.
The nudity is reminiscent of classical Greek statues and very deliberately avoids any kind of erotic associations whatsoever. This is also partly achieved by the fact that the man has his eyes closed. As a result, there is nothing demanding or provoking about his expression.
Incidentally, the question put up for discussion by the author in his brief description, i.e. whether or not the man's bracelet is a disruptive detail, is totally irrelevant to my mind. The man wears this piece of jewellery, and he quite obviously wants to portray himself with it. That's his decision, and it's not up to us to pass judgement on it. Either way, it's of no importance as regards the impact of the photo.
Due to insistent request and a successful photoworkshop held in Cebu- The Rule of Thirds Batch II : RossCapili + Parc Cruz + Borj Meneses is NOW IN MANILA!
Venue will be on location at nearby open field and at OWG studio facilities
A two-day exploratory workshop covering the next level of imaging in photography, Photoshop and high art
Dive into the workflow and delve into the secrets of visual arts, aesthetics and Photoshop as divulged by today’s master photographers and imaging experts.
May 31 and June 1 9AM – 6PM Location and OWG Studios Makati City
Learn the ins and outs of the editorial magazine photo shoot. Studio lighting will be alternated with available lighting within the OWG vicinity setting typical of conceptual shoots favoured by this magazine genre. Learn how to work with models, stylists and art directors without compromising personal artistic creativity as a photographer. Study options in lighting styles, background use and collaborative direction with models. Participants will shoot four fashion models and will be given the chance to create their own style of shoot. Topics of discussion include aesthetics, composition, alternative effects and helpful photo-shoot gadgets, as well as printing tips and the business side of photography.
Day 2, Sunday, June 1
Learn tweaking and manipulation techniques using images taken on Day 1. The digital workflow will be discussed in detail with emphasis on Photoshop tricks and techniques. Each participant will be closely supervised by all three facilitators. Learn how to prepare files for printing with invaluable advice on colour calibration.
The Rule of Thirds Photography Workshop is open to photographers with basic camera and Photoshop skills with a DSLR camera and Photoshop-installed laptop.
Workshop fee is Php 6,000.00 covering two days of workshop participation; Certificate of Participation; lunch; a copy of I-MAG Magazine; models, make-up artist and fashion designer fees; and two (2) 8 x 10” print outs. The best 2 images from participants output will receive an EPSON Coffeetable Photography Book
To confirm reservations, a non-refundable 70% down payment must be made in advance at the OWG office, or may be deposited at any Union Bank branch. The remaining 30% non-refundable balance can be paid on May 1 during the registration. Deposit Details: Union Bank branches Branch: Don Chino Roces, Makati Account Name: OneWorkshop, Inc. Current Account Number: 00-035-002235-5 Deposit slips must be faxed to 8192074, or scanned and e-mailed to one_workshop@yahoo.com. For payment confirmation, call Liza Taylo or Ellen Capili at 8105094.
For further workshop details, call Lisa Taylo or Mario Mundo at 8105094 or e-mail at one_workshop@yahoo.com.
About The Rule of Thirds Facilitators:
Ross Capili is a Painter, Photographer, Digital Artist, Digital Printmaker, Art Writer and Art Educator. As a photographer, Capili specializes in Conceptual Landscapes, Fashion Glamour, the Fine Art Nude, Body Painting and Advertising Art Commissions. Capili's teaching methods bridge both analog and digital disciplines, particularly during his photography workshops here and abroad. To date, Capili has successfully mounted 33 one-man shows in Manila , as well as one in Paris , France . Having accumulated more than 55 awards and distinctions since his first photography prize in 1977, his most recent achievement includes two of the five top awards at the Photoworld Manila 2005 Models Portfolio Competition. Capili is President and Creative Director of OneWorkshop, Inc., and is a member of the Executive Council of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Visual Arts Committee.
Parc Cruz is a self-taught fine art photographer whose work has become famous for its powerful cinematic qualities. Since exploding onto the local photography scene in 2005, Cruz is renowned for constantly pushing the limits of convention. He is also known for his experimental explorations with a distinct and readily recognizable style of his own. Cruz’ works have been published in Digital Photographer Philippines Magazine and the Ilustrado Magazine in Dubai , and have been featured online in File, Bending Light, and World Pulse Asia Magazines, as well as on Inquirer.Net. Cruz’ exhibition credits include Beyond Frames at OWG in 2006, as well as the Pinoy Photography Organization Group Exhibit in 2007. He also has a number of photography competition distinctions, including an Editor’s Choice award for Digital Camera Photographer of the Year 2007. Parc Cruz mounted his solo exhibition at PhilamLife recently.
Borj Meneses is an Angeles City-based fine art photographer whose portfolio is comprised of glamour and fashion shots as well as portraits and conceptual photos. While his interest in glamour photography is mainly technical, Meneses’ true passion lies in conceptual imagery—combining pure photography, graphic design and digital manipulation with his personal reflections on topics ranging from introspection to social realism. Working out of an old warehouse studio with little more than two lights and a laptop, Meneses’ popularity on the local photography circuit continues to grow with his participation in exhibits, his stints as a photography workshop facilitator, and features in various online photography galleries. Borj Meneses mounted his solo exhibition at PhilamLife recently.
Due to insistent request and a successful photoworkshop held in Cebu- The Rule of Thirds Batch II : RossCapili + Parc Cruz + Borj Meneses is NOW IN MANILA!
artistic creativity as a photographer. Study options in lighting styles, background use and collaborative direction with models. Participants will shoot four fashion models and will be given the chance to create their own style of shoot. Topics of discussion include aesthetics, composition, alternative effects and helpful photo-shoot gadgets, as well as printing tips and the business side of photography.
may be deposited at any Union Bank branch. The remaining 30% non-refundable balance can be paid on May 1 during the registration.