Life Gitch

Been dealing with this for a month now. Plenty of factors affecting these kind of emotions. Oh well, 1 step at a time. Im at step 2.

New Day

Its been a while since i’ve done complete maintenance on my work flow. Since shifting to Canon i had issues with my work flow and how i shoot (Duh, shifting to one system to another is a major leap!). Anyways,  Here are the adjustments i made for the past 6 months

1. Upgrading from Leopard OSX to Snow Leopard OSX

When i was reading reviews about SL (Snow leopard) i was really disappointed because of the minor upgrade. It was not really a big leap like from the Tiger OS to the leopard OS. The only significant change for me was the the rollback of 10GB of disk space when installing SL. Other than that now change. It actually gave my Airport problems when connecting to some wifi networks. But what the hell, im a soldier of apple. So go with the trend. Me and Teejay bought a family pack installer of SL. Comes out 50% cheaper when buying a single license. Another reason is, the 64bit structure of SL which i could use to speed up my post processing applications like CS5 and LR3

2. Shifting from Capture NX to Adobe Lightroom 2.5 to Adobe Lightroom 3 for RAW processing

It was a big adjustment when i shifted to one software to another. Like most programs, the look, feel and layout of controls are the real issues you encounter and gives you a real pain when processing pictures. Since i can’t use capture NX on Canon’s raw files (.CR2) i really had to find another application to do my raw conversion. For the 1st 3 months i’ve been experimenting to use Aperture 3, Canon’s DPP (Digital Photographer Professional) and Adobe Lightroom 2.5.Since Aperture 2 was released i tried using it but really didn’t get the knack on how to use its full potential. I just see it as iPhoto on steroids. Same goes with Aperture 3 but one thing noticeable was the speed on how everything loads. As for DPP its just to plain for me (Or have i not experimented enough to see its full potential). Lightroom 2.5 was the best alternative for me. The control panel and workflow suits me the most. Then came the beta version of Lightroom 3. It was faster because it takes advantage of my OS’s 64bit capability. I also learned how to use the exposure brush on it so no under or over exposed picture could escape me!

Tutorial: http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Lightroom/3.0/Using/WS39A2F4C6-3758-4176-9D6D-B26477EC2C71.html

3. Got  a new Desktop for Gaming, este post processing!

After 4 years (2006) i decided to upgrade my Windows Desktop PC at home. Actually it was really planned. My power supply got busted and needed to replace it asap to make it work. This PC is used by my whole family so i had to act fast and fix it! Decided to upgrade the whole thing! Here are the specs of my PC

Athlon2 X4 640

EMAXX AMD-785G-FXN

4GB DDR2 800MHZ Dual channel

NVIDA GTs 250 1GB DDR 3 256bit

This config is not max but it does the job. Renders well on LR3 and can play GTA IV, NBA 2k10, Modern warfare 2, and Battlefield Bad Company 2 to the max detail! Whohoo!

4. Calibrating my Displays using Spyder 2 Express

My good friend Ruel Paulino loaned me his Sypder 2 express. Calibrated my MBP and my Windows 7 PC’s LCD (Samsung 940BW 19″) to achieve the best colors when printing.

Here are my latest shots which are processed on LR3, CS5, calibrated on Spyder 2 Express on my MBP

Adobe Lightroom 3

1st things 1st. Clean up all the clutter! I’m formally starting my inspiration this week. Have a couple of Go-Sees to shoot in preparation for my “New York inspired, alley shoot” It was really a coincidence because i was trying out Adobe lightroom 3 for my workflow. Well i think im 70% comfortable in my on going transition from Nikon to Canon. Lightroom 3 made me miss Capture NX less.

Portraits, portraits…

Patricia Elivira Duque

Make Up: Cuckooh Semana

Patricia Elivira Duque

Make Up: Cuckooh Semana

Sandra Palma

Make Up: Cuckooh Semana

XY Martillo

Make Up: Cuckooh Semana

Marj Lopez

Make Up: Cuckooh Semana

Asa Gabriel

Make Up: Jinky Ureta

Asa Gabriel

Make Up: Jinky Ureta

Josie Freij

Make Up: Jinky Ureta

Josie Freij

Make Up: Jinky Ureta

Weizel Gulfan

Make Up: Toni Rodriguez

Carla Lizardo

Make Up: Toni Rodriguez

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1/? Stairway to the Volcanic stations of the cross.

One of my favorite travel shots. After i took this picture i really had a creepy feeling that someone was up there waiting for us.

1/? White Island, Camiguin

This beautiful “C” shape strip of sand 10 KMS of the shore of Camiguin Island. Breaking the rules with a circular polarizer converted to black and white.

1/? Gender Lovin

Ain’t this too much? haha! Shot this BTS with 2 of my good model friends Lorraine and Sheryl

1/? Sandra Palma

Shot this at Loel’s backyard. Really love high contrast black and white shots don’t you?

Catching up 5-4-10

Its been a looooooooooooong time! Now i have the time to write again. I have so may portraits i want to share but i guess its just to damn plenty to share here. So i’ll start with new material once i shoot again. You may view my recent work on the flickr plugin on the lower left corner of my blog or click here.

Anyways, its been a roller coaster for the past 2 months. Happy-sad-happy-sad moments visited us and left us. From my brother having a job already, shooting big events and great portraits to my Dad’s open heart surgery. Dad’s bypass surgery was the scariest event i have ever experienced all my life But all is well now and he is stable and in recovery stage already. Thank you Lord for guiding us in dark times. Currently i am back to work from a 4 day holy week weekend and back to work. As they say, We made the 4 days the “TAMBAY BOYs” Days. Just sitting around everywhere with the boys eating and telling stories again and again, Same story, diffrent day hahaha

We are off to Boracay (Happy times!) this friday with the SVP peeps. Im really exited taking shots again for the 3rd time and i really hope i pull it off this time! I loaned my uncle’s Sigma 12-24mm f/3.5-5.6. Cant wait to test this baby out!

Inspiration 1/10

/??nsp??re???n/ Show Spelled Pronunciation

/??nsp??re???n/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

- Arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity

- Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.

[fruh-strey-shuhn]

- a feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression, resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.

Inspiration plays a big role for me as a photographer. Its when you feel that urge to bring out whatever art and creativity in you. You feel that your unstoppable. For me, inspiration is never bad. Never ever bad.

Frustration is always an obstacle. It brings out all the negative vibes in ones self. But, it could be a tool or a medium in bringing out the best.

Happy New Year!

Happy new year! This is my 1st post for 2010 Had a really great 09 and i feel that there is a lot in store for 10! Anyways, After 28 years living in this world. I think its time to leave bad memories, habits and bad vibes and start out fresh.

The last time i held my DSLR was Dec 13, 2009. I shot my 1st bridal shoot with my favorite make up artist Toni Rodriguez. it was a blast, as always me and Toni are a real team.

Model: Nikol Lee

Make up:  Toni Rodriguez

Model: Sandra Palma

Make up: Toni Rodriguez

Bell Santiago, also released her 1st line of clothes on Dec 17, 2009 Fabric Philippines fashion show at Encore

And of course, The Alluring ladies. Toni and Bell hehehe

Desiree Del Valle

Thanks to Anthony Castro, Desiree Del Valle and Kris Bacani for this!

Model: Desiree Del Valle

Make Up: Kris Bacani

Space :.

Without matter there is space. Its a broad horizon of silence and emptiness. I always find myself in the middle of it. Why? It brings out the best of me. The art of being minimal is what I am