Event Photography by Ryan Macalandag
Dauis, Bohol, Philippines
Here are some of my shots during the last Basic Wedding Photography Workshop we organized. It was held in Idea Town Houses in Totolan, Dauis. Kudos and many thanks to our models provided by Donald Fuertes.
The participants were a rather small group of 7 wedding photographers namely, Geramil Cordero and his photographer-wife Honeymae both from JC Digital. (more after the jump)
Julius Solis, Emeberto Solis, Jr. and Artemio Rebortera represented Digital of Bohol based in Loay. Ramil Guivencan operates a small studio in hi home in Panglao. And lastly, Beatrice Gallonier, a French hobbyist who also does underwater photography.
Despite the number, we all had a great time discussing basic wedding photography techniques from exposure to poses to maximizing the flash.
I discussed exposure basics (aperture, speed, iso), creative composition and flash photography in the morning and I outline the basic wedding flow in the afternoon. After the lectures, we went into the front yard of the venue to shoot the "couple" we got for this workshop. The participants all were giddy and excited about using their new found knowledge.
During the shoot, I discussed about basic portraiture lighting, basic posing and more importantly how to talk to the model/client/couple to get them at ease.
After the shoot, I made the all of them choose five of their best shots for everyone to see and critique. We all agreed at how improved everyone was after the day's workshop. I'm hoping they can use and practice what I taught them in their actual wedding shoots soon.
I will post their photos later.
For more photos from this set, please check out my flickr account.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Basic Wedding Photography Workshop
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Travel Manila: Manila Sunset at the Baywalk
Travel Photography by Ryan Macalandag
Manila, Philippines
This is the last batch of my Manila travel photos.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Travel Manila: Random Photos
Travel Photos by Ryan Macalandag
Metro Manila, Philippines
I shot more than five hundred photos during my last trip. It's not a lot really but I didn't really get to use my camera either. Reg was always warning me about bad guys in the streets who are so desperate they can wrangle my camera off me in about a second without blinking. I became wary, too.
However, I just had to shoot. I sneaked some shots here and there when I felt it was safe or when my wife wasn't looking.
This photo above was by Reg in our our hotel, Malate Pensionne in Adriatico Street, Malate.
Photo below, another picture of Luneta, processed in LightRoom.
This photo was from an art exhibit in the University of the Philippines. We were going to visit Didine, a friend from Bohol who is currently taking her masters in UP. This art exhibit was called "100 Nudes", a collection of, well, one hundred nude paintings and drawings to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the state university.
While strolling down the paved streets of my dear old UP (I am a UP kick-out and proud of it), I could not help but feel "re-amazed" by the environment just as I was amazed when I first walked the halls of AS and Palma on the day of enrollment. It was made more mesmerizing, too, because walking hand-in-hand with me was my wife, herself a UP graduate.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Travel Manila: Lovers in Luneta
Photography by Ryan Macalandag
Luneta Park, Manila, Philippines
"Alaala, ng tayo'y mag-sweetheart pa
Namamasyal pa sa Luneta Nang walang pera
So it's the laughter We will remember
Whenever we remember The way we were
Remember... the way we were." - Rico J. Puno
I was rummaging through my head for these lyrics when Reg and I went to Luneta. I didn't really bother to memorize the song before since I never thought I would
enever take a stroll in Luneta, ever in my life. But there we were, taking our time, testing Reg's new camera (cheap plastic for only P2200 plus). It took pretty decent shots nonetheless. (Read more after the jump.)
So anyways, I had fun and felt guilty about it. Luneta wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I saw a few "seamen" here and there, a couple lovers sitting by the "water show", some photographers, and a bunch of kindergartens on their first Luneta trip. Some groups of students (from a nearby college, I suppose), sat on the benches chillin'.
Here are a few photos I took while there. Enjoy! :)
That is Reg's KingCom point and shoot digital camera. It's cheap and plastic but produces decent photos. Check out her blog to see samples.
I forgot to take note of the two buildings that were prominent on the treeline. But they were pretty much on most of my shots.
Lastly, some photos of the Philippine flag . This is Luneta Park after all. This was where our national hero Jose Rizal was executed by the Spaniards. A huge monument with him and some fellow heroes stand in memory.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Travel Manila: Cebu Pacific Flight
Travel Photography by Ryan Macalandag
Bohol to Manila, Philippines
We took the Cebu Pacific flight to Manila last Thursday, August 28. Reg, my wife, was due to leave for Amsterdam on the 30th. Before we left, Reg had made sure there was no crying or any other sentimental antics so we opted that few people would send her off. She will be taking her masters in the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague.
Check-in was a breeze since one (or more) of the attendants at the counter was Reg's friend. Her over-the-minimum luggage was not charged for the extra four or so kilos. Which was good. We had always been wary of it, especially for the international flight, since one kilo extra would mean 30 euros additional payment. Reg didn't have much euros to spare. (Read more after the jump.)
The flight was quite pleasant also. I was a bit excited to see the newly-opened NAIA Terminal 3. On the plane, we were seated near the front (row 2) and Reg was on a window seat (it's all about connections, baby) which was nice as we got to take pictures of scenes beyond the window, during the flight.
Seated with us (aisle) was the mayor of Maribojoc, Mayor Evasco, who turned out to be a former student at ISS back in 1989. What a great coincidence. Reg had an instant informal orientation about life in the Netherlands - weather, food, trams, travels to other European countries, etc. More importantly, she got a list of possible pinoy contacts who could be of help somehow. We thanked the mayor profusely.
When we finally landed, I saw the newly-opened airport predominant on the horizon. It was huge but it looked oldish to me. It was finished years before its opening. I was a bit frustrated. But it was definitely way better than the old domestic airport.
Anyways, here are a few photos from the flight:
The Metro Manila skyline is amazing from the top. It was a sunny blue-sky day thus the hovering smog that Manila is so infamous for was nowhere out of site. The sprouting skyscrapers looked no bigger than the teeny-weeny houses, cars and buses. As for people on the streets, I'm sure they were just too small to be seen.
More posts and photos to come soon.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Music: Loboc Youth Band
Concert Photos by Ryan Macalandag
Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
My wife Reg and my sister Liza thought otherwise, but I thought the Loboc Youth Band are an amazing bunch to behold and listen to.
Imagine a group of 150 talented kids with their trumpets, trombones, flutes and what-nots, playing a range of tunes that are both skillfully tough and musically fun. Add-in a dash of kid's play and a hint of humorous side-plays. I was pretty amazed. Awed and amazed.
These kids all hail from the town of Loboc in Bohol, known for their musical heritage and the internationally acclaimed Loboc Children's Choir. Their ages range from 6 to 15 based on their looks. I won't be surprised if some of them were younger though.
The group is conducted/led by Rene Balbin, Lobocanon and also a music icon in Bohol. His performance was equally impressive also.
They played for an hour (and some) after the awarding ceremonies of this year's Sandugo Streetdancing competition. Hundreds of people saw the event.
Kudos to the group!
P.S. Reg commented that "i didn't really think otherwise...it's just that i was expecting more of a local repertoire. that presentation could have been a great opportunity to showcase local music"..I'm sorry Mommy..my bad..hehe
Friday, August 22, 2008
BoholWeddings.com now online!
I had conceptualized and developed the site as a timely response to the great need for wedding suppliers to have a venue to connect with clients online. More and more couples are getting married in Bohol lately. Even couples from outside Bohol are having their weddings here.
If you are an engaged couple looking into celebrating your wedding here in Bohol, please visit BoholWeddings.com. The site will be a definite great help in the tedious process (but fun!) process of wedding preparations.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
HELP! A Business Magazine Wants To Use My Photo For FREE!!! (Updated)
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UPDATE!!! I have already sent my reply (a very polite message, mind you) to the magazine. I hinted at getting paid for the photo. Apparently, they are "just starting out" and couldn't afford paid photos.
Anyways, thanks for everyone who commented and replied. I learned a few bits of lessons. I hope you guys did, too. :)
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(With all due respects to those who deserve it.)
PLEASE HELP! Somebody sent me the message below through flickr. What
should my response be??? (Please amongst my possible choices below.)
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On 15 Aug 08, 10.34AM CST xxxxxxxxxxx said:
August 15, 2008
Dear Sir:
I am xxxx xxxxx xxxxx, a research associate from XXXXXXXX Business
Philippines magazine. For our September issue, we are going to feature
food crisis in one of the magazine's sections. With this, I would like
to ask for permission if we can use the photo you posted in this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanmacalandag/2470242229/
Please do expect that we will cite you as the source of the photo and
as a form of gratitude, we will send you a pdf copy of the magazine
once the September issue comes out.
Thank you very much and I'm looking forward to your positive response.
Sincerely yours,
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
xxxxxx@...
xxxxxx@...
http://www.xxxxxxxxxxxbusinessphilippines.com/
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A. "Nice Guy" Reply
"Hi! Thanks for choosing my photo for use in your respectable
magazine. I am really, deeply honored by this. And thanks for the "PDF
copy" you are sending in gratitude. You don't have to do it really."
B. "Recognition-Freak" Reply
"Wow! My photo in your magazine?! Wow! You're gonna cite me as the
source?! Wow! How big is the FONT of my name gonna be in print? I sure
would get more clients from this. Not that my target clients read your
magazine. But, sure! Your readers would definitely want to hire me
after they read my name alongside my amazing photograph. Hopefully.
P.S. Where can I buy your magazine? Pamimigay ko sa mga Tito at Tita
ko kasi."
C. "Straight-Talk-Express" Reply
"Shove your "PDF Copy" up your digital ass bitch...you fuckers are
disgusting...you are selling your magazine but you want to get your
content for free? MagpaCONTEST na lang kayo like all the others!
Gratitude my ass..."
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PLEASE HELP!!! What do you think? (I personally like "C" the best,
though.)
Grrrrr!!!
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The photo in question:
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Events: Sandugo Streetdancing Festival 2008
Festival Photography by Ryan Macalandag
Tagbilaran City, Bohol Philippines
The Sandugo Streetdancing 2008 last Sunday had a lousy start. I had to say it first-off because it really was lousy. The scheduled 11am start was missed by a couple hours. Contingents were still arriving at around past twelve putting "Filipino Time" in shame.
Nonetheless, I had some pretty amazing results. There were about 5 of us local photographers and a few from somewhere else. Travel-photographer-turned-celebrity Anton Shecker had the same words regarding the late start. But by the looks of him, he had a blast. It was his first time here.
Here are some of my picks for this year.
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To view more photos from this set, click here.
