This is another repost from my old blog (http://messenger.blog-city.com). I thought people may still look for it. Current blog hit as of this writing is 1,286 (and rising). It's too bad blogdrive doesn't provide a way to monitor the hits on a particular entry.

---

Have you ever seen UP Diliman from an aesthetic point of view? If you haven't, then here's a visual treat for you. 

NOTE: The photographs in this blog entry have been re-edited. This is my way of thanking people who have continued to visit this particular blog entry. Unlike my other blog entries which cease to have visitors, this entry continues to thrive. To all visitors, thank you! Spread the word folks. =)

Reflection of the Carillon in a water puddle on a nearby pathway.

Lone tree across UP Chapel. This is the tree adjacent to the UP Chapel and the Shopping Center. This was a long exposure at dusk. The red and white striations are lights from cars that passed by.

Large tree beside the Beach House. The leaves of this tree are best photographed during summer and after the rainy season.

Acacia trees along Sunken Garden. These are the line of Acacias in front of the Education building.

Trees outside Molave Dorm on incandescent light. Surprisingly, this was taken with a digicam, an Olympus C740. I took a similar photograph with a Nikon D70, but the Olympus gave better colors.

Math Building. The West side of the building, taken from the parking lot. The scary rendition reminds me of my Math series days. Hahaha.

 

Melchor Hall, East side of the building, 2nd or 3rd floor.

The New Physics Building at CP Garcia when it was nearly finished. Photograph was taken at the hill beside the Math building.

A wooden plank at the Lagoon.

Branches behind the College of Fine Arts.

Melchor Hall. A foreground of Acacias complement the view of the west side of the building.

College of Science Building. Taken from the walkway behind the building.

Pipe laying between the Arts & Sciences building and the Faculty Center.

The walkway connecting the Math building and NIGS.

Melchor Hall (The Engineering Building). It's interesting how this college was once known as Marlboro Country in the 80's (I think). Why the name? Go ask older UP folks. =)

Kamia Waiting Shed.

Child near the Beach House. A young vendor of hair bands takes a break.

Old man pushing a cart behind Vinzons.

Outline of roofs of NIGS (+ trees) and the Engineering Library during sunset.

A view of the Carillon through Acacia branches.

Glass wall at ISMED. Unfortunately, the guard at ISMED prohibitted me from photographing further. =(

These are photographs taken in UP Diliman from 2004 to 2006 onwards.  One benefit of staying in the campus for a long time (5 years undergrad + 1 year masters + 5 years tambay) is being able to witness the beauty and life that is in UP.  UP is one of my favorite photography sanctuaries, a place I often visit when lost for ideas on composition.

I cannot imagine attending any other university than UP (my masteral in the seminary is an exception of course).  Once one enters the confines of the campus, it's as if he is transported to a small isolated world in the Metro.  Unlike other universities, real life outside the school walls exists inside UP Diliman.  UP houses the brightest and smartest of filipino students, the best professors, the best academic programs, the best sceneries, and a colorful culture that keeps alumni coming back.  I love UP and I'll keep returning to document it.

Technical Notes: Photographs have been taken either with an Olympus C740 or a Nikon D70 (+ Sigma 18-125mm lens or other lenses). Editing was done using Adobe Photoshop CS2. My normal workflow would be an adjustment on the following: Highlight/Shadow, Color Balance, Saturation, Curves, Levels, Contrast, Sharpening, and Noise. Some photographs were rendered painterly using a diffuse glow filter. In some, noise was deliberately added.

---

This is a repost from my old blog (http://messenger.blog-city.com). I thought people may still look for it. Current blog hit as of this writing is 1,777. Not bad. =)

---

I did a project for ABS' Super Inggo Teleserye. My work involved taking portraits for press release and portraits of Super Inggo artists reading books for the "Get Caught Reading" campaign initiated by the National Book Development Board. Photographs from the campaign would appear as posters displayed in select public schools.

This was the launching of the Get Caught Reading campaign at the Kamuning Elementary School.

Here are select photos from my work with Super Inggo. Most of the text were lifted from the Super Inggo Activity Book. My thanks to Fritz and Pam of UP Photography Society who enthusiastically worked long hours assisting me in the shoots.

Zanjoe Marudo as Super Islaw. Ang super sleek hero na chick magnet. Pero ang true love niya ay si Super Inday lang talaga.

Sam Concepcion as Boi Bawang. Ang anak ni Kumander Bawang na sikat na celebrity sa real world. Siya ang superstar hero ng bagong henerasyon.

Helga of Star Magic as a member of The Clan.

Alwyn Uytingco as Paloy, ang masungit na kuya ni Pareng Jomar.

Kathryn Bernardo as Maya and Jarius Aquino as Jomar. Si Maya ang spoiled brat at kikay na daddy's girl. Si Jomar ang official sidekick ni Budong, loyal at laging maaasahan.

Brad Murdoch as Prince of Darkness. Siya ang kilabot ng sangkatauhan.

Makisig Morales as Budong. And makulit at bibong bata na ang ultimate dream ay maging superhero.

Zyra dele Peña as Jessa Blusa. Ang mysterious lady teacher sa Power Academy. Super pangit pero gumaganda kapag suot na niya ang magic blusang itim.

Kristoff of Pinoy Dream Academy.

Empoy Marquez as Petrang Kabayo. Ang gay fashionista ng Power Academy. Dahil sa isang spell, naging permanenteng human siya, na mukhang kabayo nga lang.

---

And due to insistent public demand, I have added the next 3 photographs. This goes to show that I really take time to read the comments posted on the blogboard and on the comment link below.

The Clan: Visam, Kristoff, Helga, and Geoff.

Empress Schuck as Ava Avanico.

Makisig and Jarius. 

---

 

NOTE:
For questions regarding the Super Inggo photogaphs, you may leave a comment at the end of this entry (see make a comment below). Kindly enter your email so I can get back to you.

For inquiries on photography projects, events, weddings, or other photography-related assignments, kindly place a comment below (see make a comment below) and  leave your email so I can get back to you as well.

Thanks for visiting and thanks in advance for your comments. Your feedbacks are very helpful.

To God be the glory!

First time I've ever been to Pasig's Rainforest Park. It's a bit nice. Then we headed to UP Diliman for more shots. Ran into one of my favorite local wedding duo - Mimi and Karl. I wish I brought more lights with me. But one can only bring so much alone.

Now for the photos.

I've always wanted to do a shot on the swing.




We 'shoo'd-off' the kids to get this turf. Haha.










I was too lazy to bring a lightstand, but Ray and I thought of a way to mount the flash somewhere. Hehe.


Since the apparent fad in digital photography is UBER editing, I thought I might dip into it a bit and show friends my little skills in some of the shots here. Look Ma, no hands! Hehe.

But frankly, I'm still veering towards the purist side and prefer to correct my composition on the field and get some interesting material(s) during picture-taking. At the end of the day, you really can't edit much from a photo that's a crap to begin with (pardon the term). =)

---

I had the pleasure of shooting the engagement session of Rich and Roj, a sweet, generous, and fun couple. We had a number of planned destinations but in the end we settled for the bay area of SM Mall of Asia. MOA is an interesting change from my usual prenup nook - UP Diliman. Some of the amusing differences I've noted in favor of MOA are:

1. less trees
2. more cars
3. more crowd (who at one time probably thought we were celebrities, haha)
4. and more security guards (over you shoulder; save for one who was kind enough to let us take some sunset shots on the bayside)

Rich and Roj's wedding will be on Monday at The Blue Gardens. Since my favorite second photographer, Roi Francisco wouldn't be around due to thesis work, Greg Morales of Pure Heart Productions, another excellent photographer would document the wedding with me.

Now for the engagement photos.



Some light play, that earned us a crowd and prematurely stopped our photo session at the fountain area. Tsk.


Restaurants are being constructed on the bay area. Here's one with an interesting tarp.


Something from the stop over at The Blue Gardens.


The we walked toward a nearby amusement park in the MOA area.




And another from The Blue Gardens.


What a way to cap off the evening. We were unaware of a scheduled fireworks display. How often does that kind of thing coincide with a loosely planned prenup? God is good. =)


PS: I'm considering getting an advanced point and shoot camera for stealth photography, especially for areas where there are plenty of paranoid security guards. Apparently in most areas, the guards don't mind people clicking away with point & shoots. But when someone takes out an SLR, their radars switch on. What is it about guards and their fetish for big cameras? Hahaha.

It's going to be a long wait though, as the first point & shoot with an APS-C sized imaging sensor is still in development from Sigma. Hopefully when it comes out other camera manufacturers would adapt the advancement (err... Nikon?). A bigger sensor would mean better noise handling for low light situations. Normally, current point & shoots can only provide shots with acceptable noise up to ISO400. In my short experience, a clean (noise free) ISO1600 would be a big help. We earlier planned on getting the Nikon Coolpix P5100 for this purpose, but dpreview.com rated it as an average performer. What's interesting is that the P5100's sensor jump to 12megapixels from it's predecessor's 10mp (P5000) didn't help at all in its noise handling, if not added to the problem. So there goes the rat race of point & shoot digicams for more megapixels.

---

I was privileged to document the recent G12 Conference at Cuneta last Nov 28-30. And here are my favorite photos from the 3-day conference.

For more photos, visit my multiply site at www.dcercado.multiply.com or click HERE.

Ptr. Nate leading the worship. I purchased studio strobes to light this event and looking back at the photos, I'm glad I made the decision.


Cuneta Astrodome was packed!


What's a conference in a coliseum without vendors coming in? Hehe.


Ptr. Nate dancing during worship.


Ptr. Cesar Castellanos, founder of the G12 Vision, begins his session with a congregational call to repentance.


Ptr. Castellanos and his interpreter take a moment to laugh. When Ptr. Castellanos laid down his coat to better describe a portion of his preaching - about the time when the Israelites laid down their cloaks for Jesus' entry, the interpreter looked at the pastor with a face asking if it was necessary for him to duplicate the gesture. They laugh it off when he finally followed suit.


Ptr. Nate waiting.


Ministering time.


Some parent's brought their kids to the conference. Here are two wallowing their time at the hind part of the coliseum.


Mike Manubag's reaction after I cracked a joke. I asked him who would look good beside him in a picture, and showed him a previous shot of a person I took earlier. Just in time to catch his laugh.

---

What happened last night is something I would never forget. I would mark it as a major turning point in my life as a photographer. It happened while I was doing devotions. I can't go into details. That's between God and me.

But if I were asked today what my sole motivation for doing photography is, I'd humbly say - Obscurity for God's renown.

Obscurity = nameless, unknown, unnoticed, unnoted, inconspicuous; undistinguished, uncelebrated, unhonored, renownless, inglorious.

Why not?

There would be no words that would completely explain my experience last night. In the hope of touching other people's lives and spurring other believers to run the race, I leave you this song. (download HERE)

 

From the Inside Out (lyrics)

A thousand times I fail still Your mercy remains
Should I stumble again, 'til I'm caught in Your grace
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fails
Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing You praise
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fails
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

My heart and my soul, I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing You praise
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fails
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

My heart and my soul, I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fails
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, Lord my soul cries out

My heart and my soul, I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fails
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, Lord my soul cries out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fails
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, Lord my soul cries out

From the inside out, Lord my soul cries out

---