HIGH CONTRAST

 

Portrait photography is quite different from other types of photography. Its objective is to capture the natural side and character of your subject. While portraiture is made more convenient and easier with the advent of digital cameras and Photoshop, no amount of one-touch devices will make your photos look good unless you pay close attention to the details and factors around you during the actual shoot itself. Sometimes it only takes a small object to ruin a perfect picture. It can be wisps of hair, a chair in the background, or an inconsiderate “photobomber”. It helps if your eyes are quick to spot any spec that's out of place and your imagination wild enough to make wonderful possibilities happen in each frame.

  

Any literature on photography can teach you the basics of capturing images, but the best way to learn the ropes of photography is to get some hands on training. You have to get out in the field and put those theories and techniques into practice. Some would find themselves bending rules, playing with filters, and defying trends --- eventually finding and creating their own style and identity. 

While some prefer to exercise their skills on their own, there are also those who enjoy learning the craft through workshops and group activities. Collabortive efforts not only create camaraderie among each learner / photographer, but also spring up ideas and techniques which you do not always find in books. 

It is this sharing of "trade secrets" that inspired photographers Paul Borromeo and Marlon Advincula to introduce their Lyrical Light workshop series just a few years back. They believe ideas are also best learned when shared. This cycle of learning and sharing is what keeps the imagination alive. As Albert Einstein once said, "Creativity is contagious. Pass it on."

The highly successful Lyrical Light series gathered both the learned and the newbies in outdoor shoots organized by the 2 dedicated shutterbugs. For all these shoots, Paul and Marlon partnered with seasoned professionals in the local fashion and beauty industry to help them put together themes they had in mind.

More than a year has passed since the last Lyrical Light. Paul and Marlon, who are always in search of creative ways to use whatever idle time they have, tossed ideas to each other with the intention of adding a twist to their group workshops. This time around, they decided to make their activity more comprehensive in terms of imagery and visuals.

 

 

 

 

Dubbed as "High Contrast," this new workshop series focuses on both photography and post processing. From the title itself, it aims to nurture and develop individuality among participants, and, at the same time, appreciate art in many different ways. The whole outdoor venue becomes each photographer's own studio, with models and setup styled by generous talents such as designer Junnie Artajo, makeup artists Tiny Pinili and Melody Ross Tinoy, fashion stylist Ayie Hernandez, plus a few more collaborators from LeadFoto Studios.

 

 

 

 

 

The 2-day workshop is set to happen on September 21 and 22 (Saturday and Sunday) at Casa Munda in Juna Subdivision. The photo shoot takes place on the first day, followed by a full day training on post-processing using Adobe Photoshop. 

 

 

The P5,000 workshop fee already covers snacks and lunch. For inquiries and reservations, please call 0917-7785-433 or 0923-4411-171. You may also email marlonadvincula@gmail.com or paul@leadfoto.net.

---

Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.

A1, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 6 Issue 128, 11 September 2013.