I AM A DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER

At a critical stage for the book project

estan — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:35:19 +0000

A church bench probably late 19th or early 20th century from Liloan, Cebu

The church book project, Balaanong Bahandi, that I’m currently involved in is coming at a critical stage as we’re already wrapping up for the last images. While there are still photos to be shot, these are, however, quite very few as I have almost finished all the structures and artifacts in the area that was assigned to me except for just three locations.

Tomorrow, I will be in Argao in southern Cebu for the ivory images at the museum. Really, I’m looking forward to this one as I was just in awe when I saw images of the place and the treasures it contains. If ever the weather will permit, I should finish all shoot by Thursday for the Danao Church façade and the centuries old moro watchtower in Catmon Daan.

After all these, here comes the more tedious part: editing the images for the book. Right now, I will need to process around 350 photos and submit this to the printer and book designer as well as schedule proofing with the printer.

I just hope that I will be finished with these as soon as possible and settle other important matters in Makati.Similar Posts:

The much awaited Cebu Archdiocese church photo exhibition: Balaanong Bahandi

estan — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:09:41 +0000

The Archdiocese of Cebu church photo exhibit will open this 3 July.

Mark your calendars! The much awaited church photo exhibit Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu is currently on display at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu until 3 August as part of the Archdiocese’s diamond jubilee celebration.

Marvel at 50 beautiful images of churches within the island province that spans generations from the 18th century to modern times including heritage heirlooms and church artifacts. For those who are interested, these large photos are also for sale.

This event kicks off the preselling activity of the coffeetable book with the same title that will be launched on November, late this year.

14 of my images are included in the exhibition and you can see a slideshow of these photos here.Similar Posts:

The Cardinal and other exhibit opening images

estan — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:13:52 +0000

Cardinal Vidal of the Archdiocese of Cebu

Glad that the Balaanong Bahandi photo exhibit finally opened last Friday. At least, opening jitters are over.

During the event, I just took photos, especially Cardinal Vidal who opened the event focusing on people portraits and not so much about the ribbon cutting and the crowds.Similar Posts:

North Cebu Churches in the Balaanong Bahandi photo exhibit

estan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:17:23 +0000

These are the images that I took that is part of the photo exhibit Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu. For more information, check out simbahan.net.Similar Posts:

My complementary World Press Photo 09 catalog is here

estan — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:20:21 +0000

My complementary copy of the World Press Photo 09 catalog just arrived today

Surprise, surprise! What better to start my month of July than with my complementary copy of the World Press photo 2009 catalog that arrived early this morning, shrink wrapped and posted. In this year’s competition, 5,508 photographers from 124 countries submitted a total of 96,268 images. 37 of us are from the Philippines.Similar Posts:

At the beach in Bantayan Island – experimental shots

estan — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:44:43 +0000

I woke up at around 6 AM yesterday morning and, as the place I was at was just at the edge of the sea, got fascinated with what I saw. These are some experimental photos that I took.Similar Posts:

The Lady of Simala passes Carmen

estan — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:40:49 +0000

The image of the Virgin Mary of Simala passes the town of Carmen

Early this afternoon, while shooting some antique church artifacts in Carmen for the book project Balaanong Bahandi, the said to be miraculous image of the Virgin Mary in Lindogon, Simala, Sibonga, a southern town, passed by on its way to Catmon where it will be there for the weekend.

As expected, people were lining along the road for the much revered image and school children were waving blue and white flags as the convoy passed. As it reached the front of Carmen Church, it slowed down for people to touch the blue cloth of the image.

Faith in the Philippines is very much alive and it is a very interesting subject for a documentary photography that i’m currently working on. Come this weekend, I will be in Bantayan Island for the book project as well as the town fiesta. Another great opportunity for images.Similar Posts:

At the sacristy, a seed of an idea

estan — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:01:55 +0000

A sacristan prepares for mass in Sibonga, Cebu

The whole day yesterday was spent on a religious heritage shoot in southern Cebu and while in Sibonga before the mass, sacristans were busy preparing and waiting for the priest. And this gave me an idea of a photo documentary topic which, I hope, will form part of my long term project on religion and spirituality of Filipinos.Similar Posts:

Of busted gear, shelved project and churches

estan — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:08:33 +0000

Façade of Tuburan Church, part of an ongoing book project.

It’s been a streak of bad luck the past two days as I grappled with a busted notebook computer, a busted hard drive and a shelved book project happening in succession. Is this a case of tripple whammy?

Two days ago, I woke up, turned my HP notebook computer and froze as I heard the dreaded three beeps: one long followed by two short ones. I didn’t want to hear it as it’s a sure sign that the video card has problems. Unfortunately, the component is embedded in the mother board and that just means that its big trouble for me. With my unit out of warranty, replacing the mother board will cost me more than $400. An amount that I’m not ready to part with at this time.

While my notebook computer had problems, I bought an external hard drive (SATA) enclosure to retrieve precious files for an important screening of images for an ongoing book project. To my chagrin, all I heard was the clung, clung, clung sound indicating that the internal arm of the drive is unable to move freely. God, this drive has serious physical problems! It can’t read and can’t be detected. Pufft! There goes my PSD files that I’ve labored to process and edit the past few days.

And then, I just received an email informing me that the U.S. based Pinoy publisher shelved the book project due to the bad economic condition in the United States. This was supposed to start this month.

Right now, dark clouds are swirling over my head as I’m pondered the coming months ahead. Busted gear will entail a big expense while I also need, badly, that book project.

Meanwhile, I’m wrapping up the shoot for the series of churches that was assigned to me here in Cebu for an upcoming book which is tentatively scheduled for launching this November while a preselling activity as well as photo exhbit will be held this 3 July. It’s a crunch for me at a really bad, bad time.

I need some consolation now.Similar Posts:

20 Square Meters, an interior study

estan — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 06:51:38 +0000

My submission to the postponed Jakarta Biennale XIII 2009. It's a study of a studio interior in Makati.

Last January, I sent my work, 20 Square Meters, my submission for the Mapping Invisible Cities 2 exhibition for the Jakarta Biennale XIII 2009 that was supposed to open last March. Unfortunately, due to the economic crisis, that art event was postponed pending the provision of funds by the Indonesian government. No date has been set as of now.

It is entitled 20 Square Meters, referring to the floor area of the room I photographed. It is my first attempt at doing an interior study of urban living spaces. Ever since I participated in Peter Bialobrzeski’s workshop last year, I’ve been wanting to do such kind of work but haven’t always started.

20 Square Meters is a multiple image panoramic photo assembled from 16 images and as required by the curator, Farah Wardani, I’m part of the image. Here, I opted to stand facing the mirror but with my back to the camera.

…the photographers act as the subjects of their own works, and claiming their own subjectivity and perspectives of ‘being urban’, that is as a part of the cities they live in, as ‘urban creatures’.

My description is as follows:

The dazzling promises of a better life offered in highly urbanized cities has lured many from the provinces. In Makati City, the Philippines’ Central Business District, the many work opportunities, typically white collar jobs, has effected the building of condominiums and apartments within the fringes of the financial hub to cater to the many workers especially those from outside of Metro Manila.

20 Square Meters is a study of one such studio type apartment rented by two working individuals. This one room temporary abode is the living room, dining as well as sleeping area. Monthly rent is around $150 and because of the small space, personal things accumulated over four years has to be kept inside boxes.

The work is 20×80 inches.Similar Posts: