Tuesday, March 20, 2007

PAINTING WITH LIGHT

























This picture was taken with a single light source — a flashlight.

What I did was prepare my digital camera beforehand by fixing its focus on the subject and its shutter speed to bulb setting. Once ready, I turned off all the lights in the room; clicked on and held the remote shutter, while I cast the light from a flashlight for about five seconds on the specific areas of my composition; and then finally, clicked off the shutter.

The picture above was the end result. It’s that easy and simple!

This was the picture I submitted for my Advance Photography Workshop’s Still Life assignment. Our instructor, Vic Sison, required us to use only red and green vegetables as our subject, because the pictures that we were to create could also be submitted to Manila Bulletin—Fuji Film Photo Challenge; the theme of the current competition is Red & Green.

The first prize is P15,000; second is P10,000; and two consolation prizes of P5,000 each. All winners will also receive Fuji digital cameras (a PIVI digital mobile printer for consolation winners), one-year YKL Privilege Card, SM gift certificates, Kingston photo accessories, and a free photo seminar at the FPPF.

Besides learning the basic elements of photography, FPPF workshop instructors also encourage their students to actively participate in as many photo contests that are available so as to hone their skills. A former student at FPPF has been noted to have collected P500,000 on photo contest winnings in one year alone. Not that far-fetched at all since major local photo contests nowadays award P100,000 for their first prize winners.


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34 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 20, 2007 9:44 AM

    When my son was still at UP, he had a friend, a Fine Arts student, who practically sent himself thru college by joining every art contest there was. He's so talented that he would land in either first or second place in all contests.

    You're really working hard, Señor Enrique.... :)

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  2. NOYPETESMarch 20, 2007 9:51 AM

    I used that technique a lot with my 4X5 and 2 1/4's but haven't done it with a digital camera yet. It's really useful with good results all the time in a lot of situations. It's good to have it in your photo technique arsenal. You'll be surprised how wonderful the dramatic effect is when you apply it on some of your photo essays. Try swirling the light source more for the 3D effect.

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  3. Señor EnriqueMarch 20, 2007 10:09 AM

    Nakaka-enjoy kasi talaga ang photography, Rhoda.

    In my class alone, I haven't seen so many talented young photographers. Ang huhusay talaga nila :)

    You know what's interesting? Most of the fine teachers of photography graduated with degrees in fine arts.

    Magaling siguro friend ng anak mo :)

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  4. Señor EnriqueMarch 20, 2007 10:13 AM

    Hi Noypetes!

    As expected, Ed Santiago was so happy as I recited each of those names that you gave me. And he's very much aware of the great success of your bestfriend is havning in Florida! And yes, he acknowledged those "envelopes" and told me who usually would accept them. Dami pa ako i-share sayo.

    Anyway, I'm still preparing the piece on Ed Santiago and will most probably post it end of this week. And you are welcome to input as much trivia as you want! I just want to finish this series on my Advance workshop :)

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  5. iaMarch 20, 2007 11:02 AM

    Congratulations for making it to the Philippine Blog Awards Finalists List!

    (I had to stare at the two pages before I could find "Stellify". O_o;)

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  6. AnonymousMarch 20, 2007 1:35 PM

    ganda naman ng kulay, buhay na buhay...
    honga eh, nagtry na ko sa picture perfect 2 times pero di pa nakakatyempo, nag iisip nga rin ako ngayon ng red and green eh... :)

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  7. AnonymousMarch 20, 2007 2:13 PM

    Never thought that a simple flashlight could be a part of this wonderfully taken shot...I wouldn't have guessed that in the first place.

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  8. Señor EnriqueMarch 20, 2007 2:45 PM

    Thanks, Ia! Funny thing was, "Stellify" jumped right up me right while browsing through the list :)

    Your site is aesthetically well-designed, especially with its monochrome theme, but I hardly understand most of those tech-speak. That doesn't stop me from stopping by anyway :)

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  9. Señor EnriqueMarch 20, 2007 2:46 PM

    Just keep trying, Lino; this way, you're bound to come up with a sure winner. Your flower festival photographs are truly festive and colorful! I enjoy going through each one :)

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  10. Señor EnriqueMarch 20, 2007 2:49 PM

    Yes, Major Tom, but the smaller flashlight, though. This way you're able to control the light and not have it spread all over the place.

    A friend uses a bigger flashlight when he did night shooting in Corregidor. He's a brave guy; unafraid of running into ghosts. In fact, he even hunted for one while over there.

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  11. sheilamarieMarch 20, 2007 4:06 PM

    great pic, eric! this certainly would bag the price in the competition.

    next time i will try experimenting on light-effects. as for now, i only use my digi cam with a flash (except when taking pictures of children, as u have suggested in your previous post).

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  12. AnonymousMarch 20, 2007 4:15 PM

    Wow Eric, the picture's unreal, like a 3D composition. Galing.

    Huy contest ulit. I'll take your advice. SIpagan ko ring sumali sa mga contest na yan. Haha. Sayang naman mga equipments na binibili natin.

    And by the way! Congrats on being a finalist in PBA's Photo-Blog Category

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  13. Señor EnriqueMarch 20, 2007 6:21 PM

    Thanks, Sheilamarie!

    Just keep practicing and experimenting with your dicam. At least, it's not film that you have to pay extra for developing and prints. Mas mura na ngayon mag-photography.

    Happy shooting :)

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  14. Señor EnriqueMarch 20, 2007 6:24 PM

    Thanks, Ferdz!

    The next photo challenge theme is My Summer Vacation ... and you have an awesome collection of travel shots that you can use :)

    Thanks and congratulations to you, too! You are a finalist on two categories! I remember you won last year for best design, too :)

    I will blog about my having been selected. Been quiet about it because I didn't expect to get this far.

    And thank you for the person(s) who nominated my site!

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  15. NeiLDCMarch 20, 2007 8:47 PM

    Hello Sir,
    Congratulations for being nominated in Philipine blog awards!!!
    Neil

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  16. SebastianeMarch 20, 2007 8:55 PM

    Yep, used that technique before and it's cool!

    (:

    Gotta love the photo!

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  17. AnonymousMarch 20, 2007 9:02 PM

    senor, congrats on being the finalist! i'm glad for you (and for me, too, because it shows i have great taste -- i was the one who nominated you ;)) good luck!

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  18. AnonymousMarch 20, 2007 10:59 PM

    Oh, Congratulations for being a finalist, Eric! I wish you luck.. sana manalo ka.. :)

    I'm doing last minute blogging now..just posted an entry... my clock is ticking, and hibernation starts tomorrow! :)

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  19. AnonymousMarch 21, 2007 2:03 AM

    YEHEYYYY.....CONGRATS FOR BEING A FINALIST!!!!

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  20. Al P. ManlangitMarch 21, 2007 3:32 AM

    Pretty good shot - love the red and green contrast. I'll try this flashlight trick....

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  21. AnonymousMarch 21, 2007 8:52 AM

    I love the red and green colors! The peppers look so alive and enticing. Almost makes me want to reach out and take a bite :).

    My sincere congratulations to you for making it to the finals of the PBA! I'm rooting for you.

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  22. Señor EnriqueMarch 21, 2007 8:53 AM

    Thank you very much, Neil, mi amigo!

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  23. Señor EnriqueMarch 21, 2007 8:54 AM

    It is really a fun technique, Kyels! I will soon try a much larger subject like an old balete tree. That should be interesting :)

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  24. Señor EnriqueMarch 21, 2007 8:57 AM

    So it was you, Corsarius!

    Thank you very much!

    Great timing; I will be posting an entry regarding this matter and now I know who to attribute this whole thing to ... hehehe!

    Many thanks, again!

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  25. Señor EnriqueMarch 21, 2007 8:59 AM

    Hi Rhoda!

    Thanks, Rhoda! I will post an entry about it next.

    Good luck with your exams!

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  26. Señor EnriqueMarch 21, 2007 8:59 AM

    Many thanks, Dine!

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  27. Señor EnriqueMarch 21, 2007 9:01 AM

    Thanks, Al!

    If you have any questions about it, just let me know. I'd be glad to help you out. It is indeed a neat and fun lighting trick :)

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  28. Señor EnriqueMarch 21, 2007 9:11 AM

    Hi Kathy!

    Many thanks! If I did win, I'd know how it would feel to win such a major prize, as you had experienced with your winning artwork :) A grand feeling it must have been, I'm sure.

    Again, many thanks :)

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  29. -= dave =-March 22, 2007 12:23 PM

    Whoa, interesting technique you have here. Say, do you want to try capturing the night sky? I think you have the know-how to do so, though you may have to get out of the city to obtain the full splendor of the stars.

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  30. Señor EnriqueMarch 22, 2007 2:29 PM

    Night sky photography, Dave, is unarguably a wonderful feat, but you need special telephoto lenses. Otherwise, you'd hardly be able to appreciate the mesmerizing stars out there.

    And you're right, you need to get out of the city to do it. Maybe somewhere high up devoid of pollution.

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  31. vinaApril 04, 2007 8:02 PM

    oh wow. this is sooo beautiful. the colors just burst out.

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  32. Señor EnriqueApril 04, 2007 8:51 PM

    Thanks, Vina! And to think that I only had a flashlight to light it, right? It's actually a smple process :)

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  33. AnonymousJuly 15, 2007 10:16 PM

    galing ng shot! biruin mo nga naman, ngayon buwan ako kumukuha ng advance sa FPPF!

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  34. Señor EnriqueJuly 16, 2007 6:30 AM

    Thank you and please say hello to Ed Santiago for me, Transcopro!

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