Swabeng Thoughts: Things I've learned from FHM's 100 Sexiest Victory Party (Some Tips)

Since 2003, FHM always have this party as a tribute to the 100 sexiest pinays in the land. I've been attending this party since 2007 and somehow, I was able to collect all the experience possible. Anyway, I'll share what I have learned in the past 6 years. 

1. It pays to have a connection: As a member of the FHM Bullboarders (A Forum for FHM Fans and the like), they do have moderatos who maintain the forums clean and troll-free. At the same time, they also receive invites to share with their friends (you have to know them for a while for you to get their trust). And it happens to be that I'm friends with some since 2006 though I only got invites from them in the last two years (including this year) XD. Aside from that, make sure to be friends with people who always have access to the event be it on a regular admission or the VIP.

2. Prepare early: As early as two months prior to the show, some of the sponsors raffle off tickets to the party. Some personalities (from models, to admins), also raffle off some tickets to deserving winners so its not a bad idea to start early. I got my first four invites from joining contests even if I know my moderator friends would save one for me XD.

3. Know the stage: For the past six years that I have attended this event, the stage where all the beautiful ladies, would walk on changes every year depending on the concept of the show. The worst stage that I remember was in 2009 and the best so far was this year and last year. As a photographer, you should determine which spot would they (ladies) usually stop for a pose as well as the best position to take pictures at. 

4. Know your priorities when shooting: I remember taking pictures of all models on each booth a few years back that I forgot to secure a good position to take pictures of the show. For two year in a row, I've been more focused on taking pictures of the show that I forget that some good things do happen on some booths. If I only have an all-access pass I could cover both but I am happy so far. 

5. Be early at the venue: Some people would be there as early as 4 hours before the event. I got there at 3:30pm (my earliest XD) since I don't have a ticket at that time. But one reason its better to be early is to be able to take some pictures of the booths from the sponsors or go as close as you can to the stage (be it at the regular admission or at the VIP). Last year, we got close to the stage and got some decent shots. 

6. Make sure your nourished: Waiting outside for the doors to open and inside for the show to start can make one hungry. Have a heavy meal before you go in so you would have enough energy to last the entire night. Have sips of water or energy drink but don't overdo it as you may do frequent trips to the bathroom which you may lose your shooting spot to someone else. 

7. One or two steps up: Some photographers would bring a ladder or a chair to step-on to get a better vantage. Maybe next year, I'll try to invest on one and go a step or two up.

8. Have fun: Since the event is mostly dominated by guys like you and me with some ladies as well, have fun and enjoy the show. ^_^

Well that's all I can recall for now. I may add some more here or I'll put it on another post. ^_^

Anyway, here is a teaser of what to come soon.

A preview. Nice to look at but please, no stealing. God is watching you. ^_^

Enjoy this one. ^_^

Capture as it happens in Makati (A Photo Contest)

Last Saturday, I saw this event from Pinoy Photography Forums about another photocontest in Makati.Its been two years since I've took photos of Makati without being bothered much by security guards.

Taken from Google

With five categories to join to (join one or join all from Artsy Makati, Green Makati, Party Makati, Sporty Makati and Techie Makati). You may win up to 75,000 pesos in cash so if I were, you, I'd give it a try.

For more details, you can check their website at makeitmakati.com for more details.

I just hope the weather is cooperative enough so I could do some night shots again. XD

Thank You Tito Dolphy

As of presstime, the King of Comedy Rodolfo "Dolphy/Pidol" Vera Quizon Sr. has already joined our Creator at 8:34pm due to Multiple Organ Failure (He was 83 years old). There was even a dispute from twitter that he is still (I'm hoping) alive but sadly he already left us.

RIP Tito Dolphy (July 25, 1928 - July 10, 2012)

I still remember how he made everyone at our home (as well as our ancestral home in Batangas and Pampangga) laugh at his jokes. From the 60's up to the present, he never fails to tickle our funny bones. I grew up watching John en Marsha as well as Home Along the Riles every Wednesday (or Thursday) night and I do remember some of his antics that made me laugh.

He may not received the "National Artist Award" for now (he prefers to receive the National Arthritis Award),  but in our hearts, he is the one and only "Comedy King". By now, he is cracking jokes with Panchito, Babalu, Redford White, Pugak and Tugak and other famous comedians who are already with our creator.

You may read more news at The Philippine Star, GMA Network, Yahoo, Rappler, Inquirer, and FHM.

To the Quizon Family, we extend our deepest condolences for the departure of their King. We join the entire Filipino Community in praying for the soul of Mr. Quizon.

The week that was (July 1 - 7)

Sunday: Got up a bit early to take our daughter out for a walk. To kill more time, we took an LRT ride and dropped off at Santolan Station from Legarda (where we live). I kinda enjoyed it and probably do it a little more often perhaps XD. When we got back home, my wife was still asleep so we woke her up so she could get going. We made sure our baby was well taken care of before we put her to sleep. I transferred some files from our old laptop to our back-up hard drive but it felt like my set of file-transfer was running slow it took me almost 3 hours to finish. By 3:00pm, we were able to hail a cab going to Greenhills to have our late lunch at Torch's (I'll write a blog about this). Just in time that we got there when it started to rain cats and dogs. After almost 2 hours, the raid stopped and we waited for another cab going to Robinson's Galeria. In less than 15 minutes, we were there already. We head off to one of Sun's payment center as my wife was inquiring for some units that she may want to purchase in the near future. Then as we were about to go home, we had some refreshments at Serenitea before taking the bus back home. Well my wife took care of our daughter as I got to back-up some files from our old laptop to our back-up hard drive for me to transfer it to our new laptop. Fortunately, my data transfer was much faster compared to this morning. I got to read Sunday's paper to relax before going to bed.

Monday: Got up early so I could take Migmig out for a walk. Then we had breakfast at Mc Donald's but we didn't stay there for long as my baby got a little bit impatient and wanted to walk some more. When we got back home, we woke her mom up. Then I tried putting her to sleep but it almost took me that long before I got successful. When she slept, I got ready and left for SM North Edsa. It took me almost an hour to get there and when I got there, I didn't waste any time looking for good restaurants to visit when my sister-in-law celebrates her birthday this coming Sunday. While I was roaming around, I couldn't help it but feel sleepy and dizzy at the same time. After searching the entire SM North Edsa, I had my late lunch at Sakae Sushi just to be on the safe side. I thought having some food with wasabi would make me awake but to no avail. Then I head off to Trinoma this time to look for more options. After I felt I searched more than enough, I just strolled around the mall until I decided to take the MRT and go home. I passed by Fully Booked to buy some books. I got some titles for as big as 80% discount. Imagine for a 500-peso book, I just pay around 50-80 pesos each. When I got home, I guess they're sleeping soundly which I wasn't able to get in initially. I just went online until 7:30pm and went back home. I felt a bit worried to see Migmig having rashes again and having a hard time peeing. I told my sister in law not to put diapers on Migmig until her mom arrives. Everytime I carry her, she cries out loud probably in pain and I'm almost helpless as my mom-in-law took over until my wife arrived at almost 9:00pm. She took over as I followed them as soon as Migmig fell asleep. I hope the next day would be better for her.

Tuesday: Got up at past 8:00am on a rainy Tuesday morning as Migmig just got up as well. Thank God, her rashes didn't hurt her as much as the other day. Since we can't go out, we made the most of our morning inside as we watched TV while feeding her some pandeal (and she's liking it). ^_^ After giving her a bath, it took me a while before Migmig fall asleep and then I got ready for work. I left at past 12:00pm as it was raining hard I thought my umbrella won't hold it's own. I bought some ointment for Migmig's rashes just incase it re-occurs again before I proceed. I stopped at World Chicken in Glorietta for lunch as I haven't ate yet and then grab some drinks at Chatime. To my surprise, I got in the office just in time.Work was pretty much okay as I got to do two tickets and answer a call. I just had KFC for dinner as I don't want to trouble myself with what to eat. After my shift, I took a cab going home and when I got home, my daughter was fast asleep and she's not irritated with her rashes. I got to relax for a while before going to sleep.

Wednesday: Again, I got up at almost 8:00am as my mom paid us a visit while I'm still in bed. I got to fix some things before taking Migmig downstairs to spend some time with her other lola (my mom).  I got to do also some of my morning rituals before I took Migmig out for a walk. That walk lasted for only a couple of minutes before we head back home and wake her mom up. It was a pretty busy morning for all of us as we prepare for Migmig's bath. It took me a while (almost 12:00pm) to put our daughter to sleep before I got ready for work. I need to rush since I was almost late but not without passing by Fully Booked to buy some magazines. Since it's the 4th of July, we were expecting that there won't be any calls nor emails. Then my wife texted me saying she's already in Makati as she want's me to accompany her to claim something. I waited for her outside as it rained all of a sudden. Instead of looking far to where my wife and I would eat, we ended up at Bob's near our office. I showed her a paper on Manila Hotel's 100th anniversary and were considering booking on October 6. Then I walked my wife till we parted ways as she needs to go somewhere first. Well we got busy at work with an hour to go but we need to have the issue escalated to our counterparts in the US who are celebrating 4th of July. I took a cab home as the rain stopped already. When I got home, my wife was still up while Migmig was fast asleep. When we were about to sleep, Migmig threw-up all of a sudden that made me and my wife worried a bit. It turns out that our baby kinda ate more that she can handle as I notice the bulge in her tummy. We got to spend some time with her before putting her back to sleep. We joined her soon after and fell asleep too. 

Thursday: We got up at past 8:30am on a cool Thursday morning if Migmig didn't cry for milk. We didn't go out as the sun was already up high so we spent our morning indoors.We woke her mom at 9:30am so she could do her part and speed things up at home. Then it was playtime for me and Migmig until I was able to put her to sleep before getting ready for work. I grabbed some siomai on my way to work to easy my hunger before having late lunch at KFC. Well work wasn't much as our boss was away for a week. By 7:00pm, I went out to SM Makati to buy some milk for Migmig but there was a bomb scare there when they saw a box there unattended. Good thing no bomb were found so life just goes on for everyone. Then I need to look for something to eat as I ended up at Teriyaki Boy and ordered two different maki's. When I got back to the office, I enjoyed the maki and got so full since its heavy on the stomach. After shift, I took a cab and got home in no time to get some much needed rest.

Friday: Got up at 7:30am with some chest pains on the right side. I was able to take Migmig down for a few minutes of walking outside before heading to Mc Donalds for breakfast. One of the crew there liked her so much that she wanted to carry my baby but Migmig is not in the mood yet D. But she's in the mood to eat breakfast as she was able to eat as much as she could to my delight. Then we went back home at almost 9:00am to wake her mom up. It her mom's turn to take care of her while I'm resting for a couple of minutes.   After she slept as early as 10:15am, I was able to go online and edit some photos as Migmig didn't got up while I'm on the laptop and while I'm preparing for work. I left home at past 12:00pm so I could get something to eat while on my way. I didn't find the food that I want so I had some Nutty Oatty from Fruit Magic and some pretzel at Auntie Anne's  before reaching the office. I was able to make a call on one of the restaurants I wanted to visit sometime soon. I went down at almost 4:00pm to have my blood pressure taken (150/100) before doing some transactions in the bank with the voucher I bought from Cashcash Pinoy. I was suppose to have dinner at 7:00pm but I need to make sure my colleague can handle himself  before I leave. For dinner, I went to BFast to have my wagyu cravings even if I'm not feeling very well. I didn't stay there for long as the buffet spread was quite slow. I was  a bit full when I got back in the office. Well work wasn't that much as we got some emails sparingly. It took me a while to hail a cab after being rejected by several taxi drivers giving out their old lame excuses. Luckily, the one I got knew some shortcuts and took me home at the least amount of time (and taxi fare). When I got home, I did some laundry and got some of my things ready for the next day.

Saturday: Got up at almost 8:00am and we went out for a walk. But the weather wasn't that cooperative and its drizzling a bit so we didn't stay out for long. After we got back, We went up to her mom at 9:30pm as she'll be having an appointment with her hair stylist as she wanted to dye her hair (again!). I wasn't able to put Migmig to sleep so I just took a bath and get ready for work. Since I'll be carrying our old laptop, I took the three-bus route going to work so I had to leave home at 12:00pm knowing that traffic would be inevitable. Heavy traffic along Taft Ave in La Salle where a lot of student queue-up for some discount. Thankfully, I got in the office with plenty of time to spare. I rested for a while before going down to have my blood pressure checked (130/80) and have lunch at KFC. It was a late lunch as I haven't ate any since I got up this morning. Then I bought a big bottle of 7-Up before going back to the office for our special session since our boss is away for the entire work week. By 3:30pm, I took the laptop out and started editing old pictures that I took since last year. And I was editing RAW pictures which was really tedious yet rewarding as I got to learn a lot from it. Together with a few shots, I guess I was able to edit more than a hundred RAW photos which I need to do some final touches before uploading them. We really enjoyed our shift as I also played some old school heavy metal music from my laptop. I had late dinner at past 10:00pm as I'm done editing for the week and maybe I'll do some more. By 11:15pm, I'm done for the day and took a cab going home. When I got home, I fixed some of my things to bring for Sunday's day-out with the family which includes my camera before going to bed.

Things I've Learned from my Photograhy Mentor: Composition

Note: This took me around 18 months to complete this XD

I was supposed to be the first one to arrive at his studio on the 15 of January (2011) but since it wasn't yet 2:00pm, I went to Yogurbud to have a quick bite. When I got inside his studio, I was the third one to arrived and waited for the rest of our classmates to come in before our second lecture starts.

But before Sir Jo started his lecture on composition, we submitted our assignments and have it critiqued by him and the entire class as well. My shot was the 3rd to the last that was critiqued.

Initially, I thought I did well on my assignment but I was wrong. There were some parts of the picture that needs improvement as well as with my composition. I guess that how my shot got critiqued by one of the best photographers in the country today plus I kinda noticed it just after Sir Jo gave his comments on my photo.

After the critique session, he gave us a lecture on Composition. I agree that to be a better photographer, you must gain ample experience for you to develop your vision as a photographer. To learn composition, there are no shortcuts to it and you only learn it through experience. 

Sir Jo gave us five simple rules. First is A cow eating grass isn't a pretty picture. This would be the time when you take a picture no one understands. The picture should be able to communicate with the viewer and it should have its story. Second is Fill the frame with your subject. This eliminates visual clutter in the picture which may cause distraction to the viewer. You may use your feet or your zoom lens when moving closer or away from your subject. Third is Get lucky. When you take a few shots, chances are that you may get only a few decent photos or worse, you won't get any decent photos at all. Try take more than one picture but try to vary your position from the subject and shoot from different perspective. Don't forget to check your pictures to check for any improvements. The more you shoot, the more chances you get lucky but don't overdo it. Fourth is The middle is often boring. Most beginners do fall for this thinking that every object placed in the middle would create a good image. Though this would be true for some, but for most images putting it in the middle makes it boring. Trust me, I've been criticized much because of this. You could put your subject above or below the center or to the right or to the left from the center to make the image more interesting. And Fifth is Never fall in love with the sidekick. What would probably insult any photographer is that the viewer would look at everything else on your photo except your main subject (the hero). The sidekick gives support for the hero to make the photograph more presentable. If the viewer cannot recognize the subject, the image would simply be wasted regardless of how much effort produced. 

Light is also important when taking a photograph as this is the most basic element in a photograph. This may make or break a photograph depending on your intention. But at times, available light can be ugly so good lighting should be recognized to produce good photograph. 

Visual elements was also discussed like color, shape, pattern, texture and form. But I'd leave the researching to you guys as this may lengthen my post if I include it as well =P. 

Anyway, here are 10 things I've learned for the day.

1. Take time to study wasted shots.

2. If its not good enough, you're not close enough. - Robert Capa

3. The quality of light is much more important than quantity.

4. Try shooting the same scene horizontally and vertically to see which is better.

5. Use active angles to your advantage

6. Never ask your subjects to say "cheese". Instead, have them say "A".

7. By getting the lighting right first, problems with composition will be solved.

8. Learn to look at the frame as a whole

9. Learn to recognize decisive moments

10. Always have a camera with you.

Want to learn more, enroll at his class. XD

Part 3 coming soon (I hope XD)