Wings & Wheels of the Past

The White Party

Cuadro Canto Champion June

Hello Frame 21!  My name is Alvin Alviso, the larger version of the chipmunk.  I am a father of 2 cowboys, a princess, and a husband with only one queen.  I live in Bellflower and work with a pharmaceutical research company in Buena Park as a research coordinator.  I am also a part time IT/electronic technician on my days off.

It is indeed an honor to win this month’s photo challenge.   And for that, I thank you all.  It truly inspires me to learn and love the art even more.  It strongly motivates me, not only in photography but in life.  I have no art skills at all.  I can’t draw, and I even arrange my living room nicely.  Now, my perceptions have changed.  Perhaps, art is not only about drawing and putting things together.  Frame 21 thought me that I can actually do something artistic.  This is my second photo challenge entry after last month’s “The Freeway”.

The Challenge:  Memories of home.  I thought of a Jeepney, a carabao, Mahjong, kids playing sipa or the heads tails coin-tossing game.  Then I thought, maybe Bawal Umihi would be fun to shoot.  This entry was not intended to undermine the beauty and reputation of our country.  For the sake of arts, I thought it is creative and unique to compose a picture from my "not so pleasant" memories of the Philippines. There is a certain humor and truth some about it.  It’s hilarious to read a sign Bawal Umihi - Multa P1000.  Originally, I wrote “Bawal Unihi - Utot Oki”.  And the aching truth is that, these signs are unique only to the Philippines.  I often find myself in trouble during a bike ride with no restrooms within miles of open trail.  And from that awful experience, I missed my childhood playground.

The Shot:  I asked my friend Marco, to grab a bottle of Red Horse beer and be the model.  I took the picture in an abandoned commercial building around 10 pm while the neighborhood was at rest.  We used a 100 watts lamp shade tied to a mop stick to replicate the light posts we have in Cebu.  It was powered by my car battery, through an inverter.  The sign was actually painted using my index finger.  Ops, no paint brush was available.  That was really fun!

Then, the shot was made using Canon T1i with 24-105mm lens.  No flash, handheld at 1/10 sec., f/4, ISO 800.  Post processing was done to enhance the image and also to sharpen the picture.  I left my tripod and took chances to shoot at 1/10 sec.  The lens Image Stabilization did help me with this lucky shot.

I used to play around with an old SLR Minolta in the mid 90’s but quickly dropped the hobby because it was very costly then.  I met someone with a Canon 5D last year and somehow it awakened my interest in photography.   I bought my first DSLR in September of 2009.  Then, I understood the basics:  exposure and the principles of composition.  Learning was relatively easy through the internet and library books.  But the most challenging aspect in photography I wish to develop is the art of composing a good photograph that tells a story, draws emotion, creates drama and perhaps, a little humor.  I joined the Frame 21 in March 2010 to overcome these challenges and to breed.   I mean; to be a new breed photographer.

While some photographers say that photography is all about their talents and skills, I believe my photography is a bit of skills and a lot of luck.  A bit of skills to understand the technical aspects of modern equipments.  Skills to put ourselves at the right place and at the right time to anticipate the moments as the scene unfolds.  And a lot of luck, to reap more keeper shoots from the hard work.  Most people, including myself, do some spray and pray.  And from my lucky shots, I came up with my own “PhotoChamba Photography”.

Learning photography did not only expand my skills and knowledge in the field but it taught me to truly appreciate the work of others.  More importantly, I learned from it as well.  I admire the photography of our very own Mr. Kevin Russell Teves.  Not because of his gorgeous and super sexy models, but because of the way he sees things in different perspective and under different light.  Kevin shoots simple day-to-day objects and simple scenes on the streets.  But he cleverly crafts his composition to tell a story, portray a message or to capture the viewer’s attention.  He is funny too.  Bai Kev, keep up the good work bro.

Well of course, I applaud Phil Fernandez photografia and the awesome 3stars&risingsun photography by Dennis Baloy.  And syempre, I salute the frame 21 members for their dedication and continuous journey to breed.  I mean, to be the new breed of photographers. Daghang salamat. Mabuhay ang Frame 21!

Alvin Alviso