It’s month 7 and we’ve got a battle of the bumps between Ting2x and Patchok!
With such busy work schedules, it was difficult to get everyone organized but yesiree we got it together just in time. Big thanks to the couple who was quite willing to play plans by ear and to Ish Regodos and Stella Sam for their assistance despite that late hour.
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Eric and Christine
Done to the tune of Orient Pearl’s Pagsubok, as suggested by Ish Regodos.
>>My sister, Mars, is going on a Euro Trip with her girl friends this month of August— I am so excited for her and the rest of the GWNN! We’ve been trying to set up an online chat date but considering our busy schedules and the 4-hour time zone difference, it just wasn’t possible.
She’s leaving today, but I hope she gets the time to read this, a list of travel photo tips on the top of my head.
#1: Check how much time you’re going to spend per stop. Allot enough time for taking photos.
#2: Get obligatory shots over and done with. You’re in Paris. Of course you want a solo shot with the Eiffel tower! And you want one with Farina… one with Dennise… one with Julette… and with everyone. Explore all possible permutations, why don’t you.
#3: Be on the lookout for the interesting stuff. Everyone’s going to have the obligatory travel shots, this will set yours apart. Interesting could be something totally out of place, something very quirky, or something that is new to you.
#4: The goal is to capture the whole feel of the scene. If it’s freezing cold, take shots of the car nearly buried in snow, the almost deserted streets… the people huddled in their coats. If you must be in the photo, emphasize the feel of the scene with the appropriate pose.
#5: If you have time, explore different angles and perspectives. A quick review: worm’s eye view (from below) makes things look taller, superior; bird’s eye view (from above) results in something totally opposite. Eye level is the safer option in most instances, which is not necessarily a good thing because safe tends to be boring.
#6: Vary your poses and expressions. When possible, match it to the scene. Doing a default pose and expression in different clothes and places is just creepy.
#7: Incorporate colors, lines, and patterns whenever possible. These elements always add some pizzazz to your photos.
#8: When shooting indoors, try to find natural light. Use that. If that isn’t sufficient, and the auto mode isn’t doing its job, go on manual and experiment with the shutter-aperture-ISO combo. With your cam, start with something like 1/60-f1.4-ISO 800. Pop-up flash is always the last option.
#9: When you’re shooting against the light, and you’re not doing a silhouette shot, use flash to fill in the shadows. If you’re on Manual, use a small aperture opening— that would be a high number.
#10: If the group wants a shot with, say, the Mona Lisa, DO NOT COVER THE GODDAMN MONA LISA.
#11: If you want a wide shot of and with, say, the Louvre, don’t go running to the main entrance. Ask the shooter to stand at a distance which fits the whole structure in, and, as the subject, stay close to the cam. The idea is to make that structure your background and keep yourself recognizable.
#12: Try to get as many candid shots as you can. Test shots, I’ve learned in the course of my work, are a great source of these so don’t delete them just yet.
I leave you with one last tip: don’t let the combined pressure of buying that kickass cam and the need to come home with awesome photos get to you. You didn’t work your ass off for the last couple of months to go to Europe and shoot. Leave that to the professionals.
Next stop: THE WORLD! My sister and I during our Hong Kong & Macau trip last Feb.
A boarding pass invite for a travel-themed wedding. Check out the Save The Date as well!
Photography has been my ticket to many places all over the Philippines. Thinking that it would take me beyond that seemed ambitious but here I am in Dubai. It gets me thinking that this just might be my ticket to the world…
A round of thank yous are in order here. First, to the couple for entrusting such a special project to me. Second, to Dennis Canchico and Earl Montano for assisting in this 2-part affair. Third, to Ish Regodos for making the AVP of this shoot.
Closing with a line from the novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower…
A simple poster where guests could write down well wishes during the engagement party.
9 May 2011, UAE Harley-Davidson Showroom— coverage for Jumpstart, an innovative and portable demo tool that allows enthusiasts to get ‘the thrill of the throttle’ for free, no licences required.
>>5 May 2011, S*uce, The Dubai Mall— UAE’s Fashion A-List came out in full force when British Fashion Designer Henry Holland hit S*uce to launch his VSP (very s*ucey person) Autumn/Winter 2011/2012 preview party.
The man of the hour, Mr. Henry Holland himself.
The S*ucey crowd.
Paulina Zahezierska (of Poca & Poca) and Karolina Gnielie.
Twins Alizey and Saanieh Mirza and the rest of the blog squad.
Diya Ajit and Alistair Mulhal (of Esquire Middle East).
Henry with Ayo Torikaz and Yuka Ogisi.
Mariyah Easpacho and Hommam Arbit
More VSPs.
Neon never looked this regal.
Rula rockin’ the HOH slogan tee with Pom Pom earrings and a customized vest.
Henry with Melina.
Sahar Farooq with a pair of badass shades.
Goodies S*uce whipped up for the occasion.
Henry takes to the decks!
Henry and Jessica with the S*uce Team.
>>27 April 2011, Saks Fifth Avenue, Burjuman Center— Saks celebrated prom early by inviting all high school females to come and check out their amazing dress collection. Designer Dima Ayad was there herself, showcasing exclusive dresses she made for the affair. Helping dress the ladies were the lovely stylists from Grazia Magazine, ensuring that everyone walked away a queen from Saks.
26 April 2011, The Royal Mirage— Everyone who’s anyone welcomed the arrival of the Luxury Emporium to the UAE with an intimate and glamorous affair at The Jetty.
The Emporium is an online luxury boutique that showcases high quality shoes, bags, accessories and fine jewellery from leading international designers such as Guiseppe Zanotti, Proenza Schouler, Rupert Sanderson, Lara Bohinc, and Pauric Sweeney.
Brainchild of Irish founder, Lisa Carroll, the online boutique has quickly become a popular international online shopping destination for the discerning shopper.
21 April 2011, Galeries Lafayette, Dubai Mall— Lafayette, decked to project the feel of 19th century Paris, launched the Middle East’s biggest collection of mechanical music instruments with pieces from the Vindimia Antique Gallery.
Hurdy gurdies, polyphones and monkey organs— Europe’s history would place these instruments in the hands of street performers on top their makeshift stages. In present times however, these instruments reside in some of the world’s most exclusive antique collections and can be priced millions of dollars apiece.
Ghada Kunash, founder of Vindimia, indulged us with a dose of musical culture as she took us around the La Fayette, giving vignettes of descriptions for each piece. The cutest pair, decked in true Parisian fashion, led the pack throughout the store, indulging the guests with a cute dance at one point.
Along with these instruments, Vindimia also had a selection of furniture, silverware, porcelain, glass, jewellery, prints, and manuscripts dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries on display.
>>21 April 2011, Reiss Boutique, Mall of the Emirates— Reiss threw a customer evening where they showcased their midseason collection to loyal customers and friends.
Hors d’oeuvres were served as models Bronx, Militza, and Jonathan showed off the highlights of the line. Christina, a guest, commented that it was great to see the pieces on actual people as it gave her a better picture of the each piece’s form and structure. Oohs and ahhs were everywhere especially when Miltza came out wearing the Nanette dress Kate Middleton wore to her engagement party.
Guests were all praises for the line and the brand in general. Louise, an engineer, loves how she can be trendy when she goes to work, “it’s formal and sexy… in a subtle way” she explains. Friends Kate and Colleen, holding up a really neat pair of skorts, raved on Reiss’s class and boldness and mused that a lot of work obviously goes behind the scenes. Aline says Reiss is something you can use anytime— something Marie, another guest, puts as “…I can take from day to night.” Gavin, a customer even when he was living in the UK, remains faithful to the brand, hooked on its simple but chic designs.
“We are inspired by fashion, but we pick trends that we believe in,” says brand manager Alberta Mezzacapo. Right now they’re all about blues & neutrals and designs with a 70s touch; they have also launched a sub-brand named after the year the brand came out, 1971.
Mezzacapo also gave us dish on some of the things they might be launching this year: candles, perfumes, and perhaps a magazine to celebrate its 40th year. Exciting things up ahead for Reiss, yes.
>>29 January 2011, Country Village Hotel— everyone was white and fabulous at Cat Gordiel’s birthday bash. Photographed this event with Karen, with Ish on lights.
