POW! 2nd Week of August 2008

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

"Partners in Crime Revisited"
by: crispyparty
No Exifs Available

Editor's Comment: "Composition and lighting played key roles here. This makes for an excellent print ad."

"Koga"
by: Kim Guanzon
Canon EOS-1D Mark III, 1/250, f/9, 40mm, ISO100

Photo Description: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Canon EF 17-40mm f4L USM
AB800 33" Beauty Dish camera left with diffusion sock.. no filter
AB800 with full CTO filter camera right
WB set to tungsten
check the exif data... all processing was done with lightroom... no need of PS

Editor's Comment: " Here is a good example of what an interplay of good equipment can do to your photos. Forget about the talent or skill of the photographer - a little knowledge will do. Top of the line gears necessarily equate to a brilliant photo!!"

"Heat of the Moment"
by: joelcgarcia
Nikon D300, 1/200, f/18, 40mm, ISO200

Photo Description: Make-up by Jossa Cruz. Regina Condominium, Quezon City.

Editor's Comment: "Great Art for Nude. Great Lighting! This photo just inspires me a lot!"

POW! 1st Week of August 2008

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

"No Title"
by: yetbu
No Exifs Available

Editor's Comment: "This is not his best. I invite you to look at his stream and just let the images do the talking this time."

"The Cross"
by: JRmannn
No Exifs Available

Editor's Comment: - "I love the colors on this shot. and the rainbow.. just perfect!"

- "Shooting and composing with a rainbow...that doesn't happen everyday. "

"URCC 12 (Supremacy)"
by: Ronyak
No Exifs Available

Photo Description: URCC 12 held last July 5, 08 at A. Venue

Editor's Comment: - "Seldom do we see sports photos uploaded in flickr. It is therefore exhilirating to see one and this photo captures the agony of being defeated and the intense concentration of the brawler on top who seems to be the fighter with an advantage over his foe."

- "i can feel the intensity in this frame. As the other editor mentioned it's a image with a strong story to tell. "

POW! 4th Week of July 2008

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

"Full of Life"
by: JRmannn
No Exifs Available

Photo Description: FULL OF LIFE
Like a whole little world in that one drop.

Editor's Comments: - "Great capture on the reflection and great timing on the water drop."

- " I just love images where the reflection draws more attention to whats on the middle of the frame. It takes a keen eye and a lot of imagination to create that in my opinion."

"No Title"
by: Joseph Ong
No Exifs Available

Photo Description: Model; Tara
Clothes: Harvey Cenit
Maquillage: Jessie Glova

Editor's Comment: - "The cropped shot did this photo justice. The photographer's an expert when it comes to portraits and it clearly shows. Good details and great use of lighting"

- "This portrait invites me to peer into her soul. it's mesmerizing!
Softness in female portraiture still works best for me not only technically speaking but the way the model projects as well."

"Verbotene-Liebe"
by: JohnnyMakati
No Exifs Available

Editor's Comment: - "This is post editing par excellance. The photographer is an artist. Every photos he shows us is a work of art. Not only he can photograph so well, he can beautify as well. Definitely one of the best glamour photograph of the week"

- "This has the makings of really "fine" art photography! ...in terms of gracefulness, lighting, texture among others. "

POW! 3rd Week of July 2008

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

"Pinoy ako - My Pride and Joy"
by: my fLEEckr.leeviraycahili
No Exifs Available

Photo Description: “One of the great undiscovered joys of life comes from doing everything one attempts to the best of one's ability. There is a special sense of satisfaction, a pride in surveying such a work, a work which is rounded, full, exact, complete in its parts, which the superficial person who leaves his or her work in a slovenly, slipshod, half-finished condition, can never know. It is this conscientious completeness which turns any work into art. The smallest task, well done, becomes a miracle of achievement.” --og mandino

Editor's Comment: "The boy's expression exudes confidence and pride... perfect for the patriotic colors of the hat and the title given. The filtered light on the face adds dimension to the portrait. it creates enough specular highlights to bring the portrait to life!"

- "Mabuhay Philippines! The first thing came to my mind when I saw this photo. Great colors. Mabuhay ang Pinoy! "

"Tulolaway"
by: Solanaboy
No Exifs Available

Photo Description: Went back to dumaguete to shoot the Pier and boy it was one hell of a day. I shot 4gb worth in the pier. I have a few more I will upload this week.

Editor's Comment: "Colors blended well with the background, not to mention the light coming behind the subject was a great touch. Always a pleasure to see underwater pictures." =D

"Luiza"
by: chibusque
No Exifs Available

Photo Description: Photography: CHi busque of iD3 photography
Model: Luiza Rower
Hair & Makeup: Aizza Reyes for House of Laurel
Clothes by: Joe San Antonio
Agency: Chameleon Modeling Agency
Location: Jing Arroyo's Crib @ Belle Villa, Merville

Editor's Comment: "It's quite amazing when all the right elements come together in a fashion shoot. Of course good lighting and photography are a must too as you can see here."

POW! 2nd Week of July 2008

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

by: [2]rokbot[2]y
Sony DSC-R1, 1/320, f/8, 14.3mm, ISO160

Photo Description: Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

Editor's Comment: "I'm not from UP but i like this one. It shows the blue skies with cloud formation which draws the eyes more to the background than the real subject. A novelty in composition."

"Grilled King Prawn"
by: gilbert "gilbz" gamolo
No Exifs Available

Photo Description: My favorite food...and food photography subject. =)

light set-up: one strobe with a snoot fitted with red gel above & behind the prawn, one small softbox on the left side and a small gold reflector directly below the subject.

did some color enhancement and contrast adjustment in lightroom. also did some minor detail "fixing" in photoshop.

------------------------------------------------

Prawns are crustaceans, belonging to the sub-order Dendrobranchiata. They are similar in appearance to shrimp, but can be distinguished by the gill structure which is branching in prawns (hence the name, dendro=“tree”; branchia=“gill”), but is lamellar in shrimp. The sister taxon to Dendrobranchiata is Pleocyemata, which contains all the true shrimp, crabs, lobsters, etc.

As used in commercial farming and fishery, the terms prawn and shrimp are generally used interchangeably. In European countries, particularly the United Kingdom, the word “prawns” is far more common on menus than the term “shrimp”, which is generally only used in North America. The term “prawn” is also loosely used to describe any large shrimp, especially those that come 15 (or fewer) to the pound (also called “king prawns”).

source: wikipedia

Editor's Comment: "Product Photography is about lighting. This photo just tells it all. Great Lighting. Kudos to the Photographer for being unselfish and sharing to everyone how he setup his lighting technique. Thumbs up to you Gilbert!"

"Androgynous"
by: Joseph Ong
No Exifs Available

Photo Description: Model: Girly Raven Gabriel
Maquillage: Jessie Glova
Designer: Lorymer Villareal

Editor's Comment: "this is self explanatory... ok...she's lovely! ok nice lighting and she's lovely!"

POW! 1st Week of July 2008

Welcome to the return of FPC's Photos of the week.

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

"Ballerina"
by: divemaster4ever
No Exifs Available

Photo Description: Choreographed exposure shot @ Ayala Alabang Village home studio.

Editors Comment: "The work is unique to me! Use of multiple exposure or overlapping layers is very tasteful. The work as a whole is as elegant as the dancer subject who was captured in graceful motion!"

"I'm the Boss here . . ."
by: alexdpx
Canon EOS 20D, 1/1000, f/6.3, 300mm, ISO200

Photo Description: Fuwairit, Qatar, 27 June 2008
Fighting against the wind to prevent her kite from being blown away. She's one of the few women we saw parasailing but the most spectacular to watch. This girl's got some moves :)

Editors Comment: "Nice shadows on the thigh of the lady and the depth of field is pretty good. He captured the emotion pretty well. "

"No One Is Convinced"
by: Paolo Mañalac
Nikon D80, f/8, 18mm, ISO 100, HDR 3 shots by 2 stops

Photo Description: Malapascua Island, Daan Bantayan, Cebu, Philippines...
FACT: Malapascua Island is so small you can get around on foot :D

Editors Comment: "This photo does not only show how good the composition and color was shot, but it also made me feel what my personal eyes would expect to see when i get the chance to visit this place. Superb Work."

"Im personally balled over by this image! The tones are so soothing to the eyes perhaps in part because the colors of the sky and foreground seem to harmonize. The net in the foreground offers rich texture and balance which in itself can be imagined as an extension of the sea."

FPC PoW!s -- Week 07, 2008

Photojournals from the recently held protest rally in Makati City last Feb 15, 2008 would have been great to feature this week, as well as photos from the second FPC Sea Breeze photo adventure. Unfortunately, there was none of these photos in the pool yet. But that doesn't mean we don't have other great photos from able and respected FPC members. This week, two of them are from Pinoy photogs based outside of the Philippines.

Ronald makes it this week with one of his photos from our wedding shoot last January 26. The bride had been hiding her real emotions, covering it up with humor. But the sight of the altar may have broken down her defenses and beneath the veil, she lets out her true feelings. Alex takes us 133.30 meters up the Platinum (Al Bida) Tower in Doha, Qatar and melts our knees with his perspective, adding a fellow photog for the total vertigo effect. Joel shows us how to photograph cars in a way that makes you want to buy them (assuming you have the money).

This is NOT IN ANY WAY A PHOTO CONTEST. We just want to honor Photographic creativity :D

Now, our PoW!s in order of date taken:

January 26

Untitled
(reco: "Beneath the Veil")
by Ronald Bolante
Exif Metadata:
Camera: Canon EOS 30D
Exposure: 0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture: f/4
Focal Length: 191 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0/3 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Spot

February 9

"A View to a Kill"
by Alex Atienza
Exif Metadata:
Camera: Canon EOS 20D
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 17 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0/2 EV
Flash: Flash fired, red-eye reduction
Exposure Program: Aperture priority
Metering Mode: Partial

Alex's Description: Model: TABS; Location: Platinum (Al Bida) Tower, Doha, Qatar; Lighting Setup - Strong afternoon sunlight from the right and 1 Canon Speedlight fired in E-TTL mode with a Speedlight ST-E2 trigger.

February 15

"Ferrari Enzo"
by Joel Monsalud
No Exif Metadata available.

Joel's lighting information: Two lights: AB800 with 20-degree honeycomb on top of the subject. Another AB800 with snoot for background.

- end -

FPC PoW! -- Week 05, 2008

January is over. February offers a full-packed schedule of FPC Photo Events starting with the 12th Hot Air Balloon Festival. Meanwhile, let us look at some great photos we, otherwise, would have missed. This week's picks manifest the nature-loving, intrepid and brazenly creative spirit of 3 of FPC members--Zek, Perry, and Marvin :D

"Butterfly3"
by: iankino2007
No exif Metadate available.

"Katamaran"
by: PowerPee
Exif Metadata:
Camera: Nikon D2Xs
Exposure: 0.04 sec (1/25)
Aperture: f/8
Focal Length: 17 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0/6 EV
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Pattern
PowerPee's Description: "This is a trademark here in the Philippines. This 'banca' carries several passengers and acts like a bicycle with balancers. A lot of locals use this as a means of livelihood."

Untitled
by: [2]rokbot[2]y
Exif Metadata:
Camera: Sony DSC-R1
Exposure: 0.125 sec (1/8)
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 26.2 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: -7/10 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire
Exposure Program: Portrait mode
Metering Mode: Pattern

- end -

FPC PoW! -- Week 4, 2008

Our first set of Photos of the Week for 2008, in order of date taken! Keep shooting and sharing great photos! :D

"In Awe"
by: Ian Ong
No exif Metadate available.

"Unlock"
by: Edcsk
Exif Metadata:
Camera: Canon EOS 350D Digital
Exposure: 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture: f/4
Focal Length: 65 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0/2 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Partial

"Festival Queen 2008"
by: Ravemastershun
Exif Metadata:
Camera: Canon EOS 400D Digital
Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 55 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0/3 EV
Flash: Flash fired, auto mode
Exposure Program: Portrait mode
Metering Mode: Evaluative

- end -

PoW! 46th Week

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

"Charm City Rollers Girls Championships 2007"
by: Maryland1RN
Olympus E-500, 1/30, f/2.8, 60mm, ISO400

Editor's Comment: The only way to get this right at the set shutter speed is to pan the camera following the subjects. Oliver is fortunate to be in this position to capture the many expressions of the players especially the jostling behind the column of players. I figured that the flash must be blinding to the players but if they concentrated on their play, I assume they would mind that momentary burst of creativity.

"Aklatan"
by: addikk
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, 1/200. f/2.8, 23mm, ISO1600

Editor's Comment: When I first see this photo, I was surprised to see that it was shared by Syke. If my memory does not fail me, this is his first PoW! The concept and the lighting indicates that this is shot in a studio, probably in one of their media productions. Syke shows his share in creativity with a great composition and timely capture of that expression along with the action.

Suggested Title: "Stealth Merchant"
by: archjoshua
No Exifs Available

Editor's Comment: The action here and the setting bespeaks of a street peddler trying to hawk his wares in between plush shops and among high class citizens. Or it might be that he is stealing those items in the middle of the street. Highly unlikely though. For what reason he is there where it seems he doesn't belong, only Joshua can tell.

PoW! 45th Week

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

"300 -- Philippine Version"
by: mtxtremist
No Exifs Available

Editor's Comment: This is what i call "A Photographer in Action". kudos to the photographer's courage and determination to produce quality photos and news, despite the risk of getting caught in the middle of both sides. Great! Just Superb Photojournalism.

"Clear"
by: Gilbert "gilbz" Gamolo
Canon EOS 30D, 1/13, f/16, 68mm, ISO200

Photographer's Comment: "Wala ako magawa last night eh"("I had nothing to do last night"). I just practiced lighting products (applied rim lighting as well). Just grabbed my shampoo from the bathroom since I also love the matte blue finish of the bottle. Did some post processing with lightroom then fine tuned the dithered background in photoshop CS and added the reflection and the copy.

Editor's Comment: Very productive idle time, Gilbz! Very professional hob on the lighting and the post-processing. One could easily mistake this practice photo for one taken for a real product advertisement!

"Beautiful Moment"
by: JRMannn
No Exifs Available

Photographer's Comment: Sometimes I just chuckle when I find captures like this. I wasn't planning on shooting macros but I got to work a little early, turned on my computer, went to the side of the office where the trees are. Didn't see much happening so I was heading back to the office. On the way this bluish color caught my eye, which was the butterfly. I haven't seen this before but after all the rain and gloomy skies, this is my reward. Thank you Lord! =)

Editor's Comment: Among the butterfly and flowers shared into the FPC pool of photos (there are countless of them, if you'll notice), I have to give accolades to this one for the superb colors and the angle with which it was taken, bringing out the brilliance of the blue, brown and pink. Truly a rewarding macro moment for JRMann :D

PoW! 44th Week

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

"Given Teves Face Portfolio"
by: igorms
Nikon D200, 1/320, f/13, 160mm, ISO100

Editor's Comment: Aside from the model gave a dramatic pose.... i like the color tone used and tight crop....

"Anti-Smuggling Unit Commandos"
by: mtxtremist
Exifs not Available

Editor's Comment: One of the best photojournalist I have personally known. "Mr. Linus Escandor". This photo shows specifically the ingredients of a good quality photo.... from the composition, bokeh, focused subject and the message/information that the photographer wants everyone to see. He have shared to us before that a photo should consist as much as possible the following elements. SUBJECT, WHERE and ITEMS related to the scene.

by: [2]rokbot[2]y
Sony DSC-R1, 1/20, f/4.8, 68.1mm, ISO160

Member's Comment: This is just a simple shot of a box of candles... what strikes me is the way the photographer composed this shot... and the memories he rekindle from going back to his hometown.

PoW! 43rd Week

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

"Panorama Wedding"
by: Ken Tamayo
Nikon D80, 1/80, f/5.6, 28mm, ISO400

Editor's Comment: The Panoramic effect of this shot is wonderful and romantic. The Location is just perfect. Great Job.

"Where they at?"
by: Roel Santiago GUAM
Canon EOS 5D, 1/1600, f/4, 28mm, ISO160

Editor's Comment: I couldn't find a suitable for my category this week in 30 pages. Thus, I switch to checking the ones I have faved while browsing the pages. This one among them stands out. What makes it interesting, of course, is the juxtaposition of the wall graffiti (which, by the way, is very artistic; it reads "eDGe") and the air-soft gunner. The wall texture added the "grit" factor necessary for this high action shoot.

"Jacq"
by: Edlin Roguel
Canon EOS 30D, 1/45, f/8, 50mm, ISO100

Editor's Comment: Lovely Girl, Lovely Pose. Nice lighting. Wonderful treatment on the photo.

PoW! 42nd Week

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

"Naked Art 2: Asian roots"
by: Ian Ong
No Exifs Available

Editor's Comment: . . . simply for the colors, and the curves, and the composition, and the pose, and the patterns, and the way it makes my eyes look around the itsy-bitsy details and the . . . on and on and on. Simply beautiful.

"24 Hours of Flickr Manila"
"Through the eyes of a child" (Suggested)
by: Little Mix Mix
No Exifs Available

Editor's Comment: I make an exception this week on technical quality, to make way for this very significant photo shared into the pool. We are all familiar with this photo. Yes, it is dark. It is also an ordinary group shot taken with "just" a point-and-shoot camera. Yes, it is the 2nd most interesting photo of the "Flickr 24 in Manila" event, and during some days, it was no.1.

Yes, it made it to the flickr blog http://blog.flickr.com/en/2007/08/27/two-down-two-to-go/.
Yes, it was taken by Mika, the daughter of Pat, an FPC admin.

But what does it REALLY mean to you? For me, it is more than what we SEE it is. I faved it not because I look gorgeous. In fact, I look like a burnt charcoal. I faved it not because there is a beautiful, sexy model showing her "best assets." I faved it because I like how we are one big "family" in this photo. It reminds me of how we always have fun when we get together. When we do, we are all like children with expensive toys, sharing them or hoarding them, liking yours or envying the other's. But above all the gears, It is the spirit of belongingness that brings us together, with kindred spirits around us making us feel like children in our home, where you can be yourself whatever gear you have.

Imagine this photo as a solo shot of you. Would you care putting a pink star over it? I think that it is fitting for us now to think of how far we have come, how good we have become at taking pictures, and the relationships that we have formed being a flickr and FPC member. Now, look at all that through the eyes of a child.

"Flame On!"
by: Lenard Po
Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/125, f/14, 97mm, ISO100

Editor's Comment: What caught my attention with this shot is the creativity of using a lighter for a portrait shot. It has always been interesting to capture a flame. Check out how the flame danced. Wonderful details and portrait. Its a fave!

PoW! 41st Week

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

"Civil War"
by: PowerPee
No Exifs Available

Description: The Icon (Captain America) is about to get barbecued...

* I just received news that this picture won the 1st ever photo contest at the 6th Philippine Toycon. God is indeed good to me. :)

Editor's Comment: To not honor Perry's work on FPC PoW! will be a shame. This is appropriate time to celebrate and be proud of a masterpiece, a work of art, which Perry has seem to have perfected over the course of time, since his formal lessons on creative lighting. What makes this winning photo click is obviously the suggestion of action making the lifeless figures come very alive, with the appropriate facial expression.

"My Paper Flower Dream"
by: Glenn Mendoza
No Exifs Available

Editor's Comment: Not all subjects look good when rendered in black & white. But who would have thought that a colorful flower (even though a paper flower at that) would look this good without color?

For those participating in FPC's theme contest for this month, this photo is a case study. Excellent contrast, wide tonal range, great lighting revealing all those texture details. Bravo!!

"Stairway to Heaven?"
by: laz'andre
No Exifs Available

Editor's Comment: the key to the shot's "pow" value is very fundamental to photography: composition.

It takes a keen eye to spot the subject. a good appreciation of symmetry to frame the mural and creative talent to include the birds and some sky in the shot!

PoW! 40th Week

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

"Point Reyes"
by: born19june
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi, 1/200, f/16, 37mm, ISO400

Photographers Description: Point Reyes is a prominent cape on the Pacific coast of northern California. It is located in Marin County approximately 30 mi (48 km) WNW of San Francisco. The term is often applied to the Point Reyes Peninsula, the promontory bounded from Tomales Bay on the northeast and Bolinas Lagoon on the southwest. The headland is protected as part of Point Reyes National Seashore.

The cape protects Drakes Bay on its southern side. The headland is largely drained by Drakes Estero. Inverness Ridge runs along the peninsula's northwest-southeast spine, with forested peaks around 430 meters (1,400 feet). West of the ridge, the land flattens out and the vegetation turns to scrub. The Mount Vision Fire in 1995 burned part of Inverness Ridge.

The peninsula is a popular recreational destination for the nearby San Francisco Bay Area, especially for hiking on its many trails and sea kayaking the shores of Tomales Bay and the coast.

Vegetation native to Point Reyes includes Bishop pine, Douglas-fir, coyote brush, monkeyflower, poison oak, California blackberry, salal and coast redwood, among others.

During the Cold War, submarines repaired at Mare Island Naval Shipyard were tested in the shallow waters off Point Reyes following shipyard repairs. Navy safety personnel used a small monitoring and communications hut on the peninsula for monitoring submarines during these sea trials.

Point Reyes Lighthouse was used as the radio station for Antonio Bay in the John Carpenter film "The Fog".

Point Reyes lends its name to the town of Point Reyes Station, California.

Editor's Comment: Is Titanic the Movie making a comeback? This photo has a very striking composition. And is just awesome in all aspects. Great Work.

"beauty @ work"
by: [2]rokbot[2]y
Sony DSC-R1, 1/320, f/8, 71.5mm, ISO160

Editor's Comment: There have been many shots such as this. And obviously there are probably photos beyond the pages I have scoured that are more striking than it. But among the ones shared recently, this one has the blessings of both tonal and compositional excellence. Immediately, when you see the thumbnail, you will invariably like to look at the big picture.

"duck"
by: scubapup
Canon EOS-1D Mark III, 1/500, f/5.6, 700mm, ISO800

Editor's Comment: This aint no ugly duckling. I would call this a beautiful duckling. Wonderfully Captured. This can be a lovely painting hanged on my living room. :)

PoW! 39th Week

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

"Love Boat"
by:Ogiecute
Nikon D80, 1/250, f/10, 10mm, ISO140

Editors Comment: This photo plays tricks on your eyes! One glance and you'll think it's a grounded UFO! Evidently, the positioning of the foreground subject in relation to the sun creates the effect of a glowing cockpit of a craft. There's a lesson. Once in while, it pays to pay attention to how you put things in the frame and a little imagination can make an oddly ordinary scene like this, a hit!

"Muffins"
by: Rey Nocum
No Exifs Available

Editor's Comment: I know this is just an ordinary shot. but so what. The photo served its purpose. It made me hungry and craving for muffins! :D

"Friendship"
by: Joanne Curlah
Nikon D80. 1/100, f/6.3, 52mm, ISO100

Member's Comment: For me, what makes a silhouette photo effective is the fact that you don't see the usual elements like faces and expressions found in photos with human subjects but somehow still manages to intensely convey emotion. For this picture, it is hard to miss the bonding that these two boys are enjoying. So innocent… yet so meaningful.