My 2012 in Images

2012 has been both a good and a bad year for me in terms of photography work. Good because I believe that I have improved at least, acquired new gear, got heaps of books and learned new things. Bad because I wasn't able to shoot that much unlike 2011. 

Now that 2012 is coming to a close I would like to commemorate this one hell of a year by recollecting some of my favorite images that I have taken and the stories behind it.

Kath's Birthday Gig

I recently took photographs of my cousin Kath's birthday gig party at Headstock Bar in Marikina and I came across into one of the most biggest dilemmas a photographer has to face. Shooting the same exact thing again. For this shoot to be a bit different what I did is I went in close so that I could photograph half of the musician's body along with whatever there is.

And these are the resulting images:

The Weekend Gig-Away

While most people I know either spent their 3 day weekend at home pampering themselves or on a trip out of town to escape the chaotic streets of Manila, I on the other hand went to see unsigned bands playing their hearts out offering the restless youth a music that speaks to them. It's awesome to see such dedicated people doing amazing things for music, most specially if you are living here in the Philippines were the mainstream music is mostly comprised of overly covered songs which are not even remotely good and neither it did justice to the original song.

Anyway, time to stop this drama and get this shit down.

Friday: Black Kath Productions' 1st Anniversary at Headstock Bar - My favorite production just celebrated it's first birthday and I wouldn't miss it out specially all the fun and good memories I had every time I attend a Black Kath gig.

Maybe Thursday

Of Lights and Sounds

Sorry for the late upload! I haven't been able to shoot that much since my last post because I have been focusing all my energies at work. 

Sounds

So last October 20, I head out to Autonomy Music Bar for Black Kath Prod gig. I really missed shooting gigs like this one. I was doubtful if I will be able to get great shots since it was my first time in Autonomy Bar, I have no idea how the lights work, space and above all I haven't shot a thing prior to this gig.

Black Kath - Jam Packed June: My Favorite Snaps

If there is one thing that I learned is that never forget to drink a can of energy drink if you didn't had enough sleep the night before.

Last June 9 I did some "pre-birthday celebration" shooting photos, drinking beer and having a blast at Freedom Bar in Anonas of course this "pre-birthday" celebration wouldn't be possible without my cousin Kath and Black Kath Productions which by the way is one hell of a prod and can certainly kick some serious ass.

Okay, going back to what really this post is about. I tried something new since I am getting wee bit frustrated in shooting gigs in small venues. What I did the unimaginable. I brought a freaking light stand. Yes, a small light stand —now crucify me! I also brought a pair of flash triggers, my reliable CD-R King flash, my battered Sunpak PZ42X which is sadly not as much of a performer compared to its CD-R King counterpart and shit loads of AA batteries.

Yep that's the CD-R King flash at work! Just look at that power! LOL

Now for the setup!

After setting up my light and checking if its firing I placed it first in front and then switched it to the side since not everyone is getting lit enough (my first real lesson with the inverse square law has costed me 3 awesome bands). Then I dialed the power to 1/8th of a power so that I can shoot at around f2.8 up until f8 at ISO 400 while having the shutter speed at around 60th-20th of a second.

This was the first setup and then changed. The photo before this was my second light setup.

Okay, enough with the setup and the technical shenanigans, now its time to showcase some of my favorite shoots of that night.

Keeper shot!

Bass + Flying hair + B&W = Classic.

I really love that expression the drummer is giving.

Now this is what I will call a happy accident

As you can see I am really into wide angle shots.

That's it? Yep! Now I'm thinking that next time I shoot a gig maybe I should try 2 lights and instead of light stands maybe I should get those clamps for convenience, portability and the idea of not having the light stand topple onto some poor bystander.  I do hope you guys like my snaps, I could definitely use some C&Cs here. 

Cheers!

*Edit: my writing skills are so horrible right now. This is my 3rd time editing it. :|

Rakista Jam 36

Last night my buddy Gerome and I headed to Inggo's Bar and Grill in Harbor Square to shoot and watch a Tribute gig for Karl Roy. Since there's Valley of Chrome and Saydie which are both great bands that I love way back when I was still a high school student are also performing, it somehow felt like a trip back to the past where I was listening with my discman (yes I was a proud owner of one) trying to contain all the angst I have in the world. The poster said that tickets are only 60 pesos ($1.33) with two free bottles of Red Horse so we couldn't resist. 

The event turned out okay but seeing some of the crowd who are just freaking kids (probably aged 15-17) drinking and asking me if they could bum my cigarettes pissed me off. I mean if they have the money to attend a gig then why the hell can't they buy their own cancer sticks. Some are worst asking if they could have our Sisig, I gave them the menacing look so they will stay the hell away from us. I know that I acted an asshole but these kids will never listen to you if you are all nice and giddy. 


Anyway let us just take all the hate away now since I got it off my chest and since that event is for the late Karl Roy who just recently passed away. Here are some of the snaps I got and nothing was edited in there but I still think that I could take even better photos than this. Well on the bright side I had my autograph and my photo with one of the hottest vox in the country holding my hand.

I'm a happy happy boy

I would just like to apologize if the Daily Photography Inspiration is getting behind, I have been pretty busy lately but will get back to it as soon as I get my shit straight. Thank you so much for your understanding. Cheers and never stop shooting!

Hansen

Hansen

Piledriver

Oremuz

Oremuz

Gayuma

Gayuma

Gayuma

Gayuma

Ibarra

Ibarra

Valley of Chrome

Valley of Chrome

Valley of Chrome

Valley of Chrome

Oblivion Beyond

Oblivion Beyond 

Oblivion Beyond

Oblivion Beyond

Saydie

Saydie

Saydie

Saydie