Monday, October 12, 2015

1st Coffee and Camera Club (Baguio City) Photo Exhibit

On October 10, 2015, The Coffee and Camera Club held its first photography exhibit at the Baguio City Museum. The exhibit featured photography works of Baguio City-based photographers like Rey Abellada, Wynne Cat-ag, Gary Kier, John Pahigon, Rachelle Regalado, and Gerald Sayaan. Visitors and photography enthusiasts enjoyed the framed artworks, pansit, and of course, as the club's name suggests, coffee and camera (sharing experiences and future plans).

Coffee and Camera Club Photo Exhibit - VoltStock Images


I was touched by the warm welcome the group showed unto me when I arrived. But what made it even better is that the group also advocates for goodwill and camaraderie among Baguio-based photographers regardless of their medium and style.

And one of the pioneers in Baguio photography graced the occasion, Mr. Ric Maniquis!

Coffee and Camera Club Photo Exhibit with Ric Maniquis - VoltStock Images


Going around the gallery, I found one of Gary Kier's photos, the Baguio Eurasian Tree Sparrow (left, nearest photo)

Coffee and Camera Club Photo Gallery - VoltStock Images


Also, among my favorites were the Batek 1 and the Batek 2 of Gerald Sayaan.

Coffee and Camera Club Photo Exhibits - VoltStock Images


As well as Gerald's City Scape.

Coffee and Camera Club Photo Exhibits - VoltStock Images


The conference. A short meeting where future plans were talked about.



The exhibit will run until the 31st of October. Check out and indulge in the culture and heritage of the Cordilleras through these magnificent artworks.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Night Time or Low Light Mobile Photography Tips

Most mobile photographers are having trouble capturing images in low light scenes. Unlike DSLR cameras, most mobile device cameras only offer limited settings to users. Some phone or tablet cameras, especially the old ones, don't have built-in flash and most don't have settings for adjusting ISO, shutter speed and aperture (or f-stop), making low light mobile photography very challenging. The lack of these settings are primarily because mobile cameras are built to work automatically.


Low Light Mobile Photography - VoltStock Images
The Rose Garden at Night
(Mobile Photography)
Rose Garden, Burnham Park, Baguio City


On this night time or low light mobile photography series, we will learn applicable tips on how to help you take nice images in low light scenes. We will discuss three important topics necessary for a great low light photo, Clarity, Exposure, and Composition, with different tips for each. The suggestions you'd be reading are based on experience and it's up to you to find what works -- and discover things yourself.

The smartphone camera I'm currently using allows me to adjust ISO settings only in Normal mode but offers little help in shooting in low light. I prefer shooting on HDR mode because it automatically sets itself for longer exposure and raises ISO values to its maximum. Although it is true that high ISO means getting noisier images, noisy/grainy photos are always better than no photos at all.

The first and the most important tip yet is know your camera.


Click here to jump to Clarity - taking clearer pictures in low light. (Coming Soon)

Click here to jump to Exposure - getting better image exposure in low light. (Coming Soon)

Click here to jump to Composition - practical tips for better image composition in low light. (Coming Soon)