Aliwan Photo Contest Winner – Lemuel Ragasa talks about his photography
July 31, 2007
Lemuel Ragasa and talks about his Winning Photos for the Aliwan Photo Contest.
Lemuel took home 1st place for both categories of our Photo.net.ph – Pipho Aliwan Photo Contest.
We decided to ask him to a few questions to get to know the man behind the photos!
1. How did you start in your photography?
i started with photography after the purchase of a second hand pentaxspotmatic offered by our librarian in meralco. at first i used it to take afew snapshots. the excitement of awaiting the result of the shotsenthralled me to the hobby.there are a lot of photo books at the meralco library and the one i likebest are the time-life photo books in several volumes which covered all thedisciplines in photography. reading them opened me to the art and thediscipline in photography.
2. What camera system are you using?
i still have that spotmatic and the size permits me to use it for streetphotos and portraits. its hard for me to give it up because i feelconnected with it. i do not have the same emotional attachment to the dslrhowever. the dslr feels like its a disposable thing.
3. how long have you been shooting?1989 until now.4. what do you do to prepare yourself for a shoot?
i previsualize the image to be taken. i research the place and the lightingsituation. this is to minimize on the equipment to bring. too muchequipment or the worry of it takes your mind away from the more importantthing which is the image to capture.
5. Describe how you took your winning photos…
1st place Tribes of Aliwan Category
photo 1
this is my second take of the kalayaan/aliwan contest. in the first aliwani was not prepared for the shot which i entered in the fppf contest. ilearned from edwin loyola that my photo was selected among the top 30 shotnonetheless. i guess it did not qualify for the top shot because its inwant of a wider lens to capture the drama of the event. i was using aminolta 5d with a kit lens set at 18mm (28mm eq) in my fppf entry to thekalayaan photocontest.taking the experience from the first aliwan, i brought a wider lens (20mmequivalent). the focus was set to hyperfocal and i managed to squeeze-in mylarge body beside regie fernandos foot space. it is not possible to see theimage on the viewfinder so i had to guestimate the composition relative tomy location and the event that is taking place right before me. i was inconstant watch of the choreographed dance and i press the shutter at theapex of their dance jump. mr regie fernando notified me that there is acontest organized by photo.net.ph/pipho so i took the chance.
1st place Aliwan Moments Category
 
photo 2
basically this shot was taken at the same location. i guess there are notmuch photographers that day who brought a wide lens for the event. i see alot of photographers who brought long lenses. i guess it pays to have adifferent viewpoint from the rest.
6. what do you think it takes to become a successful photographer?success is best measured by your own self worth more than what your peersand the public perceive you to be. at any rate, i guess to be successfulthere must be passion and love for the job that you do.in photography i think success is achieved not on the photographer but onthe product which is a captured still-image the following generation willappreciate and enjoy. i guess there is a yearning in everyone to pass onsomething for the next generation; it reinforces our want for immortality.
7.what is your website? please put link so i can forward people to yourphotos.
2. picasaweb.google.com/lragasa
More ALIWAN FESTIVAL PHOTOS HERE
Bridal Fair – Weddings at Crowne Plaza
July 31, 2007
On August 11-12, 2007, Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila will be transformed into a wedding wonderland of ideas to showcase the different hues of elegance. From the Hotel’s foyer to its grand ballroom and function rooms, to-be wed couples will be presented with a wide array of wedding choices.
PROGRAM FLOW:
August 11, 2007 – Saturday
9:00 a.m. AVP presentation of suppliers
11:00 a.m. Musical Performance by Music Box
12:00 p.m. AVP Presentation of suppliers
Raffle Draw
1:00 p.m. Musical Performance by Agape Strings
2:00 p.m. AVP Presentation of suppliers
Raffle Draw
3:00 p.m. Wedding Souvenir Workshop by Scrappin Moms
(40 participants – pre-registered)
3:30 p.m. Raffle Draw
4:00 p.m. Musical Performance by Music Box
4:30 p.m. Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting
5:00 p.m. Performance by Agape Strings
6:00 p.m. Fashion Show by FWDP
(with cocktails)
August 12, 007 – Sunday
9:00 a.m. AVP presentation of suppliers
11:00 a.m. Musical Performance by Music Box
12:00 p.m. AVP Presentation of suppliers
Raffle Draw
1:00 p.m. Musical Performance
2:00 p.m. AVP Presentation of suppliers
Raffle Draw
3:00 p.m. Wedding Souvenir Workshop by Scrappin Moms
(40 participants – pre-registered)
3:30 p.m. Fashion Show by Regine Tolentino with guest celebrity models
4:30 p.m. AVP Presentation of suppliers
Raffle Draw
5:00 p.m. Musical Performance
6:00 p.m. Fashion Show by TYDP
