Tim Medrano - A Fly on the Wall

The Big Move!

2010-01-30T21:45:00.000-08:00

I just finished wordpressizing my own domain! It was 3 days of hard work and learning! I learned as I went on doing my own site. I think a did a good job, considering 3 days ago, I didn't even know how to install wordpress in my domain. Hahaha

Visit: http://timmedrano.com

Wedding Albums: Photography + Design

2010-01-27T18:46:00.000-08:00

Being a wedding photographer, I believe that an album is what we provide to our clients more than just the photography. I am sure some photographers out source the lay out and the design of the albums that they present. Kudos to them for being less OC than me. I just feel wrong about letting some dude with adobe skills but who wasn't there at the wedding at all touch and make a story out my vision.

Sample Album Pages from Rye + Pam's Wedding Album:

There's a link to the complete album gallery in this post... Read on...

Furthermore, I'm still not sold on online album viewing because I believe that we are making fine art. For me, there is a place for web albums and slideshows but I believe that printing on hard board paper and feeling the prints are the qualities that sets us apart from video which is another form of medium in itself.

Yes, I know that we as photographers can shoot more, ergo, get paid more if we out source the album to other people. But I guess I can't personally do that because I feel attached to my images. I'm sure somebody out there does a really good job of album designs and layout, but I think its not enough to be good in design to make a wedding album. You have to feel the event, and be an actual witness. Who's a better candidate to design and tell the story of the wedding other than the photographer who gets paid to witness a wedding more intently than any other person (aside from the coordinators that is).

As a wedding photographer, I pride myself in designing the album myself and being very detailed in the output of the product. This is my first album design: Rye + Pam. I spent 3 days, designing and working with the couple on the images that would be included. I spent more hours on the album than shooting the wedding! I had a vision in mind and I shared that with Rye and Pam and they loved it. In the end, that's whats important to me.

1st Urban Music Awards

2010-01-23T20:00:00.000-08:00

What: 1st Urban Music Awards

Where: Eastwood City

When: Jan. 22, 2010

PLDT hired me to cover the 1st ever Urban Music Awards and I had a blast. Seeing all the famous r & b artist and then watching them perform gave me a brandnew appreciation to urban music. South Border performed some of their old songs reuniting after years apart. It was also the first time I saw our good friend Nathan J rap performing Empire State of Mind with Pikasso and Amber Davis amongst other fabulous performances.

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!

Here are some of the most memorable moments of the night:

Q-York, Steamin'

Marcus Davis, serenading all his filipino girls

Nathan J, on-stage

Chris Lawrence with Jay Durias

South Border Reunion with Chris Lawrence

Coming Soon...

2010-01-18T10:13:00.000-08:00

Just Listening...

2010-01-14T02:48:00.000-08:00

I have been addicted to listening to podcasts since late last year... the voices of Frederick Van Johnson, Scott Bourne, Kerry Garrison and David Esquire always accompany me in my commutes. I know it might sound strange learning about photography through audio broadcasts, but they taught me things I would've learned in ten years by myself. It was supposed to be for my thesis research but the research report is long done but i still listen to them religiously. I think they will benefit all photographers from proffesionals to amateurs.

This week in photography or TWIP is a program for everything photography. They feature news, interviews and listener questions. The bottom line, if you are an advanced amateur seeking tech tips and further advance your knowledge about photography this is the subscription for you. If you are gearing towards wedding photography more than any field, Camera Dojo hosts two wedding photographers who feature news, interviews with mostly wedding photographers in the states.

There are a lot more podcasts that I listen to but I mostly listen to these two because of their loose and relaxed format. There is more to photography than clicking that shutter! Give it a try!

Here are the links to their sites:

http://www.twiplog.com

http://www.cameradojo.com

Rye + Pam

2010-01-02T17:48:00.000-08:00

Date: Dec. 29, 2009

Preps: Sofitel Manila

Ceremony: St. Pancratius Chapel (Paco Park)

Reception: La Castellana

Rye is a a former Dj in Wave 89.1 who now works for MTV. We worked together a number of times in events for PLDT and Saatchi & Saatchi. The photographer that he originally booked backed out and he booked me 2 weeks before the wedding. And here I was thinking about the pre-nup and how cool that would be since I was thinking of something edgy to fit his Dj Persona.

The wedding reception was really fun and it was so hard not to watch! Itchyworms, Sugarfree, and Urban Nation played back to back to back!

Merry Christmas from Tim Medrano

2009-12-26T19:46:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Y'all!

Alright, first of all, thats not my cute baby. He is Baby Enzo, Reuben and Karen Ostrea's first born. Second, that beer was put their by his parents. No, he is not starting young!

UP Lantern Parade 2009

2009-12-20T05:09:00.000-08:00

click photo to view the complete web gallery

Our final year to participate in the Lantern Parade. It was bitter-sweet as nothing went as planned. Even the after party didn't go as I had expected... None the less I had a blast seeing all the elaborate floats and costumes by future artists and designers of UP Fine Arts.

JV + Cathy

2009-12-13T07:22:00.000-08:00

Photographer: Tim Medrano

Preps: Great Eastern Hotel

Church: Parish of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Reception: UP Diliman Bahay ng Diliman

JV and Cathy are office mates at Infocom. JV is a web developer and Cathy is a web designer (Perfect help for my thesis!!). According to Cathy, JV is the camera shy type and would need coaching to pose. I guess Cathy coached him well right after our final meeting before the wedding day because I didn't have problems with him posing for the camera. Cathy, however, made our shoot very, very easy and fun. She did all the poses like a pro! Watch the Slide Show

Quick Composite Images (Flabby Tummy ALert)

2009-12-06T03:26:00.000-08:00

I just shot myself topless on a Sunday afternoon. I got really bored and decided to do some composite images of me boxing myself. It was an experiment more than a real shoot. I must admit I haven't this very often and what I'm going to tell might not apply to all applications. I did this in an hour more or less. The longest step was editing the photos.

Tips to remember:

1. Have a good concept in mind.

2. Have a consistent lighting set-up.

3. Use a tripod!

First, set up you lights and camera. Test and adjust to take and stick to it. You will be shooting a lot so you will have a lot of options. The important things is the shots are lit and shot exactly the same.

Second, select photos that go well together. Factor in position and complexity of the extraction.

Third, layer the photos in one file in photoshop reducing the photo you will be erasing to 60% so you can see what you are erasing.

Optional, if you are going to adjust the look of the photo creatively, do it after all the compositing is done to get maximum consistency.

Breaking through the Creative Slump

2009-12-03T01:30:00.000-08:00

I'm going to quote Steve Simon a photojournalist that I admire about being better at photography. He says:

"If you go out and shoot, you'll be better at taking images even if you don't want to be better."

It is true in a way, but I want to go on a different point of view about going out and just using your camera a lot to get better. I really do not mind if I got "better" or not. But I guess the whole point of me starting to take me camera with me to school or wherever, again is to find a "perfect" shot. If there is one thing about this post that will further confuse you is that I'm going to contradict myself in saying that there is no perfect shot. That said, as photographers, painters, dancer or whatever you are, there should always be that unreachable dream you take with you wherever you go. I call it my personal "kick in the butt" constantly pushing oneself. Yes, you will probably never get that perfect shot. But then again, you'll never know. So keep shooting!

That said, here's more photos of today.

At least one of them were surprised.

Intention

2009-12-01T02:57:00.000-08:00

December 1, 2009

PLDT Watch Pad Booth

2009-11-16T18:42:00.000-08:00

3 days of shooting events at Robinson's Galleria and Ermita. Man, was I tired. But I really had fun. I got to watch Pacquiao and Cotto fight live for free!!

View Slide Show Here:

http://timmedrano.com/PLDT_WatchPad_Web_Gallery/index.html

Lady Gaga??

DJ Jun of Wave 89.1

DJ Georgia on the Hotline

Disco

view complete gallery:

http://timmedrano.com/PLDT_WatchPad_Web_Gallery/index.html

UP Photowalk

2009-11-09T19:09:00.000-08:00

I did a short UP photowalk for the nth time. It was hours before a commissioned shoot in Chef and Brewer and I thought there were classes already. Unfortunately, it turned out that the start of classes was Tuesday November 10. After walking through UP with and without a camera, it seems that there's always something new and interesting to see if you look hard enough.

The Belt Guy

Hairdressing

Brief Visit to Subic

2009-11-07T23:32:00.000-08:00

I drove to Subic with my girl to look for bars and accomodation for her upcoming event for Sanuk that I'm also going to document in the Ad Congress. I tried to squeeze in some shots in between places we drove to because the sun was so beautiful. The weather yesterday is somehow a relative rarity now because of all the storms and sporadic rains brought about by global warming. It was also the first time I used a CPL after a long time :) Enjoy the photos!

Reflections

Beautiful Light

Underwater Buddha

Serene Waters

Beautiful Sunlight

November 1, 2009

2009-11-03T09:35:00.000-08:00

Undas (Day of the Dead)

November 1, 2009 - Two children lighting candles on a relative's grave in Barangay, Malapit, San Isidro Nueva Ecija

Entry #4

2009-10-29T02:04:00.000-07:00

Bisho (Vice)

October 28, 2009

Marvin and Vergie

2009-10-26T21:10:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I did a wedding event. In a way I missed it. I missed the urgency and time pressure of it all. Angel Bar called in for me to back-up shoot for them.

Weddings is the sh@t... I didn't know how I much I missed it since I was still shooting for Imagine-Nation :)

Morning Run

2009-10-26T02:57:00.000-07:00

I volunteered to cover Ace Saatchi and Saatchi's Charity fun run at the Fort Bonifacio High Street as a pledge to donate a a thousand dollars to the victims of Ondoy. I had no sleep, and I had to wake up at around 430am to get to venue in time. It was a fun event after all we had free breakfast in Pancake House right after.

Briefing The Runners

Shots Off

Morning Sun

Things Got A Little Bit Too Competetive

In the End Its All for Charity

Homey Softlight

2009-10-23T02:20:00.000-07:00

I just realized how nice and soft the light is in our house. This is one of those times that I had to stay at home as I am finishing my thesis presentation for the next day. It just goes to show how we sometimes take things for granted because we're always busy. :)

PLDT Watch Pad Launch Party

2009-10-21T01:45:00.000-07:00

A fabulous party in The Establishment in Fort Bonifacio to launch the new product of PLDT. It 's an online free television for subscribers of their ISP. This is the first time after a month that I covered an event for PLDT again. I had a good time seeing people I have worked with from Speed Circuit again. These are some of the memorable and funny moments in the party! Enjoy!

Amber and Marcus Davis Belting it Out

It's all about the Music

Jay Durias Performing

The Filipino Flash Came to Party

Birthday Girl Isabel Oli

Some Unguarded and funny moments:

Aren't you guys supposed to be in-charge?

Rock Away

JP and Alex Perez Dinner Time

Congratulations to PLDT for a great party!

See the complete gallery here: TimMedrano.com - PLDT Watch Pad Launch Party

Entry #3

2009-10-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

Fashionista

October 17, 2009

Entry #2

2009-10-15T18:41:00.000-07:00

Alpha Land Pasong Tamo

October 16, 2009

A first of hopefully many

2009-10-13T17:18:00.000-07:00

This is an Ode to my photography professor who does his one photograph a day with his point and shoot. So I decided to do one myself. To me though, it doesn't mean just clicking one photo a day. But at least try to have one image that really stirs your senses. It's not supposed to be forced. Well, at least in my "version." I know this idea has been done so many times before like a broken record. But I really think it's a good exercise to sharpen visual minds. Stupid me for just jumping in the band wagon after two years.

"Spring"

October 13, 2009

Inspiration Therapy

2009-10-09T02:19:00.000-07:00

When I needed inspiration, I always brought my camera with me just to take photos for myself. Just practicing the art of looking and just enjoying the moment when it is just you and your imaging tool. I find that there's really no excuse not to grab your camera and just go shoot something. I have been so caught up with my thesis and about saving and other stuff that I do not really love, but felt like I had to do that I have forgotten how to be relaxed and just be creative in my own way. Randall Dagooc of Mango Red told me something that really hit the idea in the head. (As photographers) "inspiration is our currency".

With that I just walked around and shot anything that fancied my eye. There's no account executive telling me the important parts to shoot, there's no time pressure, I didn't even had to worry about my gear with me. Just the camera and a fifty. That's it.

Looking for Something

I was in UP for a classes that did not happen. So I thought I'd bring my camera and look for "perfectly inspired" shot where everything just fell together and then God pats you in the back and told you "that was for you son".

But no. Nothing like that happened. But here's what I found!

In no particular order:

Falling Apart

Indigo

"Green" Decorations

Extra Sprinkles Please

Water Marks

Digital Photography Rot

2009-10-06T08:05:00.000-07:00

I've been shooting film range finders recently to have a break with digital jujus in my DSLR. Honestly, I thank God for giving man digital technology. I'm sure some of you might disagree, but hey, I like both. There is something special with film that I just can point out. A certain physicality in the over all look of the image that i don't think can be done with any digital camera EVER.

Anyway, here are some of the shots. Enjoy!

Ondoy Disaster

2009-09-27T03:48:00.000-07:00

My pathetic attempt to help out in my girlfriend's house was stopped by the deep floods in imelda avenue. people have been waiting there for almost two days already just to go home. some people were already braving the chest high water going to Ortigas Avenue extension.

Thank God they're okay. Seriously, we should plant more trees.

Reality Check for the Gearhead in me...

2009-09-25T00:36:00.000-07:00

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/09/light-is-not-your-problem.html

A recommended read from the great David Hobby of strobist.blogspot.com. I was looking for articles about aesthetics of photography when I decided to change channels for a while. I saw this recent post of David Hobby while I was contemplating on a new project and my master plan of killing myself with event shoots, a research paper and procrastinating. It really got me thinking because I was thinking of new things to light since I always do journalistic work with event that I don't seem to have time for conceptual project. In a way, I have an itchy finger when it comes to using my strobe lights for quite some time and just thinking of excuses to use them. I guess, when you strip the art to it's bare essentials, its not about "photography" or light for that matter, its about your message.

Back To Basics

2009-09-14T00:38:00.000-07:00

This post is a bit late since the Lateral Drift Championship finished a long time ago. Already got full with the champion Alex Perez's dinner at Ryan Agoncillo's house in Alabang. It's been weeks but I just have to post this entry because the shoot really put me into a very tight situation.

Charlie of Burnt Rubber hired me to shoot for the last leg of the Lateral drift Championships held in Greenhills. Now, I have been shooting drifting photos for PLDT since March so I thought it would be the same. Boy was I very wrong! The PLDT events only lasts for 3-5 hours max! But this one lasted the whole day! Anyway, the reason for this post to tell you guys about how it's like to be in a shoot where your trying to do something different yet everything happens so fast that you end up not getting what you want or envisioned. I had that pre-visualized photo that I bet most of you have before even toting your camera in an event or a session. I started a little bit smug because I was doing this every weekend since March, the heat from the sun didn't bother me, I had "experience" under my belt. But it happened, I couldn't get "the shot". I was trying my very best but with this kind of event you really don't get what you were wishing for the cars to do.

I took a break like a good worker deserved and thought about it for a while. There was no way I could get the cars to drift perfectly everytime, and I was limited to only a number of spots to work with. I wasn't really "researching" or looking at drifting photos in the net. The only thing that will save me now was a throwback to my first year in college. FA 11 Visual Perception, meaning the BASICS! In the end I was happy with my shots. The client was happy, I was happy.

Here's something I wish I'd think about everytime I go out for a shoot. When everything is awry and nothing is going for you, stick to the basics.

Here are some photos of the Lateral Drifting Championships:

The People

The Action

Lights Off

Talim Island, Binangonan, Rizal

2009-09-02T02:15:00.000-07:00

Barangay Tabon is at the southern part of Talim Island in the middle of Laguna Bay. The island got its' name because of its' shape which looks a lot like the edge of a knife or "Talim" in filipino. It's an hour and a half boat ride from the Pantalan fish port in Binangonan, Rizal.

Raul Funilas or "Tata Raul" as most people calls him is an artist based in UP. This high school graduate has won several accolades with his literary works winning along side people with degrees and doctorates for literature. Most of his works revolves around the culture surrounded by fresh water in Laguna Bay.

He was kind enough to tour us around his home and town where he grew up and the source of his inspiration. He also introduced us to fisher folks that told their own stories in the island. Though much have changed since his youthful days at the southern part of Talim island, his memories are immortalized in his poems, books and compilations of languages native on the island long forgotten by the generation.

more photos here:

Talim Island

Photo Blogging

2009-09-02T01:54:00.000-07:00

I have recently listened to the Dubai blogging workshop featuring David hobby from strobist.blogspot.com and Chase Jarvis through my ipod on the way to school and on my home. It was partly for my thesis research paper and for my personal stuff. I am all about sharing my experiences and techniques to people who bothers to ask and I tell them everything. That tradition is not that promulgated here in the Philippines because there's not much money for professional photographers here and the influx of entry level cameras just encourages cheapening the industry.

That said, I am still positive about the photography industry here in the country because there are a lot of talented photographers here. I believe it is just a matter of time before people will realize that not because you have a DSLR entry level or professional level, it does not mean that you'll produce professional results.

Be sincere and do something cool with the camera!

Chris and Aime

2009-03-11T21:04:00.000-07:00

Chris and Aime were already wed in Pittsburg, Pensilvania last year but Aime's relative wanted to let Chris experience the traditional filipino wedding. Aime's family surprised the couple with a wedding reception complete with "malagkit" eating- a symbol of a sweet and long lasting relationship and filipino folk dance which they participated in.

More Photos here:

Chris and Aime

14th Hot Air Balloon Festival

2009-02-14T22:03:00.000-08:00

It was my first time in this event. I regretted not coming to this event before. In fact, the only reason I went to this event was because my parents wanted to come. I am not a morning person but still we had to wake up at 3am just to get there and see the baloons, which leaves at dawn... Here are some of the photos:

see more here:

http://tmomedrano.multiply.com/photos/album/310/14th_Hot_Air_Balloon_Festival

Travel Cafe Philippines

2009-01-20T07:06:00.000-08:00

Did a commisioned shoot for Travel Cafe Philippines. And I am so thankful for these companies and people who has the presence of mind to get a professional to get the job done.

I have heard a lot recently about companies that take advantage of the surge of photographers that are very willing to take jobs for free in exchange for "bragging rights" that their names are shown in publications thinking they are good enough. These photographers I believe have jobs that pays the very well and treats photograph as a hobby and will not really take a hit from doing something for free. These kinds of actions for me are not really unethical in my eyes. I personally don't accept jobs that doesn't pay because I didn't get my gears for free and I believe my time and effort costs a premium. I dont condmen people for taking jobs for free but you usually get what you pay for. As a professional photographer, I don't take jobs to "practice" my craft. I come prepared and ready. I believe any professional should fulfill any job to his full potential and will be only excused to skip the job unless he is dying. That is what you pay for and I believe it should cost a premium.

Anyway, enough of the ranting let's see some photos!

Lantern Parade Fever!

2008-12-16T17:05:00.000-08:00

It is that time of the year where all the UP Fine Arts students and vendors get to camp out at Bartlett Hall in one big lantern making party. People that you didn't used to talk to suddenly became close friends and meet new people by trading ratan with them. It's that time of the year when clashes of the creatives are abundant and only the level headed and the open-minded gets spared. All in all it is an experience in itself as much as the parade is.

here are some photos:

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Ricky Lee's Book Launch

2008-11-30T06:10:00.000-08:00

I went there to support a friend who did the illustrations for the cover. I honestly didn't know who Ricky Lee was but judging by the guests and all the people who fell in line for his book signing I guess he is a big deal. :))

Here are some photos:

Eli Buendia Reads Kule!

more here: Ricky Lee Launch Album

Kerygma 2008

2008-11-29T19:37:00.000-08:00

Volunteered to cover the Kerygma Conference for Imagine-Nation Photographers. All the talks were really inspiring and a lot of people were in tears and filled with the Holy Spirit!

The Energetic Fr. Bill Habling

The Charming Bo Sanchez

Inspired and Healed

more here: Kerygma 2008 Album

I'm tired... But "good" tired (what??)

2008-11-24T08:28:00.000-08:00

I got a call from my obviously stressed out girlfriend saying she needed some help from her stuff at work. Being the sensitive guy that I am (hyeeesss..) I quickly obliged. It reminded me of the time we went to Nasugbu (when we were just dating) and got stuck because the car broke down just beside the Barangay Hall. So, you think we were safe? Not really. On the positive side, we were met with really good people. Unfortunately, there was a guy who was drunk and waving a .45 cal in front of us. Yeah.

City Skies

Lines, Shapes and Shadows

You can only be as BIG as you want to be

more photos here: http://tmomedrano.multiply.com/photos/album/271/Today_Nov._24

UP Students Arrested Nov. 21

2008-11-22T21:33:00.000-08:00

The 7 students were arrested during the opening of the UP-Ayala Techno Hub, which waas attended by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The students were released immediately early afternoon to the hands of the UP Police Force. I got a text message from our photo editor to cover the event. I actually skipped class for this yet I was still late. So I didn't get photos of them inside their detention room.

Here are the photos:

Freedom

Cuff Marks

Long Exposure Fun!

2008-11-21T09:39:00.000-08:00

Its great when you free and willing models for friends! You can experiment with them and they will be all game and will even help you out! Anyhoo, I just played with long exposures again. I realized I can show off more of my (uhem) talents at this kind of technique... Just look at my drawing skills. (shut up! maganda naman ah!) ahehehe heeh...

Zee Deveel Andy

Pao on Steroids

Mohn on Light Saves the day Idol

Tish Drowning

Arctic Carla

Yours Truly on TV (thats a television believe it or not)

Temporary Portfolio Site

2008-11-19T16:39:00.000-08:00

Hi! Since I have yet to publish my upcoming site I'd like to invite you to view my past works in my multiply account. Most of the work at the frontpage was taken as a photographer for Imagine-Nation Photography and those inside are photos of my photos as a photojournalist for The Philippine Collegian . Please feel free to visit it and add me up!

My Welcome Photo with a beautiful quote from the legendary photojournalist Henri Cartier-Bresson:

I took this photo when we were doing a photo essay about the fisherfolks in Binangonan, Rizal and other cities surrounding the Laguna de Bay. We got stuck in Talim Island and the next trip back to the port was during the night. So, we decided to mingle with the people and take shots.

UP Art Fair

2008-11-15T22:33:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year where the college is cleaned up and everybody in UP Fine Arts is in a festive mood! We got to showcase our works to visitors, alumnis and national artists that visited. Here are some photos of the event:

Instant Art Camera

coffee printing tutorial

Ain't She Lovely?

Welcome!

2008-11-15T22:17:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog!

I am a Philippines based freelence photographer shooting from weddings and portraits to editorial assignments and news. I believe that in good photography general cannot be taught and is an intimate relationship between the world and the photographer. I think there are no such thing as "styles" in photography it's only the photographer's personality manifesting itself through the photos.

That said, no one could be able to learn things on his own all the time. Though I have taught myself from the internet, shooting a lot, and looking at photos in the internet, it can only do so much to my growth as a photographer. I have a lot of people to thank for that. So here it goes:

First of all, the Philippine Collegian our school news paper. They pushed me a lot when I was just starting. Back when all I knew was the technical aspect of photography they taught me "heart and soul". Next up, is Imagine-Nation Photography, another family of photographers I was fortunate to be part of. They changed the way I saw life most and foremost.

Anyone, who thinks that they made themselves on their own is a fool. All your talents and skills comes from God, first and foremost, and those people whom He used to teach you.