August 27, 2008 – 7:08 am
The Artistic Guild of Wedding Photojournalist Association (AGWPJA) is an organization that focused on real moments that happened in a wedding and allows the photographers to enhance the image through image editor. All the creative freedom in photoshop are allowed, actually, it is encouraged.
I had a pleasure of talking to the owner of AGWPJA last March in Las Vegas and JVS (the owner) shared to me his visions for the association. I am telling you it’s going to be very big and I believe in the leadership of JVS. BTW, JVS is one rare photographer that excels well in both photojournalism and portraiture. When I say rare, he is really extremely rare. 
So this is a call to all wedding photographers. If you feel your style is photojournalism and likes to further enhance the image through Photoshop then apply right away. Let’s all be part of making AGWPJA the best international organization.
This is the main page of AGWPJA. It’s is holding a quarterly contest and the 2nd quarter just got out. Sorry, I didn’t quite hit the biggie this time. But please, browse the winning entries, there’s so many outstanding images and it just indicates that we are getting more serious every quarter.
There, you’ll see at the bottom. It’s not bad but definitely not as good as the last four quarters. I need to work harder and hoping I get back in the race.
August 27, 2008 – 12:01 am
In my more than 10 years in using Photoshop, I still consider myself as beginner or at that level. All I do is contrast, curves, resize, crop and everything basic. I’ve seen several photoshop artwork and I have no clue how to do it.
Anyway, I depend a lot on actions. Actions are series of photoshop commands that you can save. Everytime you hit play, it automatically runs. I find it very convenient for me, that’s why I’ve been using it for years.
I must have bought almost $1,000 worth of actions.
Just to show you.
Here’s the original shot from the camera.
This is a combination of Totally Rad Action Rusty Cage and Yin Yang.
This is a combination of Troy, Warm it up and Select of pop. Also from Totally Rad. Troy is from the new series called Revenge.
This has Yin Yang, Warm and Snap and the final B&W conversion is from Jeff Ascough’s Actions.
This post is mainly intended for photographers. I always suggest getting an action. If you feel it’s too expensive and can only buy one, get totally rad.
Most photographers I know are just waiting for someone to give them a copy for free but I don’t recommend that. If you are processing so many pictures a day, it’s worth every cent. Just saving me a lot of time learning everything in photoshop is one cost justification already.
August 26, 2008 – 11:21 am
Last June 28-July 31, Heber Bartolome had an exhibit of his paintings. Heber is known more on his folk/country songs back in 70’s. His popular hits are Nena and Tayo’y Mga Pinoy. Most of his songs are about the society.
I came late in the exhibit opening and I heard there were lots of celebrity attended the ribbon cutting. Anyway, I’m still lucky I made it to the last part of the program. Most guests performed 1 or 2 songs for everbody.
This is Heber. He performed several songs that night.
The exhibit was called “Balik-Tanaw”. It aims to sell his paintings so he can fund the production of CD of his workshop attendees. I’ve heard some of them and they deserved to be recorded. One of them is Carla Ocampo.
This is Levi, brother of Heber and one of the members of Banyuhay ni Heber.
This is Jesse, also a member of Banyuhay and bother of Heber.
Me and Heber
I bought 4 paintings, 3 small ones and one big one. I wanted to buy this painting in the middle but the owner of the building where the exhibit was held got it first.
Heber distributed a copy of one his paintings as souvenirs for those who attended. I got 1 also.
It was a blast to be there. Lots of beers and wine and food. But of all, it was a gathering of artists. Most artists that were there are those who promote society awareness thought their art.
