Illustrado Magazine – Filipino Abroad

Tag: photography

  • “I AM an Empowered Filipina” Nikon Photo Competition Returns in its 3rd Edition

    Press Release – Photo Credits – Cristina “Tunayums” Linaza

    12th March 2012

    In collaboration with Nikon, Illustrado Magazine’s annual Women of Substance event enters another year in its successful photo competition under the new theme “I AM an Empowered Filipina”

    Dubai, UAE – Women of Substance 2012, the annual event organized by leading Filipino lifestyle magazine, Illustrado, in partnership with Nikon, brings another year in the much-awaited photography competition this time themed with “I AM an Empowered Filipina.” After two successful editions of the Nikon Photo Competition, Illustrado and Nikon embark once again on this collaborative project which aspires to continue contributing to the upliftment of the Filipina’s international image, as captured by the lenses of photography aficionados in the region.

    Last year’s Nikon Photo Exhibit at the Illustrado Women of Substance Event – ribbon cutting ceremony with guest of honor Consul General Benito Valeriano of the Phil Consulate in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Also seen here from left to right are Consul General Adelio Cruz, Nikon Representative Shaji Shanmughan, Lalaine Chu-Benitez of Illustrado and Ramon Benitez, Creative Director at Leo Burnett Dubai.

    According to Lalaine Chu-Benitez, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Illustrado, “Filipinas are becoming increasingly known for being the strong, resilient and hardworking women that they are.  By capturing their essence through superb photographs we aim to celebrate and share their unwavering spirit with the rest of the multi-cultural community in the region.”

    This year’s competition theme is also specifically aligned to Nikon’s existing campaign “I AM Nikon” which encourages people to have fun and enjoy adventures in life. Nikon’s official representative commented, “Through our association with Illustrado and with this competition, we underline Nikon’s mission to encouraging people to celebrate life and seize the moment.”

    He added, “Women have always been a great subject of photography.  Being able to capture, not only their beauty, but their strength of character is something that will challenge and at the same time fulfill their creative inclinations.” 

    Photography enthusiasts around the Gulf are invited to submit photos depicting the theme “I AM an Empowered Filipina.”  Based on the last two editions, hundreds of photographers vie for this competition, of which only a lucky three will take home the coveted title and Nikon prizes.

    New to this edition is the Nikon prize to be given to a fourth winner who will be able to successfully predict the number one winning photograph. This will be done through an online voting process conducted at Illustrado’s Facebook page during the week of the 25th March 2012.

    Last year’s entries included various images of Filipinas from different ages and walks of life depicting beauty, motherhood, joy, Filipinas at work and in sports, among others.  The winners among 30 finalist from countries – the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, were Jerry Pilapil (1st place), Donald Rosales (2nd place) and Harry Cruz (3rd place), all from the UAE.

    Finalists’ works will be showcased at the Nikon Photo Exhibit during the Women of Substance event that will be held on the 30th March 2012, Friday, in the Godolphin Ballroom at Jumeirah Emirates Towers. The last day for entry submission is on the 24th March 2012, Saturday.  Photographers may submit up to a maximum of three (3) photographs for consideration.  All images should have been taken within the Gulf region.

    For more information, please contact Illustrado at (+971) 4-365 4547/365 4543.   All entries in high resolution format should be e-mailed to admin@illustrado.net.  Low resolution entries will not be considered.

    To view last years winners and finalists, click on the link below –

    http://63e.945.myftpupload.com/?p=4497

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    About Women of Substance

    Illustrado’s Women of Substance is an advocacy in conjunction with International Women’s Day. It is a celebration of Filipina empowerment, achievement and contribution aiming to provide inspiration to boost the morale of the Filipino community, and to be a reflection of the positive and balanced international image of the Filipina. Every year, Illustrado presents Filipina honorees from the Gulf who exemplify achievement, societal contribution and exceptional character.

    About Illustrado

    Illustrado is a unique lifestyle-community magazine published in Dubai devoted to uplift the morale and the image of Filipinos in the Gulf.  The slogan ‘Taas Noo, Filipino’ and the vision of ‘Helping the Filipino flourish – global vision, native soul’ define the substance, style and corporate ethos that has helped Illustrado gain respect and recognition in the region as a wholesome, positive, highly engaging and richly visual medium that has accorded due respect and recognition to the Filipino community.  Illustrado’s distinctive approach combines premium production values with a very down-to-earth philosophy; it is not only a magazine, but is a social enterprise that speaks and aspires to enrich a very diverse range of readers, veering off the usual media fare of gossip, scandals, sensationalism and materialism.  For inquiries on the Women of Substance Event, please contact Johanna Dalocanog at +971 4 365 4543 or 365 4547, or e-mail johannadalocanog@illustrado.net For general inquiries on Illustrado contact the above numbers or e-mail us at: admin@illustrado.net

     

     

     

     

  • Illustrado Scrapbook: Sam Coran, PJ Tiongson & Gerber Bench Yrac

    Illustrado Scrapbook: Sam Coran, PJ Tiongson & Gerber Bench Yrac

    A platform for emerging Filipino photographers from around the world. SAM CORAN Sam has taken on a number of odd jobs from being a service crew in a restaurant, a tour guide, a salesman, a call center agent, even a receptionist for a fitness center, saying that before becoming a photographer, he didn’t know what to do with his life. He was studying Social Sciences at the University of the Philippines in Baguio, but needed to quit in his third year due to financial reasons, which somewhat added to his listlessness. In 2008, from his scrimping and saving, he was able to buy his first DSLR and instantly fell in love with the craft. With a new found sense of determination, Sam enrolled in a self-paced study program with The New York Institute of Photography to study the fundamentals of photography. Then, after just a year, with growing success in his newfound field, he needed to quit his day job to accommodate a growing number of clients. “Photography for me, is my life. I am nothing without it,” says Sam with a drive and purpose that he once thought he did not have. PJ TIONGSON PJ describes herself as a flight attendant by profession and a frustrated painter. Originally from the City of Pines, Baguio, PJ first became acquainted with film – black and white photography to be exact – in college when a friend who owned a studio invited her to be a model for them. Since then, PJ’s interest grew, and the same friend became a photography mentor.  PJ acquired her first digital SLR in 2006 and shortly after, discovered that she liked taking portraits of people, especially women. She began experimenting with self-portraits, as well as shooting friends and family. Working for an airline has allowed PJ to not only have the world as visual playground and have multicultural subjects for her portraits, it also affords her the unique opportunity of sourcing photography books wherever she may be.  Her photographic diligence was rewarded when some of her photographs were featured in their company’s 2011 vintage Hollywood glamour calendar. “I am still a passionate ‘wandergirl’ as well as a freelance photographer who loves shooting beautiful, exciting, dreamy, dramatic, and soulful photographs,” PJ gushes. Frustrated painter, maybe. Fulfilled photographer, definitely. GERBER BENCH YRAC In his senior year in high school, Gerber had the opportunity to attend a photography workshop by Philippine Star.  Back, then it was still all about film based photography and Gerber learned the intricacies of developing his own film in the darkroom.  Since then, he has been fascinated with the idea of capturing time and space using light and shadows to capture angles, expressions and emotions.  He also understood that lights and shadows do not just meet, they breathe life; that expressions and emotions do not just interpret the essence of the moment, they give a soul for everyone to understand and empathize with. He met and joined Doha Pinoy Shooters Club in 2008, a local photo club in Qatar and from there, the awards and accolades came pouring in. He won Photo of the Year in 2009, was included in the Top 5 photographers, won Best Image in the Landscape Category and recently Photographer of the Year for 2011.  Moving forward, Gerber has set his sights on the Scarborough Camera Club which he will join this month. His ultimate project is to create his own photobook.          
  • Illustrado Scrapbook: Jay Morales & Rafael Dela Cruz

    Illustrado Scrapbook: Jay Morales & Rafael Dela Cruz

     

    Illustrado Scrapbook

    JAY MORALES

    For hobbyist photographer Jay Morales, capturing memorable moment was the passion which led him to photography. Jay started self study in 2007 in the Philippines.  In Dubai, he enrolled and graduated from the Basic Photography class offered by community organization OPPPS and attended relevant workshops. While learning, Jay says, he didn’t only gain practical knowledge in the art, but also a lot of friends who have also become his mentors and inspiration. Currently, Jay has a “365 Days of my life in Photography” project – wherein he takes one significant picture a day.  His goal is to try out different techniques in lighting, discover new tricks, and to learn more, as well as share his hobby which is his outlet to relieve stress and homesickness. Jay likes doing portraits, beauty, portfolio and fashion photographs, as well as shooting events and products.  He says his style is “lifestyle with a twist or funny take” combined with off-camera lighting.

    RAFAEL DELA CRUZ

    Rafael Dela Cruz, also known as Bodz to his family and friends, has been doing photography for the last three years now.  He was initially engrossed in architectural photography and used to practice nightly using automatic settings on his camera until a friend taught him the joy of going manual. Rafael joined a Filipino Photography Weekend School and continued his learning through books and magazines on the internet. To further gain experience and motivate himself, he volunteered to take photos of finished interior design projects for is company until he got so good at it that his images were used for the official company portfolio. Three years down the road since he started, Rafael professes that he has realized that photography is a continuous learning journey.  Always an eager learner, he says that he always studies and observes other photographers in action and tries to learning something new from them every opportunity he gets.     Save
  • Illustrado Scrapbook: Jeffrie Innocencio, Aubrey Tiosen & Andy Ramos

    Illustrado Scrapbook: Jeffrie Innocencio, Aubrey Tiosen & Andy Ramos

    JEFFRIE INOCENCIO Senior Graphic Designer/Associate Photographer Being a Senior Graphic Designer helps Jeffrie connect the visual outcome of his shots to the moment in real life that it represents. Jeffrie took a basic film photography course in Manila under the Federation of Philippine Photographer’s Foundation in 2004. But interest in photography intensified only when a member of one of the photography associations in Dubai encouraged him to pursue photography as a serious hobby. Working in Dubai for the last 5 years as a senior graphic designer and associate photographer for a media and advertising company, Jeffrie’s interest in photography has expanded to the following categories: portraiture, fashion, product, landscape, interior and architecture. Jeffrie says casually. “I don’t consider myself as being formally educated in photography post processing; I just relate my everyday work to everyday life.” AUBREY TIOSEN Photographer Aubrey took to photography like bees to honey. Last year, she purchased a second hand DSLR camera and took to the streets snapping photos of anything that sparked her eye and fired her imagination. “I fell in love with the camera and how it could capture moments of our life on film,” confessed the photography enthusiast, who is also quite surprised at how quickly she took to the speed of the shutter. “I only took a one week basic photography workshop in the Philippines and was very surprised, but immensely pleased, to have been awarded 1st Place in Portrait, 3rd Place in Still Life and 4th Place in Composition.  Then I took a Wedding Photography Workshop and won 2nd Prize in the Details category.” Aubrey would have probably continued racking up the awards and accolodaes had it not been for the opportunity to work in Dubai, which came to her by — of all places — Facebook. “A media company just found me through my Facebook page,” explains Aubrey who now works as a photographer in a media company. “It’s certainly a dream come true for me. Who would have thought that the click of my camera would bring me to Dubai?” ANDY RAMOS Photographer, Graphic Designer An often asked question is if photographers are made or born?  In some cases, like that of Andy Ramos, a photographer was self-made. Without any formal training in photography, he acquired the necessary skills through his own effort, persistence and hard work. “I am insatiably curious,” says Andy, attributing the persistence and effort he put into teaching himself to become a photographer. “I want to be both a practitioner and a professional,” he explains. Having taken up photography only in 2009, Andy, who works as a graphic artist still pretty much considers himself a student of photography.  He experiments and photographs objects, landscapes, still life and people. In every picture, his hopes to capture one’s imagination through the basic principles of photography: interesting concepts, vivid colors and fascinating elements. “Later, I hope to move on to a level where my photographs will not just be a thing of creative beauty,  but a medium that will move people and inspire them.                      
  • Illustrado Scrapbook – Zedrenan Cayon, Ryan George Francisco & Christopher Sanan

    Illustrado Scrapbook – Zedrenan Cayon, Ryan George Francisco & Christopher Sanan

     

    Illustrado Scrapbook

    Renante ‘Zedrenan’ Cayon

    Renante ‘Zedrenan’ Cayon and his camera have been inseparable since he first dabbled in the hobby some two years ago.  Born in Oslob, Cebu, the graduate of Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Visayas, currently works as an Interior Designer in Abu Dhabi.  He received with first basic photography training with OPPPS (Overseas Pinoy Professional Photographer Society) and hasn’t stopped practicing and attending workshops since, to continuously enhance his skills at every opportunity.  He is an active member of Shootercada Photography Circle – Abu Dhabi and specializes in portrait and fashion photography.  

    Ryan George Francisco

    Ryan George Francisco loves to tell stories through his images.  What started in November 2008 as a simple effort to learn how to use the camera to take pictures of his loved ones, blossomed into a passion as he started to see the world in a different light through his lens. The avid hobbyist attended highschool in Abu Dhabi, is a graduate of the Far Eastern University of the Philippines and currently works as a Senior Stores Officer in the renowned general hospital in the capital – Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC).

    Christopher Sanan

    Christopher Sanan is a Kuwait-based architect who graduated from the Philippines’ Adamson University, with a passion for 3D works, “toys hunting” and photography.  Chris says the latter is his way of chronicling history – no wonder he excels in landscape and portraiture.  Like his contemporaries, he started in photography some two years ago and has always been interested in grabbing the attention of the viewer by bringing out the elements of an image that tells the story. Save

  • Illustrado Scrapbook: Neil Generoso & Earl Dominic Lerio

    Neil Generoso

    Cavite native Neil Generoso loves to travel to scenic locations, souqs and shopping malls, or simple chill out in the streets of Dubai with his camera always ready to capture interesting scenes.  The 33 year old shutterbug got into the hobby in 2008 when he joined OPPPS and joined various photography workshops.  But it wasn’t until he was given the opportunity to collaborate with photography production group 77th Street Productions, that he became serious in pursuing his passion for the art. Neil calls his photographic style – comprehensive, romantic, stylish and most of all, modern. More than anything, Neil enjoys photographing fashion, architecture, landscape and events.

    Earl Dominic Lerio

    Earl Dominic Lerio is a Project Coordinator in a prestigious consulting firm – Dimensions Engineering Consultancy, based in Dubai. He is new into the field of photography – his first foray was in 2011 when joined Batch 22 of the Basic Photography course at OPPPS. Since then, Earl has developed a passion for capturing the images of different people – their expressions and the diversity of culture around him has served as strong inspirations for all his works. Earl also believes that beauty does not only reside in smooth skin, fairy eyes and a well-shaped nose, but exists in all different faces in the society.

    In April 2011, Earl, together with friends Sharfy Daligdigan and Yollanda Garcia founded photography group TUBAW RETRATISTA (Tubong-Dabaw Retratista) to encourage amateur photographers like them to indulge in the art of creating beautiful images.

  • Globetrotter’s Blog: Destination – Tuscany

    Globetrotter’s Blog: Destination – Tuscany

    Globetrotter:  Cesar Parroco

    Photography by Cesar Parroco

    What the place is known for

    Tuscany is a region in Central Italy known for its picturesque landscape, famous wines and architectural wonders.  It is the center of art, science and culture during the Renaissance period. It is the birthplace of many a notable people – such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo and modern day fashion geniuses likes Guccio Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo.

    How to get there

    There are many reasonably priced flights to Italy, generally to the larger international airports of Milan or Rome. From there you can take the train or rent a car to get to Tuscany.  In our case, we landed in Venice and took a train to Florence, the region’s capital.  We booked our car through a website. Italy has a good system of highways and roads that are generally good throughout Tuscany and easier to navigate than most of the countries we previously travelled to.  An International Driving Permit (IDP) to accompany non-European licenses is necessary.

    Where to stay

    The best way to enjoy your destination is to engage with the people and immerse yourself in their culture, instead of staying in the usual hotel, we stayed in an agriturismo – a hotel-like farmhouse managed by a warm Italian family.  There they cultivate their own produce in adjacent fields.  These are then carried directly to the table, giving you the priceless experience of savoring the authentic tastes and scents of the place.

    Spending your vacation in an agriturismo in the province of Siena means visiting an infinite landscaped, historical and artistic legacy with vast tourist resources. It is one of the best things that happened to us while in Tuscany. All guests were treated like family friends and we all had our sumptuous dinner together at a specific time and had some fun activity.  The air is fresh, the rooms are beautiful, the rooster wakes us up in the morning and the views are exhilarating.

    Must do and see

    The territory is very varied and richly colored, with endless rolling greens and fertile hills like those of Chianti, famous for its wine. Florence alone would be enough to promote this region as one of the most-loved destinations by tourists throughout the world with its rich history in art and culture.

    However, Tuscany also means Siena with its Piazza del Campo and Pisa with her Leaning Tower. Also extremely fascinating is the so-called Minor Tuscany, scattered with little villages imbued with a medieval atmosphere: San Gimignano, and Montepulciano.

    The region’s best kept secret

    Forty miles south of Siena you will find Pienza, often known as the Pearl of the Renaissance. Few towns give a better idea of what life was like in 15th century Tuscany. Just down the road is Montepulciano. When you are there, be sure to do three things: look up to see the colorful Pulcinella who strikes the hours at the church of Sant’Agostino; visit the Contucci Wineries, which occupy ancient catacombs beneath the city. You may also want to visit Cortona, a town and commune in the province of Arezzo. It is the setting for the film Under the Tuscan Sun, starring Diane Lane.

    Do it like the natives

    Exploring the hills and villages is one the exciting things to do in Tuscany, you can spend the entire morning learning about wines, joining the harvest and watching the locals tending to their sheep.  You can also spend the entire afternoon gathering produce for the kitchen and learning a few Tuscan recipes.

    Trip Budget

    Tuscany is a tourist destination in a rural setting.  So unlike big cities where you have to spend a lot, here Euro 50 a day for accommodation and few more for gas and souvenirs is already enough.

    How to dress

    Italians love their clothes and dressing well is second nature to them. After all, this is the land of Versace, Gucci and Prada but in rural Tuscany you can wear what you want as long as you are comfortable.  Just have make sure to check the weather when you visit. Comfortable walking shoes are a must to enjoy hilltop villages.

    What to bring

    Being serious photo enthusiast, I brought more photo gears than clothes.  My GPS equipped mobile phone was very helpful especially in navigating to find the perfect spot for picture taking. I also brought along a magnetic compass with me to help predict where the sun will rise and set – again, an essential photography gear.


    What to avoid

    Don’t believe everything that they say on the website especially on choosing your agriturismo.  There are thousands of them scattered all over Italy.  Some might be very cheap but don’t necessarily offer real value for money.

    Ultimate travel tip

    It always pays to do your research before the trip and looking for a local friend online who shares the same interest can be very helpful. We were so fortunate to find an online friend who recommended a great agriturismo to us.

  • Nikon Photo Competition in Illustrado’s Women of Substance 2011

    1st March 2011 – Dubai, UAE – Following last year’s success, Illustrado’s Women of Substance 2011 is bringing back the Nikon Photography Competition with a new theme – “The Empowered Filipina.” Finalists’ works will be showcased at the Nikon Photo Exhibit during the annual elegant coffee-afternoon event which honors exemplary Filipinas and promotes female empowerment.

    Spearheaded by Illustrado, the Dubai-based Filipino lifestyle publication, the Nikon Photography Competition is calling for photo enthusiasts around the Gulf to submit their entries essentially portraying the different facets of the empowered Filipina. According to Lalaine Chu-Benitez, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Illustrado, “The amount of interest that we gathered from last year’s photo exhibit during Women of Substance 2010 has inspired us to continue contributing to the upliftment of the Filipina international image, as captured by the lenses of photography aficionados in the region.”

    She furthers, “We are returning this year with a more challenging concept ‘The Empowered Filipina,’ which we believe will be a vehicle to highlight not only the outer, but also the inner beauty of the Filipina, her strength of character, resilience and will to succeed and contribute not only to the Filipino community, but to society as a whole.”’

    Aside from the said photo exhibit that gained participation from the sizeable Filipino photo hobbyist community in the Gulf, Women of Substance is back on its fourth consecutive edition with amazing array of segments – from the talk show featuring Filipina achievers and a renowned guest speaker from the Philippines, the make-over runway show, to the bazaar slated to delight the over selected 600 guests, the event promises to be both meaningful and momentous.

    The event will also witness the screening of a mini-documentary, a sequel to “The Empowered Filipina,” by Dubai-based award-winning filmmaker Kamil Roxas.

    Interested photography aficionados can submit three images of Filipinas from all walks of life which embody ‘female empowerment.’ Images should be at least 300dpi and should be emailed to illustrado@inbox.com. The contest is open to all nationalities from all photography levels, strictly based in the Gulf.  Furthermore, heavy digital layering and editing are prohibited. Only the twenty best entries will make it to the Nikon Photo Exhibit during the event which will be viewed by over 600 attendees from the Filipino and international expat community.  Finalists’ photos will be published in Illustrado’s April 2011 issue.  The top winners will receive prizes from Nikon. Deadline for submissions is on the 17th March 2011.

    Women of Substance event is celebrated in the Gulf in conjunction with International Women’s Day. For more information, please contact Illustrado at 04-3654547 / 04-3654543.

    -Ends-

    About Women of Substance

    Illustrado’s Women of Substance is an advocacy in conjunction with International Women’s Day. It is a celebration of Filipina empowerment, achievement and contribution aiming to provide inspiration to boost the morale of the Filipino community, and to be a reflection of the positive and balanced international image of the Filipina.

    Every year, Illustrado presents Filipina honorees from the Gulf who exemplify achievement, societal contribution and exceptional character.

    For inquiries on the Women of Substance Event, please contact Johanna Dalocanog at +971 4 365 4543 or 365 4547, or e-mail johannadalocanog@illustrado.net

    For general inquiries on Illustrado contact the above numbers or e-mail us at: admin@illustrado.net

  • Scrapbook – Arian Marcos, Melissa Guevarra & Randy Ramos Recio

    A platform for budding creative talent – this time featuring Dubai-based photographers Arian Marcos, Randy Ramos Recio and Melissa Guevarra.

    Arian Marcos who has always been an artist since he was a kid, got into photography in 2008 taking classes and immersing himself in the works of his icons.  His persistence to excel in his newfound passion won him awards which include the First Place in the 2nd Annual Scott Kelby Photowalk – Dubai. He has also conducted workshops on Off-Camera Flash Photography and Photo Retouching for a local photo club in Dubai. As a photographer, Arian’s style is contemporary, and he is keen on experimenting with textures and contrasts. He combines this with his expertise in post-processing to further enhance the play of light and intensify the visual appeal and emotional impact of his images.  His works include still and moving images which cover portraiture, fashion and beauty, landscape, interiors, architecture and events. Arian lives in Dubai with his wife Karen, where he works for a railway systems construction company.  He is an avid fan of basketball, good coffee and leche flan.

    Randy Recio is a pure–blooded Batangueño based in Dubai, who works as a company trainer for DHL Express-UAE.  He is a street photographer at heart and much of his best works stem from unexpected moments captured by his trusty camera while enjoying an early morning or late afternoon walk.   Randy’s subjects are mostly landscapes and portraits, composed with a photojournalistic flavor. He is an active member of UAE-based photography association Overseas Pinoy Professional Photographers’ Society (OPPPS) and was once featured here in Illustrado Scrapbook with his image of Filipina bossa singer Sitti Navarro.

    Melissa Guevarra’s revolves around three main things – family, painting and photography.  Mentored during her early years by Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) officers Danilo Santiago, an Art Professor at the University of Santo Tomas and Vic Dabao, Melissa has always been interested in the creative field since her childhood.  Being married to artist Darwin “Japat” Guevarra has further inspired Melissa to delve deeper into her art and eventually fall in love with photography.   This full time homemaker and full time artist, works from home creating paintings and miniatures with her husband.

  • Scrapbook – Harry Cruz, Jack Morales, Richard Martinez, Mario Cardenas & Jude Cruz

    A platform for budding Filipino creative talent. Illustrado highlights the works of UAE-based photographers Harry Cruz, Jack Morales, Richard Martinez, Mario Cardenas and Jude Cruz.

    A native of Lingayen, Pangasinan, Jude Tadeo Cruz is a Philippine registered Electronics and Communication Engineer who currently works for one of the UAE’s Telecom Operators. Jude’s work entails travels to different islands and places where he sees beautiful sceneries. The desire to capture such picture-perfect landscapes inspired him to develop a passion for photography which he developed with much enthusiasm by attending workshops, learning from reading materials and exchanging information with co-enthusiasts in the UAE capital. These days, Jude spends much of his weekends shooting fashion, events, weddings, portraits, sports as well as corporate assignments. He also functions as one of the advisers of the Filipino photography club Shootercada based in Abu Dhabi.

    University of Santo Tomas graduate, Architect Mario Cardenas might have just taken up photography late last year, but already list an impressive roster of awards from competitions in the country, even at such an early stage in his hobby. His achievements to date include – Yasalam Image Competition by Flash Production (sole winner), 8th Environmental Awareness Photo Competition by Lightform and Dubai Municipality (2nd place) and the most recognized competition he has won so far, was the 5th Emirates Photography Competition – Al Dhafra in the Photographer’s Eyes, organized by Abu Dhabi Authority of Culture and Heritage (ADACH) and supervised by The Abu Dhabi International Association of Photography (3rd Place).  Never to rest on his laurels, Mario is still striving to learn and hone the craft that he has grown to love.

    Fine Arts major in Advertising graduate Richard Martinez got his first break into the world of photography when he was taken under the wing of Bern Mejias a prominent member of the Wedding and Portrait Photographers of the Philippines (WPPP).  A freelance graphic designer then, Richard was given the chance to try his hand on capturing distinctive images on camera, specifically photographing nuptials.  Several years down the road, he has developed his skills and his passion for other types of photography, specifically fashion, for which he says he is truly hooked on. Richard moved to the UAE in 2008 to work as a Photographer for a media production company – All4Media Dubai Studio City. Some of the recent projects that he has had the privilege to work in include – the Hydra Executive Reality Show, The Circle Conference 2009, Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge and UFC 112.  He currently works for the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipality Affairs (DMA) as Photographer and Graphic Designer.

    Jack Morales is a Dubai-based accountant (CPA) whose dream has always been to become an artist.   Jack has a natural talent for sketching and has always been drawn to photography.  A further introduction to the latter, through a “photo addict” friend who enrolled him in a basic photography course in 2008, gave Jack even deeper appreciation for the art and made his learning experience more exciting. It was then that he realized how difficult it is to capture the beauty that surrounds us, as well as the moment we all want to remember, and that subsequently transformed his regard for photography from an ordinary hobby to an extraordinary art. Since then, Jack has eagerly gained techniques and tricks to capture interesting photos. He also sharpens his skills by learning from the works of renowned photographers like Jiri Subrt, Justin Grant, Helmut Newton, Marc Adamus, which he looks up to help sharpen my skills.

    Harry Cruz is a Dubai based freelance photographer who specializes in weddings, fashion/portraits and landscapes. Photography was once just a hobby to him until he learned to see all moments, places and everything around him as something worth capturing. Harry took his photography to the next level two years ago, participating in a local Filipino photography club, attending prominent workshops with renowned photographers, as well as local seminars provided by Dubai based Filipino photographers. With his efforts paying off, Harry has won several awards – one for travel photography in the National Newspaper, as well as the 3rd prize in the 8th Environmental Awareness Photography Competition sponsored by Dubai Municipality.  Harry is a Certified Public Accountant from the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the Philippines, and works for a leading German Software company in the emirate.