its good to hear words from the participants of my workshop
in dubai and cebu....the two workshop that i conducted this
summer was succesfull....thnx to all participants...
these words that you wrote inspire me a lot
and will always inspired me to continue search for excellence.......
thnx a lot for blogging and assestment.....
salamat sir
rocky from dubai///
and sir john from cebu...
DUBAI WORKSHOP FROM SIR CESAR PAROCCO
(also the one who sponsor my visa)
http://ceslou.multiply.comDid I already mention that the workshop was really worth it? As an avid photography enthusiast I have attended several workshops in the past but this one got my A+ rating. Although I did not expect or find Dustein’s workshop as mind-blowing or really an opening of Pandora’s box but it was indeed effective and useful to me as a photographer who like to manipulate photos. Who else doesn’t? Although there are purists out there who just let their camera in-processor manipulate pictures for them.
DARKROOM revelations has open up a lot of unknowns to me. Yes, everyone knows the effect of a softlight blend effect to the picture underneath but I have never bothered to touch-on the fill value which is quite essential in every technique. I have used Dodge and Burn for so many years now but never knew the effect on a masked channel. The normal gaussian blur appeared to be a common technique for everyone who is doing a portrait but never thought it could be easier. Just like what I said, commands and filters are always available but putting the right amount on it still proves to be very difficult to many. Channel masking was still Greek to me before I attended the workshop. Although I'm not yet a master of this trade but now, I have to go back and open my old files and start processing them again usingDustein’s style which I begin to like it.
Don’t get me wrong, Of course I will try it on my own later but let me master the technique first and develop my own style.
Moreover, I really enjoyed the workshop as it was well organized. Although we have started a bit late and there was a rush in taking the model’s picture to be used during the workshop but these are minor snags that do not affect the meat of the matter. Again the venue is nothing chic or elegant that would have increase the running cost, it is just enough and serves well the purpose. At AED 100.00, I can’t believe that CL8 was still able provide free refreshments considering the cost of bringing in Dustein from the Philippines. The CL8 has really pulled it off nicely and should be highly commended for their unwavering dedication to make the said event fun and educational for everyone.
It was not an out-of-the-blue fashion and glamour workshop, it was well thought and planned. The model is not someone whom you meet everyday in the streets Nasser square but stunning and drop-dead gorgeous TRINA. Describing her as beautiful is an understatement. Beauty is not the quality a model should only have but discipline and character. She posed for almost all the sessions and was awesome in everyway. She's very cooperative and knows her stuff very well. The outfit was not something anyone can just pull it out from a wardrobe but classy and well-designed.
Overall, I believe the event rocks - it would take too much time to mention all the good stuff.
CEBU WORKSHOP FROM JANJAN PEREZ (
http://northwolf.multiply.com/photos/album/101/Dustein_Sibug_Cebu_Exposure_Workshop_the_results)
On April 12 and 13 (which was yesterday and today, as of the time of this writing), I risked the tax deadline on April 15 just to attend a workshop-seminar conducted by one of my most idolized photographers, Dustein Sibug.
I admire Dustein because he's a self-taught photographer who produces wonderful results using very limited means. He uses a simple DSLR (a Nikon D40, like mine), simple lenses (the 18-55mm kit lens, and his magical 1940 Takumar Asahi Pentax lens), and simple accessories (car reflectors, available light, etc.), and yet, a lot of photographers regard him today as one of the most promising young talents in the field of photography.
So, of course, I made sure that I could attend his workshop and learn his workflow.
I've always admired the quality of Dustein's work... his choice of subjects, his processing technique and his composition. I've been trying to recreate the feel and texture of one of his works but I could never understand how his pictures are so sharp and high contrast, yet at the same time the blur on his shots are so creamy. And there's a shiny, metallic feel to all his photos, I don't know how he does it.
Fortunately for me and the photographers who attended Dustein's seminar (two guys even came all the way from Ormoc just to attend the workshop), Dustein is someone who's so down to earth and will not hesitate to share his secrets. Even if people can now easily copy his technique, Dustein is only happy to share what he knows with other photographers.
As if that was not enough, he even brought with him a beauty queen and a professional model to pose for us, the lovely Natasha Mills, 3rd runner up to the recent Ms. Cagayan de Oro beauty pageant. We were treated not only to having a professional model with highly emotive eyes and intuitive poses, we were happy to find that Natasha was also so accommodating and patient, willing to strike a pose even when all the photographers were snapping away her picture during those times that she was supposed to be taking breaks.
All in all, it was a very enjoyable weekend for me. A great photoshoot at Fort San Pedro with a wonderful model, followed by a comfortable and highly educational post-processing workshop. Does life get any better or what?
I have to thank Dustein for coming all the way here to Cebu in order to share his knowledge and talent with our small group. Thank you also to the beautiful Natasha for being so patient, emotive and accommodating with all our requests. Thank you to Dustein's support-photographers, Jonathan and Jeboy (?), for assisting us in taking our shots and processing during the workshop. Of course, I have to send props to two great manager/organizers, without whom none of this would be possible: to my cousin Danny Ybañez for persistently inviting Dustein to come over to Cebu, and to our super support manager, Michol Sanchez, for not only taking care of our guests' needs, but also for providing us with a great venue and a diligent support staff too!
Finally, I want to also thank our friends, guests and fellow photographers for coming (found a new cousin, Eugene Ybañez from Ormoc!). I had so much fun taking pictures with you, the camaraderie and fun.
Hinaot nga mo-usban sa sunod nga higayon.
