Dodeth Alvarez Vergara Photography

Tsinelas

2010-11-28T17:45:00.001-08:00

"Luma kong Tsinelas"

Black & White Photography

2010-11-09T04:07:00.000-08:00

I always have this compulsion to turn my photos to black & white when I'm taking candid shots of people.

Why black & white?

When the colors are out, you tend to pay more attention on the subject itself and as to what it is telling you... makes you feel more with less...

Monotones just have this classic feel. And sometimes i think we become overly concerned on colors and luminance and everything that it is almost overwhelming, to the point that we're missing on the most important part of the shot... which is to convey... to speak up to whomever is looking at that photo... to tell a story.

Speaking of telling a story, PEBA have an on-going photo contest and your's truly is one of the participants;P

We do hope you could check out the PEBA Photo Contest and vote for my entry as well as other entries that conveys a message... speak to you... and tell you a story;)

Happy-Snaps! ;)

Iphone Photography

2010-09-21T07:43:00.001-07:00

Nikki-tip: I took all these pictures using my iphone and tweak it using the PS Express app, see you don't need high-end cameras, sometimes all you need is a little imagination...Happy-Snaps;P

Top 10 Dos and Don'ts for Great Portraits

2010-09-18T09:55:00.000-07:00

I think this is an easy to understand straightforward tips on how to come up with good portraits photographs so I wanted to share it with you guys and i hope you will learn something from this very good video tutorial because i did learn a lot...so enjoy;)

Happy-Snaps;P

Rescue Operation

2010-09-04T08:08:00.001-07:00

OVEREXPOSED!!!

Sunog kumbaga sa tagalog... ang term ng mga photographer kapag overexposed or sobrang bright ng image...

I had a lot of overexposed images and I feel like it's my responsibility to rescue those photos...as I was browsing the youtube, I came to this Lightroom tutorial on how to use the gradient filter function.

I downloaded a free-trial version of Lightroom 3 for my laptop, and followed the instruction on that tutorial and applied it on my image. Okay w/o so much ado...this is the image I touched-up...

Below is the screen shot of before and after image:

You can see the big difference from the original photo. I know that there are other people who are skeptic on post-processed photos but there are instances that photos might have gone wrong (bright light coming from the sun, shadows, low-light...etc) no matter how good the photographer is. For me, as long as you do it for the justice of the beauty of an image you want to share to other people it's fine.

"Gusto kong makita niyo ang kulay at ganda ng mga bagay ng nakita ko at mamahangha katulad ko"...

Nikki-tip: Some of my friends keep asking me for some tips, I didn't attend any formal training, but there are a lot of tutorials out in youtube, blogs and websites such as Digital Photography School (one of the photography links included at the side of this blog). You got to read and read, surf and surf...and of course practice and practice and practice whatever you have learned...kahit ako inuulit-ulit ko pa rin sa sarili ko until now...So, happy-snaps;P

my bestfriend's model...

2010-08-26T08:15:00.000-07:00

my bestfriend just bought a DSLR...wooohooo! magdiwang...and honestly my interest in photography started because of her, nung hi-skul pa lang kame parati nyang dala ang camera niya noon...oo yung di-film, meron pa nga yang camera na yung luma na may rotation button kada-shot...iikot mo tapos shot, tapos iikot mo uli bago ka magshot ulet para maadjust yung rolyo ng film sa loob...hehehe (super old school). Mayaman sya dahil anak-OFW siya kaya marami syang pampadevelop noon....hehehe

okay, so ano ba to? picture, malamang:P pagbigyan nyo na ko malapit na bday ko...hehehe. Nung nagbakasyon kame sa pinas malamang ako ang ginawa nilang malupet na utusan na photographer...so lahat ng pics ko (extra lang ako lagi) kulang na lang lumuhod ako at magmakaawa na makapagpapicture...jowk! so naawa naman saken ang bestfriend ko kaya lahat ng kuha ko e shot nya...so what's the point nga deth? okay in short gusto ko lang siya iencourage na may innate talent siya sa photography

kase ang gaganda ng shots niya saken:)) or pde rin na talagang cute lang ako:P (nyahahaha!!!)

Nikki-Tip: encourage you're friends who have the talent in photography to go for it...may photoshoot buddy ka na, may photographer ka pa...hehehe;) Happy Snaps!

How to Make Your Photo Glossy

2010-08-05T20:57:00.000-07:00

I have another set of before and after for you guys...

Do you notice the really nice glossy look of photos captured by "pro" photographers(well I do) and yes we admire them and we think, well they are really good in capturing/manipulating lights and maybe they are experts in photoshop...

but... YOU CAN DO IT!

How can you make your picture glossy and more aliveeeee!!!? hehehe
This one is a very simple tip... using Microsoft Office Picture Manager: Contrast (slider button)

Original photo

By simply adjusting the contrast (higher) this is what happen to my shot...

For me with higher contrast besides being more glossy it gives her face more highlights...creating a better portrait.

I have another one:

Original photo

Higher contrast picture:

So take out your pictures and try to open it using Microsoft Office Picture Manager and adjust that contrast slide and see for yourselves if you think it's useful. Happy-Snaps:)

How to Do it!

2010-07-18T17:20:00.001-07:00

GOOD DAY MADLANG PEEPOL!!! parang showtime lang, ahahaha:P

I am quite excited to share to you guys this video from a friend of mine Tin, she's a very passionate photographer, one of the most talented person I know. Her love with the craft is infectious that's why I want you guys to be inspired by her as well.

You'll see how she managed to work on her gears without complicated set-up maximizing her equipment through resourcefulness and plain creativity...being photographer doesn't have to look like a complicated work but fun fun fun!

Enjoy her behind the scene footage on one of her photoshoot. Awesomeness level up!!!

I'm Spotted @ KaBlogs Journal

2010-07-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

KaBlogs Journal July Issue: Learning from and about Deth *blush* (pagbigyan niyo na ko, hehehe)

Below are some of my landscape shots during my "huling hirit sa tag-init" vacation at Zambales, island hopping at Camara, Capones, Nagsasa & Anawangin. These photos are also featured in July issue of KaBlogs Journal Lens & Light

Ganda talaga ng Pinas!!!

Post-process

2010-07-09T01:41:00.001-07:00

Okay I'm having so much fun with this site it's picnik.com this is a photo-editing site and there are tons of things you can do with your photos in it.

I just wanna share it with you guys coz I've been playing with it from the time a little girl showed me the site. I can play with borders, make lomo, hdr-ish or orton-ish, put matte or vignette, make it sephia or b&w i can put text too... it's not so pro-looking but I assure you its FUN!!!

Just look at this one I recently post processed using picnik:

below is the original image:

Cool, isn't it?...

horizon light

2010-07-08T19:22:00.001-07:00

A cloudy sunrise in Sagada (click to see in large)

Our last stop in Sagada should be a trip to see the sunrise, we we're ready at 5am however, our tour guide Jeff didn't show up T_T. Yep inindyan niya kame, hehehe...so wala na kameng choice kundi pagmasdan ang sunrise mula sa malayo... The good thing about it is we we're able to catch the early 7AM bus to Baguio.

Nikki-Tip: Play with silhouettes to give your pictures an interesting touch:) Happy-snaps!

Visiting Sagada...

2010-06-15T00:03:00.000-07:00

Sagada have been one of my dream destinations long before, I've seen countless pictures and I've heard a lot of stories about the place.

Being 12hours away from Manila... it's tiring and an exhausting trip! Masaket sa pwet,literally!

Me and my bestfriend kept telling each other during that bus ride...

SAGADA MUST BE WORTH IT!!!

The moment I saw the beautiful scenery of Mountain Province, I was completely blown away. Your eyes will just feast with all those mountains and greeneries all around you, it was surreal:)

taken inside the bus to Sagada, okay nahihilo-hilo na ko niyan, good thing nakatsamba pa ko ng maayos na shot:P

Before exploring Sagada, tourist would have to register at the municipal hall first. They usually suggest packaged tour for your trips and refer you to guides and accomodations:) a picture of the peaceful town of Sagada at 5am

beautiful children of Sagada

most of the people in Sagada are Anglican Protestant

hanging coffins, mas mataas daw mas malapit sa heaven. And guess what those spaces are free:P so kung gusto niyong magpareserve for your own coffin, go na...hehehe.

at the Echo Valley, anong sinigaw namin sa Echo Valley? secret:P

According to our tour guide Kuya Jeff, Sagada have a very intact culture which is very evident in the non-existence of commercial establishment in their area, even there have been plenty of offers and bids... preservation are of their main priority. Also the burial practices like hanging of coffins, weaving and organic farming shows how culturally preserved Sagada is.

Note: Sagada have zero crime rate:)

Being able to walk along those rice fields, feels like I'm walking in a dreamland, it felt so wonderful. Totoo...
me and my bestfriend enjoying our communion with nature

the path along rice fields

wild berries on our way

Jane's pic at the first glimpse of Bomod-Ok Falls

waterfalls pool... the water is freakin' cold! I swear:P

last shot of Bomod-Ok Falls

Visiting Sagada to be continued...

Nikki-Tip: We always know that a picture paints a thousand words, besides just taking pictures ask people about history or stories (specially on trips) don't just take pictures you'll learn a lot and you'll have a deeper appreciation on these beautiful spots. Happy Snaps!:P

A Guide to Taking Better Pictures...

2010-06-10T00:39:00.000-07:00

This is a fun-crazy-cool tutorial on mastering angles in taking better pictures of yourselves... check it out, pretty awesome:P

Summer

2010-05-12T17:28:00.000-07:00

A portrait shot of Kat, summer theme shoot:D

Well I'm going back to Pinas 7 days from now, for another "quick" vacation. Hahabulin ko ang summer, nyahaha. I think habol pa ko kase balita ko e super init pa ren sa ating minamahal na bansa:P Excited na kong mag-island hopping.

Btw. Thanks to Ching for the contact in Zambales featured in her blog, yep napareserve na namin si Mang Johnny...ahahaha.

Nikki-Tip: Have you tried "vignette" in your photos, I've been playing around darker vignette for sometime but for this one I tried to use lighter vignette just to create a glow feel. Happy-snaps:P

Mother's Day

2010-05-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

With all our imperfections you we're still able to claim it, now I don't have anything fancy to say but...

"We'll never let you down 'Nay, we love you so much..."

Just like Mommy...

2010-05-06T01:06:00.000-07:00

another street photography shot... hey guy's don't forget to greet your mother this sunday, Happy Mother's Day:D

Nikki-Tip: Tell a story in your shots. Happy-Snaps:P

Chinatown

2010-04-29T19:13:00.001-07:00

Last night we had a dinner with some friends. We set-up a blind date for our friend Wai Chen and Zetty's friend from the Philippines who's having a week tour here in Singapore.

Both are Chinese descent Wong Wai Chen and Chan Chin Chuang...(ahahaha, both names sounds sooo cute) we've been saying their names countless times the whole night.

I remember I did have some photowalk shots at Chinatown.

We went here to buy some cheap but goody "pasalubong" and souvenirs.

these slippers looks really comfy and regal, pang "Mano Po" hehehe

Chinese are really into good luck stuffs:D

Nikki-Tip: Try to focus to one specific subject and blur your background to make it stand out. Happy-Snaps:P

Daddy moments...

2010-04-27T02:28:00.000-07:00

Taken during one of my street photography at Orchard Singapore... this playful girl keeps on blocking her dad's sight with her skirt.

Cute Moments:D

I'm missin my dad, recently we sent him to a heart specialist (forgot how you called a doctor for heart) is it Cardiologist? Well it was for a second opinion of the first finding that he has to undergo angiogram a test to see the blocked or clogged veins of the heart. And the specialist finding is that he really needs angiogram and later on might lead to angioplasty. We told my sister not to mention the cost of both procedures to my dad because he'll definitely freak out and he'll never do it:P

Nikki-Tips: Street photography because it is spontaneous is one of the most fulfilling for me...you never know what you're gonna get. So just go with the flow, be aware of the people that sorrounds you and what they're doing. Don't be afraid to snap, snap...just do it fast and act normal, not as if you've just committed a mortal crime. When someone caught you in the act...Smile and keep walking, ahahaha. Happy-Snaps:P

EARTH DAY EVERYDAY

2010-04-21T19:50:00.000-07:00

I strongly believed that "Earth Day" should be everyday...

when was the last time you appreciate a morning dew?

or watch an animal up-close...

be amaze or got scared at the insects, flying, crawling and hoppin' around...

did you ever notice for once how blue the sky is?

or just feel the cold breeze of the air...

are we doing our part in saving Earth for our own children...

for the next generation to come...

Lets keep EARTH a beautiful planet.

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY EVERYDAY! :D

Nikki-Tips: Go out and have a photowalk! There's so many beautiful things around waiting for you, a flower, an insect, a tree...the sky, the clouds... God have blessed us with a wonderful planet full of colors and life, be inspired by his majestic creation;P Happy-snaps:D

LIVE EARTH: Run for Water

2010-04-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

Run for Water

This is my first marathon participation and I'm so proud that my first run is for a cause that means a lot to me.

This is why we run:

"6km is the average distance women and children walk every day in the developing world to have access to water. Close to a billion people are without access to safe drinking water."

When I was still a kid in our province I have experienced this kind of life, wherein water is scarce, every drop is precious. People rely in rainwater which they store and save in big tanks for most of their water use and they need to travel far (walk or ride in "kariton" a carriage pulled by a carabao or cow), at the middle of the town there is one single water pump station where people get the clean water safe for drinking.

I didn't bring Nikki for this event (which I regret, because I realized I can still take pictures after the race):P

These pics are taken from my phone, i used the polarize application;)
after the 6km run, i can feel the "happy-pain":P

Suzette and Wai Chen against the light, sori naman ahahaha:P

Wai Chen finished the 6km in 47mins, asteeeg lang:P

sooo proud we finished the race, well in our own time... no pressure,right zetty? ahahaha

I'm quite sure I have the endurance to finish the 6km run but I'm also certain that I don't have the speed to finish it in quickest time:P

I did my best guys... my official time is (01:01:14) one hour-one minute-fourteen seconds

This is my Run for Water Certificate:

Nikki-Tips: As much as possible bring you're cam, don't make excuses as to why you can't bring one...because you'll never know if it such a perfect timing to practice and capture some never before seen shots:P

New Beginnings...

2010-04-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

"there's something about the sunset that makes me sad...
it's like a constant reminder that some good things never last.

but at the same time it gives you the hope...
that it will come shining again with a new and brighter tomorrow."-MindDeth
(click the image to view in large)

*********************************
We woke up 5AM just to shoot sunrise and what did we get... "A RAINY DAY!". I am not a morning person, so just imagine my frustration when we arrived at the location and the clouds are all over... that it enveloped the lights coming from the sunrise.

My sister took this stolen shot of me and Nikki, we're very dissapointed that day, but then as I was shooting that cloudy part...a sudden light from the sun came out...so even without a tripod, coz i don't have the time to set-up... I took the shot.

You can see the difference of light from my pic (please bear in mind that she used camera phone) and that one I took and you might think I did it in post-process but no. The technique is I underexposed the setting of my cam and "tsaraaaaaan!" Even if it's noisy I mean the quality of pic because it's handheld...

I AM GLAD I TOOK THAT SHOT:P

Nikki-Tips: For sunrise and sunset there is this one cool tip that sum up the technique in capturing that magical burst of lights "UNDEREXPOSED" I actually mentioned it already. Yep, that's it. Try it! Oh, one more thing... do yourself a favor, please use a tripod;P Happy-snaps

Filipina Empowerment

2010-04-14T17:22:00.000-07:00

I always believe that Filipina are the most beautiful woman in the world... (call me bias, i don't care!hehehe:P)

They're diligent and smart and kick-ass yet they always stay caring and loving and most of all charming.

I had wonderful chance to do portraits for some of beautiful Pinay friends I have here in Singapore...

Apparently, Filipina have been stereotyped in most of the foreign countries. I do not abhor any kind of work done by the Filipina such as being a domestic helper because it is a "DECENT" job. But what saddened me is the stereotyping of some people thinking Filipina is of a lower class because they take such jobs.

Watching this documentary about Filipina Empowerment have given me a new sense of pride and inspiration... that there is more... and that we are equally capable to do things, even far more greater things in this world as a Filipina.

Go Pinay!

Here are the links for the three-part documentary:
The Empowered Filipina Part 1
The Empowered Filipina Part 2
The Empowered Filipina Part 3

Nikki-Tips: One of the most important element of portraits are the "EYES"...eye-contact with your subject gives photo the striking effect but when you ask your model to look away, it creates mystery. Experiment on different angles and point of view. Happy-Snaps!

Universal Studios Singapore

2010-04-13T01:06:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we went to the newest attraction here in Singapore which is the "Universal Studios"

From our place (Bukit Panjang) we can ride 963R which is an express bus to Resorts World Sentosa. Or you can go directly to Vivo City at Harbour Front, there is a terminal for RWS buses.

Ticket for Universal Studios Singapore
Weekday: S$66.00 (around P2,100.00+)
Weekend: S$72.00 (around P2,300.00+)
Open from Monday-Sunday: 9AM-6PM

We really got no plans on going to Universal Studio, we only hop on because my sister got really depressed on how her interview turned out that day. Mega-emote ang lola mo "pasyal mo naman ako, nadedepress ako:(" andrama lang,sobrang emo! ahahaha. So 4PM we're riding our way to Universal Studio.

Note: If you're going for the theme park be there 9AM so you can enjoy naman every rides and attractions.

Hindi kame pumasok sa loob ng theme park namasyal lang kame sa labas ng Universal Studio. "FREE" po at walang entrance fee, so pamasahe lang at yung dinner namin sa Subway ang ginastos ko sa dalawang purita kong turista ahahaha:D

Soft opening pa lang ang Universal Studio so konti pa lang po ang mga restaurants and shops, pero madami-dami na ring mga namamasyal.

(one of the shop) Hershey's Chocolate Factory...

haaaay... can I live here?

From time to time, you'll encounter performers...

mas naamaze ako sa mga street magician rather than those inside the theaters, mas kapanipaniwala kase na hindi nila basta basta namamanipulate ang magic nila...

belly-a-belly-belly dancers...

and syempre photo-op time...

I remember some of my Pinoy friends are part of this project. And I'll quote BJ's caption in one of his picture during the construction part of the Universal Studios

"We Pinoy's don't wait for things to happen...we make it happen!"

Naks!

For sure we'll be back to check out the attractions and the theme park:P

Nikki-Tips: When I'm in a very spontaneous event day-tour like this and there are a lot of natural lights available I switch from "MANUAL" to "APPERTURE" mode, keep your ISO at its lowest (for Nikki, ISO 100) it will automatically adjust your shutter. Hindi ka na magtitimpla ng camera settings and photos will come out sharp pa rin...the best part you won't miss the fun:P Happy-Snaps!

I'm Back and Kickin'

2010-04-13T00:39:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, i'm back!

This will be my new "tambayan", I'll be posting my journey and misadventures as an amateur photographer.

Expect lots and lots of photos and stories as well:D

Yahoooo!!! I'm back!