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Photo by Allan Mascenon of the Aurora Light Shooters, First Place winner in the June 2009 Environmental Portraits category.

The FPPF announces the PhotoWorld Cup winners for the month of June 2009. The winning photos have been posted in the Gallery:

Theme – Enviromental Portraits:

1st Place – Allan Mascenon, Aurora Light Shooters
2nd Place – Jonathan Cayaon, ALPHA
3rd Place – Mon Corpuz, PIPHO
4th Place – Ayala Alabang Camera Club
5th Place – Jonathan Cayaon, ALPHA
6th Place – Maricris Carlos, IMAHE
7th Place – Jophel Ybiosa, RMCCI
8th Place – Paul del Rosario, ALPHA
9th Place – Boboy Ringler, Framed Shots
10th Place – Orly D. Punzalan, Prize Photo Club
11th Place – Allan Mascenon, Aurora Light Shooters
12th Place – Rosa Maria Villasanta Ibay, Framed Shots

Photo by Parc Cruz of Framed Shots Camera Club (FSCC), First Place winner in the June 2009 Bayan Ko category.

Theme – Bayan Ko:

1st Place – Parc Cruz, Framed Shots
2nd Place – Cris Cleofas, ALPHA
3rd Place – Maricris Carlos, IMAHE
4th Place – Lindy Barbosa, Prized Photo
5th Place – Pepe Frias, SLR
6th Place – Jon Aguirre, Framed Shots
7th Place – Dewey Sergio, ALPHA
8th Place – Mike Sabarre, Framed Shots
9th Place – John Cruz, LENTI
10th Place – Jophel Ybiosa, RMCCI
11th Place – Mon Corpuz, PIPHO
12th Place – Mike Mata, PIPHO

PhotoWorld Cup is a monthly competition among the various camera clubs who are affiliated with the FPPF.

Inauguration of the FPPF Art Chamber 2 at Fort Santiago. At the front, left to right are: Ariel Tresvalles of YKL Color Philippines/Fujifilm, Mr. Hugo Lambrechts, Counsellor of the South African Embassy in Manila, Dept of Tourism Director Cynthia Lazo and Catherine H. Rinoza - RMCCI Camera Club President. At the back are Mr. John Ching of the FPPF Committee, Father Lieva who officiated in the blessing, movie director Romy Vitug of the FPPF Board of Directors and Lito Beltran, Project Director of the FPPF.

The FPPF inaugurated its second Art Chamber at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila last week (June 27) even as it marked the birthday of Mr. Lito Beltran, FPPF Director. The FPPF Art Chamber 2, just like the first one, will serve as an art gallery to display the winning photos of various camera clubs as well as serve as venue for the photography workshops that the Federation is conducting on a regular basis.

The cavernous interior of the FPPF Art Chamber 2. On the walls are some of the images of South Africa, taken during a recent trip there by FPPF Chairwoman Edi Huang, Project Director Lito Beltran and Committee Member Maria Macabio.

Guests to the blessing and inauguration included Mr. Hugo Lambrechts, Counsellor of South African Embassy in Manila. At the time of the Chamber 2 inauguration, the FPPF was displaying photos of South Africa taken last month by FPPF photographers Edi Huang, Lito Beltran and Maria Macabio. The photos in the gallery displayed images of wild animals like zebras, wildebeests, hippos, rhinos, and even a rare albino lion all in the wild. South Africa of course is more than wild animals. In the capital, Johannesburg, for instance are modern buildings, a bustling financial district, skyscrapers and the trappings of a modern metropolis. The FPPF photos also showed these.

Among the breathtaking sights were those of the almost complete and very large main football stadium taken from the air in a helicopter by the FPPF photographers. South Africa is host next year to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The South Africa photos were also presented via an audio-visual presentation inside the FPPF Art Chamber 2.

FPPF Chairwoman Edi Huang presents to South African Counsellor Hugo Lambrechts a canvas collage of the South African images. Looking on is FPPF Project Director Lito Beltran.

Some of the guests in attendance, during the merienda at Fort Santiago after the blessing and inauguration.

During the event, the FPPF celebrated Mr. Lito Beltran’s birthday. The guests sang to him the traditional Happy Birthday song and wished him well.

Blowing the candles on his cake, Lito Beltran protests that he's only 68. But how do you argue with a birthday cake?

Batch 14 winners in the Still Life (Glass) category. In front (from left to right) are Norman Santiago 4th Place, Germain Leloi Alilio 3rd Place, Kris Anthony c. Viceral First Place, Carter Luma-ang 2nd Place, and Christopher F. Verzosa 5th Place. At the back are the other Top Ten winners: Dan Christian L. Go 8th, Christopher Marinduque 9th, Jerema Remoto 7th, Antonio C. Engua 6th and Raphael Kalaw 10th.

On one wall of the FPPF Art Chamber 1 were their Portrait photos, and they were good; a little better than the previous batch but definitely better. On the other wall were their works on still life, and they were simply amazing! These guys are experts in product photography!

Like the previous batch, Batch 13, Batch 14 produced the best ever harvest of still life photos in the memory of FPPF. Almost all of them got the lighting right (these were glass, shiny objects that are difficult to light and photograph properly); composition was perfect with almost all entries and the play of colors was just stunning. It was a challenging assignment, and they delivered.

The Batch 14 winners in Still Life – Glass:

1. Kris Anthony C. Viceral – First Place
2. Germain “Leloi” Alilio – Second Place
3. Carter Luma-ang – Third Place
4. Norman Santiago – Fourth Place
5. Christopher F. Verzosa – Fifth Place

The top ten Portrait category winners of Batch 14: left to right, in front, are Antonio C. Engua 5th Place, Carter Luma-ang 2nd Place, Angelica I. Simbajon First Place, Kathryn Ann Lim Salamat 4th Place and Norman Santiago 3rd Place. At the back are Maria Chrizelle Alilio 10th, Juniette D. Capili 9th, Teodoro Sim Jr. 8th, Michele dela Cruz 7th and Kris Anthony C. Viceral 6th.

The winners in the Portrait category:

1. Angelica I. Simbajon – First Place
2. Carter Luma-ang – Second Place
3. Norman Santiago – Third Place
4. Kathryn Ann Lim Salamat – Fourth Place
5. Antonio C. Engua – Fifth Place

The first to third place winners in both categories received trophies from the FPPF, while the 4th and 5th place winners received medals, all courtesy of YKL Color/Fujifilm Philippines.

We would like to make special mention of a young lady, Michele dela Cruz, who showed strong dedication to her study of photography that not even a severe flu could stop her from attending the final day of the workshop. She would doze off most of the time during the final day due to headache but woke up to find that she won 7th place in the Portrait category. She’s that girl in the photo above, red nose and all, but she still managed to smile for the camera. Congrats, Michele!

The winning photos of Batch 14 are now in the Gallery.

The top ten winners in the Still Life category. In front are the top 5 who will receive medals & trophies (left to right): Joy Ellen J. Otos 2nd Place, Rico Urbano First Place, Clarissa Tamayo 3rd, Roberta G. Uy 4th and Ronald Pilaspilas 5th. At the back are (L-R) Ma. Realiza M. Paningbatan 8th, Marvin V. Samson 6th, Marvin H. Hadap 7th, Ma. Magnolia L. Arellano 10th and Arnie R. Beticon 9th.

Congratulations to Basic Photography Batch 13 of 2009, which turned out an excellent crop of photos in the Still Life category! Even veteran photographer Ed Santiago, who was one of the judges, commented that the excellent Still Life photos (glassware was their theme) were worthy of publication in magazines. “This batch will make good advertising photographers!” Mang Ed noted. Almost all of the product shots got very high marks for technical and artistic excellence. Kudos to their instructors Ador Pamintuan and Dennis Araneta who taught them the intricacies of lighting and shooting glass, which is usually a difficult subject to photograph.

The Top 5 Winners in Still Life (Glass):

1. Rico Urbano – First Place
2. Joy Ellen J. Otos – Second Place
3. Clarissa Tamayo – Third Place
4. Roberto G. Uy – Fourth Place
5. Ronald Pilaspilas – Fifth Place

While Batch 13 as a whole did not produce photos in the Portrait category that were as excellent as their Still Life output, at least their Top 10 winners turned out works that they can be proud of.

The Top Ten winners in the Portrait category. The Top 5 in front who will receive medals & trophies are (L-R): Marian Peralta 5th, Joy Ellen J. Otos 2nd, Michael Magsino 1st, Mark Bien 3rd and Edison S. Alcabasa 4th. Back row (L-R) are Edward C. Chua, Tiffany L. Baura, Alvin C. Ong, Ronald R. Pilaspilas and Roberto G. Uy.

The Top 5 Portrait Winners:

1. Michael Magsino – First Place
2. Joy Ellen J. Otos – Second Place
3. Mark Bien – Third Place
4. Edison S. Alcabasa – Fourth Place
5. Marian Peralta – Fifth Place

Happy winners Joy Ellen J. Otos, 2nd Place, and Rico Urbano, First Place, after hearing the judges’ decision. In foreground is Instructor Ador Pamintuan applauding his students.

The photos were judged by FPPF’s Ed Santiago, George Cabig, Ador Pamintuan, Chris Malinao and Mark San Valentin of the UP College of Fine Arts. The winning photos have been posted in the Gallery.

AFRICA—the word evokes images of wildlife, safaris, adventures, and masks of strange and unfamiliar images. But Africa, all these and more.

Recently, three of the most esteemed colleagues, Edi Huang, Lito Beltran, and Maria Macabio of the FPPF traveled to the “Dark Continent” and took home with them a cache of beautiful images that is Africa. In Johannesburg, the photo shoot was joined in by Riza Waterson, Jazel and Jaimee Bautista. South Africa, where they went, wasn’t all wild jungle and untamed wildlife, it had many other features that literally will surprise you when you see the images they brought home.

Of course, there are the de rigueur images of zebras, wildebeests, hippos, rhinos, and even a rare albino lion all in the wild. But Africa, especially South Africa, probably the most developed country in the whole continent had so much more to offer.

Considered as one of the leading suppliers of wine in the world today, South Africa has
vineyards and villas that dot the landscape. They were able to visit some of them and one would think French countryside. But then again, this is where photography is able to educate people about different cultures we are all too eager to stereotype.

Then there are the hotels. Beautiful conceived and elegantly executed, they will give any luxury accommodation and run for their money.

Probably one of the most exciting and intriguing set of pictures are that of the penguins! Who would have thought that South Africa would have these flightless birds in their midst? But their visit to the southern most tip of the continent, The Cape of Good Hope, just introduced them to these fuzzy little creatures.

In world sports, South Africa is so busy gearing up for the “2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa” which will be played in different parts of the country. Large football stadiums are
being built for an expected huge turnout of fans from all over the world.The games will be played in June-July next year. The millions of fans are now watching the Confederation Cup being played in South Africa. The top soccer teams are in South Africa vying to qualify for the 2010 World Cup championship.

Our photographers were able to take shots of the stadiums from a helicopter.

Sharing ones photos during one’s travel is probably one of the greatest gifts that photography has given mankind. It has shown us that we cannot typecast other culture and other people simply because it is what we hold true to ourselves. Photography has taught us that we are not the end all nor be all of everything we have experienced. Photography teaches us about other cultures, other nations, other people, who just like us, are trying to experience life to its fullest, visual as it maybe.

The FPPF thanks:
Canon Marketing (Phils.)
YKL Color Philippines
Chris and Riza Waterson
Derek, Simon and Jenny Waterson
Kerstin and Howard Haines

The FPPF Africa Poster may be downloaded from here.

Picturing America exhibit runs from June 23 to July 6 at the expansive Atrium of The Block at SM City North EDSA in Quezon City, Metromanila.

US Ambassador Kristie Kenney Tuesday (June 23, 2009) inaugurated the exhibit “Picturing America” at the Atrium 2nd Level, The Block, SM City North EDSA in Quezon City, Metromanila.

“Picturing America” is an exhibition of masterpieces of art and photography by American artisans, artists, craftsmen, photographers and architects. On view at the Atrium – and open to the general public – are images of American masters including Mary Cassatt, N.C. Wyeth, Norman Rockwell, Emanuel Leutze, Alexander Gardner, Dorothea Lange, Winslow Homer, George Catllin, Frank Lloyd Wright and many others.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney talks to reporters at the on-going Picturing America exhibit.

Washington Crossing the Delaware, 1851 by Emanuel Leutze, one of the masterpieces on display in Picturing America.

The exhibit in Quezon City will run through July 6, 2009. “Picturing America” will then be on display in Baguio City, from July 9 to 22 at the Lower Ground Floor of SM City Baguio. Finally, the exhibit will move to Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao, from July 25 to August 13 at the Ground Floor, SM City Cagayan de Oro.

FPPF’s Chris Malinao with Ambassador Kristie Kenney at the Picturing America exhibit.

Kodak is finally retiring its venerable Kodachrome color film after a long service of 74 years. Remember those Kodak moments? Many of them were created using Kodachrome. If you shot slide photos, chances are you were using Kodachrome.

It started life in 1935 as the first commercially viable color film which ended the dominance of additive processes like Autochrome and Dufaycolor that ruled the color film and plate markets in 1900-1920.

Kodachrome has since become the film of choice for a number of great photographers who worked for magazines like Time, Life and National Geographic.

But after 74 years, even Kodak agrees that Kodachrome has seen its best years, not only because of the advent of the digital age, but also because film users have moved on to newer films like the Kodak E100SW and E100VS.

Existing Kodachrome stock will last until about October this year, after which the icon will take its permanent place in photographic history.

[Site: Kodak]

The FPPF has opened two more batches for the July Basic Photography workshops. Aside from the Batches that start on July 4 (Batch 17) and July 5 (Batch 18) which are now full, we have opened two more weekend batches that will start on July 11 (Batch 19) and on July 12 (Batch20) to accommodate more participants. (Tip: if you wish to join the new batches, please register early because they fill up fast.)

The Basic Photography workshops are now held exclusively at Fort Santiago. The FPPF has just acquired another art chamber beside the first one in Fort Santiago, so now we have two art galleries there that also serve as venues for our workshops.

Basic Photography workshop students conferring with FPPF Project Director Lito Beltran (back to camera) at the new FPPF Gallery 2 at Fort Santiago.

Groups of Basic Photography workshop participants (Batch 16) as they prepare for a group presentation of their photos. Photo taken at the new FPPF Gallery 2 in Fort Santiago.

For those who wish to complete the Basic workshop in only five (5) contiguous days – i.e., those from the provinces or from abroad that cannot stay for five weekends in Metromanila – the FPPF is offering weekday workshops from Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, an accelerated version of the Basic Photography workshop that will run for 5 continuous weekdays. Workshop fee for the weekday sessions is P5,000.

We still recommend the weekend course for the time it allows for the exercises between weekends, but for those who must complete it in the shortest time, we now offer weekday sessions.

The first Basic Photography weekday workshop is scheduled for July 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 (Monday to Friday). For those interested, please go to our Registration Page and indicate Weekdays as days of choice.

Canon Marketing (Philippines) Inc has launched “Capture Every Smile” photo and video contest for 2009. The contest is open to all Filipinos, professional photographers or not. Those who wish to join the contest must be residing in the Philippines and must own at least a Canon digital camera or Canon video camera.

There will be monthly contests. Theme for this month is “Freedom.” The monthly contest will have the following prizes:

Smile Photo of the Month/Smile Video of the Month:
Winners will receive these selected Canon Products as prizes:
- One (1) Canon Powershot A470 Digital Camera worth Php 7,000
- One (1) Pixma IP1980 Printer worth Php 2,100
- One (1) Canon gift bag worth Php 2,000

The Grand Prize Smile Photo of the Year/Smile Video ofthe Year will take home Php 250,000 worth of pre-listed / selected Canon products.

For details, see the Canon website.

Olympus has announced the E-P1 Digital Pen camera, a new Micro Four Thirds camera the size of a point-and-shoot but with DSLR capabilities.

The company calls it the Pen, after an Olympus camera which was first launched in 1959, and describes it as “the world’s smallest 12.3-mexapixel interchangeable lens system camera.” It features TruePic V image processing, ISO 100-6400 sensitivity, a 3-inch LCD, 20 shooting modes (5 exposure, i-Auto, and 14 automatic scenes), an SDHC slot, and HDMI TV-out for playback of 720p (1280×720 pixel) recorded video at 30fps.

To go with the E-P1 digital PEN camera, Olympus also announced two new Micro Four Thirds lenses – the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f2.8 wide-angle pancake lens and the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens.

The Pen will retail for $800 with a 14-42mm (28-84mm in 35mm equivalent) lens when it becomes available next month.

[Site: Olympus America]