“What I can teach you now is passion,” says professional photographer John K. Chua before workshop participants. “Passion will carry you through all the hardships of your work.” Photo by Chris Malinao.
John K. Chua, the country’s foremost commercial photographer, graced the final day, Saturday, of the Basic Photography Workshops. The 35-year veteran photographer (he’s 61 now) shared his insights and experiences as well as his work, giving the two batches of Saturday workshop participants an inspirational talk about what it means to be a professional photographer. “You need to be good. If you’re not good, forget it,” said Chua.
He also described what it takes to specialize in the different fields of photography such as wedding and portrait, fashion photography, children photography, photojournalism, events photography and in his field of commercial photography, explaining that certain talent and temperament suit a particular field.
John Chua delivers an inspirational talk with basic workshop participants. Photo by Chris Malinao.
He also advised the new photographers to be comfortable with their equipment to the level that camera controls come as second nature to them. “The level of camera and photographer should match. Even better, the photographer’s expertise level should be more than his camera model. Don’t aspire for a more complicated professional camera if you’re still an amateur,” the master photographer admonishes.
“But don’t believe either that it’s always the indiyan and not the pana,” he said, “the equipment helps, only if you know.”
John shares his portfolio of images with workshop participants. Photo by Chris Malinao.
John Chua also wowed the workshop participants with his portfolio of commercial photographs, including his latest shoots in which he captured a bumblebee carrying pollen from a flower.
John Chua demonstrates a Manfrotto stabilizer rig which he uses when he shoots video with his Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Photo by Chris Malinao.
