Do artists think alike?

Someone commented recently about my photography habit, "dakayo nga talaga photographers, agpapada panunot yo" (you photographers really think alike). 

It made me think and I remembered one time I was with some photographers looking at world war two ruins. One of them commented that it would be nice to have a photo shoot with models near the ruins. A distinctive effect with a stunning beauty as the subject and frenzied ruins in the background.

But what I have in mind was completely different. I was hoping some very old war veteran will pass by with wrinkled expression of a distraught face to match the ruinous background showing the chaotic past of the place. I prefer to have the very person who witnessed the transformation of the ruins from its old glory to be part of my image.

Both ideas would show art but with different impact. Artists may agree to so many things but they don’t necessarily think alike. In a hyperbolic comparison, some think vertically and some horizontally.

But one thing is for sure, each artist will always see an art from every scenery. Some would focus on a single shape or image while others consider the whole scenery. Some would focus on a single mountain concentrating on its shape with the sun setting in the background. Another would shoot the wide skyline showing its glorious transformation from blue to reddish orange with the group of mountains in the horizon. Another would attempt to combine them all in a single frame, a unique mountain shape as the foreground, and a background of a thousand mountains in the horizon and the changing hue of the skyline above them.

What artists do have in common is their way to communicate to the people in a non-linear way. Their images would grab attention and merit hours of discussion by critics and fans alike. For me, art is not just self expression but more on how you show the viewers your way of seeing things. If you can do that in your works, your art will be more appreciated. 

What's Your Artistic Value?

I often hear question on how much should you charge your photography specially in events like weddings. It's simple, what level is your artistic value? If you think it's cheap then charge 1,500 for a wedding. If it's above average then charge accordingly. Some charge 8,000 to 10,000, some are higher at 15,000 to 20,000 while some are charging as high as 50,000 to 80,000 a wedding.

Read tips from such sites as the following:

http://digital-photography-school.com
www.betterphotography.com

These sites will teach you how to compute your overhead expenses like the worth of your camera and gears,  how to price according to your competitors, how much your clients can afford, will you scare off potential clients because you charge too low or too high, etc. etc.

There are many sites that can guide you how to price your work but it all boils down to your worth as an artist after you deduct all of the necessary overhead expenses.

Flowering Baguio

It's the season of blooming in Baguio with the opening of Panagbenga on its début this 2013. Once again, Baguio's main thoroughfares are adorned with flowering faces and decorations as elementary school dancers participated in the opening street dancing competition. The following are some of my shoots during the parade. More to follow as the events unfold during this month-long activity. For the schedule of events, click here.

The Fourth Ensalidummaay Convention

In preparation of the Ensalidummaay Grand Convention or grand canao this summer, the fourth Ensalidummay assembly was held at the Anthurium Hall in Benguet State University last January 19, 2013.

The gathering is a quarterly solidarity assembly by different groups online and offline where members of different groups present projects that other groups can help out.

Partly sponsored by the Aliping family, Rob Ocampo and other members who brought in foods and drinks, the event is once again attended by leaders numbering to almost a hundred from about 10 groups. It was hosted by Interactive Cordillera, an online group that was started before the advent of facebook. The Samahang Ilocano (SI) is the newest group to join the event. The group attended to present their new identity which was always perceived as a fraternity now reorganized as a philanthropic non government organization.

The event was a mixture of presentation and workshop where members learn the steps of Cordilleran Dances. Parlor games are the fun part of the event. Special guest Glen Gaerlan performed two great song pieces.

Part of the event was a planning discussion for the up-coming anniversary of the event which will be held at the Pine Trees of the World Park this coming April 20 in the tradition of the grand canao. A dancing competition of the authentic Cordilleran dances will be the highlight of the event with members of the different groups to present in their own local costumes. There will be a singing competition in the evening in front of a bonfire where members will sing a cordilleran song.

The Ensalidummaay Grand Convention is expected to attract several hundreds of participants.