Rockin' Photographer | Vinz Matias » Personal

Henday ♥ Dodong. But when?

Vinz — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:48:32 +0000

That is the BIG question that we don’t know the answer.

But we were glad to tag along with them on a long drive to Bolinao to scout for a retreat venue by the seaside. So aside from surveying and documenting the place, my telephoto lens can’t help but switch into paparazzi mode once in a while.

As to when Henday and Dodong* will finally tie the knot, we can only wait. But when it comes… RAKENROL!

*Not their real names, but they know who they are and they both would insist this is NOT a prenup. Yet

New lessons learned from my prenup shoot yesterday Before sharing the photos from my most recent engagement shoot,...

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Farewell 2009! Whaddup 2010?

Vinz — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:36:27 +0000

2009 has been has been a pretty great year getting my feet wet into photography. Still learning the ropes and bounds and coping very well. And now that 2009 is in the books, my portfolio is decently building up pretty well. Still, I believe that I am barely hitting my potential. I know I can deliver better results in the future.

That said, I am grateful to friends who provided me opportunities to work for them, and I am looking forward to more gigs in 2010.

The new year looks bright. Things are getting more fun! I’m very excited.

God bless ya’ll and may you be happy the whole year round.

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AMiCUS folks, can we do another one next year?

Vinz — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:29:59 +0000

Spent the weekend in Tagaytay City with my old college buddies plus a whole bunch of students- like more than a hundred of them! This was an AMiCUS Convention by the way. The first of its kind after FIVE years! I got to take a huge amount of photos to cover the event but I’m posting only two. Why oh why?

*grin*

Ayt! That’s two photos. Find the rest at FB while I hide under my mouse hole. Way to go AMiCUS! God bless y’all!

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Pacquiao is an All-time Great!

Vinz — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:34:27 +0000

Way back in high school, I was around 14 then, there was this weekly boxing show on TV called “Blow by Blow” that showcased young and upcoming local boxers. There was this skinny kid I always look forward to watching. With his devil-may-care approach with zero technique, almost all his opponents simply kissed the canvas with his power bombs. Iwas like “What th- this kid is bad ass!” He was a bundle of energy, fun to watch… I never knew how far this kid would go.

His name was Manny Pacquiao.

A young Manny Pacquiao early in his career

A little more than 10 years later, Manny Pacquiao has developed into a complete fighter beating a roster of first-ballot future hall-of-famers and boxing superstars. He is now universally recognized as the face of boxing- the best boxer in the world “pound-for-pound.” Better yet, he is easily considered by boxing experts and historians as one of boxing’s all-time greats.

Over and over again, Pacquiao has his name mentioned in the same paragraph with the likes of Armstrong, Ali, Ray Robinson. Mainstream movie and sports stars visit him in training and watch his fights at ringside, they visit him at his locker room, he rubs elbows with VIPs. In short, he has become legendary. In exciting fashion, he has gathered 7 division titles in as many weight classes (flyweight, superbantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight, junior welterweight and welterweight; 4 lineal titles (the man who beat the man who beat the man). No other fighter has accomplished such a tremendous feat in boxing history.

MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

How this guy Pacquiao rose to this status is unbelievable. It feels like it was just yesterday when this dirt-poor, skinny little flyweight was making ripples only noticed by some local boxing fanatics. Now, his fights are more electrifying as ever. The whole world sings his praises. I’m still shaking my head in disbelief.

That poor skinny kid was destined to be a LEGEND.

My Camera Chronicles Here’s a very nerdy post about my personal camera history....

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Quick portraits for Cel

Vinz — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:20:37 +0000

Cel has been nagging me time and again for me to take photos of her. It’s been some time since we last set a schedule for a pictorial. Okay… okay… she wants a new profile photo for her Facebook account real bad.

I obliged.

One B/W

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Thanks to the wifey

Vinz — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:22:34 +0000

One of the perks of having Cel tag along in some of my engagement shoots:

I can easily direct the couple’s poses by giving them a quick demo.

New lessons learned from my prenup shoot yesterday Before sharing the photos from my most recent engagement shoot,...

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New lessons learned from my prenup shoot yesterday

Vinz — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:26:16 +0000

Before sharing the photos from my most recent engagement shoot, I’d like to share some vitally important little things I learned that will surely help me on my next shoot.

1. I am a sucker for the worms-view when I try to inject some creativity, so I always get to lay down on the ground/grass/concrete/dust. I get dirty, the pavement can be scalding hot, the grass makes my arms and legs itchy like hell. Sleeves and jogging pants will definitely help.

2. Most of the time, shoots are done outdoors. I love on-location shoots. It gets scorching hot so I sweat heavily. Also, when sweat from my eyebrow drip to my eye on the viewfinder, it hurts. I need a towel. And a spare shirt.

3. Bring an umbrella. If not for me, bring an umbrella for the couple especially if I’ll have them wait a couple of minutes while I scan the area for a good angle. For my two recent prenup shoots , I have been lending my reflective umbrella. It helps, but a real umbrella should come in handy next time.

4. When asking the couple to pose for me, make the poses gradual from simple poses to more intimate ones. It will be easy to make them kiss when they’re already comfy. I didn’t commit the mistake of making them kiss right away, but I thought I should put this into writing and nail it into my head at the same time.

5. Having an assistant to carry your equipment/set up your gear/run errands/drive your car makes your job 90% easier. I had no assistant yesterday. I have been carrying all my gear almost the whole day. Now, my back terribly hurts.

There you go. Photos coming very soon

Thanks to the wifey One of the perks of having Cel tag along in...

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My Camera Chronicles

Vinz — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:03:36 +0000

Here’s a very nerdy post about my personal camera history. But I’m gonna blog about it anyway. You wouldn’t mind reading a blog post over a bland trip down memory lane, would ya?

It was just recently that I tried to recall my “camera body” memories. So just to put it on record, here’s a personal post about me and my cameras. Not a very ROCKIN* post but-

ANYWAY, first, there was this: A Canon AE-1 film camera. It was my dad’s though. He bought it when I was around 10 years old during one of his trips to Hong Kong. But I remember I was only able to shoot with it when I was 19 when it was already gathering dust in a forgotten corner of our house.

I was 14 when I first mentioned about taking photography as a hobby. Since the digital photography age hasn’t kicked in yet during that time, I was discouraged to pursue such an expensive hobby that required expensive equipment and photo developing expenses. I was a student then and I had no money.

I bought my very first compact digital camera with my meager savings while working abroad. I felt like I could go places with my beloved point-and-shoot camera. Sadly, the gagdet broke down twice and I never was able to get it repaired to this day.F

The first SLR at home was my father's Canon AE-1

I was 14 when I first mentioned to my parents about taking photography as a hobby…

Since the digital photography age hasn’t kicked in yet during that time, I was discouraged to pursue such an expensive hobby that required expensive equipment and photo developing expenses. I was a student then and I had no money. But because I loved taking pictures, I indulged myself in every opportunity I was given to shoot with our family compact film camera. I don’t remember what brands those compact cameras were but one- Kodak.

Hello Digital!

When the compact digital cameras began to invade the market, my parents got a Canon S30. It was so expensive then. It cost almost a thousand dollars! It was during this time when I tried to teach myself how to frame my shots using using the LCD, you know- Live View. Sad to say that our S30 had a short lifespan as its buttons easily wear out. Goodbye $1000.

Just when digicams invaded the market, we got a Canon S30.

I bought my very first digital camera with my meager savings while working abroad- a Canon A75. I felt like I could go places with my beloved point-and-shoot camera. I had a pretty great run with it but sadly, the gagdet broke down twice and I never was able to get it repaired to this day.

Canon A75. My first digital camera.

Now here’s a camera I very seriously considered buying but never got it anyway. Before I left work abroad and bound for home, I was contemplating on getting a Fujifilm Finepix hybrid camera. I didn’t get one though. Whatever reason held me back, I can’t remember.

Nah! I didn't get a Finepix. Almost did though.

About 5 years later, I felt that it was finally give in to photography. The Canon 400D was my initial choice but somewhere I got swayed into “The Dark Side”.

I got my first entry-level DSLR- A Nikon D40. I finally got to learn to get proper exposures, messing around with my camera settings, yadayadayada… it was a great li’l camera, it did the job, but no matter how wonderful it was, for my photography needs, somewhere down the road, I simply outgrew its limited features, sold it…

First cam baby! Nikon D40!

…and got myself a Nikon D80 which I use to this day.

What I ROCK* wit'

What could be next? I’m not sure yet. Since I’m going into portraits and, most importantly, events, i see myself keeping this as a backup camera in the future. Maybe a D90? or a D300 perhaps? We’ll see.

So there you have it. I got you reading this far, didn’t I?

Should you get a DSLR? Does using a DSLR camera guarantee better pictures? Sorry, but...
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Rockin* what?

Vinz — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:21:26 +0000

Mic test.. ahem! (clears throat)

Hi, my name is Vinz Matias and I’m a freelance photographer, graphic and website designer. I am so much into visual arts which I can trace back to my childhood when I used to draw on any piece of paper I can find. No, I didn’t vandalize on our house walls, but I did draw on some desks in college, hehehe… I also find myself more observant and engrossed with photographs and editorial layouts.

I also have been a teacher to various age and interest groups. I want to talk and I want to share.

That’s one reason why I’m putting up ROCKIN*PHOTOGRAPHER. This is going to be my photography and design journal with some personal blabber included. I hope to put more time taking photos, making designs and sharing them through this blog. I would also discuss some basics that you folks may find helpful. Additionally, I’ll also share some news, tips techniques and reviews related to photography, lighting, graphic design, and blogging.

I can’t wait to get this white page filled up!

Keep ROCKIN*

I also have been a teacher to various age and interest groups. I want to talk and I want to share.

I can’t wait to get this white page filled up!

Keep ROCKIN*

For newbie (noobie) photographers like me I’m starting a category in this blog called “For Starters”...
New lessons learned from my prenup shoot yesterday Before sharing the photos from my most recent engagement shoot,...
My Camera Chronicles Here’s a very nerdy post about my personal camera history....

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