This has been the motto and the only criterion for any Filipino who wishes to join the Pinoygraphers in Singapore. This tag line pushes each member towards excellence regardless whether they consider themselves amateur or professional in their own chosen field of photography.
The Pinoygraphers@SG
Pinoygraphers@SG started its humble beginnings as a group composed of hobbyists and a few experienced photographers on APRIL 23, 2007. They were friends who enjoyed capturing moments with their digital camera as a past time.
They studied the basics of photography and learned to hone their individual skills by constant practice. Reinforced with exchanges of ideas, comments and constructive criticisms they discovered their inner potential and for the some – mastered the craft of digital photography.
The passion to learn digital photography and enjoy it as a hobby was contagious. It burns like wildfire in the hearts of its members. Wherever the Pinoygraphers@SG go, not only they would take photographs, but they also sow seeds of friendship, camaraderie, and good memories.
It is no wonder why Pinoygraphers@SG is one of the fastest and most active growing digital photography club in Singapore. From less than a dozen members since it started, it has multiplied its numbers with eager members. The Pinoygraphers@SG has eventually evolved into an organization known to many Filipino communities and organizations in Singapore. Moreover, it has also been recognized by the Philippine Embassy.
Today, you can find some Pinoygraphers@SG members originally based in Singapore who are now stationed in outher countries. You can find members in our very own country in the Philippines, in China, Australia, Hong Kong, US, and even in the desert dunes of Saudi Arabia. The Pinoygraphers@SG of Singapore has gone global.
Core Essence
What makes Pinoygraphers@SG click among newbies and advance amateurs?
The passion to learn digital photography is a given, but what made the group harmonious and cohesive is the deep respect towards individual creativity, taste and preference, healthy and constructive criticisms, sincere comments and praises, and more importantly the heartfelt support and help towards each other.
All newbies were given basic guidance on how and what camera or lens to buy, without prejudice to brand or category. Then they were encouraged to find a photo buddy whom they can grow with, and then join group meetings and outings.
Advance amateurs on the other hand, were given the freedom to explore their own styles in Photography. They were encouraged to experiment on some techniques and then share their knowledge to the group. Because of this the Pinoygraphers@SG learned concepts about HDR, Orton, Lomo, Infrared, Digital Art Photography and other techniques – styles that they never teach in photography classes.
Forum
The Forum is another factor why the Pinoygraphers@SG maintains that closeness regardless of location. FilSg (www.filsg.com) – a community portal in Singapore – adopted Pinoygraphers@SG by providing their own forum board. This has become the common avenue where its member can share their works and interact with each other.
The forum serves heavily as a learning ground for most of its members. Each individual could post their work, and ask for comments, suggestions on how to improve their pictures. Likewise, they could also discover tricks and techniques by learning from the works of other members.
Exhibits and Individual Achievements
The Pinoygraphers tested the waters of photo exhibits last March 2007. Working with another camera club based in Singapore, they conducted their first Photo Exhibition at Fort Canning Park. These works were also displayed for a month at the Office of the Philippine Embassy in Singapore.
Three months later on June of 2007, the Pinoygraphers conducted its first major solo Photo Exhibit at the Singapore Management University (SMU) in collaboration with the Annual Philippine Independence Day celebration. The exhibit was a big success and was even graced with the visit of the Philippine Ambassador Belen Anota and Consul General Ma. Lumen Isleta.
Pinoygraphers@sg as a group gathered many accolades and citations.
What is more significant is to learn that there are members of the group that has grown big and became famous on their own right. Two members namely Ally Laurente and Erik Estrada won first and second place respectively in the coveted 2007 PVi Photographer of Year contest. Several members has also won photography competitions nationwide including the Great Eastern – Life is Great Photo Competition, The Great Leica Reportage Challenge, Parrot Gallery 2008, Singapore Garden Festival 2008, SINGAPORE FLYER CONTEST 2008, Capturing Moments @ HortPark 2008 , Marina Bay Countdown 2007/2008, Nikon Bigwalk and other local photography contests. In June 2008, the group conducted its first ever Street Photography photo marathon. Attendance was excellent and the group all had fun despite the pouring rain.
The group has been the Official Photographer of the following organizations and events - Filipino Association of Singapore, First Asian Underwater hockey Invitational 2007, UPAAS organization, Philippine Embassy, SG@Street Festival 2008, Singapore Airshow 2008, PinoySunday Bikini Open 2008, True Faith concert, PBA Singapore Game 2008, and many more...
Overseas Assignments
Being based in Singapore has given the group the financial capability to travel within the region. This capability and the group’s passion for travel and photography have set the group apart from other typical photography groups.
In 2007, some of the motorsports lovers in the group went to Sepang, Malaysia to capture the action packed fever of Formula 1 racing. The group is now highly anticipating the first ever F1 night race in Singapore in late 2008.
In early 2008, 13 Pinoygraphers@SG members went to Cebu to cover the Sinulog Festival. They also had side trips to Taal Lake in Tagaytay and an exploration trip to Bohol. This is just the beginning of the group's overseas trip assignments. The group has then been to Batam, Indonesia and to Singapore's St. John's Island. In May 2008, 3 of the group's members went on a 10-day photography trip to Yunnan China. Also on the same month, the Pinoygraphers@SG were featured in a full page spread of the Manila Bulletin. In July 2008, 14 members will be heading to Siem Reap Cambodia on a 6-day photography tour. In October 2008, the group is planning to have a photography trip to Luzon, Philippines. More regional trips are planned to capture the beauty of ASIA.
Because of the nature of some of the member’s jobs, they have also been able to capture pictures from Europe, North America, Middle East, Australia and Asia. These are mostly un-official Pinoygraphers@SG assignments but these works have been shared with the group nevertheless-- thus further enhancing the group’s library of images.
Endless Learning Process
Pinoygraphers@sg strongly believes that photography is an endless learning process from Film to Digital, from PNS to DSLR cameras. To further develop our skills and techniques, we invited some photography experts for several workshops. These include:
- Stanley Lim, one of the well-known wedding photographers in Singapore
- Melvin Divas, a member of the group who is an expert in Fashion Photography
- Rey Mondez, a well-known photojournalism wedding photographer in the Philippines
- Ross Capili of One Workshop Group, a well known master photographer in the Philippines
- Jay Alonzo, a well-known photography instructor in the Philippines
- Parc Cruz, a well-known Digital Art photographer in the Philippines
- Richard Larrios, an award-winning landscapes photographer in the Philippines
Projects for the Future
The Pinoygraphers@sg is currently working on their first coffee book project. The challenges were great but the spirit to complete the project is undiminished. There is no question about it. Pinoygraphers@sg will release its coffee book, very soon. The latest project is the group's 2nd Photo Exhibit that will be held in conjunction with the Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 15, 2008. Members works relating to extreme photography will be showcased..
Closing
Pinoygraphers@SG is relatively a very young organization. One year is not sufficient yardstick to measure the success of the group. The feathers on their cap are still small and they know that up ahead, are the challenges that they need to conquer in order to enter the Big Leagues of Photography.
