The difficult part in be a photographer is to be on your toes and still walk a fine line.

The beauty of portrait photography  is the endless amount of learning from unique people. It breaks up the familiarity and adds with uncertainty. Professionally, you have to know your toys: lighting, positions, and len equipments.

Wednesday October 3, 2012, portait photography was those days. Lu, assistant program director at the First Presbyterian Church has hired me several times a year for event photography for their musical concerts. This time, I was asked to do a quick portait shooting. Thankfully, I had her help  a few time to hold the reflector as I used a one light system on Adam Brakel, an Organist from Florida. “I’m picky about my photography,” he said.

 

I like a good challenge. By the end, the results were truly honoring his personality which was a success. I asked randrom questions about his favorite color, why be an organ player, and about living in Florida. The journalism part of me helped me move into other transitions around the church. It also made him more confortable on the shoot.

Great to be on your toes and use every possible skilled you learned. Sometimes, the most useless tool in your bag will always give you a better alternative than your initial idea.

Good News! I got published for the first time in Ireland by the Donegal News. I was super excited as you can see. I went out for a jog and checked out one of the gas stations near our apartment in Letterkenny, Ireland. I took a picture of myself right away with my grin. 

The Ramelton Country Market is one of the characters in the documentary I am making with five other students. It was apparent the day we got to the market was the same day is our filming schedule. The most exciting part about photographing and filming was the rush and opportunity to capture people. 

Memorial Day Weekend kicked off with the Grand View Parade in Columbus, Ohio. I stayed over my roommate's parents house and was extremely welcome with amazing food and great smiles. Saturday, we sat on the curb and watched the parade. The only march that was worth seeing is the patriotic President Abe on a uni motor bike impressed me. 

In the afternoon, we traveled to the Asian Festival. I am working on a documentary on Asian Americans living on campus and got a chance to experience a festival with different variations of Asian cultures in one park. I met Kristel who is a host at one of the stages at the festival. The Indian costumes will full face paint was surprising. I was actually scared at one point, because of the performer was in character. 

Kristel later invited me to a Filipino Dinner meal. Something I haven't had in a long time. I tried to maintain my professional photojournalism ethics in not taking food, but I can't say no to a Filipino Mother. It doesn't happy that way. The culture is about sharing food no matter the staus of a person. It is not good to piss of an Asian Mom. 

Kristel,right, and her mother, center, live with her aunt and family at a one story house. Kristel is in transition in moving back to the Philippines. "I come back home to Columbus, Ohio to check on my mother," said Kristel.