Manila Bulletin Picture Perfect, October 5, 2010
By Yugel Losorata
When a song hits a poignant connection to a listener, then its composer has succeeded in his job to come up with an effective piece. This also holds true in photography. An image that attaches itself to a viewer can be counted as one that ticks. Photographers whose work consistently manages to get through some other people’s psyche have become luminaries.
Twenty-eight-year-old Melvin Castrence makes sure that the connection between his pictures and the stranger’s eyes is everpresent, otherwise there’s no point in making photography part of his routine. “The photograph must connect with the viewer in a way that the image plays with the imagination and interest of the person viewing it,” he relates.He offers a variety of photos – fashion, landscape, photojournalism, travel, portraiture, documentary, wedding, among others. But there is one thing common in them: they all get serious attention from those eyes that want to be touched.
Most of his shots make viewers feel good inside, whether it’s a beautiful landscape or a scene featuring kids smiling happily as they play. His mood, as a powerful indicator, brings him to a state where the objective is to deliver a visual representation of how he feels at a particular moment.
“The mood of the photographer is very important because it also gives the mood of the image. When I am in good mood, I would shoot landscapes or people who are emotionally up,” he declares. “I believe that the mood of the photographer is connected to what emotions his pictures would like to relay.”
When a song hits a poignant connection to a listener, then its composer has succeeded in his job to come up with an effective piece. This also holds true in photography. An image that attaches itself to a viewer can be counted as one that ticks. Photographers whose work consistently manages to get through some other people’s psyche have become luminaries.
Twenty-eight-year-old Melvin Castrence makes sure that the connection between his pictures and the stranger’s eyes is everpresent, otherwise there’s no point in making photography part of his routine. “The photograph must connect with the viewer in a way that the image plays with the imagination and interest of the person viewing it,” he relates.He offers a variety of photos – fashion, landscape, photojournalism, travel, portraiture, documentary, wedding, among others. But there is one thing common in them: they all get serious attention from those eyes that want to be touched.
Most of his shots make viewers feel good inside, whether it’s a beautiful landscape or a scene featuring kids smiling happily as they play. His mood, as a powerful indicator, brings him to a state where the objective is to deliver a visual representation of how he feels at a particular moment.
“The mood of the photographer is very important because it also gives the mood of the image. When I am in good mood, I would shoot landscapes or people who are emotionally up,” he declares. “I believe that the mood of the photographer is connected to what emotions his pictures would like to relay.”
Melvin, a computer systems administrator in a law firm, knew that photography would be his way to communicate to people at large when he purchased his first DSLR in July of 2007 – a Nikon D40 with 18-55mm kit lens to be more precise. It was much of a help when he was invited by his good friend Edwin Loyola (a highly recognized lensman) to join the Framed Shots (FS) Camera Club. Eventually he began placing in monthly photo contests among club members, as well as in the Photo World Cup of FPPF (Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation).
To be good in a certain field, like wedding for example, admiring the works of experts matters a lot. For him, it was a fruitful experience to tag along with those weddings handled by specialists like Chito Cleofas, Nelwin Uy, Dino Lara, among others. In his words, how they’re able to capture the raw emotions of people within a particular celebration of love and commitment posed as a challenge for him to win over.
Melvin, now an FS board member, proved his worth right away, winning the club’s Rookie of the Year award in 2008. That same year, he was one of the finalists in two separate competitions of FPPF's Photo World Cup: 12th place in the “Rain” category and 8th in “Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit” theme. It shows that when this Mapua Institute of Technology graduate is in high spirits, he produces stuff that is likely to get more appreciation.
He shares, “Photography for me is my way of seeing the world in a deeper way than just having to look at it. It is observing and finding something interesting out of an ordinary place and being able to capture it in an image that can connect with other people.”
Enjoyment is a must for photographers like Melvin. One songwriter noted that you can’t write when you are happy, and that’s why there are many sad songs out there. Melvin insists he’s able to create good photographs when in good mood. It’s his dedication, more than the gadget, that makes his output really shine. In the process, he takes criticisms constructively (especially when they’re coming from senior lensmen) for such make him better.
When an artist shuts his door to the real world, no connection happens. Melvin travels a lot, meets people, and does an act that truly connects – taking photographs.
To be good in a certain field, like wedding for example, admiring the works of experts matters a lot. For him, it was a fruitful experience to tag along with those weddings handled by specialists like Chito Cleofas, Nelwin Uy, Dino Lara, among others. In his words, how they’re able to capture the raw emotions of people within a particular celebration of love and commitment posed as a challenge for him to win over.
Melvin, now an FS board member, proved his worth right away, winning the club’s Rookie of the Year award in 2008. That same year, he was one of the finalists in two separate competitions of FPPF's Photo World Cup: 12th place in the “Rain” category and 8th in “Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit” theme. It shows that when this Mapua Institute of Technology graduate is in high spirits, he produces stuff that is likely to get more appreciation.
He shares, “Photography for me is my way of seeing the world in a deeper way than just having to look at it. It is observing and finding something interesting out of an ordinary place and being able to capture it in an image that can connect with other people.”
Enjoyment is a must for photographers like Melvin. One songwriter noted that you can’t write when you are happy, and that’s why there are many sad songs out there. Melvin insists he’s able to create good photographs when in good mood. It’s his dedication, more than the gadget, that makes his output really shine. In the process, he takes criticisms constructively (especially when they’re coming from senior lensmen) for such make him better.
When an artist shuts his door to the real world, no connection happens. Melvin travels a lot, meets people, and does an act that truly connects – taking photographs.