Taming Light

Taming Light

4-day session, 2^nd session on location at breakwater, ccp complex, weather-allowing.

Course Description: Taming Light is the 3^rd installment of The Paul Yan Experience photography workshops, which follows “Introduction to photography as a serious hobby”, and, “The creative side of photography for the serious hobbyist”, and precedes the 4^th installment, “The artistic side of photography for the serious hobbyist”. Taming Light exerts emphasis on grasping the basic nuances of light which for the most part goes unnoticed except to the keenest observer. Light, regardless of source, will have color attributes, direction, brightness and intensity. Its color attributes will affect the photographic subject; its direction creating the shadows; and its intensity providing the overall mood. Photography is all about light. The hobbyist who can tame the light will definitely be one step closer to mastering the photographic medium.

What to expect? Participants will learn about exposure values, and how this knowledge will guide them to choose exposures other than what has been recommended by the camera. Participants will also be exposed to ambient light metering which is significantly different from the reflective light metering method they have been accustomed to. Controlling on-board and dedicated external flash units, as well as studio strobes will take up the balance of the final session.

Participants are expected to bring a spot-metering capable DSLR, a handheld light or flash meter, infrared or radio triggers, and possibly a flash slave unit. Participants will have preferably taken one or both of the previous Paul Yan Experience modules, but this is not mandatory. However, they should have a substantial understanding of the photographic process.

All lighting equipment provided by D'24K Foto, as part of its sponsorship program exclusively for The Paul Yan Experience workshop series.

Designed and prepared by Paul Yan

for exclusive use of The Paul Yan Experience Team

all rights reserved, 2010.

perceptions and images

Philippine photography's Anthony Bourdain

I feel very strongly about being unique, one of a kind. I believe that what I do, I do it in my unique way, and unlike any other. However, more and more people have told me that the way I write reminds them about Tony Bourdain. This comparison I truly find flattering.

Tony, for those who are not familiar with him, will associate him with food alone. In much the same way that those who have only heard of me will associate me strictly with photography. Those who follow Tony will easily realise that food is only the handle, but the entire package has more to do with his insights into the extraordinary life of seemingly ordinary mortals. Those who have had the opportunity to interact with me, both in the virtual world and in the real world, will also realise that photography is also only my handle, but the complete package has more to do with living, in the quality we want, with the resources that we have been afforded. It is never about how expensive something is, but rather it is about how much enjoyment and fulfillment we derive from what is in front of us.

Lilybeth, who sees my poster virtually everyday, has been bugging me to change my very formal “coat and tie” portrait to something she thinks resembles my persona more closely. So, just yesterday, we finally had a photo session and this is what came out of it.

I think it is a look that Tony might approve of.

Jesus Paul C. Yan

for The Paul Yan Chronicles

photo credits:

Photography      LilyBeth T. Orencia

Styling               Lesley Tiu of Shuji Kida Salon

Lighting Design  Paul Yan

Cigar                Cohiba Edicion Limitada, 2003, Torpedo

Jacket               Banana Republic, Aviator, Distressed;

                         from the private collection of Dr. Aris Dungo

Eyewear            Photocromic lenses provided by Spider

Lights                Provided by D' 24K Foto

prestige cruises, and the united arab emirates

I just got a call from Prestige Cruises, that our long-awaited charter ship is finally ready.  That is perhaps the most anticipated news which everyone, especially Peter & Tess, has been waiting for!

I haven't seen the new boat yet, but I heard it is virtually double the size of the old one!  this is both good and bad.  good, as we have more room to move around, but bad, as we cannot afford to charter the whole vessel anymore.  hahaha.  How big?  the seating capacity is now 250 persons.  I cannot see myself booking and coaching that many in a single cruise...

As for the United Arab Emirates, they are now in fourth place, as browsers of this page, by country.  I guess this is due in large part to the huge Filipino community there.  Anyways, to whoever reads this from that part of the Middle East, "Padala Naman Kayo ng Cuban Cigar!"  hahaha.   The UAE has one of the widest selections of good cigars anywhere in the world, which is why I cannot fathom why I still haven't received any for this christmas!  my mailing address is....   :)

And speaking of cigars, my cigar mule who works in Dubai and is supposed to be carrying another set of Robustos for me, has brought cigarillos instead; wala raw mabiling malaking size sa Dubai.  hahaha.  last year, my stash of cubans were supposedly intercepted at Changi Airport, along with a bag of vitamins, medicines, & health supplements.  what do you guys in Dubai think??

now, go dislodge the USA from 3rd place...


written by a "smokeless" Jesus Paul C. Yan
for The Paul Yan Chronicles