Just finished Mr. Leo Castillo’s studio lighting workshop today and I’m reminded of the reason why I have always held him in high regard as a photographer and a mentor. He thought not the only the how but the why of photographic techniques in such down to earth and simple terms. I remember the first lighting workshop I took, though I did realize that studio lighting is not rocket science I still found putting together a three light set-up a very daunting task. And I don’t remember being thought the rational behind lighting ratios too. We were just given ratios to be implemented based on classic lighting setups. Sir Leo on the other hand did away with all that. He explained how light behaves, what to look out for in light and finally what were the functions of those different lights. He event went as far as the non-studio application of these lighting techniques. Thus it completely caught me by surprise that by the middle of the seminar, I was confidently putting together a 4 light set-up. And his openness to sharing his knowledge and answering our questions, as far fetch as they may be is also something I appreciate in him.

Needless to say, I had fun with the class but still find lighting a very challenging undertaking non-the-less. I also realized how comfortable I was in doing photography, something which quite honestly I haven’t felt in my current job/career. There was just such a sense of openness, joy and exhilaration in being behind that camera and being challenged creatively. A sign for a career change? Perhaps … but I don’t think I’d be able quit my current job for several important reasons but it is probably a sign for me to take my photography to a different level. I know I still have a lot to learn in terms of the art and the craft but now I could confidently say that it is a career I plan to pursue seriously. Perhaps go pro in the future? Yes, definitely. Though now I still have a lot to figure out such as what I want to focus on, travel, portraiture, landscape … sufficient to say I’m very much willing to try them all.

Right now I just feel the future so resplendent with possibilities and I’m extremely happy and feel overwhelmingly blessed.



COSPLAY PHOTOS

I feel like I'm doing a big disservice to those who watched this account due to cosplay. I've recently swiped my gallery clean of some photos, unfortunately I've cleared out the cosplay shots too. I just felt that the gallery was getting confusing and it was not a cohesive body of work.

So if you want to view the old cosplay shots they could be found here:
Chwibis Multiply Page

And let me refer you to the pages of , and for newer cosplay photography materials and other cospay related stuff from the chwibis.