Litratong Pinoy 3rd Anniversary with Mr. Nelson Villarica!

Happy 3rd Anniversary to us, Litratong Pinoy enthusiasts!!

Taong 2008, ika 3 ng buwang Abril nang ating ilathala ang pinakaunang tema ng L.P. “Ako ay BILOG” , naaalala pa po ba ninyo?  Makaraan ang ating ika- 145 na tema, narito tayo at nag seselbra ng ating 3rd Annivesary, Mabuhay po kayong lahat!  Maraming salamat sa patuloy na pagtangkilik sa ating munting samahan.

Dahil lahat po kayo ay espesyal sa aming 3 (team L.P.  Ronnie, Lino at Thess) syempre naman po ay marapat lamang na espesyal na panauhin ang aming  ipakilala sa inyo. Isa po siya sa mga kilalang propesyonal na potograpo , sa ngalan ng fashion o moda,  sa ating bansa. Tayo na at atin siyang kilalanin!

Please tell us something about yourself:

My name is Nelson Villarica. I’m a freelance professional photographer, official runway photographer of Philippine Fashion Week since 1997, resident photographic modelling instructor of Masters School for Models.

When did you first realize that photography was for you? Was it love at first shot?

During 6th grade, I started using Kodak 110 Instamatic camera with disposable flash bulbs at family gatherings. When the pictures were developed, some were good and some were bad, but, I find it very fulfilling taking photos, since then I became interested in taking photos.

Have you had any formal training?

It started as a hobby. I kept taking photos using the Kodak 110 Instamatic. And when I was in high school, my classmate would let me use their Minolta 135 SLR with 50 mm lens during class activities, and I guess I have a natural ” photographer’s eye ” that I became the official photographer of our section. I wanted to learn more about photography so I started playing with the lens opening and shutter speed of the camera. I had the film processed and contact prints were printed. I mainly developed my knowledge in photography the hard way by experimenting, just like trial and error. I also studied photography at Mount San Antonio College in San Dimas, California in the ’80′s. When my instructor looked at my photo projects, he told me that I have an eye for photography, he told me to transfer to his advance class using 4×5 view camera.

What kind of photography do you do? Do you always enjoy it?

I do fashion photography, editorial shoots, runway or ramp photography. I always love runway/ramp photography, it is very challenging especially during the film era. You mustn’t miss any clothes and the lights are very tricky.
I have also done magazines e.g. Preview, FHM, Candy, Good Housekeeping, Metro, Mega Magazines.

- Frederick Peralta for Philippine Fashion Week May 28, 2010. The models tableaux was near the finale, from total darkness came these models tableaux, stayed on for around 3 seconds. Most photographers thought that each model will walk the ramp, unfortunately, they did not. Considering the time element needed to meter the exposure for total darkness to the establishment of the models tableaux, it is very hard to grab this shot which only lasted 3 seconds on the runway. without looking at the rear view finder of the camera body to verify if the exposure is correct. No post processing done, jpeg came straight from the camera.(**note)

What are the pros and cons of being a photographer in the Philippines?

I think in the Philippines we have very good and talented photographers, but the work ethics here is quite different than in the Uniteds States. We are quite restricted when it comes to creativity in shoots, unlike in the USA.

Please share with us equipments that you use.

During the film era, I used Nikon slr, Mamiya 6×7 120 format with Rodenstock and Schneider lens, Leica m6 ttl with Leica Noctilux 50mm f1.0 & Leica summilux 75mm f1.4
Digital, Canon Slr body 1D MK2, Canon lens 28mm f1.8mm, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.4, 70-200mm f2.8, 300mm f2.8, 17-35mm f2.8, 28-70mm f2.8, Pocketwizard flex tt5, Canon 550ex speedlight.

Do you have any favorite lens/es to use?

My favorite are the Canon Prime lenses: 50mm, 85mm, 300mm, 28-70mm & 70-200mm

If you can choose from your photographs, what would be the top 3 and why?

Series shot in a wedding sometime around late April 2000, I was roaming around the aisle when I saw the kids. I grabbed my Canon D30 with Canon 300mm f/2.8 IS, nailed the shot in burst mode. All shots came sharp, no post production. You have to be fast to do grab shots, know your gear by heart, know your exposure with your soul. Try to read light.

Any words of wisdom you can share with Litratong Pinoy members?

Keep shooting, practice with film. Don’t be too techno buff.
Thank you!! – end

Taos pusong pasasalamat ng Litratong Pinoy.Com  sa iyo, Ginoong Nelson Villarica. Mabuhay ka!
**NOTE:  Photo shared by Mr. Nelson Villarica is original but to protect his work it was watermarked by admin.

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