INTERVIEW

With Gerico Canlapan
Professional Photographer
By Ven Junans Mayanan
B.A. Fine Arts Major in Advertising
University Of Santo Tomas

How long have you been in photography?

About 18 years ago, while I was on my third year college in
Lyceum of the Philippines a passion was born in my heart.

What motivated you to choose photography as profession?

I really love seeing photographs from the very beginning. Even when I was still a kid, I would be fascinated by some photographs on just every printed materials like books, periodicals, even if the newspaper was too old to read or some newspapers that ended up as wrapper for tinapa. Even old newspapers from our neighbor would attract me for as long as it has photos on them.
Actually, when I read newspapers, I only looked at the pictures especially those depicting human interests or sports.

Who were you’re influences?

My bother Nixon, he is a journalist. He also moonlights as newspaper or magazine designer. I used to have this 110-film camera. My first models were his family. I loved taking photos of his family, especially my niece and nephews in different poses. Even my brother would post for me and he should critique my work. I was living in his house when I was still studying until I found my first job. He would allow me to convert the bathroom into a dark room that is why it was too easy for us to see the printed materials so easily. He would always criticize my work and would always tell me if the angle or the lightning was correct. He had no prior knowledge in photography but I guess he has this hidden talent to see what is a good photograph. I believe that somehow he had inspired me in his own little ways. He had been very helpful and had always pushed me to master photography. He told me that photography was one of his frustrations.

Going Back to College, I met a great guy, my classmate in one of my minor subjects. His name is Eric Lizardo. He would always carry his Olympus Camera, geared with long lenses every time. Since I was very enthusiastic & kept on asking about photography, he told me to buy a camera and he’ll teach me everything.
Luckily, I have an Aunt working here is Saudi Arabia, I asked her to buy me a camera because I needed it in my MASS COMM subjects. After few weeks she sent me an SLR Camera, it was Konica TCX a plastic camera coupled with National (Panasonic) Flashgun.

Eric taught me ff:

1. How to load the film
2. How to focus
3. What is Depth of field ( diko naintindihan)

Then the rest is click… a history.

I owe him big! Eric really was a big inspiration. He did not just open my eyes to see beauty but the DOOR to many opportunities.
I also like Joseph Valenciano of Times Journal; He shoots life’s drama. All his Human-interest photographs and sports shots were, to me, amazing. This guy has an extra eye for beauty. I believe he puts his mind and heart in every photograph he takes.
Another great photographer for me is Jun De Leon. I guess every body knows him! I like his portraits, he is not afraid to cut or crop the heads of his models just to frame or compose them properly. When he shoots, he captures the soul of his models.
During that time, it was really hard for me; I did not have much references about photography. I could not even afford to buy photography books. I did not have Internet access too. I did not have the chance to attend any photography seminars. Everything in me, is “SARILING SIKAP,” but GOD IS SO GOOD. Now, I am teaching and giving seminars, sharing the little knowledge that I learned from all my mistakes & experiences.
Today, photography is not just a hobby; it is now my source of bread and butter. The beauty of it all is that I speak through my works. Everything in my work is about me.

What gears do you usually use when doing your photography job?

Every photographer worth his salts know that it defends upon the subject. I use my Canon 70-200 2.8 L lens or my Canon 100 mm 2.8 USM lens if I were to shoot Portrait or Fashion. I am a Canonian I have this Canon 1ds for almost five years now & this camera is really a workhorse. She’s still clicking. I love her.
I also love to bring with me my 24-105 lens. Very versatile lens. I will not leave home without this.
Actually I’ve finally got a new Canon 1ds Mark 3, I believe this is the right time to give my old hero a break!

If I shoot INDUSTRIAL Photography, wide-angle lens is always the best choice, again my favorite 24-105 will do the rest from close-up, portraits, landscapes shoots. No need for any other lenses!

I have all camera formats from medium format to large format but,
Five years ago, I introduced the DIGITAL photography here in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was a really hard transition for them. It’s indeed difficult to convince those art directors to go on digital because that time I was using the DIMAGE 7 of Minolta. It was the first 5-mega Pixel camera.

I really don’t have the patience to go back to film or transparencies. So I guess all my cameras and lenses here will be used for display!

Do you prefer to bring two or more lenses when shooting outdoors or focus on one lens?

I used to carry just one lens the Canon 28-200 USM 4.5-5.6 but I was not satisfied with its floating aperture. Now, if I go out for a shoot, I bring at least two lenses with me 24-105 & the 70 – 200. Even I found them heavy. It also needs more space on your camera bag. I still feel so secure bringing them with me all the time.

Why?

I firmly believe that for a photographer, going to a photography shoot is like a soldier going to a war. So, I always make it a point that I have the best tools with me. I also bring with me small gadgets, from simple masking tape to a sophisticated external hard rives. I always carry with me my number one apparatus -- SELF CONFIDENCE.

What gears do you consider essential when shooting?

I always shoot with my laptop attached to my camera, most especially if it is indoor shoots. I find it a bit difficult to shoot without a laptop.
I really don’t trust camera LCDs.
I always shoot RAW + jpegs at the same time. Jpegs for quick viewing & RAW for conversion on whatever format I like to have later on.

Do you create a plan first before shooting?

Precisely. That’s very important for me. Before I go to a commercial shoot, I always ask them to give me the layout in advanced be it still life, corporate or glamour photography.

If in case they don’t have any prepared layouts, it is a must for me to know the concept they want & be well aware of shoots purposes.
I would rather go to a BLIND DATE and not to a BLIND SHOOT!

Why?

At least you know how many assistants and production people you need to bring along and be able to calculate the time that you will need for a particular shoot, and the last but not the least, to quote them properly for the right charges.

If I have a location shoot the following day, I always make it a habit -- and make sure -- that all my lenses have been cleaned, camera sensor freed from dust, batteries properly charged, CF cards formatted, made sure that studio strobes are popping properly, light meter calibrated, and all the light stands & tripod screws tightened, before I go to bed.

What is the big difference between advertising photography and from other types of photography?

ADVERTISING PHOTOGRAPHY, you shoot according to what your clients need. All you have to do is to execute the job they want you to do properly.

Other types of photography like, photojournalism, sports, fashion, are a bit different. Here you need to have good reflexes and be armed with faster cameras and lenses.

Do you also shoot food photography?

I do lots of food photography here, for restaurant menus, food packaging and billboards and for more other media.

What things do you consider when shooting food?

It should always look fresh, healthy & appetizing. You really need to have a good food stylish (take note a chef is different from food stylist) it is just like shooting portrait. You must have a good make-up artist too.

What do you emphasize when shooting food?

It depends. If you are shooting a burger for example, you need to consider lots of things first. You should have freshly baked breads, the garnishing should look like it is newly picked from the garden. Always try to have appetizing feel or look.

In food photography I like to shoot 45-degree angle. So the viewer of your food shots will tend to think that they are looking at it from their dining table.

Why?

In Philippines, the style food photography is always selective focusing, blur the foreground and background and give emphasis on the main subject.
I found it easier and appealing. But, here in Saudi Arabia, they like to see their food looking oily with edge-to-edge sharpness. I found it too boring.

Do you sell your photographs?

Nop, I never sell my photographs, but soon, may be.

I got tones of stock photography from still life to travel.
My two-terabit hard drive is almost filled with images not to mention hundreds of DVDs & CDs.

How do you market your photographs? Describe your potential buyers.

People most especially here in Saudi like my travel photographs. They can access it on my website or see it through my exhibitions or from the calendars that I had published.

Saudi Arabia is multi-cultural country; people love to see different scenery, landscapes or travel photographs of different countries.
All my travel photographs are well-loved by them.

How do you describe your photography?

Oh this is tough!
Well for my PERSONAL photography works, people & friends said that my photographs are all screaming, crying for some reasons. It is not just an ordinary photo for them. According to them, they can see piece my soul
through my works and the ability to see my world for a brief moment.
That is true. My blood runs in the veins of my subjects.

My pictures are my way to expose and express some of my feelings and personal views of the world. You will find that some of them are quite objective though others may inspire some thought…

I also try not to stick to one style or theme and I hope to explore and evolve more and more in the future.

I like, by the way, shooting conceptual portraits and conceptual still life.
I love to manipulate photos too.
Photoshop helps me achieve the visions and dreams that I have in mind.
Those impossible things that I cannot do in photography and some things that cannot be done in real life, become a reality through my little knowledge in Photoshop.

As I always say, “ictures tell stories, let me tell your,” besides it is always a matter of LIGHT AND DEPTH.