By: Karen Santiago
Oftentimes, pictures speak louder than words – whether they’re taken by a DSLR camera or point and shoot one. All the pictures I have taken and the memories they bring make me say without effort that I love photography beyond measure.
My experience as a photographer, I must say, is a crazily cool rollercoaster ride.
It all started with a Minolta point and shoot camera and several 36-shots camera film (with a free photo album).
Ten years ago, I was assigned to cover the Kristiyanong Kabataan para sa Bayan (KKB) Summer Camp at Norzagaray, Bulacan. It’s funny to reminisce those moments that I had to do the photo coverage for this big event alone. Every shot must be well-planned, so that no film is wasted. Before this, I was awed by photographers with those big and bulky cameras, the ones with long lens. And so for the youth camp and succeeding other coverage, I prayed and asked God that someday, I would have something like that. I thought that I could take “magnificent” pictures by using those kinds of camera. To my mind, a high-end camera equals impacting shots.
Since then, I have covered several KKB events using my ever-reliable Minolta camera (actually it’s not mine, it’s our family camera). And then my dad was able to purchase a second-hand 3-megapixel digital point and shoot camera (quite bigger than the film camera). I was thrilled because with that, I now can take more pictures because the camera would allow me to delete shots that I don’t like and then shoot for better ones. Also, I would see right away how do the shots look like. I first used the camera last 2005 for the Jesus is Lord (JIL) Church’s East Sector Youth Camp. Since then, I was able to experiment with my shots. Honestly, I could attest that since the start of the digital era, photography has become a lot easier. I started to think that my shots should speak for themselves. My photograph’s viewers should be able to grasp the “real picture”. Of course, it was a challenge for me.
One of my shots during KKB East Sector Youth Camp, 2005
A few years later, our family was able to buy a brand new, 7-megapixel point and shoot camera. Again I became excited. I used it for the first time during the 2008 KKB Summit. I was happy because this was one of the first youth events that I worked with a team – unlike before that I did the coverage alone. However, I was intimidated because some of my teammates were using DSLR cameras. But in the end, I didn’t care. I said to God that I’ll do my best to shoot for His glory, to impart His message by the use of these pictures.
KKB Chairman Joel Villanueva speaking during KKB Wildfire Youth Summit
My love for food and travel also began. I was a writer before becoming a photographer. I thought of combining these two. I started writing again and taking snapshots as I go to different places. I realized that I can explore more and go beyond church photography (but please take note that I am not abandoning the latter; I’m just expanding my knowledge). Having the desire to learn more, I prayed to God that He will allow me to enroll in a photography class in His perfect time. But since I don’t have the means, I relied on my own experimentations in the meantime.
My shot using my point and shoot camera during my stay at Sydney, Australia.
Year 2010, God has blessed me with a better paying job. One of the things I first bought with my bonus (aside from a glass of Biggie Iced Tea and a wi-fi router), was a DSLR camera – my most dreamed photography tool. And yeah, it was not a family camera this time. I could call it my own. With the kit lens and at AUTO mode, I was all set to capture more pictures.
Whenever I post my shots at my Facebook account, some people would say that I should be using the Manual Mode. I was like, is there a need for that? I later realized that as a photographer, I should never stop learning. I prayed again to God that I need to enroll in a photography class or workshop – soon. Anyway, this camera has become my new companion in my food and travel blogging activities, and of course, during my church events photo coverage.
My shot at the Libingan ng mga Bayani during All Saints Day
One of my shots during our family visit to Hongkong Disneyland
A picture of one of the worship leaders last 2010 Youth Summit
During my trip to Singapore, a friend became my first mentor in basic photography. He was able to help me discover more about my camera. Good thing we own the same brand. I met aperture, shutter speed and ISO for the first time. As a gift (I suppose), he bought me a photography magazine before I went back to Manila. Since then, I refused to stop learning.
One of my night shots during my trip to Singapore
Earlier last year, I came to know a person who would make me love photography more than ever before. Through him, I was able to enroll in a 4-day photography workshop. I was able to take up outdoor, fashion and studio photography. It was like in a big library of knowledge, and I could take and absorb all! I realized then that I have plenty of areas to improve on and to learn as a photographer. Through him and another friend, I was able to join shooting for a wedding and meet some famous and important people. But to tell you, he also gave me the reason to fall in love again, beyond measure! God has blessed me with the man that I’ve been praying for. But then again, it’s another story.
Zham and I. Yihee! :D
At present, I am a proud member of JIL’s Creative Arts Network (CAN) Photography team, covering the church’s major events and capturing those precious moments all for God’s glory. I am still enjoying my travel and food blogging activities (and taking pictures of course). Also, I’m Zham’s assistant (yes, that’s his name) in his studio shoots. We are also shooting events and projects together. Truly, photography has become a huge blessing for me.
My shot of Sis. Edith Mendoza as she leads the delegates in worship last International Summit 2011 in Vancouver, Canada
Another shot of Sis. Edith leading the congregation last 2012 New Year Service at Crowne Plaza in Ortigas
A shot of Chris Tiu during a gift giving event by Athletes and Action and iCare during the 2011 Christmas season
(one of my first event coverage with Zham)
After these 10 long years, I believe that the heart of a photographer lies within me. I also believe that even if you have the highest-end of cameras, lenses, and accessories, but you don’t have the “eye and heart”, your pictures have no impact. It will also be better if you love God more than photography. By this, I could say that we can worship God through photography. Our pictures, taken in various instances, whether during an outdoor getaway or inside a church event, can display God’s awesome power that can impact and touch anyone who will see them. I want and will always glorify God – through the lens, through the shutter.
(picture taken by Bro. Obhet Cristobal of JIL Singapore last JIL 33rd Anniversary)