Behind the Scene of The Marine 2:21 PM

Here is a short behind the scenes photos of The Marine. This picture was taken during the Otaku Fest 8 Cosplay Competition last February 21, 2015 at UP-Cebu, Cebu City.

Hope you like it.

Added more trees at the background to remove the empty white space.

Adjust Levels to add contrast and more details.

Add some smoke for effects.

More smoke.

Some more effects

Here's the final photo.

Miss Panglao Pageant 2014 Outdoor Photoshoot 7:47 PM

Photography: Hwan de Mendoza

Assistant Photogs: Herbert Aparici

Light Assist: Charlie II-Cempron Flores

Prod. Assist: Hershe Casocot

BTS Video: Jonas Carlo Fortich Casocot

Location: Alona Tropical Beach Resort, Panglao, Bohol

Hair and Make Up: Epeh Relampagos, Jonathan Ocat, Ramchie, Dahryl Espinosa and Ryan Sines

English Fella Educational Corporation TVC 11:49 PM

English Fella Educational Corporation – Fella 1 and Fella 2 are the largest, pioneering ESL and PIC-Sparta institutions in the Philippines. Fella 1 or the Semi-Sparta campus started its operation last 2006 while Fella 2 or the Sparta campus started its operation last 2008.

I'm so humbled that our team are choosen to produce their official TVC.

Shoot at Cebu, Philippines
Directed & Edited by: Hwan de Mendoza
DOP: Hwan de Mendoza
Camera Operators: John Casocot & James Casocot
Production Assist: Toshi Takahashi
Produced: English Fella Educational Corporation and ESL Video Studio-Cebu

Interview Video Sample 5:48 PM

Student's Video Interview for English Fella Educational Corporation

Directed by: Hwan de Mendoza
DOP: Hwan de Mendoza
Camera Operators: John Casocot & James Casocot
Edit: Hwan de Mendoza

Shot with Nikon D600 with Sigma 35mm f/1.4 and Nikon D7000 with Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8
Light source from the window.

Copyright © 2014. All rights reserved

[Please click HD for High Definition viewing]

Food Photography [Part 2] 11:51 PM

I mentioned earlier on my Facebook post about how crazy and challenging this photoshoot was.

I was asked to design and conceptualize the revision of Alona Topical Beach Resort’s Baybayon Restaurant Menu. And part of it is to do a photoshoot of their own dish.

I prepared two Speedlight flash in a shoot-thru umbrella and a white cardboard reflector as my light source. I don’t have my own camera so I have to rent from a friend every time I have a project like this. But unknowingly, the camera’s built-in flash and hot shoe are broken and there’s NO WAY to trigger my external flash remotely. Time is running and I don't have time to look for another equipment. I cant tell my client that my camera is broken and we have to delay the shoot coz I think it’ll be unprofessional.

So my first option is to use natural light, and second and most crazy thing is to try clicking the shutter button from one hand and the flash remote trigger button from another hand simultaneously. Luckily, the crazy option works this time. I set my shutter speed to 1/60 so I’d be able to (literally) sync my camera and flash manually. I know these are not the right way of doing it, but I have no choice this time but to do my ninja moves.

Here are some of the photos from this shoot. I like them, but that's coming from somebody who is just learning the ropes of photography. Experienced photographers especially those in food photography business might have a different view otherwise.


(click image to enlarge)

SINULOG 2014 10:40 PM

This was my first Sinulog experience as a photographer. I've been attending the Sinulog Festival for the past years but only as a spectator. In fact,  this time, I register myself for the Sinulog Photo Contest just to gain unlimited access during the grand mardi gras. I don't have any plan to submit any entry for the photo contest though. It was just for fun and passion. Digs?

Pit Señor!