Amateur, professional and hobbyist photographers from all over Mindanao gathered in room F213 of the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) for the Hulagway 2016, a whole day portrait photography seminar workshop last Jan. 17.
The Ateneo Photographers Society (APS), the photography club of AdDU, organized the event bringing two renowned photographers to talk about the styles and trends in portrait and studio photography.
Around 70 participants listened to the lecture of Brian Dexter Medija, a Davao based studio photographer and Jojie Alcantara, a well-known writer and photojournalist.
“All participants were receptive of my lecture, they really listened because the outputs during the workshop were wonderful,” Alcantara told Atenews.
“During my time, I learned on my own. So it was hard to have no mentor or no group to be with for you to be inspired,” she shared.
“But you have each other, you can learn from another. I wish you luck and I wish some of you would shine in photography in the future. I’m really hoping to have another workshop with the group,” Alcantara said.
Moreover, Johann Niño Mari Abi-abi, a participant from General Santos City said aside from the seminar workshop fee was affordable, he really learned a lot of new things from the speakers.
“I am doing portrait photography for a long time now and I am looking for other perspectives from other photographers,” Abi-abi said in mixed English and Filipino.
He said that traveling from Gensan to Davao was all worth it because he was able to get to know the style and lighting especially in the beauty and fashion shoot talk of Medija.
In addition, Paolo Rosello, a participant and an APS member said he learned how one could easily take a good photo with proper lighting and how one factor can easily make or break the shot.
On the other hand, Rexor Amancio, APS president said he is really happy and thankful that the event was successful.
“When we heard the positive feedback from the participants, all the hard work and effort paid off. So I thank the officers, members and the sponsors who helped us in pushing the event,” he said.
The APS president added that Hulagway 2016 was more than a seminar-workshop but it is about building relationship with the people having the same interest.
“I think the most important thing is when you create a community, a community of photographers who are inspired. I think that is the meaning and essence of the Ateneo Photographers society,” Amancio ended.