Camera Cart Rental thinks this is cool: Jo Liu's website

We thought you may want some inspiration. Check out the works of LA-based photographer Jo Liu. You can check the site by clicking the link below:

http://www.joliuphotography.com/

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CAMERA CART RENTAL INTERVIEW: LESTER LEDESMA

World Class

Singapore-based photographer-writer Lester Ledesma's on top of his game - doing the rounds around the world - trekking off to different parts of the globe, camera in hand. A vacation-filled life that we folks here at the mother land could only dream of! But before he was able to put the flag up at the top, a quality mark around his name, he did pass through a lot of hostile terrain. "A few old-timers actually didn't want me to get into the industry," shares Lester. "Others would simply not accept me as a professional and kept regarding me as just another amateur wannabe." And the industry was not merciful either. "Everyday you'll find yourself going head to head with outstanding photographers from Asia and the West. You fail to deliver the imagery, there will be dozens waiting to take your place." Lester could have just thrown the white towel but his love for adventure and photography made him push further. He dusted off the dire straits, walked more steps, and just carried on. "I stuck to what I was doing, trying to make great photography no matter what job I did."

You seem to be very busy. What have you been up to lately?

Well, just this weekend, I did a photography exhibit in conjunction with the Philippine independence day celebrations here in Singapore. Next weekend I'm flying off to do a shoot in Koh Samui, Thailand. Next month I'm doing an exhibition of my India photographs. This is for a project that I am doing with the India Tourism Board. Apart from that I'm also buy manning my post as the Singapore photo-editor of Ink Publishing, which basically this puts me in charge of quality control for a handful of international magazines.

So you are busy! How did things all started for you?

Back in 1995, I bought a camera during a vacation in the U.S. I loved taking shots of my trip back then that I burned my travel budget on film! Since then I haven't let the camera out of my hands.

How did you turn into a two-in-one: writer-slash-professional photographer?

In 1998, I got an assignment to do a story on cockfighting for Mabuhay Magazine. It was a writing gig, but I made great effort to shoot the story as well. I got myself access to a cockpit and shot it like crazy. In the end the editors liked my photography so much they used my pics, one of them as a double page lead photo. From then on it kinda snowballed and I started getting assignments on a regular basis.

What was the most challenging experience you've ever had when you were starting taking them photos?

Getting accepted as a notable photographer by the old guard. When I first started contributing to magazines, a few old-timers actually didn't want me to get into the industry. One guy even sent me a "friendly message" to stick to writing instead. Others wo uld simply not accept me as a professional and kept regarding me as just another amateur wannabe.
Ouch!
Well maybe I was. Nevertheless, I stuck to what I was doing, trying to make great photography no matter what job I did. I also kept my respect for the old-timers. Besides, it was their work that I studied. In the end, I suppose good work speaks fo r itself, and I got in. This experience has helped me a lot now that I am also a photo editor. Because of it, I try to look at the work of the new guys, and g ive them a break in the magazine industry whenever I feel th ey can do a job.

In behalf of everyone, thank you! Okay, can you name three of your favorite assignments and tell us why?

There's so many I'm afraid three won't be enough! There was this month-long backpacking tour that I did for SMART back in '05, which took me around the Philippines taking pictures with a cameraphone. They pretty much gave me the money and left me on my own for 4 weeks. That was one of the happiest months of my life. Then there was this two-week-long trip to Burma that I did for Fah Thai Magazine. This is probably the most ph otogenic country I've ever been to. Last month's India assignment was also memorable. I did Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir. The places that are so exotic I literally had visual nosebleeds everyday. Then there's the two months I spent documenting the lives of Elvis impersonators in Singapore. This was a personal project , but I later exhibited the photos at the Singapore Internati onal Photography Festival. And then there's also that time when I followed an ancient Khmer royal road from the Cambodian border all the way to Northeast Thailand by motorbike. This region is so not touristy that it was an adventure in all aspects.

And your fave click-away places?

India in Bhangra, Battura, Biryani and Bollywo od. Myanmar. I love this place. It's just so sad that they're presently under that ruthless regime. And in Italy. The lifestyle, the people, the food, and the history.

They all sound great! Can you describe the photography industry in Singapore?

Very competitive. Just about everyone who wants to go regional must stay here or in Hong Kong. Everyday you'll find yourself going head to head with outstanding photographers from Asia and the West. All this competition leads to a breakneck pace.

You fail to deliver the imagery, there will be dozens waiting to take your place.

So would you encourage Filipino photographers to try their luck abroad?

Yes. You'll never know how good you are unless you leave familiar territory and start competing on an international stage. Doing so just ups your level as a photographer, a businessman and a person, to greater heights. And that's because you simply need to be that good to survive. That means paying the rent and putting food on the table.

Any advantages and disadvantages of being a writer-photographer?

Being a writer-photographer lets me see a story from two angles. The visual and the literary. This often results in a deeper understanding of what's going on, and in the end this leads to more evocative imagery. On the financial side, it is much cheaper to send me on assignment than to send two guys out. And the writer-photographer gets paid twice.

Would you encourage photographers with writing talent to shoot and write? Or should they focus on one field?

Be the best you can be. Shoot, write, juggle, dance, do cartwheels. Learn all you can! It makes you a better person.

We want to be better persons! So what system are you shooting with?

I shoot with Canon equipment. I've grown up as a photographer with this system, and I understand it by heart. I also like some of the Sony cameras - the DSC-R1 and the Alpha 900. They're very well-designed workhorses.

When you're off to shoot a travel feature, what lenses and other
photography equipment do you bring with you?

A 19-35mm, 28-135mm, 75-300mm zooms, plus a 50mm. Flash units, radio trigger, tripod. and a backup body.

Aside from your camera, what's your favorite photo accessory?

My radio trigger on a portable flash. It helps me put the light right where I want it, with minimal fuss.

Let's say we gave you all the money in the world, what photography equipment would you add to your

roster?

I'd buy Cartier-Bresson's Leica. That's like finding the Holy Grail. Ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha! What's the most challenging thing about travel photography?

Getting beyond the postcard shot. To do that you'll need to understand the place, the people, the culture.

And what do you love about travel photography?

The travel, the adventure. Meeting new people, seeing things you've never seen before, doing things you've never done before.

Any advice for those who want to become a travel photographers?

You'll need to love traveling as much as you love photography. You'll need to be curious about the world around you. You'll need to be open to other views, customs and beliefs. You'll need to have that knack for getting that "sense of place" - what makes a place special, unique and interesting. It's never just about taking good photographs on location. It's about being able to give somebody a travel experience just by showing him your photograph.

We're packing our bags right now! Any advice for those who want to be professional photographers?

Love what you do. You don't become a pro because of the money. It's very competitive out there, especially these days with people using digital photography and the internet to learn faster. Know how to handle money. Make wise investments. Market yourself well. Find your vision early on. This is how people will remember your work. Vision to the photographer is what voice is to the singer. CC

Click on to this link for more about Lester Ledesma:
http://www.skylightimages.info/

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New in our Camera Equipment Rental List: Canon Speedlite 580EXII

Check our website: http://cameracart.multiply.com/

To begin with, why the heck should photographers bother with an external flash if there's already a pop-up that comes free with the camera? Well, because the built-in's very small and it's located very close to the cam's axis. These are actually the reasons why you have red-eyed and/or harshly lit subjects. And if the flash is too close to your subject, then they tend to be overexposed. Background tends to be too dark. And the harsh shadows are just too darn ugly. Tsk tsk tsk!

Why get the 580EX II? It's because this flash is the best one out there in the Canon market. Great flashes like this one, can swivel around, can be used with a radio trigger so you can easily make variations as to where you put your light source. Plus, there are a lot diffusers that you can prop up on it. Result: less flat and better images.

More Photography Power!
Okay, let's see. Compared to the 430EX, the 580EX II has more light power. This will come as an advantage especially when you are using diffusers or if you like bouncing light off walls or ceilings. And compared to the 580EX, the 580EXII recycles 20% faster.

Yes Master
We love the 580EX II because it can be used as a master to trigger remote Canon wireless slave flashes while the 430EX can only act as a slave flash. It's nice to remember that the Canon 580EX II, 580EX and 550EX Speedlites can act as slave masters.

Maxed Out
Like the 580EX, the 580EX II also owns a zoom-capable flash head. That means that the zoom setting can be set manually or automatically by the camera communicating with the flash. Ergo, less energy is wasted, and the battery life is maximized.

Rent the Canon Speedlite 580EX II for:
1 Day - P600

*Prices are at a per day basis.
*Includes battery charger and four (4) rechargeable AA batteries
*Includes one (1) lambency

Great to use with:
click to see other flash attachments

Ready to rent? Call up Camera Cart at 666-5774 (M-F 9AM to 7PM) or text us anytime at 0916-3967249. Look for Melvene.

New Camera Equipment Rental List: Canon Speedlite 430EX

Visit our site: http://cameracart.multiply.com/

For those who are just about to discover the wonders of flash photography - the possibilities presented by portable lighting setups - the 430EX is a good starting point.

Control Freak
The 430EX will give you a lot of control. Like the 580EX, the flash can be tilted and swiveled around so you can redirect the light to white walls and to reflectors. It also has a Manual Flash Mode with power you can adjust from full to 1/64. Plus, it's got a Flash Exposure Compensation which you can rejig in 1/3 stop increments.

Weigh Less
This one's a David definitely. The 430EX is a well, smaller and lighter, compared to the 580EX and 580EXII. But definitely, it is still a powerful flash which is nice to bring around when you're traveling or if you want to carry less weight. Long hours of event photography? You're good with the 430EX.

Excited for ETTL
Thank God for for the 430EX's ETTL flash metering! When you press the shutter button, the flash lets out a low power preflash which will help it decide the right exposure for firing. In normal situations, the evaluative meter function is used to measure the ambient light, therefore, balancing the flash and the ambient light - producing natural-looking pictures.

Rent the Canon Speedlite 430EX for:
1 Day - P300

*Prices are at a per day basis.
*Includes battery charger and four (4) rechargeable AA batteries
*Includes one (1) stofen

Great to use with:
click to see other flash attachments

Ready to rent? Call up Camera Cart at 666-5774 (M-F 9AM to 7PM) or text us anytime at 0916-3967249. Look for Melvene.