Manuel "Manny" Librodo Jr.Aka manny
Member Since: 2004-04-01 Camera: nikon coolpix 4500, Nikon D70, Nikon D200
Note: Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer(10990)
manny is a favorite of 619 members. Viewed: 33350 Favorites: 26 members [view photos] [read critiques] · 32 photos
He considered himself still as an amateur photographer. But his passion for the art transcends the word amateur.
We have been amazed by how he presented his subjects. We are basking in the depths of emotions that his photographs conveyed and awed in the stories that each one tells.
He is a well known international artist in Photography. Admired and sought after in different countries for his lectures and seminars and for the very talent that he has.
He is a well established name in the field of Photography. A well loved and respected Trekker.
How did you start in Photography?
As a "model”, as I get older, I started hiding behind the camera. (Seriously) I think it started with an appreciation of anything beautiful. I can get lost looking at beautiful pictures. I attempted to create them myself (five years ago) and the rest is history, so to speak. Now, I can't stop myself from freezing the hands of time with that one single shot.
At this point of your career, do you now consider yourself as a Professional Photographer?
Not really. I do get some renumerations from my workshops and some published works but I still have my fulltime job that provides me the dough. Skill-wise, .I definitely have a lot of things to learn.
Why and how did you become a member of TL? I see that you are a member of TrekEarth first before TL.
TrekLens is an offshoot of TrekEarth. I started with the latter. Since it is a sight that caters mostly to travel pictures, I always got some flak whenever I post pictures of people I now. Sometimes I had to "invent" a story to make my picture more acceptable to the community. Treklens is my "world". It basically got me to start taking experimental portraits of my students in school. And since I did it in school I had to crop very tight to exclude unnecessary details.
What was the most unforgettable lesson you have learned from TL and from who? Or a critique for that matter.
The sharpening method that was shared by Luko. It took my photography to a higher level. Also the glamour look in portraits shared by zto. They are very dear people to me.
Browsing your TL Photos, showed an experiment on different subject. How did this point you to the direction of Portraiture where your posts are a majority of?
I had always been a people person. I love to watch people. I love to teach people. I love to love people. If ever I experiment with other subjects, I probably am just honing my skills when it's time to point my camera on people.
Is there any subject that you wouldn't want to shoot? or be hesitant to do so?
No. Everyone has his own story to tell. If I can get physically close to them to take the shot, I must do it. But if it isn't possible, I always have my telephoto lens as a weapon.
Seeing your first photo posted in TL, was the "Wanna Buy Flowers", showing your good skills in Post-processing, do you know by that time that you will go far?
My post-processing there was awful! Very unreal! It was a point-and-shoot camera. I wanted the subject to pop out from the background so I experimented with Photoshop to do so. When I upgraded to a Nikon D70, I have to do less Photoshop. No, I never thought I would get to this level (where people would pay me to share my Photoshop workflow). I continue to learn (from my workshop participants).
Do you have any special preparations before you start your post processing? How about your personal mood, does it affect your post processing?
A full stomach and good music. Once I get started, I forget about eating. Good/appropriate music translates to the mood I want to convey in my pictures. I should be psyche to get myself into that mood too.
Do you envision your final image before you even capture the image? Or do you just go with the flow and express yourself along the way?
I am a very spontaneous person. I don't have set expectations. I go with the flow and create concepts as I go along the way. My final image sometimes takes its form while I am in the middle of post-processing. Some of them are borne out of accidental mistakes in Photoshop.
Any words of encouragement to all who wants to start in Photography?
Shoot with your heart, not with your head.
Manuel "Manny" Librodo Jr.http://www.pbase.com/manny_librodo
"A portrait is a landscape of emotions."
