Between the Lines (Photo by Alex Constantino)

The good word about this column must really be going around. So many new readers have been sending in their images and stories. The first quarter of 2009 is not yet over but our inbox has already received more e-mails than in the past year’s first six months. Thank you everyone.

And now to our readers.

Alex DC Constantino writes that he learned the basics of photography from two friends who cover events, Leo Avendanio (nowhereboy.multiply.com) and Michael Salvacion (kelvince.multiply.com). He acquired a DSLR at the start of 2008 and joined the BULLET photo club

(bulacanphotography.multiply.com) by the end of the year. “The good thing about joining a camera club is you’ll be able to learn from them and you can share your work as well,” he says. Alex shares that he is so into black-and-white photography, even as he shoots some in color, too. He also tries to limit post-process editing to merely adjusting the saturation, brightness, and contrast of the image. More of Alex’s images may be viewed at alexmustfly.multiply.com.

From Bulacan, San Beda Law graduate Arbin Omar Cariño shares: “Through the busy and stressful schedule of the legal world, I find time to relax by engaging in my most-loved past time – photography.” His passion for photography, Arbin says, began last year upon reading in a magazine “To live life to the fullest, take hundreds of photos.” He discloses, “I pondered on this thought for quite a while and after some time, I realized the truth in it.” The camera, he believes, “is an important tool to capture the beauty and splendor of life.” Arbin maintains the sites www.flickr.com/photos/arbinomar and www.arbinomar.multiply.com for sharing his images with others.

Heinz Reimann Orais, a web account specialist at UBE Media writes:  “I got into photography last 2007 when my boss assigned me to take pictures of one of our events and she loved the photos.” From then on, he hasn’t stopped shooting. Heinz shares that he does portrait photography, golf, and some photojournalism. Readers may see more of Heinz’s work at www.heinzkiboiskie.multiply.com.
Student Lean George Barrios says that he may be able to afford a better camera when he finishes his studies and gets a job next year. Meanwhile, he is using a cell phone camera to capture the images he shares with us today.

When Ma. Louila Caparoso’s newly bought digicam was stolen, her passion for photography was born. Instead of giving up, she focused on working to save up for another camera. This time, she purchased a DSLR. As a hobbyist, Maluwee shoots to express what she sees. Recognition, she believes will just follow. See more of her photos at www.flickr.com/photos/maluwee.

Veterinarian Ronald Ruel M. Joves of Urdaneta City, Pangasinan writes that he spends most of the week in a farm with a couple of thousand chickens. To kill his boredom, he shoots pictures of almost anything. But he also shares that he particularly likes “taking pictures that involve water.” Ronald prefers to use the manual mode in his point-and-shoot camera. This, he says, allows him to take photos the way  his eyes see it.

Mapua Architecture graduate Yosef Maru Pablo began taking photos during his senior year in high school. He joined the newly-formed photo club of Don Bosco Makati and there he learned the basics.

However, he writes that he became too preoccupied with the academic load in college that he stopped shooting for a while. “I started shooting again during my 4th year in college.  When my sister influenced me to join Lomomanila and to try Lomography.” Yosef shares that he only uses film cameras. He explains: “I’m really a big fan of analog photography, not that I’m against digital photography. It’s just that I’m a purist when it comes to photography which is why up to now it’s all film for me.” See more of Yosef’s images at http://drummermaruch.multiply.com.

 For comments, suggestions or just to share an idea or image, email  rfyparedes@yahoo.com