Relentless, Forward, Progress Exhibit by Xander Angeles Shot With Samsung NX500

I forget things so this was in my drafts for a few days and just got published today. But that's no reason to not tell you about the event that happened in SM Aura Premier when we went there for "Relentless, Forward, Progress" the exhibit put up by my Sensei Xander Angeles. He's one of the masters in fashion photography and yes, I have attended his workshops a long time, long story. Anyway, this man from New York when I met him was a little big (like me on some edges). He's changed a lot and I think it's that journey that inspired him to do this exhibit and use the one and only Samsung NX500.

My Sensei has been in the industry for years, and with the things he's done, he was still able to do something for himself, change his lifestyle and make a better version of himself. He's continued to inspire tons of photographers, including me and he's never stopped doing that til now. He's also an entrepreneur and goes the mile to provide healthy comfort food in Runner's Kitchen. Now, he's changed gears to prove that the Samsung NX500 is worthy of his work too, even bearing more as his subjects seem to have gone the same athletic lineage he's living. With names like Glaiza De Castro, Solenn Heussaff, Kim Atienza, Matteo Guidicelli, Pia Cayetano and a ton of other triathletes in the mix, it proves that never giving up on a goal would really be something that would be good immortalized on photos. You can see their passion, their relentless pursuit of improving themselves, their industry and their community. A meaningful cause that would inspire countless more generations of Filipinos to come.

As we mentioned, these are all shot using the Samsung NX500 which I was able to also explore that evening. It was good in videos, I also saw some good photos, I couldn't tell if it's super good or not because of the length of time we had been able to use it but I think my camera's better ha (if it weren't 28.2MP)! Although, for something that small, I think the whole form factor, and the ability of it to be at par with the work that masters actually do, I think the Samsung NX500 is worth it. I hope I can get to use one for a longer time because I might change my mind. The technology that it presents though is superb. You can set it to automatically shoot when an object specifically passes a mark which would be good for sports or high shutter needs. I have my reservations for low light photos, but the video quality that time looks very promising. At 28.2 MP, it's a monster in that mirror-less compact camera department.

At around Php 40,000 this would be a steal compared to those from other brands that cost around 60+ with these specs. It's worthy to buy, but really, a camera is still a camera and remember, it's not the pana, it's the indian!

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Restaurant review: Runner's Kitchen in Tomas Morato

Facade of Runner's Kitchen

I like being in Quezon City. One of the perks of living here is that you never could stop discovering places to have an adventure, to wine or dine. On the day we had an abrupt food crawl in the Quezon City - Tomas Morato area, my Sensei and New York famed Fashion Photographer Xander Angeles saw me posting food shots on Instagram - and invited us over their new restaurant named Runners Kitchen. It's located at the creek side, on a building beside the bridge in Tomas Morato. It's in between Kamuning Road and E. Rodriguez Avenue. This place spurred from the ideas and plans of running enthusiasts (all members of Run365PH) Xander Angeles, Abby Asistio, Glaiza De Castro, Bianca King, and several partners. These guys run together, Originally, the plan was to have a food truck - but they ran into trouble with permit requirements from individual cities where they wanted to have food to be sold. So the next option was settle in one city (which they find more practical too!), and put up a restaurant here. They are opening this place officially in March. Athletes, runners, bike enthusiasts can enjoy healthy, some gluten free, well balanced meals in this place. 

The Interiors

The moment I stepped in, I meticulously looked at the restaurant's interiors. I asked who did it and they laughed a bit because I was talking to him already. My Sensei Xander has what you can say... aesthetic, much of an artist. Knowing him for quite a number of years, the design sort of made sense to me. He used raw looking wood for the bar, and continued on to the beams on the ceiling to cut off the bare white wall. He also installed desk lamps on a series and got that over the non seating bar (as they're not serving cocktails) but I could see they're making really good cups of coffee and serve a pretty good selection of wines, a choice of good beers, that fervently follow their restaurants theme.

It's like after office hours. When executives sit down and roll up their sleeves, go out and ride their bikes or run on a weekend. Then hang them up so they could recharge, refuel, grab something healthy so they won't be piling up the calories they lost during the sport.

They have ample amount of lighting, no place to actually get blinded or be bothered. It's cozy, a place where you could bring your book - to curl up and sit on a table. Order a cup of coffee and travel through thousands of places virtually. The whimsy, are those light fixtures that mimic flashlights and a real deal working Fixie bike on the wall. Aside from that, the table lamps on the bar, the small wood panels, the writings on the wall, in some way can be a conversation piece.

You get assured, reading inspirational treatments like these in one part of the room. I think it's just a start and they might get more in the other blank walls, though less is more. 

The place could properly seat around 50-70 people, and could probably use the outside areas for that too. They have ample amount of parking, guarded by the building. As for acoustics, that might be a little thing to improve on because you can probably hear everyone else's conversation (but please don't!) since the walls are bare (not padded as with other normal restaurants) with paint. People who usually hang here though are civilized, so if you're a little rowdy, please be nice when you're staying for a while.

The place isn't cramped. They did a good job inserting mirrors on these wall treatments so you get the illusion of a more open space rather than "just a wall". The shelves all have the wines they have available in the restaurant but I'm sure they have these chilled somewhere in the kitchen/commissary. They make everything here including the preparations, so you wouldn't complain a single day about freshness of the produce they use for the food they serve. Our salad was green, no damage, no wilting, no bruises whatsover. I'll tell you about that later.  

I guess my Sensei Xander Angeles and his partners did a pretty good job with this place. I can only imagine how it might have looked before they moved in. This probably took countless months, no, years of preparation. If all the passionate people in the Philippines made their work like this, it'll be bad a$$. See how they got it done here?

Seeing the Edge of Light: Behind the Scenes

Fashion Photography in the Philippines has evolved through the years. It doesn't just fall on concept alone these days; and you need to know what it takes to make your shots "above and beyond" of how you imagine it. You've gotta listen to those who are in the business and make your dream come alive. Somehow, I thought it was impossible in the Philippines but Masters Xander Angeles and Niko Villegas of Team Edge of Light proved me wrong.

I was able to attend their workshop a couple of years ago and I must say; it spelled the difference of identifying what my passion was. Fashion Photography was something I thought I was good at, but these guys at Edge of Light was just SICK!

As if there weren't too much Masters that afternoon, Lito Sy even dropped by! That was my first time seeing him. On the right (in Pink) is Niko Villegas who recently topped Mega Fashion Crew.

I just visited their workshop a couple of weeks ago for Fashion Photography and I immediately noticed how directly they were dealing with the budding photographers that afternoon. It was just like the time I was able to attend their workshop. They didn't stop at just theoretically teaching me what the whole business behind a photo shoot consists of. They make you do the legwork of actually shooting the model. You device a way to do the lighting and setup what you need together with world class models, make up artists and crew.

The equipment they have in house are also at par with the world's best. Some are also Phottix gears and caters to mostly any brand of camera. They've also got Lowerpro bags/other gears around for those who would want to get it for a couple of percent (20%-40%) off. Best of all, Sensei Xander and Boss Niko are Nikon Ambassadors. I love how some of their lenses feel on my cam, you can borrow stuff while at the workshop. Try out the lenses if you feel like it.

The set that day was futuristic, made of wood, tarp and fiberglass. Hair and Make Up was by Ms. Dionne Co; which I must say was equally awesome! She did a great job interpreting the concept and look for the model. Stylist Ashley Cayuca is unquestionably lethal; she's done prodigious stuff for local brands and this shoot was no exception.

These guys taught me more than just taking a great photo, they made me realize the need to learn how to think differently and deconstruct things so you know where your kind photography would go. I'm so blessed that I got the chance to attend their workshops. These guys shoot in New York for crying out loud; if that ain't enough reason to run after what  they offer at Edge of Light I don't know what will. I didn't shoot with the actual gear that they had on studio that afternoon but I've got some of my shots turn out great. Just imagine how it would be if I got to shoot there.

This shot I sniped only had one light on it. Now just imagine how you would experiment with about 6 or 7 more light sources, wind, other stuff and make your photo phenomenal. I suggest you do the next best thing and call Haikka for their next workshop schedules. I'm telling you it would really do wonders for your photography!

For Inquiries and Reservations

Call Edge of Light at
Tel. No. (63) 2 3832209
And look for Haikka
Or Email edgeoflightinc@yahoo.com