Visual Stories | Seaside Sunset Walks

It’s been almost two years since I’ve been wanting to go back, and do a proper photo walk along the Seaside Boulevard in the SM by the Bay (formerly San Miguel by the Bay) since the first time going there in the early mornings more than twelve years ago that I’ve been hoping to replicate, but with this time at the peak of sunset. It was not the best time though I was there and went with it. The past three years have been quite a lull and, it was unpredictable how every day would wind down as usual during the height of the pandemic times everyone was spending their isolated life, not seeing much of the sunset or even hearing the crush of the strong waves it the giant rocks that protect the side walls of the seaside boulevard.

Behind the Lens | Art, Toys & Photography

In so many ways you can say Art, Toys, and Photography intersect to create a new content that is redefined by its perspective.I’ve been into it for so long that it has become a secondhand that the only thing I’m running out is ideas. But sometimes I find these ideas in the small things whereas a random discussion or a random thought that suddenly pops up. This is where things get challenging and at the samtime interesting. I don’t prepare for the setup comes to me by something that triggers that idea. Just like the tail end of an art event I attended last night, which sparked an idea from a conversation was something just happened.

LEGO® Into Orbit | Small Car Ride

When you can’t have new LEGO sets you just go back to the old ones that is in need to be pulled out of its mothballs. Going back to 2014 a friend from the US hooked me up with the set that was actually an in-store promotional build for The LEGO Movie and that was Emmet’s car, which was actually an existing set from 2009 that was slightly modified that I had pulled out from storage this morning. It’s one of those last minute things that kept me from leaving the house this early. I rebuilt it from its default aesthetics based from the LEGO City transportation sub-theme, which was the Small Car (3177) that had minor changes to the colors and some parts for today’s outdoor toy shoot...

Behind the Lens | Space Cowboy Saturday

“Space Cowboy Saturday” is a once a week photo activity on Instagram that you’ll find being used as a hashtag. When you view this there’s a plethora of interpretation what the words meant. When I heard of the word “Space Cowboy” it immediately referred me to the Japanese anime hit series Cowboy Bebop from the late 1990s that featured Spike Spiegel as the aforementioned guy being called with such name. But the term was used heavily as a hashtag for the day namely a Saturday activity going back to 2017. At that time my interest in LEGO photography was basic random of what set or build I have with me until I got rekindled into the interest for anything LEGO space-related named the Classic theme.

Behind the Lens | A Moment in Space

Sometimes the best laid plans don’t actually work when you’re not prepared for the task at hand. Spending almost half of the day looking for the crucial piece as part of the prop and set up is like looking for a needle in a haystack. The idea was there but the execution was a fail in so many way in finding that important device. Indoor Photography set ups are no longer my forte and yet it got me interested again. There’s this month-long contest by Brick Central called “Shot at Home” where you put your LEGO Minifigure in these places, but the challenge there was the use of home-based items that seemed quite the interest that there have been some of the best well-made set up that was quite inviting and at the same time enticing not to ignore.

Behind the Lens | Starry Stargirl Nights

It’s been a while since I did focus on putting together a mini-project that has something to do with Toy Photography as most of the time I spent using most of the composition for content use as part of a review article or reinventing the concept as an improvisation challenge personally to myself in my usual content for social media. I’ve been out of the game for far too long just taking it lightly. But recently I also haven’t done anything that needs setting up indoors to put together. Honestly, I have enough backlogs to write about some for content though this time it’s just something I want to do differently than a conventional run-in-the-mill outdoor composition that has become a routine. Also, I got to acquire some of the most recent LEGO Minifigures that includes DC’s Stargirl from that series.

Toy Photo Stories | Playground Splurge

Early this morning on the usual errand in-between the trip to buy lunch at the nearest store I’ve added the routine to put in a cardio by walking since this is the only time I can break a sweat. There have been changes since the pandemic of being cautious to what we do whenever we take ourselves going outdoors as the reason for priorities than an excuse for leisure. This does not apply to other countries that don’t have higher rates of cases and deaths. But the Philippines having more cases in the ASEAN region reported this past week it is not an easy task for every Filipino to take that discipline. When you pass through the places that use to be lively with people like the parks and playgrounds it looks glum now while charter my way to this area...

Visual Narratives | The Return of G.I. Joe!

02.28.2020 - Prior to the leaks revealing the latest G.I. Joe Classified series of six inch action figures there have been rumblings about the brands return. It has been almost seven years since the last live-action movie “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” came out in the big screen in March 2013 and of course a plethora of 4-inch action figures were produced. There have been rumors that Hasbro might farm the G.I. Joe brand to another toy manufacturer the way they did with their Tonka IP previously with Funrise and now being produced by Basic Fun. Those rumors of Jazwares producing the 4-inch range was quickly dashed during this past weekend’s New York Toy Fair.

TF Generations | The Ballad of Drift

11.09. 2018 – Finding time to do some photography again, but rarely with robots as subject matter. Action Figures and Figurines are much easier to take due to the environment where I often go to. Mostly the nearby parks are still good even though sixty percent of it is more concrete than natural green. The Transformers is a staple brand and when you talk about alien robots that turn to anything you’re quite fascinated by any form they take. There are A LOT of characters now if you’re not following the comic books, but one bot sticks out and that is Drift!

Star Trek | Beyond Being Just A Trekkie.

07.20.2016 – The first Star Trek episode which I can no longer recall its particular title is one of the memories from my childhood. I do remember it was shown on the former RPN 9 on a Saturday afternoon a syndicated episode of The Original Series. The Next Generation was a time I casually see on Friday nights on the same channel in the early 1990s before going to bed. But Star Trek: Voyager sealed the deal for me when it was shown on Hallmark Channel Asia in 2001, which I became a full time on Trekkie.

Behind The Scenes: I-Juander TV Segement.

04.06.2013 – It was as shall we say a “good stress” Saturday as doing a TV segment is not that easy. Some might think it’s the coolest thing to do when you’re appearing on a show but it’s not. It takes a lot of preparation when you feature a group rather than doing solo. It’s been a while since I got to be the case study for the segment as I try to be much of the person behind the scenes than being the one in the spotlight.

When a Bat came to Hell's Kitchen & a Devil went to Gotham.

07.22.2012 – There’s a few things I talked about that I’m excited to read and anticipate to wait. Admitted I’m a comic book fan but never put “I” myself in the direction of this discussion rather share you something that I find interesting. The unauthorized company crossover between Batman and Daredevil which I’m sure some of you are excited or having mixed reactions from the big two that won’t even happen. Rarely this would be a discussion here since THIS IS my personal space where I share limited engagements of what I think it’s cool for me other than your usual blog post from here and there.

Toy Photography: A Productive Inspiration!

10.02.2011 - How do you give a good impression? There are a lot of ways to be inspired and sometimes I top myself in one category I truly enjoy. Toy Photography is one of the areas where I don’t compete with anyone but myself alone. In my own little way of getting myself doing something out of the ordinary it makes me slow down for a bit and admire the view. Currently a few people already had their “thumbs up” on the subject. I love Toy Photography that I don’t mind seeing myself competing. I look at it now as an art form rather than boasting on how topping the others.

Jump after the cut...

Random Snaps: Sunday Outdoor Snaps!

02.07.2011 - Yesterday morning I get to test drive the Canon EOS 60D outdoors using a different kit lens 18-55mm, which came with my sister's Canon EOS Kiss X4 or outside Japan known as the Canon 550D. So I kind of swapped the default lens kit that's much heavier 18-135mm for this smaller and compact lens. The other night it was already a workout carrying the lens that came with this camera, which still getting used to it has more gain than the 18-55mm, but for this morning's walk, I had to take the smaller one.

The First Imperfect Panorama Toy Photography!

01.10.2011 - There are many versions, concepts, and imaginations done in Toy Photography. From my perspective, I try to make them into artwork using a camera rather than a pencil or paintbrush for most talented artists out there. The concept can be indoors or outdoors capturing one image with toys as the subject of its narrative that you put together from your imagination that could mean a lot of expressions. I've been doing Toy Photography since 2007 and have been pushing the envelope of coming up with new ideas that some might have done way better than I could have first thought about.

Spreading the Sweetness of Gratitude!

10.04.2009 – Gratitude for another is about being human and showing kindness is needed in this world. There are challenging moments that not everyone can recover from it, but only a few can show that there is hope on this planet. Toblerone, a Swiss chocolate brand has just turned 100 years last year for 2009 their campaign is all about gratitude with the National Thank You Day. There’s a contest about this campaign and for my entry won't have real people, but to show you how to promote this year's National Thank You Day by Toblerone. This entry is about appreciation through the concept of Toy Photography featuring LEGO® Minifigures showing compassion in this theme.

Toy Photography: Go! Speed Racer!

06.28.2009 - I've never been a fan of the old Anime Speed Racer until I saw the live action film last year. Though they say the film was a bomb at the tills you can't ignore the Wachowski Brothers for making the effort bringing it to the big screen.

Unfortunately it wasn't as expected but for those who are fans of this series. Regardless if it sucked in the movies the anime is still part of Pop Culture. Dare I say I like the die cast cars already.

This photo was taken on June 21st somewhere in Greenbelt 5 using Canon Powershot A430 on super macro mode.

I just this perspective.

Father's Day with Indiana Jones & Mutt Williams

06.21.2009 - Taken some almost two weeks ago at The Fort Bonifacio High Street. Using Indiana Jones & Mutt Williams. If you haven't seen Indiana Jones & The Crystal Skull then you must see it to believe and astound.

Though its a box office dud the movie also shows how Indy comes of age being father to Mutt William who he never knew.

A special Father's day Toy Photography for those who celebrate being a parent.

Toy Photography: Wild, Wet, & Drive.

06.01.2009 - Early midnight the Mach 6 went on a test drive. It was raining but Speed won't let up his practice run. He would push the engines under these weather conditions just to see it would make or break the car.

Of course figure of imagination runs wild when your doing Toy Photography in the rain. An actual weather condition where it was drizzling.

Photo taken using Canon Power Shot A430 set to super macro settings.

Cobra Wants You.

05.17.2009 - Last night's Jack TV Animation Festival was rocked by band performances from Manibela, Earnville, Duster, Pedicab, and Imago. But before the hoopla and the music it was another affair with viewers, fans, geeks, and everyone in between the pop culture.

So during those hours some of us, where having a little bit of down time. As usual the eye of a Toy Photographer never eludes a good spot.

Cobra Commander was seen making a marketing ad for Cobra Wants You inside the Terror Dome. Which was actually those side lights at the stairs inside the newly built Sky Garden at SM North Edsa.

Gotta love doing these toy shoots.