My first F&B WORLD MAGAZINE Cover featuring the Casual Dining Giants, Archie Rodriguez, Griffith Go, and Manuel Zubiri the guys behind Global Restaurant Concepts Inc. (GRCI), the company that runs some of the most popular restaurant chains in the Philippines like Califonia Pizza Kitchen, PF Chang’s China Bistro, International House of Pancakes (IHOP), Mad For Garlic Italian Wine Bistro, Morelli’s Gelato and Gyu Kaku Japanese BBQ Restaurant.

Thanks! I appreciate it!

Hey! Thanks! Photobooks shipped to the Philippines via Blurb would cost around P1000-P2000 depending on the priority shipping you requested.  Its definitely worth it since the prints are far more superior compared to any local photo printing company here in the country.  Also you have more options when it comes to the photo paper.  Lastly, you get to sell your book online as well via their website. 

Pasintabi sa Quiapo

(by Sam Lim)

For some, they think its a place where pick pockets and robbers roam.  What they don’t see are real hard working people trying to earn a living with what seems to be nothing.  Trying to cope up with society.  Failing and moving at the same time. These are some of them. 

Do they look scary to you? I don’t think so….  

Baguio Trip with Family

As for my previous blog post, brought my x100 with me during our trip to Baguio last month to take pictures of me and my family. It was Tala’s first time in Baguio City and a definite must to document it.  The coldest city in the Philippines wasn’t the coldest last month due to the summer season and the number of people that crowded the place because of the holidays.  But at least it wasn’t 37 degrees Celsius like in Manila.  The breeze of fresh air and the smell of pine trees, the taste of local vegetables and the sweetness of strawberries (sorry I don’t have food photos, I was busy eating), 8 hours of travel time was definitely worth it.

The night market and the “ukay ukay” was still a fad in the city.  People rush to buy second hand stuff hoping to find some good buy.  I was about to try some street food but it was 10pm and I was really tired of all the walking and sight seeing we did earlier so I opted to just take pictures and called it a day.

The next morning, after going the church we went to Camp John Hay for Lunch and there were a lot of new establishments in the place so we didn’t had a hard time looking for a place to eat. After eating, more strolling.

On our last day, we went back to Camp John Hay for a picnic and some more relaxation.  After that, we went to buy some local delicacies like ube and strawberry jams then we head back home making some few stops here and there. 3 days, 2 nights… looking forward to our next trip. 

Walking the Streets of Baguio City

This was my third time in Baguio City and during my first two visits, I wasn’t able to bring a decent camera with me. This time, it was different.  I was travelling with my family and in-laws so I brought my X100 with me to make sure I take pictures of them during the trip.  On the side, I also tried documenting the things I see on the streets the way I picture them in my head.

Come! Take a peek…

(by Sam Lim)

Trying out the new VSCO FILM PACK 03

Bought me before the VSCO Film Pack 01 to try things out.  It was good paired with lightroom 3!  Then I switched to lightroom 4.  After the switch, I experienced problems installing the film pack 1 so I tried contacting VSCO about it.  It turns out, there was some kind of compatibility issues with the pack and Windows 8 since I upgraded my OS as well.  Successfully, they were able to provide a solution for that matter in just 2 days.  I say, “That’s good customer service! Job well done VSCO!”  

After that,  VSCO Film Pack 02 was already out in the market, however, I opted not to buy the pack since I was short in budget that month and I was totally happy with the Film Pack 01 so why bother?  But I read from reviews that it was right on and as good as the previous one.  Sucks that I wasn’t able to buy it and test it out myself.  Hopefully someday.

Then VSCO Film Pack 03 came out.  The day that I received their notification that it was out on my email. I immediately went to their site to buy it.  I remember, I didn’t even bother checking the sample photos it produces and went on buying the product. All I was thinking was VSCO was good with customers and it produces quality outputs to my liking (remember, they are not paying or sponsoring me to write this, I’m just saying). 

Now with the product, VSCO Film pack 3, I think produces the same film look as the Film Pack 01.   Good results and all.  But at the same time it also produces a bit more artsy / soft filters stuff like effect you get with old film cameras and plastic toy cameras paired with expired films.  You get that weird in a good way kind of look that you’ll probably use for your personal work.  It’s really refreshing, especially if you’re shooting a lot of serious client work and want to get out of that photographers block thing.  It’s a little bit drastic or what they say is an overkill in editing if you’re shooting street especially for the enthusiasts but as for me its just a matter of tweaking it.  The presets are there as a starting point, from then on you really still have to tweak your images to your liking.  And I’m not a street photographer, I just love doing street photography for personal reasons.  

Verdict: 

It’s a good product and I recommend it.  The filters are refreshing and it will definitely bring out you’re artistic side.  Again, I always say this, especially to my students, “Your photos have to start looking great in camera and you enhance it with editing and not the other way around!”  With VSCO Film Pack 03, you get that surreal kind of feel with one click and that means less time for editing and more time shooting.  The pack is probably aimed more towards the hobbyists market and those people who do photography just for fun.  For commercial and client work, I probably still have to test this out.  But for now, I still recommend the Film Pack 01 for that.    

(by Sam Lim)

I suggest any lens that can go from 85mm-up. You can make your kitlens work. Its just about as good as any lens in the market, your only limit is your creativity.  

all my cameras are set to standard, but it doesn’t really matter since I shoot RAW.