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….  

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)

Sandwich @ Arabiscasto

Found these photos lying somewhere in my external drive. I had to post them! Oh I miss the days when I was photographing bands while drinking and listening to good music! What the hell happened???!

Photo Ramblings: Blazing the Streets of Singapore

QUESTIONS? Hit me up! ——-> ASK ME

http://samlim.tumblr.com

Photo Ramblings

Chef Andrew Liva of Cafe Aurora, Davao along with some of their mouth watering specialty dishes.

Photos by: Sam Lim

(Featured in F&B World Magazine, The Mindanao Issue)

Lets post something new today!  I know you don’t see me post any sports photo and that’s because I don’t do much sports photography.  Most of the photos I have that pertains to sports are mostly portraits of players.  But today, after my workshop, I decided to test my newly acquired lens which is the old-school bad ass Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 lens. 

I happened to pass by a football game near the place where I parked.  So I took the opportunity to take some action shots during the game.  Honestly, I don’t know how to play American Football since it’s not a common sport here in the Philippines but what the heck! I was there to shoot and that’s it! 

They say, the Nikon 80-200 2.8 lens is not a really a good lens for sports because of its slow focusing compared to the Nikon 70-200 2.8 and also it doesn’t have VR.  But while I was shooting I didn’t even notice that.  I say its still good for sport or moving subjects. The focusing speed is tolerable, its not even slow! You just have to use your brain and compensate with your settings.  Sharpness? Ofcourse its Nikon and its a pro lens, top of its class during its time so that’s not even a question! VR? Who needs it? All my lenses doesn’t have VR so I’m used to it.  If there’s not much ambient light, then I guess you just have to bump up that ISO and appreciate the grain that comes with it! It doesn’t hurt!

Conclusion: The Nikon 80-200 2.8 lens is really a superb lens. Also, for a Pro Lens, its really affordable.  Its half the price of the Nikon 70-200 2.8 but as sharp! Focusing speed of this lens for me is not an issue especially for my style of shooting.  If VR is not an issue for you, then I suggest you settle for this one.  

(Above are sample shots using this lens.  All of it are shot at f2.8)