Moonlighting

The problem with photography as a hobby is the acquisition cost of equipment that you need to produce respectable results.



So, you try to make your hobby get up from its lazy butt and go earn something so next time you buy a silly photo gadget with a ridiculous price, you won?t feel bad about it.

So, I've been covering small events here and there for a minimal fee. Most of my shots from these events are of interest only to the one contracting the coverage. But every now and then, especially when I've finished taking the prescribed shots and have made my way to scenes that I would take on my own volition, little gems of a shot do come out.


I guess I live for these shots. I am no pro, and in terms of skills and knowledge, I am keenly aware that I'm a long way off from becoming one.

The fleeting feeling of satisfaction, and then the pressing impulse to do much better next time, are things that are felt when a person has made a craft a part of his or her life.

Congress in the Evening

One night on my way home, I was especially jumpy because I had my camera with me...so I took photos.

I took these photos in the wee hours of the night at the House of Representatives. It was unfortunate that I was unable to capture an image of the "Five Housemates" who are going about their nightly activities in and around the compound since they were at a meeting.



With regards these "housemates", varying opinions are about but I've heard from some lawyer friends that charges the Department of Justice or rather Malacanang is planning to dish out against these five legislators would be pretty flimsy. The fact is however, Malacanang has the resources to make life for these five hell, even if only for a month or two under full state custody. So, rather than submitting themselves for arrest, I think being in the custody of the House of Representatives is far better - in terms of accomodation at least.

I tried to capture the ambiance of the place - its desolateness, darkness and the way dim service lights makes everything seem flat. I wanted to capture the quality of light as well: the greenish tinge of fluorescent bulbs, the warmth of tungsten and halogen, the ambient light coming from the floodlights outside of the building.



Some of the angles may seem weird but I had to find a place to mount the camera against to avoid blur at greater than 1 sec exposures. And I made use of a variety of things: Open doors, chairs, poles, walls and window sills - practically anything that I can lean the camera against. It was fun to finally get the images recorded after months of wondering how such and such scenes would end up looking once captured.

On a final note, we have always suspected that those CCTV cameras scattered everywhere in the compound were mere props during regular days. I have to admit, I was intimidated by them the first time I saw them, but you get used to it and become desensitized to what it represents. Soon, you feel comfortable making faces at these silent, motionless eyes. Well, after going about taking my photographs and was about to leave, I was intercepted by security and was asked who I was working for and what purpose was my taking of pictures near the Speaker's Office. All that time, I thought I had been alone in that hallway.



Have they awaken, or have they always been silently awake, watching our every move with our cynicism being their most effective cover?