About Bigmakoy
Who is BigMakoy?
Welcome to my photoblog. My name is Mark Austin Ladanan, a.k.a. Makoy, a 20-something IT Consultant from Cebu City, Philippines who hates to write but loves to snap pictures of anything. And I mean anything. Hence, this blog - er, photoblog.
I don’t consider myself a photographer. I’m happy being a photography enthusiast.
Photo by Jon Cabiles
My Journey as a Photography Enthusiast
I started on this road not too long ago. I’ve previously done product shoots by borrowing an archaic point and shoot camera from anyone. Primitive, I know. The only reason why those shoots didn’t turn out so bad was because I have a brilliant post-prod team on my side. (And by that, I mean my girlfriend of nearly 9 years.) I’ve always wanted to buy a DSLR, but never found the resources or (until recently) the inclination. (And on that note, I’d like to thank my good friend, fellow photography enthusiast and CPA-Lawyer extraordinaire Jan Ralph Perez for giving me a much-needed shove.)
I finally took the plunge last December 11, 2007 by buying a Canon Powershot S3 IS, a prosumer camera. Still a point and shoot, yes. But better than any equipment I’ve ever handled before. I figured that I need to practice more before I buy a DSLR. This way, I wouldn’t be wasting money if I find out later that this hobby is not really for me. LOL.
Hence, this photoblog. Here, I will attempt to document my journey from a noob (i.e., newbie, neophyte, or whatnot) photo enthusiast to (hopefully) a more skilled snapper.
My goal is not to be the best amateur photographer in my sphere, or any best of anything at all. Rather, my immediate goal is only to learn how to make half decent shots.
And in the meantime, please pardon my first awkward attempts at digital imagery. Do feel free to comment and tear my work apart should you feel compelled to do so. I wouldn’t mind, honest. I’d even thank you for it.
Photo by Jon Cabiles
Why Trick of Light?
Trick of Light is the title of one of Hastang’s yet unrecorded songs. A beautiful piece of poetry written by Guile Canencia that truly encapsulates how I wish my photographs would turn out.
Hastang, by the way, represents another facet of my not-too-extraordinary life as a dreamer.
For, in essence, that is what this journey is about - a dream, the idea of a dream, and the impassioned steps of a dreamer.
What is FubarGenre?
FubarGenre.com is the domain name of Yan’s blog. YanYan is my best friend, my lover, my business partner, and the love of my life. She has generously agreed to co-host my photoblog in her virtual server. Not only that, but she has devoted several non-billable hours to make this nifty-looking custom layout for me. Thanks, baby!
My Gear
- Canon Powershot S3 IS
- Holga 135BC (Acquired last April 5, 2008)
- 2GB Transcend SD Card
- 1 x 4pcs. Sony Rechargeable Batteries
- 2 x 4 pcs. Energizer Rechargeable Batteries
- Sony Battery Charger
- Urban Camera Bag
I know that this is a very basic set. Here’s hoping I can progress on my digital experimentations well enough to have the confidence to buy new equipment soon. *fingers crossed*
Gear Acquisition Syndrome or GAStos
I couldn’t help myself. I had to augment my basic set with a few accessories. As of this writing, I have acquired the following add-ons:
- D.I.Y. Flash Diffuser (Added: January 19, 2008) — Yes, I made my own!
- Third Party 58mm Aluminum Conversion Lens Adapter (Added: February 1, 2008)
- Kotai 58mm Petal Lens Hood (Added: February 1, 2008)
- Marumi 58mm Haze UV Filter (Added: February 1, 2008)
- Velbon CX888 Tripod (Added: April 12, 2008)
Comments
woohoo!!! go bords!
makoy, if this is you as an amateur… i cant wait to see you as a professional.
more cheers, more beers!
mao gyud, nindot kaau manira this sinulog.
colourful kaau..
hehehe…
My Gear:
- Canon PowerShot SD1000 <– red eye always f****d me up XD
- 2GB SanDisk
- Canon Lithium Battery Charger
- Canon Camera Bag
practice lang ko ani 
Bai Clarence!
Sakto gyud bai, nindot gyud kaayo mag-shoot karong Sinulog! Kita-kita lang ta’s kadalanan.
Niapil ka sa Photo Contest?
wala bai, dili kaau ko ingon ana maau mu shoot bai, practice pa ko pag au bisag dili ingon ana ka nindot ako cam basta nindot lang ang pagkakuha sa photo…
tnaw lng nya ko sa mga exhibit sa SM this coming Feb 1-10 bai..
ikaw niapil ka?
Bai Clarence! Ingon pa sa mga photogs nga ako kaila…”Wala sa pana yan, nasa indian yan.” Kung master ka sa imong cam, wa nay mupugong nimo pagkuha ug maanindot nga shots. Bisan unsa nga gamit tingali bai oi…basta sweto ka, I’m sure amazing ang results! Shoot lang gyud. Ako bitaw, wa paman sad ko kasabot sa akong mga gipangbuhat. Sige ra kog shoot-shoot. Bisag unsa makit-an, shotan. 
And yes, I joined the Sinulog Photography Contest. Not for the competition but for the experience and practice. It was really amazing. Learned a lot from it. Apil ta sunod tuig, bai!
o bah, apil na ko next year,
Wala sa pana yan, nasa indian yan.” <–and thanks for this!
na enganyo ko ug samot
ako wla pa ko khbw unsa akong mga shot…hahaha
linked you up with my blog
dghana naka place sa mga kuha ni Mikhail Arrogante. bangiitan ni siya na photographer bai o ga work sa usa ka mantalaan?
kang Alex Badayos sa sun.star mura isa rmn ang naka place.
Nice meeting you Bigmakoy……
kanindot sa imong mga pics,…profi gyd ka nga photographer.
nindot kaayo ang pagkakuha gyd…..
thanks for sharing…..
thanks for the bisita pod ha? balik-balik nya kung may oras ka….
bye and God bless
Hi, VK!
Salamat sa pagbisita pud diri. Thanks kaayo!
Dili ko profi nga photographer. Lingaw-lingaw ra ning ako. Hehehe. Kat-on kat-on lang.
Good post. You make some great points that most people do not fully understand.
“I know that this is a very basic set. Here’s hoping I can progress on my digital experimentations well enough to have the confidence to buy new equipment soon. *fingers crossed*”
I like how you explained that. Very helpful. Thanks.
im finally here to return your visit.
swerteha nimo oi, pero mas swerte imo girl kay supah proud ka niya, panagsa ra jud ni mahitabo sa usa ka tinuod nga lalaki.
continue the working the light, big mak!
bisita bisita.. naa ra diay diri ang isa sa mga pro pitik-shooters from Lomomanila ^_^.. partner ni sir dan sa pitik-shooter na thread.. siksik kaau..
Keep it up!! Great Shots!!!
Hi, fourth! Pro gud tawn. Noob pa ko oi! Si Daniel, mao to ang pro.
Murag wa na gyud nako ni ma-update ako photoblog oi. 
Salamat kaayo bai! Balik-balik nya.
16 jud d.i ka noh? hehe nailad ko dah, abi nako 16 jud..
i-update ni kay daghan ra ba ka bisita hehe.. kita kits sa lomomanila..
Hi, I'm Makoy and I'm a photography enthusiast who's desperately trying to learn the ropes. 
Your photography is awesome. Words are inadequate for your pictures. 
naks! such eloquence…
i wonder what wicked drama queen has corrupted your sensibilities. harharhar.
i’m so proud of you, baby! your shots are amazing. you are amazing.