Photographer's Note:

In July of 2005, I decided to seriously get into photography as a hobby. It has been one of my aspirations. I would often look at other photo websites, admire their work and wonder if I could do them myself.

I started with an uncomplicated point and shoot camera (Canon A95) and for two months, it became my handy accessory. I brought it everywhere I went and I took photos even while I was driving. Taking every imaginable object I can find in the house or on the streets, I have amassed quite a simple gallery that I set up a temporary blog site.

Not even imagining that I would grow into this hobby and that it would absorb me in, by September 2005, I went for an upgrade. With my Canon 350D, I began feeling like a real photographer. And by November 2005, I was going full-blast.

I do not have any formal training. I did not have teachers to guide me through. All I learned, I learned from my peers. I still continue to learn from them and so far, my love affair with photography seems to be an ongoing awe-inspiring experience. I do not hope this to stop.

Here are the individuals and groups that have helped me hone my art, and for them I am truly grateful: Racio & Voj, my close friends who were my first teachers; Regie Fernando, who imparted his talent and inspired me in my work; Kenneth Uy, who gave me the chance to experience how it is to be a pro; Levi & Cotton, for being the first few people who expressed their love of my work; my Uncles in the States and Australia, who continue to encourage me to pursue this hobby; the members of PiPho Org, for various personal reasons but mainly for the camaraderie particularly from:

• Terence Sysunbin
• Dennis "Borj" Meneses
• Ogie Abastillas
• Judell Urbina
• Vernes Go
• Tina Mallari
• Ricky Santos
• Parker Vince Choi
• Mike Dougan, somewhere…floating in the ocean strolling in Bulacan

Special thanks also go to my friends and fellow photographers from all over the world whom I have not met in person. Some of them may not even know that they have inspired me because of their work:

• Gil Rondan, NY
• Sidney Snoeck, a Belgian in the Philippines
• Owen Billcliffe, UK
• David Nightingale, UK
• John Washington, UK
• Manuel Librodo, RP
• Travis Ruse, NY

My new-found inspirations:

• Martin Andreasen
• Kenny Weng

My “People-To-Thank” list is endless. This is starting to look like an award-winning speech so let me just stop and say thanks to everybody for all your gracious words, support and encouragement.

This is the result of that.

July 2006

One year after my first foray into photography...

Although I do not have a clear goal of where this hobby will take me and how far, I think I have evolved a definitive style: Cinematic. Now I am not sure where that exactly falls under in Photography or if I better do moving pictures rather than still shots; but I would have to say that with each shot, my vision seems to reflect scenes I've seen from the movies.

Philip Anthonie Reyes Cruz
P A R C
Manila, Philippines
webmaster@parconline.biz

About This Site:

This photo gallery is an exhibit and a collection of some of my favorite works. This is primarily a portfolio to share my art, ideas and interests, to be updated daily.

If you would like to use or ask for the photos on this site, or if you would like to commission my services for projects, contact me thru email at webmaster@parconline.biz

Copyright
© 2006 (all rights reserved)

This site has been visited 1455667 times since January 2006.

• I joined the flickr madness and was fortunate enough to have some of my work appearing on their Explore page. flickr Explore page features the most interesting photos for the day. And photos advance or diminish in popularity based on views and comments from members:

• A big surprise pushed my work to another level on my second year into photography. I was a featured photographer of The World Through My Eyes and my work has been tagged here and here

• My first printed work was featured in Digital Photographer Philippines Magazine. Titled "Manong"

• My father and son Baseco photo was chosen as Photo of The Week at an international forum called Photo Camel.

• A non-profit organization based in Chicago bought one of the photos I shot while testing with a 50-mm lens for use on their convention award dinner invitations.


October 2006

• Wondering, which was a shot I took from one of my trips to Wawa Dam, was chosen as the featured Photo of the Month at ClubEOS, a community for all Canon Users in the Philippines.

• Two of my photos were shortlisted & chosen for a contest in National Geographic's Sony Alpha100 contest.

Commissioned Work

While photography mainly continues to be a hobby, I have been commissioned to work for it now and then. I have had my fair share of birthdays and wedding events to cover. I was, so far, also tapped to shoot for:

• a well known telecoms company [print ad]
• an international coffee house [menu and product shots]