Every Picture Counts: Panay Digital Shooters capture scenes and make them even better
* PDS does not only limit itself to plain photography. It also engages in post processing or doing composites
The Panay Digital Shooters
Every moment is fleeting. There are some scenes that capture your vision that may not happen again. It's not enough to just keep that scene in your mind. That's why keepsakes like photographs are important. That is why some people have photography as a hobby.
A group of people who love photography and tinkering with their shots to become even better, has formed a group called Panay Digital Shooters (PDS). They were first called as Team Panay in December 2007 and later on became PDS, which now has 11 members.
"We call ourselves the weekend warriors," Paul Frederick Chiongson, president, said. "We use our weekends to shoot because we have other work, too. This hobby of ours is a good stress reliever, too," he added.
Cocoy Paguio's Kapamilya
Although most of their works feature the places and culture of Panay, Chiongson said that they do not discourage members from featuring areas outside. Like, for example, when one members travels abroad and decides to take shots of another country's scenes.
Their recent exhibit was Discover Guimaras in line with the said island province's Manggahan Festival 2008 this month. Their first exhibit was Unseen Iloilo during Dinagyang 2008. These are just a few of their upcoming exhibits, which they plan to hold every quarter.
Jake Borres's The Diver
PDS does not only limit itself to plain photography. It also engages in post processing or doing composites. "This is just as important as taking pictures," Chiongson said. "We teach our members both."
Being a member of PDS has its perks. "We invite Manila-based photographers for workshops. We also have in-house seminars. These efforts improve the members' skills, thus elevating their level of photography. We learn from each other," Chiongson said. Last year, Jay Alonzo, Arnel Morillo and the Librodo brothers, famous photographers and graphic artists, came to Iloilo and held workshops for the members. Last April 26 and 27, Alonzo held a workshop on food, lighting and shooting with models.
PDS is open for membership to anyone who has a digital camera of at least minimum six megapixels, and who's not yet a member of a photographic club. Applicants will undergo a screening process, to be followed by four months probation.
Paul Chiongson's Asindera
PDS' officers are Chiongson, president; Leo Solinap, vice president; Manjo Uy, treasurer; and members are Jake Borres, Cocoy Paguio, Hannibal Ong, Peter Jaena, Burdoy Viterbo, Zernan Golez and Philip Co.
Photography hobbyists can visit PDS's site at www.panaydigitalshooters.com.