A Journey Through Lenses: From Film to Digital Photography

My initial interest in photography was sparked during my elementary school years when my father gifted me a point-and-shoot film camera. Despite the absence of film, I derived immense pleasure from using the camera, regularly purchasing batteries and experiencing significant excitement each time the flash was activated.

My father gifted me my first camera, a YKL Compact.

 

I owned this camera from elementary school until I finished college, purchasing film whenever I had sufficient funds. However, I was not always able to afford developing the film. Of the 24 or 36 shots on each roll, only a small number (approximately 2-5 photos) were fully developed. The remaining photographs were either over-exposed or under-exposed.

 

During my college graduation, I distinctly recall seeing a digital point-and-shoot camera in person for the first time. Since then, I have always dreamed of owning one. However, I could not ask my parents for assistance in acquiring such a camera because I understood it was too expensive for us at that time. Additionally, purchasing a digital camera was not a priority.

 

When I began working as a lead supervisor at Pasig, I aimed to save money for a digital camera. However, my salary was insufficient to achieve this goal, though I continually aspire to own a digital camera one day. Fortunately, I was able to obtain a credit card after transferring to another company in Makati, which offers a better salary than my previous position. Fulfilling a dream, I bought my first digital point-and-shoot camera, which I always carry with me.

My first digital camera was a Canon PowerShot A590IS.

 

Then I began to enjoy photographing everything because, unlike film cameras, you no longer need to buy film. You can simply point your camera and take a shot without any additional cost. The only thing you need to ensure is that you have enough batteries for your camera.

 

The digital camera industry is rapidly expanding. There are numerous point-and-shoot digital cameras available in the market. I constantly seek a superior camera as the one I currently own has become quite limiting in its capabilities. I am seeking an enhancement in my photography, and after thorough research, I believe that incorporating bokeh effects will elevate the quality of my photos to the next level.

 

I was introduced to the world of DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras by Mr. Adin Cordero, a Macro and Cityscape Photographer. He permitted me to handle his DSLR camera, which I believe is a Canon 40D, an APS-C sensor camera. The tactile experience of using that camera captivates me, making it difficult to put it down. Since then, I have developed a strong desire to own a DSLR camera.

 

Fortunately, I was able to obtain a Canon 1000D Camera after my father allocated a portion of the proceeds from selling his land in Cavite to me. I purchased the camera along with a Canon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens. My interest in photography has significantly increased, and I thoroughly enjoy it. I have made extensive efforts to understand the intricacies of my Canon 1000D. My enthusiasm for photography is such that I always bring my camera with me to events involving friends and relatives.

My Canon 1000D with the Tamron 18-200mm lens attached, along with my Canon 50mm f/1.8.

 

I have developed a strong interest in the bokeh effect in my photographs, which refers to the out-of-focus areas in an image. My goal is to achieve an exceptional out-of-focus background in my artistic work. I was no longer satisfied with my kit lens, so I purchased a Canon EF 50mm f1.8. It is an excellent lens, often referred to as the "nifty fifty" due to its renowned quality. However, I have noticed one issue. The focus speed is quite slow. I am unsure if this is specific to my lens or if it is a common experience among other photographers.

 

When my cousin’s daughter got married (see photos here), I had the opportunity to test the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens during the wedding. I was highly impressed by the lens's performance, especially in terms of producing excellent bokeh with a beautiful out-of-focus background. Although I observed that some of my shots lacked sharpness and exhibited a certain softness, the quality of the bokeh was my primary concern at that time, more so than the sharpness of the images. However, given that this lens has a fixed focal length, it is necessary to adjust your position to achieve the optimal shot of your subjects.

 

This led me to consider using a long focal length. Consequently, I searched for a high-quality zoom lens compatible with my Canon 1000D. During a visit to Henry’s Camera in Makati City, I discovered the Tamron 18-200mm lens. I appreciate the range it offers, as it provides significant zoom capabilities. However, I did not initially realize that selecting a lens also requires careful consideration of the aperture. It performs well in good lighting conditions, but may have difficulty in low light.

 

Although I have enjoyed using my Canon 1000D, it has become somewhat limiting as I advance in my photography skills. One of the most memorable experiences with my Canon 1000D occurred during Pope Francis's visit to the Philippines, which was aimed at supporting the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. Pope Francis will hold his final Papal Mass in the Philippines at Luneta Grandstand, Manila on January 18, 2015. Due to numerous road closures during the Papal Visit, I was required to walk from Lambingan Bridge in San Juan to Luneta Park. I saw a large crowd along the way and overheard that Pope Francis would pass by there on his way to Luneta Park. I searched for a suitable spot to capture an image of the Pope as he passed by. The dense crowd made it difficult to move through, and those in front of me were taller. Additionally, it was raining at the time. At that time, I was evaluating how to capture an ideal photograph of him, considering the prevailing conditions. I set my camera to the Program mode to allow it to automatically determine the correct exposure. I elevated my camera above the crowd to obtain an unobstructed view, patiently awaiting Pope Francis's arrival. As the Pope-mobile approached and the crowd began to cheer, I prepared to capture the moment. I pressed the shutter button twice, and Pope Francis appeared on the screen of my camera's LCD. Everyone in front of me seemed disappointed as they were unable to capture an image of Pope Francis with their cellphones and cameras. However, I feel fortunate that I had a single opportunity to capture it, and I succeeded.  

Captured on January 18, 2015, during the Papal Visit to the Philippines, supporting the cause of Typhoon Yolanda victims.

 

Subsequent to the incident, possibly due to the rain, my camera began to malfunction. Watermarks started appearing in the photographs I captured. Although I can still operate my camera, I am required to edit all of my photos to remove the watermarks through post-processing. I consulted a technician who informed me that the problem is due to a fungal infection and quoted a fee of 10,000 Pesos (approximately 170.40 US Dollars (USD) in 2015) for the repair. I decided not to proceed since it's for personal use and not for professional purposes.

 

I'm looking for a new camera and recently learned about the benefits of mirrorless cameras. I'm inclined to try something new, so I'm considering a mirrorless camera or the Nikon system. After extensive research and reviewing numerous videos, I have gained insight into the Lumix System Micro Four Thirds. This system appears to be highly promising. I'm deciding between the Lumix G85 and G9, as both are suitable for personal and professional use. I sought a camera that could enhance my photography to a professional standard, but I was unable to afford a full-frame professional camera. With financial support from my mother, I acquired a Lumix G85 with a 12-60mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens and have used it for professional work since 2019. Recently, I started using a Lumix 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 lens for my first wedding photography, capturing the event with just one lens.

 

My reliable workhorse camera. I'm hopeful to add more MFT lenses soon.

My portfolio is available at joemenbayan.com and features work primarily captured with the Lumix G85 camera, using 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 and 12-60mm f3.5-5.6 lenses.