On-The-Spot and Contest Photography

Photo: © Jijo de Guzman

On-The-Spot Photography (OTS): Creating Stunning Photos Straight Out Of The Camera

The first part of this 2-in-1 workshop is On-the-Spot Photography. In this day and age of digital photography, we are lucky to have post-processing softwares like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. We have to understand that these softwares are indeed a big help to us in improving our photographic outputs. However, we cannot totally rely on post-processing to be able to produce beautiful photos. Producing beautiful photos starts from the photographer. It lies in his creative ability and skills in using his camera. The better we become in creating photos within the camera, the easier it will be for us to enhance them through post-processing if required. Hence, this workshop is designed to teach the participants how to produce beautiful and stunning photographs straight out of the camera without the real need for post-processing or editing.

Contest Photography: Boost Your Chances Of Winning Photography Competitions

The second part is Contest Photography. Photo competitions in all forms and levels are popular these days. It is a great way to boost your improvement in photography because it teaches you to go out of your comfort zone and shoot many different subjects, themes, situations, and genres. It helps in making you a well-rounded photographer. Furthermore, photo competitions enhance the fun in photography whenever you shoot and compete with your friends and/or fellow club members. Hence, this workshop has been created to help the participants create better photo contest entries and increase their chances of winning while having fun with photography.

What will be covered

On-the-Spot Photography

• Introduction to, guiding principles, practice and progression, and success in OTS Photography
• Understanding and working with light
• Seeing creatively beyond the obvious
• Visual Design
• Shooting with a Vision and a Voice
• Understanding and working with your camera gear and accessories
• Photo Studies
• Actual shooting
• Output review and constructive critiquing

Contest Photography

• Introduction to, guiding principles, practice and progression, and success in Contest Photography
• Mindset when joining Photo Competitions
• Types of Photo Competitions
• Photo Studies
• Tips and Techniques
• Formula for Success
• Actual Shooting
• Printing of works
• Photo competition

Who should attend

This workshop is highly recommended to photographers who want to learn how to unlock and enhance their creativity at the same time maximizing the power of their cameras to produce beautiful photos straight out of the camera without the need for post-processing or editing. It is also highly recommended to those who join or plan to join photo competitions and want to improve their outputs to increase their chances of winning.

Prerequisites

The participants of this workshop must either have attended the PCCI Basic Photography Workshop or have attended an equivalent workshop. A sound and comprehensive foundation in Basic Photography is needed to maximize the learning.

What to bring

• A DSLR or Mirrorless Camera Body and it’s Owner’s/Operating Manual
• A laptop with Photoshop Lightroom already installed.
• A wide zoom or standard zoom lens (16mm to 85mm equivalent range). The Kit Lens will be generally ideal. Bring your telephoto zoom lens if you have one.
• Accessories that you may have (Flash, Tripod, Filters, Reflector, etc.)
• A positive disposition, patience, and desire to learn.

What to wear

The actual shooting session of this workshop will be subject to weather and environmental conditions. We suggest that participants wear clothing and apparel that are normally worn for outdoor adventure activities like caps or hats and long-sleeve shirts if you’re sensitive to the sun, shorts or pants, and non-slip rubber shoes or hiking shoes. Raincoats, Umbrellas, and Small Towels may be needed in case it rains.

Workshop outline

Day 1 (9am to 5pm)

• I. Introductions
  • Instructor and Students
  • PCCI and House Rules
  • Workshop Curriculum, Schedule, and Rules (What to expect)
• II. OTS Photography (Lecture/Discussion)
  • Introduction to, guiding principles, practice and progression, and success in OTS Photography
  • Understanding and working with light
  • Seeing creatively beyond the obvious
  • Visual Design
  • Shooting with a Vision and a Voice
  • Understanding and working with your camera gear and accessories

Note: The lunch break will be somewhere in between topics C and D or D and E.

• III. Contest Photography (Lecture/Discussion)
  • Introduction to, guiding principles, practice and progression, and success in Contest Photography
  • Mindset when joining Photo Competitions
  • Types of Photo Competitions
  • Tips and Techniques
  • Formula for Success

Day 2 (9am to 5pm)

• IV. Short review of day 1 (Lecture/Discussion) – 9:00am to 9:20am
• V. OTS Shoot and Photo Contest (9:30am to 1:00pm)
  • Preparations
  • Travel to the shooting spot (In-transit briefing)
  • The Shoot
  • Return to PCCI
  • Lunch
• VI. Portfolio Review and Constructive Critiquing (1:20pm to 3:20pm)
  • Sorting and Storage of Photos
  • Portfolio Review and Critiquing (Per participant)
• VII. Photo Contest Judging (3:30pm to 4:40pm)
  • Submission of entries
  • Printing
  • Judging
  • Awarding of winners
• VIII. Closing (4:40pm to 5:00pm)
  • Closing remarks
  • Awarding of Certificates
  • Instructor review and grading

Disclaimer: The actual shooting sessions of this workshop will be highly dependent on weather and environmental conditions. PCCI reserves the right to cancel a shooting session for the safety of everyone if it deems necessary. Make up sessions may be offered on a case to case basis with terms and conditions.

The times and schedule may be adjusted depending on the flow of the workshop.

About the instructor

Jijo De Guzman is a professional photographer and photography Instructor focusing on Sports and Action, Travel, and Landscape Photography. He is a proponent of “On-the-Spot” Photography and is a very active contest photographer as well. He is a Canon Philippines Brand Ambassador and Crusader of Light and is recognized and respected as a Master Photographer of the Camera Club of the Philippines. Founded in 1928, the Camera Club of the Philippines is the oldest, largest and most prestigious photography society in Asia. He is known for producing engaging photos that communicate and stimulate.

As a Contest Photographer, Jijo has amassed 48 awards from the Camera Club of the Philippines; the highlights of which include being a 2-time On-the-Spot Photographer of the Year, 2-time Runner Up Master Photographer of the Year and 2-time and back to back Master Photographer of the Year for 2015 and 2016. He also won the Smartmatic Photo Competition during the 2016 Philippine National Elections and is a 4-time winner of the International Photography Awards (IPA). As a photography competition judge, he has served for various institutions including PLDT, STI, U.E, U.S.T., A.D.M.U., and PAGCOR as well as for numerous photography and camera clubs in the country.