Sunday, September 10, 2006
And time stood still
By Jinggoy Salvador
ART takes so many forms, it is limitless. What is perceived as inane is seen as sensible by another, ugly to you beautiful to me, my treasure, your garbage. Whatever shape, fashion, mold it may hold, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and I am so sorry for having quoted that age-old proverb. Art, like beauty is totally subjective for which we can all turn one opinionated.
Photography is considered as art, a creative expression, although it has struggled through more than a century it has finally earned its place in the fine arts department. Technically, it is often perceived as "just reproducing" or a reproductive medium, but the photographer's eye, the angle and how he captures the moment, the scene or the subject will matter. This is when the photographer's artistic touch will appear, at this moment he is more than a technician. And the product can then be seen as art.
The finished product carries the fundamental components of having the products of art, the artist, the subject and the art work itself and, of course, equally as important, the audience.
Like any other art form, the audience is there to admire or abhor, like or dislike. But the important thing is the artist was able to incite an emotion. It may be the artists greatest achievement, to affect the public with his creation, whatever interpretation they might have of whatever is presented before them.
This craft also takes years to master the technical side. The painter's medium is his canvas and paintbrush while the photographer has his camera and his developing materials. There is also a technique involved in coming up with a printed vision of the photographer. Maybe far from what the point and shoot will produce.
For 30-year old Psychology major graduate Rhonson Ng, a native of Manila, photography started out as a hobby. His subject was nature, an appropriate choice at the moment since he was into mountain climbing. It was a chance to document the sights that was afforded him.
He cultivated this interest by learning from a fellow mountain climber, a photography instructor, who took this young budding artist into his mentorship. From a hobby, photography became Rhonson's chosen craft.
For years, he studied diligently and never ceased to learn and grow, developing his eye and techniques. In 1999, he landed his a job as an assistant photographer in an advertising firm, his first professional job. On this job he has learned to interact with people and cater to the advertiser's needs. Another facet of the craft he has encountered.
But he never stopped engaging in his other passion, exploring nature. This was what took him to Davao City and at the top of the country's highest peak, the Mt. Apo. He fell in love with the adventure and made sure he came back. Fate must have led him back here and landed a job with the Department of Tourism as the official photographer. Two dreams were realized, a photographer's and traveler's dream. Now he can take all the photos he wants while trekking the whole region and beyond.
Today, Rhonson has set his base in Davao City. He recently opened his photography studio at the Matina Town Square. Now he is busier than ever. With a wonderful and fulfilling resume and awards to back him up, who wouldn't?
To name a few, Rhonson's art shots were the covers for a couple of international publications like Mabuhay Magazine and Action Asia. He has contributed to TTG Dailies and Compaq, Metro, Lifestyle Asia, Experience Philippines, Heografiya (national publications)... And locally - Madayaw Magazine, Your Guide Travel Mag, Hue Lifestyle Mag, Sunstar Davao, Mindanao Times, Daily Mirror, Mindanao Insider.
With numerous exhibitions he has joined, he finally came had his first solo exhibition in SM Davao as a featured photographer. But his big break came on his second solo exhibition. "DABAW" Landscapes, Lifescapes and Lumads held at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila was produced by DOT-XI, NCCA and Epson and ran for four months in the last quarter of 2005.
Rhonson has several awards to his name but one fulfilling moment for him was landing three of his entries in a coffee table book of Epson Photo Imaging Expositon 05, a national photo contest that is comprised of 200 of the best images from thousands submitted.
Now if you want to have your glorifying moments caught on film, why not ask Rhonson Ng to help you with it? Head to his studio at the Matina Town Square and let the artist do his work. Now sing with me... "Long after the memories have faded away..."
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (September 10, 2006 issue)
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