Spotting Vantage

A moon ago I dropped by the exhibit of one of the most celebrated photographer in the country--Mark Nicdao for the launch of his first book entitled Vantage.  Displayed in the heart of Greenbelt 5, was a sleek visual presentation of more than a handful of the artist's favorite works.  The arresting photos of the hottest celebrities from simple to the most stylized, presented each picture capturing a mood, feeling and even a story to tell.  Congratulated Mark but had to leave early for another engagement.  Heard the day after the place was packed with celebrities, colleagues, fashion and advertising personalties etc.  Truly an important event one shouldn't have missed.  Beyond all the pictures and the book, it was really all about the exceptional eye that made a forever "mark" in our hearts. 

Shooting stars.

Style in narratives.

Branding and multiplicity.

Fashion moments.

The joy of emotion.

Pretty boy gangster and In The Mood for Love.

Iconic and modern portraiture.

Close up and movement.

My favorite is this chiaroscuro(charcoal painting)-like black and white photo of Richard Gutierrez that semiotically translated a certain mood of calmness.

Advantage!

Early birds from left to right:  Fashion designer Patrice Ramos Diaz, the author, Mark Nicdao, photographer Joan Bitagcol, fashion stylist Corine Alegre, fashion designer's Louis Claparols and Joey Samson. (Photographer Sara Black, People Asia's Tatum Ancheta and Homme et Femme's Tadi de Leon not in photo)

Vantage Point

Men who matter.  From left to right-Dingdong Dantes, Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz and Sam Milby.

Almost a decade ago, I was going to have a shoot with master photographer Francis Abraham at the 4F Cattleya bldg in Legaspi village and was introduced to a new apprentice who was a  Fine Arts student in UP.  Young, energetic and full of talent-this photography hopeful was "fresh" out of college and was excited to get into the world of fashion and advertising.  Back then the aspiring genius used to do a lot of shoots for a magazine called Youngstar (defunct) which was then one of the common creative playgrounds for upstarts in the industry. I could still remember his lingering laughter echoing the hallways of the fourth floor when we would every so often take smoke breaks in between shoots.  Today, through determination, sheer talent and ambition, the multi-talented artist has grown into the young master that he is photographing television, cinema and fashion's up and coming to the brightest of stars.   One of the top photographers in the Philippines who continuously makes a "mark" in the multi-level local landscape--the one and only Mark Nicdao.

Femme Fetale.  From left to right- Bea Alonzo, Anne Curtis, KC Concepcion and Angel Locsin.

On March 6, 2011 marks a milestone in his career as he launches his first book entitled "Vantage" at the Fashion Walk, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati city 930pm.  A collection of celebrity photography from 2003-present, the exhibit will have 15 30x48 photos printed on canvas with black frame to be auctioned(the deal is they will NEVER be printed again).  While the book launch will have 8 limited edition covers numbered 1 to 150. Each cover will have 150 pieces printed on special paper.  Congratulations Marky!!!

The bold and beautiful.

Vantage is comes in limited edition for P280.00 exclusively at Fully Booked and at the newsstand for P180.