Louie's belle.

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields

Just a quick post before I turn in. This was taken Monday night, during a break in the boys' TV guesting shoot. I have a lot of other shots of the taping, but they will have to wait. New shots from Strumms coming up, too. Perhaps this weekend I can get everything uploaded.

Labels: music, photographs, the bloomfields

Uh, yeah.

Ayun. :-p

I submitted a photo for JPG magazine's "Are You Ready To Rock?" theme/issue. So, if you're signed up at JPGmag.com, if you like the photograph, please vote for it! If it gets enough votes, it'll be included in the issue. :)

I submitted this photo of The Bloomfields with their roadie, Marvin, in the foreground watching them finish the set with Little B.

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields

...is something i've really missed.

These are shots from early this evening (before they played at the PBA half-time). The whole set is here.

In other news, I'm dying for a tall ice cold glass of Coca-Cola.


Jay Jay on the Jaguar


Brothers


The Bloomfields

Labels: music, photographs, the bloomfields

And so the album is finally out.

The album launch last night was a big success. Lots of people came and bought the album. Overall, a rockin' good time.


Pepe and Louie


Louie


Pepe plays his ol' gee-tar


Rocky on Little B


Jay Jay watching his brother wade in the pool of girls.


Wading in the pool of girls. Can you find Peping?


CD signing


Tired but happy :-)


Fans with their cds.


Other photos in the blooms' gallery.

Get the album! It's out in stores now. (Cover photo layout concept by me heehee :-P)

I'm so proud of them. Sometimes it feels like my heart will burst.

Labels: music, the bloomfields

Had some badges made for the blooms. Turned them over to Pat already, but I saved some for me and a few friends :-) Yummy, mukhang kendi!

My TPTS friends and I finished packing the bookplates that I had printed. They're packed in sets of 10 (5 of each design).



One design is Ringbearer by Gary Mayoralgo. The other one is Tom Bombadil by Isabel Montes.



Check ordering details for the bookplates here.

Labels: art, crafts, the bloomfields, tolkien

Louie and Pepe of The Bloomfields.
Strumms, Jupiter Street, Makati
They play there Tuesdays. Catch them if you like rockn'roll! =)

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields

Yeahoo! Can't wait to see and listen to the album! I just heard "Wala Nang Iba" on the radio, in full this time. I'm really excited to hear the rest of the album. I was able to hear a bit of the other songs, but in their rawest form since they were still recording them. They weren't mixed yet. I'm glad there's already a date for the launch.

I just hope I'm in town on March 23.

It looks like this one tv show we've been planning will push through and the out-of-town shoots will most likely happen in March. *crosses fingers*

So, if you're free, do attend the event. The boys will be performing and that's always fun to watch. And get the album, too! Oh, and if you want to spread the word, feel free to use the graphic ;-)

Labels: music, the bloomfields

I haven't listened to radio in years. I think the last time I actively listened to radio was seven years ago.

I've been forcing myself to listen to radio recently, just so I could catch the boys' first single on air. It's being played on Magic 899. Yes, I'm not just listening to radio, I'm tuned in to Magic as well. It's not really the station I would choose to tune in to, if I really just wanted to listen to radio in general.

I've been helping request the song and of course, I really do want to hear it. It's different from hearing it live or as an mp3. I'm just happy that they're finally getting airplay.

But, it really is so difficult to listen to Magic. It hurts our ears sometimes. All that inane schtug-schtug music!!! I just can't stand it.

I listen to an internet stream. I don't even have a regular radio in my study. The volume radio is set so low so as to lessen the anguish of listening to songs by Stacie Orrico or other, and to keep my neighbors from knowing that I was listening to Magic, gasp! Actually, the Stacie song was one of the more tolerable ones. It gets much much worse. Really, I rather enjoy it when commercials play!

One time I heard strains of Ray Charles' "I Got A Woman" and I turned up the volume, relieved to hear a good song at last. But, it was a trick! It was some schtug-schtug-rappy-r & b horror that has sampled the Ray Charles classic! Arrgggh.

Oh well, they do play good songs once in a while. But, the station really tests my resolve to hear 'Wala Nang Iba.' A lot of times, I just gave up and turned it off.

Oh well.

Do request it when you can. Text Magic [space] 899 [space] your message and send it to 2968. Ask them to play "Wala Nang Iba" by The Bloomfields.

But, don't tell them what I said about the other songs that they play!

Labels: music, the bloomfields

It's not uncommon for me to find only 1/4 of the total shots that I fired to be good, or at least, useful. This is most true especially when shooting under less than favorable light conditions, where you have to crank up the ISO, and use a really big opening, and struggle with a shutter speed not fast enough to freeze action. But, you know, you work with what you've got.

I had this shot of bloom keyboardist Lakan that was a mistake. And I knew it as soon as I took it. I saw it right away.

I really liked Lakan's general stance in that shot. And I also liked my semi-accidental framing. I was purposely putting part of the wall into the shot, leaned, lost my balance a bit, pressed the trigger, and ended up with more wall than I intended.

But I thought the framing turned out nicely. I knew that too as soon as I previewed the shot on my cam. And I was cursing myself for not minding the other settings resulting in the shot turning out too dark.

I kept the photo, partly out of laziness to delete bad shots, and partly out of hope that I could make something out of it. Well, I'm glad I kept it!



With some post-processing, I got it to look like a shot from some toy camera. I was post-processing the other recording shots and was desaturating them for that vintage look. I thought to give the same treatment to this grossly underlit shot. Tweaked the curves, burned the brights...and here it is.

A sort of grungy shot of Lakan, and my favorite shot of him so far.

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields

I've been enjoying my early weekend this week, which started yesterday since the bosses went out of town and didn't really leave any urgent tasks for us. Today, I had lunch in Eastwood and snapped this shot.



That's my photo on that huge banner! My photo of the blooms, I mean. This isn't the first time my shot has been used in their collaterals, but it's always a trip whenever I see my stuff being used. Obvious ba, kinunan ko pa ng letrato...

Last December, I heard that Bellevue Hotel used my brick wall photo of the boys for the posters of their New Year countdown event. I also saw a short announcement of that gig in the paper, with half the brickwall photo beside it. They cropped the photo, thus completely eliminating the drummer, crouched in the foreground, from the image. Bah.

Some months ago, Eastwood also used the same shot (in color) for their big drop down banner and part of a billboard on C5.

After that one, though, Eastwood decided to do their own photo shoot with the boys. Their concept was to replicate album covers of the Beatles. I didn't do any of those concept shots. Eastwood did use some of my images as part of the whole banner layout (mostly the ones at the bottom part of the banner).

Right now, they also have smaller versions of that banner hanging from the ceiling around the mall, as well as standees.



Pretty cool. =) Yey!

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields

I like this shot of Jay Jay, taken during their last Aruba gig (28 Dec 06).

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields

Because I am excited about my blog's new look, I will post another entry just so I can see it on the page.




These photos were taken on November 28. The Bloomfields were in the studio to record, mostly bass and drum tracks. I got to take shots right inside the booth. I sat myself down on the floor, stuffed cotton in my ears, and snapped away. I haven't prepped all the photos yet. I just selected a couple for the sake of posting right now.

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields

Can't say that this is a 'good' photograph technically, but it definitely is my favorite.

---------

The blooms are recording already. I dropped by the studio after work to take a few shots. Louie was recording the bass parts when I got there. They have a long way to go, which for me is a good thing cos I'll get more chances to shoot.



Another shot that I like. Here, Jay Jay and Louie are conferring about the bass line. The bass is strapped to Louie, while Jay Jay plays a riff on it.



The other photos are here. :-)

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields

I brought my camera to a gig again after a long time. It was a 99.5RT event at Hard Rock and I just tagged along because I wasn't really doing anything.

I'm glad I went. Their performance was even better than last Thursday's. King Creole was hotter and the crowd loved it.

I was hoping that my next set of photos of the boys would not be gig shots (i've got LOTS of those already) and they can't help but look the same after a while.

So here are some shots of them not performing:
Rocky holding water in his mouth, Jay Jay with his celphone's light shining on his face, and Lakan just staring into the lens. :-P



 

These were taken in dark corner of Hard Rock where the boys were taking their dinner. Only the three I arrived with were present at the time these were fired. The other two arrived shortly after. =)

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields

Last night, I went to see the blooms in Aruba. It's been more than two months since I last went to a gig there!

I'm so happy that banannarama was able to tweak her sched to accompany me to the gig. I had pestered her relentlessly at the last minute (3 hours before the show) and she caved. Haha. She really wanted to see the boys to begin with. So it wasn't all that difficult. I lent her my copy of Here, There Be Dragons as an added incentive.

Anyway, before the gig started, I had dinner with my best friend. It's always nice to catch up with him and I'm grateful for the time that we can meet up like that, although it always feels too short. He had to leave for an after-dinner meeting in Makati so he stayed for just a couple of songs.

The gig last night wasn't the best Aruba gig but it was still a lot of fun. J refused to sing my request "Move It."

"Ian? (looks in my direction) Did you request for this?"
"Yes!"
"Ok. I won't sing it!"
"Dammit!!!!"

Then he proceeded to put down his guitar and sang a similarly groove-sexy song "King Creole." It was hot and I was appeased.

They sang three of the originals that they're gonna record soon.

I'm not sure if I've heard Say You Do live before (apart from the times they sang it during our BOTR shoots). I was really happy to hear it last night.

I can't wait for the boys to start recording. I want to take photos of the process. It should be fun. I haven't posted a bloom shot in a long time!

After the gig, I hung out with R, Lk, Y, and their other assistant for an after-gig midnight snack of lechon manok, liempo, and extra extra extra extra rice since I was gonna hitch a ride home with them.

Yesterday was a good day. Dinner with my best friend, gig with a new friend, and great rocknroll from my favorite boys.

Labels: the bloomfields

Here's the BotR gang -- pic taken in Capones Island in Zambales. I propped my camera on a loose hollow block (tilted it up using 9volt batteries wedged under the lens) and framed the lighthouse. The original shot is a wide shot the shows the length of the building. But, I decided to crop it close like this so the people can be seen. Sort of. (Thanks to quirkygirl for pointing me to that fancy sloppyborder script!!!)

We're working on episode 10 already (which will air next week!). Sigh. 4 more episodes to air and the season will be finished.

I miss the shoots.
I'm going to miss voicings.

Oh, well.

Good luck to direk and me -- we're hoping to swing a miracle and keep the show the way we want it. But, in the end, it's not up to us. Friday, we'll find out what's in store for BotR.

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields, tv work

Louie -- from last night's gig.

------------
The Bloomfields' website is partially up. More content to come, according to the webmasters :) the message board is also already open.

Go visit!

All photos by me ;-)

And yes, I'm so thrilled.

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields

and here are the rest of the promo photos. the shoot was fun and nerve-wracking -- it was informal enough and they knew i was winging it and were ok with it. but of course, i was conscious as hell. oh well, they didn't care much about my winging it and they were happy with the shots. never mind the overexposed corners, the inadequately lit faces, and what not (i know professional photographers are bound to point out those things) =P but i like em.

and i like how the shots rendered in bw. i tried different tones, as you'll see in this flickr set. these are the shots i like best.

the whole set of promo photos are in my zoto gallery -- for those who are interested to see them. the colored ones are fun, too =)

btw, the bloomfields' website is being constructed, but they posted the index page already. lookee, they used my photo. :)

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields

still can't believe how busy i am these days, and on weekends i'm just so tired. some things i had to let go of because of work (ewww, it's come to that!). i'm glad i have something other than work to keep things interesting.

-----

this shot was taken for the boys' promo photo file. i really am no pro. but i hope they'll find use for this and the others that i took. still waiting for feedback from pat.

but i'm relieved that at least moptop has said that he liked the shots, and cited a few of his favorites. i agree with his choices, they're the shots i'd use, too.

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields

60's-inspired rock n' roll band The Bloomfields dish out the hottest mobile downloads from MobileMyx while exploring Luzon's summer hotspots.

While on the road trip, the boys receive a series of MMS messages from a mystery girl on her own road trip. The boys decide to follow her via her message trail.

Thirteen 15-minute weekly episodes chronicle the band's trip from Manila to Laguna, and then north towards Pampanga, Zambales and Baguio. On the trip, see them trying out exotic food, enjoying water sports, exploring an old lighthouse, and having some good ol' summer fun.

Band on the Run will air every Wednesday on MYX starting May 10, 10pm, with replays on Saturdays at 10am, and Sundays at midnight.

---- END PRESS RELEASE ---

my show. please watch ;)

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields, tv work

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields

hihihihi =)

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields

Can't stop, addicted to the shindig.

Photographs >>>.

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields

I fired some 292 shots at The Bloomfields last night using The Moondog (my 300D). I haven't completely familiarized myself with even just the basic settings, but happily I was able to take some 40-something ok shots. It was fun shooting such a happy bunch of performers.

So I spent the whole gig madshutter-ing away.

Fun fun fun just got funner.

The pics are here.

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields

The Bloomfields! They're just too fabulous not to share with friends.

Real good vibes from a hefty serving of good ol' rock and roll from the 60s and 50s, performed by a young bunch of talented and energetic musicians.

Loved them the first time I heard them play at 6under, and they've gotten so much better since. If you're going to watch, you must make sure you stay until they play The Shadows' Little B. It's an absolute must.

Catch them if you can :) Gig skeds at their Yahoo!Groups page.

photos by me on Lightbox (not bad for a little camera! i've missed Lighty.)

Labels: photographs, the bloomfields