Silhouettes & Memories : Awel Dionisio's Journey

It has been quite a journey for Awel Dionisio. It is a literal journey in photography, by the way : he is a biker who often ventures out to wherever with his camera in tow, always ready to capture an interesting scene. It's a combination of the love for adventure and the drive to get better in photography that has made him one of the most notable Focus Bulacan photographers today. It's also an unmistakable look of his photos that make him stand out, as his silhouettes have become a go-to style. We couldn't help but notice. Manuel "Awel" Dionisio is our featured Focus photographer of the month.

Q : We’ve witnessed how you improved leaps and bounds in your photography. Tell us how it was like for you in the beginning?
Awel :  It all started noong niregaluhan ako ni misis ng DSLR. Sabi ko dapat 'pag ganyan ang camera, dapat may alam din ako sa photography. So nag-start na akong mag-research sa internet about photography. Ayun,  doon na nagsimula 'yung pagkahilig ko sa photography. 'Di ko alam na medyo mahirap pala, madaming dapat i-consider,  ISO, shutter speed, aperture, et cetera. Pero curious talaga ako kaya tinuloy-tuloy ko lang 'yung pag-aaral ng photography. With every piece of knowledge na na-acquire ko sa Google, Facebook, Youtube at sa iba pa, mas lalo kong na-appreciate ang photography.
 
Q :  Was there a moment or a particular situation when you felt that you have found the key to good photography or made you feel that you’ve come a long way since you started?
A :  I think, siguro naman kahit paano eh medyo may improvement naman kahit kaunti 'yung pagkuha ko ng litrato.  Sa tingin ko siguro ang key sa good photography eh 'yung mag-enjoy ka lang sa pagkuha ng litrato at syempre 'yung may puso. Sabi nga noong nasa choir pa ako, “walang panget na pagkanta as long as kumakanta ka nang may puso”.
 
Q :   What's your signature style? A particular look or mood that you like to incorporate in your photos?
A :  Wala pa siguro akong masasabing sariling style, madami pa kasi ako dapat malaman at matutunan about photography. Kaya tumitingin-tingin pa ako ng iba't-ibang style sa ibang magagaling na photographer.

Q :  What is the most memorable experience that you’ve had in photography by far?
A : Kada shoot ko naman o PhotoMeet na pinupuntahan ko, basta kasama ang mga kaibigan ko na mahilig din sa photography, eh memorable para sa akin.
 
Q :  What remains your frustration or things that you’d still like to try or improve on?
A :  Siguro ang talagang gusto kong i-improve sa ngayon ay 'yung pag-post-process ng photos. Sa tingin ko iyon ang kailangan kong pagtuunan ng pansin.
 
Q :  Among the genres you’ve tried, which one is your favorite and why?
A :  Ang favorite ko talaga is portraiture, second is street photography.  Na-amaze talaga ako 'pag nag-shoot ako ng portrait,  gusto ko kasi naka-capture yung iba't-ibang expressions or emotions ng subject. Sa street photography naman, 'yung  ibang perspective naman ng pag-shoot ng litrato. Medyo mahirap din pero gusto ko talaga siya matutunan.

Q :  You’re also a biker. Has that become advantageous in your photography?
A :  Malaking advantage talaga 'yung nagba-bike ka na may dalang camera. Lagi ko 'yun ginagawa. Ang totoo, karamihan sa mga photos na na-shoot ko eh naka-bike ako.
 
Q :  What’s your favorite photo of all? The one you’re most proud of or the one that’s most memorable?
A :  Syempre 'yung winning photo ko sa Salubong Fiesta 2015. First time ko kasi manalo ng grand prize sa photo contest, so iyon sa ngayon ang pinaka-proud ako at pinaka-memorable.

Q :  What does your wife say about your photography? Can you share a proud moment between you two?
A :  Si misis talaga ang photowalk buddy ko. Most of my photos na na-shoot ko eh siya ang kasama ko. Mahilig kasi kami gumala. Siya ang taga-BTS ko, hehe. Nag-e-enjoy din naman siya. Minsan nga mas okay pa 'yung kuha niya sa akin.  Nagpapasalamat na din ako kasi na-bless ako ng mapagmahal, maganda, mabait at supportive na asawa. Sana may pambili ako ng new camera. Hehe.
 
Q :  What advice could you offer to other photographers?
A :  Gosh, kasi wala pa naman talaga ako masyadong napapatunayan, ang dami ko pa din dapat matutunan about photography. Ang totoo nga niyan 'di ko alam kung ankop na sa akin na tawagin na “photographer”.  'Di pala talaga basta-basta ang gagawin mo para maging photographer. Di pala 'yung basta may camera ka eh photographer ka na. Siguro ang advice ko na lang eh just enjoy photography, be humble. I-encourage natin 'yung iba na nagsisimula pa lang sa photography.

More of our favorite Awel Dionisio photos (click thumbnails to view in full)

Q:  What's your message to Focus followers and fellow Focus members?
A:  Sa mga followers ng Focus Bulacan,  maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyo.  Keep on supporting Focus Bulacan. At syempre sa mga ka-Focus ko na mga idol ko din sa photography. Maraming salamat din sa inyo. Sabi nga ni Alih Viaje, “you guys are great”. God bless us all. Magkita uli tayo sa susunod na PhotoMeet!

Awel with supportive wife Girlie and kids Dania and L.A.

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