The Adventures of Danbo by NOEL CRISOSTOMO

You've probably seen one. That little cardboard robot figure that seems to be in all sorts of situations or places in photos. You've probably wanted one, too. Well, Focus Bulacan's Noel Crisostomo happens to have not one, not two, but three Danbo figures and they are his favorite subjects to shoot. In fact, he has an "Adventures of Danbo" photo series, and we are featuring it here.

A computer technician by profession, Noel is also the Membership Committee Officer of Focus Bulacan, one of the tireless individuals behind the success of the group. In his travels or in his free time, he makes it a point to shoot his Danbo figures, and has created quite a following for it. It's still life photography, no doubt, but one that's unique because it takes a life of its own. We talked with Noel about his cute photo series...

  Q : Why Danbo of all subjects?
Noel : I love to shoot danboards or “Danbo” as my subject because of their facial expression and you can do whatever concept you want for them. You can put them in any place you want and they are also easy to shoot.

Q : Do you take Danbo with you on your travels?
N : In most of my travels I make sure that I take them with me and shoot them wherever I go.

Q:  How did you come up with the idea of shooting a Danbo figure? 
N : I saw some pictures on an internet site that featured this small action figure called "Danboard". Then I asked my friend in Japan if he can order for me that small action figure and luckily I got 3 and started shooting them.

Q: Don’t you run out of ideas? Do you have a favorite Danbo photo?
N : Not really.  I have a favorite shot of Danbo, the one included in Focus Bulacan's first photo exhibit.

Q : Which Danbo photo was the most difficult to shoot?
N : For me, shooting Danbo is not difficult at all, you just need to give it time and think of good concepts.

Q : Do you have a Danbo dream shot? 
N : Shooting them on a travel outside the country.

Q:  Aside from your Danbo series, we know you also shoot a lot of macro. What else do you like to shoot?
N : I would also like to shoot a lot of extraordinary insects and if  given a chance I also want to shoot some wild animals.

Q : You’re a Sony user. Do you find it a relief to be in the middle of the Canon-Nikon wars? How did you end up using a Sony system in the first place? 
N : Yes, I'm glad not to be involved in the brand wars.  Sometimes I enjoy seeing them annoyed with each other, hahaha. Back in 2009 I asked my brother in Singapore if he could buy me a DSLR camera, either a Canon or a Nikon. After a week he told me that he already bought a DSLR and it's Sony Alpha 230.  After that on June 2010 I got my second Sony, an Alpha 200 camera with Japanese language from my friend in japan and I'm happy  using my Sony camera now.

Q : Any other genre you’d like to try or focus on?
N : I really wish to try shooting wildlife and animals and other extraordinary creatures.

Q: Let's shift topic. What is it like to be a Focus Bulacan officer?
N : Sometimes it’s hard but seeing your group grow faster, it’s very fulfilling. I'm glad to be a part of the success of our group Focus Bulacan.

Q :  What advice do you want to give those who are starting in photography?
N : Simply keep on shooting, don't get frustrated, believe in yourself and just enjoy what you are doing.  If you feel some frustration just put down your camera and take a rest for a while and after that go back to shooting.

Q : Please give a message to Focus Bulacan members and followers.
N : To our followers, thank you for following and supporting Focus Bulacan and I'm hoping that sometimes you can join us in our photo meets and upcoming events. Being a member of Focus Bulacan doesn't stop in becoming approved as official member. We have photo meets and events that you need to attend and we also have monthly theme and photo meet contests to join. Some of the members I really haven't known personally and I'm hoping that we will see you be more active in attending upcoming photo meets and events. We are not just an ordinary photography group. We are solid,  we are happy and we're a well-organized group. See you on our photo meets!

Click on thumbnails to view more photos of Danbo in full

Sometimes, all it takes is a simple object and some imagination to create interesting photos. Of course it helps if your subject is a cute little robot made of cardboard.