User:Omarjordan

'Omar Jordan de Guzman' is a Dubai based Events and Portrait Filipino Photographer. He defines himself as “An Art Slave”, his love for music and passion for the arts eventually played a vital role on how he does his Photography.

“Be creative, be dynamic, your camera is just a tool, what matters is how your imagination feeds you, and how you respond to those new imaginations, you should always be able to transpose those Ideas into a masterpiece, imagination and application is what I do. I read a lot, i always see the world around me as a big frame which has a lot of subjects.. A bit of technicality within the boundaries of your Artistry is necessary. Some Photographers, both hobbyists and Pros alike, tend to forget their fundamentals, this is what I am trying to avoid as i go along…Try to study your image before taking another picture, look if your frame is good, see how the light falls on each quadrant, look if the details are properly exposed, Don’t just capture an image, study it, learn from it….”

- Omar Jordan de Guzman www.omarjordandeguzman.com ©

HOW HE STARTED PHOTOGRAPHY AND HIS TEACHERS

In 2000, Omar started as an assistant to his cousin and first mentor Benjamin Rivera Jr. during wedding coverages, events and Studio photo-shoots in Manila. While assisting Benjax in this short stint, Omar learned some basic principles on photography which he later put to good use in Dubai U.A.E. where he practiced his profession and work, because it is in the Gulf sands where he met his second mentor, Dino Rex Kintanar. (see www.dinokintanar.com)

Dino Kintanar, is a fellow Filipino who shares the same ideals and passion for music and arts. This resulted in a good “friend-mentor” relationship between the two. Dino being a freelance Photographer in Dubai, used to tag-along Omar in his projects and eventually made him as his assistant and back-up photographer in most occasions. Omar, too eager to learn from Dino, never stopped researching and asking technical questions to his current mentor. As Dino watched Omar grow on his craft, the Master then had to let go of his apprentice to pursue his own identity as a Photographer. Once in a while, they meet up and continuously share their ideas and knowledge whether in Photography or any arts and music related topics.

THE BIRTH OF IMAJE PHOTOGRAPHY

In 2011, Omar decided to create his own identity as a photographer and founded IMAJE Photography. He believed that it’s already time for him to do things on his own and apply all that he had learned to the test. Though, he admits that once in a while he still communicates with his two mentors and asks for advice if really needed.

In 2012, Omar shared his ideas and knowledge in a mini Basic Photography and Lighting Workshop for his fellow photographers in Dubai wherein he discussed the “Fundamentals of Portrait Photography and Basic Indoor Lighting Concepts”.

HOW MUSIC AND ARTS INFLUENCED HIS WORKS

Omar loves music as much as he loves visual arts. He started playing the drums when he was in junior high and then, his interest shifted to playing the bass guitar. He ended up as a guitarist and formed several bands while pursuing his education in college where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. During his spare time, he also enjoys painting acrylics. He often represented his school on various Editorial Cartooning competitions and is also a consistent winner for District and National levels. At a very young age he was able to express his feelings and thoughts through his works, his artistry echoed to every curves and lines he creates. Omar often relates his works to music and the arts. He believes that in every image he captures he puts his soul and passion in it just like a composer creates his music. Like a typical artist, his moods and emotions greatly affect his images whenever he’s in a photo-shoot.