Manny Librodo: A life through the lens

THAILAND - It has been said, "Anybody can take good photographs." But to capture pictures that tell stories, to take photographs that pull the heartstrings, now that is every photographer's ultimate goal in life. The photographer you are to read about -- Manny Libres Librodo – does just that. He doesn't just take pictures that tell stories; he takes them further into the realm of art: arresting, evoking a more deep-seated emotion than just wonder. Beyond words, you have to gaze at Manny's images yourself to grasp, feel, and understand the true essence of his photographs. How it all started: dental clinic and five magazines It all started at a small dental clinic in the central Philippine province of Iloilo -- Manny's quest as a photographer. Yes, a dental clinic and five copies of Mabuhay magazine, the in-flight publication of Philippine Airlines. There was something about those pictures at the Mabuhay – his favorite magazine -- that Manny find irresistible. To this day, in fact, Manny remembers just sitting in a corner at home for hours poring over the glossy pages of Mabuhay. That is why -- sitting in that dental clinic one day -- he decided to "borrow" five Mabuhay magazines from his dentist! From there, the photo dilettante emerged, and passion and professionalism developed, which continued through the years. When he still could not afford to buy his own camera, he borrowed from friends and other people. When he had money to buy his own camera, he started with just a "point-and-shoot." The turning point came in 2003. During summer, Manny went on a "world tour" of sorts, with Europe as his favorite stop. The novelty and beauty, the sights, the culture, the history, and all that is Europe were so exciting they became backgrounds in his personal postcards. But later Manny got bored looking at his travel pictures. He got to a point where he even asked himself, "So what?" referring to the photos other people took of him in his travels. "I can take better pictures than these," he thought. Yes he can, and so he did. Destined for better things Using the point and shoot camera that he first had, he began to take photography seriously. He thought his main area of interest would be macro photography but after moving on to a much more serious-looking gear, the Nikon D70, Manny's photo-taking was never the same again. Nikon D70 helped Manny gained more confidence in his skills and abilities as a photographer and because it was his first ever camera after really taking photography seriously, it was difficult for him to let go of it. Even when he already felt he needed to upgrade his equipment as his photo skills grow, he clung on to the same camera. But as fate would have it, Manny is destined for better things. He lost his Nikon D70 one day. He left it on a taxi. "Thinking about it now, I feel that perhaps I really wanted to 'lose' that camera, may be even willed the loss so I can upgrade without feeling the guilt of selling my Nikon D70," Manny confessed. The camera was worth around 100,000 baht, and Manny thought, "Well, since I lost a hundred thousand, I better get it back." He got himself a Nikon D200 next and planned on getting his hundred thousand back. His first photo exhibit at the One Workshop Gallery in Makati, Philippines, opened the door for Manny to get back his lost camera. There, he met the publisher of Digital Photographers Philippines magazine, and after that meeting the Nikon Company sponsored the camera that he currently uses, Nikon D2X. "It's like hitting two birds with one stone," said Manny. "I wanted to have more photo exhibits in the Philippines and I wanted to upgrade my camera. I got both from Nikon, and more!" When not out taking photos by the tons, Manny has a full time job teaching high school kids in a prominent international school in Bangkok. The demands of his full time job do not leave much room for time to take photos, so he is forced to "travel and shoot," so to speak. Whenever he has a chance to travel, he takes tons of pictures. His favorites are candid shots, travel portraits, and the like. "I don't have the luxury of time because of my full time job," Manny said, "but since I have the itch, I set up photo sessions at weekends." "I don't have the luxury of time because of my full time job," Manny said, "but since I have the itch, I set up photo sessions at weekends." Manny then started joining online communities and entered competitions. He also set up his own classroom as a studio, putting up a black background on his bulletin boards to serve as backdrop for his photo sessions. At the end of the workday, his classroom converts to a studio. Out of that necessity, came his ultimate gift for capturing and mastering the use of window light. Those who look at his pictures wonder at how he is able to capture uniquely the magic of light in his pictures. Before Manny knew it, the workshop trail has officially begun. With Manny's passion in, and talent for, photography, very few of those who knew him doubt that he will make it. "It's just a matter of time," opined Aloha, a colleague and Manny's partner in his photo shoots. She was referring to Manny's name becoming a household word among professional photographers all over the globe. Keep the passion burning To those who have an interest in photography, Manny says: "You have to have the passion, and keep the passion burning. Channel it into something positive." He cautions enthusiasts though: "Photography is expensive. You have to have money for the gear because no matter how much talent you have, if you don't have the right gear, it's difficult. So invest on the right gear. And practice...practice...practice!" Though he has not been taking pictures for as many years as other photographers, he says experience-wise, his would be comparable to that of a person who has been into photography for 20 years but has not been taking pictures that often. Over the years, Manny has collected a good number of awards for his photographs. Among the many awards he has received includes the one from digitalimagecafe.com, where a photo of his favorite model in Thailand, Krystal, became photo of the month. He also has two grand winners at the betterphoto.com . This artist, no doubt, has achieved so much in the short number of years that he has gotten involved in the world of photography. But he has not forgotten that he is still "Pinoy" and finds every opportunity to uphold everything Pinoy about him. And to our Siam Pinoy browsers, here are his nuggets of wisdom on our "Pinoyness:" "I think we have to maintain our being Filipinos. What sets us apart is we have passion! We have to use this passion in a very positive way. We can influence many people. Here in Thailand, through the good work we are doing, we can contribute to generate respect from others." "I think we have to maintain our being Filipinos. What sets us apart is we have passion! We have to use this passion in a very positive way. We can influence many people. Here in Thailand, through the good work we are doing, we can contribute to generate respect from others." Of course, Manny speaks from experience, having gained the respect of photographers of different backgrounds and nationalities because he chose to pursue his passion in taking great pictures. To the people who work to make SiamPinoy possible, "Keep up the good work", Manny says. "There are lots of Filipino talents in Thailand . These people whatever their occupations, needed to be heard." "Siam Pinoy is like a 'tambayan of Filipinos in Thailand.' It's a place to talk, to exchange ideas, to play, to 'fight,' to seek and receive advice and suggestions." Photo guru in the making In June 18-19, Manny met with Canadian wedding photographers in for a workshop. That's one of the perks of being sought after by people who wanted to learn how he does what he does with his pictures. His air tickets were paid for, and everything else arranged for him by the group, and he also received a handsome fee. He also met with another group of photographers there, this time, to shoot the Rockies . This was his first workshop outside Asia, but this early, plans are already under way for next one next year. And his followers in other parts of the world are clamoring for more. Internationally recognized as a photographer; sought after by photography enthusiasts in Asia and now the West; multi-awarded in his craft – Manny is definitely not your average neighborhood guy. He is becoming a household name among photography enthusiasts all over the globe and in fact, in 2008, UNICEF is featuring some of his pictures in their calendar. Manny gets a whooping US$400 dollars for each of his works of art but it is neither the money nor the fringe benefits he gets from workshops in different parts of the world that motivate Manny to do what he does. It is his natural affinity with lines and shapes, forms and textures, hues and colors. It is his passion for seeing beyond what the average person does. It is his pure love for creating good photographs. This is Manny Librodo, photographer par excellence, and proud to be a Filipino! This is a Filipino that we can all be proud of! - SiamPinoy.com