LoveofLens

Finding Light in the Darkroom
by Florence Pia G. Yu
Published: Sun Star Weekend
Cebu City, Philippines��
March 25, 2001
Page

It was love at first click. "When I first got hold of the camera, it just took a place in my heart," declares 23-year old lensman Jose Ramon "Joey" Echavarria.

But zooming in on the practical realities of his craft, he has noticed that what photography has done for his heart, hasn't done the same for his pocket.

A self-declared photography hobbyist who wants to live on his art, Joey says his passion for photography is leaving him flat broke. " I'm actually spending for it rather than earning money from it," he admits. "Mangayo pa gani ko sa akong papa kay wa na koy kwarta. (I still even ask money from my dad)."

Months ago, Joey, an advertising graduate, was earning well, holding a supervisory position at a clothing store. However, bent on pursuing his passion, he soon quit that job. And that wasn't the only thing he did for the love of the lens. He also gave up another job designing for a local fashion company.��

"Everybody says that the best way to earn money is in doing something which you really love. Since photography is my passion, I'll try to earn money with it," he says confidently.��

He admits, though, that he is hurling himself into the unknown, so to speak. Some may call it guts, others may call it vain idealism, but for Joey, it is just following his heart.��

Joey's passion for the lens developed in his photography class three years ago. "Before I took that class, photography didn't mean much to me, pero pag start nako, na anam ko ug ka interested," he admits. He instantly felt that it was something he had to do.��
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Now, Joey is struggling to make his dream work. However, the cash flow is still down to a trickle, and Joey's biggest stint yet was doing a photo shoot for a local resort. "But this doesn't happen everyday, timing-timing lang. So, who knows, maybe the next time would be weeks, months from now," he says.��

"The photography world here is not so friendly at the moment. What's more, people here have a mentality that if you're a photographer, you are down below," he shares. But, going abroad is the last thing on his list. "There, the competition is stiff, there are a lot of famous photographers. It's better to stay here."��

Despite the odds, Joey tries to remain optimistic. "I plan on sticking on this, hopefully try to earn money from it. I am not sure if it will really work for me, but at the moment, nothing will stop me," he tells.��

He didn't think of it as a career at first. "I never thought of making money out of it. I just wanted to enjoy the hobby. But recently I realized that I need to earn something, especially now that I am not employed with any company."��

On the other hand, as a hobby, photography is very expensive. He has spent much on it, for one. "Dako-dako na sad. Dili na makwenta (I've spent quite a huge amount)."�

Joey likes to photograph nature, the environment. "I've always loved nature. When I was a kid I would wake up before five a.m. para maghuwat sa adlaw nga mosaka, maminaw sa langgam (to wait for the sun to rise, and hear the birds chirp)."�

So the camera clicks--scenery, the outdoors, sometimes images of human interest, "kanang naay art gamay; something nga maka-touch (something with art, something touching)."��

He tries to go out of town to take pictures. "Depende sa budget--sa usa ka buwan, ka usa tingali (It depends on the budget. Around once a month)."��

He'll go far in surviving on his photography, as far as he can. "I cannot predict what'll happen next, but I'll just keep on investing on it. I am trying to be optimistic."��

No, he doesn't want to work for a company, especially not if the work has nothing to do with photography.

He could put up a studio, he has put together enough equipment. But he finds studio work so boring. "I started photography in the first place because I wanted to go to places, shoot scenes, not to stay in a studio."

Does he have an eye set out on other things aside from photography? "Photography is the only thing that's keeping me preoccupied. I am passionate about it. It is photography on which I keep my focus."

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