RAYMUND FERNANDEZ
VETERAN photographer Bob Lim took time out to answer questions about his latest one-man exhibition, “Vivid: Cebuano Portraits” featuring 31 personalities from the arts, culture and education.
His portraits will be presented using a multimedia format, mixing large blow-ups of prints to be displayed on panel boards and a slide show using widescreen high-definition television sets.
From Sept. 15 to 22, Lim’s exhibit will be mounted in Mandani Bay in North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City in front of Park Mall. Then it will move to Ayala Center Cebu for a five-day run, from Sept. 25 to 30. The public is invited to view the photo exhibit.
Why are you exhibiting for the second straight year?
Because I’m making up for lost time (LOL). I’ve been busy raising a big family for some time and that means focusing on the business side of photography. Now that I have some free time away from the workplace, I feel I can now do the things I’ve been putting on hold.
ANNE DALA
Why portraits?
I’m doing portraiture since I first picked up a camera, more so when I became a commercial photographer. But given the chance, I have this thing about photographing people in the arts and culture. I love the challenge, the interaction because these are creative creatures and they have certain ideas on how they are to be photographed.
Any challenges shooting this type of subjects?
Surprisingly, I have generally no problem. No prima donna antics. No mood swings or tantrums. The problem, however, is availability. That’s why a handful of persons didn’t make it to the final selection because of scheduling.
A couple of times, there’s the issue of differing opinion on how the subject is to be presented. But being an old hand in photography, I tried to be flexible. After all, portraiture is a collaborative process.
How did you select the personalities presented in this exhibit?
Firstly, they are people I know very well, as friends or as colleagues. I’d casually invite them if they would be interested to be photographed. Of those
approached, almost all said yes. But the actual photo shoot had to take time. Most of these portraits were done in the last three years. The earliest was in 2005 and the latest was two weeks ago.
Why “Vivid” as the title of the photo exhibit?
My intent is to capture the essence of the subjects. to show their unique character, vividly. I may not be totally successful but that’s the starting point, the goal.
