I joined the Camera Club of the Philippines because of my mentors’ influence: Pancho Escaler, Bien Bautista and Emil Davocol. I started my career in photography as an assistant photographer in Chroma Studios owned and created by CCP members and now lifetime members Pancho, Emil, Bien, the late Ed Sarte and the Waldy Cruz.
When I put up my own studio and advertising photography firm in 1990, the competitive advertising industry required very high standards in photography. You must be technically advanced, skilled, flexible, experienced and most of all, have a great portfolio. For the first two years, I struggled with having little experience and resources. I began thinking that the Camera Club of the Philippines was the only way to gain experience, to learn more and to practice better photography.
I joined the Club in 1992 and in the years hence, it was the club that really helped me in my career. I became a multi-awarded Master Photographer in the Club, won multiple awards locally and internationally in the advertising industry. I became one of the premier lensemen in the Philippines in the specialized field of advertising.
It was the Club’s monthly competitions that helped build the best of my portfolio. It improved my skills and practice and honed in the intricate use of lighting as well as how to develop a good concept for entries, a technique I learned to practice well. This was the essential in winning contests with various challenging themes. I did a lot of experimenting in my monthly entries in my studio, like making what I call impossible shots, with difficult so called “set-up photography”. I try to go beyond this, not only for competitions but to satisfy my artistic cravings. The On-The-Spots, on the other hand, helped me to shoot landscapes, to identify a good subject, to develop my composition techniques, to be flexible on all situations of lighting or weather.
I learned a lot in this Camera Club but not only photography. Most importantly, I made my best friends here. The Club is like a family that you will treasure for life. The camaraderie, the out of town and travel experiences with the members and our family members is what I treasure the most.
What I miss in the Club are the yearly performances of the members in groups with their wives and children. We must continue to involve our families in the Club because we need to show our children not only what we do in it but why we are so close, like a family. We have to think of the next generations of the Club.
Raul Montifar won the prestigious Master Photographer titles in 1997, 2006 and 2011. He became a regular member of the Club in 1993 and was awarded the Lifetime Membership status in 2018. This article was published in the January 2019 edition of the Viewfinder.
