First of all this is not the OFFICIAL GUIDE. This is merely the words of an amateur photographer (me) who has experienced the treachery of Sinulog 2008. (but I enjoyed it anyway)

So let’s start with a check list with what to bring:
Essentials
1.Your camera (duh!!!!!)
2.Extra Batteries
3.Extra Memory Cards-best shoot at your largest format
4.Tripod/Monopod-well, if you’re up for some difficult shots then this proves useful
5.External HD or mini Laptop- nowadays, there are some pretty impressive notebooks with small sizes, but great capacities
6.Sturdy bag with good security-you would want a bag open to all kinds of bumping and of course secure enough from “idle Hands” of the streets
7.Cloth- at least 3 sheets, can be towels or handkerchiefs, I personally use Neckerchiefs from High School. Proved useful when rain poured
8.Big Clear Plastic-When Rain gets worst, you’ll need this
9.Umbrella-a small one if possible, just to keep your stuff from getting wet when rain is heavy
10.Cap/Hat- to protect you from unbearable heat
11.Cellphone- to contact people for updates of wherever they are, proved useful when asking about the potential contingents
12.Cash- 500php at minimum

extra stuff
1.Mirror, I saw someone bringing a mirror, must be for reflecting light
2.Portable Ladder-hahaha this one was cool for Bird’s Eye View

Photographing Tips:
1.Lighting
-You can see that the direction of the sun varies in most times. Meaning, you have to know where the sun rises and where sun sets in your area of shoot. The festival is a whole day shoot, so you should be flexible. In Cebu, weather is crazy, and I have lost pag-asa(hope) in PAGASA (weather people). So, you never know when it turns cloudy and then sunny. For this case, I strongly suggest using M or Shutter Priority for your shoot.

2.Festival Queens
-although part of the rules in Street Dancing Category is not to shoot the FQ’s alone, we still want to get those shots. Now during the dance, it is a big tendencies for the FQ’s to keep moving their heads sidewards and a lot of times, blocking their faces with the Sto. Niño. So what should you do? Here’s a tip, these FQ’s love attention, so get up close with them and talk to them indirectly. They will willingly look at your camera and smile. Especially if you smile at them. (wink wink)

3.Dancers
-it is great to shoot dancers during their dance. But I also notice everyone is in a hurry to shoot as soon as a contingent arrives. It is very useful if you take time to observe their dances from afar. So when they do arrive in your area, you already know where to locate yourself when shooting. You don’t have to keep guessing their next move. In fact, you won’t worried of getting hit by one of the dancers. I remember being able to shoot the dancers while I was in the Heart of the dancing.

4.Sidelights
-only one advice, be prepared. Sidelights has to be one of those moments you MUST capture. So just be observant of whatever might happen

5.Higantes(Giants) and Floats
-I’m a sucker at this point but I did realize that at a certain angle you can emphasize some characteristics of the subjects. But I believe its just getting at the right angle.

Anyway, one of the most important things to remember in this shoot is that you MUST GET AN ID. If you are just there at the sides, you won’t get much. You will spend the rest of the day cramming around with thousands of other people. Getting an ID entitles you to shoot IN the parade. It also allows you to talk to the dancers while in their break, so you can get them to pose.

It also helpful if you do the shoot within the judging areas. Look around. You’ll be able to see signs saying if the area is a judging area or not.

And lastly… what to wear:
1.Hat/Cap
-anything that protects your head at the same time does not bother you when taking pictures

2.Black Shirt
-hahahaha. Okay, maybe under the heat of the sun, White is the best color. But every year in Sinulog, majority of the people where black, so let’s go with the flow.

3.Scarf
-not to keep you warm but to protect your cam from direct sunlight or rain.

4.pants/shorts
-any would do, last year I wore pants and it didn’t matter, as long as its comfortable enough to make you move around and position yourself in different angles.

5.Shoes
-yep, shoes which are water proof, or anything closed. wearing slippers or sandals… not a good idea with all that dirt, dust and things you could think up of. Also, you don’t want to get stepped on a lot. Trust me. Getting through an excited crowd, is a foot-stomping buffet.

here’s a little preview of what you should wear, although incomplete, but just to get you the idea.
Photo courtesy of Yoshi

http://foolishidiot.multiply.com

take note- I wore my cellphone on a strap, helpful when I don’t want to keep reaching into my pocket

PHOTOCONTEST REGISTRATION-500php… totally worth it.

See you there! Ill be the guy with the black shirt, black cap, and with black Hawk Bag which will look like a lunch box, and of course, carrying a gray Tripod. Say hi and tell me if you viewed this blog.

Viva Pit Senyor!