“I’m not an expert. I’m still learning every day how to be a photographer—trying to be better than who I was a week ago, a year ago, even decades ago.”
This quiet humility is often shared among photographers who choose to give back through photo clinics—intimate, hands-on learning spaces where experience is exchanged as freely as technique. More than lessons on cameras and lighting, these sessions become conversations about seeing, storytelling, and responsibility.
Like many working photographers, my own journey has been shaped by mentors, long hours of reading and listening, and years of practice in the field. Working various assignments and being accepted into newspaper photo sections as a junior member provided lessons no manual could fully explain. Over time, however, sharing those experiences proved to be just as meaningful as acquiring them.
Photo clinics are designed to address real-world challenges faced by young photographers at different stages. Hoping to instill passion and dedication in helping students fond their value as campus journalists.
Discussions often cover basic camera settings, lighting techniques, and post-processing workflows, as well as genre-specific approaches to portrait, street, and landscape photography.
For beginners, the value lies in immediate guidance and feedback. For more seasoned practitioners—especially film and press photographers—mentoring young learners becomes a way to revisit fundamentals while adapting to evolving tools and practices.
Beyond technique, these clinics emphasize visual storytelling and ethics. Introducing students to basic photojournalism principles helps them understand that photography is not only about making strong images, but also about context, truth, and respect for subjects. In an age of rapid image consumption, this grounding is more important than ever.
Starting with the basics, the hope is to inspire young photographers to pursue their passion with intention—seeing photography as both an art form and a way of engaging with the world. Photo clinics, at their core, are reminders that learning never ends, and that growth often happens best when knowledge is shared.
Let me share those invites that made me humble, because there are always better photographers that are born every minute, and will be better than yours truly.
Happy to share some the gigs, photographers and their works :
The Archdiocese of Manila RCAM Office of Communications, held a one day seminar last November 15. Thanks to Ms. Jheng Prado and fellow photographer Roi Lagarde who is the official photographer of the CBCP, for the push.
Curated some photos and converted in Black and White to compliment the historical Intramuros.
Next is the Palihan Photojournalism Exercise of PISAY campus Batangas City last November 23, 2025.
And also some winners of the 27th World Cup Philippines National Journalism Press Conference and Contest at the National Press Club in Intramuros, Manila, held on December 6, 2025.
Last is the photo clinic held at the Batangas City East Elementary School last December 16, 2025.
Thanks to fellow photographer Miguel Antonio of PhilStar and Brod Ashzel Hachero of Malaya for sharing this journey with the young campus journalists.
Here are some photos from all those 4 gigs. —Bernard Testa/PG
