Hot Spot : Troy Espiritu

Who is Troy Espiritu?

Troy Espiritu isa sa naging business partner ko way back 2010 i think?, he one of the best person na nakilala ko sa mundo ng photography, first impression ko sa taong to, suplado dahil sa pormal na damit at pananalita ngunit sa tinagal-tagal na pagsasama namin, mas nakilala ko ang ibang Troy.
Kalog, mabait at kritiko sa mga isyung panlipunan maging sa labas o loob man ito ng bansa.

He is one of the best pagdating sa Photojournalism, no doubt pagdating dun, dahil isa sa mga paborito kung shoot niya ay noong nakaraang State of the nation address ni Pangulong Aquino.

He is one of the people behind the success of the one of independent film entitle Slumber Party in Cinema One Originals.

He is now a new recruit member of Powerhouse G5 (a primer multimedia group).

Full Name and Alias: Troy Espiritu
Website/Blog: To follow.
Twitter: @deviltroy
Location: Manila/ Cavite/ Cainta
Age: 27
Education: BSBA-Marketing Management
Genre of your Photography: Landscape/Travel/Photojourn/Street/Portrait

What is your current state of mind before we continue with the interview?
-Unstable. Bwahahahahaha

How did you get started in photography?
-It started one boring afternoon when I borrowed my sister's D90 to take photos of my mom's orchids. I don't have any idea about the technicals. Primarily, I just want to test my composition. But that rainy afternoon was an epiphany. Perhaps, that moment was a calling for me to try a new dimension of storytelling aside from filmmaking. That's why I consulted my reliable friends, Google and Youtube, for help. Like any starting photographers, I need to know the basic stuff; the relationship between iso, aperture and shutter speed. Then the rest follows.

Did you go to school to study photography?
-Google, Youtube, Practice, Experience and Some Help of my Friends University

What camera did you use?
-Canon 60D

How would you characterize the style of your photography?
-Hard hitting and Real time. For me, story is the primary aestethic.

Who or what influenced you to become a photographer?
-I wasn't planning to be a photographer at first. Photography was only a form of distressing until I saw the works of Nick Ut (Napalm Girl) and Steve McCurry (Afghan Girl) that made me decide to tell stories in one frame.

How did you become a photographer? And When did your career start as a professional photographer?
-At first, I was just fond of taking snapshots of my friends whenever there's a special event or just ordinary day. But they see my photos as captured moments rather than a mundane picture. So they reffered me to their friends who needs an event photographer. That's where I started professionally. But I didn't stop there. Since my passion is telling stories in one frame, I also ventured into photojournalism, covering current events, primarily rallies.

What makes a good photographer in your opinion?
-A photographer should be sincere to his craft. No amount of tuition fee or formal study can define what's a good photographer. It only takes passion and guts.

Do You Have A Favorite Walk Around Lens...If So What Is It?
-It depends on my mood. If I want to think, I go for 50mm. But if I go for more action, 24-105 will do. I seldom use telephoto lenses in street photograpy unless it's really dangerous.

Which one item of equipment would you say is the most important to you?
-My eyes. Lose the camera and the lenses (knock on wood). I can take a photo using my phone. But never lose your vision.

What is the most rewarding part of photography?
-Capturing not just a moment, but a story and sharing it to an audience.

What is your most embarrassing experience as a photographer?
-My speedlite ran out of battery while taking a photo of the President of a Casino Hotel.

How photography change your life?
-I started to think visually. I started to appreciate life as we know it.

I know you been working with some of the famous and influencial people
in the country but may I ask whom do you wish/dream to work with and
Why?
-Mr. John Chua. Given a chance, I'd like to be his apprentice. He has so to share on how photography can touch people's lives.

What tips can you give to someone aspiring to be a professional photographer?
-I don't think I'm in the position to give tips and advice to aspiring photographers. But as a fellow artist, I advice them to be sincere in their craft.

What are the best tools for a beginner to learn on (besides the camera)?
- Information. Google and Youtube. And the perceiverance to learn.

What are the pros and cons of being a photographer? Please be specific.
-Pro: you tend to work and play at the same time. Con: Others does not respect what we do. Like they see photograpy as a hobbie.


Here the 5 exclusive pictures of Troy Espiritu

I know you like traveling for shoot or even for chill-out, can tell me
where is the best place to be to do some shoot? and why there?
- If you wanna be daring, try EDSA for night photography. If you're brave, try Binondo for street photography. It produces so much stories. For landscape, try to visit Freedom Island in Coastal Road.

What goal are you working towards within your photography and when
will you know you have reached it?
-Currently, I'm broadening my horizons by learning portraits and fashion. Perhaps, it's my prerequisite in doing environmental photography in the future.

What photographic organizations do you belong to?
- None. I feel like I'm in a bubble these days. Can someone adopt me?

Name a photographer you would like to take a portrait of?
If you weren't a photographer or a multimedia artist, what would you
want to be? Why?
- I'd like to take a photo of John Chua and Jason Magbanua. And if i'm not a photographer, then I am probably a politician.

How do you see yourself 20 or 30 yrs from now?
- A business mogul in the area of imaging. Perhaps, a Presidential Photographer. I don't know.

What legacy you will leave on?
- My art. They can take everything from me except my works.

Any final mesage? Its your time to shine..
- The camera is not just an equipment. It's a wepon. It can make or destroy things. The images that it produces influcence people and a photographer's vision is power. Use it responsibly.