Waiting for the golden hour

For banker Jojo Song, it takes patience to capture a perfect moment

FOCUS is an important aspect of the life of Leoncio “Jojo” A. Song Jr., a seasoned banker and the man who captured that delightful moment pictured above. “In photography, you need to be focused to get the right output. Otherwise, your photo will be blurred. In life, that will not lead you in a clear direction,” says Jojo, who is Customer Experience Governance and Service Quality Head of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI).

Jojo started expressing his art through photography 10 years ago. What started as a random hobby and a break from the corporate world is now a passion. He started taking photos using only his phone, and eventually became fascinated with the immensity of what he could capture. “Images can keep memories of everything. It reminds me of special places, moments, and stories,” says Jojo. 

Fashion and environmental portraits fill Jojo’s creative space. He sees these genres as artistic and unique, because he can come up with concepts based on his imagination, and create his own version inspired by famous photographers. His aesthetic sense is also attuned to Philippine art and culture, a core purpose of BPI, his employer of 33 years. Learn how you can participate in their latest art initiative, which will run until January 30, 2023, here. 

Creative, talented, professional—these are adjectives commonly used to describe a photographer. Jojo adds “patience” to that list, an unnoticed but crucial trait in the art of photography.

“Patience is a virtue, as they say. And if you are a photographer, you have to learn how to be patient with your subject. As you yearn to develop your camera skills more, you also learn to be more patient,” he says. 

Jojo also offers a new definition of patience: it is growing and exploring in the waiting. 

“My photography journey has become a new source of energy and drive for me,” he says. “It has taught me to remain calm and composed, as some instances require me to wait for the right timing. I need to develop skills in looking for the right perspective and the right lighting, since I depend on natural light, especially in the afternoon. I need to explore meaningful places and settings. I need patience in editing photos, which is also my opportunity to think while I carefully edit every detail in a photograph.”

Jojo had to wait before he could go out and take photos again the usual way, because of the pandemic. “Photography is an outlet for us. There was this drive, hope, and eagerness to be able to do it again after the lockdowns. It was like waiting for the golden hour.”

A bird’s eye view, a close-up, and a wide shot aren’t perspectives exclusive to photography, however. With Jojo’s insights, they can also be life perspectives.

A bird’s eye view. “Photography is a continuous learning where you reinvent yourself and see new trends in style and technology. I embrace this even in my corporate work by recognizing that people have different views. I take time to see varying perspectives. I work with a customer-focused team, so I always look at two perspectives—the company’s and the customer’s. It helps me understand and do my work better.”

A close-up. “I don’t shoot and share my photographs to impress; I share them to inspire in my own little way. I do it for those who are hooked on taking pictures, particularly the young ones who love sharing their captures on social media.”

A wide shot. “Taking good photos using smartphones is applying the same basic technique as when using a regular camera. Hold the camera properly to avoid shaking, hold your breath before pressing the button, and observe the rule of thirds.” The latter is a rule of thumb in photography that positions the subject on the left or right third of the frame, keeping the remaining two-thirds more or less open.

And finally, he adds, “Understand your camera and learn its limitations.” 

Here are Jojo’s tips for taking beautiful photos with smartphones:

1. Focus on the subject.

2. Don’t shoot against the light.

3. Be conscious of your composition.

4. Make use of leading lines, reflections, and symmetry.

5. Explore different perspectives.