Mauricio Alas

Blog

  • Trapped!

    Trapped! by The Torontonian
    Trapped! a photo by Mauricio Alas.

    While playing a support role at a wedding. As I too was part of the wedding and a full-time photographer had been hired to the bulk of the work, I nevertheless decided to linger around and get a few good shots.

    Lacking an external flash, I was challenged by the poor lighting since escalating to a higher ISO is always ill-advised when you want your captures to stay as crisp as possible.

    Luckily, at one end of the hall a set of track lights and a shiny hardwood floor helped to reflect some extra lighting.

    So as the party dissipated, the bride was asked to assume some poses for me and a few of the guests with cameras. Side by side, family stood near providing ideas which inspired me to take this particular capture. Along with the bride’s facial expression, her eyes portray subjugation with a hint of coyness. Add to this her white dress contrasting the two faceless figures standing ominously at both sides, one cannot escape a mounting sense of claustrophobia. While never forgetting that she, ironically, just tied the knot.

    Taken with a Nikon D700, 50mm, ISO 6400, 1/640

  • Looking Up The Vatican Spiral

    As part of my ongoing photography work, this capture, was taken at the entrance to The Vatican Museums. The Spiral staircase or Double Helix as it is sometimes referred to, is arguably one of the top 10 most know in the world and one of the most photographed. As such, like in anything else, capturing this beautiful piece designed by Giuseppe Momo required skill and the right timing.

    Luckily, the random group of tourists photographing at the bottom while the staircase was (surprisingly) empty during my composing added a sense of exclusivity which is rare to achieve in a building always teeming with people. Specially as the Vatican is extremely conservative and protective about providing permits to shoot any of their assets. Particularly their art. I do not blame them, as it is a way to protect what they own and also a source of income.

    As far as the photo itself, it was shot with Nikon D700 with a 17-35mm lenses. Handheld as again, due to traffic, the use of tripods is forbidden. This shot was taken minutes after they opened their doors to the public.

  • Mad Man With A Camera: ‘Tis Rainin’ Drops

    Sometimes, a shot, an idea comes to you just like that. Something occurs in front of your lenses, simply screaming to be captured. Will it come out right? Will it blow your mind once you see it on print? Many times, you already know even before you press the shutter.

    However there are always subtle moments happening all around us. Muted and simple. Not fast nor intense. Not high-speed nor self-indulgent. They are just there. Like these simple drops falling on a random car’s windshield during a heavy rain. They are just there, Rainin’

  • Mad Man With A Camera: Whirlpool!

    Whirpool! by The Torontonian
    Whirpool! a photo by Mauricio Alas.

    A few weeks ago, I decided to try something new. To begin a Photography Collection where I try to experiment both creatively outside of the scope of the camera, while at the same capturing that same ‘Eureka’ moment through my lenses. Thus expanding, exploring and dare I say it, hitting two different venues with one proverbial stone. So without further ado, my first photo of this collection: Whirpool!