Photos by visual artist Elmer Borlongan, whose subjects are mainly children and everyday life at the mango farm in Zambales, where he lives with artist-wife Plet Bolipata

Not only a photo exhibit, “Kodakan” at Kaida Gallery was also an excuse for photographers of varying persuasions to meet, greet, and shoot.

In fact, some of the most-heard introductory lines that night were “How long have you been shooting?” and “What’s your camera?” (Pity the writer who comes with a point-and-shoot and has known her gadget for less than a week.)

Ross Capili photographs Mario Parial, whose photos (”Tsismisan” and “Cuarto”) reflect everyday Pinoy life.

It was also a good, albeit different, way to end the year for Plet Bolipata, Elmer Borlongan, Ruel Caasi, Carlo Gabuco, Dennis Leonardo, Ferdie Montemayor, Mikel Parial, and Mario Parial–all of whom are foremost visual artists, well versed in oils and acrylic, but, like all and sundry in this digital age, also dabble in photography from time to time.

A photo opp for prominent artist Fernando Sena (left) and his former student Emong, who confides that he bought a classic camera at an antique shop for only P2,000.

Their themes vary: Plet Bolipata documents “The March of the Canvas,” Thanksgiving dinner, and fellow artists during her two-month fellowship at the Vermont Studio Center in 2006.

Mikel Parial’s subjects are his children in the barber shop, the basketball court, or a tub, all rendered in black and white.

“Alaylakad” and “Crossing” by Ferdie Montemayor

Some of Mario Parial’s photos (”Sa Park” and “Sa Lawa”) were shot using expired film, with the result handcolored in acrylic.

Carlo Gabuco, who treats his Canon EOS 30D reverently as he would his paint and canvas, is always on the lookout for everyday things that catches his fancy, such as a funeral in Olongapo or a man in a wheelchair near Ayala MRT.