Paris on the mind

Although he studied to be an artist, Juan Caguicla started his career as a photographer with a put-down by one of his instructors at the UP College of Fine Arts. Apparently the said teacher just had had enough of Caguicla’s questions and occasional snide remarks, and just scoffed at his pupil’s supposed talents at taking pictures. It’s a typical tale. Today, Caguicla is one of the country’s most renowned photographers with numerous and diverse credits to his name.

From commercial work for clients like Shu Uemura and Rockwell to photojournalism for the United Nations and the Alliance Francaise, Caguicla has demonstrated that no matter his subject brings the full weight of his vision to each shot. His considerable technical knowledge and exacting manner in pursuit of the perfect photograph is the true mark of an artist.

Caguicla himself declares that he is no artist. Artists graduate from art school, get approving smiles and the thumbs up from your teachers. His studies getting in the way of his education, he dropped out, selling his guitars to buy his first professional camera. He learned his craft by actually studying it himself in the school library and just going out and shooting. A lot of mistakes and bad pictures, he gained a mastery of his craft. If anything, Caguicla considers himself more of a craftsman.

Last December, Caguicla traveled to Paris, France as the official photographer of the Philippine delegation competing in the annual Young Designer’s Competition. Not surprisingly, he took more pictures than was required.

Hosted by the Alliance Francaise, Regards Croisés: Parispace/Paristreet is an exhibition of Caguicla’s portraits of that great city. Ongoing at the Greenbelt 3 Lobby, it is a sweeping vista of Paris in all its grandeur and history. Covering a wide spectrum of Paris and its inhabitants, Caguicla has managed the trick of making the viewer fall in love as if for the first time with an already familiar sight. Uniquely his own, Caguicla’s photographs are not mere glimpses but manage to capture the heart of the city with the insight of a true visionary.

During the opening, distinguished guests such as Tim Yap and actor Mark Gil as well as other photographers like Mark Nicdao, Terry Uy and Eddie Boy Escudero were on hand to view the pictures. Many praised Caguicla’s accomplishment. "It’s hard to find any better way than to remember Paris," says painter/gallery owner Gino Tioseco – one of Caguicla’s companions during the trip. "Juan really got what Paris is about. From the affluence to the grime, it’s all here."

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Juan Caguicla’s Regards Croisés: Parispace/Paristreet is currently still on exhibit at the Greenbelt 3 lobby. A selling show, it runs until June 1.