Many of what he often captures are ‘out-of-the-box’ concepts tinged with a mix of creativity and artistry. Take a peek at his works and one will be caught up by surprise on the power of his superbly crafted images.

"I enjoy shooting anything and everything but I’m most interested in still-life, fine art, and macro photography," shares Orlee, an IT head of a certain electricity company who loves to take on a challenge to create concepts that stun viewers’ imagination.

Early days in photography

Orlee’s interest in photography started after he graduated from college - with his photographic inclination limited only to capturing in print images of what he calls ‘the stages of life’ among his friends and family members, including distant relatives.

Tinkering with his film-based SLR camera including the rugged Russian-made Zenit Fotosniper and heavy duty 1000mm bayonet type mirror lens, Orlee finds fulfillment in taking pictures of people close to his heart – his eldest son being his favorite subject.

Undaunted to pursue his passion for capturing precious moments, Orlee joined an FPPF- (Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation) affiliated ‘Power Focus Camera Club’ exclusively for NAPOCOR employees in 1994. The club may have helped him gain technical knowhow on SLR manipulation for quite some time, but the regular club meetings and activities ceased after a few months. With his electrifying passion, however, Orlee never lost the glitter out of his shining star.

Going digital

He may just be a guy-next-door photo hobbyist to some, but his works speak so much of his expertise to craft photos with exceptional precision and balance. Asked how he found his niche, he shares that technological advancement has inspired him to pursue the art of photography.

"Digital photography fast-tracked my learning curve in creating unusual images as compared to my early days when I used film-based cameras," points out Orlee relating his first taste of digital camera he bought in 2000. "Creating digital images is a perfect match to my profession as an IT practitioner."

Although he never had a chance to venture into deeper passion for photography before, it came as a surprise that he began to see a wider perspective on the real essence of photography when he bought his first DSLR in 2004. "It introduced me to the beauty of the scenes and nature as opposed to my early stint in capturing images," he says. "I began to appreciate the sceneries, the animals, the plants, and even the tiny living insects around them."

Treasuring photography

The year 2005 has molded him all the more to go deeper into photography as he shares and learns from other photographers mentioning the name of John Chua as an inspiration of sort. "Every photographer that surrounds me has influenced my passion for the art. The heat that I absorb from them keeps me going and challenges me to make myself better."

And he became the ‘better’ lensman that he is embracing the same passion to work within the Pinoy Photography Organization (Phipho) in 2006 where he now heads its Photo Contest Committee.

Orlee treasures moments when he sees himself on a winning streak during photo competitions. Among his worth-keeping winning photographs are "Metal and Glass (first place, FPPF Photo competition, 2005)," a picture of coins floating in the air; ’B&W Portrait’ (first place, FPPF Photo Competition, 2005); and Hidalgo photograph (first place, Hidalgo OTS 2006 photo competition).

In love with capturing details

It takes a great deal of patience indeed for one to develop a skill to look through the lens with emphasis on details. With his artworks that are conceptual, creative, captivating, and candid in nature, Orlee’s images inspire; his photographs make people really think, and stir their imagination into analyzing the process of its execution.

As he puts it: "I love to shoot images that require concentration, timing, and balance. I have developed the patience to shoot subjects like water drops, or splash and flames. I like to create photos that my fellow photographers will try to ask, ‘How did you shoot it?.’"

Asked about his guiding principle deemed beneficial to would-be photographers, Orlee has this to share: "Come up with a photograph that requires preparation, patience, precision, and passion toward perfection."

Orlee stands today as an accomplished lensman brimming with pride as just an ordinary guy who comes up with extraordinary work of art.

Indeed.