Painting a Photograph

Wearing a gray shirt and loose jeans, Jon Unson looks very much in his own element inside his studio where he produces much his wonderful works of art. He sits comfortably in his chair surrounded by all his photography equipment, framed creations, props, and Starwars collectibles with his dog distractedly pacing the floor around his feet.

For over 30 years now, Jon has been doing his job and passion as a photographer. With the looks of how smoothly he manages through life, he is doing it well. Jon graduated from the University of the Philippines Cebu with a degree in Fine Arts on the year 1992.

Four years later, in 1996, he went to Manila and took a job in an advertising firm. In there, not only was he the photographer, he did the layouting and the graphic designing as well.

In 1998, Jon returned to Cebu. It was for 2 simple reasons. One, advertising is stressful. Two, Jon wants to paint. The solution to his dilemmas was by coming home.

He said, “Kibaw na man ko na kung mag-advertising ka sa Manila, or anywhere grabe kay na siya ka-stressful, kanang way tog ba. So na reach na ko sa point nga after two years pa lang gikapoyan na ko. Murag ganahan ko magpainting bitaw pero di ko ka trabaho. So nibalik ko’g painting nya ni decide ko mubalik diri.”

When he returned, it was then that Jon started to build his name in the local fashion industry, and to some extent the international as well. In the local scene his works are featured in Zee magazine and the likes, internationally his works can be seen on Elle and Decor magazines.

Jon’s photography revolves around people, fashion and interior design. His style borders on fine arts, portraiture, still life, human figure and fashion. A viewer can usually spot a Jon Unson photography through his stylish and glamorous portrayal of the subject with a crisp and edgy definition to it. Jon’s signature is an avant-garde, modern and clean imagery.

Jon desribes his photography as “Di ko ka expain. as a whole na siyay pagkastylish nga… glamour man gihapon siya gud pero kuan siya medyo edgy nga glamuor ba.”

For Jon, painting is akin to photography. He said, “Imung brush ang light. (Your brush is the light.)” This especially, is what sets Jon from most photographers. He incorporates fine arts into photography.

Jon conceptualizes his work by watching the creation of other photographers who inspire him. He watches for aesthetics and sensibility, things that he likes to see in his photography. His inspirations are usually American and European photographers from the 1960’s up to the 90’s. He thinks of the image he likes to conjure and begins improvising on his photography.

Jon does the editing of his own work as he managed to learn Photoshop through his long years in photography. Basically, Jon is born to be a creative person.

When asked about his educational background in photography, Jon answered “Schooling? Self-taught ko.”

Despite his amazing photography, he did not go to any proper schooling for it, and learned by himself with the help of some mentors. Jon usually does the styling of his models as well.

“Ganahan sad ko ana nga aspect sa ako work kana ako mustyle kay imo man na diba? Kinahanglan gikan gyud nimu tanan,” he said. On make-up he jokingly added, “Ganahan ta ko pero wa pa na nako ma-explore.”

A person who paints photography, Jon is living a life filled with passion in his studio accompanied by his dog. He is also currently teaching in the University of the Visayaz, Art and Design School. It’s good to know that Jon is teaching his craft as he is a truly talented person, and his gift deserves to be shared to other aspiring photographers.

#CULTURE