Ruben Nepales with his book PHOTO BY JANET RODRIGUEZ NEPALES
“Through a Writer’s Lens,” award-winning Hollywood photojournalist Ruben V. Nepales’ must-have book of more than 1,000 photos of stars that he took in almost two decades, is now available as a paperback (resized to 8.5” x 10”) on Amazon. Originally released as a 12” x 14” hardbound edition, “Through a Writer’s Lens” quickly sold out. The 254-page tome is a compilation of Nepales’ often candid, refreshing snapshots of the Hollywood stars he has interviewed. The book is published by Bessie Badilla, who also served as art designer and layout artist.
Each of the 200-plus talents included in the book—like Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, Sandra Oh, Jennifer Lopez, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson—has a memorable quote culled from the photojournalist’s columns.
Also a passionate advocate and believer in the Filipino and Filipino American talent, Nepales spotlighted in the book Lea Salonga, Darren Criss, Hailee Steinfeld, Jon Jon Briones, Vanessa Hudgens, Nico Santos, Reggie Lee and Vincent Rodriguez III; filmmakers Lav Diaz, Brillante Mendoza and Ramona Diaz; cinematographer Matthew Libatique; songwriter Robert Lopez; and animators Ronnie del Carmen and Paul Abadilla.
Second book
“Through a Writer’s Lens” is Nepales’ second book, following his 2012 book, “My Filipino Connection: The Philippines in Hollywood,” which won in the Print Journalism-Book category of the Migration Advocacy and Media Awards presented by the Office of the President of the Philippines’ Commission on Filipinos Overseas.
Based in Los Angeles, Nepales won honors from the National Entertainment Journalism Awards and the Southern California Journalism Awards, both presented by the Los Angeles Press Club.
“Through a Writer’s Lens” earned praise in the media.
Variety’s Tim Gray remarked, “This book is a great showcase for the photography and reporting talents of Ruben Nepales. With both, he finds the perfect moment to showcase these individuals, and Hollywood in general.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Rito Asilo opined, “Gorgeous … It is this homegrown sensitivity and time-honed artistic impulse that have enabled Ruben to catch Meryl Streep in a seldom-seen playful mood, visually immortalize the delightful raconteurs concealed by Ian McKellen and Judi Dench’s much-revered screen personas, and bring out the natural charisma that makes George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Michael Fassbender and Oscar Isaac tick and click with their adoring fans.” Asian Journal’s Momar Visaya wrote, “Beautiful … The photos themselves offer a different, more casual side of the stars. Through the years, Nepales has developed a knack for capturing the right moments of his subjects when they show their range of moods, from pensive to playful.”
Stunning collection
Manila Bulletin’s Nestor Cuartero raved, “A stunning collection of works, both photographic and textual.”
Positively Filipino’s Gemma Nemenzo commented, “Behind these celebrity revelations in pictures and words, this book spotlights what is obvious—Ruben is a superb interviewer with that most sought-after skill: the ability to make his subjects feel relaxed and safe in his presence, the better to draw out their real selves. That he is also able to capture such animatedness in his pictures likewise speaks of his photographic skills.” Emmie Velarde, writing for Rappler, pointed out, “Unwitting snapshots, cinematic quotes … A great number of these 1,000-plus shots were snapped during press conferences across a span of 20 years, with much forethought and respectful timing, sometimes with haste and urgency.”
The FilAm’s Cristina DC Pastor wrote, “Imagine curling up … with a cup of cocoa and browsing thousands of odd photos of Hollywood celebrities: Robin Williams’ eyes welling with tears from laughing so hard. Olivia Colman appearing ‘unroyal’ with a funny frown. Or Ian McKellen wickedly breaking into song.”
The paperback copies, at $75 each, are available on Amazon at this link: amzn.to/3ri5K9S.