ON PHOTOGRAPHY, THEN AND NOW

I remember this picture of a rotating carousel at night which won me our organization's Grand Prize for Best Photo.

This was taken in the early 1990s with my Pentax SLR camera... no not Digital SLR yet!

Come to think of it, this was scanned from a simple picture with no Photoshop editing and most of all, people were not yet so much into Photography. 

It was just interesting because of the play of lights as the Merry Go-Round spinned...I wasn't even so sure of I had a tripod, but I must have used it!

Then, photographers were correlated to simple men who would take pictures of you in parks and the like. 

This is a far cry from the present day photographers who are usually affluent and can afford all the gadgets needed or most of all, who just want to have the whole paraphernalia, including the editing works! 

Actually, photography has already elevated into a different level of science and art!

My grandfather on my Mom's side was already in the photography business and during the 40s and 50s, he already had a Studio in Cebu and usually gets the Studio Portrait shots, Family pictures and of course, Class Pictures! Don't forget... they also had the great talent of retouching!

My Mom at their Studio wearing a creation she made herself

I remember the Black and White shots and the Sepia, to! 

my parents

In fact, my Auntie Gening even used to lightly paint the Black and White photos manually just to give a touch of color. 

The models had their traditional pose and of course, the Mona Lisa smile.

My Mom... with annotations written in ink

And when we graduated or for yearbooks, it had to be the retouched black-and-white photo!

I learned to love Photography more in 1987 when I bought my first own camera in Japan (when I was a Philippine Delegate), the Pentax IQ Zoom 70, which I read from Newsweek was the world's first compact zoom-lens camera.

with my co-delegates to the ASEAN- Japan Friendship Program... few months after our Japan trip and using the Pentax IQ Zoom 70

This picture was taken from this compact zoom lens camera. See the date stamped on the photo!

But, I have become a "CHRONICLER" as my Junior, Kaye R. De B. said. I am more into documentation rather than the artist-photographer nor the director type! I am also more into the classic photos and prefer less editing, but maybe, I really don't have the luxury of time.. and talent for this! 

Autofocus and SLR cameras have gone a long way. It is now digital with all the increase in megapixels as well as in-camera editing, weather proofing and ease of editing and sharing. Now, everyone can take a picture with their cellphones! 
I would never forget my Sony Ericsson K800i which I used partly for our Dubai trip, when my camera batteries drained.

taken at the Ibn Battutah Mall in Dubai using the Sony Ericsson K800i

And of course, the newer cellphones have better cameras which suffices if we forgot our digital camera!

At the Colosseo in Rome as taken from my HTC One X cellphone

Technology has exponentially changed and made photography more easy, more accessible, more cheap and as my friend said, "First thing one does in a DISASTER is no longer to run for your life... Now, take a picture first before running for your life! Then, post in Facebook as soon as possible!"

As I said, PHOTOGRAPHY has leveled up to a higher level of SCIENCE and ART... and COMMUNICATION!!! 
This is our way of sharing how we have been, what we have been doing and what we are interested in.


I wonder where Photography will go in the next decades and how it will amaze us more! 

ENVY, JEALOUSY AND SCHADENFREUDE

Envy is one of the most potent cause of unhappiness.

And why not?!?

Instead of focusing on your own self-worth, we focus on what others have which we do not possess!

Isn't that sad?...

And... it is even more depressing when one wants to inflict pain because of envy!

I thought envy was just similar to jealousy but in Wikipedia, I found out that they were distinct to each other. Plus, another word Schadenfreude which also has a related meaning. 
Oops! Don't be impressed. I just also read the word Schadenfreude for the first time!

"Envy" and "jealousy" are often used interchangeably, but in standard usage they stand for two distinctly different emotions. Jealousy is the result or fear of losing someone or something that one is attached to or possesses to another person (the transfer of a lover's affections in the typical form), while envy is the resentment caused by another person having something that one does not have, but desires for oneself. In its simplest form, then, envy involves two people, and jealousy three people, but of course it is possible to be envious of more than one individual at any given time. Envy may involve wanting the beauty, wealth, abilities or socioeconomic status of another individual or group. Jealousy relates to that which I hold dear and wish to conserve; envy to that thing which I desire for myself, or would wish to deny my rival. "Schadenfreude" means taking pleasure in the misfortune of others, and so might be considered an outgrowth of envy in certain situations.

Let us stay away from this deadly sin which harnesses more negative emotions such as anger and resentment!

When a person succeeds or gets more attention, there is a tendency for jealousy among his/her peers. (Nasuya ba sila?)

Instead of making negative comments about the person, why not improve yourself and level up! 

Think about your own good qualities and develop them!! You will realize each of us have our own special talents which may just be undiscovered or just left in hibernation ...

BUT, if the emotion is becoming destructive, ask help (professional help is advised)!!!


Unfortunately, this takes others to recognize it!
DENIAL or NON-REALIZATION is the usual way... so how can we fix this up, if we don't realize we are already feeling this!!!
Mmmmm....

I  SUGGEST:
Look into yourself!

Learn to love yourself (of course, not to the point of narcissism!).
Learn to be satisfied!


Listen to your friends!

And I am sure a real friend could help a lot for you to get in touch with the real meaning of life and contentment!!!

Busch Gardens, Tampa, Florida

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT 2

I couldn't believe it that Reg would announce to the "world" (through group text) what I said to them.

Practice makes perfect! 

You just got to believe in yourself that you can do it!!!

As I said, my staff is undergoing lots of training these days due to newer advances we are embarking on in the next months.

So even when they are off duty, they come over to learn more from the seniors.

When we are just learning new things, we oftentimes doubt the possibility that we would really become great in the end.

And so we (the seniors) have to prod the newbies to believe in themselves that the only way to make this a reality is to study, study, study and practice, practice, practice!!!

Experience always makes us better but before we gained that, we started with the first step.

GO,GO, GO!!!

We believe in all of you!

It is time for you to believe in yourselves!!!

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT 1

Practice makes perfect! 

You just got to believe in yourself that you can do it!!!

 

I guess this is actually something that is easily understood.

In Wikipedia, this means:

Practice is the act of rehearsing a behavior over and over, or engaging in an activity again and again, for the purpose of improving or mastering it, as in the phrase "practice makes perfect". Sports teams practice to prepare for actual games. Playing a musical instrument well takes a lot of practice. It is a method of learning and of acquiring experience. The word derives from the Greek "πρακτική" (praktike), feminine of "πρακτικός" (praktikos), "fit for or concerned with action, practical" and that from the verb "πράσσω" (prasso),"to achieve, bring about, effect, accomplish".  Sessions scheduled for the purpose of rehearsing and performance improvement are called practices.

However,  when we are just learning new things, we oftentimes doubt in the possibility that we would really become great in the end.

On the other hand, once we also don't do the activity often, then, we wouldn't be as good!

Sometimes, we do want to do really well in one activity but still have other priorities. Then, a choice has to be made...

Whatever the choice, don't regret this choice since there is a good reason why you chose it and you have made the most  with it!

There is TIME FOR EVERYTHING! 

So finish what you have to finish fast (I guess, this is STUDIES!) and you would still have time to express whatever else you would want to do and achieve!!!

LIFE IS LIFE

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.” 

                    ― Mother Teresa

I guess Mother Teresa has said it all!!!

GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT

My staff is undergoing training nowadays, and I said to them, "Garbage in, Garbage out!" 

They were all so surprised and looked at me with wonder.

Actually,  I just really wanted them to act like ideal students writing down their notes and understanding what their trainors have to say. I keep on reminding them not to rely on their memory! With so many things taught, one is bound to forget them.

Most of all, validate the mentors' lessons with additional readings to make sure that they get all these procedures and volume of knowledge right.

Strictly speaking, GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT means this in Wikipedia:

Garbage in, garbage out (abbreviated to GIGO, possibly intended to parallel the phrase first-in, first-out) is a phrase in the field of computer science or information and communication technology. It is used primarily to call attention to the fact that computers will unquestioningly process the most nonsensical of input data ("garbage in") and produce nonsensical output ("garbage out"). 

It is also commonly used to describe failures in human decision-making due to faulty, incomplete, or imprecise data.

Therefore, when they are writing their notes and they jot down the wrong things, then, they will remember the wrong things!


Well, LEARNING is a continuous process and we have to continue to yearn for it, search for it, imbibe it and strive to improve!

There is always something NEW to learn if you wish to  do so!!!

MIRACLE OF LIFE

For some people, miracles serve as evidence of God's existence.

Walter Isaacson
Men create real miracles when they use their God-given courage and intelligence.
Jean Anouilh

God continues to work miracles in my life.
Willie Aames

When we talk of miracles, we believe this is the answer to our prayers especially during very difficult times, thus, a proof of God's being.

But, we have to remember that each and everyday, we actually encounter little miracles...

Be open to its presence...

Change how you see things...

Then, you'll see them all around you!

Life itself is the miracle of miracles!!!

Nikon Coolpix P300

ISO 160   4.3 mm    0EV    f/2.2      1/125

GELATO VS. ICE CREAM

Gelato is the Italian name for Ice Cream but it has some differences which makes one distinct from the other.

GELATO: NIKON D90 AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm

ISO 800   40 mm    0EV   f/6.3   1/160

CONE: NIKON D90 AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm

ISO 800   35 mm    0EV   f/6.3   1/160

GELATO IN CONE: NIKON D90 AF-S DX VR 

Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm   ISO 800   70 mm    0EV   f/8   1/640

I had the joy of experiencing the Gelato in Rome. As they say, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do!"

You can get a gelato from a mobile ice cream van or from a little ice cream store down the street.

So what is the difference between the Gelato and the Ice Cream?

I guess, the best answer is to lift this from the Wikipedia and here goes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gelato

Gelato (Italian pronunciation: [dʒeˈlaːto]; plural: gelati) is the Italian word for ice cream. Italians use the word gelato to mean a sweet treat that is served frozen. 

It is correct to say that most gelato is different from the traditional recipe of ice cream because it is lighter having a lower butterfat content than traditional, factory made ice cream. Homemade gelato typically contains 4–8% butterfat, versus 14% for ice cream in the United States. Depending on recipes and the person making it, dairy based gelato contains 16–24% sugar. Most ice cream in the United States contains 12 to 16% sugar. The sugar content in homemade gelato, as in traditional ice cream, is balanced with the water content to act as an anti-freeze to prevent it from freezing solid. Types of sugar used include sucrose, dextrose, and invert sugar to control apparent sweetness. Typically, gelato -- like any other ice cream -- needs a stabilizing base. Egg yolks are used in yellowcustard-based gelato flavors, including zabaione and creme caramel. Non-fat milk solids are also added to gelato to stabilize the base.

Unlike most commercial ice creams in the world, from a process point of view, gelato is typically frozen very quickly in individual small batches while the conventional ice cream is frozen with a continuous assembly line freezer. Churning during the freezing process incorporates air into the mix making it lighter. The added air is called overrun. The overrun in gelato is generally 20–35%. The gelato lower overrun (compared to ice cream) results in a more expensive, denser product and with more intense flavors.

Gelato = = Yum, yum, yum, Oh I mean, Delizioso (in Italian) !!!

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

m'lm';

The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.

                                                                  Maya Angelou

Indeed, there is no place like home...

No, this is not my home, but the place looks homey and I like how the sun kisses on the walls.

Whatever and wherever your home may be,  HOME where the heart is... not only a physical place but of the state of mind and emotion on refuge and comfort!

Le Prè Catelan, Paris

Nikon D90

AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm

ISO 6400   44 mm    0EV   f/9    1/80

ON TIMELESS MOMENTS

"You can't measure love with time, only with timeless moments."

                                                                  Jeremiah Feinburg

This is a very sweet moment that I caught  with my lens, when I was at the Le Pré Catelan in Paris.

It is important to take time for a break... precious time to share with the people we love. 

But in the present time, we usually get caught up with how busy we are... and forget to create times like this !!!

NIKON D90
AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm

ISO 6400   200 mm    0.7 EV   f/25    1/80

PAPAL AUDIENCE: ONE WORLD, ONE FAMILY, ONE LOVE

 

"ONE WORLD, ONE FAMILY, ONE LOVE"

There were so many people today, Wednesday at the Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano (St. Peter's Basilica) since at 10 a.m. to about 2 p.m. we had the Papal Audience. 

I thought you can only get in with ticket, but actually, anybody can enter. Of course, those who had tickets can come closer! 

This was a very moving experience for me... it was the ambience (inspite of the heat of the sun!), it was the people (of different races who came for the purpose and of course, the tourists) and it was the message of Pope Benedict XVI : ONE WORLD, ONE FAMILY, ONE LOVE!!


It is amazing how this message is so UNIVERSAL. The Pope relayed his message, that inspite of the economic situation, families must dedicate Sunday as the Day for the Lord and for the family!!!

THE RED ROSE

"Why does a rose represent love.....

when a rose always dies?"

This message is so pessimistic...

BUT, there are so many others ways to see this ROSE!

We can see it as the symbol of love and romance... beauty... deep emotion... and fidelity!

I choose to see it this way... 

The red rose so awe-inspiring... so heartwarming!!! 

ON SHADOWS AND THE RISING SUN

“No matter how dark the night, somehow the sun rises once again and all shadows are chased away”

David Matthew Click

When we are sad and lonely, we somehow think that this would last forever.

But remember, there is always sunshine after a rainy day... light after darkness.

I found it very interesting when I heard somebody say, "Don't worry about problems... it is just like the typhoon, it will be gone after three days!"

Nice thought to keep in mind... and you'll always be optimistic!!!