Day 090: Miniature I

Day 090:

Break from the mindfarts and reflections. :) An exercise in post-processing photographs.

A few days ago, I got curious. I browsed through a Canon shopping primer. In the lenses section, after the Zooms and Superzoom lenses, there was a special section for lenses they called "Tilt-shift" lenses. These were specialized prime lenses (17mm, 24mm, etc.) that had special knobs you used to shift the plane and path of focus, or tilt it. This is used for certain effects. I did a quick search on wikipedia and youtube. I was amazed. Look at this tilt-shift video. or maybe this explanation as to how it works. I was filled with geeky glee... until I saw the six-digit peso price on each one. No way man. A lens like that... I'll probably only use once or twice.

So I opted for an alternative. Graphic alterations via photoshop. With enough youtubing... you'll learn everything. I spent today, between the errands I had to do, looking for an appropriate "miniaturized" photo. I tried, in this photograph, to mimic how it would feel to shoot dioramas or models. Of course, it isn't perfect, but... hey this is the first try.

Day 089: Under Construction

Day 089:

[edited to reduce noise]

I couldn't sleep. I had a lot on my mind. Not so happy thoughts. As semi-catharsis. I did the brave thing. I took my camera, a tripod, and a warm hoodie. I stepped outside the house for a short stroll. I went to the college and back. I snapped a few night shots, of the streets. Total time... 10 minutes, tops. I was afraid someone would notice me and take interest in the stuff I was lugging around. So I took what shots I could, then I scurried on home. This shot was one of my shots tonight. [Note: Tripods are a blessing from God.]


Under construction.

There's a field in pediatrics, named developmental pediatrics. Come to think of it, there is a subspecialty of psychology also called developmental psychology. They're very similar, often dealing with pre-adult individuals, marking milestones and growth, whether physical, social, cognitive or emotional. But this field, especially with the nomer of the MD specialty may be misleading. It gives the impression that childhood or pediatric patients are in the "Developing" stage while adults would fall under the "developed" stage. But come to think of it, we make most of the mistakes that actually matter (and therefore become anecdotal life lessons for us), as we get older. The older we are, the more we are "developing" into who we ought to be.

Erikson made so much sense.

Day 088: Texture

Day 088:

Before I went into medschool, during the time when most of my world revolved around Quezon City, Pasig and Makati, my dad said, "Alam mo, kaiba ang Manila... May iba siyang texture na sa Manila mo lang makikita." (You know, Manila is different. There is a different texture that you will only see in Manila.)

He was right. I went to divisoria today. I had the balls to bring my precious camera with me, wrapped in a towel, hidden in my old, falling-apart bag. After a short shopping spree, I took out the camera. Snapped the first scene in front of me. BAM. This was it.

This photo is genre. It is the normal everyday look of Manila, Divisoria. I took the camera out. Snap. there is no more normal-er than this. But, even here, there is a distinct feel to it. Urban. Dirty. Gritty. Rough. Tight. It's as if the texture is something that jumps out to you, and captivates you. It rubs itself across your face, such that you can't ignore its presence.

I find the feel of Manila, tremendously draining to be in. Walking along the streets is a constant sensory overload. everyone is moving. every car and bus is honking. you must be vigilant against thieves. you must move quickly. But the feel is also immensely rich, in its own sense. After less than 5 minutes of taking my camera out, I realized that I will not run out of subjects. There will always be some story to tell, or some image to be seen. Kaiba talaga.

I should arrange a photowalk sometime.

Day 087: Celebration

Day 087:

Today, March 28. Today is my parent's 24 wedding anniversary. Congratulations to them! 24 years of a continuously amazing relationship, that has flourished into a great family, with developmentally-advanced children. Hahaha!

I went home today, unlike my routine of weeks-in-manila would be. Of course, to celebrate this momentous occasion with my parents and family. my sister surprised them with a cake (or rather cakes) she baked herself (with the younger ones). I couldn't let that one pass by.

Chocolate fudge. So good. So sinful. Why do good things have to be so detrimental to our health? :( Chocolate. bumming. food in general. ice cream. SIGH.

Day 086: Words

Day 086:

A scene at the dinner table. My youngest brother (2 y/o) is conversing with my other brother (17 y/o). Well. sort of.

My brother is at a wonderful age. For himself. For everyone. It's a time of discovery. You'll hear him fumble at words. He says my name in syllables "Kuu-yah". He says a few often used words flawlessly, "'yaw ko." (I don't want to). He's learning words left and right. This is a plate. This is your nose. This is my ear. This is a pencil. This is a car. As a bystander to this amazing stage of growth, I celebrate with my family every whole semi-sentence my brother says. "Open dor.

Each word he says is happy. honest. true. a moment of celebration. a moment of grace. Words.

Somewhere along the way, we lose it. Thinking about conversations I've had as an adult. I think words are horrible things. We use it to lie, to decieve, to hurt. to get what we want. Devoid of trust for the utterances, I hear some words, and I cringe. We are no longer in a stage of discovery and wonder. We are in a stage of disillusionment. Lost is the cheering. Lost is the happiness.


Childhood beats adulthood by far.

Day 085: Darkness

Day 085:

Today is the day of Earth Hour. 60+. From 830-930... probably onwards, people are implored to turn off all electronics, all electrical appliances, all lights. At least, let's become aware of our dwindling and crumbling natural resources.

Of course, children don't really like the dark, do they?

Day 084: Sprint

Day 084:

Disclaimer: Do not try to take a shot like this if you are driving. That would be silly. Drive safely always. Please please. Stay safe.

If you've run or sprinted 400m or more... provided you took the sprint seriously... there comes a point where, you're floating. Somewhere after the 200m mark, before your legs collapse under you, you see the finish line ahead. You're out of breath but your hyperventillating. You can't feel your legs, but you're moving as fast as you can. Your body can no longer keep up with your indomitable spirit that continues to push forward.  Your peripheral vision blurs. That seems okay. At that point, it seems like it doesn't matter anyway. Nothing else does. Keep your eyes on the prize. The finish line is near. You're running on sheer will power. Sprint.