On to the promised Baguio visit post...
One of the things I appreciate when I come home is that for some reason people and the place in general is accommodating [More on this later.] Convenient and efficient? Yes-ish. Accommodating? Yes. Anyway, the reason I went up to Baguio last weekend was to tell the truth. The dim, dismal truth of it all.
The truth is all about what I had gone through all my life. It is now officially known by the Philippine public, what abuse I went through all those years.
To be honest, it was not easy. I have never officially been under investigation or spoken in court. This would be the first time and the topic at hand is something that hits a sore spot. [Yes, I did not cry on that stand. That was hard to do.]
In the least, I appreciate that the people that took the stand had spoken in truth and I am very much proud of them. [I <3 my sibs]. I hope that this would all end swiftly and justice be dealt. I understand that this is hard for everyone but for the record as much as I wanted to bring this out this way. I didn't start this, but I will not take this lying down either. I've been there and done that. It doesn't do anyone any good.
What peeves me now is that a response was recently sent to me is still full of lies. It's actually quite amazing the way she can lie like that. It scares me how different reality is in her head and what the truth really is. I guess the photos and recordings help bend things to the side of truth. [Hurrah for my incessant need to document things.]
I hope that the government would really decide on the side of justice and truth. If this screws up, I swear to raise hell and high water.
I don't really know why it has to come to this. We are definitely not rich and we are working for what we have. I don't understand how other people can think that they don't have to do the same. I also do not appreciate those who think that saving face is more important than the truth. I also do not know why people think that they can just come in and act like they were always there to seem like heroes [If people really cared, I do believe they would have acted on it if words were not enough]. I also would like to understand why help is not accepted when it's freely given, I hope my special people would want to change the status quo.
At the end of the day, I hope that things would go smoothly and that the truth is heard and learned by many. I hope at the end of this all, she would accept truth.
I got to see my siblings in the least and got to hang out with them a little. This part made me smile despite the reason we were able see each other is not even close to ideal.
Not a very happy post about Baguio, but not to worry, updates about the rest of the trip will be up soon. I just needed to unload all this, guys.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Already Diffused
Howdy, y'all. I really have been meaning to post about what's been going on in my life lately but time [and oh so many distractions] would not permit. I want to get the ball rolling by starting with getting my Pop-up Flash Diffuser. [Which was there to kick off the very colorful weekend.]
Anyway, one of the things that I immediately planned to get when I got Dimitri [Nikon D3100] was a pop-up flash diffuser. I am not really into flash photography but I thought it would be a good thing to have just in case I would need to do some fill-in flash photography. [Lots of jargons? Forgive me.]
Let me clarify a few things to make things so that we're on the same page. Remember those red-eyes we get on photos when we use the flash? Or those unsightly oily/glaring spots on our faces when we use the flash? Well what a diffuser does is that it diffuses the light that is made by the flash, giving us nearly the same brightness but with a softer feel. Yes, it helps eliminate red-eyes and glares.
So back to the diffuser I got. I started browsing the web a week before my target date [which just happened to be one hectic week which will be explained in another post]. I found The Photo Shop in Multiply that sold camera accessories. Initially I was actually looking for the Gary Fong Diffusser which basically looks like this:
And I was really excited when I saw the picture online. I immediately called them up and placed in an order. A few days later, I paid via bank transaction [since, it would be rather expensive to go to Cebu to pick up the item :P]. The item was set to arrive the next day but it didn't. I called up the courier and found out it was on its way. So instead of stressing myself out about the item possibly being lost, I decided to distract myself with DC Universe Online and packing for my trip to Baguio for the last weekend.
The next day while I was preparing to leave for work with all the things I needed. [Plan was to head to the bus straight after the office.] Just before I was about to leave, LBC rang my doorbell and hurrah! It has arrived. I ripped it open and lo and behold this is what I got:
So, yes you can say I was slightly disappointed. There is an obvious difference. I gave it the benefit of the doubt and tried out a few shots and it seemed to be working just as well. Hence, I decided to keep the item.
Anyway, that the story of the diffuser. The Photo Shop was quick with the transactions. I know for a fact that it was shipped within the same day cause I got the tracking number a few minutes after the deposit was made. I guess I should have expected that there would be a delay since couriers do encounter problems. I guess my only main feedback about the The Photo Shop is that to try as much as possible to make sure the items on the site would match the ones sent to the customer. I mean this is just a diffuser but what if it was a battery grip? *dan dan dan daaaaan*
All-in-all, I liked what I have mainly is because it does the job and at was really affordable which gives The Photo Shop plus points on my book. My advise is to make sure and clarify with the seller that you both have the same item in mind.
Anyway, it's 2 AM and I have work in a few hours. I'll start sharing my Baguio trip later today. Ciao!
Anyway, one of the things that I immediately planned to get when I got Dimitri [Nikon D3100] was a pop-up flash diffuser. I am not really into flash photography but I thought it would be a good thing to have just in case I would need to do some fill-in flash photography. [Lots of jargons? Forgive me.]
Let me clarify a few things to make things so that we're on the same page. Remember those red-eyes we get on photos when we use the flash? Or those unsightly oily/glaring spots on our faces when we use the flash? Well what a diffuser does is that it diffuses the light that is made by the flash, giving us nearly the same brightness but with a softer feel. Yes, it helps eliminate red-eyes and glares.
So back to the diffuser I got. I started browsing the web a week before my target date [which just happened to be one hectic week which will be explained in another post]. I found The Photo Shop in Multiply that sold camera accessories. Initially I was actually looking for the Gary Fong Diffusser which basically looks like this:
And I was really excited when I saw the picture online. I immediately called them up and placed in an order. A few days later, I paid via bank transaction [since, it would be rather expensive to go to Cebu to pick up the item :P]. The item was set to arrive the next day but it didn't. I called up the courier and found out it was on its way. So instead of stressing myself out about the item possibly being lost, I decided to distract myself with DC Universe Online and packing for my trip to Baguio for the last weekend.
The next day while I was preparing to leave for work with all the things I needed. [Plan was to head to the bus straight after the office.] Just before I was about to leave, LBC rang my doorbell and hurrah! It has arrived. I ripped it open and lo and behold this is what I got:
So, yes you can say I was slightly disappointed. There is an obvious difference. I gave it the benefit of the doubt and tried out a few shots and it seemed to be working just as well. Hence, I decided to keep the item.
Anyway, that the story of the diffuser. The Photo Shop was quick with the transactions. I know for a fact that it was shipped within the same day cause I got the tracking number a few minutes after the deposit was made. I guess I should have expected that there would be a delay since couriers do encounter problems. I guess my only main feedback about the The Photo Shop is that to try as much as possible to make sure the items on the site would match the ones sent to the customer. I mean this is just a diffuser but what if it was a battery grip? *dan dan dan daaaaan*
All-in-all, I liked what I have mainly is because it does the job and at was really affordable which gives The Photo Shop plus points on my book. My advise is to make sure and clarify with the seller that you both have the same item in mind.
Anyway, it's 2 AM and I have work in a few hours. I'll start sharing my Baguio trip later today. Ciao!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
On The Post Processing Debate
As I waited for the DC Universe Online to finish downloading what ever it was downloading [It was a two day wait. Gah.], I decided to start uploading pictures I took over the weekend onto my Facebook.
So, I opened the folder with my RAW shots and started filtering those that I would be posting. One of the things that I add before I post pictures would be my watermark. I want people to know who took the picture [and also to make sure it isn't used without being given credit due me.]
So, I opened the folder with my RAW shots and started filtering those that I would be posting. One of the things that I add before I post pictures would be my watermark. I want people to know who took the picture [and also to make sure it isn't used without being given credit due me.]
Of course, admittedly I know that not all my shots are awesome and that why I tweak levels and at times dim the glares caused by the pop-up flash. [This I won't have to do since I'll be getting a diffuser pretty soon. Yay!]
This is how I treat my photos before sharing them with the world. Sadly, there is this big debate as to if this is a good thing or a bad thing that photographers practice and whether it is one of the ways of "true" photography.
Well, in my opinion, it isn't necessarily a bad thing. In the past, film photographers control the amount of light (aperture), shutter speed and film (ISO) used to come out with great photographs. In essence, digital photographers do the same as well. DSLRs have aperture control, shutter speed and ISO options embedded into their systems.
To get those special effects on photographs, film photographers would have modified lenses (fish eye, soft focus lenses, double exposure etc.,). Nowadays, this can be achieved if not directly for the DSLR software itself, then through Photoshop or other similar software.
Like everything we've known in the past decade, things evolve. Photography is no different. Imagine all the things you had to lug around if DSLRs aren't as smart as they are now. Heavy, huh? [My respect to those that had gone through this.] So generally, I think that we still practice the same things they did before with photographs, it just so happens that this time around we use a mouse and a software instead of lenses and a darkroom. [Oh, but I so would want to learn how to develop film.]
Anyway, I was reading through Jin Joson's post about this a few days ago. And well, she does make a point. Photography is now used for so many different things and have so many branches already and at times post processing is a must.
At the end of it all, I don't think post processing is a bad thing and if possible we should also come up with our own styles since it can be a new avenue to express ourselves better. Though here's my qualifier [and my pet peeve]: When so called "photographers" say "May photoshop naman" after taking and even before taking a shot. Post processing should never be an excuse to NOT learn the basics of photography.
IMO.
Well, in my opinion, it isn't necessarily a bad thing. In the past, film photographers control the amount of light (aperture), shutter speed and film (ISO) used to come out with great photographs. In essence, digital photographers do the same as well. DSLRs have aperture control, shutter speed and ISO options embedded into their systems.
To get those special effects on photographs, film photographers would have modified lenses (fish eye, soft focus lenses, double exposure etc.,). Nowadays, this can be achieved if not directly for the DSLR software itself, then through Photoshop or other similar software.
 |
| Some of the photos I post processed for the weekend. |
Anyway, I was reading through Jin Joson's post about this a few days ago. And well, she does make a point. Photography is now used for so many different things and have so many branches already and at times post processing is a must.
At the end of it all, I don't think post processing is a bad thing and if possible we should also come up with our own styles since it can be a new avenue to express ourselves better. Though here's my qualifier [and my pet peeve]: When so called "photographers" say "May photoshop naman" after taking and even before taking a shot. Post processing should never be an excuse to NOT learn the basics of photography.
IMO.
Monday, November 7, 2011
After Halloween
It's the final quarter of the year. It's time to do the remaining things on my yearly to do list and start working on my Christmas List. [That by the way is still a lot of wrapping up to do. :P]
In the Philippines once the -ber months hit, you are guaranteed Christmas songs and yes, even Christmas Trees in various establishments. [Yes, as early as September and I kid you not.] For me, the Christmas season really starts after Halloween.
Why after Halloween? Well, my birthday is at the start of October and I take this month to treat myself. Basically, this month is for me to celebrate that I am alive and kicking. I take this month say thanks to the people that have been with me throughout the years.
At the end of October, after Halloween, I start focusing on the next big thing: Christmas. It gives me ample time to save up for gifts that I will be giving to the people I would like to say thank you to. Or want to make smile this season. It's also gives me ample time to recover from my celebrations and focus on other people.
I don't believe on giving expensive gifts. Yes, I am one of those that believe that it's the thought that counts. When I give gifts as well, I prefer to give them something they need or something they want. After all, I think it sends a good message that what is important to them is important to you as well. [Yes, I appreciate wish lists.] Speaking of which here's my preliminary list for the generous hearts out there: *winkwink*
After Halloween, I sense it get colder and I tend to mellow down. I look back on the events of the past year often and reflect. After all, I hope to learn from the lessons I had this year and have a better year next year. I also notice that this is the time of the year that the real friends come out to play. [Hi, guys.] It's been somewhat of a tradition that I see these people on this final quarter, hence, I have a year of stories to tell them and vice versa.
Anyway, just giving you guys a preview of what I do after Halloween. So how are you guys wrapping up this year?
In the Philippines once the -ber months hit, you are guaranteed Christmas songs and yes, even Christmas Trees in various establishments. [Yes, as early as September and I kid you not.] For me, the Christmas season really starts after Halloween.
Why after Halloween? Well, my birthday is at the start of October and I take this month to treat myself. Basically, this month is for me to celebrate that I am alive and kicking. I take this month say thanks to the people that have been with me throughout the years.
At the end of October, after Halloween, I start focusing on the next big thing: Christmas. It gives me ample time to save up for gifts that I will be giving to the people I would like to say thank you to. Or want to make smile this season. It's also gives me ample time to recover from my celebrations and focus on other people.
I don't believe on giving expensive gifts. Yes, I am one of those that believe that it's the thought that counts. When I give gifts as well, I prefer to give them something they need or something they want. After all, I think it sends a good message that what is important to them is important to you as well. [Yes, I appreciate wish lists.] Speaking of which here's my preliminary list for the generous hearts out there: *winkwink*
1. Colleczion T-shirt
2. Rash Guard [So that I'm not too burnt next year while surfing.]
3. Pop up Flash Diffuser [Gary Fong's please. :P]
4. Deviant Art Subsciption. [Even if it's just for 3 months.]
5. Surprise me.
After Halloween, I sense it get colder and I tend to mellow down. I look back on the events of the past year often and reflect. After all, I hope to learn from the lessons I had this year and have a better year next year. I also notice that this is the time of the year that the real friends come out to play. [Hi, guys.] It's been somewhat of a tradition that I see these people on this final quarter, hence, I have a year of stories to tell them and vice versa.
Anyway, just giving you guys a preview of what I do after Halloween. So how are you guys wrapping up this year?
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
During Halloween
A late Happy Halloween to one and all. I hope you all enjoyed it.
Despite the long weekend here in my country, I was not able to travel or head home like everyone else. Mainly due to the following things: Dimitri rendering me broke [plus tuition fees that needed paying], I'm sick and I just didn't feel like competing with everyone intent on traveling home. So, I bonded with the internet at home.
First thing I did was to visit my different accounts and update their respective looks. I actually do this [at least once] every year just after my birthday. I believe that in my life it's the new year and I want things to look and feel new. Hence, I update my profile information [informing people that I'm older :P] and page layouts.
So, yes my Plurk page looks like you turned the light on on the last layout and also looks like the home page of Twitter.com. *laughs*
I love my Twitter layout! It's a very nice CG of the beach which is currently one my favorite places.
As most of you would know, I really haven't give much thought to my Multiply site in a long time. [I think it's been more than a year already] Since I was on an update frenzy, I decided to tweak it as well and change the layout. Though as to whether or not I should update it is another matter entirely. It used to be my photo dump but right now, I really don't know what to do with it. Should I start posting photos there again? To post or not to post that is the question.
Despite the long weekend here in my country, I was not able to travel or head home like everyone else. Mainly due to the following things: Dimitri rendering me broke [plus tuition fees that needed paying], I'm sick and I just didn't feel like competing with everyone intent on traveling home. So, I bonded with the internet at home.
First thing I did was to visit my different accounts and update their respective looks. I actually do this [at least once] every year just after my birthday. I believe that in my life it's the new year and I want things to look and feel new. Hence, I update my profile information [informing people that I'm older :P] and page layouts.
 |
| Plurk |
So, yes my Plurk page looks like you turned the light on on the last layout and also looks like the home page of Twitter.com. *laughs*
 |
I love my Twitter layout! It's a very nice CG of the beach which is currently one my favorite places.
As most of you would know, I really haven't give much thought to my Multiply site in a long time. [I think it's been more than a year already] Since I was on an update frenzy, I decided to tweak it as well and change the layout. Though as to whether or not I should update it is another matter entirely. It used to be my photo dump but right now, I really don't know what to do with it. Should I start posting photos there again? To post or not to post that is the question.
And of course, for blogger, you can check out ArXy's new header and scroll back up for to see my new header as well. [If you noticed all the pictures I used up there are from the same shoot including my profile picture.]
Despite staying in, I think this is very productive long weekend. Arckham and I also started playing Dragon Nest just to check it out one afternoon. Now we are both officially working our way up the levels. We are on our gamer modes again. [We're in SpringWood, if you guys are interested to join us]
That's all I did. [and sleep and eat and watch TV and practice photography of course and... :P] How was your weekend?
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