readyfebrian: independentphotographyfestival CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO! http://www.hardworkersclub.com/post/15552913823/ipf Let’s!

readyfebrian:

independent
photography
festival

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

http://www.hardworkersclub.com/post/15552913823/ipf

Let’s!

Experimenting is always fun, especially when it comes to taking pictures. In the digital age, experimenting is much safer and more economical, because there is no “wastage” of exposures. Gone are the days of buying rolls and rolls of film. Today, all you need to do is have a spacious CF card (or if you’re using a Nikon, SD card) and a good eye for spotting a “keeper” in your set. Or a good hunch for experimenting. Shot this in my room with all the lights out, Bentley on a tripod, and exposing for 10 seconds. Digital technology sure is a treat, but I sure miss experimenting with film. I should get myself a couple of 35mm rolls soon. Manila, Philippines (December 2011)

Experimenting is always fun, especially when it comes to taking pictures. In the digital age, experimenting is much safer and more economical, because there is no “wastage” of exposures.

Gone are the days of buying rolls and rolls of film. Today, all you need to do is have a spacious CF card (or if you’re using a Nikon, SD card) and a good eye for spotting a “keeper” in your set. Or a good hunch for experimenting.

Shot this in my room with all the lights out, Bentley on a tripod, and exposing for 10 seconds. Digital technology sure is a treat, but I sure miss experimenting with film. I should get myself a couple of 35mm rolls soon.

Manila, Philippines (December 2011)

Trudat.

Trudat.

(Source: effimeri)

An Intermission

Before I resume packing my stuff for Davao in a few days, let me end today by doing one of the things I love - making lists! I just finished re-watching “Pretty in Pink,” and I am still a fan of John Hughes and his song choices. He pretty much reminds me of Cameron Crowe.

Top 5 Films About Music (IMO)

  1. Almost Famous: This movie is just (to use a now-famous expression that until now I don’t really understand probably due to a generation gap) SO FULL OF WIN, on so many levels. Directing, acting, storytelling, you name it.  I adore this movie so much I have the soundtrack and the script in paperback format.
  2. High Fidelity: This is one of the few book-to-film adaptations that I love and respect (there are few; included is The Lord and the Rings trilogy), primarily because the book is cleverly-written (it has lists of songs to include in a mix tape!) and John Cusack is so adorkable.
  3. Empire Records: Whenever I think about this movie, “Til I Hear It From You” just begins playing in my head. I’ll always and forever associate Gin Blossoms and Liv Tyler with this movie! Too bad I haven’t got a CD copy of the soundtrack. As far as storylines go, this one isn’t as complicated but I think the beauty of this movie lies in its straightforwardness (?).
  4. The Legend of 1900: I think I saw this movie on HBO when I was in college. My Dad and I watched it. He fell in love with the music, I fell in love with the narrative. The storytelling is so fluid, you feel like you are in the same boat with the protagonist. This movie’s ending blew me away, too hence the impact. Downloaded the soundtrack while my parents got a copy of the movie on DVD while vacationing in the US. What is it with boats and music?
  5. Pirate Radio: Saw this movie on HBO late last year and I couldn’t believe this was shown way back 2009. Two-thousand freaking nine! What the hell have we been missing? As a country, we don’t get enough UK-made films shown here. If they can pass an anti-planking law, our government must endorse one on anti-Hollywood-film-monopoly. Seriously though, how can you not love this one? Its premise is of the romantic ideal (not the feeling but the period, mind you): They’d die for music; why shouldn’t you?

Off to my bags!

5 Sunday Errands

Had quite a rough night last night, and wasn’t able to sleep well. Woke up today at 8.30 and now ravenous. Must get breakfast before starting on these things:

  1. Clean out Chuck’s (my goldfish) tank so he can breathe easy.
  2. Write “Pack” list for Davao and start packing.
  3. Begin draft of website photoblog revamp and e-mail to T.
  4. Fix clothes and cabinet.
  5. Account receipts/expenses.

How are you spending your Sunday?

There are days when I would prefer underexposed images to properly-exposed ones. Today is one of them. Manila, Philippines (December 2011)

There are days when I would prefer underexposed images to properly-exposed ones. Today is one of them.

Manila, Philippines (December 2011)

I was quite disappointed this year when my grandmother surrounded the Christmas tree with red icicle lights. I’m honestly not a big fan of red and for me, it just makes our already gloomy tree even gloomier. Yellow lights would have made our tree glow in this photo (another long-exposure shot) but looking back, I think the red added a different feel to this image I did not initially perceive. Manila, Philippines (December 2011)

I was quite disappointed this year when my grandmother surrounded the Christmas tree with red icicle lights. I’m honestly not a big fan of red and for me, it just makes our already gloomy tree even gloomier. Yellow lights would have made our tree glow in this photo (another long-exposure shot) but looking back, I think the red added a different feel to this image I did not initially perceive.

Manila, Philippines (December 2011)

Manila, Philippines (December 2011)

Manila, Philippines (December 2011)

Please don’t mind the ugly garbage cans to your left. Manila, Philippines (December 2011)

Please don’t mind the ugly garbage cans to your left.

Manila, Philippines (December 2011)

I took this while I was still feeling pretty refreshed and inspired the first week of December last year. Our decade-old dog, Cloudy was as usual out in the garage, patiently waiting for his master (my stepdad) to come home. The sky was clear and there was a slight breeze. I got out my tripod and took a few long exposure shots (three, four-second ones) which accounts for the “shake.” Blame it on the wind. Manila, Philippines (December 2011)

I took this while I was still feeling pretty refreshed and inspired the first week of December last year. Our decade-old dog, Cloudy was as usual out in the garage, patiently waiting for his master (my stepdad) to come home. The sky was clear and there was a slight breeze. I got out my tripod and took a few long exposure shots (three, four-second ones) which accounts for the “shake.” Blame it on the wind.

Manila, Philippines (December 2011)

Why I Haven’t Been Posting Lately #2

I am currently working on revamping my website Zebra With A Camera and making it into a proper photographer’s blog. A lot of photogs call their space a photoblog but I’m afraid if I adopt the same concept, I wouldn’t be able to live up to it. After all, before being a photographer, I am first only human, with some thoughts worth sharing, and some better kept to myself.

As far as the former is concerned, this is where the photographer’s blog concept comes in. I would like to take it upon myself to develop the discipline of posting photography-related stuff, which means that you will see not only my photographs, but works of others whom I admire, as well as my own ideas and musings on photography. Totally hipster and poseur-ish, right? Sort of like how my dog looks in the above portrait of him take one relatively cool night in December.

Yeah, I’ve always wanted to become one. A middle-aged dog, I mean.

December 2011 (Manila, Philippines)

5 Essentials for Davao Next Week

  1. Harvard hoodie
  2. Snorkeling gear
  3. Camera gear
  4. Chargers for everything: cameras, cellphones, and iPod
  5. A book I have yet to read from my towering stash from 2010-2011

Yes, I have been remiss in my travel duties in 2011. Hence this year, I have vowed to make it up to Mother Earth and get back to one of my favorite things to do in the world apart from taking photos and eating.

My first destination this year is Davao. I’ll be spending five whole days with my best friend who has recently come home from Singapore after living in Singlishland for as long as it takes to grow and keep alive a toddler in the third world. Our itinerary’s all set, and all I need is to pack my bags and get on that plane.

colinquinn:

Camera Obscure with Abelardo Morell: “In setting up a room to make this kind of photograph, I cover all windows with black plastic in order to achieve total darkness. Then, I cut a small hole in the material I use to cover the windows. This allows an inverted image of the view outside to flood onto the walls of the room. I would focus my large-format camera on the incoming image on the wall and expose the film.”

Concept is everything. Sometimes, technicality becomes secondary.

(via sevencats)

Dear Dad, Thanks for accompanying me to get my consolation Christmas present, and for knocking some sense into me by saying, sometimes, there are things that will cost you a little extra but are worth it, like one-year warranty and a swanky Leather case. (Taken with instagram)

Dear Dad, Thanks for accompanying me to get my consolation Christmas present, and for knocking some sense into me by saying, sometimes, there are things that will cost you a little extra but are worth it, like one-year warranty and a swanky Leather case. (Taken with instagram)

Something(s) Rather Morbid

I just had a thought the other day. If the Mayans are right, 2012 would be the last year of life as we know it. If the world were to end, this time I don’t think I would mind.


Tonight I spent a good two hours researching about harmful ingredients found in everday cosmetics and non-food household products. I found out that 100% of the stuff I use for bathing and making myself up (not double talk) contains at least one harmful ingredient that is either not environment friendly, a carcinogenic, or just downright dangerous to your body.

To date, it has not yet been determined how far along in life one might experience the side effects slash consequences of using such products. The side effects themselves are still unmapped, unknown much like a black hole in space.

I considered throwing away everything and investing in organic, non-harmful products for my skin, face, and hair. But as I was bathing, I thought: aren’t I already exposing myself to possible carcinogenics and environment hazards? My footprint (was it environmental, biological or ecological?) must be as huge as Big Foot’s. Lengthy but whose existence has yet to be validated by Science.

So. What to do now? Aren’t we all “dying” already, anyway?

F it. I’m keeping my lipsticks.