I stayed late the other night anxiously waiting for the announcement of winners during the Miss Universe 2011 coronation night held in Sao Paulo, Brazil.   I had to hang on till the end because our very own Shamcey Supsup, Miss Philippines made it to the Top 10.   She was our best bet in the pageant because she has the beauty and a good head on her shoulder having graduated Cum Laude in the University of the Philippines, Diliman with a degree in Architecture.  She embodied the true spirit of the Filipino people and she represented our country well.    Although, she only won as Miss Universe 3rd runner-up, still in our eyes and heart she is a WINNER!   It was Leila Lopes, Miss Angola who bagged the coveted Miss Universe 2011 title and she deserves it.   Indeed, “black is beautiful”!

our country’s bet-Ms. Shamcey Supsup

Not long after the pageant, a  friend tagged me an amusing pic and it blew away my sleepiness!  I wonder who cleverly did the editing of the pic which can easily deceive those who don’t know how to spot the difference.   I hope it was only done for kicks and not created by one sore loser who can’t accept that his/her bet to the pageant did not win the prestigious title.   Check the picture below and you will have a good laugh as well.

Mommy D- Ms. Ultra Universe 2011 ?

the newly crowned Miss Universe 2011

Yes, it was a clever handiwork of someone whom I believe knew Photoshop well.   Mommy D is the mother of  our world boxing champion , Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and she is also a “beauty”  in her own right.    Inside or outside?  Whatever… all I knew is that I was very much amused!

Yes! It is very evident that hubby is fast learning the tricks of photography.   It’s been 4 months since our photography class wrapped up and it’s really up to us if we really wanted to be competent and good at it.   My hubby sustained his interest with trial and error shots and of course he upgraded his camera with essential lenses and you will really see the difference.  Like when we went to a butterfly park, he used specialized lens called macro to be able to capture the beauty of his subjects.

a quick and closer shot of a butterfly

I don’t want to think that he had grown weary for the past weeks that he had me as his model.   Has he  gone tired and ran out of poses to teach me, thus, he shifted subject to nature?   Indeed, it inspired him most everytime his shots yielded very good results and he would always brag it to me.  Yes, I believed that he has improved a lot because he’s been into  practice shooting every now and then.   Definitely, he is putting into good use what he learned from the class.   His D90 camera is his best buddy nowadays which he always carries with him  because it is ready for shoot anytime, anyplace!

another interesting subject

He still buys specialized lenses though they are a bit pricey like the macro camera lens which is for close up photography.  Upon knowing that he will have the chance to shoot on orchids and butterflies, he really planned ahead and saved for lenses.  And it did opened him to the world of extreme close up photography that creates exciting pictures.  You bet, he is already hooked into it and he is starting to make compilations of pictures.

macro lens used here

I just hope he won’t use that macro lens on me… I believe even the tiniest dirt, lines and age spots on my face will be captured.   There goes my image down the drain….if my stubborn hubby will focus that lens on me..  no way!

Our photography class wrapped up 2 weeks ago but we never stopped shooting and aiming for  picture perfect shots with elements of photography used on the subject.   We’ve learned the basics and hopefully if an advance class will be offered, we will surely grab the opportunity to be part of the Circulo In light workshop once again.

Taking pictures is only one welcome hobby but we have realized that if you will really put your hearts and minds into it you will be amazed on how exciting and fulfilling photography is.  And that is why, hubby is really bent to make good on it.   He never leaves home without his gadget and always ready to shoot an interesting subject of interest.   During our closing ceremony, even though he was a novice in the field, it made him proud that he was included among the top 10 photo entries.  (sigh..I was not among them… ).

Posting here the top 3 pictures and the entry of hubby.

Arches by Angel Tugado

Red flower by Bobby Ikram

drop by Michelle Bollough

Honorable mention (among the top 10) – by hubby

And not to mention... my entry…  lol!

I am not losing hope… achieving the best picture is only within arms reach… just keep shooting and believing… Never surrender!

As my assignment, I submitted photo of a bowl of fresh fruits taken using my point and shoot camera only.   And  before our workshop ends, all photos we sent our to our trainers were reviewed while being flashed on the projector screen.   All photos were  subjected to constructive criticisms and we were able to see what was lacking and needs improvement.   Well, it somehow became a gauge on how far is our understanding of our lessons and how we had incorporated it on our photoshoots.

title of my project:  ahhhh.. fresh…

I was the lone soul who used point & shoot.  Actually, it was by choice since hubby was busy practicing with his DSLR camera and I wanted him to be good at that.   Anyways, I believed I did a good shot here.

What do you think?

T’was a tiring day!  We just came from our second and final week of our Photography Workshop.  We had photoshoots in between lectures and the usual 5 hours duration of the workshop was extended for another 2 hours because our trainers reviewed our assignments and made constructive criticisms on our work  as it was flashed one by one on screen and then because we successfully completed the training, certificates were handed to us (with matching graduation march on the background…lol)  And to wrap up the event, numerous group pictures  were taken for posterity.

I will be posting pics soon… in the meantime, I have to catch up much needed zzzzzzzzzzzz’s….

Good night!

Last week, hubby and I attended a Photography Workshop in a British compound.  I felt it is my duty as his wife to support his interest so when I’ve heard from a friend about the workshop, I asked her to include hubby’s name.  So, it came as a surprise to him because all along he thought that I opposed his new hobby.  Well, I would like him to learn the fundamental knowledge of photography so that his DSLR will not go to waste.  If he will not learn the fundamentals, he won’t be able to take good photographs of me…lol… Or he will be forever doing trial and error shots.  That’s tiring and frustrating….

Photography Workshop

I also decided to join even though I only have a point and shoot camera.  At the start of the session, our trainers asked who among us brought cameras and all of them took out from their bags their new and state of the art cameras while I sheepishly showed my point and shoot camera.  Yes, it was only me who have the courage to use a P&S while others have DSLR’s of different brands and models.  Surprisingly, we were briefed that “better camera does NOT necessarily mean you become a better photographer”.  Yes, that boosted my spirit!   We’ve learned too that good photos are not based on new and sophisticated cameras but it is determined by one’s talent and knowledge in using the tools for photography.   Yes!  That was strike two…for I know that with my kinda creative mind and limitless imagination, even if I will be using my P&S, I can come up with better photographs.

high end cameras that made my point & shoot inferior in quality

Whew… as the workshop lessons deepened…I was somewhat  confused with numbers and metering… too technical but I tried my best to listen and drill it into my mind.   The terms Aperture, Depth of Field, Speed of Lens and Shutter Speed plus ISO , I should try to learn by heart.  For a beginner, it was too alien sounding terms for me…. but I know that I will soon learn about it… gradually but surely.

lessons about Elements of Exposure

Husband who was besides me asked if I understood and I shook my head… anyways… last night I did my review of the manual and took multiple shots adjusting the shutter, controlling Depth of Field …(yes! I am learning!!!).  I was satisfied with couple of photos and submitted it to our trainer through email because tomorrow, they will decide on which of those photos submitted passed their standards.   I am not expecting anything..  I still have a lot of things to learn.

it was a long day but worth it…

Tomorrow will be our photoshoot with a model…  excited me but nervous too!  It will now be a hands- on workshop…

Oh well….

Our riches is not gauge by material wealth but we rest with the fact that our children are going to good school and are receiving  the best education ever.  Soon we are going to see the fruit of all our sacrifices as our daughter will  graduate from her Bachelor of Science in Multi Media Arts and Sciences course. It is really no mean feat to study the said course which is an interdisciplinary program that tackles the art, designs, multimedia development and production.  Amazing!  With quality technological education and software provided them to further their studies in the many discipline of their courses.

Citing the contemporary film they  painstakingly produced and presented for their mid term examination.  I bear witness on how much time, effort, skills and love (coupled with pressures) they put into that project during their shoots. They spent sleepless night doing post production and it is no secret that modern downloadable software and use of state of the art facilities made them pull through their difficult tasks.  It also helps that Ares file sharing is available for them to download as they where able to share some of their files and videos.

The clear and crisp recorded and edited sound of their music videos enhanced their production and generated a flat 1.0 grade for the group! I believe that audacity software also helps them go through it.

On her third year proper, she had her eyes set on graphics design and imaging.  She can’t contained her excitement when they started doing 2D and 3D animation and her artistic ability was definitely challenged.  She initially requested for a MAC computer loaded with advanced functionalities but retracted when she learned that a lot of  open source 3D graphics software are available online.  In no time at all, she discovered that doing their multi-media projects are no longer that taxing as what she once thought. Playing music and videos are easier for them as BS Player is there handily.

Currently, she is on her last term and would be graduating soon  and she is contemplating on what career path she is going to pursue.  There  are a lot of career opportunities that awaits her.  Her main focus is to be a competent 3D animator and a graphic designer.  She too considers being an Art/Creative director and she has the least of worries because working on projects such as audio and video productions are no longer that difficult.   With online help, downloading and uploading files are now accessible, and peer to peer file sharing are done with ease and with readily available advanced and clear interface programs.

Do we need a pat in the back or a firm handshake?  Either way… all we knew is that soon we  will have a Multi Media Arts and Sciences graduate in the family.

Mobile phone use has increased dramatically and became an indispensable gadget in our lives.  Texting is favored more than calling by the young genre. They always come up with and play around with text messages using the Net lingo,  that contains phonetic abbreviations and acronyms sometimes too hard for us elderly to decipher.  It has many advantages and disadvantages depends on how resposible a mobile user we are.

Yesterday, we had proven the power of texting … we had launched a text brigade to ask for blood donation for a friend which I have posted yesterday who had undergone an open heart surgery.  The hospital did not charged our friend for that complex procedure; t’was performed free as humanitarian help.   Indeed, my friend was relieved from worries of where to produce money instantly. who was caught dumbfounded when she was told that her husband needs surgery.  The long tedious operation was over after 6 hours yesterday, and the patient is still in ICU for monitoring since the 1st 24 hours is critical.  Since it was done for free, the hospital only asked for blood donors amongst the friends of the patient.   It will be saved in their Blood Bank to save other lives…..

Well meaning friends texted right away that they are more than willing to donate blood  when they received the message that a friend was in need.

This is what we called “Loving your Neighbor!

Since “ber” months had ushered in,  many are already comparing notes of possible Christmas gifts to give to a loved-one.  I’ve overheard a lively conversation on how to be in vogue.   The ladies were discussing that these days it is no longer enough to coordinate your clothes, bags, shoes and belts,  but your laptops and smart phones as well along with their covers!   It is a fact, that these electronic sidekicks  (cellular phones, MP3, ipods, laptops ) already have become extension of our lives and we highly depend on them.   We have considered it as indispensable tools.

Nowadays,  ” fashionistas” are called such not only on the style of the clothes they wear but the gadgets they own.   And oftentimes, to become trendy,  it is  not what we wear but rather what model we’ve got.

Technology is evolving in such a rapid pace that trends seems to change from one season to another.   My children casually mentioned about Apple’s iPad and iPhone 4 but I did not paid much attention to it because I don’t have plans to buy them those gadgets.   But I’ve heard that those gadgets have become this season’s must have.

I was somehow intrigued and did my own  research.  I found out “what’s hot” and “what’s not.”

IN                           OUT

laptop with skin plain without cover!

smart phones                    all other phones

Dotties cover                         hard plastic cover

High Perf. headsets            Standard earplugs

Funky USB’s                       Corporate USB”s

Oh well, I am definitely in the “out” list.   I am not much into gadgets.

Last night, my son Kevin invited me to accept his webcam invitation.   I did clicked it right away because I was worried about the urgency of his request.  While viewing his image, I commented that he badly needs a haircut, but ignored what I was telling him.   Instead, he showed his art work one by one; trying to get the best focus of his work on the camera so I could see his drawings clearly.  He was so proud of his sketches!  He is a 1st year Multi Media Arts student and he was excitedly telling me that his drawings are more refined now for he already learned the basic and effective way of sketching.   I was so happy that he is very enthusiastic about his studies and loving the art even more.

However, sometimes it made me guilty of being far from them.   I believe that they need my motherly love and care but I still need to stay with my husband to  help augment the family’s income by working too because all 3 of them are still in college.   Our great consolation is that our children are all matured enough to take care of themselves.  They are blessed with many talents and skills and they are using it to good use.   They love the arts!

New technologies made distance and the anxiety of separation bearable.  We can converse, chat, write emails and even see them through webcam at our convenience.

I miss Kevin – my youngest child.  He is  such a jolly and an affectionate son.  Of course, I also miss my 2 other children- Karlo and Kukay.   They are our treasures!

Kevin with his two other siblings.