The Invasion
This week is the start of the briefing of the new systems I would be handling; thus, every morning, we're at Ortigas for it.
Today, I should be there the whole day because we have a 2PM meeting. But the 2PM meeting was moved to 3:30PM. Now, what was I supposed to do for my slack time. Watch a movie (said my new boss). Who am I to dispute?
Thus, watched
The Invasion, starring Nicole Kidman.
The mysterious crash of a space shuttle brought with it something alien, which invades the human body due to contact/liquids, and attacks while sleeping. They are physically unchanged but leaves them unfeeling and inhuman. "They" can be tricked by not showing emotion. And one must not trust anyone nor fall asleep.
First PAPC Photo Shoot
Today is the first activity initiated by the
PCCI Alumni Photo Club. Once you have taken the Basic Photography Workshop at
PCCI, you are automatically a member of this club.
This is definitely a fun and learning activity. Each participant is given three to five minutes to take images of the model, directing them, etc. Before a shoot starts, we draw lots as to who would be the "lead" photographer. The lead photographer alone has the trigger. The rest can take pictures using available light and must not block the lead photographer's work area.
We had three models to pose for us: Steffi, Alex (the son of the Nigerian Ambassador) and Trixie.
While waiting for the photo shoot, somebody shared tips on Photoshop.
a) To smoothen wrinkles or remove skin imperfections...
* Duplicate image
* Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur
* Layer>Layer Mask>Hide All
* Use brush with white as color to reveal the nicer textured skin
b) To provide color (like blush)
* Duplicate image
* Create new layer
* Use brush with red (or whatever color) to paint on
* Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur
* In the layer panel, choose Soft Light and adjust the opacity
Vertigo
Seemed to wake up in the wrong side of the bed. When tried to stand-up, felt dizzy. Managed to walk but in a criss-cross way.
TXTed my cousin as to what medicine I should take. He said that what I am experiencing is vertigo. It can be due to ear problem or low/high blood. Anyway, the medicine he prescribed to me is different from what he gave me before. (TXTed him because I forgot what medicine it was. Was able to check my blog about it after taking the new medicine.) I was to take Serc 16mg tablet, three times a day for the dizziness.
Decided to have my blood pressure checked tomorrow at our office's clinic...
Thursday, 23 August 2007
It's low blood...
Surf's Up
Another movie weekend for me. Now, it's
Surf's Up. Wanted to watch
Ratatouille since it is already in its second week run; but, it is only being shown at Greenbelt 3. Decided against a long walk back (to catch the anticipated Mass).
A story about the competitive sport of surfing and a young penguin's (Cody Maverick) passion of being the best in said sport, in order for him to gain the admiration and respect he so much desires. But all this changes when he meets Geek, a washed-up old surfer. He finally finds his own way (as advised by his idol, the Big Z) and learns that one doesn't have to be first to be the winner.
At first thought, one would think that the story might be similar to another animated penguin movie,
Happy Feet, but it is not. Although, I find the lead in Happy Feet much cuter... hehehe!
After the anticipated Mass, we had dinner at
Italianni's. I wonder when the new Gold Card will be released...
Rush Hour 3
Lest I might skip it during its theater runs, decided to watch
Rush Hour 3 after office. Besides, due to the re-organization in the office, I might be assigned in Ortigas (which I hate) and may never enjoy watching movies after office for some time.
From http://www.rushhourmovie.com
As expected from a Jackie Chan movie, expect humor and action intertwined. Add Chris Tucker in the formula; then, expect it to be hilarious. I like the scene wherein they're in a show and Chris has no choice but to belt out. Of course, Jackie would not want to be left out. LOL. Oh! There's also George, the taxi driver, who might just pull the rug under the two...
The Chinese Chief Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) and LAPD Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker) have to cross path again as they battle a wing of the Chinese organized crime family, the Triad. Their investigation leads them to Paris, with the peak of the action occuring at the Eiffel Tower.
Photo Shoot
Decided to take pictures that I would present for critic in the next
FPPF's Monthly Critic. We were to improve the pictures we took of the products based on the suggestions we received in the last Monthly Critic.
It sure was hard to get it right the image of the soda-in-can surrounded with ice. But the use of fixative and pure glycerine with water worked! Also took the image of the Carl stand with my nephew's laptop as a prop. Now, that one is easy. Just a few shots and the result worked fine for me. I wonder if I'll try my hand with the PowerSaver? I also took an image of the "survival" which I originally conceptualized. Tried using colored gels to focus on the plant.
And the post-editing followed. Now, I have five images I can submit for
Framed Shots' Survival theme.
Shoot-n-Walk
Decided to stroll around Makati and see if I can capture images that would fit the theme for September--Survival.
Packing my Canon EOS 350D, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 in my Lowepro Micro Trekker 100, was able to get images of the "
tren", according the the young girl (with a young boy) who approached me when she saw me taking pictures of it below the
Magallanes Interchange.
Dropped by PCCI to pay for the photo shoot scheduled on August 25 and continued with my walk to capture "survival". My walk ended me back to the
Ayala Center. Wanted to watch Jackie Chan's
Rush Hour 3 but I don't want to leave my gear with the theater's guard. Thus, just did some window shopping, waiting for the start of the anticipated Mass.
After the anticipated Mass, we had dinner at
Pancake.
Framed Shots: Patterns
Today would be the first time I'll be attending the monthly meeting of
Framed Shots Camera Club. The friends I met while taking photography lessons at the
Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation (FPPF) invited me to join as they would also be joining said camera club.
I just learned last Friday that the theme for this month is patterns. Thus, have to cram and get pictures. Took one at the office and one from my stock photos. Each member should submit at least two pictures, maximum of five, with one point for each image. If your picture was chosen on the top 15, your picture gets five points. For probationary members, one must accumulate twelve points within six months.
These will do for now...
PCCI: Single Light Source Portrait Photography
Today is the day I would be taking the workshop of the
Dominique James. He would be conducting the
Single Light Source Portrait Photography at the
Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI).
Studio lights can range from 400-800 watts, 1200 watts. It consists of the following:
a) Modelling Light -- tungsten (yellowish); can be turned on/off
b) Flash Tube -- natural daylight; can turn on/off; can adjust intensity of light
* To simulate morning or sunset light, use filters.
* Inside the studio, you want to "copy" natural light.
* In the studio, setting is daylight.
* For modelling light, setting is tungsten.
Light Modifiersa) Softbox -- diffuses light; imitates overcast sky, shade; beauty light
b) Umbrella
= Reflective -- reflects back the light
= Diffused -- similar to softbox
c) Barndoor -- increase/decrease coverage of light; it is also a holder of colored gels
d) Honeycomb
= The longer the grills, the more focused the light.
= Good for hair light, accent light
= If you want to use a shadowy effect, you may use it as the main light.
= For silvery skin tone, honeycomb can be used.
e) Snoot -- focuses a light on a certain spot; spotlight
f) Reflectors
g) Gobo -- patterned filters to create special effects like criss-cross, patterns, etc.
h) Scrim -- similar to acrylic plastic; scrim is steady, source of light
i) Reflector Disc -- hard light
j) Ring Flash
Ranges of Light
* With umbra, skin becomes whitish and clear; may lose details.
* With penumbra, open some details.
* The farther the light, the deeper the shadow.
* The higher the light, the bigger the shadow.
Different Lighting* Photographers should be far away from the subject without sacrificing hearing distance. This avoids distortion. (Professional distance is 4 to 5 feet away.)
Beauty Light
* You can also set two lights side-by-side.
Upper Light
Side Light
Overhead
Strip Light
Parabola Softbox
* Can be used as a self-portrait through the model's eyes.
Reflector Disc with Barndoor (plus Filters)
Big Reflector Disc
* The big reflector disc can also be bounced to a reflector.
Umbrella
After the workshop, hastened to go
Glorietta to attend the Mass. After the anticipated Mass, we had dinner at D
ad's for a crossover buffet as it is my friend's birthday. We also saw the La Salle basketball team at the restaurant as they celebrate their win.
By the way, we got stuff toys with our drinks...
