Shopping!!!
It's a holiday and my usual day of shopping for Christmas gifts. With my niece in tow, drove my car (the only time of the year I do) to
Park Square 1 so that we can put the gift-wrapped items we bought in its trunk.
We were one of the first people at
The Landmark (must be because of the curfew declared last night, people were on a wait-and-see attitude before they decide to go out). Choosing toys and having them wrapped (the department store do this for free for items sold in their store worth P300.00) is a breeze. Since I have free Misono beef from
Tokyo Tokyo, we decided to have lunch there. Then, proceeded to
National Bookstore to buy more gift items. As we continue looking at the shops, we passed by
Art Work. Decided to ask them when the winners of the t-shirt design contest my niece joined will be announced. Learned that the t-shirts would be displayed today at
Trinoma starting 11AM.
So, instead of watching a movie, decided to ride the
Metro Rail Transit (MRT) to Trinoma to catch a glimpse of the entries to Art Work's T-Shirt Design Contest. It is also a good excuse to finally visit Trinoma. There were a lot of people at the mall. It is a cross between
Glorietta and
Greenbelt (since Trinoma is also owned by Ayala Management). The Landmark at Trinoma is a surprise. It definitely is bigger than it's original store and the design concept is similar to Rustan's (
pa-sosyal).
We finally saw where the t-shirt would be displayed. We saw the names of the winners but the t-shirts were not yet on display. This we learned that it will be formally opened that day around 6PM. We decided to do some window shopping before returning to
Ayala Center.
Back to Glorietta 4, we watched
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (after having an early
merienda at
The Pancake). A fantasy, comedy film, it stars Dustin Hoffman as the 243-year old Mr. Magorium who decides to retire and leave his magical toy store to Molly (Natalie Portman), the store's insecure manager. But this decision causes the store to throw an unusual tantrum. There's not much of a story and the film throws in special effects for the "magic". Actually, if I were Mr. Magorium, I would have left the magical store to Eric (Zachary Mills), the nine-year old who helps around the store. But what the film tries to impart is that one can find the source of magic inside oneself.
After the movie, shopped some more to cross-out the items in my Christmas list. Finally, decided to head home after stopping at a gas station to fill-up my car's gas tank.
But, then again, remembered about the delicious Mango Bravo of
Conti's. Thus, borrowed my brother's driver, Manong, to drive us to
Serendra, dropping me and my niece at
Bonifacio High Street (infront of Serendra) to have a look-see. We then proceeded to Conti's at Serendra for that cake. c",)
Makati Stand-off
We're having lunch at
Mann Hann in
SM Megamall as a
despedida treat for one of our officemates when several SMS and calls were received by us informing us of the coup being staged in Makati. A group led by Senator Trillanes walked out of his hearing at Makati's RTC and proceeded to
The Peninsula Manila. They then took over the hotel, airing their sentiment through the media.
Thus, after lunch, tried to monitor what's going in between work. Good thing, the operation of the
Metro Rail Transit (MRT) did not stop because of what is happening.
Alighted from MRT's Ayala Station. That's when I learned that
SM Makati is already closed. Even
Glorietta's (although a few restaurants were open) shops are closed; which eerily reminds me of the Glorietta 2 bombing. But unlike it, the gloomy feeling is lacking. It was simply quiet and dark.
Framed Shots Christmas Party, Day 2
Woke early as I have to do a "success". Most are still asleep as they called it a night around 4AM. Good thing they still managed to reach their beds.
Mid-morning, we learned someone from another resort drowned. He's only 18 years old. His friends won't leave until his body is found. According to our caretaker, he is surely dead for he can only last 10 minutes underwater without drowning. If his body won't be found, it will be found afloat, bloated, after 24 hours. That's when she told me that she and her two kids also almost drowned. The lifeguard on the other resort (Waterfront) saw them and saved them.
After lunch, we proceeded to
Anvaya Cove. It is still being developed and it would have soft opening on December 15 this year. Only members can enter the Anvaya Cove.
After which, we are on our way home. But stopped first at Razon's for a late
merienda. Was back in Makati around 7:15PM.
Framed Shots Christmas Party, Day 1
Woke up really early as we have to meet at KFC-Caltex along Buendia Avenue, Makati City on our way to
Morong, Bataan, where we would be having our very early Christmas party. But the group separated into two: one went directly to Bataan, the other went to
Subic to take pictures of the
Miata Cup.
Even saw Ramon Christopher "Monching" Gutierrez, an actor, at the Miata Cup as he also races. After lunch, we proceeded to Bataan.
After several wrong turns (we even have to go inside the Bataan Techno Park, which is a shortcut to our destination, since one of us works for the government, the security guard kindly allowed us to pass through), we finally arrived at the resort. Tents were already set-up and those who were there ahead of us had a very late lunch.
Only a few dared to swim at the beach as the waves are rolling high. According to the caretaker, the water is often calm, specially during summer. Must be because of typhoon Mina within the Philippine area of responsibility.
The party is supposed to start around 7PM, with us getting ready with our costume (luau) by 6PM. There were games, raffles, awarding. The last activity is exchange of gifts which was done around a bonfire. Then, the rest of the group exchange stories and sang to their hearts content while beer and alcohol flowed.
Makati Lights
I have a meeting in Makati in the afternoon. Yes!!! I'll be able to visit again my old office.
Since it would be too late if I go back to Ortigas, spent the rest of the hours in Makati after the meeting. It also allowed me to walk my regular route home. Small stars adorning the trees and bushes have been lit... the temperature is cool... Christmas is definitely around the corner!
Boogeyman Racks!
It's my
kumpare's youngest and only son's Christening and was invited on the reception after the Baptismal rite. Brought along my dSLR to get pictures of the celebration (and a good practice for me). The reception is held at
Racks at
El Pueblo (right beside my new office). Thus, took my usual MRT-ride to and from the venue.
After, watched
Boogeymen 2 at
Glorietta 1. A horror, thriller movie about a girl who checked herself in to a mental health facility where her brother previously was confined, to help her deal with her phobia: the crippling fear of the Boogeyman (similar to his brother). She was included in a group who have their own sets of phobia. Then, one by one, each member of the group dies from their fear. Fast-paced, with its own share of gore. But somehow, one-half or three-fourths of the film, I already have an idea who is behind all that is happening.
After the movie, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at
Pizza Hut Bistro.
FRAMED SHOTS: Fashion Anniversary and Infrared
Today's the monthly meeting of Framed Shots. This is when I learned that one of the images I took during the anniversary of the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation (FPPF) and submitted last Wednesday was among the Top 40. I don't know which of these three...
For infrared (IR), the following are the images I took from the On-The-Spot at La Mesa Ecopark...
Buzz-y
Everything I planned to do today went as scheduled.
1) Bring car to
Honda Service Center to check the brakes.
2) Go to dentist for cleaning and filling.
3) Have Manong pick-up my car.
4) Go to
Fully Booked to check on photography books plus that suggested by my classmate in the recent workshop I attended (Photoshop for Photographers).
5) Buy a Mango Bravo cake from
Contis'.
6) Pay my Citibank bills.
7) Go to my usual Saturday hang-out--
Glorietta.
My niece was with me when I went to Fully Booked up to Glorietta. Did some window shopping and we submitted her entry for the t-shirt contest design sponsored by
Art Work.
Then, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at
Italianni's.
Oh! After dinner, we took a look-see on the ongoing concert at the
Glorietta Activity Center. The Ayala Management sponsored free Christmas Concerts of three divas--Zsa Zsa Padilla (November 9), Pops Fernandez (November 10) and Kuh Ledesma (November 11).
During Mass, something happened. While the offertory bag is being passed among the congregation, a woman attempted to get money from the offertory basket.
PCCI: Studio Portrait Photography, Day 2
Since the
Ibarra Deri wanted us to learn how to lead the "subject", the first shoot for the day is having
PCCI's secretary, Jheng, to be our "model". This proved to be effective as we have to guide her on how she would project herself.
The succeeding shoot is with the model, April, using different lighting set-up.
As a plus factor, he shared some times on photo enhancement using Adobe Photoshop.
ADJUSTING PORTRAITS VIA PHOTOSHOP
1) If in RAW, adjust fill light, exposure.
2) Duplicate layer (Ctrl J).
3) To change the color of the eyes:
* Select eyes.
* Copy to a new layer with Screen mode.
* Adjust Opacity.
* Erase excess.
* If you want to merge the layer, press Ctrl E.
4) Remove blemishes/pimples:
a. Duplicate layer (Ctrl J).
b. Screen mode.
= Gaussian blur.
= Adjust opacity.
c. Duplicate layer (Ctrl J).
d. Darken mode.
= Adjust opacity.
e. In the Background layer, use patch tool or healing brush.
f. In the Screen mode layer, create a Layer Mask and use a black brush to enhance eyes, brows, etc.
g. In the Darken mode layer, create a Layer Mask and use black brush for those you want to darken.
5) Add texture:
a. Create new layer with Overlay mode and 50% gray.
b. Add noise (uniform and monochromatic).
c. Gaussian blur.
d. Emboss stylize.
e. Gaussian blur -- lower value than previous blur.
f. Adjust opacity.
g. Add mask in order to remove texture on parts that should not have texture/grain like eyes, lips, etc.
* When upsizing an image in Photoshop, increase by 10% by 10% until you have reached your desires size (use bicubic smooth).
* When downsizing an image in Photoshop, use bicubic sharper.
APERTURE WHERE IMAGE IS SHARPEST:
a) For 35mm, f/8 for film, f/11 for digital.
b) For medium format, f/16.
c) For large format, f/22.
PCCI: Studio Portrait Photography, Day 1
Today's the first of the two-day Studio Portrait Photography workshop under the
Ibarra Deri, conducted by the
Philippine Center for Creative Imaging.
There is a short lecture/review in the morning on lights and posing. Afterwhich, actual studio shoot (see below for the studio set-up and the image taken using the set-up).
APERTURE -- lens opening
* controls amount of light
* depth of field
* fenestra (f), e.g. f1.4, f2
FACTORS AFFECTING DEPTH OF FIELD (DOF)
* opening (aperture) -- the smaller the opening, the greater the DOF
* focal length -- the longer the focal length, the shallow the DOF and compresses the perspective
* distance of subject -- the nearer the subject, the less DOF
SHUTTER SPEED
* shutter opens either horizontal or vertical plane; the horizontal plane opening is faster
* shows motion -- the higher the shutter speed, freezes motion
ISO -- sensitivity of film (or sensor) to light
* the higher the ISO, more noise
* the higher the ISO, the less light needed
LENS
* fixed
* zoom
* For environmental, you may use fish eye lens but must consider placement.
* Closer than 5 feet, there would be distortion.
* Establish rapport with the subject.
POSING
* Basic:
= For female, weight should be at the back.
= For male, weight should be at the front.
= For group shots, try to keep the eyes in different height/level.
STUDIO LIGHTS
* Umbrella
* Softbox
= When taking a picture of the bride, you can put tracing paper on the softbox so as not to overexpose the gown.
* Triggers -- e.g. Pocket Wizard, Flash Waves, Infinity Gadget
* The nearer the light source, less shadow.
* Try changing the direction of the light to give a different effect on the lighting.
* In portrait photography, what is important is the eyes. Put life in it thru catch lights.
* When taking photos of a woman in swimsuit, try placing the camera at the level of the bikini.
New Desk
After arranging my new desk like this and like that, given that I never liked my new base mainly due to the distance from my home, may as well make myself comfortable. Set-it up to be ergonomically designed as possible (since the original design is far from it).
30 Days of Night
There are several "horror" movies being shown, what with the Halloween just passed. Decided to watch
30 Days of Night starring Josh Hartnett.
The town of Barrow, Alaska would be facing the unknown at the start of the month that the sun would not be rising in their small town. Although most of the town's population has left temporarily due to the yearly occurrence of thirty days of darkness, some still remained. But this time, the arrival of a stranger who vandalized the town is only a precursor of what will eventually invade the town--a group of vampires. All means of contact, transportation into and out of the town plus power was destroyed (killed, in the case of the sled dogs). The town has become the feeding ground of the vampires. In order to maintain their "myth", they would destroy the town and make it like an accident after their feeding frenzy. But the townsfolk would not take it sitting down.
The treatment is different from other horror movies that uses shadows and sound effects to scare the audience. The movie is fast-paced and it keeps the audience's attention. Good that I decided to watch this first instead of
Hide and Seek and
Halloween.
After the movie, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at
Italianni's.
Don't know why, but right after dinner, I experienced severe back pain. Really have to walk very slow as I feel pain for every step I take... SMSed my cousin and he suggested to take Alaxan and Neurobion.
Undas 2007
Woke up really early today. By 4PM, we were already on our way to the
Manila Memorial Park to visit the grave of my aunt. Would have also visited the grave of my uncle at the same cemetery but we don't know how to get there. There were already cars parked, people at their relatives' grave, flowers and candles. After saying lighting a candle and saying a short prayer, left the place to go to my mother's grave at
Sgt. Mariano Public Cemetery along Tramo, Pasay City. But first, stopped by McDonald's along the way for breakfast.
At Sgt. Mariano, there are still few people around. Lit some candles for my mother, lolo, lola and uncles and said a prayer for them. There were already flowers but we were the first to light a candle for each of them.
Upon reaching home, slept again. Woke up around 11AM. With my nephew, we are planning to go back to Sgt. Mariano to visit again our dead around 4PM.
We met some relatives there and spent sometime. When we finally decided to leave, stopped by McDonald's again to buy
meryenda. That's when I noticed the toy included in the kiddie meal. Hmmm... seems interesting. Thus, bought a kiddie meal for Manong, our driver, so that I can get the toy (Manong, Nana and my nephew do not want to buy anything when I asked them). c",)
