Photoblog - day 31, May 11, 2010

Bernice modeling?

Not really, I just liked the effect that the green Marks & Spencer signage looked - lighted from inside and placed against a smooth, black wall. It definitely looked stylish, and I just thought - why not take it's picture?

To add a semblance of reason to take a picture of it, I asked Bernice to pose by it's side - thus allowing me to have my picture of the sign - and likewise having a reason to take Bernice's picture.

Nothing extra-ordinary about this picture... just a straight away shot. Unfortunately, it seems that the real color of the signage was not captured - as you can see, it looks white instead of green... with only a hint of green reflecting against the smooth black surface. Oh well... at least I got to take Bernice; who's fashion sense could possibly land her in billboards.

Photoblog - day 30, May 10, 2010

Dirty Finger:

By this, of course, I don't mean the usual universal (or at least, Earth-wide) gesture to insult others... nope... here in the Philippines - once every three years, we are tasked to vote for our government officials. Obviously, a task we Filipinos exercised today.

As a culmination of such exercise, we have our pointer finger (not the middle finger) dabbed with water-proof ink... also known as indelible ink. The practice is a fail-safe against unscrupulous characters who would try voting twice in separate locations.

Thus, this dirty finger is proud badge of citizenship - as it represents our collective efforts to elect new (and hopefully better) government leaders - and God knows we really need them at this juncture.

The finger you see here is mine, of course... as I display my badge of citizenship. I join the millions of Filipinos in showing of their proud and dirty fingers... and hope that in the coming months or years, it will not transform into the real, global symbol we are so fond of using to signify disgust and insult.

Photoblog - day 29, May 9, 2010

Small pepper:

You read my title right... this is a small pepper - roughly just the size of an inch long - and it's one of many currently growing in my in-laws' garden.

What's so special about this picture? Well for starters, my camera's lens does not have the capacity to take a picture of this pepper real up close - and though I could probably take this picture and then do the combination of crop and enlarge the picture using after shots' photo-editing software - I'm proud to say that this picture is natural... with minor exception to slightly tweaking the contrast. So how'd I do this? Using an unorthodox manner, actually.

Said unorthodox manner entails reversing the lens - post-focus - then really moving in to take the picture with much more details being captured. How'd I learn this? My sister-in-law showed me the technique (thanks Bea!), and suddenly... I need not have a really powerful lens to take these pictures.

Photoblog - day 28, May 8, 2010

The Blow Job:

This is the name of the drink that Jingo is displaying for us - a three layered wonder made up of the following alcoholic drinks - Kahlua, Baileys and Cointreau; all carefully placed in a shot glass... carefully, because the beauty of the drink is not just in it's taste - but in it's presentation as well. Notice how Jingo's glass visibly shows the three color bands? Oh yeah... this is Jingo - a friend, colleague and often time drinking buddy (and he's not alone, too).

Obviously, the preparation of said drink is not that easy to do - and if ever one would try, expect several 'mistakes' to happen before getting it right. But then again, that's part of the fun - I drink my mistakes... which, in turn, means it becomes more difficult to make succeeding Blow Jobs. Why, I even had a night when I started not to care about the aesthetics... yeah, I was getting drunk back then.

Now... this night was no exception, as my friends and I were already several pitchers of Mojitos down - in fact, I'd say we easily consumed a pitcher each - so getting it right late in the night of said drinking session; and having to successfully take it's picture? You can begin to appreciate the rarity of this photo... that I happened to have the faculty to create the drink is exceptional enough - and taking a clear picture to boot... priceless.

Hence this joining my photo blog. Cheers, Jingo!

Photoblog - day 27, May 7, 2010

Adidas Street Party:

This is what I noticed being set up early morning on my way to work, Friday morning, at the Piazza at McKinley Hill. Of course back then, it was just the tents and the framework for this stage.

By lunchtime, the Piazza'a place had been converted into a busy hub of tents and my colleagues and I were wondering who's concert it would be?

As it turns out, we were wrong - not a concert, as more sports fashion event organized by Adidas to promote their classic line designs. Guess it's back to basics for this line... which somehow explains the VW Combi occupying a big chunk of their small stage; back to basics being like going back in time - hence, a retro feel... and you can't get retro and cool any better than with a Combi.

As Friday's evening came, my colleagues and I hied over to our favorite watering hole for a few bottles of beer - and it was just coincidence that said place afforded a perfect balcony view of the Adidas Street Party/Fashion event. Unfortunately, this event was scheduled to start around 9PM - too late for our taste - but we already had an idea of what would transpire, since we watched them go through their rehearsals.

Photoblog - day 26, May 6, 2010

Drinks:

In preparation for Saturday, I've prepared a corner of the apartment (and I literally mean 'corner' too) as a makeshift bar for all my alcoholic bottles and cocktail mixers.

It's convenient, easy to clean and nice to look at too. Of course, I doubt these will be consumed in one night - and I'd seriously like to see someone try, but the point is, in small gatherings like those that I occasionally have at home, I like to have a variety of drinks I can mix up. It's not about consuming a lot either... it's about having great company, a time to bond, share experiences or play catch up with the lives and activities of friends and colleagues.

It's not seen in the picture, but above these bottles are my cocktail glasses - hanging just withing reach. So here's to evenings such as those... one's we've dubbed as Bacardi Nights... though definitely not just limited to Bacardi products.

Photoblog - day 25, May 5, 2010

Weathered but unique-looking:

This leaf did not look special at all - in fact, I may have just taken this picture as an afterthought. Yet when I started looking at the pictures I took for the day, it still drew my attention - not because it was attractive, but the picture's background actually enhanced the focus on said leaf.

Now, I have had the practice of taking macro shots before... but for some reason, this one looked very different. It also proves that great pictures are often times, accidentally captured - and I'm not ashamed to admit this.

I really liked this picture's composition - a simple subject... practically mundane. But taken differently - it looks new and unique... yes, even if the subject of said photo is a simple browning leaf

Photoblog - day 24, May 4, 2010

Fortune smiles...

That is what most people hope for when they see a healthy fortune plant growing in their homes - someone even said that should the fortune plant ever grow beyond the height of their roof, it promises their able to travel abroad - maybe even to seek greener pastures.

Of course, that's just hearsay... and even if it were true, this isn't a fortune plant at home... I just wish it were - after all, I've an affiliation to plants, and I've tried having a few indoor plants grow at home... not to forget the plants I try to cultivate in my 'planted' aquarium. I've had mixed success - but that does nto mean I'll stop. More likely, I'm just waiting for the right moment to try again.

That said, I was attracted by the growth of this fortune plant within the environs of a mall - maybe that was one reason it was flourishing... the very bright, natural lighting from the windows plus the air conditioned environment probably contributed to this, though I would also guess that the mall had it's own indoor gardener. Ah well... like I said, some day soon.

Photoblog - day 23, May 3, 2010

All that glitters...

As I was walking in the mall, I came upon the Swarovski store - more specifically, it's display window.

Normally, I would just admire the crystals handiwork from afar, but this was a different afternoon - after all, I had my trusty DSLR with me, so I thought 'why not?', it's not like I would be planning to steal anything - and I'll just take a picture (or two) - what harm would that do?

Besides, I had previously experimented with lights and shadows - well... more shadows actually, and now... my focus would be on light as reflected by crystals and their shapes. As you can see, I took a picture of two items - a bull and a lion. The lion is very visible due to all the lights reflecting in all the angles found in it's mane. The bull looks more straight forward - but regardless of which animal figurine you look at... they both exhibit exquisite craftsmanship... hence, I felt, well deserving of being included in my photo collection.

Photoblog - day 22, May 2, 2010

Experiment with the Dark:

What I tried to achieve here was to have minimal brightness - thus allowing only only certain portions of the objects to be recognized by their silhouettes or portions outlined by what little light reflects on them.

I placed things I usually wear or bring with me as the subjects after realizing that majority of them were likewise black or dark. It was my hope to have all these items almost blend in the background - yet still be recognized by their minimal outlines.

I could not find the proper setting to do this with the camera - or more likely, I still have to find the perfect setting, so I relied slightly on my photo-editing software to adjust the contrast and lighting further.

Photoblog - day 21, May 1, 2010

Labor of love:

Any aquarist can tell you that maintaining an aquarium - specially, one with live plants, isn't that easy - some people seem to thrive in it... while others suffer from not having any green thumb at all... then there's the subject of not just keeping the plants alive - but the fishes as well. While I've had success with the fishes - I still need to tweak my set-up to mke the plants thrive.

To cut it short, let me just say that aquariums need the attention - and it's not just about feeding the fishies, as well. That said, here's a picture of one of my two aquariums - it's got new plants and new light (the older light tipped into the aquarium and shorted out... luckily, not taking all the fishes with it, in that final act).

My fishes, of course , are happier for this - but I still need to fix up the set-up - add some carbon dioxide - to sustain the plants. Since it is the first of May... labor day to us... I say that this picture comes across as appropriate... since the aquarium is a labor of love from my part.

BTW - this is just a plain focus... no special setting... and I'm not 100% happy with the clarity of the fishes. I've done it before - and will continue to try again, until I get things right.

Photoblog - day 20, April 30, 2010

Urban Paradise:

I did a blog write-up about how I liked Greenbelt's park in the past complete with some picture shots from my Canon Ixus camera back then, and one of the things I liked about it was that the park offered a place that looked green and alive - maybe even relaxing, as a counterpoint to the usually busy and rushed working lifestyle of so many people working around the park's general vicinity.

I marveled at how the park's administration took the necessary effort to keep the park - well... open area garden actually, in pristine condition... well manicured and highly maintained; s I marveled once again at the same thing when I passed the park on my way to the Makati office of Phoenix One, this time, with my DSLR - I mean, just take a gander at the orchids found in the middle of said garden... far from the usual walk paths of the garden's offered shortcuts from one building to another, and you'll know what I'm talking about.

There are more pictures... and I'll most likely have a sequel to said blog post real soon - I'm just deciding to go back and take a whole lot more pictures to better convey the beauty of said place.

Photoblog - day 19, April 29, 2010

Night Rain:

After what seems like a really hot week punctuating the fact that Summer may very well be here for what seems like a long haul, we suddenly had two nights in a row with some mercifully cooling rain.

Despite the fact that rains - specially those that come in the afternoon to evening... further contribute to the metro traffic, I hardly heard any negative remark about this rain's arrival... with the possible exception of some people caught unawares with the situation by not having brought any umbrellas. Most everyone gave sighs of relief - knowing that we would all be experiencing a cooler night.

I took this picture from the building's parking area, wanting to try and capture the rain itself in an evening scene - though when I came around to taking the picture, the rain had already weakened to just a drizzle - hence hardly being visible. Still... the picture shows the wet street, which reminded me of what my dad said about how the rain literally cleanses not just the city, but the air s well... ridding the atmosphere of pollutants.

In this case, we get a double plus for this rain: the cooler weather (at least, for this night) that suspends the heat of summer... and a cleaner environment. Here's hoping the April showers are finally upon us as I, for one, think that Summer's worn out it's welcome.

Photoblog - day 18, April 28, 2010

Under our nose...

This picture is a close-up of something we take for granted, something we see daily when we go to work, and an item that allows us to work in a more comfortable environment.

It helps deafen what could otherwise turn into a lot of noise pollution - hence greatly enhance the people's productivity. It may come in many shapes and sizes, colors and patterns... can you guess what this mystery item is? I'll mention the answer later.

For additional clues, I could say that it, too, could be a bane to some people... not by itself, of course, but for what it can keep if not cleaned regularly - then again, I can say the same thing about most anything in the office. In some instances; and this can be considered a give-away clue (as if the title isn't a clue in itself too), it cn be known to contribute to static when people keep 'using' it. Got it now?

This is the carpet in the McKinley's training area - taken in it's regular manner and presented in a really up close view - thanks to the ability to enlarge the picture. So you could say that even the mundane objects... one's we take for granted for it's every day presence, can give us a differing viewpoint with the right camera and lens... plus software to help enlarge it, of course.

Photoblog - day 17, April 27, 2010

Nachos!

As you can no doubt guess, with Nachos in the foreground and a couple of beer bottles in the back - this is a picture indicating that I, with some friends - namely Rex and Fiel, decided to have a little relaxation after work, coupled with a little business talk... just a little.

The Nachos are from Carlo's Pizza and aside from this sumptuous appetizer, we also had their mouth-watering sausage and mushroom pizza. Oh yeah... we did not really hng round that long either - those beer bottles were not followed with more - after all, we just needed to unwind, and it being Tuesday, was way too early in the week for a more thorough 'whoop it up' night. Besides, this was just an exploratory venture... to see if Carlo's Pizza at the 'Venice' of McKinley Hills was worth turning into a relaxing hang out. Turns out it was.

Great company and great food with a bottle of beer each - what better way to end the day's work?

Photoblog - day 16, April 26, 2010

Business Analysts in the making:

These past few Mondays (including today), I find myself always assigned to conduct the Application Analysis School of Accenture in their McKinley Hills location. At times I find myself doing this alone (like today)... at other times, I find myself partnered with a co-facilitator (like last time).

This training is for Team Leads and Senior Developers (with an average of 5 years experience) who need to level up to the role of a Business Analyst (which used to be called Systems Analysts). This course training lasts for 3 days... short as far as such trainings go - but average in length as far as Accenture trainings go. The main focus here is to understand the client's needs and capture all the necessary requirements using some tools/templates and techniques.

I'm given the responsibility to train these people - having fun while going about it (like taking this shot) is a bonus. This was a straight-forward, no frills shot taken at the rear of the room; in the middle of an activity I gave them so they need not be aware of my taking such a shot.

Photoblog - day 15, April 25, 2010

Haircut day:

We normally do this once a month - by we, of course, I mean Bryce and me... most of the time anyway.

When we do have our haircut, we go to 'Boy', whose been my barber for many years - since Bryce was roughly two.

That said, this is Bryce having his hair cut and Boy in the process of finishing his work. As for me, I'm still sporting very short hair - and intend to do so until the weather gets cooler. Boy is not only my barber - he also goes with me to Batangas to, on occasion, and gives the folks there - like my mom and sister haircuts as well.

Photoblog - day 14, April 24, 2010

Bubbles and me:

The idea of a photoblog is all about taking pictures of what you see - and hoping these pictures remind you of what you did for the year... at times, I have a dearth of pictures to choose from - at other times, I agonize over choosing which among two - sometimes even several, pictures I would like to show... and I need to choose just one.

However, the photoblog is also an opportunity to have a picture of you - at least one per month... added to said blog, with the intent to show how you look at that particular time or moment of your life. That said, I will be inserting pictures of me - once per month (and maybe I'll try to do the same with the rest of my family) to accomplish just that. These pictures will naturally not be pictures by me - as I will be the subject - or at least, one of them.

Having finished that little introduction, here's a picture of me from yesterday, as I arrived home. It has become more of a practice that when I get home, Bubbles eagerly (sometimes over-eagerly at that) greets me, and regardless of how tired my day is, it really is great to have someone - even if just your pet, greet you happily. Not that the rest of my family does not greet me - it's just that Bubbles always jumps in front of the line of greeters.

This greeting ritual will normally end with Bubbles insisting that I carry her - which I'm doing in this here picture. You can see the satisfied and happy smile in her face. Guess she's elated that I'm finally and safely home.

This picture was taken by Bernice upon my prodding - while Bubbles was still in her happy face state.

Photoblog - day 13, April 23, 2010

Safe trip:

A rosary... you'll find it at many homes, pockets and... as in this case, cars in this predominantly Christian/Roman Catholic nation.

Our car has this particular rosary hung around the rear-view mirror... not obstructing the view of course, but meant to be a reminder of sorts that I - whenever I drive, need to be aware... conscious... and never angry or impatient towards my fellow drivers.

I need to remain cool and in control - and not let some crazy inconsiderate poor excuse of a driver force me to do car chases just to get even for a slight they may have done. Lord knows there are more than enough instances when my patience does get tried - and I do have the tendency to not want to be the aggrieved party... and yet.... and yet... I need to remind myself... maybe even ask: "What will I get out of this - really?"

I may get instant satisfaction or gratification that I was able to outdo a bad driver... maybe get even... and feel great for the moment - but at what risk? And did my actions solve the problem? Often enough. my honest answer would be 'no... not really' - and at times, I do need to remember that should any mishap happen to me due to my retaliation, I may end up worse off - than had I just allowed the other person to just get ahead or make their way in. Would my pride and strong sense of fairness help me and my family?

It's all about turning the other cheek... and by this , I don't mean mooning the guy. Nope... It's all about patience - and thanking a higher power for the safe journey you've had. Now let me put things into perspective... I'm no saint - far from it... and it's not about giving up one's principles - it's choosing one's battles - and knowing when it is worth it.

Hence my need for said reminders... and hence the need for a rosary in our car.

Photoblog - day 12, April 22, 2010

Modernist interior:

This picture shows a wall in a resto-cafe that my colleagues and I frequent at Robinson's Cybergate 2, in Boni. What attracted to me about this was its overall impact and artistry. You will notice that the masonry on the bricks is far from smooth - and yet, it is this effect that gives it the post-modernist/steam punk look that I thought of. Mind you, I'm no expert in interior design - but the wall was eye catchy due to how it was done.

To counter this rough interior, the cafe's proprietors placed two large mirrors on said wall - right above the long black sofa which serves as comfortable seating options for the cafe's patrons. The mirror reflects the lighting - thus making things brighter; as it likewise reflects the interiors to give the illusion of making the space look more roomy... bigger. But that's not all... If you look closer, the mirror here (as is it's twin) is framed by rough wood that matches the roughness of the walls.

Adding a finishing touch - the frame is back-lit by white lighting which gives a zen design - countering the roughness of the wood and wall... while seemingly supporting the smoothness and tranquility of the mirror's surface. Whether the owners or designers really had this in mind, I don't know... all I do know is that it's over-all impact impressed me enough to take this picture and share it. No special effects or adjustments made here... just wanted to show the scene.