So where's Year 2?

In case you are one of the few who frequent this place to look at my Photoblog, and you've read my 365th entry where I said I'd do a Year 2, you probably wonder why I haven't started it yet here - or assume I'm awaiting the weekend before I start posting here... both are valid assumptions by the way, but hardly the right answer.

I've decided to dedicate the Photoblog into a separate site - and in case you're curious to see where this is, well... all you need do is follow this link:Butch 365 and you should find my ongoing photoblog. I'm returning this site to it's original intent of having minute ideas that I would like to share - not necessarily revolving around photos. Oh I'll still be posting photos in this site, of course I will... but not to cover 365 days of photography practice.

So there you have it folks... I am doing Year Two. Enjoy it via the link.

Photoblog - Day 365 Apr 09, 2011

Project 365 done.

Yup! I can't believe it's done... and I so look forward to reviewing the year that was.

So did I accomplish what I set out to do with this little experiment? Let's see...

Document the year - oh definitely... in fact I always joke about my having documented the year to remind me - in case I get Alzheimer's at some point in time... knock on wood that I don't, of course.

Use this exercise as a venue for enjoying my hobby? Yup!!! It taught me to take better pictures... maybe I could still improve - who am I kidding? I can still improve a lot - but as it stands, I really like a lot of what I took, and I can safely say that I learned a whole lot about photography in this one year... simply by exercising the skill. As documented, I've bought books (and read them occasionally too), magazines on the stuff - and will continue to do so.

I've learned to do macro shots... and can now do better macro shots, now with my reverse lens ring. I definitely know the rudiments of lighting, focus, shutter speed, ISO and even Photoshop, Lightroom and Microsoft Picture Manager. I've recently gotten a zoom lens, and know how to better use it now... and can capture decent shots for parties, occasions and more the usual roving eye - seeing something mundane, yet taking the shot and making it look anything but mundane. So yeah... definitely strides in the learning, shooting and cleaning/cropping department.

Learn to blog better? I hope so... I'm still far from being a regular blogger - I mean, after all, work can be tiring, or I may get distracted or I may nto be able to use the Laptop - bu I did get to finish this project! Because of this, my other blogs seem trivial in terms of content when compared to this. But on the more technical side, I did learn to re-use (or is that relearn how to use) HTML commands to spruce up my sites.

SO... I guess the question is, will I go for year two? Oh definitely... I'll just decide if it's going to be at once or in a while - after a few days rest, that is. But what I'll definitely do is change venue - maybe put this in my other blog - or create a different one just for this... the project could warrant such a move.
in fact

As someone said, it's the journey - not the destination, that counts... and now that I've completed this one, I can reminisce about it - in fact, I'll do just that, soon as I post this. Meanwhile - cheers to Photoblog Year 1 - 2010-2011. I was a great trip, with great learnings, counltess experiences and captured memories. I shall continue letting people know about it... make them think about doing it... and willingly show them what it can give.

Photoblog - Day 364 Apr 08, 2011

Morning grind:

This is a picture of constructions workers at a building a few lots away from where I sometimes teach - which is at Robinson's Cyber3 building... home of a few Accenture offices, and more importantly, HQ of the publishers to our local FHM magazine. Once again, I'm using my zoom lens to get a closer look.

Time of this shot is approximately 7:45am (yes I sometimes come in that early - though not always), and the workers are just getting ready for what promises to be another long day of labor. These guys have the concrete pillars in place... which is approximately their 20th floor (our building stands on higher elevation), and yes... they too are getting into the working groove - in fact one of them seems to be in the mindset of working already, while the other is still enjoying the sun's not too hot morning rays.

As for me, I'm in this place to conduct another Analysis training... which won't start yet. In fact, if we're lucky, we can start by 8:30am. Ah well... another day, another 8 hours. Man's gotta work after all. Even the rich ones - it's either that or they degenerate, wither and eventually die. Why do I say this? Less people may admit it - but work gives them a reason for feeling needed... relevant. Yeah, it may suck at times... and others may genuinely hate their work (or some aspects of work - like the boss, for example), but give them a week - or two to just stay home, and I bet they'll be raring to do something... anything... to alleviate the boredom.

Photoblog - Day 363 Apr 07, 2011

How many?

What's different about this picture? Did you count how many dogs there are? (not counting Ben, for all you smart alecks out there) If you said four... you'd be right.... after all, I'm not yet that good a Photoshop user to insert something into the picture like a chihuahua.

His name is Pepot (I think) - and he has been passed on to Ben by Ben's friend and Pepot's owner, to care for him while his owner does an Indonesia trip. Meanwhile, since Ben is closer here, he brings Popot here and hope that the dogs won't fight him.

Apparently they didn't. Oh sure... there was the customary smelling and awkward approaches - bt they all accepted him into their fold real fast... plus Buffy had found another playmate... who's size is not so far from that of a kitten.

Man... this place is getting to look like a half-way house for dogs. Lucky for me, Pepot (if that's his real name) isn't the really noisy type... and I had to restrain Buffy whenever she played with too much gusto. I mean, Bruce gives up on her when they're playing... so I think she forgets her strength and weight when sometimes playing with said chihuahua.

Photoblog - Day 362 Apr 06, 2011

Heeee's Baaaack!

It was seemingly only yesterday that Pepper was gone and things would get back to seeming normalcy in this place with just two dogs, when lo and behold... Bruce comes to give us a visit again.

Yup! This not always pugnacious pug has returned to color our lives... how long he'll stay? Well, not too long, I hope. I mean, yeah... I welcome him here - more so now that he's learned - by tagging along with both Bubble and Buffy, to do his business outside and not inside. But I guess, the real reason Bruce is welcome is to sort fo let Buffy have some other things to focus on instead of feeling bored and star chewing on anything she fancies.

Aside from that, who'd guess that this critter from Men In Black can actually pose in a cute manner (yes, that is his cute pose, right there). Oh yeah... MIB is not the first time - it seems, where Pugs were used as other worldly creatures. I recently got a DVD of the original Dune - the one with Sting as a Harkonen, and apparently, The Emperor Shadam IV (or was it the VI?) had Pugs (or at least, one pug) as his royal mascot. So yeah... it seems like Bruce has Hollywood SciFi potential.

Photoblog - Day 361 Apr 05, 2011

New Books!

I really should watch myself whenever I enter a bookstore... these were definitely unplanned purchases, but of there's anything I've learned form these serendipitous moments, it's that these bookstores are fickle when getting inventory, and they don't stock a lot, so if I don't get some promising books then, I may never see them again... or at the more favorable situation, I could reserve them - but this is only good for a week. Needless to say, I decided to get these now than risk fate's fickle favor that should I return another time, these would still be here.

Two books in particular were really hard to let go - the first is a book on design patterns... and not just focusing on one industry, but patters that are universally acceptable, regardless of industry... so wow... definitely useful in IT design considerations... and wherever else I get into. And while we're in the subject of great design...

The next one is a fanboy's dream... specially if that fanboy grew up enjoying the exploits of a certain Female alien who just happens to be a natural born Vampire - and not one converted by a bite. I naturally refer to Vampirella - who probably has the best iconic costume... or if not that, the best one many fanboy's enjoy looking at, should any worthy female model said costume.

The other two don't really figure into the bookstore treasure hunt... the Imag is a photography magazine with lots of tips, while the Teen Titans is, of course, a comic book. I still am wondering where this particular title is going... so I was just curious. Art wasn't bad... story, well... like I said - see where it's going. This issue, they intor a new character, hence my curiosity.

And now it's back to ogling Vampirella artwork for me. One I really enjoyed way back as a high school student... and still enjoy - specially the painted ones, up to now.

Photoblog - Day 360 Apr 04, 2011

Practice:

This was taken at the SM Mall of Asia's Ice Skating area. As I was scanning the activities within said oval, I notices this girl practicing her moves, her form and her skills with the help of a trainer/coach. I did not want to intrude by obviously taking in-your-face shots... so I just took them from afar.

I was hoping she would do aerial maneuvers like a jump or split - btu I could not find the right moment; after all, this was not a set up studio shot... but more like a roving reporter shot. Again, this was made more possible with my zoom lens - and I'm glad that the lens and I are getting more acquainted - in the manner that I'm learning hos to better use my camera with it to avoid shakes.

I was hoping to capture a moment when she's be in air... but I got a few pics of her doing this and turning... the turning pics are okay too - but noting quite shows a skater's elegance as this pose would.

Photoblog - Day 359 Apr 03, 2011

Second stack for April:

Remember that big load of comics I recently got? Well, most of them were March releases - these here mostly represent April releases, and of special mention in this batch is the new FF#1. Yup... from Fantastic Four, we shift to Future Foundation - a bold move for Marvel, through it's innovative team of Johnathan Hickman and Steve Epting.

The issue - as first issues go, is still a build-up. It starts pretty much with Spider-man joining the team, the introduction of the new costumes as well and a very surprising ending... though albeit a bit expected when one looks at the previous issues. But Val, has asked Doom to join said Future Foundation. So imagine that... Three of the original FF with Reed, Sue and Ben; Spider-man, and the FF's ages old nemesis now working as one team... Sorry for the geek moment folks - I guess to appreciate this all, one would have to have been following the old FF's exploits. Needless to say, I can't wait for issue two.

Other than that, it was mostly a Captain America list - what with nearly four issues dedicated to Steve Rogers. This is obvious preparation - and possible marketing for the character as his movie release approaches. Heck, even Secret Avengers was more about Cap than the team.

What made it non Marvel exclusive was my getting newer issues of Sherlock Holmes Year One. After having bought the first arc's compilation a few months back, I liked how Dynamite's creative people were treating Holmes, so was curious to see this new arc - and it's currently in it's third issue. Naturally, I'm still wondering where this is going - after all, it is a challenge to show Holmes with his deductive reasoning on the comic's visual medium... but let me say that it seems that getting these in trade may be a better idea.

Photoblog - Day 358 Apr 02, 2011

Bay Birds:

The title sounds tacky, like a B-quality TV series... but I just happen to be in the Cultural Center of the Philippines area - specifically the Starbucks at the bay area, and spotted these little - but fast flying birds swooping around the waters, near the boats. Dipping, diving up to the water's surface, catching food for them.

What was I doing here? I came - with Barbie, straight from La Salle Taft, where we made the proper reservations for Bryce's entrance to said University, and after which, we decided to enjoy some coffee and relaxation time - hence returning to the Starbucks at the bay area - Canon DSLR in tow (as usual), but this time, I was armed with my zoom lens (just your simple 55 - 250mm), wanting to take some pics of boats and the marina.

Well as it turned out, boats were aplenty - although moored at the far docks - which was fine, since I did have my zoom lens which was good enough for the job... after all, I just wanted to get cluster pictures and not need to see the faces of the people on said boats and yachts... would be nice if I could, but I'd need a lens that can see farther for this.

Anyway, as I was taking the boats into view, I did notice the birds (don't swooping in and out of my lens's view. So I thought, how about taking pictures of these birds as well? Buoyed by my earlier successes with capturing McKinley Plaza pigeons in motion, I gave it a try.

Seems like ther guys were harder to pinpoint - I did mention they were fast right? Well I tried getting a few shots - and since they were some distance away, I needed quick reactions from my camera and it's zoom. What I got wasn't exactly picture perfect... but they did show birds. Ah well... I hope that I';; get better shots next time.

Photoblog - Day 357 Apr 01, 2011

Large Batch!

Yup, as I've indicated in the past, my pull list (jargon for the comics I regularly buy), by virtue of customer service form my usual store, gets set aside for me to pick up every end of the month. This means that at times, I am behind everyone else on reading what is the latest adventure of my favorite heroes... on the other hand, it is a clear indicator that often enough, even if I don't show up for a prized issue that everyone must have and troop to the stalls to get one, I am sure to have it set aside... so long as I indicated it in my pull list.

Well this week represents nearly three weeks of comics pile up, so it's but natural that I have a lot of reading to catch up on, and although I got these when I had cashed my check, I was unable to fond time (believe it, or not) to read them until today. I was just too busy.

So what else is new? I got a letter of mine printed in one of the issues, specifically, this month's Iron Man - as a fan, I find that real cool... and so do my 'like-minded' friends. How was this possible? Email, baby... email.

Aside from this, the highlight of the bunch happens to be the Green Lantern issues, the above-mentioned Iron Man, Captain America and the Finch drawn Batman.

Photoblog - Day 356 Mar 31, 2011

Serene Fountain:

I'd like to think I've an eye for the artistic things in life... plus the fact that I'ma firm believer in the 'simple is more elegant and therefore classy' axiom, so it's no surprise that when I saw this fountain (if it can be really called that) in the lobby of Medical City, I was drawn to it's simplicity - it's artistic design and it's serenity.

You see, unlike most fountains that play with water spouting from some place to rise up and fall with artistic angles and maybe even some play with colors (and piped-in music) this simple... yet elegant fountain promotes peace of mind. Each pillar actually has bubbles flowing up with the water, and when it reaches the top, it simply slides back down... with hardly any ripple and noise, from the glass casing's outer wall.

The result is a series of pillars, showing bubbles going up and water seeping down to the fountain's surface, with hardly any noise at all. As you can see, people like sitting in the general vicinity as the place is shaded, cool and really peaceful to look at. I should know, I was sitting at a Starbucks chair, sipping some hot tea, and enjoying the view myself. The pillars with their bubbles reminded me of aquariums... and despite my rather long wait for Barbie, I hardly got tired of looking at those pillars and the relaxation it brings.

One day, I'd like to have something similar in my own large mansion.

Photoblog - Day 355 Mar 30, 2011

Batirol Once Again!

Even if it seems to be a near impromptu moment, it seems that some of us get to see each other during month-end times, which is not so surprising, since it coincides with our getting our paychecks. Thus most of us are indeed in the Makati area, and for those who are in no rush to proceed elsewhere, there is always Tsoko-nut in SM Makati to meet and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with other dishes.

In this particular case, we may have not been too many - just the people in the picture, namely Benj, Gina, Mon and Fiel; plus the photographer - me. But we still did enjoy each other's company, cheers, jeers and yes... even shamelessly talking about colleagues not around.

These get togethers last about two hours and stretch from lunch until mid-afternoon snack time; but they do make for great quality bonding time.

Photoblog - Day 354 Mar 29, 2011

Bryce Graduates!

This is it! Bryce steps out of High School and the corridors of O.B. Montessori - a school he has been attending for the better part of 10 years. He has proven that he can handle what High School has pitched at him, and nearly finished with an ease that shows that despite how he may be spending a lot of times playing computer games, he can definitely handle the challenges.

Now, however, the challenges will be greater - and not just because it will be a very different environment... but he will be with strangers. I don't know how many of his classmates he'll be seeing in his new school - but it really won't matter. He'll have to work harder.

I'm proud of what he's accomplished, and as the picture shows - so is Barbie... and all I can hope for is that we'll both still be able to help him in any way we can, so his new challenges will be surmountable.

Photoblog - Day 353 Mar 28, 2011

Fire:

This happens to be the insides of a baking oven - particularly, one where pizza can be cooked. I was contemplating on whether to get the over - both in and out... or just concentrate on the inside. Obviously, I opted for the latter because I also wanted to capture the texture of the flames against the logs... though obviously, the logs can't be seen here... just their silhouette.

The other thing different about this picture is the fact that I used my zoom lens for this. You see, I had to take this from across the dining area to the work area of the restaurant - plus I had to content with a glass wall - hence the need to make sure the glass was near-invisible, to look like it was not there at all.

So, basically, I wanted to capture the flames... to make sure they're recognizable as flames... and the rest can be left to everyone else's imagination. But I really liked how the flames emphasize the shape of the oven mouth top - with it's near Moorish-inspires shape; while the walls almost just give a hint on how the rest of said oven mouth's shape actually is.

Photoblog - Day 352 Mar 27, 2011

Earth Hour again!

First of all, as the title might give the wrong impression, I'm not complaining about Earth Hour, as more likely celebrating it - in fact, I've been helping celebrate it for three years now.

I understand that some see this as a publicity stunt... that the energy crisis that many carp about... or that the heating up of our weather as a supposed result of using too much fossil fuels, may be just a figment of someone's imagination.

Setting any political agenda aside, I still think that conservation - in any form, is a worthy effort to exercise. At the very least, it can help lower the bills... and I don't see anything artificial or crazy about that idea.

SO as part of this celebration, I had the dining table set up for some people who still have not had dinner... and well, why not? Isn't dinner by candle-light classy? Obviously, I did not want to use any flash photos here. I want to just use the natural lighting - and cumulative shadows that an evening celebrating Earth Hour can offer.