Sky

Lomography Cameras Revisited

Today, I invited my parents and siblings to accompany me at the camera store. And as it turned out, it was a Team Manila Shop. I went inside the shop and took a look at the pretty Lomography cameras. They included the brands Diana, Holga, LC-A, and La Sardina. They were all a bit pricey, but less expensive compared to DSLR's, digital cameras and Iphones which are the most widely used cameras nowadays. 

My parents advised me not to take too much attention on those film cameras and they told me of their disadvantages. Though a bit disappointed, I tried to consider their points, among which included that films are rarely used nowadays, and it would cost and take a lot of effort to print and produce photos, analogue film cameras require a certain degree of expertise in handling the films and its hardware including the shutters, etc., and thus, film cameras are difficult in maintenance issues. These points were raised by my parents since they too have been using analogue cameras for many years, some of which included Polaroid and Yasica brands among others. They advised me to invest on a DSLR instead, since it would take least efforts on handling the hardware and sensitivity of the films, including the additional cost of buying the films and printing the photos.

But why do I still like to try Lomography film cameras? First, I need a camera for documentation purposes and daily creative outlets, and these cameras are the least expensive and readily available. Having spent some  years on photographing with digital cameras, I observed that they weren't suited for my taste, so to speak. The photos have low resolutions and dull, the details, textures, colors, shadows and lighting are not faithfully reproduced and are lessened in visual impact and overall quality compared to the real subject which is being photographed. These problems can be resolved with an expensive DSLR which costs for around P30K, and I'm not willing to spend on that. That's why I'm trying to look for another alternative, the Lomography camera. Although Lomography features photographic distortions, such as vignettes and over-saturation, I would prefer these over low quality, and I don't want to process my photos over and over again on Photoshop because I want them to be genuine. Likewise, Lomography is an emerging art form and I would like to try and learn it. But in the meantime, I'd probably to rethink of my other choices. :)

Lomo

Today, while my father was busy doing work in the office, my mother invited me to accompany her on the mall to buy some groceries and lunch ingredients. As we entered the mall, the scent of freshly baked bread and butter filled the air, and so, before we went to the grocery, my mom bought a very delicious-tasting cream butter bread with cranberries and we ate them while we were strolling.

And while were walking, I spotted a stall where colorful film cameras were on display. And just then, I took the cameras' brand names into mind and found out that they were specifically tailored for Lomography. Since I'm planning of buying a camera, I think this camera will be an option since it's cheap, very eye candy, and it produces beautiful vintage photos.

: )
 

Roses - Memories

Notes and Two Book Reviews

Today, I finished all my tasks in the library and I took the opportunity to take rest and sleep at the sofa. As usual, I'm not feeling well and this time, my body hurts and I have a headache. I wasn't able to dry my hair this morning and so I have to spend the rest of the day with my wet hair tied and tucked inside my veil. And the headache is in. I might only dry it once I come home. I however, like this place since I am let within my own and I finish my tasks without distractions. It's a lot of freeing to know that in this place, I don't feel a lot of pressure. The lessons and letters were already packed in the envelopes, and the envelopes were printed with names and all of them are ready to be checked and be sent soon.

Med. School

I visited AUF last Tuesday and I personally inquired about the requirements. My NMAT score passed in their cut-off and here I am, trying to figure out if I'll proceed to preparing for the requirements. It's an additional headache to think about the tuition fees my parents have to shoulder again if I'm going to proceed to enroll this year. Decisions still have to be weighed over regarding the fees. But I am determined in pursuing to become a doctor. How I wish the tuition fees aren't those expensive!! How I wish there would be no longer the dreaded class reports! Hopefully, there will be open doors so that too much difficulties can be passed through. I am not entirely closing my options

Books

I had already finished reading Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. As a whole, I found it a lot interesting and psychologically insightful. Rodion Romanovitch Raskolnikoff was a personally alienated but intelligent student who broke the bounds of law. In his desperate attempt to prove his theory, he carried out the plan of killing an old woman usurer. I however, disagree with his theory that great people become famous as results of their crimes. He believed that he identified himself as one of those great people which gave him the right to commit a crime. In this case, my view is that, people of renowned achievement and leadership introduce new laws, new concepts and innovations to their society, but the fact and necessity of having to kill human beings are only means when there are people who oppose these leaders who are bringing about these societal changes. Therefore, Rasknolnikoff's reasoning about crime is flawed, since the act of killing precedes the changes he want to see in his society. And in the end of the story, he admits that he has 'failed in his mission.'  

After Crime and Punishment, my next book reading is Heidi by Johanna Spyri. It is a wonderful story for all ages, a very lovely piece with many adventures to see and lessons to learn from. Heidi went to lived with her grandfather on the Swiss Alps and there, she was surrounded with high valleys, verdant meadows, flowers, bright and clear skies with the shining sun, fresh mountain air, and many animals. They lived on a little, but well-kept hut and Heidi had a room on the upper portion of their hut, with a nice bed made of sweet-smelling hay and covered with thick rugs. Her room has a small rounded window where she could see the sky and the valleys, the sun when it's shining, and the moon and stars before she goes to sleep. Everyday, she would play with the grazing goats and she all gave them names. She made friends with Peter the goatherd and his grandmother. Heidi became very sad when she was brought by her aunt to Frankfurt, to be a friend of an invalid girl named Clara. There, she accompanied the girl with her lessons, but Heidi was mistreated by the housekeeper because of her unfamiliarity with city manners. Heidi soon lost her appetite and as the days and weeks went by, she had trouble sleeping and cried almost everyday as she longed to go back home to her grandfather and see the beautiful mountains, be with the animals, and visit Peter's grandmother. She was losing her hope, until Clara's grandmother arrived and taught her to have faith in God and never lose hope. Eventually, Heidi was allowed to go back home. Clara, her father, grandmother, and Clara's doctor visited Heidi and the mountains after which Clara recovered her health and was able to walk. Heidi was happy again, as she learned a lot of new things such as reading, and she helped the people around her regain hope, faith, and happiness.

I read these books before I go to sleep, and I learn a lot of new things through reading them - Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novel is set in Russia, while Johanna Spyri's Heidi is set in Switzerland. It's like traveling to very far places and being able to learn a lot about their homelands and ways of life. I am also somehow reminded that though these stories were written so long ago, they still deal with the same lessons and issues of us being humans - emotions, modes of thinking, sadness, hope and renewed faith - which are always universal no matter how long time has passed and the the distant places between. 

School Visit

Sunday Travel to Mariveles, Bataan

Yesterday, we had an unexpected travel and we went to Mariveles, Bataan, around lunchtime. The travel was fairly gentle since there was hardly any traffic. The roads are very clear of traffic and the skies are clear, though the weather was not hot. Going through the highways of Bataan was a remarkable one.

The roads were winding and the landscapes would change from wide and verdant rice fields to mountain slopes filled with trees and shrubs, through well-clipped gardens, and well-developed infrastructures and establishments. The end of the highway was a park with the ocean stretching far wide.

Cross-Processing & Some Thoughts

Lately, I've been experimenting on processing photos to have a vintage effect on them. Cross-processing mixes colors to produce warm-toned and sun-kissed vintage effect which are often qualities of Polaroid shots and retro years. 

What I love in this process is that the photos evoke an atmosphere of warm and nostalgic memories. :) 

 ***

My thoughts are once again adrift with a lot of things. Yesterday, I called my prospective school for my studies. I inquired of their cut-off score for NMAT (which for the past weeks had been one of my serious thoughts since I received the electronic copy of my results), and I was glad to know that my score passed their cut-off score. After that, I tried asking about the other requirements. The list included papers such as recommendation letters, tests, etc, interviews, tests, among others. It was a bit overwhelming, and when I asked about the estimated amount of tuition fees, my heart almost sank…it was a total disappointment. The fees would not even cover other school and classroom activities. It was very sad to know that the idea of pursuing to become a doctor would even be beyond available means.

I am still in the process of thinking heavily about my future plans, of my options.

New Photo Collage: Vintage Process

Not feeling well

I woke up today with a dry throat and a runny nose. I felt like I could catch a cold out of this allergy. I don't particularly remember what probably caused this, but I guess the weather must have been cold last night and I left my electric fan on.

It's a bit of lonely in my place right now, and hardly any cars pass by, the road is quiet even with people. It feels like a laid back work day, or I guess it's because I'm not feeling well. It's quite annoying when you have to blow your nose every now and then, and sneeze when allergens and dust particles float on the air.

As of now, I'm thinking of buying a DSLR, Canon in particular. I need it for documentation purposes and for the library, but it's extremely expensive. And I'm wondering how I might be able to pay it on an installment basis. Even the photo quality, type and price of each camera option are important things to consider. So many choices. So many options. And I don't want to over-process the photos I take anymore. It's like deceiving and it's not good.

And then, it's not good too if you're going to take an action if you aren't totally sure of it. And in my case, if not feeling well.

At Floridablanca, Pampanga

Today, we went to the mountains to visit some native Muslim aetas. We brought with us some clothes, rice, candies, and food. My mom cooked sautéed vermicelli and we brought some rice and ice-cold juice for lunch to be shared with the natives. We were accompanied by two sisters, my uncle, and some residents of the place.

The weather was very gentle and though the sun was out, the humidity was not that intense. After lunch, just before we were about to leave, some light rain began to drizzle. The surroundings are very rustic, reminiscent of old barrios, the air is unpolluted, trees and shrubs abound throughout vacant pieces of land. The roads are made of concrete and there's water and electricity as well.

The native aetas and their children were very happy and grateful to receive their gifts and words of inspiration to increase their faith. They gave us some of their vegetable harvests before we bid them goodbye. Afterwards, we dropped by our uncle's place and picked some small citrus, eggplant and cucumbers and he gave us pieces of sugarcane which weren't peeled yet.

Above were some shots taken on the mountains and on the farm. I just used my phone on these photos. How I wish I'd have my Canon DSLR soon! J I just can't wait!!!

- Maica

A Weekend Morning

 Morning breakfast. : )

* * *

This has been a relaxing weekend. Waking up past 9m, we didn't actually have to open the store. After taking a bath, my younger brother and sister toasted some bread and sandwiches and topped them with strawberry jam. Our breakfast was paired with cups of coffee ( a comfort treat to start the day ). After doing some chores and relaxing  bit, we went to a mall outside our city and bought some groceries. Taking a walk every now and then even though going on a window shopping is a good exercise. There were lots of people beause it's a weekend and families are spending time together.

In progress, I'm glad to note that I've finished preparing the six lesson questionnaires for the students. It was quite difficult having to deal with Filipino since it's been a long time since I haven't encountered writing in this language. I'm more comfortable in using English for writing, thinking, and expressing myself.