21/365 Rule of Thirds

#DS410: The rule of thirds is a time-honored composition guideline. Put it to use today in a photo.

 

In 2008, I studied the basics of photography and the different settings of my camera. In 2009, I studied post-processing with the use of Photoshop Elements and Lightroom 2. In 2010, I got myself involved in photography groups and started learning other types of photography, like nightshots, landscapes, etc. This coming 2011, my goal is to learn lighting and product photography.

So here I am trying to learn how to use the table top light tent kit that my husband got me. With one hand, I dropped the crayons in such a way that they fall in one direction. I placed the left light angled at 45 degrees, pointing towards the front of the crayons. To soften the shadows, the right light was also angled at 45 degrees, but coming from the opposite direction. Did I do it right? I wonder. I just know it turned out good.

Shot on Manual Mode with an 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 lens at 95mm. ISO800, 1/125, f/7.1.

See You Later, Lolo.

I was awakened by sad news early this morning. The only grandfather my siblings and I had ever known has just passed away. Lolo Lorenzo was 88. He's survived by my Dad, 3 daughters and grandchildren.

Funeral will be on Sunday, January 2, 2011. It will take place in Pampanga, where he will be laid to rest beside his wife, Lola Toyang.

This photo below was taken when my daughter and I came to visit my family in the Philippines in early 2009. It was the first time Lolo met Alyssa and also the last time he and I had spent together.



Thank you for all the wonderful memories, Lolo. I will definitely miss you and your World War II stories but at the same time I am happy that you are back safe in the arms of our Creator. We'll see you later ok? May you rest in peace. And please give our hugs to Lola Toyang, Tito Ric and twin, and Tito Larry.

We love you very much.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

20/365 Soft Light

#DS409: Make a photograph with as soft a light source as you can find or create.

You know what I enjoy the most about this project? It's that I tend to notice the things in our house that I normally wouldn't. Tonight, I found my husband's new books on the floor, right beside the Christmas tree. Ah yes, my Kindle-addicted husband is adding books to our bookshelves again --- which makes me wonder if the Kindle is going to the drawer pretty soon or if these books are going to be dumped in the shelves unread to collect dust (??)

Starting today, I am going to put the EXIF data of my 365 photos (if time permits!) so I can more or less remember how I created them and later figure out how I can improve the shot. I left the books the way they were found as I liked how the Christmas lights and the lampshade sheds such soft light. This photo was shot using a 50mm f/1.4 lens at 1/6sec f/2.5, ISO 800. Used Lightroom 3 for minor edits.

19/365 Brrrrrr!!!

#DS408: Illustrate coldness in a photograph today.

Snow and my all-time favorite drink (Peppermint Java Chip Frapuccino) were the first things that popped in my mind right after reading today's assignment. Luckily, my husband was home so off I went to Starbucks.

Then... This next photo happened when I started the car to go back home.

Ahhh. Why didn't I think of that sooner?? I could have saved some gas. LOL.

18/365 Who's the Fairest of Them All??

It's too cold to go out and do #ds407 today but I made sure to still pick up my camera and shoot something (or someone!)  So here's my favorite "indoor subject" ;)



I heard that a lot of places got hit by the snowstorm yesterday. Have a great time playing out in the snow today but stay safe!

14-17/365 Merry Christmas, Everyone!

I like doing this every year... not an original but I like it ;)

Dec. 23 - #DS403: Make a photograph of something metal or metallic today with an emphasis on how light interacts with the surface.

It's so beautifully wrapped I still have it displayed under our tree. It's the only box of chocolates that have been kept unopened in our house for more than 48 hours :)

Dec. 24 - #DS404: Today's color is red. Make a photograph dominated by the color and post it today.

This is my favorite piece at our backyard.

Dec. 25 - #DS405: Illustrate your idea of peace and harmony--or maybe just peace and quiet--today with a photograph.

This is what I call, "me" time :)

Dec. 26 - #DS406: What fuels your creative process? Illustrate it in a photo today.

13/365 Round

#DS402: Make a photograph of a circular or round object today.


Edited using the Filterstorm app. No flash used, just the halogen lights in my kitchen. Would have been nice if the shadow is just on one side. I enjoyed eating my subject today though! Lol!

9-12/365 Uggghhh! Backlog!!

I know I had been M.I.A. and I apologize. I was not feeling well for a few days. But I still managed to do my assignments, just was not able to upload it on time. :) By the way, it's past 2am now. So these photos were either just edited in Photoshop Express (on the iPad) or high noise jpegs straight out of my camera (SOOC).

Dec 18 - DS#398: Shoot wide open today. Make a creative photo that uses a shallow depth of field to good effect.


It is not easy to have a child on school break and be stuck at home sick. I'm sure all of you parents out there know that. Constantly, I had to think of ways to keep my child entertained while I struggled to even stay sitting up. And THIS is how I kept her preoccupied for most of the day :)

Dec 19 - #DS399: Illustrate one of the meanings of the the word warmth today in a photograph.

The next day, I managed to get up and bake some "Americanized Bibingka" (or what my daughter calls "cheese cupcake"). Once cooked, my daughter and I grabbed a plateful, ran to the couch, tucked ourselves under our throws and watched a Xmas movie. (Dont tell me. I know I should have just taken a picture of us in the livingroom. Just too tired (and sick, remember?) to set up my camera and tripod.

Dec 20 - DS#400: Make a photo of a hallway or passage and post it today.


I am surprised I don't see footprints on this floor.

Dec 21 - DS#401: It's the solstice. Make a photo that captures the day for you wherever you are.

This was where I spent most of my day --- baking and cooking. It's what I do to make up to my family for being so unproductive the past few days. I made some roasted chicken and home-made mac & cheese for dinner, 2 pans of 7-layer brownies (to give as Christmas present), and my birthday girl's giant and regular-sized cupcakes. (At a time like this, I sure wish I have a real island!) And no, we're not having a party tomorrow. We're actually just gonna out to take Alyssa to her first big-screen movie. I just really enjoy cooking... a lot! Just wait til we have a party... ;)

8/365 Squares

#DS397: Squares and grids surround us in our built environment. Focus in on some squares today and make a photograph.

First thing that came to mind when I read today's assignment was the old barn that I saw with colorful square decors on its outside walls. But the temperature has only been in the teens and 20s today... so unfortunately for now, this will have to do. :))

Simple Things

Alyssa came home from pre-school carrying this tiny bell yesterday. She said it was given to her by her teacher, Ms. Holly. I asked if she had a great time in school but she went on and on telling me how the bell is "the best present ever".

Today, she came up to me and said she made me, her Daddy and herself some flowers. Very creative, huh? She was so proud of it (and I was too!) that she even displayed it on one of our side tables in the livingroom. (Thanks to Ms. Holly & Ms. Ruth for all these stocking stuffers you gave!)

And this is for me and her Daddy. It's her Christmas present to us, made with the help of Ms. Holly and her assistant, Ms. Ruth.  Ms. Holly said she took this photo on Alyssa's first day of school.

Now this... is Ms. Holly. My husband and I are really glad that we moved our daughter to Ms. Holly's pre-school last week. Alyssa was transformed from learning to hit and bite (in the previous Learning Center) to being the creative and imaginative little girl that she is now. Teachers do make a difference, you know. And I am glad that we received Ms. Holly as a Christmas present from Above this year.

7/365 Repeating Pattern

#DS396: Find a repeating pattern today and make a photograph of it.



I love patterns. They are so not hard to find in our house. But this one is my favorite.

6/365 Yellow

#DS395: Yellow is great at grabbing attention. Make a photograph today where the primary subject is yellow in color.

I know these just seem like snapshots but my family played a big part in this "photowalk" (or drive?!) and I really enjoyed the experience... so I'm posting 4 photos today.


School buses were out and about...

We got a stop light right infront of the Paramount...

Then there's a yellow sign...

And my last one being the toughest since we had to go thru multiple stop lights to get this. The darn yellow lights here lasts probably just 2-3 seconds.

5/365 The "Gingerbreadmans"

DS#394: Shoot wide open today. Make a creative photo that uses a shallow depth of field to good effect.

These are Christmas edition marshmallows --- as Alyssa would call it --- "gingerbreadmans". As per my 3-year-old's imagination, they talk, run and pose for Mommy's camera.



Today hasn't been a good day for me but I wanted to make sure I had my assignment done before hitting the sack. Just hoping that tomorrow will get better. Goodnight all.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Here Kitty Kitty...

Sometimes I want to have a pet for the sole purpose of having a subject other than my toddler. But... nah! I'll just borrow someone else's again next time. LOL. 

4/365 They Come in Twos!

#DS: 393 Make a photo of a pair of subjects today. People or inanimate objects are both fair game!

I've never seen her wear these boots right.

These pair of gloves worked hard in the snow today.

PS: I wasn't happy with myself for missing yesterday's post. It seemed like a good challenge but involves a little bit of production for the vision I have. I'll take some time to do that and a couple of other interesting (past) assignments in the next few days.

3/365 Dry Run

#DS391: What can make a photograph feel moody to you? Illustrate your answer today.

Her 3rd birthday isn't for 2 more weeks. But she's been rehearsing this for almost a year now. Yup. Since she turned 2 :) I can't even light a scented candle in the house for more than 5 minutes... and without hearing her sing the Happy Birthday song.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

2/365 Santa's Presents

#DS390: What makes you anxious? Illustrate it in a photograph today.

The sight of this in our livingroom makes me anxious in 2 ways:
1) I'm anxious to see her reaction when she opens the presents, but
2) I hope she doesnt open them til Xmas Day!

Future Photographer

I was trying to capture my 3-year-old taking photos using Hipstamatic (on the iPhone), which is what she prefers over the regular camera app. It took just around 5 secs to capture this moment ---from getting the camera til i took the shot. She didn't even give me a second chance and even took Pooh and Piglet back to the playroom immediately after. Lesson learned, be more prepared next time!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

1/365 Worn Out Jeans

DS389: Blue jeans and denim are pervasive. Incorporate a pair of jeans or the material into a photograph today.

As a stay-at-home mom, this is pretty much part of my "uniform". Dark rinse in boot cut or skinny are what I like best. What's your favorite?

Welcome to my PhotoBlog!

I have been following a few 365 Projects lately and got inspired.  So I'm going to start my own tomorrow for the following reasons:

a) I would like to hone my skills in photography
b) I am beginning to lose my camera mojo because of so many factors and one of them is moving to a small city in KY, and
c) the obvious reason, I am addicted to pressing the shutter-release button :)

So here are my self-imposed rules:
1 - I have to do the assignments posted on Daily Shoot. If the assignment is not at all possible due to certain scenarios (being in a small town, for one!), then I may take a photo of something that struck me the most for the day.

2 - The photos must be taken using a DSLR. Do not use the iPhone or pocket camera as a crutch. (Unless of course if it's inevitable... like underwater photography!)

3 - If I took several images in one shoot, I cannot hold the images back for later posts unless my intention is to revisit earlier photos for purposes of learning photo-editing.

4 - I am only allowed to miss posting if I am having technical issues or limited internet access. But I must still shoot for the day and post as soon as I am able.

5 - This blog is not exclusive to my 365-day project. I may also blog about other things... like my new photoclub!

I know I can do this... but still, wish me luck! ;)