DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

This is the beauty of digital photography...If you did it wrong, you can always go back and correct any mistakes. Any flaws captured, you can always eliminate. Any unwanted objects, you can delete. It makes me think however, one does not necessarily have to be artistic, one just needs to be techno-savvy to create something brilliant out of a flawed and amateur composition.

My bro and sis pointed out to me in my previous post not to put a subject right in the middle of the photograph, which really makes a lot of sense after reading "THE RULES OF COMPOSITION" . So here is an edited version of the 'Lilly' photograph which does not break the 'RULE OF THIRDS' anymore.

Here's an even further enhance version of this photograph. Notice the difference in colors? It's a lot stronger and more pronounced. Wonder what else I can do with this picture? Maybe put a butterfly on the flower? Oh...sis, can I borrow that broken winged butterfly?

For someone like me, with creative aptitude deficiency, I dare say, thanks God for digital photography and editing!

STALKING THE GECKO

One of my models (CAT) went for a holiday in 'Pinas', so I'm left with only my camera to experiment on. Although Mona's still here, Cat left some threatening words just before she left..."NO PICTORIALS WHILE I'M AWAY". Mona's not taking that threat for granted, and we intend to make true to our promise to wait for her before we experiment further along with photography and modelling.

But she did not stipulate anything against getting a new model. So while sitting in front of our house in Farrar, waiting for the sun set, and hoping to get another twilight view, I caught sight of this magnificent creature. I thought this is a better model than Mona and Catrina...Someone who does not bewail about clothes and make-up and does not ask for copies of photos for FRIENDSTERS and FACEBOOK!!!

Please welcome, THE GECKO!

One lonesome and unsuspecting lizard, traveling past my driveway while I was armed with my new toy. There is no better way to waste time, but stalk a gecko. I felt like an idiot looking like a paparazzo around my own backyard. My neighbors must've thought I was spying on the neighborhood. Unbeknownst to them, I found a more intriguing subject than human form itself.

I am still determined to learn how to make use of this camera. So here goes more of my practice subjects... No idea what I was doing...All I was trying to achieve was to get a clear photo. Any constructive criticisms are welcome.
I wake up each morning with this view across the street from my window. Our suburb is a very young residential area, so most of the lands are still up for grabs. But there is an existing covenant protecting this very land that I took a shot of. There will be no building/housing structures to be erected in the next 5 or so years. I think they intend to just make this a nature strip. If you're lucky, kangaroos and Dingos do pop out of this mini-jungle from time to time.

When we walk our adopted son, Ikki, out (that's actually his toilet right there), specially at night, we do carry with us a piece of stick to whack on a dingo, should one come out and decide Ikki is looking delicious.

The sun sets straight across the horizon from our bedroom window. It's a view to die for. Above photo is what this view looks like during day time.

Right down the bottom is Ikki. He got invited to a pug birthday party this

coming weekend. We're hoping we could go, so Ikki can have fun too...smelling and kissing butts out there.

Anyway, I have to go, take some more photos... Who knows, I might chance on a subject worth millions.

Yeah Right!

Ikki, go fetch a vampire!!!

Now, that would be something to see!

PRACTICE WITH A TWILIGHT TWIST

Being the first long weekend of the year (AUSTRALIA DAY), I am determined to learn something about my newly acquired toy from my brother. Took a lot of photos...with models of course....inexpensive ones (free actually)

I tried so dang hard to forget about Twilight, unfortunately, it just keeps popping up in my head. We went to the casino (mind you, I'm not a big gambler), and I saw this machine with a big Wolf theme. So I decided to forget and let go of a ten dollar note in my purse...just wanting to see the Wolf cry....Well wadayaknow! Made an eighty dollar return in my purse! All the while, only thinking about Jacob. Hah!

Anyway, I took some shots of my friends Mona and Cat. Then I decided to create a TWILIGHT theme on one (of the hundreds) of Cat's photos. This is my blog's version of Bella Swan-The Vampire....

The photos do not look professionally edited just yet, but give me a couple more months...or a year, I'll master this craft. I would like to say I love the camera, but how can I love something when I still don't know how to use it to it's full potential?

I am enjoying, however, the company of this powerful toy. If you have not noticed on this blog, my peer group has no shame, what so ever when it comes to facing cameras. We can already see projects lining up for my models...They've even got costumes ready, women magazines to study and locations to explore...Feeling professional kami lahat!!!

But in fairness, bagay naman sa kanila di ba? Tingnan nyo naman, Pang Twilight talaga.

Just have a look at Cat's transformation...

See below...We've already got a New Moon Version...Actually, NEW MOON CAKE version. That's Monalisa, dressed up like an oriental Bella Swan. Took Cat a few minutes to do Mona's make-up. Then, she did hers as well trying to impersonate a glamourous photo of Angelina Jollie, only to end up looking like a vampire...Pero pang Twilight na Vampire no!

NEW MOON CAKE

EMMETT'S TRUCK NASA FARRAR!!

ASK, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN YOU

I know I know...I'm a bit of a spoiled brat. If you remember long time ago, I posted something which advertised my dire need of a new camera. Well, someone's heard my prayers...Hah!

My brother, Bong sent me his old camera...which is not so old for me by the way. He's now got a Nikon D300, so he's abdicated his old toy. And guess who's got it?

Yes, lucky ME, MOI...

I've absolutely no idea how to operate this DSLR camera, so I'm still sort of an amaurotic photographer. But I am determined to learn and make full use of this new toy.

I am so used to using the 5MP camera on my Nokia N95(8GB) phone. Whent I got the camera yesterday from Ate Luz (who's just returned from Pinas-Thanks for bringing the camera ), I fiddled with it straight away. I was trying to take photos but wondered why the subject does not appear on the screen while I'm taking the shot. It only appears after the shot has been taken...Well, I feel like an idiot now that my brother has explained to me one of the DSLR functions...Man, I've got a lot to learn!

Now that I have a new best friend, I don't think I'm going to get bored after the TWILIGHT frenzy. As they say, WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER DOOR OPENS...kaya may bintana din!!!

I'm not dumping my old friend, Nokia N95 though. It's still a good friend. I've only got a new found best friend...Who says you can't have two at the same time huh?

My First Model-Xander the Great

I bet my sister's whining right now....hihihihi. Sorry Sis, my turn to have a nice treat from Bong!

Bong, thanks. I've never had a good camera in my whole life, so I will definitely take care of this one. If you get tired of your new Nikon D300, I'm just here, and my place is a good dumping ground for that...

Hmmm life....

My first shot

What's next? Oh, I'm in bad need of a new car too. My car's buggerd up already. Maybe you want to send me your Toyota FJ Cruiser too...

Now, I'm taking a looonggg shot...ano sabi nila? 'Hampas sa buwan' ba yon? Hihirit pa talaga....Tsk Tsk Tsk.

Ask and it shall be given nga kasi, di ba?

WEEKEND COME AND GONE

Dang! Weekend's almost finished.

Yes, I have finished Eclipse in 26 hours. Hardly slept Friday night... I slept at around 3:00 AM and woke up at 6:AM Saturday, then started reading again... Nope, I haven't done much household chores over the weekend.

Right after I finished the book last night, we went to Dr. Ed Aralar's birthday, which was sort of a big relief and heart lightening event...Only Tribung Tralala knows why...Thanks guys for understanding....We do value every friendship, specially this group. Anyway, Happy birthday Daddy ED...Hope you will have a healthier year ahead and more kakanin na lulutoin para sa amin.

Now that I have finally read all the Twilight series (except Midnight Sun, which is still in a thought process), I feel so sad. As pathetic as it may sound, but I have already read Twilight three times and Breaking Dawn twice. I don't want to re-read Eclipse...So I decided to go fishing with my husband today. Cat and the kids came with us to the Channel Island, about 10-15 minutes drive from home.

We were literally under the sun the whole day through. We planned on staying there for just an hour, but for those who know what fishing's like...That is impossible.

Moses with his catch for the day, Spanish Flag & Myself,

Cat, putting a bait on her line.

Well, look what's happened to my skin....I look like a lechon. Got sun burnt beyond recognition.
We got some fish, but not as much as we wanted though. So I'm not sure if this sun-burn is worth it.

Anyway, I'm glad to have gone out today and forgot about my TWILIGHT life. I think I've gone far too obsessed with the saga already. Time to get back on track...My own voyage.

Tomorrow, back to reality. Work is where I get to think that life isn't all about fun. Life has to have a financial source to have fun....

FINAAAALLLLLLY!!! THE LONG WAIT IS OVER...

Over a week ago I reserved a copy of Eclipse in almost all book stores out of desperation and fear that all copies might get sold out again. Then this afternoon, while I was at work, BigW, yes the shop I was planning to rob rang me...Guess what?

I HAVE GOT MY ECLIPSE!!!!!

I felt like going AWOL, leave work and head straight to BigW.

BigW, thank you so much. They're the first to ring me...

...and I also managed to snag a copy of the Twilight soundtrack...

Mona picked the book up for me since she was in Casuarina this afternoon.

Just an hour ago, my friend Cat, the ever annoying CAT(!)...buzzed me in the Yahoo Messenger and said, Xander (M0na's 2 year old son) dropped the freakin book in the Toilet!!!
I told her...I'll never forgive Mona...But I'll still have the book and read it (even if Xander pissed on it).

But, here it is....My Eclipse! Safe, sound, in tact and most iportantly...DRY!

So friends and families...you won't hear from me in the next 24 hours. I will be readin' and listenin' all niiiiggghhhht looooonnnggg....

No YM tonight. No calls to be answered.

Bai Bai.

OMT!!! (Oh My Twilight!!!)

I would have dug my face into mounds of cow's dung if I knew I was to win the bloody VOLVO!!!

Or actually, even just to hug Edward and Jacob!!! The VOLVO??? Icing on the cake.

Watch the Tyra Banks 1 first, before Tyra Banks 2...It's so funny. Takes your mind away from Rob's hair.

IF GODS MUST BE CRAZY THEN VAMPIRES MUST BE STINKY

Honestly, he looked better in Twilight. Now, c'mon yall... I know you're with me on this one. This image can't be anywhere near Edward Cullen. I don't know how Catherine did it, but she definitely did a good job... Oh he's cut his locks just a couple of days ago. No need to worry about him looking like a vampire on meth.

Robert Pattinson on Jay Leno - 11/26/2008
Uploaded by melbdanger

THE WORLD OF THE LUCKY DAMNED HAS ENDED....NOT QUITE

Yes and No.

Yes, I have reached the end of the Twilight saga. And No, I haven't had any luck in finding ECLIPSE. You won't believe what I've had to go through trying to find a copy of the third book, but even bookstores down south are waiting on back orders.

It's very unfortunate that I don't have Edward Cullen's self control. Yes, I did try, waited, and was unusually patient for a while there. But when my friend, Cat, texted me saying,

"THERES ECLIPSE AT COLES AND TARGET"

...I thought, my prayer's been answered, finally. But I did wonder for a moment why they are selling ECLIPSE at COLES. For those of you who don't know, Coles is a chain of grocery stores here in Australia. Yes, they've got meat there for Jacob.

Anyway, I thought nothing much of it but I was getting my self so hyped up and ready to drive away to buy a copy.

Then guess what the big joke was!!!

MINT GUMS!!!

HaHaHa! Very funny Catrina!

How gullible can I get when it comes to this??? That did it!!! I've had enough! Enough waiting and looking and searching and calling... I'm gonna read BREAKING DAWN!

And so I did...

Now, Ive finally reached the conclusion of the whole saga without reading bloody ECLIPSE...

Having read BREAKING DAWN and not reading ECLIPSE first, I don't think it's detrimental to the big finale. Each book has a story of it's own, in a way. Yes, one should read TWILIGHT, then NEW MOON, then ECLIPSE, then BREAKING DAWN ideally. But if you do decide to skip, I'm happy to advise, go for it.

I seek Daniel Pennac's Readers Bill of Rights:

1. The Right to Not Read

2. The Right to Skip Pages

3. The Right to Not Finish

4. The Right to Reread

5. The Right To Read Anything

6. The Right to Escapism

7. The Right to Read Anywhere

8. The Right to Browse

9. The Right to Read Out Loud

10. The Right to Not Defend Your Tastes

(taken from: http://sally906.blogspot.com/)

Please refer point No.2...right to skip. I exercised this right.

I honestly do not think it's going to affect my 'could be' reactions and feelings for ECLIPSE, should copies of the book be out this coming week. Had I read BREAKING DAWN before NEW MOON, it would not have made such a big impact on my perception of the saga. I'm pretty sure I'll still be able to fit the pieces together the way they should be.

Oh, I also seek RBR No.10... The right not to defend... This entails, yes the genres of the books I read, and in this case, how I read it.

So for those who bludgeoned me for having cheated and skipped...like the friend who sent me the ECLIPSE GUM picture...and Mona, who got talked into reading TWILIGHT post Twilight movie...EAT YOUR HEART OUT!!! I've read it...I'm finished...and I'm re-reading them all!!!

Head high...Chin up...walk straight and say...Beeeee!!!! (tongue out)

ABS-CBN & STAR CINEMA...PLEASE LEAVE TWILIGHT ALONE

I was watching Entertainment Live on TFC this morning, while my husband was, I think, in the computer room playing poker on line. All of a sudden I let out this bloodcurdling scream..."NOoooooooooo!!!$$%#@!!!"

I could actually feel the house in tremors. Then he came running down frantically asking...why? what happened? what's wrong?

What's wrong?!!! Rumours about ABS-CBN paying $1M for the rights to produce a local version of TWILIGHT...What’s wrong? Shaina Magdayao and Rayver Cruz coveted to play the role of Bella and Edward...What’s wrong? The supposedly new title is the literal translation in Tagalog, TAKIPSILIM...What’s wrong? Everything sounds wrong! My first thought was...Hell NNNOOOOO!!! Then reverberated to, WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY THINKING? ARE THEY STUPIDLY SERIOUS?

Apparently ABCCBN has availed the rights...But it’s good of them to clear out unfounded rumours and stump on gossip mongrels

I have so much respect and admiration for ABS-CBN and Star Cinema for making movies well suited for the Filipino audience. I love a lot of their films, and I am sure there are more people around the world who share my feelings, but that is not enough to substantiate a call for a local version of the much loved and embraced vamp anthology. Star cinema creates movies that tickle us the Filipino way, Twilight is not for Star Cinema. Twilight is a surreal world altogether, a world that only belongs to Stephenie Meyer’s mind, imparted to those who have read the books.

Lobo, I followed so ceremoniously. But, not even PioloPascual can do justice to Edward’s absolute flawlessness and mysticism. Even in my previous post, I did mention that the movie is not as good as the book, even though the Hollywood version did justice to the story. With all due respect to ABSCBN and Piolo... But how can ABS-CBN possibly out-do Summit Entertainment? I love Piolo like a god, but a god is nowhere near a fictional Vamp who’ve won my heart and the world over...To hear that Rayver is playing Edward...My heart sank like it was never gonna beat again. No offence to Rayver and Shaina, I have no doubt they’re brilliant actors ...But it’s just wrong.

It’s the impossibility of Edward’s Utopian faultlessness that we want to hold on to in our minds. Not the textbook reality of show business. One face for each character (Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and them mob) is enough to hold a little bit of mortality in all the Twilighter’s imaginations.

I feel very protective of the images of all the characters in my head. It’s something I would not want to be degenerated by images of famous real people. I am sure other Twilighters feel the same way.

As I’ve said, ABS-CBN refuted this rumour...So thank you ABS-CBN. To you, I give my reverence. I just hope that if ever the opportunity arises for you to obtain a copyright, you will not do it. Please don’t attenuate the power that this creative work has embedded in our imaginations. It’s a beautiful story which, no doubt in my mind, will attain the same stature as any given well adulated literary classic. This creative work will be around for as long as the Cullens live.

Having said all that, I am also hoping that Stephenie Meyer won’t sell copyrights to any other production company but SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT. I am hoping she won’t be blandished by any monetary offers...especially not at $1M. Her TWILIGHT is priceless. The one with Kristen and Robert is enough. Let there be no other players and versions on this beautiful piece of endeavour... No more...

No other versions...Please.

TWILIGHT TRAILER

Nope, I haven't tracked down a copy of ECLIPSE yet. Robbing BIG-W remains an option. seriously contemplating this prospect.... :))

I'm gonna need Edward Cullen's help though...

TWILIGHT OUTAGE

My first biggest disappointment for 2009 occurred yesterday when I literally drove around Darwin like a maniac, hopping from one book store to another trying to secure a copy of :

1)ECLIPSE

2)BREAKING DAWN

I wanted to read the whole Twilight anthology before I go back to work on Monday because when I start on Monday, I will probably have no more time to read...And of course, the main reason is that I am so missing the characters, specially Edward, Bella and Jacob.

Why have I been caught up in the ensuing frenzy of this cult hit when I have absolutely no previous history in reading vampire books/stories?

First, I went to the nearest shopping Centre, about 3 minutes drive from my house-TARGET. They don't have any copy....SOLD OUT.

Then I drove to the biggest shopping Centre in Darwin-Casuarina Shopping Centre which is about a 25-30 minutes drive from home. There are five book stores in that mall. I went to K-Mart first, where Cat and I bought the first two books. All SOLD OUT.

Then I went to Dymocks- All SOLD OUT....Bugger!

Walked all the way to Angus-All SOLD OUT...Damn! But the lady offered me a hopeful advise...Try Big-W.

So I hurried to Big-W...Then I spotted TWILIGHT... YES!!! I went around that book shelf where several copies of Twilight was sitting hoping that my sight will catch the word ECLIPSE... Nothing. So I went around again to double check. Nothing. Then again...Why is life so hard??? I finally asked one of the attendants if they've got ECLIPSE, and she asked me whether I have reserved a copy of Eclipse or if I ordered any at all... Merong ganon???

I was so tempted to say yes. But I know that's not going to help. I simply asked, " so you've got copies here? but they're all reserved?" I tried so badly to persuade her to give me one of the copies they're holding on for someone else...NOPE! But she has one more extra copy of BREAKING DAWN which was meant to be for her, and it's in the back room. That's good...OK I'll have it.

OK, my optimism is not withering off that easy, I went to a big News agency that sells books... Hoping they'd have ECLIPSE...SOLD OUT. These two words were starting to really irritate me yesterday.

So, I came home with a copy of the last book-BREAKING DAWN. I did not know how bad this move was until I got home, because I was just literally staring at the unopened book, unable to read it. I was seriously contemplating whether to go ahead and read it... or even just the first chapter...Then I decided, I'm not giving up. I'll get ECLIPSE one way or another...maybe rob BIG-W, with a toy gun and demand one of the reserved copies of eclipse...

NEWS HEADLINE:

AN ASIAN FEMALE, EARLY 30'S, OVERWEIGHT, ROBS BIG-W, HELD A STORE ATTENDANT HOSTAGE FOR A COPY OF STEPHENIE MEYER'S BOOK, ECLIPSE.

How bad would that have been?

That is how desperate I am. Hopefully, today, I'll find a copy somewhere...

I've never fallen in love with a book, a story and the characters therein, like I am with this whole series. Twilight runs the gamut from falling in love with the wrong one, trying to make it work, danger, leaving-to protect the loved one, unbearable promises, reconciliation, then facing danger again, to negotiations, pitfalls, exposure, fitting in and the whole package. It takes my very rare romantic imagination to a whole new level. Fall in love with a vampire or fall in love with a werewolf?

I have never heard of Stephenie Meyers previously, but now that I have, I will surely watch out for more of her creative works. I have already decided, I am one of the million fanatics of this anthology, joining Ivy Aralar and millions more...And hopefully when this ends, she'll be able to create more work that will have my mind think as the first person in the story and take my imagination to a different world.

For those who have not read the book yet, please do. It's better than Romeo & Juliet. The Romeo & Juliet element is but a tiny touch of this saga. It uncannily mirrors the Shakespearean tragedy in NEW MOON but, with a different shade and spice. J.K. Rowling, move over!

Well, what are you waiting for? Go find a copy and start reading...I'll go, resume my hunt for a copy of ECLIPSE...

Happy reading.

TWILIGHT SAGA-NEW MOON

"I am the world's best predator, aren't I? Everything about me invites you in-my voice, my face, even my smell. As if I need any of that!"

Edward's description of himself does not justify the magnet that he, the other characters, and the twilight saga as a whole has for me.

I've finished reading the second book ,NEW MOON, two days ago. I am so 'thirsty' for the third one. In fact, I am on my way today to buy the other two books, ECLIPSE and BREAKING DAWN. We also watched the twilight movie last night and this might sound a bit of a cliche but yeah, it's not as good as the book. Of course not! The movie was excogitated from the book, so obviously the book was alluring enough, warranting a movie production out f it. Personally, I felt the movie did justice to the story. It might not be as good, but it's definitely put faces on the names and backdrops where it stood merely as far as my imagination can go. I am happy with the movie. Added bonus:

Robert Pattinson is so H-O-T!!!!

New moon left me gasping for air when Edward broke up with Bella in the hope that he will put Bella away from the danger that his world comes with. He was literally just in the beginning and the end of the book. In between is where Jacob Black has planted a seed in my mind. I did not like him at first, but as the pages started to deflate, I kept hoping for Edward to come back...then falling slowly in love with Jacob, but not knowing which category of 'love' exactly-confusion!!!.

Stephenie Meyer wrote it to hit exactly how Bella feels. It was eerily almost as if I was feeling unequivocally the same way as Bella. You sort of keep hoping and hoping...and hoping...for Edward to come back. Then you get tired, and take a step to move on...

I love this book better than TWILIGHT, but as my young friend Ivy told me, Twilight is important because it introduces you to the characters. But the real action starts in NEW MOON. In deed!

I am looking forward to the movie and I'm dead hoping they won't change Robert Pattinson as Edward. There had been talks about Gaspard Ulliel playing Edward in the other sequel. I can't get over the fact that Gaspard played Hannibal Lecter in one of the movies I've seen on TV just recently. EEeeeeoooowwwwssshhhhoccckkkkssssyuk!!!

Anyway, a piece of advise, if you have not read the book, DO NOT WATCH THE MOVIE!!!

"...for this to be the twilight of your life, though your life has barely started. You're ready to give up everything"- Edward Cullen