Of Food and Photography

 Slice N' Dice's Schezuan Squid Meal

Exposure Program - Manual
Exposure Time - 1/40"
Aperture - f7.1
ISO - 800
Exposure Bias Value - +0.33EV
Focal Length - 18mm

Lens: Nikon 18-55 AF-S VR DX

After walking the first half of Timog Avenue in Quezon City for some photos, I decided to eat at this cheap, but superb, restaurant where they cook steaks. Since I wanted something different that day, I decided to order their Schezuan Squid meal. Turns out, it didn't taste half as good as the picture on the menu suggested. But if you're on a tight budget and you're after something quick for your tummy while you're in Timog, better give Slice 'n Dice a visit.

And speaking of the meal, it was at that exact moment I decided to be interested in Food Photography. The play on details and the thought of capturing the lusciousness of food enticed me enough to take it up. On that note, I'll be needing a decent light set-up and a capable macro lens to perform in place of my kit lens.

Here's hoping I can find the moolah to fund this new interest.

The Vice

Along with your heart, wear this too on your sleeve

Shutter Speed: 1/60th of a second

Aperture: 4.8

ISO: 200

Focal Length: 30mm

Lens: Nikon 18-55 AF-S VR DX

Whoever said it was only your heart you wear on your sleeve? With the new Tanduay Baller, you can show people that you're an alcoholic too.

I can't seemingly remember who of my three other housemates took this shot so I'll save the copyright some other time. Don't worry though anonymous housemate, we'll share the credits since I did the editing, which by the way included the lessening of noise (Thanks Noise Ninja!) and good old Phixr.com.

Where Paths Meet

In the middle of everything

Shutter Speed: 1/6th of a second

Aperture: 6.3

ISO: 1600

Focal Length: 48mm

Lens: Nikon 18-55 AF-S VR DX

After the longest time, I finally got hold of my Nikon D40x again for me to take new photos last Saturday, March 13, 2010. And now I have my own place where I have all the time in the world, I can know brush up again on my skills.

I shot this photo of the staircase railings and composed it to make it look like a convergence of paths.

Disturbing the Still

Never, ever, disturb someone who's reading the morning paper

Seriously, don't you find it annoying if someone disturbs you while you're in your own world, reading the morning paper? You've got your pantulog on and your drinking your coffee while reading the folded morning paper in one hand then suddenly someone asks you to do something that takes away your attention from what's going on in the universe. So really, don't disturb anyone when they're practicing the solemn ritual of reading the news in the morning.

This photo was taken around December of 2008 with the standard Nikon 18-55 kit lens. Just like my previous post about the Baywalk, I skipped work that day and bought my SLR. How incredibly lazy of me.

All I Need Is A Light

Now all we need is a lighter and a few bottles of beer

Along with biting your nails and checking out ladies in short shorts and skirts, quitting cigarettes is one of the hardest things in the world. But hey, I didn't say it was impossible. You just need enough willpower, motivation, the right support group and a new addiction to get into.

This photo was taken last June 2008 at my former office's workstation using a Nikon D40x with its standard 18-55mm kit lens.

A Long Way To There

The Walk of Solitude

Solitude is never fun, especially when you're walking the length of the Baywalk in Roxas Boulevard. The same goes for everything you do in this life. Remember that doing something as mundane as walking is definitely better with someone.

This was taken last December 2008 when I suddenly had the urge to skip work.Bought my Nikon and just took pictures with the heat of sun as my only companion.

A Wheel OF Awesomeness

"The world will keep on spinning no matter what. What you should be afraid of is when it stops."

Carousels are mean to be fun. They're made for people to get on them and see the world in a different view and in all its glory. But seeing it from way below is another story.

Snapped this photo way back last December 2008 at the Star City in Manila with my Nikon D40x. Edited the contrast, tweaked the clarity a little bit and sharpened little details out with the help of Adobe Photoshop Light Room 2.

Tomorrow Is On Its Way

 

"There will always be a tomorrow"

I snapped this picture of the sunrise at some beach in Batangas last May 2008. And as I look back at it, I'm realizing that no matter how bad yesterday was or how crappy your day was today, there'll always be a new one waiting for you tomorrow. 

Down The Hall

 

"It all begins with one small step"

This hallway has been a silent witness over the years at the second floor of some building inside the Philippine Normal University in Manila. Plus, this hallway also serves as a bridge between a student and his/her dream of becoming an educator.

But just like any other dream, it all depends if you're brave enough to take that one small step.

A Dog In Gold

"What's up beautiful?"

Yeah, that's the family dog, Cayo, you see right there.

I read somwhere that if you're looking for the ultimate in devotion and affection, your best bet would be to get a dog. And that's what Cayo is exactly. He's loyal to the family and so affectionate that sometimes, he could cause an diabetes outbreak.

Only now, I wish I could train him to use the computer and do my work for me...

The True Meaning of the Season

"THIS is the true meaning of Christmas"

I shot this picture of the car's rosary way back last September 2008.

Fast forward to three months after: With the season in full swing, more and more people are constantly bitching about how they don't feel it's Christmas. It's always the same reasons - work, paychecks, traffic, the future and everything little thing we could place the blame on. To be honest, it's getting kinda emo-ish.

Why not get a cup of coffee (or a bottle of beer, if that's what you prefer), sit back, listen to some tunes and think of the good times instead of the bad? You're sure to see the brighter side of Christmas this year once you've done that.

The Greatest View Can Be Seen In Tagaytay

"Lahat ng natatanaw mo ay sa'yo na Bebe"

If only life was this simple and captivating huh?

But we all know it isn't that easy. That's the case with these two lovebirds who just broke up recently. Too bad though. They were a great couple who overcame a lot of hurdles in their two years together. Too bad they had to go the path of cheesy Filipino loveteams who faded into obscurity.

But whatever happens, life is a circle. And we, your closest amigos, all hope that you may find yourselves in each other' s arms again.