Imperfections Unseen

No, don't wait for it to load or anything. The picture you see is complete--black, a stretch of murky darkness. I was looking through my files trying to decide what picture to post then I saw this. A dark expanse... of nothing. One may wonder what this picture could have been. I know what exactly this should be like and why this picture turned out this way (faulty camera settings and trying to guess my way through using my new camera), but what would others see in this picture. I wonder. What could this picture have been in the minds of other people?

As I type all these words out I felt my fingers shake, tremble on the keyboard. As I stared at this picture of nothing I can't help but be bothered that this should be something. 

And I stop writing. 

No. I was wrong. It is a picture of something. 

We just can't see it.

Sometimes life is like that. You're faced with problems and you can't see the way you planned out, the path you know you're taking, because there's a huge roadblock named "obstacles" on your way. It's dark, you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it's there. It hasn't disappeared; it's just temporarily out of view.

So you look at this picture, and other things that are dark and unfathomable, and know. Know, that darkness isn't always the absence of light. Know, that every picture--blurred, overexposed, out of focus, against the light, or in any way "imperfect"--though not always able to show or convey what we want to, was made for a purpose. Know that every action taken in this universe is meant to convey something. Though the message is unclear right now, it would never, ever, be nothing.

So when I look at the picture above, I see a world of possibilities. All the what-ifs and could-have-beens of this picture are astounding. It could be a picture of children playing. An old couple kissing. Arguing friends, tearful goodbyes, or a picture of a fly buzzing threateningly near your favorite food. Whatever this picture could have been, this picture is now, simply, itself. 

And yes, there comes that small tinge of regret whenever a photo turns out in a way you least expect them to be. But there are happy accidents, shots you never thought possible, until you actually take them. It took me this picture of nothing--wait, no. It took me this picture of something to realize this. Maybe I'm just overthinking everything. But this is how I choose to see life. Regrets are inevitable; it's a human emotion natural to everyone. But what you feel after that regret, how you get past through that regret, that's what matters most.

As I look at this photo now, I smile. And remember the things that happened that day I took this. The people I was with, the emotions I may be feeling at that very moment, even the thoughts that may have run through my head . And this photo slowly turns from a picture of nothingness into a secret corner of memories in my head, just waiting for that lamp in my brain to turn its attention its way so it can show what it has for me.

Just like life.

A Shot at Japanese Street Fashion

twirl for me

that one tiny glance

unsure

Model: Patricia Villarica

Here are the photos I submitted for the photography contest hosted by the Thomasian Nihon Kyoukai (TNK). This was all done in a rush and though I really wanted to shoot more layouts with more outfits but sadly we have TVProd and a nine-hour academic day ahead of us so we have to make do.

The theme was Japanese fashion, and as I don't have the time nor resources to do anything elaborate, I made a layout of the shoot in my head on the way home, called my blockmate to model for me (who thankfully agreed) and gave her some pegs on Japanese street fashion. Since she has a lot of clothes I figured there's bound to be something in her closet that would fit the category. The shoot got cancelled because of inclement weather but we thankfully pulled through.

I wanted things to look as natural as possible. I'd like to give the feeling that it was candid, and I was shooting a friend as we were walking around places. Whimsical thoughts and just being you - that was what I wanted to convey. Being free and being unconventional can be okay, as long as you know you're doing the right thing and you are comfortable with your own skin.

This shoot taught and made me experience a lot of things. How to ninja-shoot, how to try to always get the shot you like, how to always be ready because some candid moments actually look better (like the third photo; if I remember correctly, I didn't tell my model I shot this. She was still waiting for instructions and I took a photo and it turned out pretty well). I also had to direct the shoot, and for someone who doesn't like ordering people around it was a minuscule internal battle ^^;;; My model helped me out too, since she's more used to being behind the camera than in front of it (and tbqh, I do prefer to be behind the camera too :D) I really don't understand why we can't shoot inside the QuadriGym (the place where the first two photos were taken; they were ninja shots so eheh); it's a nice place where we can utilize a lot of elements of the building for nice photos ;;

And lesson learned: Lover's Lane (AKA the park inside our uni) is perfect for location shoots. Best to go on times were there are less people around :)

Anyways, I know I have a long way to go and I have a lot to learn, but I'm doing my best! There are a lot of pictures in this photo set but I'm still sifting through them because school. 

Tell me what you think? :)

Lightroom

Playing around with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom! One of the speakers in the photography seminar I attended last September 10, 2012 (which I will talk about in a separate post when things at school slow down) recommended to use this program as to Photoshop as it is more user-friendly :)

Post-processing photos from a photo shoot I did yesterday for a photography contest. More about that after the deadline of submission :)

「背中」

 

         

I want to try doing a photo series called 「背中」. People always say that facial expressions can tell you a lot about a person. Though I don't contend with that statement I also do think that people's profiles from behind can tell you a lot about them--how they deal with life, how they carry themselves, how they think they stand in the world they live in. Even if you can't see what kind of expression they might have, it brings you one step closer.

How do you think other people see your back? :)

Sugar Rush

Left: chocolate ensaymada and right: mamon with a gooey custard topping.

Bought this from the bakery on the way home last night. Chucked it into the refrigerator for a while before eating them. The custard tastes perfect when chilled, but you can eat them as they are :)

I love sweets! What's your favorite type of bread? :)