BEYOND THE PIXELS

Loving HDR

2011-04-02T01:33:00.006-07:00

HDR means High Dynamic Range imaging. Honestly, I dont want to buy imaging software for HDR. So what i did was, I tried doing manually thru Adobe Photoshop CS3. Basically what Adobe will do to make an HDR image, is that it will merge a minimum fo 3 pictures of different exposures, A normal exposure, a high exposure, and a low exposure. I was truly amazed on this. So i tried it myself. I took a photo on my mom's room in different exposures then i merged to HDR in Adobe.

While editing, i got a prob my PC

2011-02-18T14:26:00.003-08:00

I was kinda worried because my search box is not working. I usually use the search box when searching for files or programs on my win 7. But after the update they installed, twas deactivated! I googled for possible solutions but after minutes of doing research, here's the one that makes sense:

How to fix it manually:

1. Type regedit in Start menu search box and hit enter to launch Windows Registry Editor. Or, type regedit in Run dialog box (use Windows + R to launch Run) and hit enter to open the same.

2. Navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{ef87b4cb-f2ce-4785-8658-4ca6c63e38c6}

3. Right-click on this sub key, and then select Delete.

4. Reboot your machine to fix the problem.

5. Done!

Or you can do it automatically, just follow these steps

1. Download the hotfix from Microsoft.

http://support.microsoft.com/hotfix/KBHotfix.aspx?kbnum=977380&kbln=en-us

2. Install the hotfix and then reboot your machine.

The Old Mactan Bridge

2010-08-03T21:00:00.005-07:00

This is one of the oldest bridge here in Cebu, Philippines. It is connecting the two island, Cebu and Mactan.

EAT PRAY LOVE

2010-07-11T05:35:00.006-07:00

This book is the reason why one afternoon i ate one box of pizza all by myself!

I like the way the author described Rome. And how she indulged herself into eat anything delicious. From pastries, to pasta, to pizza, etc...

Truly, I am inspired (not just to eat pizza) to travel and discover that conflicting culture is never a hindrance in meeting new friends that will change our lives forever.

I am not yet done reading the book but this is my favorite line so far...

" I'm not sure if I misread the last line of the article, but it seemed there was some talk from the government that the only way to deal with the obesity crisis in Italy was to implement a tax on the overweight...? Could this be true? After few months of eating like this, will they come after me?

Typical cat here in the phils

2010-07-10T02:59:00.003-07:00

A stray cat is called "pusa-kal" here in the Philippines.

Azkal here

2010-07-10T02:25:00.003-07:00

Typical dogs here in the Philippines are usually called "Askal" shortcut for "ASong-Kalye" meaning street or stray dogs. Picture below is our very own guard dog, named "Brown" ofcourse he was named after his color.

Lost blending options after saving (Adobe CS3)

2010-07-06T19:26:00.004-07:00

i am fond of putting some "blending options"thingy everytime i edit something on adobe Photoshop. but last night i found out that the blending options were gone after i save them. well it makes no sense if i am editing something but you cant save it afterall. i was pissed of. i went to sleep and this morning, when i got up, i uninstalled the whole program, ran the registry cleaner and then reinstalled it. to my surprise there were viruses detected. a trojan horse to be specific. so i ran my anti virus software, Avira and was hoping that would resolve the issue. But nahh...still same thing happened...now what?

Philippine Scapes

2010-07-04T04:41:00.003-07:00

Negros Island (Taken in Santander, Cebu)

Exposure Time: 1/125"
Exposure Program: Shutter Speed Priority

Aperture: F5.7

ISO: 200

White Balance: Auto

Tubigon, Bohol Wharf

(Special thanks to Nancy)

Exposure Time: 1/2000"
Exposure Program: Shutter Speed Priority

Aperture: F5.6

ISO: 100

White Balance: Auto

Purple Sky in Panglao, Bohol

Exposure Time: 1/10"
Exposure Program: Manual

Aperture: F3.5

ISO: 200

White Balance: Auto

The Terraces (@ Ayala Center Cebu) landscape

Exposure Time: 1/250"
Exposure Program: Auto

Aperture: F5.7

ISO: 180

White Balance: Auto

My Grandma's Flowers

2010-07-02T21:53:00.005-07:00

APERTURE: F5.6

EXPOSURE PROGRAM: APERTURE PRIORITY

EXPOSURE TIME: 1/50"

ISO: 100

APERTURE: F5.6

EXPOSURE PROGRAM: MANUAL

EXPOSURE TIME: 1/60"

ISO: 200

APERTURE: F5.6

EXPOSURE PROGRAM: APERTURE PRIORITY

EXPOSURE TIME: 1/60"

ISO: 280

APERTURE: F5.6

EXPOSURE PROGRAM: MANUAL

EXPOSURE TIME: 1/60"

ISO: 200

DIY ND Filter Photo Result

2010-06-29T09:43:00.004-07:00

final output.

shot taken with a do it your own ND filter.

Picture was taken on one sunny afternoon.

Shutter speed at 30 sec, F3.5

My DIY ND filter

2010-06-28T22:35:00.003-07:00

Neutral Density Filters are used to take photos in slower shutter speeds during daytime. They are usually black and gray in color. These filters can block greater amount of sunlight to pass through the lens. In the market, they are named as ND2, ND4, ND8, etc. to understand these numbers further, you may click this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutral_density_filter

ND filter's prices' ranges from $20 to $100 depending on the brand and type of filter. The most commonly used is ND8 which transmits 12.5% of light into the lens. As for me i was eager to create my own ND filter first before buying an original one. The materials i used were: thick cardboard, number 11 welding glass and masking tape.

I took my first ND filter shot in a park near my place. To my surprise, a "greeny" filter effect across the photo was created. Final edit of the photo was made in adobe photoshop. afterall, i was happy with the result :-)

Sigma's 70-300 mm aint that bad

2010-06-22T18:18:00.003-07:00

This is the Sigma 70-300 mm DG Macro (from: http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/70-300mm-f4-56-dg-macro-sigma)

My sample shot.

I have a sigma 70-300 mm DG Macro telephoto lens. Its maximum aperture is F4 and minimum is F5.6 and NO vibration reduction or image stabilizer. I bought this last April 2010 for only 185 US dollars or 8700 Philippine Pesos. I read some reviews for this lens and although most of them found this lens bad, i still bought it. Because its cheap.period. Not because of any other reasons. I have used this lens for 3 weddings and one photo contest already, and here's what i found out:

1. It works best on outdoor! I won the photo contest because of this! (My sample photo is the one next to the lens)

2. It is worst at night or areas with dim light (trust me). My remedy for this is, you should have a good flash.

3. Works best at higher shutter speed (80 and up!). Remember this lens don't have a VR or image stabilizer.

Count your clicks

2010-06-22T10:19:00.004-07:00

I bought my d3000 last dec 10,2009 and my current shutter count is 11384!

count your clicks from : KUSO Exif Viewer 3.0

its just easy! follow these...

features of this software:

· More Useful EXIF Information than Opanda IEXIF
· Full Compatible with Nikon / Canon DSLR.
· Built in CoC / DOF / Hyper focus distance calculation.
· A lot of DSLR Lens Spec Information.
· Full Shutter Count reading function
· JPG / TIF / RAW File ( RAW / CRW / CR2 / MRW / NEF / ORF / PEF / SRF / SR2 / X3F / RAF / ARW ) Reading function.
· Plug-in for Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox by right click function menu.
· Drag and Drop opening file function.
· Full GPS Record display function, and built in View the GPS Position by Google Map.

Follow these simple instructions:

1. download the software from this link:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Graphic/Digital-Photo-Tools/KUSO-Exif-Vi ewer.shtml

2. install software by following on screen instructions.

3. once it’s installed, open your LATEST photo and look for the shuttercount!

My Nikon D3000

2010-06-22T09:45:00.005-07:00

i bought my nikon d3000 last december 10, 2009. I joined my first photo contest on january 2010 and won 8th place on one category. 1000 photographers joined that contest and its a very humbling experience that an amateur like me, would land on the 8th place! I joined my 2nd photo contest on feb, fewer photographers joined on this, and unfortunately i didnt make it.

April 2010 came and i joined my 3rd photo contest. and luckily, i won first place. So why i am sharing this to you? well, its like this, if you are really passionate about photography, then go for it! a low end camera model is not a hindrance in joining and winning these photo contests. just like me! i won 2/3 photo contests though i only have an entry level DSLR. i believe that to be a successful photographer, its not really MORE on the camera model but its MORE on passion-dedication-and-patience thing. so for my d3000, you rock my world!