Sure Peek

Of Food and Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Julio) — Fri, 14 May 2010 01:58:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Julio) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 03:09:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Julio) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:57:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Julio) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:48:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Julio) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:26:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Julio) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:03:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Julio) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:23:00 +0000

"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

noreply@blogger.com (Julio) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:46:00 +0000

"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

noreply@blogger.com (Julio) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:51:00 +0000

"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

noreply@blogger.com (Julio) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:56:00 +0000

"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

noreply@blogger.com (Julio) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:52:00 +0000

"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

noreply@blogger.com (Julio) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:24:00 +0000

"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.

An Empty Pair

noreply@blogger.com (Julio) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:18:00 +0000

"And emptiness came in a pair"

Having lunch at the office's pantry is sometimes sad. It makes you realize you still have a couple of lonely and excruciating hours left before you gather up your things, shut down your unit and head home to the comfort of your bed. And with that realization, you end up with more stress than you normally should have.

But there are times too when lunchtime at the pantry isn't that bad. Sometimes, the guys would start a riot and have the whole 6th floor bursting in laughter. And there are times too when moments like these suddenly pop up for me to capture.

I guess these chairs were also having an awful (and empty) time while everyone else is having their lunch.

Let's Put A Smile On That Phone

noreply@blogger.com (Julio) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:44:00 +0000

"Why so serious?"

Isn't it a bummer when you're early in the office and you're just staring blankly at your monitor. That was the sad case one day last June 2008 when I arrived so early and found myself being bored to death.

Fortunately, I had my Nikon with me to help me pass the time. And the victim I chose to help me assasinate boredom was my Nokia 6300.

As you can see above, there's a wallpaper of The Dark Knight taken on top of my office desk. I just placed my D40x on the desk since I had no tripod to stabilize it.

The result?

A photo playing on lines, an empty space and the soothing color blue as its background.

Stray Kitten Gazing At You

noreply@blogger.com (Julio) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:20:00 +0000

"I will do cartwheels for a piece of your Tapsilog!"

While the guys (Rion, Echo, ER and Eric) and I were consuming our much-needed lunch at the CCP Complex, some stray cats suddenly appeared out of nowhereland to smother us with their “please-give-us-food” look. And just like the hungry bastards that we are, we just ignored them to feed the beast that resided in our respective stomachs.

But one little kitten caught my eye as he (or she? I couldn’t tell) looked at me with a gaze that could melt anyone like hot knife through butter. And what did I do? I immediately got my Nikon and snapped away before the little kitty could even move.

For more pictures of this exhausting day, take the click here.

The Boy Band Craze Is Not Yet Over

noreply@blogger.com (Julio) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 07:01:00 +0000

From left to right: Echo, Rion, ER and Eric

So there we were, hanging out at some part of the CCP Complex near the floating restaurant. Echo, Rion, ER , Eric and I just ate our lunch before deciding to head back their org's photo shoot. And then all of a freakin' sudden, these guys unleashed their inner camwhores for me to capture. They were posing here, there and back there again just like any kid who sees a camera for the first time.

I don't remember who thought of posing like a boy band in this picture but the result could put any Backstreet Boy album cover to shame. Click the photo to see the whole resolution. For the complete album of this tiring day, just make your index finger muscles work and click here.

For The Love Of Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Julio) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:27:00 +0000

"Why the hell am I viewing this blog anyway?”

Yep, I could just imagine you thinking of that question right now? But to answer your question, you’re here to see some moments captured with the use of a Nikon D40x. These moments vary from the simple, to the extraordinary, to the most outrageous, and then back to being simple again. After seeing these photos, it’s up to you if you want to be amazed or unimpressed.

Plus, we'll also gonna tackle all things related to photography right here. Since I'm a newbie at this kind of thing, I'll be posting some tips and tricks to make this experience a whole lot easier on me and you guys too as well.

You know what? This entry defeats the purpose of this blog. Just browse through the photos and let them do the talking.