Ukay-Ukay #2

Finally got to UKAY again last Tuesday (Dec. 15)! :D My first time was back in September (read entry here). Life changing experience I tell you! (okay, I'm exaggerating a little bit) But I really enjoyed it very much that I knew I had to go Ukay again. This time we (Nineerz and I) went to a nice Ukay place nearby. Just near Rob Manila which isn't too far from where we both live. Tip from this LINK. No documentation of the "adventure" coz... didn't want to bring my DSLR and someone borrowed my digicam. But I did take pictures of my finds :)

Got 3 items for Php600/$12 (that's Php200/$4 a piece!). It's pricier than usual but hey, for branded items, the price isn't bad at all. You'll see what I mean in a moment.

Finally got a graphing paper polo! wohoo!

I never get tired of preppy

I hope this is authentic DKNY. Seriously.

Going back to Cebu tomorrow! YEY! :)

Photo Project #4: DIY Snoot

Yes, I do realize that I haven't finished Photo Projects # 2 & 3 but I have a good excuse reason. For Photo Project #2, I still need to buy plexiglass or some other alternative for the base. I only used an old x-ray film for the teaser and I'm not quite satisfied with it. Then for Photo Project #3, I will do it when I get to Cebu for the Holidays. I think I'm going to take everyone's portrait with that effect. So for now, here is Photo Project #4: DIY Snoot, which I'll improve aswell once I get better materials for it.

HERE'S the LINK I based this DIY on. And I say based on because the DIY is meant for Speedlights/External Flash units. By the time I was going to do it for my speedlight the batteries died and charging takes 7 hours. So here is my DIY Snoot for Strobe lights (super cheap version).

What you'll need:

 1. Black/Dark Colored Thick Art Paper & Tape

But preferably foam paper as the DIY suggests.

(As you can see in the picture, I've already rolled and taped the paper to fit the size of the strobe light I used)

2. Strobe Light / Speedlight / Flash Light / any artificial light source

(Snoot in place already)

3. Subject

The set-up:

Outcome:

With yellow "color splash":

Had the speedlight with yellow cellophane bounce of the wall from the side unintentionally. (Yes, cellophane. Coz I'm cheap resourceful like that.) I was too lazy to turn it off and I thought it wouldn't have an effect. BUT IT DID, in a good way. And I'm glad I was lazy otherwise I wouldn't have discovered this effect.

:)

* I think I'm finally done with Chritmas Shopping. THANK GOD :)

SOMEONE PLEASE

SOMEONE PLEASE DOWNLOAD THIS SHOW FOR ME I BEG YOU!!!

 It's like a reality search show for the best glee club in America. (And I don't/haven't even watched GLEE but will during the Christmas break now that season 1 is done. wohoo!)

 

 
(these are just some of the awesomeness you can expect!)

For those of you who know me well, you know that I don't like downloading shows especially when they're not yet done. Ok, I don't like downloading PERIOD. I prefer to watch them on DVD or copy someone's files. hehe :D So this show is no exception. So I beg of you, please please pretty please download this and let me copy afterwards :)

merry merry

This year just might be my merriest Christmas ever even if nothing extraordinary happened. When I think about it this might even be the most broke I've ever been for Christmas but I'm still smiling. Really? Yes! I may have spent my money buying gifts for the people I love and care about but it brings me joy to do so (even if it hurts the wallet). I don't know how to explain it but there just comes a great feeling in giving, especially when it's done wholeheartedly. I guess the saying "It's better to give than to receive" really is true.

Looking at how the year went, I just love how it turned out for many reasons. I don't think I've ever felt like this normal happy during Christmas for a long time. Well, aside from it being my Christmas break already, I'm through with one of my most crappy terms in school. You have no idea how much  I COULDN'T wait for the term end, I loathed it! And now that it's over, I'm very much looking forward to the next one. I don't know what's up with me but I'm just so excited for next year that I cannot wait for it to start! So much to look forward to. Next year will be a great year. I just know it. I can feel it.

This year I

- started a blog that I enjoy

- got a new dslr (my baby d90)
- explored beyond my orbit

- met new amazing friends (shout out to Lola P!)

- went to 2 new places (Japan & Guam)

- did stuff I've never done (shop in an ukay2x, ride a jeep alone, binondo adventure, etc.)
- other stuff I forgot

Next year I will

- secret

- secret

- secret

:)

Other reasons why I'm merry:

1. Got an early Christmas gift (Topman bag that I got to choose. Yey! New school bag for next term!)

2. Found really neat Ukay-Ukay stuff (3 branded tops at Php 200 each)

 L-R: DKNY, U2, Marks & Spencer
Here they are left to dry on the chairs after I "boiled" them.

3. Had an awesome Christmas get together last Tuesday (Dec. 15) with some really awesome friends.
Oh, Whistlestop and Distillery equals  :) and <3
Flavored beer FTW!
:D

My Real Christmas Wishlist 2009

So what I really really want for Christmas this year is very simple and quite inexpensive really.
If you compare my list this year to the one last year, this year it's much shorter and realistic. So here it goes.

1. Old School Alarm Clock

2. Wrist Rest

(Doesn't have to be these bread ones. Any will do.)

3. Small Plant (preferably a hydro culture one)

Simple right?

:)

Terry Terry Terry

After watching these videos, I have a greater appreciation and respect for Terry's work. His aesthetic might seem simple but that is only because he wants the focus to be on his subject. Sure anyone can take a snapshot or a picture like his. But not everyone can show the personalities of their subjects like he can. Not everyone can get their subjects to do the crazy things he asks them to. And that is what sets him apart. That is what makes him different.

:)

Tools of Terry

Here are some pictures of Terry Richardson shooting for Pirelli's 2010 Calendar.

We see him using a Nikon and a speed light (only???). This guy is a genius!

via: touchpuppet

Pop Art: Paul Frank + Bananas

Back when I was in fourth year high school, we were tasked to do a pop art painting for art class. I chose to do Paul Frank's mascot cause... well, I liked the monkey, looked fun and pop. I really enjoyed painting this and it's one of my favorites. I just wanted to post this because, well... I just wanted to share this with you guys. Christmas is a time of giving and sharing. Hahaha :))

(Poster color on 1 whole illustration board)

Speaking of Christmas, I did a little Christmas shopping with some friends today and was successful at it! Crossed at least half my list. Just a little more. So tired and drained, physically, mentally, and monetarily! Those unfit in all 3 aspects should really just consider staying at home where it is safe. But to those who dare, give it some serious thought before you do anything. Remember, there are risks involved and you could really get yourself hurt. It is a battle out there I tell you. (Christmas) shopping should seriously be considered an extreme sport. It's not as easy as it looks. HAHAHA!!! :))

Hope your Christmas shopping is going just as well or better yet, I hope you're done!
:D

Photo Project #2 & #3 Teaser

While I'm working out the kinks on these projects, here are some raw photos of what to expect :)

And oh! I think I'm going to have the best Christmas of my life! Can't say why yet, I might jinx it. Wish me luck!

Lots to look forward to this coming year!

:)

*Edit: OMG OMG OMG !!! Just realized, this is my 100th post! wohoo! to another hundred and more! :D

Art Project #1: Painting of Elsa Benítez

In honor of my blog's half-birthday, I decided to paint something for "it" (lol). I have been longing to paint for so long now especially having seen the inspiring works of Danny Roberts. But I never found time/motivation/inspiration to do so. Well today, I finally sat down and painted, and it felt so good to be holding a brush again. I am no Da Vinci, Van Gogh, or Picasso, but I just enjoy painting. Back in my elementary and high school days, Art class was definitely one of my favorite subjects. HERE are some past works.

Today, I was wondering what/who to paint. Being very inspired by Danny Roberts, I thought why not paint a portrait of a model. But who? So many to choose from. I was thinking of all the models I knew, and trying to think of magazine covers/editorials they were in. Then a lightbulb switched on in my head. I decided to Google for a model whose birthday was also today being that it's my blog's half-birthday today. So I Googled and voila! Elsa Benítez from Mexico is the lucky winner. From what I read in her biography, she's not just a model but a SUPERmodel. She started her career after winning a model search competition in 1995 and has since appeared on various fashion magazines. She's been on the pages of Vogue, Cosmopolitan and Elle to name a few. Today, she turns 32.

I looked through her galleries to find a photo I would base my painting on. As you can see below I chose a simple black and white portrait of her. It was the best easy portrait I could do. I'm a little rusty from not painting for so long so... yeah.

Here's my painting:

Medium: Poster Color on Sketch Paper

I didn't follow it exactly as you can see. I just couldn't help it, I really wanted to use my gold paint. And yes, I realize I messed up her right cheek. But I think it works (or not). Did this in 1-2 hrs?. Anyways, I hope my next one will be better. I need more practice.  Hehehe :)

What ya guys think?

:)

Happy 1st Half-Birthday!

Today marks my blog's 1st half-birthday. That's just a fancy way of saying 6 months old... got it from watching one of the episodes of 90210 Season 1. For the past 6 months this has been my baby, my life, my project and I'm a very proud papa. I can't believe I was able to make it last for this long. Knowing me, when nothing's at stake, I easily get lazy and bored then I usually move on to the next thing. This is really quite an accomplishment for me. I know it's nothing huge like getting the nobel prize or something, but in my books, this is one of the few things I'm proud of. I owe my little "success" to the movie Julie & Julia and the deal a friend and I made because of that movie. Read about it HERE.

 

Reading my old entries, I realized how far my blog has come along in the span of 6 months. My content has been continually evolving and now I actually have readers. Not much, but enough to keep me blogging. As you guys have/have not read, I currently have 2 little blog "projects": the Photo Projects and Comic Book Adventures. Though I only have 1 entry for each so far, I'm adding yet another "project", the Art Project, which I will blog about in the next post. So I guess my blog is no longer limited to photography but anything creative. Which makes perfect sense with my blog's name/title appropriately called Creative Pursuit. I am in a continuous pursuit for/of anything creative.

*Raises a glass of wine* Here's to another 6 months! Cheers!

:)

Origin of the word "POSH"

The story goes that the more well-to-do passengers travelling to and from India used to have POSH written against their bookings, standing for 'Port Out, Starboard Home' (indicating the more desirable cabins, on the shady side of the ship). Unfortunately, this story did not make its appearance until the 1930s, when the term had been in use for some twenty years, and the word does not appear to have been recorded in the form 'P.O.S.H.', which would be expected if it had originated as an abbreviation. Despite exhaustive enquiries by the late Mr George Chowdharay-Best, researcher for the OED, including interviews with former travellers and inspection of shipping company documents, no supporting evidence has been found.

Source

Deck the Halls

Ladies and Gentlemen, It's really officially December. Like really. OMG. Last time I checked, my calendar was still November. How fast time flies. How did it go by just like that? It's like I didn't even notice. It's as if as though it sneaked in from behind. Anyways, this means that Christmas break is not far behind. (YEY) But this also means panic Christmas shopping for those who haven't started yet =O .... like me! hahaha!

In celebration of the Season I decided to modify my banner to make it more festive as you can see at the very top. Nothing major or anything. With that, I'd just like to greet everyone in advanced.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I hope you guys had a good run this year! And if not, there's always next year!

:)

IDOL!!!

Truly one of my photo idols! I super duper love his style. He is one of my inspirations. One of the many reasons why I got into photography. And he worked with freaking ANDY WARHOL?! OMG! I bow down to him! Hail King LaChapelle! And Warhol of course! :)

Christmas Wish List 2009

I was supposed to do this post yesterday to kick off the 1st day of December but got a little busy with some school work. This isn't the first time I'm making a Christmas wish list and it won't be the last. Not that making one is of any use. It's more of just for me so I can see all that I have to save up for in one list. It's more convenient that way. HAHA.

Looking at the Christmas Wish List I made last year, the first one I posted online, I realized how far fetched most of my wishes were. I'd have to be super duper lucky to get most, if any of them. The more realistic ones I still want though. That would be a plant for my condo and a pet Siamese fighting fish.

And because I haven't been able to window shop lately and make a list of more realistic gifts my friends could actually get me, for now, I will post my "A boy can dream" wishlist. Most of which are photo books of genius photographers.

David LaChapelle

Mario Testino

Helmut Newton


Patrick Demarchelier


Richard Avedon


Absolut


Vogue


Other books



And my MUST HAVE!


If you want to make a little boy happy this Christmas, click on this LINK and buy it for him :)

P.S. The books with the special frame around them are the next priorities right after my must have book. Not that it matters or not that you care. hahaha :P