Photo Class with Jun Aves

I had my first "formal" photography class last Saturday, June 28. Jun Aves, one of the country's top cinematographers, led the Photography 101 class at the Victory Center. Finally, I understood apperture, shutter speed, white balance, and all that jazz. Now, how to put it into practice... I think I need more classes for that. Haha. I'm still stuck with the presets (Auto, Apperture Priority, Speed Priority and Macro) and I'm still not sure how to tweak the settings of the SLR. I need more lessons!! ^___^ For now, I guess I'm sticking with the point-and-shoot. At least with my Cybershot, I take better gig pics :P

To share with you the pics from our class, here are some shots taken with and without flash. See the differences in WB as well ;)

Group mid shot in warm light (and red nila no? hehe)

Group mid shot WITH flash

Still shot with shallow DOF, tunsgten WB

Take 2 on the still shot, with flash

I hope they'll hold the next class soon. Excited na ko! ^__^

First time ko...

... magpa-lumbar X-ray kanina. I was a bit freaked out because I went there alone. My lower back has been aching for the past 3 weeks but I was too scared to find out why. Recently though, the pain was getting worse so I finally decided to have it checked. There's this tiny protruding thing on my spine kasi... I refuse to think it's a slipped disk. Or whatever. I don't even know what is yet. waaah! Kung kelan naman gusto ko surfing! Ayoko magka braces sa likod!! (okay, I'm freaking out. I'm really freaking out...)

Breathe in... breathe out...

Shucks, kakaloka. I read this from this site:

With treatment, most people recover. It can take a long time. Treatments include rest, pain and anti-inflammatory medicines, physical therapy and sometimes surgery. Losing weight can help, too.

Losing weight? Hanu ba, natira na naman pagka-chubbilita ko. Kaasar! hahaha. Paano ako makakalose ng weight e pinagbawalan na ko ng doctor mag-gym? Bleh... as if naman naggi-gym, hahaha!

Anyways, please help me pray. Sana maging okay yung makuha kong results tomorrow :)

How to maximize your weekend :D

Friday:
Leave the office early, head out to Hard Rock Cafe. Meet up with friends (kahit indianero yung iba, calling Yvonne and Chris!) and enjoy the Side A music!

Drool over the guitarist as he sings "Always Be My Baby" while you're at it :P

Saturday:
Go home at ~1am, pack your stuff and sleep at 2am. Get up at 3am, then meet up with Aileen and Mela at McDo Banawe at 430am. We're going to Zambales!! :D Breakfast at NLEX, arrive at Crystal Beach by ~9am.

Surfing at 1-2pm! Make sure you apply several layers of sunblock, kahit parang wala ring effect (we no like skin cancer :P). Super duper fun!!! I was able to stand several times at my first session, I'm so proud of myself :D hahaha... Thanks to Kuya Rex for patiently teaching me.

Snooze time: 4pm to 7pm at the JohnEva Resort. Dinner at Green Cab Pizza, then do a little road trip (actually, we got lost on the way to Canoe, hehe. Peace Carlos :P). Magpatalo ng Php40 sa In-Between card game with Anna, Aileen, Mela and Andrew. Magpatalo uli sa Pusoy Dos at uminom ng cocktails prepared by the MDO peeps :P I want copies of Mela's pics!! hehe.. Sleep uli at ~2am, then wake up at 630am.

Sunday:
Head off to Crytal Beach Resort for another round of surfing!!! Swim-swim muna till ~10:30 while waiting for our turn. Brunch at the resort's uber bagal kitchen, then surfing uli at 12:30!! Love it!! I think we surfed for ~2hrs, e dapat 1hr/session lang. Anyways, okay lang. Super okay lang!

Late lunch at Dude's Pizza, then go to Canoe's again - this time, for island hopping! We were supposed to go to 2 islands, but we stayed in Capones Island instead. I guess we really enjoyed the beach and "cemetery-making" kaya we didn’t notice the time J

Leave Capones at 5:30, shower at Canoe's, then drive back home. Dinner at Kenny's sa NLEX (yummy yung kiwi smoothie), then then be home by ~11pm.

LESSONS LEARNED
1. Get a tight-fitting rash guard, and wear “heavy duty” swimsuit underneath. I swear, super hassle ng clothes that do not stay put.. lalo na kung laging wipe out, haha.
2. Learn how to prioritize. Punta ng gig ng Friday or next week na lang? 430am ang alis or 9am na lang for Zambales? Surfing or island hopping? So many things to enjoy, so little time. :P
3. Bring a beach bag. It’s hard to keep all the necessities wrapped in a sarong.
4. From Kuya Vergel, the surfing instructor: Mag-gym na kasi!! Hahaha, ang kulit mo Manong!! I’ll make sure you’ll eat your words when we return. Magpupush up na ko!!
5. Ask friends to take pics while you surf. Para naman may cool kang pic pag-uwi :P
6. Magbaon ng Alaxan when you go to work the following day. Magpa-home service na rin ng massage :P