Through a Lens, Clearly

New Year’s Resolution–

With 2010 just around the corner, today’s column starts off with my new year’s resolution that some readers may also like to consider doing. And that is: to shoot a photo every day starting January 1 till December 31. On any theme or subject. It could be a portrait, a social event, a still life composition, a landscape, a night shot, a natural phenomenon, an experimental shot, another vain self-portrait, etc.

Raffy Paredes

Why shoot everyday? First, to challenge my creativity. Second, to provide myself the opportunity to really understand what my camera can do. And third, to just get better at taking pictures, hopefully! As many photographers will say: to learn how to shoot well, you must shoot, and then shoot some more.

For those fond of uploading images online, you may want to visit http://shuttercal.com to help you in keeping with your resolution. Shuttercal is a free, calendar-based project that encourages the user to upload a daily image. The images are presented in thumbnails on a monthly calendar. Just click on a date to view the whole photo.

And now to our featured readers.

Vermont Coronel, pinhole photo and solargraph artist, shares a recent solargraph exposed from July 6 to December 18, 2009. Vermont uses cans as homemade pinhole cameras that he positions in various areas to catch the sun’s movement on photo paper or film. He was to open three other cans on Dec. 22, the winter solstice – the day when all those who are doing solargraphs “across the planet are going to end their exposures,” he says. Vermont advises that anyone who wants to try solargraph exposure should start on their project also when the sun is at its southernmost point. This cycle (which started on December 22) will end on June 21, 2010, the summer solstice. More of Vermont’s work can be seen at www.xvrx.blogspot.com and www.lenslessimages.blogspot.com.

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Mhor Pelagio of San Jose, Nueva Ecija sent in his photos taken for the Yuletide holidays. “We don’t have a big Christmas tree so I decided to shoot these Christmas decors on top of the white cartolina to give the look that I want. I then made adjustments sa Photshop para ma-achieve yung perfect white na background” he shares.

From Cavite, Jhunelle Sardido writes that his photo, “The Tribute” refers to the sad event of the passing of our beloved President Cory Aquino, and also to the survivors of the disastrous typhoons that followed. “I dedicate this photo to them and to their loved ones who passed away, and to bring hope to our countrymen” says Jhunelle.

Maria Jesusa Laakso, a previous contributor who has been living in Finland since 2005 says that she still uses her point-and-shoot. “Some things never change,” she writes. “I still read your articles and I’m still using my old camera. Most of the hobbyists I know have upgraded to DSLR, but as for me, I still don’t see the need to upgrade. My camera still works, it still can produce good images that make people wonder how on earth could such quality be possible when it’s ‘just a point-and-shoot camera’”. Maria shares macro photos taken from her garden in Kerimäki, Finland.

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