STREET OF ONGPIN | TWO

Even grunge surfaces can turn into interesting textures, you see :)

See the first set here.

NEW LEAF BOOK CAFE IN BLACK AND WHITE | TWO

I knew that my Pentax KX has a busted light meter but still bought it anyway because from my experience in using a camera that has got one, I found shooting with a light meter less efficient. I believe exposure still lies in personal preference, and it's wonderful when you think about it that way, because you get to see how diverse and dynamic shooting with film can truly be.

I think shooting with black and white film gives you more liberty than any other because it is, again, very forgiving when it comes to exposure. This set has both under and over exposed shots which gives room for a relatively-newbie like me to still learn and study setting proper exposure.

View the first set here.

TO SHOOT PEOPLE

These photos are still from the fun shoot I did with Q at UP Diliman last November. I usually say that I'm always more comfortable in shooting objects and scenery, but I often find myself drawn to capturing facial and body expressions/angles. I would really like to try to learn and shoot people properly, only with my camera of course :D

AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED

Khaled Hosseini's latest book took a different path for me compared to his previous releases that I've read, The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns -- which both ripped my heart apart. The setting moved a lot, almost every chapter, which inevitably made it hard for me to focus and invest only into one character. Of course it didn't take away the fact that it is still a good story, and that Mr. Hosseini is still one of the best story-tellers that I've come to know. His choice of words are simple and relatable, yet so perfect and skilled in fleshing out the emotions present in the story, one thing that is truly admirable.

It's a funny thing, but most people mostly have it backward. They think they live by what they want. But really, what guides them is what they're afraid of. What they don't want.

BETWEEN YOU AND ME

June 8, 2014. The seven-year spell has finally been broken.

Years ago, when blogs only meant people's online diaries, it has been my go-to act to carefully disguise my thoughts and feelings through words. I have mastered ciphering them with a thin veil that it would be hidden in a stranger's eye at once, but still discernible to my memory should I decide to revisit them. I would write letter and post entries to an anonymous, indirect person with confidence and security that they will never get to the intended receiver, ever -- even it could save and vindicate me in the future.

But the universe kids me again, of course. Life happened, and as much as I wanted to keep the words that naturally became my allies -- my gems in protecting my feelings, I should have been smarter enough to know that eventually these words will land on its rightful owner.

My words had been lost for a while, but slowly they've found their way home. And now, must I say that I wouldn't have it any other way :)