Filters, Anyone?

Who likes using filters in their photos? Digital filters are basically just effects applied to a photo, with the intention either to emulate the colors, contrast and tones of certain film formats or to add some new artsy effect.


It was one not so busy afternoon in my workplace and I happened to have my camera in hand. It's not often that I use the other modes in the camera dial so I thought I'd try it out.

The original shot. Dull, depressing and boring. At least for me.

Adding some Pop Art effect makes it more colorful than it really is.

I can't really put my finger on it, but there's something about the
Grainy Film effect that I find appealing. Maybe it's the simplicity and contrast.
Or maybe that's just me.

Pinhole Effect. This adds some vignetting and makes the picture resemble something that comes out from Holga or Lomo or other toy cameras. This is actually among my favorite effects.

Miniature Effect adds additional blurs to the parts you're not focused on. This effectively makes it look and feel like (you guessed it) an image of a miniature model.

Cross Process effect actually makes the colors look all weird. But it still has a toy camera appeal to it. Cross processing came to be when folks started processing films using chemicals intended to a different type of film. A better explanation can be found here.

Sepia effect isn't entirely that impressive, but its appeal is timeless.

This effect is something that I found common among Olympus mirrorless cameras. It's called Dramatic Effect. It does look fairly dramatic with added blacks on the outlines. But sometimes, it just doesn't look appropriate the shot. Like this one for example.

I'm rather thankful that my camera has Filter Bracketing. it allows me to make multiple filtered outputs from just one shot... Because half the time I can't make up my mind which filter to use. (And I don't like spending to much time post-processing my images. That's just me.)

Filters, Anyone?

Who likes using filters in their photos? Digital filters are basically just effects applied to a photo, with the intention either to emulate the colors, contrast and tones of certain film formats or to add some new artsy effect.


It was one not so busy afternoon in my workplace and I happened to have my camera in hand. It's not often that I use the other modes in the camera dial so I thought I'd try it out.

The original shot. Dull, depressing and boring. At least for me.

Adding some Pop Art effect makes it more colorful than it really is.

I can't really put my finger on it, but there's something about the
Grainy Film effect that I find appealing. Maybe it's the simplicity and contrast.
Or maybe that's just me.

Pinhole Effect. This adds some vignetting and makes the picture resemble something that comes out from Holga or Lomo or other toy cameras. This is actually among my favorite effects.

Miniature Effect adds additional blurs to the parts you're not focused on. This effectively makes it look and feel like (you guessed it) an image of a miniature model.

Cross Process effect actually makes the colors look all weird. But it still has a toy camera appeal to it. Cross processing came to be when folks started processing films using chemicals intended to a different type of film. A better explanation can be found here.

Sepia effect isn't entirely that impressive, but its appeal is timeless.

This effect is something that I found common among Olympus mirrorless cameras. It's called Dramatic Effect. It does look fairly dramatic with added blacks on the outlines. But sometimes, it just doesn't look appropriate the shot. Like this one for example.

I'm rather thankful that my camera has Filter Bracketing. it allows me to make multiple filtered outputs from just one shot... Because half the time I can't make up my mind which filter to use. (And I don't like spending to much time post-processing my images. That's just me.)

Heavenly Moon Cutter!

Okay not really... It was one of those rare nights that the moon was low. I'm always a sucker for night photography.

It's one of those rare nights that I see the moon hovering low over the skyline.

I liked the shot but the moon looked nothing more than a yellow blob. So I focused on getting the moon instead...

150mm w/ 2x digital tele (600mm 135 equivalent), f/5.6, 1/40

The moon was too small for my taste... I guess I have to use something that reaches farther...

500mm (1000mm 135 equivalent) f/8, 1/1250

That's better. Not bad for a hand held shot on a manual focus lens I guess. It's not very sharp though. Cheap mirror reflex lenses aren't exactly exotic super tele lenses. But they do the job in this case.

Heavenly Moon Cutter!

Okay not really... It was one of those rare nights that the moon was low. I'm always a sucker for night photography.

It's one of those rare nights that I see the moon hovering low over the skyline.

I liked the shot but the moon looked nothing more than a yellow blob. So I focused on getting the moon instead...

150mm w/ 2x digital tele (600mm 135 equivalent), f/5.6, 1/40

The moon was too small for my taste... I guess I have to use something that reaches farther...

500mm (1000mm 135 equivalent) f/8, 1/1250

That's better. Not bad for a hand held shot on a manual focus lens I guess. It's not very sharp though. Cheap mirror reflex lenses aren't exactly exotic super tele lenses. But they do the job in this case.

Not Just Another Dinner - It's a Discovery Of Something I Fancy

What comprises a dinner? Where I'm from that would usually mean rice and a viand. But for others like me who prefer something interestingly different that means anything random that catches my attention... And plus points if it has a memento that goes with it.

I went on an errand not too long ago and found myself unable (read: unwilling) to delve into the traffic jam that's typical on a Friday night. Going home will have to wait then... Sitting in a car is out of the question so instead I chose to walk around the nearby building with this café. It was a bit expensive but it wasn't crowded, and that appealed to me.

When I got in the staff greeted me in Nihongo, which was quaint for me since the decor of the place didn't appear Japanese. I randomly opened the menu and picked what appeared appealing to me. While waiting I passed the time making phone calls to family and "reporting in". Shortly after the attendant returned with what I asked for.

French Toast Tower and Iced Coffee

So what makes this interesting? And memorable for me? At first glance the Choco French Toast looks like tofu. It blows my mind that during the whole meal that my eyes registers it as tofu and my taste buds can't find any tofu but in its place is French toast. I like the crunchy texture too, by the way. 

The mocha-like drink on the left is actually iced coffee. They call it UCC Iced Sumiyaki. Personally it's among the better ones I tasted. I like how they provided you syrup instead of powdered sugar as a sweetener. 

Overall I'm satisfied with their fare. After my meal I relaxed a bit for a while and enjoyed the ambiance. And for the Nihongo greeting? I later found out that UCC stands for "UESHIMA COFFEE COMPANY".

... That figures. I'll probably try their pasta next time.

Not Just Another Dinner - It's a Discovery Of Something I Fancy

What comprises a dinner? Where I'm from that would usually mean rice and a viand. But for others like me who prefer something interestingly different that means anything random that catches my attention... And plus points if it has a memento that goes with it.

I went on an errand not too long ago and found myself unable (read: unwilling) to delve into the traffic jam that's typical on a Friday night. Going home will have to wait then... Sitting in a car is out of the question so instead I chose to walk around the nearby building with this café. It was a bit expensive but it wasn't crowded, and that appealed to me.

When I got in the staff greeted me in Nihongo, which was quaint for me since the decor of the place didn't appear Japanese. I randomly opened the menu and picked what appeared appealing to me. While waiting I passed the time making phone calls to family and "reporting in". Shortly after the attendant returned with what I asked for.

French Toast Tower and Iced Coffee

So what makes this interesting? And memorable for me? At first glance the Choco French Toast looks like tofu. It blows my mind that during the whole meal that my eyes registers it as tofu and my taste buds can't find any tofu but in its place is French toast. I like the crunchy texture too, by the way. 

The mocha-like drink on the left is actually iced coffee. They call it UCC Iced Sumiyaki. Personally it's among the better ones I tasted. I like how they provided you syrup instead of powdered sugar as a sweetener. 

Overall I'm satisfied with their fare. After my meal I relaxed a bit for a while and enjoyed the ambiance. And for the Nihongo greeting? I later found out that UCC stands for "UESHIMA COFFEE COMPANY".

... That figures. I'll probably try their pasta next time.

A Memorial to Everyone Who Died Today but Wasn’t Famous | Thought Catalog

They were like you and me. They merely didn't have any fame but nonetheless they are no less than  those we hear so much about. May they rest in peace.
A Memorial to Everyone Who Died Today but Wasn’t Famous | Thought Catalog

A Memorial to Everyone Who Died Today but Wasn’t Famous | Thought Catalog

They were like you and me. They merely didn't have any fame but nonetheless they are no less than  those we hear so much about. May they rest in peace.
A Memorial to Everyone Who Died Today but Wasn’t Famous | Thought Catalog

Now That We're Over

I wish you well,
I wish you the best.
I wish you all things better
than what I can ever offer.
Live long and prosper.