Through a Lens, Clearly!

Google fun--

This one’s not about photography but I thought it would still be fun to share with readers. It’s about the tricks that can be done on the Google search page by typing the right words. If you type “do a barrel roll” on the search bar then hit the search icon, the whole page turns clockwise. If you type “askew” then hit the search icon, the page goes, well, askew. Type “epic google” then go to the first result. The font on Epic Google just gets bigger and bigger. Then type in “weenie google” and go to the first result for the opposite effect. Google Earth has a flight simulator which you can access by clicking on Tools, then Flight Simulator. In Google Docs, open a spreadsheet and if you press Shift+F12, a message will pop up announcing “Dragon slain! Congratulations, you’ve slain the dragon!” And in most Gmail folders, a one-line advertisement sits above every e-mail list. But if you go into your Spam folder, you’ll read an actual Spam recipe. (From au.ibtimes.com) I recently got the Spam Primavera recipe.

Raffy Paredes

And now to our featured readers and their photos.

Michael Cornel Capuyon, nicknamed Mash and also known as Mash Box Photography writes that he’s still new in photography. However, friends say that they like the photos he posts on Facebook. Michael says that he likes shooting people more than anything else because he easily relates with the emotions portrayed by his subjects. “I’m happy when I’m able to capture that unique moment that is uniquely for that person and you can easily say that it’s a true feeling, it’s like being a paparazzi but with a bit of art,” he shares. Michael sent in an untitled photo showing a couple in love.

From San Pablo City, Dr. Vency Manalo, MD writes: “I acquired my first Canon SLR last 2008, enrolled myself at FPPF and joined Kodakero Lakwatchero, a small group of new photographers who graduated last April 2009 from FPPF. We love to see different places here in the Philippines and capture the beauty with our camera.” Vency was in Turkey last October 13, and while in traffic on the Bosphorus bridge in Istanbul, clicked a photo as the sun was setting.

Also sharing a photo for the first time is John Allen Lino of Novaliches, Quezon City. “I just want to take pictures anywhere,” he says. John sent in the photo titled “Smiles.”

Completing the list of contributors to our column today are seven previously featured readers.

Carla Reyes says she was inspired by the 2005 movie, The Family Stone to send in an untitled photo of a little girl hugging the tummy of a very pregnant woman.

Dexter LA. Bautista’s photo titled “Carrot Rock” was taken in Bakun, Benguet. “The white cross at the peak of the Carrot Rock can only be reached by passing through the summit of Mt. Tenglawan. When we went there last July, it was raining and we were lucky that the fog cleared for a very brief time… just enough to take this snapshot,” he writes.

John Ladera of Makati Medical Center shares that his favorite line is “A great photograph is a full expression of what one feels about what is being photographed in the deepest sense, and is, thereby, a true expression of what one feels about life in its entirety.” He sent in a beach photo taken in San Juan, La Union last summer.

John Paul Sandicho took a photo of two kids in their neighborhood hamming it up for the camera (“Acting”).

Larry Martin “El-em” Gabion accompanies his photo of a clownfish (“I See Nemo”) with the prayer: “May Nemo reach our hearts and minds, and paint a thousand words.”

Maynard Rabanal shares the result of his attempt at high-speed photography. His water-drop shot is titled “I Am Aqua.”

Sherwin Bonifacio sent in an untitled photo from a session with the Bataan Light Catchers featuring models in body paint.

For comment, suggestions or just to share an image or idea, email rfyparedes@yahoo.com