Looking at it...

In a positive light... I know I am right. Pitty those who thinks otherwise.

Losing it...

Lately, I have been feeling uneasy and restless. There were times that I cannot function. Lost and with no direction, I was walking for hours trying to figure out what to do. Went home, opened my notebook and stared at the screen for hours. Tried processing a couple of photos, but to my dissmay, the results were unlikely of me.

I lost the drive. I lost the eagerness. For the Nth time I found myself in the same predicament. To proceed or not too. To say somethin, or to shut up. To see or to forcefully blind myself. To these I have no answer.

I have goals to reach. I want to achieve something. I want to excel. I want to make myself special. Something that would differentiate me from the rest. Yes, I am trying to prove that I am good. I know I am. But good things doesn't come my way. For some reason, all are against me. I am a lone wanderer, traveling down the winding road which leads to nowhere.

I am glad I have my friends. My friends who have accepted me for what I am. Who has stuck with me inspite of my imperfections. Who saved me a couple of times. Who welcomed me open arms. Who hugged me closely, tightly.



There's no need for me to change. I am perfect. I am good. I am who I am. God made me this way.

Thank you Lord.

Bad boy gets the girl

So go f*** your self good boy. You ain't gettin' nothin'.

Bad boy, bad boy... watcha gonna do?

Bad boy

Bad boys watcha gon, watcha gon, watcha gonna do?
When they sudedongdong come for you?
Let me! Whatcha wanna do?
When they come for you?
---

... good luck.

OSx installed

The idea came up when a buddy at PC-Experts told me that my laptop's chipset can run OSx natively. Did a lot of research at www.insanelymac.com. Found out that this is possible and it can be done. For weeks I was seriously contemplating on having the upgrade. But had not found time for it.

Then Regie (Admin/Owner of Pinoy Photography .ORG) by chance, showed me features of OS X that he found very useful as a photographer - Time machine, quick look, finder, spaces, etc.

Then I saw the video online. That was it. I had to get my hands on a copy and install Mac OS X Leopard on my Intel based notebook.

Here's a screenie of my 1st h@ckintosh:



Current OS X Version: 10.5.0
Lenovo 3000 G400
Mobile DualCore Intel Pentium T2130, 1866 MHz (14 x 133)
2038 MB (DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM)
Intel GMA 950 Video
Realtek ALC862 @ Intel 82801GBM ICH7-M
Optiarc DVD RW AD-7560A
WDC WD1200BEVS-22UST0 (120GB, IDE)

All is working great except for minor things which doesn't really bother me. I can still access the Web via Smart 3G, I have PS CS3 installed, the DVD writer is working, so as the card reader, USB, touchpad. The Firefox/Flickr uploader (plus other SW) are working fine. The basic things I did in my WinXP, can be done in OSX, but faster and the GUI looks better.

What's next: An upgrade to 10.5.2 and I need to get my self one WD My Book Studio Edition soon. I am running out of disk space!!!

Review: The All-in-one Nikkor - Part 1

Sometime January 2008, I was able to get a copy of a Nikon DX VR 18-200 mm F3.5-5.6G Zoom. This Nikkor standard zoom was first introduced November 2005. On a DX format digital SLR, it has an equivalent of 27 to 300 mm focal length. It boasts a silent wave motor for high speed focusing and Vibration Reduction II. It's solid, nicely built and yet light enough to bring in my backpacking trips. It came with a cool petal hood that helps lessen the chances of getting flares. The infamous lens/zoom creep that is associated with the 18-200 doesn't bother me much. At 18mm and 200mm, it doesn't creep. Adjust 1 mm, and it will. Some says it can be brought to any Nikon center for servicing, but eventually, over time, it will creep again.

When I started photography 2 years ago, having one was just a "dream". Starting at PhP 40,000 a piece, a hard to find glass (some had to wait for months), there was no way I could fit this is in my silly budget. I had to let go of this "dream lens" and got an Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S instead.

Then the 13th month bonus came....

After getting a good deal from a PiPho member (almost half the price), together with my buds Meng and Jama$$, we ventured out to Anawangin to do a field test using this "all-in-one" lens.

First few "pitiks" and got an amazing bokeh:



Saturation/Contrast

I felt I was in "Neverland", actually "Nikkorland". For newbie photographers like me, having a semi-pro lens, makes one's photography one step easier. The 18mm was wide enough for landscape/cityscapes (as what I am used to with my D70/s kit lens), the 200mm zoom gives me that stretch I need for paparazzi shots. It's ability to changing from wide to zoom in a matter of seconds (without changing lens) makes it one of the most versatile lens in the Nikkor line up.

Next: Field test samples

Review: The All-in-one Nikkor - Part 2

The key for travel photographers is "pack light, carry light, travel light". The additional weight and load will be a hindrance when hiking and travelling. Traditionally, one must have a wide and a mid-tele on 2 separate camera bodies. Or some carry 2 different lens and interchanges them while shooting. The first one adds up to one's load. The latter can prove cumbersome because dust particles can enter the camera and can ruin the outcome of your image. With one 18-200vr mounted on one camera, the photographer can concentrate more on shooting than worrying about dust and others.

Field tests:

Distortion

1/250", F8, ISO 100, Coudy WB,

As with my 18-70 (click for Ken Rockwell review), distortion is noticeable at 18mm wide, as seen on the above example (look at the horizon). As with other standard tele, zooming to 24mm can do the trick, though sacrificing the "wideness". Distortion can be easily corrected in post-processing. So for me, it's not really a major issue. I am saving up for the the AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED, which for me is best for landscape, it's UWA (Ultra Wide Angle) with almost no distortion.

Shooting indoor, architecture or anything that requires wide angle-shots, is a different story. You'd better be off using another lens.

Bokeh and sharpness

Both can be done in post-processing, but nothing beats the real thing. True or real bokeh when used properly can help isolate the subect and make it stand-out. Sharpness complements these types of shots. An isolated subject that is not sharp doesn't look right.

The AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED is the king of Nikkor High Power Zooms for me. It's built like a tank, as heavy as one, costs as much as one, but one hell of a sharp lens. With a fast-fixed 2.8 aperture, the 18-200 is generally no match. I was able to get my hands on one (borrowed) and took this shot below:

70-200vr @ F2.8


Here's a similar shot but taken with my 18-200vr.

18-200vr @5.6


The results maybe similar, but we can't arrive at the conclusion that the 18-200 is as sharp as the 70-200. The photos were taken on different days and time and both were pp'd (a bit) differently. What I am trying to share with you is that the 18-200vr is really sharp and produces nice bokeh. It performs very well on daylight and for me is the perfect lens for mountaineers/backpackers.

Next: Conclusion

Review: The All-in-one Nikkor - Part 3

My Conclusion

In reality an "all-in-one" lens is not possible. Each type of lens has its strenghts and weaknesses. There's not one perfect lens that has it all. Not that I know off. One is strong on one aspect, sacrificing another. As with the 18-200 vr, it's a "wide" and a "tele" in one lens package, but sacrificing speed with a 3.5-5.6 aperture, but compensated it with a vibration reduction. It produces sharp and contrasty images which I really like. It can make the subject stand-out easily with the proper execution of bokeh.



I like its solid built and light weight. The petal hood makes it look good - aesthetically and also serves its purposes against flare and can protect the lens from accidental bumps. The lens creep I can live with (as I have stated in the previous entries).

The distortion is tolerable at 18mm wide open, as I can correct it in post processing. The vignetting at 200mm can also be managed by stepping down 1 to 2 stops (or use photoshop's lens correction feature). The lens creep doesn't bother me, oh, I've said that already.

The Nikon 18-200 VR is one versatile lens that allows any traveller or backpacker to shoot wide and tele without the need to change lens. The Vibration Reduction helps to add 1-2 more f-stops for those low-lit situations. The VR works best for those 200mm paparazzi shots. With VR, the tripod stays at home.

It may not be the best Nikkor lens in the market. But for me, is the best lens for travel photographers who has to "pack light, carry light, travel light".

Cheers!

edwink

Anawangin... a Bora and Baguio in one

I've been to Anawangin 6 times. Twice this year. Yes, I am addicted to it. There's something different about the cove. Can't find the right words to describe place.

April 7 to 9, 2007


May 26-27, 2007


Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, 2007


December 29-30, 2007


January 20, 2008


and lastly... my website's header...

March 15-16, 2008


Anawangin... I will be back. Soon... when I'm ready.

Pa cute...

Holy Thursday, Bamboo Organ Church in Las Pinas.

Batangas Sunset Mood

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.” ... by Rabindranath Tagore

"then it was all taken from me... in an instant." ... by Edwin Karganilla

Paradise Island

Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort
Samal Island, Davao, Philippines
Jan. 26-27, 2008

A 5 minute bangka ride from mainland Davao, Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort lies west side of Samal Island. The family owned resort caters to day trippers, overnight and even back-packers who spend the night camped-out on the beach. It's the cleanest resort I've been too. The staff were very kind and courteous. I was treated like a VIP. Panalo!

"Paradise", as most would call the resort, targets Class A, B and C. Most of the regular guests comes from the mainland. Seldom do they have visitors from abroad and outside Davao city. Early risers comes in the morning, and then have breakfast in the restaurant, then leaves Paradise to go about their regular day at work or at school. Due to the proximity of the isalnd, it is possible to have your lunch break in the resort, and have enough time to go back to work. The menu has a wide variety of choices, from seafood, bbq's, vegetables to Paella - the house specialty. There is no videoke in the resort, which I really like. There's really no nightlife n the resort, but you can order beer and watch the sunset with Mt. Apo in the background.

It was such a treat for me. I needed the break. A vacation, then you get to shoot, all for free.

I want to do this full time! Waaaahh!!!

Stampang Bato

A new workflow in progress. Got some "not so good" feedback. Trying to create my own, playing with High-Pass, Shadows/Highlights and USM. A good image in my own opinion, but probably needs more work.

It's a work in progress. What do you expect? Lolz.

Wawa Dam

Found in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains in Montalban Province of Rizal, The Wawa Dam offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains and of course a chance to have a dip in the cold gushing waters. One can't help but wonder how long it took for the river to carve its way down the mountains making a permanent scar on this part of the world. The dam is our jump-off point going to our final destination Stampang bato, which is about an hour trek away.

A little introduction...

Self portrait (Note: Camera not mine. Lolz...)



My name is Edwin. I'm a self confessed internet addict. Most of my internet buddies know me as edwink. I originally thought of that handle when I was signing up for www.pcx.com.ph - the forum portion of the PC Express website. I pronounced it as edwin-k (as with my idols, Francis M, Garry V, not the comedian Allan K lolz), but people quickly termed me as ed-wink (wink). So I had to follow and now people call me ed-wink.

If you happen to see the handle edwink, chances are that's me. And to lay it all down, here's where I hang out... those I remember joining... lolz...
PC-Experts.Org - PIONEER Member and an Expert
PinoyPhotography.Org - Section Moderator
TipidPC.com - member

My galleries:
Multiply.com
Flickr.com

I tried fashion, have not failed yet, but have not improved also. Lolz...
ModelMayhem.com

I have so many things to work on. So many things to learn.
So please bear with me. I'm working on it. Will get there. Soon. :D

Beetles Invades Quezon City

April 6, 2008, I found myself in the middle of Quezon Avenue right beneath an overpass. I was amazed by the shear number of Volkswagen beetles, vans, brazillia's, who joined the parade trying to achieve a world record with the number of VW's in a parade at one time.

Goodbye and welcome...

After almost 5 years of using Blogdrive, I have finally decided to move my world. It will take a while for me to get used to the new GUI and control panel. But just after an hour of using Blogspot, I have to admit that I find it very user friendly and I am very impressed with the speed, ease of use and faster loading time.

Goodbye http://zane.blogdrive.com

Welcome to http://www.edwinkarganilla.com

Thanks to my shooting buddy Mon (who is also the grandest of all BI's - bad influence), I now have my own domain. No regrets, as it is long overdue and got a very good deal from GoDaddy.com.

I'm posting this photo which is one of my entries in last month's MPC (Monthly Photo Contest). Though not really a "Holy week" photo (but I did take the picture on Holy Thursday - Bamboo Organ Church, Las Pinas), I am very much pleased with the results as it was included in the top 20 which represented our club to the FPPF PWC for the month of March. So lame, yet I admit, I was so happy, being able to land a spot in the top 20. What more if it was top 20 of the PWC MPC for the month! That's my goal!



New host, new domain. Same photography, but trying to be better.

Cheers!
edwink