Getting sharp images with your Digital Camera
The past few days, in which I had been preoccupied with documentation and taking digital photos of people and places, taught me a little bit about how to get sharp images with a digital camera. Every photographer I think, wants to have that clear, realistic image that almost pops out of the film/print. And we often spend hours sometimes setting-up our equipment, just to botch things up at the last minute because of a trifle trouble (loved that word).
Most people I encountered and asked to shot a picture of me, would often say they aren’t really that good at taking pictures (even if it’s just point and shoot). To be frank, everyone’s got a talent at taking pictures. It’s only because they don’t have enough experience that they tend to take poor photos.
Among the problems encountered by photographers, these are the four most common that tend to produce awful, blurry, unfocused shots. I provided solutions (based on my experiences) on how to overcome these and capture that perfect shot you desperately wanted.
Read this Booger article here. 
People’s Palace
I was intrigued by this place when I first chanced upon it. It had tall glass doors and white interiors. It exuded an aura of a fine dining establishment that it is no surprise I have not had a chance to try it until now.
An officemate suggested the place because our first choice to go to for lunch was unfortunately packed during that day. I was excited partly because I have never been to the place and partly because it was late and we hadn’t eaten yet. When I heard though that it served Thai food, my enthusiasm toned down. You see I am really not a fan of curry or spicy food and we all know Thai is abundant in those types of dishes.
Kids grow up so fast
My son’s school uses a school notebook to communicate to parents about school meetings, school events and even school assignments.
I came home the other day to find that the school had an assignment for my little one. It should have been just like any ordinary day and any ordinary assignment but this time the words said – “Do page 30 of the Math workbook”.
Math.
I did not expect Math to come so soon. I was imagining that my son would just paint, sing, dance, and color his whole life. But no. Kids have to grow up some time. And Math is a clear sign that my son just did.
I stared at him. Watched him as he picked out the colors that I was saying out of the crayon box. He picked all of them correctly. Even the violet crayon.
My head reeled. My son was only four years old and by all means he should know which crayon is red and which crayon is yellow. But I was in denial. I was thinking back to the time when all he cared about was red (as in red cars).
But kids grow up. And these days, kids grow up fast. He even plays games in the computer now (including using the mouse!).
Published at Mother of Two.
Error Operator: justifying the war against terror
Yesterday, Yvonne T. Chua and Luz Rimban of the Inquirer reported that a wrong radio frequency was given to the marines fighting in the July 10 ambush in Basilan. This prevented communication between the troops and the helicopter reinforcement, leading to the brutal beheading of 10 soldiers.
Moreover, aside from the well-documented dud mortar ammunitions which didn’t fire during the encounter, it was found out that only six rounds of 105 howitzers were fired during the firefight since, as one of the soldiers told Inquirer, “it was the ceasfire committee who ordered them not to fire because they were engaging friendly forces the MILF).”
Sounds very incredible? Well, the military just admitted this radio error incident in today’s Inquirer front page. Now, is this merely a case of “pure incompentence” as the Inquirer’s source in the Western Mindanao Command suggests? Or is there another sinister force at work here?
Random Hot Men: Kirk Long, Shirtless
Several weeks ago, I have shown Simon Atkins’ shirtless pics. And in the spirit of fair play and goodwill, your Empress also features Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagle’s Kirk Long in a more…shall we say…sporty perspective.
Remember to breathe deeply before the jump.
The Government Can Stop The Doctors From Leaving
The government, with its reputation for coming up with temporary and piece-meal solutions to social and economic problems, is now contemplating barring Filipino doctors from migrating and working overseas. Health secretary Francisco Duque seems to be keen on imposing such ban on deployment:
Here’s the article published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer this August 3:
DoH: Gov’t can stop doctors from leaving; it is the law
By Nikko Dizon
Inquirer
Last updated 06:33am (Mla time) 08/03/2007
MANILA, Philippines — Filipino doctors would be barred from migrating and working abroad to avert a possible shortage of medical practitioners, if Health Secretary Francisco Duque III had his way.“You don’t expect Indians and Cambodians to treat Filipinos,” Duque Thursday told reporters on the sidelines of his meeting with provincial governors and his counterpart in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on the “FOURmula One for Health” strategy of the Department of Health (DoH).
“While we’re out there treating other people, the irony is we don’t have anyone to treat our own people. Of course, the authorities will not allow it. Political leaders will not allow that. I will not allow it. If I have to respond to it today, I will close the door,” he said.
According to Duque, the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 (Republic Act No. 8043) allows the government to implement this extreme measure, especially “when the profession is deemed mission-critical.”
“The government has the authority, the power, to close the exit doors,” he said.
The ban on deployment is in Section 5 of the law, which states that the labor secretary, “in pursuit of the national interest or when public welfare so requires may, at any time, terminate or impose a ban on the deployment of migrant workers.”
On the brink
Duque said that while he did not have exact data, he believed that the Philippines was on the brink of a shortage of medical doctors.
He estimated that the country had lost from 5,000 to 6,000 doctors since 2001.
A big number of doctors have also studied or are studying to become nurses for them to be able to work overseas.
Duque said he was scheduled to meet on Friday with the University of the Philippines’ National Institute of Health, which had conducted a study on the migration of doctors.
“I will ask if there is any threshold to be established that will signal government authorities to shut the door,” he said.
Asked if preventing Filipino doctors from leaving the country would not violate their rights, Duque said: “I will give you this question — When do individual human rights end and national interest begins?”
Solutions
Duque said that in the late 1990s, the government invoked the deployment ban in the Migrant Workers Act to stop the exodus of Filipino pilots.
“They were all leaving and threatening the integrity of the airline industry. What the labor department and the other relevant agencies did was to invoke [the Migrant Workers Act]. We have to protect the national interest,” he said.
Duque said the health department’s response to the steady migration of doctors included the continuing implementation of its “Doctors to the Barrios” and “Pinoy MD” programs.
He also mentioned a medium-term solution complemented by the foundation of Jose Miguel Arroyo, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s husband, which awards scholarships to poor but deserving medical students at UP and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
Josh Hartnett, nasa Mindanao; Gudlak sa Abu Sayyaf!
Kasalukuyang nasa Mount Diwalwal sa Mindanao ang Hollywood celebrity na si Josh Hartnett para sa shooting ng ilang mga eksena sa kanyang pelikulang “I Come with the Rain.” Kilala ang Mount Diwalwal sa mga minahan nito ng ginto.
Help! My Blog is Being Attacked! – Types of Blog Attacks
Reporter: We’re here on the outskirts of the blogosphere, witnessing how a terrible monster is slowly wreaking havoc on every blog in its wake. As you can see, ladies and gentlemen, the monster spews out harsh comments from its mouth causing casualties of broken egos and enthusiasm that count up to millions. What is this monster? Where did it come from?
Many of us sought the refuge of blogging for the freedom of self-expression. We build up our own blogs silently, swaying to the blow of the winds. All we ever wanted was a peaceful life happily pushing the publish buttons on our blogs.
But like any happy fairy tale (yes, fairy tale), you found out that the world is not as peaceful as you thought, especially when you experience your very first blog attack.
Briefing room
Blog attack? Oh my! Should I call the cops?
A blog attack is a term used on attacks that are directed to a particular blog. This could be in the form of a comment, a blog post, adsense, flagging, and even blog hacking. But whatever method that is used it is only designed to do one thing: To ruin a blogger’s day.
I have listed them all here so that you could be aware of what dangers your blog will face as you delve deeper into the blogosphere hole. Go through each of them so you could have a better understanding of why the blogosphere is not such a safe place at all.
Totally Funny Translations
I found a site of totally funny English translations. These were posted in signs and boards all across China, I guess. You would find terrific English phrases and sentences like these:
- cole slow
- Dying right here is strictly prohibited.
- Notice: Please don’t accept strangler’s invitation so as not to be cheated.
