Bulbing Session

Last night I took more pictures on my Holga than my dSLR. When I downloaded my the pictures in my PC I realized I only took 31 shots. I might have taken more but I usually delete the unwanted ones.

I shot 2 rolls of 120 films. That’s 24 prints, and that’s a lot in Holga Standards. 

My 2 1/2 year old Holga is enjoying itself sitting on top of a tripod.

I learned the basics of photography with it actually. It’s got a focal point of 60mm (supposedly) aperture of shutter speed of 1:8 (apparently) and f/13 (presumably). But really it is more like guesswork. Due to the uncoupled lens and view finder, the focal point becomes merely a “reference” for focusing. One must shoot with the “centre slightly to the right”. Shutter speed is fixed but you can keep it open to infinity and beyond with bulb mode. The aperture is a joke. It’s supposed to have Cloudy (f/13) and Sunny (f/20) but it is really just an added decoration.

I always get weird pictures, but never unwanted ones. My Holga have a mind and mood of its own.

Long Time No See

Last saturday took me walking around town and down the beach. Brought my Holga 120 and vivitar and a stash of films. I finished 2 rolls of B&W films (Lucky and Neopan) but unfortunately I can only get the prints on weds. The studio only process B&W every Tues and Thurs.

But I dropped by to get the cross-processed film today ( Fujichrome Tungsten 64T ) for my Vivitar, and Lo and Behold! After almost 5 months of hibernation, the wide-angled-wonder still got it!

What I like about Singapore is the closeness of everything to anywhere. I can just ride a bus and 30 mins later I'm playing in the sand.

Even locals looks like a tourist in the new Universal Studios. Entrance is NOT CHEAP though.

Also there are parks everywhere. Boardwalk near the sea and even PARK on the roof of a mall.

Another 30 minutes or less from the beach are Historical sights and architecture, like The Raffles Hotel. It's supposed to be the oldest Hotel in Singapore it and has witnessed some very important things in History -- like the invention of Singapore Sling...

Anyway, apparently any ordinary man, or even the CEO or Executive of a multi million company can't afford to stay there. They only have Presidential / Executive / Premier Suite, and the lowest room starts at US99,999 dollars. Famous personalities who stayed there were MJ, Celine Bill Gates and Clinton. The hotel is so exclusive it is even rumored they have underground tunnels/roads connecting to key establishment to avoid the paparazzi.

In Philippines, I like to be in Quiapo by day and Malate by night. I just love being in the crowd. For some strange reason, whenever I walk around without a plan, I always, ALWAYS end up at Orchard Road. Day or night, I always end up there.

Also Dairy Queen's Mudslide Blizzard (w/o nuts) is my comfort food after a long walk.

Daily Commute - Notes on Distance Traveled

From office at Beach road to my Place at Queenstown

Approx 30mins bus ride

"Nothing is interesting if you are not interested" - someone's facebook status

Never knew my daily commute is interesting. I ride the same bus, pass the same roads, sometimes I take the train but I never look around me. The tower behind my bus stop is Park View Building, The Dark Knight once stood atop of it for a make-believe Gotham Building in "Batman Begins"

It's 6.45 and the bus is still empty, guess everyone is still slaving inside their offices. I sat on window seat further back. I like this seat, there's just a small chance someone will seat beside me. Not much passengers to do "people-watching" so I turn my gaze to the window instead.

Bugis is as lively as ever. Steamboat houses are setting up their al-fresco tables. I like the Modern-chic look of the National Library. Raffles Hotel is both old and new. How did they come to pronounce "Chijmes" as Chimes? Who thought of the name in the first place? Generally Bras Basah area is plain old weird.

Turning right to SMU, or rather turning Hard right, then hard left, then hard right. Bus drivers here don't know how to use clutch or brakes for that matter.

I'm still weirded out that its 7PM and the sun is just setting. I'm adjusting my dinner to 9pm.

I'm travelling just on the parallel street of Orchard Road and I can see the stark difference. Just what a park in between the two roads can do? Whereas Orchard is lively and bright, here it's sombre and grey. But still, there goes your occasional Ferrari.

Trees, bushes, condos on top of the hills. More trees and bushes, parks and all around greeniness (is there such a word?). This is a jungle inside a city or a city inside a jungle. Whatever.

After a dozen of hard turns and sudden brakes, I feel like I just passed the nooks and crannies of this city. Its getting dark (at last) and I'm home (at last)