Monday, 07 September 2009
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My Sister (continued) + What's New
Here are the rest of the pics I took of my sis during her visit to Chicago...and just let you know, she flew back to Toronto with the 40D. Hopefully she can develop into an awesome photographer; someone I will have fun shooting along side with in the future.
My first attempt using textured layers. Kept it subtle.
Waiting for the Red Line
Magnum. Confused? Watch Zoolander.
What's new with me?
But wait...I claimed my last post to be the last right? I guess I lied. This post should now be the very last photo entry on Xanga. Hopefully I'll be posting on my new blog site starting Wednesday.
Summer's over and I've finally moved in to the new apartment with the 3 awesome girls. What's life been like living with them? Fun to say the least.
I also now have a new 360 so I can play Guitar Hero and Rock Band once again. Speaking of pickups, I'm now a proud owner of a 15mm f/2.8 fisheye! I've also finally decided to get a 1D Mark III (I was still unsure about it last week when there were a bunch of them listed on POTN and Fred Miranda, but now that I'm set on getting one, none are being listed!). As for that 70-200 that I mentioned in the last post, I still have to get a hold of David Lai. Instead of getting a 24" iMac, I've chosen to upgrade my Macbook memory from 2GB to 4GB and will pick up 24" Samsung monitor which I'll run as second screen to my Macbook. I have a bunch of other new stuff coming in but I'll save that for my next post which I repeat, should be on my new blog site. Stay tuned for the link!
Peace,
Paolo
Monday, 17 August 2009
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My Sis + Farewell
It's been almost a year since I bought my Canon 40D gear but ever since I made the move to full-frame, it has remained practically untouched. I've been planning to sell it for quite a while now but I've been lazy to list it on photography forums online. Out of nowhere, my sister told me that she was interested in getting into photography and asked to find the cheapest place to buy an entry-level DSLR. I was reluctant at first but realized how awesome it would be to have a fellow photographer in the family; so I offered her my 40D gear (which includes an EF 17-55 f/2.8 IS, EF 50 f/1.4, Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6, EF 70-200 f/4L and a 430ex speedlite). A crazy setup for a beginner, right?
There's a catch though. I'll be evaluating her during her 10 day visit here in Chicago to determine whether or not she deserves the gear. I won't be looking at the quality of her photos since that can be improved over time but instead check for her willingness to learn and see how interested she really is.
Presenting my sis...Monika Constantino.
All that aside. I've taken her around the city and she was more than happy to pose for some shots. Enjoy.
A Few Words + Farewell Xanga
- I'm probably about to go on another ridiculous shopping spree this fall which will hopefully include the pick-up of a 24" iMac, a new Xbox 360, a Lowepro Classified 160AW, David Lai's 70-200 f/2.8 IS and another lens...either a 16-35 f/2.8 II or a tilt-shift. I may move some lenses around, I'm not completely decided yet.
- Although this summer in Chicago has been a lot slower compared to my past ones in Toronto, I'm really happy to have met and gotten to know a lot of people, particularly those awesome peeps from PSA UIUC. Can't wait to see everyone again at FACT and MAFA!
- Having been handed the old family film SLR, I've now taken interest in film photography. Hopefully I'll start shooting more with it.
- At the end of the week, I'll be moving in with 3 awesome girls. This year should be fun...haha.
The end of summer also marks the end of my time here at Xanga. This should be my final photo-post here before I make the move to Wordpress. I'll post the link as soon as I complete the transition.
Farewell,
Paolo
Monday, 06 July 2009
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Bon Voyage Kyra!
Last week was my friend Kyra's last week here in the US before flying off to Australia for the fall semester (actually it's probably spring semester over there...haha). Luckily, this was the same week as the Taste of Chicago, so we managed to hang out, eat and have some fun with friends before bidding her farewell. We checked out the Taste on Wednesday and caught Keri Hilson and Ne-Yo's live performance. We had to watch Keri Hilson from a distance but luckily got in the ticketed area (without a ticket) to get a closer view of Ne-Yo. I was constantly asked to move back but I kept moving around and through persistence, managed to snap some decent shots of him. On Friday, we had picnic at Millenium Park which ended nicely with fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July.Kyra...you'll be missed! Bon voyage!
Now for some other news:
- I have 2 senior photo sessions I've been asked to do...I'm really looking forward to them.
- I really need to find stuff to do; either photography related or not. What I'd really like to do is experience shooting a wedding. I'll start from the bottom like carrying equipment or any type of assistance that's needed...free of charge! Experience is all I want. Outside of photography, all I wanna do this summer is get in shape and win a charity basketball tournament on July 18.
- The Raptors getting Turkoglu, awesome. Federer surpassing Sampras, awesome. Hanging out with PSA @ UIUC people, awesome. Me buying more pairs of basketball shoes, not so awesome.
Peace,
Paolo
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
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Summer So Far
For the past few weeks I've been back and forth between my grandma's in Chicago and my apartment in West Lafayette. I'm in Chicago right now and will probably be here a lot longer. My grandma's internet and tv-less (well, she does have a tv, but with only 5 channels, it might as well not be there) apartment is the center of boredom. Thankfully some recent events have allowed to go out and actually talk to people.
Last weekend, I was hired to shoot Jag's cousin's debut and graduation party. It really was nice to be part of a celebration of a family as close as theirs. Makes me wish my parents and sis could come visit sooner.
More recently, I took a trip to Urbana-Champaign with Kyra to hang out with some friends. A trip to an outlet mall, eating chocolate-covered apples, spending an entire afternoon playing card games, passing out and later recovering after having a few "refreshments"...yep, I had LOTS of fun. Trips to UIUC are never dull. Perhaps I should visit more often? I spent a lot more that I thought I would the fun I had with such awesome friends was priceless.
I'm now back in Chicago and am bored as ever. My usual day consists of a Brown Line ride to downtown and ordering the cheapest item at Panera just so I have access to the internet. I'm sure there's plenty to do in the city but I'd prefer to do things with friends. For a while, I've been contemplating about getting Russell Peters tickets for his show at the Chicago Theater this Friday. I'd really like to go but going solo wouldn't be fun. Anyone wanna join me? As for other things coming...well, there's the Taste of Chicago at the end of the month, hopefully I can find people to wonder around with. There's also the "For the Love" 3v3 basketball tournament of July 18th which I'm really excited about. I've barely touched a basketball this summer so I really need to start playing and get back into shape. My grandma giving me nothing but rice to eat isn't helping!
Blurbs:
1.) I miss watching the Food Network, playing Rock Band, feeding squirrels almonds outside my aunt's, and hanging out with my family in Toronto.
2.) I think I'll go with just "paoloconstantino.com" for the name of my website. My last name and the word 'photography' are just too damn long to put together.
3.) I've been on a Gossip Girl marathon (yeah I love the show) while at my grandma's but a missing episode in the middle of season 2 is stopping me from finishing it! I've been watching so much lately that I'm actually tempted to put "XOXO" at the end of this post just for fun...haha.
4.) I've now realized that because I move around so much and do my work all over the place, a Macbook Pro would be much more suited for my needs. My savings target just took a jump.
5.) Barca take the treble and Federer finally claims the French Open...awesome.
6.) I want the Nike Zoom Flight Clubs to hoop in so bad...but I really need to save up for that Macbook Pro, plus I'll probably end up spending some of that money to see Russell Peters...oh, and like I don't have enough shoes.
7.) Played bball at Horner Park on Montrose this morning and my goodness is that place dominated by filipinos. I felt like i was back home in the Philippines.
8.) I feel as though my photography has been lacking as of late; both in capture and in post-processing. I need some sort of inspiration or spark to get me going. I'd really like to have a go at shooting weddings but have no clue where to start.
I could probably go on for a bit more but I'll spare you every detail going through my head. If anyone wants to come watch Russell Peters, hit me up. Hope everyone's having a great summer!
Peace,
Paolo
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
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Back to West Lala
Three weeks into summer and it's going...umm, alright I guess. So far, I've roamed around the same streets of downtown Chicago, almost got robbed of my camera gear, finished the entire season 5 of LOST, hung out in Munster/Dyer, spent a weekend at Columbus, OH and of course eat nothing but the staple of all Filipino meals, rice!
The past week I've spent at grandma's in Chicago has been extremely torturous. There have been plenty of times in the past where I've had to live without internet access but this week has been unbearable. Without internet or cable to watch the NBA playoffs, I've been forced to just go downtown just to avoid complete boredom. I don't exactly have anyone to hang out with in Chicago so every time I go downtown, I just walk up and down State St. and Michigan Ave. I carry my camera around in hopes of doing a little street photography. However, I lack the courage to snap shots of random people for fear of getting my ass kicked...haha.
I'm now back at my apartment in West Lafayette. There isn't exactly anyone to hang out here either but at least I've got access to internet and cable. I can also finally avoid eating rice, work out at the co-rec and hopefully play some bball. I might not even stay here long since PSA @ UIUC is having their Fil-Am event this Sunday. Still not sure if I'll end up going.
Now for some recent pics, some of which I've already posted on NT or FB:
From a prom photo shoot I did before the end of the semester.
Ladybug macro.
From the trip to Columbus, OH.
Mini photo shoot while waiting to watch Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (Jag's choice) and Angels and Demons (my choice).
Now for some blurbs:
1.) Today's the UEFA Champions League Finals...FORCA BARCA!!!
2.) I'm now planning to let go of my 5D and replace it with a 1D Mark III. My 5D Mark II will still be my primary body but I'd like to have the ability to shoot in the rain. Also on my wanted list is a 70-200 f/2.8L IS, a 15mm f/2.8 FE and a 24" iMac. I'm not in hard pursuit to get the new body or the lenses but the iMac is a must. Hopefully I'll have it by fall.
3.) Going to IKEA last week made me realize how much I miss living in Europe.
4.) Anyone up for hanging out in downtown during the Taste of Chicago? Oh and I still need to visit Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and all the other museums!
5.) My website is still...coming soon. Damn, I need to get it done.
6.) My parents (whom I haven't seen in 2 years) and my sis are coming down in August. Going to Virginia and visiting some cousins...hell yeah!
Hope everyone's summer is going well.
Peace,
Paolo
