websaytko.com – raredog’s chronicle

This is my first successful HDR photo! (High Dynamic Range) With the help of course of PhotoMatix – an HDR Software. I’ve tried it a couple of times before but they’re all epic fail haha! Maybe because I’m doing it manually, meaning I’m taking 3 shots hand-held. Chances that I always have a shaky part on my shots because I’m adjusting the exposure settings for every shot…

This time I’ve used a tripod on the 3 shots I’ve made to make the HDR image above. (EV of -2, 0, +2 and Shutter Speed of 1/1244, 1/318, 1/60). I’m  happy with the output now, although the whole procedure is a bit long, its still rewarding in the end.

Now here’s the good news! I think I might cut the procedure in half as I’ve learned how to do it in just one press of the shutter button!

With the help of Bracketing and HDR method using CHDK. Exposure value would be adjusted automatically. All I need to do is focus the camera and press the shutter button.

In case you’re new to CHDK visit this site – CHDK_for_Dummies

Here how to do it via CHDK

This is a simple way to do luminance bracketing, using Tv (Time value) priority, without any knowledge of scripts. It’s a good option for in a hurry moments. Follow the recipe below:

* CHDK navigation:
o Press Alt to enter

o Extra Photo Operations / Bracketing in continuous mode / Tv bracketing value: 2 Ev

o Extra Photo Operations / Bracketing in continuous mode / Bracketing type: +/-
o Press Alt to exit
* +Remember to unhighlight clear Bracket Values on start to keep settings active
* Canon navigation:
o Put in Record Mode

o Put the mode Dial to P or select the Manual mode on cameras without a mode dial, e.g. on the Ixus series
o Press FUNC SET
o Navigate to Drive Mode / C ustom
o Press DISP
o Choose Delay: 1
o Choose Shots: 3
o Press FUNC SET to exit

You are now ready to shoot.

Notes:

* The steps to set up and enter the Canon Custom Timer mode are camera specific and may be different…

* On power on the camera always starts in single shot mode, but the Delay /Shots – settings are stored, you only have to select the Custom timer mode again.

Some tips:

* If you can, use a tripod. It’ll avoid a lot of extra PP (Post Processing) work.

* Before the shot, halfway-press and hold the shoot button to adjust focus and light. Continue and press the shoot button fully when you are happy with the settings.

* Remember to take your finger or hands completely off the camera, if you are using a tripod. With this setup, there will be a short interval before the shutter actually fires.

* The camera will do the first shot with your ((P)ersonal) best light standards; then it will slow the Tv to +2 Ev equivalence and take a shot; and finally -2 Ev equivalence.

* If you want smoother intervals you should change the Tv bracketing value to 1 Ev and number of shots to 5. You will get the same interval with more steps.

Goodluck! Happy Shooting!

One of the worst typhoon that hit the Philippines. Typhoon Juan a.k.a Megi -International Typhoon name, was monitored by the PAGASA and was predicted to be a super typhoon. The Department which conducted a round the clock monitoring and not an acne treatment reviews declared that Juan will landfall last Sunday and it’s true that the typhoon landed last Oct 17, 2010.

As The typhoon made its way out the country, it left a vast amount of damage in Isabela and Cagayan and to its neighboring cities, thankfully the government were able to evacuate thousands of families ahead of time, though many livelihoods were destroyed. Farmers are worried about their crops coz the harvesting season is about to come, some power towers are also destroyed bcoz of the strong winds that brought major blackout to affected areas and even cellphone signals were affected. PAGASA said that Typhoon Juan was really one of the strongest typoon that ever hit the Philippines.

I dropby to my favorite ukay-ukay shop along Katipunan Avenue last night. I happen to noticed the long line of people at the Lotto outlet beside the shop. I found out its because more than a hundred million pesos is at stake for the 6/49 lotto draw! I immediately get myself in the line to bet. Who knows!

Ok, the lotto thingy is not why I’m blogging this story. Its about the beggar(taong grasa) who got no solutions for acne that was sitting besides the lotto outlet. He was holding a cup and was asking for alms while making the hand gestures that he wants food to eat. I’ve been on the line for quite some time, and I didn’t saw anybody giving him anything.

I then gave him some loose change after I made my bet. Then the rain begins to fall! Since I got no rain gears, I prefer to stay there for a while, looking around at the nearby tiangge while waiting for the rain to subside.

At last, after around 15 minutes, the rain stops. I went now to my scooter and saw that my seat was wet all over. since I got no towel to dry it, I tried to get rid of the water with my hand.

Then suddnely from my left side, a man handed me a rag. He told me “Use this to dry it thoroughly or you may get your pants all wet”. On which i did. Afterwards, I gave him back his rag, thanked him and bid him good night.

The man who let me use his rag was no other than the beggar. I can’t imagine this man who was half-naked and hungry, still thinks about other people’s comfort rather than himself. Its Good Karma in just minutes! I might gave him a shirt next time.