July 25, 2004
I just got back... (updated)
...from dinner at Don's. After dinner, we played around with some lights and, a black seamless background that he had around. Here's one of the shots from the night. Three light setup, main light to the right of the camera, a fill to camera left and a hair light. Take note, these were just plain lights that you can buy at Home Depot or maybe even at your local Albertson's. I'll upload some of the other shots later... too sleepy.
Some of the photos have a slight reddish cast caused by the lights that we used, the cast was corrected in Adobe Photoshop CS.
L-R: Tessa, Thess and, Glady:
July 24, 2004
It's been a week...
...but, this is what's new.
The new 15" Apple PowerBook. The screen is just slightly bigger, and it also has an improved hinge design. The CPU is now the 1.5Ghz PPC G4, with 512MB of RAM, a DVD-R "SuperDrive" and a fast 5400rpm 80GB hard drive.
I got a great deal from the Stanford bookstore, getting the PowerBook WITH AppleCare at less than the retail price of the PowerBook alone.
I'm sort of glad that classes are over for me, it is simply too tempting to be so close to the Stanford bookstore. The store offers students incredible prices on software and hardware, with over 50% off retail prices for FinalCut Pro HD, and great discounts on other software.
I've always wondered what the difference was between going to college in Manila, and going to college here in the US. Well, the student discounts are definitely something we almost never experienced in the Philippines. Specially not for things like computer software and hardware.
July 23, 2004
Classes...
ended today, and I came away with 2 certificates for completing my Final Cut Pro training. Now, I need to put these skills to practice. I need footage!
I met some cool people and learned a lot. Credit goes to the wonderfull staff of the Digital Media Academy.
July 13, 2004
Back to School
I'm back in school. Yeah, 10 years later, I'm back in school. I enrolled at the Digital Media Academy which is partnered with Stanford University in Palo Alto.
I never thought I'd get first day school jitters ever again. Of course, I managed to get lost on the way to the meeting place. I'm just glad the person I asked directions from didn't point me the wrong way.
I'm taking an intensive 5-day course on Final Cut Pro with Dean Mermel, and next week, the Advanced Course with Tom Wolsky.
Cool.
July 9, 2004
Fourth of July Picnic
The Fourth of July, one of the biggest celebrated holidays here in the US. Traditionally a barbequeing, beach-going, beer-drinking day. For the pinoys, well... it's a day off from work. hehehe...
We decided to *almost* buck tradition. We went to the beach, but we did not barbeque or drink beer. We had Adobo, Pancit and Rice.
We stopped by the Pigeon Point Lighthouse along the PCH and drove a couple of miles north to a beach, whose name escapes me at the moment for our picnic.
Here's the Pigeon Point Light house, with some slight perspective correction done in Adobe Photoshop CS:
Don T. at the beach:
Glady:
Jerry:
Mike:
Tessa:
Thess and Mike:
July 8, 2004
John's Surprise Party
Clark decided to throw a surprise party for John, also known as, Will. We were all invited, and managed a feeble "surprise!" when John arrived.
L-R: Kit, Maria, John, Raymon, Dette, Sheryll and Jay:
July 1, 2004
100 Million Songs...
The Apple iTunes Music Store is counting up to the 100 millionth song. With a 20GB iPod giveaway for each 100,000 marker. And, for the person who downloads the 100 millionth song, a 17" Powerbook, a 40GB hard drive and 10K songs free from the iTMS! Wow.
Check here for details. Here's the corresponding News.com article.