angrylittleboy

After more than a year and 30,000-something shutter actuations, the D80 died and is now begging to be replaced. I’ll have it repaired tomorrow at Columbia Cubao then sell it, hopefully, at a reasonable price along with my 85mm AF-D.

Right now, all I’m using is a Nikkormat and some expired film, but next year, I hope I can have a replacement for the D80 in hand already. I’m choosing between the Olympus EP-1 and the Panasonic GF-1 (in-body image stabilization vs. faster auto-focus), although I have to admit that I’m liking the GF-1 more and more as I read more reviews .

I met Tony around 2 years ago through flickr. It was the usual fare at first: I saw his photos, I liked them, left a comment and he did likewise. After a while, I found myself asking him about photography. I had aspirations of being a commercial photographer back then, and I thought having someone to teach me the ropes would be nice.

Tony did that and more. Besides teaching me about commercial photography, he gave me valuable insights regarding the art of photography, its past, present and future. The talks even went beyond the boundaries of photography and, soon enough, Tony became more than just an online acquaintance. Tony became a mentor and a friend.

I didn’t make it into a commercial photographer, but I believe I got more than what I had originally hoped for. Maybe someday, I can repay him by passing on what I learned to another confused novice.

Things have been pretty hectic at the workplace. Right now, I’m also helping make segments for a new TV show, MOG TV. It’s being shown on TV5 every Friday, 11:30pm (shameless plug).

With the frantic schedule, photography has also taken a back seat. It’s okay, I guess, since I’ve also switched to film for the time being. A very good friend gave me his Nikkormat FTn, while a contact donated a couple of rolls of film.

Film photography can be pretty nice. You stand still and chill. You become patient, hoping to make each and every frame you take count. There’s no rush to take thousands of photos in a day, and you don’t take the pictures you make for granted. It’s almost zen-like.

I’m now on my second month and, so far, I’ve only been through 3 rolls. Take it nice an’ slow, I say.