Bibiportfolios

CARAMELIZED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

2012-02-08T20:27:00.016-06:00

Here I am again at the kitchen with a mini photo documentary.

Let me take you back first on how I prepared the squash for this yummy dish.

... I rinsed the veggie with cold water ...

... I sliced it down into halves ...

... removed the seeds...

... and peeled off the skin ...

...now it's all ready to dice into cubes ...

... my ingredients are 4 -6 spoons melted butter, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, and 1/2 cup brown sugar ...

... I love using parchment paper! Nothing sticks to the pan that way ...

... I placed it in the oven at 400 degrees for 50 minutes ...

... and voila! I bet adding cinnamon would also make it awesome. but that will be next time :)

Holiday Blessings 2011

2011-12-22T14:14:00.005-06:00

To One and All... love and prayers this Christmas!
*photo taken by a dear friend, Carylyn, at Jhey's house :)

COOKING ARROZ VALENCIANA

2011-12-06T19:01:00.017-06:00

... so I looked for the recipe for Arroz Valenciana ...

... and prepared the ingredients ...

... started cooking the garlic in olive oil ...

... and "browned" the sausages ...

... and chicken too ...

... boiling eggs on the side ...

... added broth, tomato sauce, spices and simmered ...

... removing the bay leaf after 30 minutes ...

... then added sweet brown rice (healthier!) ...

... when rice was half-cooked, added shrimps, peas and raisins ...
... you can add lots more stuff too like mussels ...

... mixed the condiments slowly ...
... simmering till rice was done ...

... decorated with eggs before serving ... voila!

2011-11-14T20:30:00.006-06:00

Spent a weekend for some good old fashion sun and beach and of course, fun @ Ceviche in St. Petersburg, Florida!

THE STATE FAIR 2011

2011-09-18T16:18:00.005-05:00

Summer has come to a close again and the weather is starting to get nippy. It seems like the beautiful warm weather came and went too fast. Perhaps because I was horribly sick with bronchitis for five weeks straight. Taking different cocktails of antibiotics and staying in bed hacking away wasn't really my choice of fun for the summer :( But as God saves the best for last, I was able to close the season with a day of fun-filled laughter and cherished memories at the state fair with the family.

I love going to the fair... cheese curds, corn fritters, giant drumstick legs, cotton candy and french fries to name a few of so many a choice of tummy delights! The rides and games were the highlight of it all. Oh yes, I won at the water gun game and got a gigantic "Juanita" banana for my Maltese-Shih Tzu. (She loves to disect these stuffed toys by removing its cotton-like fillings).

I must say I overdid devouring a lot of "zipper" foods... a warning from my beloved late uncle-in-law who had bypass surgery and teased us to watch our diets lest we get a "zipper" on our chest.

I usually never write on this blog,just post my photos and let it speak for itself. But I guess there is always a first for everything.

MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY: 7 Short Tutorials

2011-08-12T17:16:00.006-05:00

"Radio Dragonfly" photo by Bibiportfolios

By Light Stalking

If you have ever wanted to take incredible bug portraits like Thomas Shahan or shoot through water droplets like Steve Wall, then you might be on the path to improving your macro photography. Here are seven of the best free tutorials on macro photography on the internet.

Marcin Klysewicz’s Macro Photography Tutorial – This is a fantastic short introduction to macro photography from somebody who walks the walks. Even if you’re not looking for a tutorial, you’ll probably want to check out Macin’s great example shots.

Marcin Klysewicz’s Macro Photo Tutorial, Part 2 – Obviously Marcin is a perfectionist and this second instalment on macro photography over at the Pixalo community has a lot more detail and even more great examples. Definitely worth a follow up read after taking a look at the first tutorial. Don’t forget to check out Marcin’s website too for some great galleries of macro bug photography.

Reversing Lenses for Macro Photography – If you don’t have the budget to buy a top of the line macro lens, then you might want to consider the technique that involves a (cheap) reversing ring and using a combination of lenses that you already probably own. It’s a much cheaper option and gets equally spectacular results.
Reverse Lens Macro Photography Tutorial – This is a more detailed tutorial that the lesson above and has some great example illustrations and an interesting discussion in the comments section.

Video Tutorial: Basic Introduction to Macro Photography – If you remember things better when it’s explained to you, then this video tutorial by Peter Madely is for you. He talks about everything from composition and depth of field through to lighting. It’s a great wrap up and well worth watching.

Macro Underwater Photography Tutorial – This tutorial talks specifically about macro photography in underwater environments and discusses everything from preparation and subject selection through to “underwater etiquette” which we guess is relatively important when you’re running out of oxygen to breathe!

Macro Photography by Photo.net – The folks over at Photo.net always produce great tutorials and this one is no exception. Philip Greenspun gives a detailed tutorial on ‘how to take pictures of small things’ that is well worth a thorough read. A few more examples would have been nice, but the depth of information makes this tutorial well worth the read.

LA VIDA EN COZUMEL, MEXICO

2011-02-23T20:12:00.005-06:00

! HOLA COZUMEL !

2011-02-19T16:28:00.006-06:00

... observations at the beaches of Cozumel ...

a hermit crab says "hola!"

beautiful driftwood with a little history from the sea

curly, slimy seaweed

turtle prints on the sand

rope washed in by the tide

any crabs in there ??

< Travel Mode. LONDON TIMES >

2010-11-01T14:03:00.004-05:00

WESMINSTER CATHEDRAL

VICTORIA PALACE THEATRE

FOUNTAIN @ HYDE PARK

THE ALBERT MEMORIAL

< Travel Mode. London Calling >

2010-10-30T19:15:00.009-05:00

BIG BEN and TUBE STATION

SCULPTURE ON MY WAY TO THE TATE

BUCKINGHAM PALACE GATE

LONDON TREE: HORSE CHESTNUT

TOWER BRIDGE

ROYAL SWANS

ITALIAN GARDENS @ HYDE PARK

LONDON EYE

< IN TRAVEL MODE. CHICAGO HIGH >

2010-09-10T17:15:00.010-05:00

< IN TRAVEL MODE >

2010-07-23T20:31:00.004-05:00

... in travel mode ... please stand by ...

Pinwheels for Mrs. Johnson

2010-05-28T19:51:00.010-05:00

The children knew as soon as they stepped off the bus, that they will not see Mrs. Johnson anymore. She was everyone's favorite who made life a brighter day.
A few months back, doctors diagnosed her with breast cancer. But Mrs. Johnson did not let this disease phase her out and chose to work and spend her time with the school children. As she slowly lost the battle, the children made bracelets that said "GAME ON" because it was Julie's motto.
On the day of her death, students and teachers mourned the loss of a friend and companion. In memory, the school made over 700 pinwheels with special messages written on each of them.
Later, a candle vigil was held where parents recalled passed memories while children blew bubbles and wrote mementos on a special mural in the school.

You will always be missed and remembered, Mrs. Johnson. And as we live, we'll surely keep in mind... "Game on"!

Bibiportfolios presents Forbes Flight 2010

2010-04-11T19:54:00.007-05:00

On February 21, snow was still on the ground ...

Here's how it looks 50 days later ...

Silhouette Photography

2010-03-20T12:47:00.003-05:00

Simple Steps to Taking Great Silhouette Photos

By Pranav Bhasin

Normally every time you take a photo, you want the subject to be as crisp and clear as possible. However, today, we will talk about a technique that hides almost everything from the viewer, leaving it all to the imagination and delivers a stunning effect at the same time.

Silhouettes are used by artists and professionals to convey drama, emotion in a simple yet striking manner and we are going to give you a quick run down on how you can create magical silhouettes with your camera.

1) Look at your sources of light

Typically, when you take a photo, there are two sources of light, the natural ambient light and the light of your flash.

The first thing you need to do to get a silhouette is force the flash of your camera off. That way, you will heighten the contrast of the subject and ensure that the subject comes out as dark as possible.

The second thing to do is to identify the sources of ambient light. Silhouettes come out best when there is only one source of light ( eg: sunlight ) against which you can place your subject. If there are multiple sources of lights, try to shut down some of them or choose the brightest one for maximum effect.

2) Compose your image

Create a mental picture of what you want to shoot. The magic of silhouettes is all in the shapes you create, so think about whether you want to capture dancers, romantic love scene or something else. This of course depends to some extent on your subject too.

Once you have a mental picture, place your subject in front of the light source and get the shape you want. If you are unsure of what you want, just try out some forms and see what you like. If you are taking the silhouette of a person, try to experiment with the positioning of their hands or features of the face - remember, its a silhouette so you've got to express it with the boundary of the object.

3) Fool your camera

Now this is the tricky part. Most cameras today are extremely intelligent, in fact so intelligent that as photographers we need to fool them sometimes to get what we need. To understand this bit, we need to get into metering of the photo.

Metering is the way in which a camera determines how to expose the photo. Remember, a camera can't see colors, it can only sense the intensity of light - so when you point it to a scene, it sees shades of gray, finds the middle shade in the scene and sets the exposure accordingly.

This effectively means that if you are shooting a dark subject, the camera will figure it out and will increase the exposure to compensate. Now that's not what we wanted, did we? The way out is to point the camera to the brightest patch in the scene and press half the shutter button ( this is when it does metering, so we are
making the camera feel that the scene is really bright ) and then move the camera to the desired scene while holding the shutter button half down.

When the desired composition is achieved, press the shutter button completely to capture the photo. Thats pretty much it - you now have a great silhouette shot.

QUESTIONING FAITH

2010-03-09T21:47:00.006-06:00

Confiteor Deo omnipotenti,
...quia peccavi
nimis cogitatione, verbo et opere:
mea culpa,
mea culpa,
mea maxima culpa...
Amen.

WHEN LOVE SAID "GOODBYE"

2010-02-06T20:21:00.008-06:00

When love had come
and promised it would stay,
It broke my heart
when you went away

Left me with tears
that filled my life...
Why did the world
Take us apart?

But I'll always love you
and that's forever
And even when the day is over
I'll still be thinking of you.

PHOTOGRAPHY/POETRY: me
EQUIPMENT: Canon 400D
PROGRAM: Photoshop

Reporting From NYC

2010-02-02T18:30:00.002-06:00

WINTER EXPOSITION 2010

2010-01-23T17:33:00.009-06:00

Winter Tea Garden

Winter Freeze Blues

Winter Topaz Sky

Winter Sapphire Dance

Winter Tear Drop

SNOW CRYSTALS

2010-01-12T01:20:00.014-06:00

I love watching the snow fall from my window in winter! Sometimes they land on my window pane and form funny shapes. Did you know that no two snowflakes are alike? Ever? Yup! Now that is really cool :)

For another picture, click onto this:

SHALL WE DANCE

2010-01-09T17:58:00.002-06:00

Five Must-Have Accessories For Digital SLRs

2010-01-07T19:05:00.006-06:00

By Jonathan Popoola

Any digital SLR camera user should know that not buying accessories to go with the camera would be defeating its purpose. Aside from the many lenses one can use, there are also a plethora of accessories that may not be necessary, but are certainly useful and convenient. With some extra cash, SLR camera owners can splurge on these interesting inventions that can help improve the camera's performance.

First of all, an add-on flash is good for any photographer, professional or no. Some digital SLR cameras do not come equipped with flash, and thus, users are limited to using them when there is available light. A good off-camera flash is one that can eliminate, highlight the lights in subjects' eyes and freeze action without making the picture blurry. These are only some of its uses. Some add-on flashes have heads that can be twisted, which is also convenient.

Extra battery packs are absolutely necessary for those who travel alot with their camera, and for anyone who will not be having regular access to a charger. It's always wise to carry a spare, and for digital SLR cameras, practically a must. They use a lot of power in a short span of time. A good idea is to always have spare batteries in the camera bag, so that they can easily be substituted when the original runs out of juice. That way, there is less worry hassle on the owner's part, especially when they are at an important event.

Since a lot of money was spent in order to get a digital single-lens reflex camera, it is only logical that it should be taken care of. This includes keeping the camera clean and in working condition at all times. A good way to do this is to use a UV or a skylight filter to protect the lenses. They are especially convenient when travsersing into dirty environments that may be wet or filled with dust. This way, the camera doesn't get damaged.

Lens hoods are also recommended in order to reduce flare. Flare is an optical effect that can reduce contrast and color saturation in images, as well as create random light in the picture. If a digital SLR does not come with it already, then the lens hood should be bought as soon as possible.

For shooting professional pictures, such as photographs for sports, news, wildlife, magazines, important events, studios, commercials or documentaries, cable releases and remote triggers are a must. A tripod is also recommended if one is to use them. The best still shots are taken when the photographer is actually farther away from the camera, because he can just press the trigger that is connected to a wire leading to the camera. As a result, movement and shaking is minimized and the shot looks better overall. Wireless triggers are also available, but are naturally more expensive.

Choosing the necessary accessories is normally a tedious process, but this guide has just enumerated the ones that are must-haves. Very rarely are photographers with digital SLR cameras seen without them, because they make a life of photography so much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

2010-01-06T09:47:00.002-06:00

What age can I start having my child's portraits taken?

The wonderful thing about photography is that it is a medium that can document life's stages. I always encourage parents to begin this journey when at the stage of pregnancy. Then we have newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months and so on.

Is color better than black-and-white portraits?

I shoot in color. The photos can always be converted to B&W in the digital darkroom later.

What is the best outfit for a group picture?

It is easier for the eye to view coordination in color with clothing. If one is in primary colors and the other is in pastels, it does not give a harmonious effect. I usually suggest a theme, let's say for a family, everyone can wear jeans and a white shirt or whatever may be complementary to each other, the background or setting of their choice.

Do you do photo retouching?

Yes. For an additional fee, we can digitally retouch blemishes, braces, wrinkles, stray hairs, etc.

Do you shoot with film?

We primarily shoot digitally but can use film if requested. The latter will be more costly and your choice of images will be limited.

Can I use my own props for my senior session?

Definitely! We encourage you to bring whatever you think may personalize the photos, like your sports equipment and uniform, musical instruments, etc. If the location of choice will be outdoors, we can photograph you next to your car, motorcycle, snowmobile, etc.

As far as business shots are concerned, what is the best background?

We can do your portrait in the company boardroom or inside your office as well. However, if you want a more conservative approach, we suggest a slate -colored wall for a background.

How do I prepare my pet for a photo op?

We highly recommend getting your pet groomed!

What if I need to reschedule or cancel an appointment?

Please contact us as soon as possible! However, you will forfeit your non-refundable 50% deposit which is required to book your shoot and reserve your session time.

When will my pictures be ready?

The approximate time will be about 3-4 weeks. Digital retouching will require more time. The remainder of your balance fee will be due prior to receiving the finished products.

Wedding Photography (Tips)

2010-01-06T08:42:00.000-06:00

======================================
So You Want to Photograph Weddings?
======================================
By Suzanne Vandegrift

Being a wedding photographer takes special talent and a lot of
preparation. The pictures a wedding photographer takes can't be retaken. Once the wedding and reception are over, they're over. If the pictures aren't good you don't get a second chance to take them over again as you can a family portrait. So make sure you're ready for that kind of dedication and pressure. This being said, there are many things that can be done to assure the wedding photographer success.

The first order of business needs to be a meeting with the happy couple. Be prepared to make a list of the photographs that they have in mind for the big day. That way there will be no chance of you forgetting any of the important pictures they have their hearts set on including in their wedding album. Do your homework before getting together with them so that you can make some suggestions for pictures they might like, but haven't thought of on their own. If possible, take some photo albums for them to look through. Take your camera bag along so that you present yourself in a professional manner.

Have everything ready the day before. Make sure your camera is in working order with the sound turned off. If possible, take two cameras, so you'll have one as a back-up. Have ample memory cards, charged batteries, and lenses. Have your camera bag packed and ready to go. Know where the wedding is being held and travel the route prior to the wedding to avoid being late.

Remember, there is already a lot of stress in the beginning of the wedding with everyone trying to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. As the photographer, you need to stay calm and focused, literally. Shoot everything you possibly can, and don't forget the list you made with the bride and groom. Those shots are very important. As the photographer you can't afford to be shy. It's your responsibility to get in there and get those priceless shots before they disappear. But don't be obnoxious.

Shoot from all angles to give the photos variety and uniqueness. Shoot from up high and down low to get an entirely different perspective. Make sure you find out ahead of time if the church
allows the use of a flash, many don't. If they don't, be ready with a back-up plan, such as using a fast lens at wide apertures or increasing the ISO.

Be prepared for the unexpected, such as inclement weather. Approach it as a positive not a negative. Have a plan in place for getting memorable shots that the couple will cherish. Enjoy what you're doing and it will relax your subjects and you'll also enjoy the day. Have your camera bag handy at all times for changing memory cards and lenses quickly. A top loading camera bag allows easy access which is a helpful feature for this type of photography. Choose a camera bag that is attractive and has a professional appearance so that you present yourself as a pro.

GENESIS

2010-01-05T21:39:00.002-06:00

Then the Lord God molded man out of the dust of the ground,
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,
so that man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7

You can check this photo as well in my photostream at my flickr account(Check this out) http://www.flickr.com/photos/bibiportfolios/4232883888/

Just Me ~ Bibi

2010-01-05T21:17:00.003-06:00

Who am I for You to care
more than the sparrows in the air
I open my heart and You'll be there
Taking me to your care.

You are the one I'm living for
And when I knock You open the door
You are my rock, my cornerstone
Forever, with You, I'm not alone.

Yahvah, Adonai, Hosanna, blessed by Your name!
Jehovah,Selah, My God, blessed be Your name!

I once was lost but now am found
Walking with Him on solid ground.

lyrics to a song by ... just me, Bibi

Washington Square Park Arch, NY

2010-01-05T20:32:00.002-06:00

Washington Square

West 4th Street

(at MacDougal Street)

New York, NY 10003

This Greenwich Village park is popular with students and residents. It is one of the few green spots in the area. At the northern end of the park is a triumphal arch, built in 1789 to honor George Washington, the late President of the United States. The area was home to artists and writers, including Henry James, Edith Wharton and Edward Hopper; many lived in the still intact row houses across from the northern end of the park. Other parts of the park are surrounded by the campus of New York University.

(This photo was featured in Schmap New York Guide)
For more details please click here : http://www.schmap.com/newyork/tours_tour3/#r=none&mapview=Map&tab=Text&p=5587&topleft=40.74297,-74.00215&bottomright=40.71291,-73.97803&i=5587_75.jpg

Candles & Prayers

2010-01-05T19:15:00.001-06:00

Love is...

Love is very patient, very kind.
Love knows no jealousy;
love makes no parade, give itself no airs,
is never rude, never selfish, never irritated,
never resentful; love is never glad when others go wrong,
love is gladdened by goodness, always slow to expose,
always eager to believe the best, always hopeful, always patient.
Love never disappears.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Cuando Tenga Que Dejarte

Cuando por un momento

te tenga que dejar,

no derrames lagrimas

que te ahogen

ni te abraces a la tristeza

por el resto de tus años,

y por favor te pido

en mi nombre

que no dejes de hacer

Todo aquello que haces

y nunca alimentes su soledad

con dias vacios

pero llena en cosas utiles

cada una de tus horas

y dale consuelo.

A todo aquel que necesite

lo mismo a ti

yo mi consuelo te dare

y siempre cerca yo

de a ti estare.

Mas nunca, jamas

temas a morir

Porque en el cielo

Por ti esperadole

yo estoy.

-San Agustin

INTRODUCTION

2010-01-05T15:40:00.001-06:00

Bibi Gefre, (born 1964 in Manila, Philippines), is a photographer and fine artist.

She began taking photos for her sister's college graduation when the passion began as a teen! That's when she ventured on to pursue a Fine Arts Degree at the Tisch School of the Arts in NYU and the American College in Paris. With her love for music, painting and poetry, Bibi worked her style behind the camera with attention to detail and grace.

While in Asia (1989), she published a book entitled "Stopover Paris", a series of sepia-toned photographs. Bibi works with film and digital cameras. But the love of the art gives her an all consuming passion to photograph people of all ages and backgrounds. Influenced by classical paintings and world travel, Bibi photographs in many forms, be it portraiture, documentary, nature, product, constructivism, etc.

Thoughts in notes from "Stopover Paris"

Still-life portraits offer the viewer with the chance to create their own magic of conceptualizing the works. But the decision to produce a timeless experience can only survive when one perceives with a tendency for discovery. A game of controlling the frame develops life's soundless truth and the remembrances of this special choreog raphy permanently capture the survival of time and history.

Time predicts the moods of laughter and tears only in clues for the eye to record. Seconds melted in a frame design the colors, the music of emotions and surprises dances with the question of what should be noted and remembered while an inter-play of lighting completes the aura of a moment's request.

What may be foreign becomes familiar in strength and innocence.