Am I In Charge?

Last May 31, 2012, I got my free book The Charge: Activating the 10 Human Drives that Make You Feel Alive by Brendon Burchard shipped to my house  straight from the USA. :-)

I was in the office when the book arrived and was received by my husband's niece at home.  She texted me that I have a package and it kind of looks like a book.  My first thought was, "yes! The Charge."  I was already eager to get home so I could check on the book.  Unfortunately, I arrived home late due to some appointments.  So, when I arrived home I checked the book and scanned through the pages.

The next day, I started reading the book.  From the Introduction including the message of Brendon "Out There".  Really.

I like how Brendon have written the book.  It is very simple.  Very straightforward.  Hits you where it needs to hit you.  :-)   Even for just the few pages that I have read.

Reading the Introduction page, I was like... yeah... yeah...yeah... And was like. Oh my God! It's like he knows me.  Like he can sense what I am feeling.  What I am thinking.  Well, because most of what he's talking about is what I have also experienced and some I am still experiencing. hehehe....

I am now halfway of Chapter 3.  And as what I have read so far, The Charge teaches you how to take charge of your life so you can be successful.  Living your life to the fullest.  Living your life the way you want it.

In Chapter 1, Brendon discussed about the 3 types of Life.  I never thought there is such a thing as 3 types of Life.  The 3 types of life are :

1. The Caged Life - a life when one lives either in the past or in the expectations of others.
2. The Comfortable Life -  when one is living a good life.  The house. The work. The family.  One is contented with the life he is living.  But then, when one thinks about it, something is missing.  Something is quite not right. 
3. The Charged Life - a life when one is in charge of his own life.  He takes action.  He makes meaning in his day to day activities.  His life is very colorful.  

And what I read gave me a realization that my life now is a mixture of the 3 lives.  I think I have 15% Caged Life, 15% Charged Life and 70% Comfortable Life.  I am, I would say, in my comfort zone now.  There are so many things I want to do with my life but somehow, getting out of the comfort zone just makes me feel... uhm.. uncomfortable. hehehe...  I always fear the unknown.  The, what-if-it-won't-work-what-will-happen kind of thing.   Getting married was probably, by far, the biggest decision I've ever made that got me out of my comfort zone 8 years ago.  But now, 8 years into the married life, I again feel the comfort zone settling in my life.    I am not talking about the marriage though.  I have a great marriage and I love my husband and being with him always brings joy to me.  What I am talking about is the other aspect of my life.  My dreams.  My ambitions that I want accomplished. 

So, am I in charge of my life now?  Not yet so.  As much as I wanted to.  But, I'll be getting there. I'll finish reading the book and read it all over again.  And follow as religiously as I can the steps in activating the 10 human drives, which is what the The Charge is all about.

PS.  Hmmm... Following the book would be a journey in itself that would transform my life into how I'd want it to be.  I'll probably make a series posts for this topic.  The lessons I learn from every chapter of the book and my experiences as I apply the lessons will be the content of my blogposts.  :-D

My First Photography 101 Seminar

I have been using cameras and taking photos for many years now.  I even created a photoblog last year.  But on May 11, 2012 was  my very first time to attend a Photography 101 seminar.   The Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc. organized a Photography 101 Seminar in celebration of IBS' first year anniversary and Iligan Bloggers Month in May this year.  The resource person was Bobby Timonera, an Iliganon photojournalist.

The seminar was only about four hours.  But, boy, I learned so much!   Bobby first showed us some pictures he has taken.  Then he talked about the 3 basic camera controls :  Focusing, Aperture and Shutter Speed.  He also discussed on ISO, exposure, exposure compensation,flash,histogram, and types of lenses.  What they are for and how to use them.  With each topic, we have a little hands-on photo shooting to see for ourselves what he was talking about.  

I was not able to concentrate much with the lecture though. I have to take photos for IBS' documentation of the event.  But still I got some advice from Sir Bobby that I will have to remember always.  These are :

1. When shooting at slow speeds, always use a tripod or other means of stable support to avoid blurry pictures.  I already have a tripod.  But at times I get lazy taking them with me on trips.  So when I am shooting and then needs the tripod, I don't have it, hehehe...
2. Do not use full manual mode in all your shooting activities for you will miss the subject or the moments you need to capture.  I sometimes use the Smart Auto in my camera settings whenever I need to take pictures fast during events. 
3. The key element in photography is good composition.  This is something I know I got.  Though I need to practice a lot to really develop it. 
4. To make ordinary subjects into extraordinary photos, explore other angles.   I have been trying to experiment on this. 
5. Learn the rules but don’t be afraid to break them when the situation calls for it.  I still have to really learn the rules, hehehe...
6. To get good pictures, move in close to the subject, except for wildlife.   This is my problem with taking photos in events.  I am naturally a shy person.  So, I still have to practice getting up close with the subjects. 
7. Capture “decisive moments”.  Yes, I like this so much.
8. Capture emotion.   This is what I like with portraits.  When one gets to put into the photo the feelings of the subjects at that moment.
9. Take lots and lots of pictures.  One of them is bound to be a perfect one. 
10. “A technically perfect picture with a fuzzy visual concept won’t cut it.” – Adam Ansel
11. A picture that tells a good story, even if technically flawed, is always better than a technically perfect but boring picture.   So true!
12. Shoot the event’s highlights but shoot the sidelights too and don’t forget to look for interesting details.  Yes, this is what I usually do when I document events.  And I also like taking candid shots.   The pictures themselves would tell a story on what happened during the event.
13. Experiment. Experiment.  There is no added cost in digital photography, just extra effort needed.
14. Read photo books.  Both instructional and story books. 

 Below are some of the photos I have taken during the seminar :

Mr. Bobby Timonera, the Master :-)

Taking a picture of subject against the light

Xy-Za of Purpleslipperz.com, our instant model since she doesn't have a new camera yet. Typhoon Sendong took her old one away from her.   

Outdoor photo shoot

My photo of Xy-Za with the blue cloudy sky

Macro shot in manual setting   :-)

My ID, hehehe

I took this photo outside the Bishop's House, near the gate, while we were waiting for a ride.

Sir Bobby said we have to practice everyday using our camera with the different settings so that we would know our camera well and we could take good pictures like a pro.  Hmmm.. it has been almost a month now, but I have not yet started practicing with my camera. Tsk tsk tsk...  :-(

In taking good pictures, it is not about the camera.  It is about the photographer.  No matter how hi-tech and expensive your camera is, if you don't know how to use it and you don't have the eye for art, your pictures would remain ordinary and boring.  :-D