The Art: The Utter Beauty of Hallways

Hallways forever intrigue me, especially particularly long ones. You can vaguely see the end, but you know it's there. And if you're a lot like me, you take your sweet damn time getting there.

Singapore Art Museum

Books Actually on Yong Siak Street

Tiong Bahru Bakery - Outside

Raffles Hotel Arcade

The Item: The White Pentax K-r DSLR

I've always believed in the power of a simple color change. Take anything we're used to, switch the color up, and it instantly becomes interesting again. Thus was the case with this sweet Pentax K-r DSLR. No boring black bodies here, folks; just a camera made relevant again with a wonderfully white colorway, reminiscent of those iconic yet evil Storm Troopers. Please don't ask me about the specs, I beg you. All I know is it's entry-level and that you'll look good snapping away whatever its max shutter speed or aperture! (First blogged about this on Powersnet!)

I'm a Nikon loyalist, but I can't deny how this would stand out in a sea of blacks

The Happening: A New Perspective!

I've had my dSLR for almost 10 months now, and for the longest time, I wanted to upgrade to a new lens. It was just that the money was hard to come by, with all the beautiful stuff around distracting my limited wallet and all. Well, last week, I decided that there should be no more delay. I finally convinced myself it was time to upgrade, and level up I did!

I got the 35mm f1.8 lens for my Nikon D60 - a fast lens which lets me take sharper pictures without breaking a sweat. Just so you know, that's heaven for a guy like me who has such twichy pasmado arms! I've actually been testing it out endlessly the past week and I must say, zero regrets from this buyer. I may be P13K down, but what the hell? Memories, being as precious as they are, need the perfect tool to capture them. Oh, and did I mention it's perfect for street style shots too? Watch out, world!

Just days ago, I thought of selling my D60..well, not anymore!

The Item: The Leica D-Lux 4

I know it's been out for a minute now, but damn, it was only recently when I got to hold an actual Leica in my hands. Spotted in an undisclosed-location-because-I'm-seriously-considering-it is this one piece only D-Lux 4. I gotta tell you, it felt so right in my hands. Yeah, yeah, pretty much like a Lumix LX3, you say? That's true, but nothing spells legendary than having that red dot as a clicker. And the bag? I'd buy it on its own if need be!

Does this mean goodbye, my Nikon D60?

Sweet! All cameras should have a case like this as an option.

The Happening: Analog Camera Heaven

Simply put, my girlfriend and I died and ended up in analog camera heaven last night at Cubao X. We were just on our way out when we stumbled upon this table of what looked to be antiques (think SLRs without the d), which were being sold at considerably cheap prices. Granted they were old and needed some work, but every single piece on those tables worked. I was utterly blown away. There was just something so charming about going back to doing things the old school way. Man, they even had vintage polaroids, and you know how much I love those!

The evolution of cameras told all in one table

So many cameras, so little money!

Try catching the folks of Vedic Nation tomorrow from 1pm to 7pm at the Expo. Otherwise, hit up their site. You won't regret it, I swear. If not for the appreciation of old school photography, then do it for those cameras which are sure real nice to look at!

The Item: What I Want for Christmas (Part 4)

One of the takeaways I got from a Christmas party I attended last Saturday (aside from the full belly and great stories) was my realization of how truly awesome polaroid cameras are. My friend Hub had the Fujifilm Instax 210 equipped and there was just something so charming about how this chunky number did things the old way.

From seeing the picture pop out to watching it unfold before your eyes, it was really quite the sight in this age of digital dependence. And the picture quality was great too. The only downside is that the "film" costs about P495 for 10 shots, but if you're down with it, head on to Landmark's Fujifilm branch and get the last piece before I do! They're absolutely perfect for all them Christmas memories you'll be making in all those parties and awkward reunions ahead!

The Instax 210 brings you back to the good 'ole days

The Item: Ricoh GXR

Oh my goodness, I think I know what I want for Christmas. Let's get things straight, I love my Nikon D60, but I would just love to have this revolutionary gadget from Ricoh too. This point-and-shoot GXR is the smallest camera with interchangeable lenses and sensors, meaning ultimate flexibility without the bulk of a dSLR.

The way you change lenses too is quite impressive. You simply slide-in the mounted lenses without the hurry of covering up the sensors from dust and contamination. In many ways, a big plus for all those dSLR users like me who've looked like fools whenever we change lenses.

The camera will have Macro and Zoom lens options available as well as some tasty accessories that will have all the camera buffs and posers out there drooling. Top it all off with the sleek all-black exterior and what we have is one an object of Christmas desire which I will not probably get anytime soon. Sad.

Looks like your garden variety digicam, yes?

After seeing this though? Mmmm. Not so much.

Photos courtesy of Hypebeast

The Item: Leicas Just How You Want 'Em!

I've already talked about how awesome Leica cameras are. Well, my friends, they just found a way to make them just a tad more desirable.

Enter the Leica a la carte, a feature that allows you to customize the look of the M7s and the MPs as well as their viewfinder magnification. From the surface finish to the engraving to the leather cladding of the body, my fave camera makers definitely gave you enough options to make your photographic instrument truly your own!

Check out the link here and wipe that drool of your face, man!

The Leica a la carte process: Just magnificent!

Photo courtesy of Cldfx.com

The Art: Exactitudes Photo Series

I've been trying to get into photography lately to justify what has been the biggest purchase of my life so far (My Nikon dSLR). This led me to look for inspiration online, some photo projects or exhibitions that would get me all riled up to explore my camera further. And it is out of this constant googling that I discovered the Exactitudes photo series.

The project's idea is simple but utterly profound. Photographer Ari Versluis and profiler Ellie Uyttenbroek, inspired by a shared interest in the striking dress codes of various social groups, decided to take pictures of people who seemed to embody personal style, only to destroy this perception by framing them with others who dress exactly like them.

With the contradiction of individuality and uniformity on full display, this exhibition is nothing short of a commentary on personal style. A deconstruction of the very idea, perhaps? A very thought provoking gallery, for sure. Somewhere in the world at this very moment, a dozen people may be dressed exactly like you. Some deep, deep shit, I must say.

For the whole gallery, click right 'ere!

Geek Chic Guys

Leather clad rockers

Driving cap grandpas

Faux Hawk Punks

Photos courtesy of Exactitudes

The Item: Nikon D60

My sister came back from Singapore yesterday and with her was my only bilin: the Nikon D60 DSLR, the first "serious" camera I have ever bought in my entire life.

While not a professional camera by any means, this is a momentous event for the blog, as my initial goal in starting this little project of mine was to post pictures of people whose "styles I love," thus, the title. I wanted to showcase personal style at its finest and the little perfectionist in me promised that I wouldn't do so until I find an instrument that would capture those moments of brilliance and do them justice.

Well, the instrument has arrived, ladies and gentlemen. And the pictures will be coming soon. So Scott Schuman, thank you for the inspiration. This one's for you!

The Nikon D60: Let the picture-taking begin!

The Brand: Leica Cameras

Frustrated at how some of our Bohol vacation pictures came out via my measly Kodak V1273, the first thing I did when I got back was search for a better camera. Constant googling led me eventually to what is considered by many as the best camera brand in the world, Leica.

Backed by a history that harps back to the first camera they made in 1925, Leica has become a legend in the photography world by continuously innovating and producing cameras with superior features that result in breathtaking shots. And get this, that's only where the good stuff begins.

Aside from stocking their products with features that would make any photographer drool, they also house them in some wonderfully designed bodies. Whenever I look at any of their models, I can't help but feel this perfect blend of the retro and the contemporary in their designs. It's new and not new at the same time, and that's what I feel sets Leicas apart, both in form and function.

The company treats photography as a true art form, so intense that you can almost feel their emotion when reading their write-ups for their products. As they said in describing their M series: There are no gadgets. No unnecessary electronic trickery. Nothing to confound the act of photography. Just the most evolved optical performance. And utter mechanical reliability.

Damn. Now that's what I call marketing. I'd go get one, but 1) they're not available here (what is?) and 2) the price alone will show you how truly amazing these cameras are. So I'll stick to being a fan for now, and just probably get the way cheaper Lumix LX3, which at least has a Leica lens. Isn't life is all about compromises and empty pockets after all?

The model I want: The Leica M8

The one Kanye has: The Leica D-Lux 4

Damn it, even the accessories are beautiful!

Stunning shot from a Leica. (I could have had this in Bohol!)