So we’ve experienced three straight days of fog and low visibility in the city. To make up for it, Mother Nature gave us frosts on trees.

I only got the chance to take digital snaps yesterday and finally here they are. Nothing really special, just something for me to document it.

With my increase use of traditional film and learning how to develop, I definitely need to spend a bit of a time tinkering on my camera’s features.

Here’s to more Fuji X10 shots taken at night. Still using the B&W + Red Filter film simulation and at 800 ISO. This time I did some post-processing mostly by sharpening the photos once and playing around with the curves. I am really hoping that I could get this result in-camera (or something close to this) but for now I have to resolve with the idea of post-processing photos.

In general I like the X10′s low-light performance. Shooting at 800 ISO was such a pleasure especially when capturing the streets at night (I rarely do this even with my other digital cameras).

I haven’t experienced my battery dying due to the cold, but maybe that’s because we’ve been experiencing a fairly warm weather for the past few days. That’s relatively warm compared to the temperature we had for the past couple of weeks.

So far I like the monochrome filters. I haven’t tested the Orange and Yellow ones yet but the Red performed decently. Anyway, this is a type of shots I usually do when I go out with friends. As for the colored film simulations I have yet to fully explore it but so far I like it (but not loving it).

I have my Fuji X10 for a week or so now (I even made a “first impression” video on my channel). I’m sitting at the borderline because I feel that I have to work on with the settings and menu before I can fully make this camera work. I guess this is just because I have no patience with fiddling with menu and stuff. It takes too much time. How could people have patience with stuff like these?

Anyway I’m focusing on using the camera’s film simulation option. These are the untouched photos using the B&W with red filter. It’s not contrasty enough for my taste but I think I can work with it in-camera so that I don’t have to post-process as much.

The photos come pretty soft. I feel that my Olympus mju II provides sharper photos that these. I really can’t have anything, can I?

Welcome to Winnipeg’s Occupy movement.

My Friday afternoon was free so I planned to visit and check out Occupy Winnipeg. I remember seeing Occupy Toronto last week but it was raining and we didn’t have enough time to drop by at the cathedral so I missed that opportunity.

I walked around a bit this afternoon seeing that I am a total stranger and I don’t want to take photos without asking. I met Jamie and he said that it’s fine to take photos. They are in a public place after all, and they’ve been exposed to the media since their camp-out last October 15th.

He did let me know that I have to ask someone for photos for portraits or if I want to be extra polite. Took me a while to enter the small crowd and started taking photos. I started with my Polaroid Supercolor (which was difficult to work with because of the cold weather) and then shifted to my dSLR later on.

I also met Terry, who showed me around the camp site and patiently answered my questions about the movement. Specifically I asked the nature of Occupy Winnipeg, where they get their provisions, what the participants do, who the participants are and so on.

While we were talking, there was a small seminar that was happening that time about capitalism I think.

I learned that UofM and UofW held a couple of classes on the camp site. There also seem to be new people from all walks of like who drop by and asks them questions, just like what I did yesterday.

This is the movement’s Comfort Zone. This is their storage area where they keep their stuff donated by people.

Interestingly, I read that our city mayor allegedly haven’t heard about the Occupy Winnipeg movement (or what are the reasons behind their protests). I asked Terry if any politicians have arrived to see them but he said no one has done it yet.

I also learned that homeless people go to the location and sleep for a couple of days or so. I asked if the homeless people know what is going on. Terry said that he doubts it, but they don’t send them away. They offer one of their tents for these people and let them stay the night (especially that it’s getting really cold now).

I also asked when are they planning to camp out. They said they plan to stay until January 2012. Would they stay if the Occupy Wall Street continues longer than January? There might be a possibility to that.

I also had a quick chat with Isaac, another member of the Occupy Winnipeg movement. I asked him if it’s possible to take photos and he said that I can do that. He also quickly pointed at the media (ever) present in the location. He also told me to drop by anytime I want.

It grew dark and cold. My eyes are tearing up so bad because I was really tired and the wind’s blowing hard. I was unable to give my card to Terry in case they wanted to ask for copies of the photos (as a sign of gratitude).

I saw another person there earlier who took photos as well but I am unaware whether he’s a participant or not.

I spent the evening talking to K about it, asking him questions about the movement and its effects in the economy and society. It was a good day to learn something about the world I live in.

It’s Thanksgiving Weekend here in Canada and to emphasize the idea of being grateful for one’s life and blessings (I mean, we have to be thankful *everyday*, not just this week) I’m writing this quick entry.

I’m extra thankful for my dear photography friends, Tat and Pat, for keeping me company yesterday. Glad that I was able to share food with them (I cooked!), take photos, and realize than I am lucky to have friends whom I can share my hobby with. I am also grateful that our friendship not only encompasses photography but real life aspects as well. THANK YOU.

This weekend I get to relax and watch shows and I had a turkey dinner (it’s our usual, everyday dinner except for the huge turkey) with my family and I am grateful that we are complete, that everyone is safe and warm inside our home. There has been so much blessing that has been granted to this household. THANK YOU.

I am currently talking to K as I type and yesterday we just booked my ticket to see him again. I’m going on a week-long holiday hopefully to relax, catch up with him and his family and friends, and study. Do a bit of a soul-searching and cleanse my thoughts. I am grateful that he loves me and I am able to love him in return, and that we’re still together for the past 2 years. THANK YOU.

Finally I am grateful because photography has never left me and has helped me cope through the good, bad, and mundane times of my life. I celebrated by shooting film this weekend. THANK YOU.

After my quick and rather unsuccessful trip to the park, I headed to the nearest coffee shop to meet up with Tat and Pat. I got there first, and then saw Pat. We waited until Tat arrives.

Pat’s Nikon F! I love its weight. Hefty but feels good on the hands.

We hung out at the coffee shop for a bit, and decided to walk around. Tat and Pat have an event to attend to this evening, but have some time to spare.

Downtown at night is lovely.

Here’s Pat, an image of the romanticized Asian drama actor, ha ha!

It’s hockey season. Winnipeg is in full support of its hockey team.

Ran out of film. Time to load a new one.

Goodbye.