Reading the numbers! - Photography PART 1

Why the title?! A biased thinking applied on my (and almost everyone else's!!) interest- photography.

Although a simple point and shoot camera would not show the complication in numbers, an SLR would. In my opinion, the latter (SLR) presents its owners quite a challenge. Yes, a challenge - that when learned by heart would enable its users to fully utilize its features and capability.

Problem is - we often tend to forget that those numbers and texts are actually there for a reason! Hence, I have decided to discuss a bit about it.

Photography is the art or process of producing images by the action of radiant energy and especially light. - Merriam Webster

Don't get me wrong, I acknowledge that photography is an art. However, in spite of what was quoted, I would like to touch a bit its technicalities for I think that understanding the instrument is of equal importance. We do want to "perfectly" capture those 'moments', don't we?!

Nikon Prime Lens - 50mm f1.8

Pictured above is the priceless Nikkor 50mm prime lens and we will be using it in the following examples. By the way, it only costs 500dhs or 5,000php yet it works wonders! Thanks to our friend, Von, for introducing it to us!

The numbers: 

∞ – 20 – 7 – 4 – 3 – 2.5 – 2 – 0.45 : distance in feet of your focus point

∞ – 3 – 1.5 – 1 – 0.70 : distance in meters of your focus point 


*focus point - that object which you are trying to take photo

*∞ , infinity: distance over the maximum or farthest indicated.

‎Say you are taking a photo of your friend who is about 3 feet away from you: 

Assuming that you are manually focusing - so you look through the viewfinder of the camera (stating the obvious!).

Next you try focusing the lens (by rotating it either ways) until the subject is clear hence, focused.

Now, check that white bar on the lens. To what distance is it pointing?! Yes, approximately at 3 feet! Amazing right? At least, I was amazed J

22 – 16 – 11 – 8 – 5.6 – 4 – 2.8 – 1.8 (ends in 1.8 since this lens is 50mm f1.8) 

These are your full stop “f numbers” or f stops (maybe we’ll discuss in some future post what is full and what is not). It’s related to the aperture which is also related to depth of field.

*aperture is a hole or an opening through which light travels. – Wikipedia  

*depth of field refers to the section of a photograph that appears to be in sharp focus -
John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide, John Shaw, 2000
http://www.dofmaster.com/doftable.html




Just a trivia: 

See the pattern? Next, how it works..
Please have a look at the table below and try to figure out what it tries to tell you..


Then, refer to PART 2 of this post.

Depth of Field Table

Source: http://www.dofmaster.com/doftable.html

Dubai, Cityscape - Nightshots: Photography 02

Can you guess where this is in Dubai??! 


Looks bustling yet magnificent right? Very well lighted. Ahhh ~ Dubai, the city of dreams.. This is yet another 'beaten' track for many. Of course, where else could this be?! It's Sheikh Zayed Road - Up close! Tower here. Tower there.

Do you still remember what it looked like from above? Here's the previous post for comparison: http://kharensarroza.blogspot.com/2012/02/cityscape-uae.html

Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road

This post was inspired by my friend. We both share the same passion in photography. This is to show that "it" can be done! Nightshots can be a little difficult and tricky but with practice, great shots are definitely attainable.

Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road

Have you got your camera too? Here's for you.


The principle here is to use long shutter speed. The photos shown are no less than 6 seconds. Use a tripod. Use a remote control if possible too. If you don't have the remote, set the camera to self timer. Never ever shake the camera (touch) when taking night shots! Keep a low ISO for lesser megapixel cameras. Set the ISO setting not to Auto. Set it instead to say 100 or 200 so that the picture will not be grainy :)

So there, have fun viewing! Let me know once you tried it, ok?

Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road

Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road

Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road

Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road

The Beaten Track - Al Rigga, Dubai

The "beaten" track. It is. If you live in Deira, Dubai, I'm sure you are very familiar with this road just as I am! Six days a week, I spend about 15 minutes walking along Al Rigga or Al Riqqa - from Union station where I get off from work only to work again at Al Ghurair Residences back to our place near Al Riqqa Station (is that too much info?!). That's approximately 1.2km and about 1,500 steps for me!


This post is for a friend who wanted to see what my life is like in Dubai. He suggested that I post some pictures.. And so, here we go:

Al Rigga Street

This is the beaten track - a vibrant and 'kabayan-filled' street. Walking along the street would make you feel like you are just in the Philippines as Filipinos make up most of the crowd.

Pedestrian Crossing Close to Union Metro Station

Now, take a look at the picture above. Count how many kabayans there are :) *I hope you can still recognize them inspite of the blur. As for the shop, that is Gift Gallery. They sell almost anything - souvenir keychains and magnets are the best sellers. Although I've said earlier there are many Filipinos, there are also a lot of foreigners in the area hence, the souvenir sales. This is because there are a lot of hotels nearby. Look across the street and you'll find hotels. Look on the side, there is another hotel. Move forward and it's the same!

Shops Along Al Rigga

Yes! That's our flag in the photo above! And, did you notice? One of the shop's name is "Manila" Phones! I would say, a lot of business establishments here cater to and rely on Filipinos although of course, there are also Arabs, Indians and Chinese. Read between the lines.. ~most foodchains' customers = kabayans: We love to eat!

Al Rigga Street

Popeyes Chicken! This is +/- halfway to my destination. 600 steps away. 
Passing through this street almost everyday is fattening x) 


Sometimes, fastfood is just irresistible no matter how well aware you are that it is unhealthy! In fastfoods, most likely, I would order the cheapest meal. That is "lunch box" / "snack box" - however you call it. That would be 2pc chicken with fries but without drinks x) worth 11 dhs or 120php - the cheapest you can get.

Al Rigga Street

Aside from Popeyes, there's: Merrybrown, KFC, Hardee's, Burgerking, Pizza Company, Baskin Robins, Haagen Daazs and the healthy alternative - Subway not to mention the Arabic restaurants and shawarma stalls. Mind you, that's just along the street! There's actually a lot more in the Mall at the end of the street - Al Ghurair Mall!


And yes, I would have to add as Restte would have it, it's in fact one of the safest place in Deira! Pass by Al Rigga at 7pm or 9pm or 11pm.. even past midnight, the scenes are but the same! Without checking your watch, by the count of the people in the street, you wouldn't think that it's already late in the evening! x)

Al Rigga Street
Comfort food from the numerous fastfood chains are just within every corner! - Mae Ann

Al Rigga Street

Ahhh ~ Karen, how could I miss the annual DSF (Dubai Summer Festival)?! The month-long festival itself happens January to February of every year! People would gather along the street to witness the fireworks display from afar, colorful and festive parades, street performances, and even to try their luck at fairs! 

Al Rigga Street. How colorful can it get?!

Al Rigga Street

Finally, below is a photo of the mall.. taken almost 2 years ago.. Did I improve in my skills? X) You'd notice the difference :) This is about 1,500 paces away.. And this is the destination.

Al Rigga Street -Al Ghurair City - One of the oldest malls in Dubai