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Readers’ Photo Corner

By Raffy Paredes

The Royal Photographic Society has released the online version of all its Journals. Since the first issue was published in 1853, it’s a whole lot of priceless material now available for you to browse through. And the best thing is – it’s completely free. The RPS Journal has been published since 1853, which makes it the oldest continuously published photographic periodical in the world. The digital archive consists of some 30,000 pages and it was originally created to commemorate the society’s 160th anniversary. There’s also a search bar so you can browse through content if you’re interested in anything specific. For now, the archive covers the issues up to 2018, and future years will be added as they are completed. Go to https://archive.rps.org/archive to access the archive (diyphotography.net).

Looking for a simple-to-use open-source raw photo editor? Why not try Filmulator. The app is a Raw photo-editing and library management application designed to offer users a simpler, streamlined experience at the expense of flexibility and functionality. It's not designed to do everything that an app like Lightroom can do but rather offer an open-source alternative based on developing film. Like Lightroom and numerous other Raw editors, Filmulator delivers a non-destructive editing process. It works with native Raw files from all major manufacturers as well as basic DNG files. Filmulator is currently available for Linux and Windows. Get it at https://filmulator.org/ (dpreview.com).

Google Street View cameras have now captured over 170 billion photos from 10 million miles around the globe. But if you’re not comfortable with the fact that anyone can “visit” your home digitally, did you know you can request to have it blurred from public view? To get started, use Google Maps and browse to the address or location that contains the photo(s) in question. Enter Street View by dragging the little yellow figure onto an included street (indicated by a blue glow). In the bottom-right corner of the screen, click on the tiny “Report a problem” link. In the “Report Inappropriate Street View” form that pops up, choose what you’d like to blur (i.e., a face, home, car, or other object). A required text field pops up. You’ll need to provide an explanation for why Google should blur the thing in the photo(s). Finally, provide your email address and then hit “Submit.” The request is then sent to be reviewed, and you may be contacted if the request needs to be more specific. Google notes that all blurring done to photos is permanent, so make sure you’re okay with those objects being hidden from view for the long haul (PetaPixel via Mashable).

Here are today’s featured readers and their photos.

Manila Cathedral, Intramuros, Manila (Andrew Semilla)

Andrew Semilla shares his photo of the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila. He took the photo last year before the lockdown started.

Larawan ng Pag-asa (Angelyn Rose Guamos)

From Angelyn Rose Guamos is “Larawan ng Pag-asa,” a collage of city scenes taken during daytime, at sunset and at night. Accompanying her photo is the following poem:

Kasabay ng araw ng bukang liwayway,

Sisilay ang pag-asang iniintay.

Sa pamamahinga ng araw at pagyakap ng gabi

Mapapawi ang sakit ng pagkasawi ngunit hindi ang hangaring minimithi.

Ricefield (Billy Danauto)

Billy Danauto contributed the photo, “Ricefield.” He took the photo with his mobile phone while travelling the area of Mt. Samat, Pilar, Bataan.

Untitled (Christian Flores)

From Christian Flores is an untitled photo of a sunset framed by the window of a tall building in Fairview, Q.C. “Naisip ko kunan ang bintana at gawing parang painting ang background na sunset at mga puno,” shares Christian.

Untitled (Stephen Denz Perez Dia)

The untitled photo of children having fun in an open field at sunset comes from Stephen Denz Perez Dia, a college student from Tanauan City, Batangas. He writes: “While waiting for the sunset, these kids caught my attention. They were happily playing, bending their bodies, jumping around and enjoying rolling in the grass. This moment with the kids made the sunset even more interesting and delightful to watch - the silhouettes, movements, and their smiles, It was all mesmerizing.” He took the photos on “a typical day” in Brgy. Ambulong, Tanauan City, Batangas.

Birds at Dusk (John Kirby L. Dinglasan)

John Kirby L. Dinglasan, second year student at the Laguna State Polytechnic University- San Pablo City Campus sent in the photo titled “Birds at Dusk.”

Climbing Manduyog (Jomarie Romaquin)

Jomarie Romaquin submitted the photo, “Climbing Manduyog.” He clarifies that this photo of people climbing the peak of Manduyog Hill during the Holy Week in Aklan was taken previous to the pandemic.

Waiting (Marson David A. Moreno)

Marson David A. Moreno, Part-time Instructor at Laguna State Polytechnic University-San Pablo City Campus shares “Waiting.”  His photo description reads: “Cham-Cham (dog) is patiently waiting for the vegetable vendor every morning.”

Untitled (Justin Reyes)

From Justin Reyes is the untitled black-and-white photo of a boy surprised by the camera while at play with his “pogs.”

Four Seasons (Rosalia O. Felipe)

And the photo grid of trees taken from the same spot at various times of the year titled “Four Seasons” is from Rosalia O. Felipe who took the photos in Norway.

For comments, suggestions or just to share an image or idea, email [email protected] or [email protected].