Thoughts over Nature on the Wall

Thoughts over Nature on the Wall

Wall mural paintings by Dr Abe V Rotor

Living with Nature Center, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur

Old column of bricks and lime 

comes alive with time.

Picnic on the wall, Nature in the sun,

in imagined scene of youth and fun.

A faint glow in the deep,

wake the sun long asleep

Diversity in art put together,

makes a school, growing ever.

It's a heart on the wall, living, throbbing;

don't let it covered by the ivy climbing. 

To understand art: 

appreciate it,

as an artist does,

least as a critic. 

“Gaze at life in Me the second time”

“Gaze at life in Me the second time”

Photo and verses by Dr Abe V Rotor

Prayer is a universal element of Human Nature. It comes in many ways irrespective of creed and culture. It is ingrained in the rationality of the human being, emanating from a deep source which we cannot fully grasp. It is by believing in something beyond our comprehension that undermines our ignorance, arguably but true, as a unifying factor of humanity.

Gaze at life in Me the second time,

whatever the past had been;

a new beginning is what matters now,

most beautiful you’ve never seen.

Touch Me now that I am risen,

with your mind, heart and soul,

for you have chosen the path

of life with Heaven its goal.

Redeemer of our postmodern world,

We come to You, our Recourse

To find peace and accord

On life’s rugged course.

Author's Note: Apo Resurreccion (Ilk) is a wooden icon of the resurrected Christ which has withstood the ravages of typhoons, earthquakes and the atrocities of the Second World War at the author's family residence.  Prayers are offered by quests who visit the place, which is gradually being developed into a Living with Nature Center cum Botanical Garden, in San Vicente Ilocos Sur.  Articles linked with the features of the Center can be sourced out in this Blog avrotor.blogspot.com

Photography: Journalism and Creative Art

Photography: Journalism and Creative Art  
Matthew Marlo R Rotor
Living with Nature - School on Blog

A night owl is hidden among the leaves of a narra tree. It is motionless, but it is aware of the movement of its prey, small mouse playing on the ground below. The photographer had just set up his special infrared camera with automatic electronic flash. He himself is hidden in camouflage. The owl stirs, then swoops down on its victim, its powerful claws clamped in a deadly squeeze. The shutter releases: one. two, three shots in succession. The flask makes detail images of the bird's plumage and watchful eyes, and the victim's writhing in hopeless struggle. You could almost hear the piteous cry of the prey. Result: these three photographs are among the final entries in a national photo art contest on nature.

A photographer suspects four men who entered a bank one afternoon to be robbers. Using a telephoto, he trains the lens at the scene. Just as he had made a good position where he cannot be seen, the photographer waits for action. The robbers move. There is pandemonium, shots ring, people run for their lives. Policemen arrive and exchange fire. The photographer gathers courage. Result: six photographs documented the daring bank robbery. These photos were published in the newspapers, and helped the police apprehend the culprits.

These are two dramatic cases whereby photography is used to capture and present subjects and events which are of special human interest. The events however, are contrasting in emotional appeal and theme, even if the common subject is conflict. Here conflict is shown as biological and social phenomena. One spells survival, the other depicts irrational social struggle.

Setting aside the philosophical aspects of these two sets of photographs, I wish to convey the message that photography is a tool, one for the arts, and the other, for documentation. Photography is used to express the creativity of a person behind the lens. Creativity is the very essence of art. The night owl photos are an expression of that creativity. On the other hand the bank robbery photos are documents, and they have no direct value as work of art in spite of their significant and practical importance.

What then make photography an art? Like a painting, a photograph may be considered an art if it possesses the following attributes:

1. Subject - What is it about? What particular topic does it show? Convey? This leads us to the theme.

2. Theme - What does the photo mean? What is its underlying meaning? What is the interpretation of the viewer? In short, what is the message.

3. Message - With the subject and theme provided, what does the artist wish to convey? Does it tell a story, or just present a situation or scene? Is the message concrete or is it abstract?

4. Perspective - The eye moves and searches. Where is the focal point? Where do the lines converge? Is the vantage point at the foreground or background? Is the perspective
diagonal, inverted V-shape, X-shape, parallel? To fully appreciate the perspective, take note of contrast - light and shadow, and contrast among colors.

5. Contrast - Here light and shadow show contrast. So with cool and warm colors. If the lines are bold the figures appear distinct. Are the lines parallel and repetitious? Or, do they cross? What time of the day was the photo taken?

6. Colors - The use of colors in today's photography is important. Seldom is black-and-white used now. As a rule, the clearer and distinct the colors are, the better is the photograph. But there should be harmony.

7. Harmony - This means unity of parts. Every part is integral to the whole photo. As a result the photo exudes - like music - a fine tune of colors and lines, shade and light, and finally, balance.

8. Balance - Be sure the photo is not heavy or light at any side. The eye is not trained at a particular part. Symmetry is the key. Even asymmetrical subjects can show balance. Imagine an enlarged amoeba, a shapeless one-celled creature.

Photography sessions under an expert are a must for those who engage in photography as a hobby. Workshop with modern photography tools and equipment are likewise a must. It taps talent and hones it with the touch of art. In the process he becomes trained as an artist-photographer - and subsequently, and artist himself.

Art lies in the person behind the camera - not the camera per se even how modern and sophisticated it may be. State-of-the-art in photography still lies on the person.

Today, film cameras are very seldom used. They have been replaced by digital cameras. And the uses of the camera have tremendously expanded from micro-photography for microorganisms, scanning electron microscopy, nano photography, to satellite imaging, heat-sensitive imaging. Telezoom cameras are a thousand times more sensitive than they were a decade before. Hidden cameras are everywhere. And anyone today can operate a camera. Just point-and-shoot, then edit the photo with the computer. And the computer is equipped with scanner, enlarger, and transmitter to any desired destination through the Internet.

In spite of all these developments, the basic rules of creative photography remain the same. ~

Wit-and-Humor - Key to effective public speaking and conversation

Wit-and-Humor

- Key to effective public speaking and conversation

Researched and organized by Dr Abe V Rotor 

1. SLEEP WALKING
The story is told about a man who walked out while the priest was delivering his homily.  So, as not to offend the priest, the wife approached him after the mass and apologized for her husband's behavior.

"Sorry, Father.  Please forgive my husband."  Just as the priest was about to say, "It's all right," she went on to add, "You see, Father, my husband has the habit of walking in his sleep." 

2. ON SPELLING
People are laughing yet over an incident which occurred at a Parents Teachers Association meeting.  Five little first graders marched out onto the stage to welcome everyone, each child carrying a large cardboard letter to spell out the word 
"H-E-L-L-O".

All took their correct positions except the little lad who carried the letter "O." He had forgotten where to stand. He paused a few moments at the rear of the stage, much to the amusement of the audience, but he really brought down the house when he finally decided he belonged at the head of the group! 

 3. STATISTICS
"What are the chances of my recovering, doctor?"

"One hundred percent.  Medical records show that nine out of ten die of the disease you have.  Fours is the tenth case I treated.  The other all died.  So you see you are bound to get well. Statistics are statistics."

4. NO PROGRESS
Psychiatrist: "I want to congratulate you on the progress you've been making."
Patient: "Progress?  Six months ago I was Napoleon.  Today, I'm nobody. You call that progress?"

5. WITTY QUIPS

• " I am a slow walker," said Abraham Lincoln, "but I don't walk back." (PHOTO)
  

• A woman once asked Thomas A Edison to write a motto for her son.  And Edison wrote: "Don't look at the clock!"

• Victor Borge, pianist and comedian announced at the close of  TV show: "I wish to thank my mother and father who made this show possible, and my five children who made it necessary."

• Voltaire was more than witty when he said: "To forgive our enemies their virtues - that is a greater miracle."

• An Athenian, who was lame in one foot, was laughed at by the soldiers on account of his lameness. "I am here to fight," said he, "not to run."

• A small boy had been told that we are here in  the world to help others. "What are the others here for?" he asked.

References: Speaker's Encyclopedia of Humor by Jacob M Braude; Anecdotes of the Great;  Happy Moments by Fr Jerry M Orbos, SVD

Waterfall - Link of Land and Sky, Body and Soul

Waterfall

Link of  Land and Sky, Body and Soul

Dr Abe V Rotor

Waterfall painting in acrylic, by AVRotor 2015

Reach the sky through the waterfall,

     from cloud to rain down the stream,

cascading, tumbling, in a column,

     link of reality and ones dream. 

And down the river of no return

     meandering  through the valley,

seeking its destination the sea 

     in a never ending story. 

Life is like that of the waterfall 

     link of time and space and all, 

with neither beginning nor end, 

     the essence of body and soul. ~  

You can be a story teller- start with anecdotes

You can be a story teller- start with anecdotes
Story telling is an art. Strive for the state-of-the-art of story telling.
Dr Abe V Rotor

Living with Nature School on Blog

The word anecdote means unpublished. True to its nature an anecdote is typically oral and ephemeral.It is a short tale narrating an interesting or amusing biographical incident. It is always based on real life, an incident involving actual persons, whether famous or not, in real places. It sets a stage of provocation, more than mere entertainment or narration.

Abraham Lincoln is regarded as the father of the Anecdote. He used it effectively in his administration as president of the United States. And people today use the same technique on many occasions.

Abraham Lincoln, master of the art of telling stories in anecdotes.

What make a good anecdote?

A. It is characterized by

• Witticism

• Humor

• Positivism and inspirational

• Informative and educational

B. It is a combination of these elements that make a good story, depending on the topics and application.

• As a speaker/ resource person

• Presiding in meetings and conferences

• Informal gatherings /parties

• Writing, news, features

• Broadcasting – radio and TV

C. Stories are used as tool in

• Driving a point indirectly and diplomatically

• Hitting the nail on the head, so to speak

• Friendly advice and reminder

• Admiring a person, institution or place

• Tapping a shoulder in words, kudos, congratulations

D. An anecdote is never

• Moralism (Even a homily should strive not to proselytize.)

• Criticism, especially on persons

• Bulgarism – discreet, dignified, unkind words are avoided.

• Familiarism – not all too familiar topics

• Fatalism – bato bato sa langit syndrome

• Propagandism – and not politicizing

Here's a popular anecdote about US President Abraham Lincoln after delivering his famous Gettysburg Address. As a background to the story, Edward Everett a popular elderly to his community was the first to deliver a very long speech before Lincoln delivered his very brief address.

This is how Quote Magazine describes the occasion in an anecdote.

Perhaps Edward Everett talked a bit too long at Gettysburg, but he was an old man then, by the standards of his day – within a few months of his seventieth birthday. And this was the culminating glory of a long career. But Everett was among those who perfected the classic qualities of the Lincoln address. In a note to the President the following day he said: “I should be glad if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion in two hours as you did in two minutes.”

With his customary graciousness President Lincoln replied: "In our respective parts yesterday, you could not have been excused to make a short address, or I a long one.”

Story telling is an art. Strive for the state-of-the-art of story telling.~

My Childhood - the Glorious Age of Comics

My Childhood - the Glorious Age of Comics 
Dr Abe V Rotor 


On discovering old newspapers of the fifties
backing of picture frames for cleaning,
I found myself a child again learning to read
on my dad's lap listening.    

In my sunset years I look back at my heroes:
Rusty Riley, Joe Palooka the boxer, 
Buz Sawyer the detective, and Long Sam -
Abe Lincoln alike - four scores after.

No computer then, TV and even radio rare,
Newspapers still fresh the day after,
Happenings weren't far from home and town,
Childhood was longer and happier.

Some popular comic strips in the 50s, Manila Bulletin

• Rusty Riley
• Blondie 
• Gasoline Alley 
• Buz Sawyer
• Joe Palooka
• Moon Mullins 
• Long Sam
• Pugo

These are photos of comic strips of Manila Bulletin my dad subscribed before WW II and resumed in 1946.  I was a preschooler then. Comics were my first reading companions, Illustrated Classics (famous novels like Swiss Family Robinson, Treasure Island, Huckleberry Finn), and comic strips and cartoons of Manila Bulletin. These have taken the backseat, many totally lost, in the age modern entertainment and communication, principally with the TV, Internet through the computer, and lately social media (smart phones.)