It's been almost two years since everything came to a stop because of the pandemic. But now so many people lately invest in their health and care for their loved ones, they've decided to get vaccinated. The world began to reopen. People can dine-in, concert halls and venues now slowly come alive and events can be held in person again.

The same thing that happened in our Raglan Community, right here in the heart of Toronto. We decided it's time to put smiles on people's faces especially kids! Halloween is the best time to show and dressed up as far as your imagination can take you. With an abundance of food, great music and laughter from our close neighbours it was a successful costume party. One even came as T-Rex rider and chosen as the winner for the best costume this Halloween!

Here are some of the best costumes this year and enjoy.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! 🎃
(to download, simply right-click and "save image as")

On November 16, 2019 City Snapshots continued with our third volume. This time taking the theme foodtography, we're exploring our creativity with food photography. Thanks to the good folks at 519, we are lended a wonderful space for our indoor photography session. The room comes with a great natural light source from the window in a chilly November weather. Having few table setup and another additional spot-in light, our group off having fun with our cameras.

To create a good food photography, it's quite simple actually. Follow these simple rules: best light source is natural light, tripod to keep your image sharp, and explore every angle. Some other advance foodtography use technique to make the food or beverage stands out. Like for example did you know you can make an image ice cream doesn't melt throughout the photo session by replacing it by mashed potatoe and food colouring? Those tips need more preparation for sure but will result perfectly especially for commercials.

For this session, we're just having fun. Combining different items of food with each other to create a different feel of an image. After an hour, we came up with a set of incredible images. Thank you for everyone that attended the session and see you all in the next City Snapshots!

Sometimes, the subject in a photograph needs a bit of tweaks or minor improvement. Some made them look completely different from the original shot but that's another conversation. What I believe is a picture should leverage the model's features (and the MUA skills too). After all, the photographer's credibility and name at stakes if the picture turns out unfortunate. A picture relies on the photographer's skill set, from setting up the equipments, arranging the pose up to post-production which is the longest in the process. All in the name of perfection.

A good photographer must always update their knowledge on various expertise, one of them is photo manipulation. Photo manipulation is to improve a picture in a desired way, there's many software for that. One of the most familiar technique is airbrushing. Before the digital era, hand-brushing was popular when photographers still using analog cameras and negative films (black and white pictures). Then in 1890 airbrush was found and it changed the story of photography altogether. Manual retouching continued to be used by professional photographers for portrait and commercial work. The main purpose of airbrushing is to remove (or add) parts in the pictures, like scars, objects, certain colour, strain of hair, etc.

Software programs such as Photoshop and many others allow users to edit photographs much more precisely than even the most skilled airbrush artist from the days of film-only photography. Quite often, the term "airbrushed" has been replaced with "photoshopped." This advancement in technology has also led to many debates. The ability to manipulate a photo in such a precise manner and with such easy-to-use tools brings up ethical concerns. Has too much retouching on models led to unrealistic perceptions about the ideal body image? Can photojournalists remove an element from a photo to alter the reality of what happened? Are companies using it to create false advertising?​

These questions are still in debate nowadays since with modern technologies people couldn't tell what's the truth in a picture. But I believe that's for the consumers' to decide. Take Instagram for example, filter excessively used in the applications are very popular. You can change the mood of a picture by giving it a nostalgia-like tone or even add parts of nature when it's not there. An Instagram user admits she's been using an applications to add clouds in all of her travel pictures. But all her followers actually doubled ever since. Then again, it is all up to the photographer's on how they want to create the style of a picture for their audience.

(source: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/what-is-airbrushing-in-photography-2688528)

Nowadays everyone can become a photographer. With a range of affordable DSLR camera, pockets, or even smartphones with gigantic megapixels. But did you know that some rules applied when you're taking pictures especially in public places? Ever wondered if it's okay to take pictures of strangers you saw on the street? Or children on a playground? Or maybe taking snapshots on a public transit? Some points below from BlogTO will explain more on that. But then again, since I live in Toronto, I can only speaks from Ontario bylaws perspective. You should read more about your local bylaws too!

Canada's law on photography kinda on grey areas and pretty lenient. Still, morally speaking (and common sense too) taking pictures especially on someone else's property is a no. You don't want to caught yourself with a law officers when the owner report ed on you. Some photographers even have this "rule of thumb" which is: shoot first, ask questions later. All I can think of is maybe the moment that you're trying to capture only available on that second. When it's gone, it's gone. Again, this is just some sort of undisclosed knowledge among photographer so don't take my word on it.

Public property

You're allowed to take photos anywhere in and from Toronto's public spaces (sidewalks, parks, streets, etc.) under the following conditions:

• You can't be in the middle of doing something illegal while you photograph, like jaywalking , breaking and entering (we see you rooftoppers), or interfering with a crime scene.
• You can't shoot commercially on City of Toronto property, meaning no paid wedding photography or photoshoots in the park unless you have a permit from the city. While law enforcement will rarely stop a commercial shoot from happening on the sidewalk, they might put an end to a paid photo gig in High Park.
• Taking photos of private property from public spaces is allowed even if the owners forbid you from photographing their property; that only counts if you're shooting on their grounds.
• If there's a sign that explicitly states that a law prohibits photography there, you can't shoot. And even if there is no sign, you still might be stopped from photographing – and that's allowed.

Photographing people in public spaces

According to our laws, photographers are basically allowed to take photos of whoever and whatever they want in public areas, including activities, police officers, and even children, without consent. Restrooms, dressing rooms, and medical facilities, however, are examples of places which carry a reasonable expectation of privacy. Taking photos of people here can get you charged with Criminal Voyeurism – not a great charge to have on your legal records. Same goes for the TTC: you're not breaking any city or transit laws by taking and even posting pictures of strangers on your public Instagram account (unless it's commercial, in which case you can submit a request for a permit). But that doesn't mean you get to throw common decency to the wind: if you want to post a picture of someone taking a nap on line 2 on your satirical Toronto transit IG page, don't be an ass – have the courtesy to ask first.

Photographing music festivals and events

If the event is public, you can photograph it, regardless if it's on private property or if there's paid admittance. However, event organizers can tell you to stop taking pictures, in which case you should comply unless you want to get booted out of the event. Things event organizers and private parties aren't allowed to do:

• Force you to provide your identity or reason for photographing: only law enforcement can do that.
• Confiscate your photography equipment.
• Force you to delete your photos.
• Unless they were witness to a serious crime that you committed, they cannot detain you against your will.

Photographing in malls or restaurants

Unlike regular private properties, these spaces are also open to the public. That means you're legally allowed to photograph until a security guard or manager approaches you to stop. Tip: Keep your DSLR discrete the minute you enter the building to prolong the grace period for as long as possible.

So, I hope you get the grasp on where, when and who you can take pictures on. Don't be afraid to practice your photography skills. Keep on learning and ask questions later! 😉

"With the education, we will no longer be underestimated. To those who always think that the trans-women only belong by the side of the road and at the red light will be able to see, no matter difficult the pressure that is given to us, we will definitely be able to pass it. The high education that I have achieved now is not only for me, but for the entire trans-women community, for all Indonesian people. So that we are all aware that education is our absolute right as the citizen. "

That was Mami Yuli's motivation when she explained how education she has achieved until this point was not achieved easily. The struggle by the struggle continues to be faced and its success was pursued in various way to inspire the transgender community and the Indonesian people in achieving their vision.

Yulianus Rettoblaut as known as Mami Yuli, 57 years old, is a trans-woman (transgender woman) who has a Bachelor's Degree of Law from Attahiriyah Islamic University. She then continued her Master's Degree at the Faculty of Law, Tama Jagakarsa University, South Jakarta, with the best citation (A+) and 3.85 GPA for 2.5 years. At that point, she was dubbed as the first transgender in Indonesia who was able to obtain a Master's Degree in Criminal Law.

Not only that, Mami Yuli continued to pursue her dream and vision, and is recorded as a Doctorate Program Student at the Faculty of Law, Jayabaya University, majoring in Constitutional Law. Mami Yuli wants to be a living proof for her community that trans-women also has the ability and can perform well like her.

"Trans-women, aside from being a marginalized society, are also the citizen who are consciously and openly often impoverished by the prevailing system in this country," according to Mami Yuli. Since 1979 until 17 years have passed, Mami Yuli has lived and worked in the streets, faced various forms of stigma, violence and discrimination from various parties including the society and the state. At that time, Mami Yuli was moved and she thought that the transgender community should not live on the streets forever. An empowerment program that is specifically aimed at the community is needed. For decades, Mami Yuli has struggled as an activist in empowering the community to get legal protection and their rights as the citizen, until this moment. "This law in Indonesia never sided with us as the transgender," Mami Yuli continued.

Mami Yuli is recorded as the initiator of the establishment of the Rumah Singgah Waria (Transgender Shelter) which is recognized internationally as the world's first Transgender Nursing Home, later became an inspiration for transgender organizations in other countries to pay more attention to elderly transgender people.

In the recent years, the usual assistance for the Rumah Singgah has decrease, even the Ministry of Social Affairs which previously provided support is no longer providing aid as a result of the increasing hostility towards the LGBTI community lately. Mami Yuli was forced to think extra hard for two things she loved, her education and the Rumah Singgah.

Currently, Mami Yuli can barely accomplish her Doctorate Education due to financial challenge. In fact, just a step further, the Doctorate degree can be a pride for the trans-women community in Indonesia. But the situation said otherwise, the Doctorate public exam which became one of the conditions for obtaining the degree, turned out to require a huge cost. Mami Yuli must prepare at least US $6,750 or Rp. 100,000,000 (a hundred million rupiah) to be able to carry out the exam.

This is the real condition of the education system in Indonesia, with all efforts to impoverish citizens who are already impoverished by the system itself.

Let's Help Mami Yuli to get her Doctorate Degree in Constitutional Law, to inspire all citizens to get their rights, especially the right to a decent education, and also to give ways for Mami Yuli to continue her struggle, for the transgender community in Indonesia, as well as for all Indonesian people in general. And in time, we will all be a part of the success of Mami Yuli as the first and the only Transgender in Indonesia today, who is able to obtain a Doctorate Degree in Constitutional Law.

Support here: https://gogetfunding.com/BeasiswaMamiYuli/

The Indonesian Trans-Women Communication Forum/ Forum Komunikasi Waria Indonesia (FKWI) is an organization that carries out its mandate as a coordinated mean that focuses on social issues related to transgender women in Indonesia, both in terms of productivity of advocacy, social assistance, and group monitoring so that the rights of transgender women in the society is protected. One of the many social work carried out by FKWI is the Transgender Shelter which is aimed at empowering elderly transgender people.

FKWI is led by Yulianus Rettoblaut or familiarly called Mami Yuli as its Chairperson.

Contact info FKWI: transwaria@yahoo.com
Contact info #YouAreNotAlone Arus Pelangi: yana@aruspelangi.or.id or ap@ArusPelangi.or.id
Address: Gang Golf, nomor 176, Pancoran Mas, Kota Depok, Jawa Barat - INDONESIA
Mami Yuli contact: +6281315400628
#YouAreNotAlone: https://yana.aruspelangi.org/cause/lets-help-mami-yuli-accomplish-her-doctorate-degree-in-constitutional-law/

People tend to love staring at sunset. The beautiful colours, the moment of serenity and you just want to keep it that way. So take a picture to make it last longer! However, you try and try but you never got that perfect capture just like those Instagram postings. Well, there's special technique to capture a sunset. It's not that hard, just a bit challenging with several tricks on it. According to Jeff Meyer, you just need to set your camera to the right mode.  

First of all, sunset are all about the correct lighting to get that dim yellow with a small burst of light in the middle. Adjust your camera exposure to manual. I know some of you think "Oh no, this is difficult. I prefer automatic mode!" well, if you want it easy it won't give you a perfection, will it? Make the camera thinks you want it that way, not what the camera thinks it should be.

Secondly, focus is another important thing to be careful with. Try to manual focus instead relying the camera to do that for you. If you're on a beach for a sunset, sometimes there's rock, boat, leaves, etc. Try to make those things as a "filler" to your sunset picture. Focus on the part that interest you the most! 

Last but not least tips, try to capture your sunset in different exposure/ lighting. Take 3 to be safe, one with the bright exposure (a bit too bright), another with mid-exposure and the third with the low exposure so it's a bit dark. Then, combine all of them with the help of Photoshop to make a perfect picture with even brightness. To make it easier, I attach a "cheat sheet" here for your camera setting.

The next thing is, have fun to hunt for that perfect sunset!

Have you ever seen people taking pictures of their food before they eat it? The purpose is merely to "show off" of how good their food in the pictures for their social media. Now, making a great photographs of your food (or known as foodtography) is quite simple actually. You just need to know few basic rules about plating the dish, how to make it superb on the camera! Now here are some tips and ticks that could help you to be a great foodtographer.

Lighten up. Photographers always think of light first – the quality, direction and color of it. Use a large, natural soft light source, such as a window. Better yet, shoot outside. Cloudy days are great, but if you don't get one you can use a white sheet to diffuse direct light. Shoot close to and with the window directly behind, to the left of or right of your food subject (anywhere but at your back).

Bounce back. Bounce light back onto your food from the side opposite the window with a piece of white poster board to keep shadows from getting too dark.

Focus on the food. Pick simple backgrounds, props and plates that don't distract and aid in color harmony with the food. Backgrounds may seem unimportant, but they set the tone and mood of the shot.

Close-in on your subject. Use a slight telephoto lens (longer if you can). This helps soften background elements and helps keep food the focus. If you can, use a wide aperture to keep the background out of focus. Don't be afraid to let some of the subject go soft if you have a sharp area that maintains visual interest.

Hold still. Keep your camera steady to ensure sharp images. Use a tripod if you have one.

Warm it up. Bad color is unappetizing. Automatic white balance settings on digital cameras are often cool. Adjust the settings to warm up the shot and to make sure the color is as close to real as possible.

Dig up your camera's owner's manual. It sounds crazy, but you may just have to get out the directions for your camera to see what you can do with it...if you can find them.

Play with your food. Our moms told us not to, but when it comes to food photography, don't be afraid to move around, shoot from a variety of angles and just have fun. (Oh, but keep your elbows off the table.)

Take shots along the way. Food isn't just beautiful when it's "done." Take shots while you are sautéing, chopping and mixing, too.

Apart from the techniques, styling the food is also important. There are some basic rules to make the dish stands-out in the picture. Here are some simple tricks  in food styling:

Cut into it. Often the most interesting texture and color is inside your food.

Tend to the finishing touches. A drizzle of oil or a bit of freshly ground salt or pepper can quickly take a shot from simple to special.

Go green. Watch for herbs in your ingredient list to use as garnish. Sprigs of thyme, rosemary, basil or sage add texture and visual interest.

Keep it under wraps. Moist food is prettier than dry food, so keep it covered until you're ready to shoot it. Spritz or mist it with water or brush it with water or oil if needed.

Prop it up. Add a beverage or small flower, but remember the food is the hero.

There you go, have some fun on foodtography!

(source: https://www.kowalskis.com/news/201304/tasty-tips-for-foodtography)