Is It Natural?

Is it always wonderful to ogle at pretty little things? Or pretty young things, if you prefer. Is it a guy's problem or was this feeling towards the opposite sex created so that we can procreate? Don't ladies also ogle at men? Especially those who have Bollywood looks? Should we feel guilty about it? Or should we just live with this feeling, towards each other?

I was at this photo shoot event organised by Nikon, held at MidValley Megamall last Saturday. There were plenty of photographers, both amateurs and 'professionals'. They can both be differentiated by the equipment that they carried. D40 was the choice for beginners whilst D90 and D700 and super long lens were choice of the 'professionals'. Really, some of their lenses were so long that I thought they brought canons to this show. And of course, there were those with the all too familiar white and black bands on the lenses, characteristic of Canon lenses. But this show was for Nikon to show its best. But we don't mind 'outsiders' into our event. After all, Nikon has informed in its rules and regulations, that photos taken with any brand of camera will do.

Should photographers ogle at the ladies too? Who knows what goes on in the minds of those who peek through the tiny viewfinder of the camera? As we busy ourselves with clicking the 'right' shots amongst the zillions of shots, should we also take time off to ogle at the ladies through the viewfinder? Perhaps some of us were really concentrating on the shoot, whilst some may have some other ideas. There were those who were obviously oggling, for the stood near the stage without a camera of any kind. Why should they block the view if they're not participating in the contest? Aren't they a selfish lot?

For every model who strutted their stuff on stage, there could've been easily a thousand shots taken each round, as each camera was capable of at least 7 fps. For those without a mean looking external flash unit, they could 'hop on' to the flashes that were emitted by others. And if they were lucky, they can have the correctly exposed shot at another's expense. But that's life. Not everyone could afford a mean looking flash, so they had to make do with what they have. It's not that there's a lacking of flash units. There were plenty to go around, as some of the participants took it as a platform to show off their equipment.

Back to the subject of oggling. I suppose we could do both at the same time. Oggling while striving to get a good shot. It is by oggling that we make use of our internal instincts to decide the best shot when the model struts and twists her pencil thin body on stage. As we ogle, we can also choose and select which part to ogle and perhaps get another best shot? Some would take full bodies shots whilst some would take upper bodies. Not because we chose to, but out of necessity as the place in front and sides of the stage is filled with budding photographers who are trying their luck to get a break in the photography world.

No, there's nothing wrong with oggling. I don't think so anyway. Oggling is what we were created and designed for. We get to choose what we want and shoot what we think deserves to be shot. After all, the ladies were hired to strut their stuff and be oggled at. It's part of their job. They should understand that their nature of job requires them to be oggled at. They would feel flattered that they are being oggled, for the attention that they're getting. Definitely there will be more contests for us and definitely I'll be there if I can make it. Thank you, Nikon, for organising the event. For us to ogle and also to practise our photography theory and skills.

Leading A Peaceful Life

Sounds simple, right? I mean, how difficult can it be to lead a peaceful life? Is peace as elusive as some make it out to be? Was 'peace' created as a marketing tool for those offering courses to teach us how to find 'peace' wherever we are, whatever state of mental health we're in?

Could a peaceful life be 'found'? Or is it up to ourselves to find peace with ourselves, in whatever environment we're in? Do we expect others to create a peaceful life or do we make an effort to make our lives a better one? Are we the captains of our lives? Or do we always want others to show the way and take the easy way out than putting in some effort to find peace?

Could we just turn a blind eye to our surroundings in our endeavour to find peace? If we see a fight at the carpark, most probably caused by someone sneeking into a parking spot or someone accidentally causing a dent in another's car, do we have the moral guts to step in and interfere in the argument, so that the aggrieved parties are able to shake hands at the end of it? Are we afraid of the negative consequences so much so that we choose to look the other way and achieve a 'peaceful' life?

If we see a crippled beggar at the local pasar malam, should we feel pity for him/her and place a few dollars into the collecting tin? Or do we consider him/her part of a syndicate and walk away, knowing that the syndicate will 'take care' of them, if we choose not to donate some money? Will we feel better by placing a few coins into the tin? Is the money used to placate our feelings of guilt or do we donate sincerely, in the hope that the few coins or dollars collected will go a long way to provide a better life for the beggar? Should we look at disdain at those who only place a few coins into the container? If a rich person only donates RM1.00, are we going to look at him/her cynically, knowing that he/she could've afforded a lot more RM1.00 for the crippled beggar? Can peace be bought?

Life is full of complex considerations. One man's meat may be another's poison. If a person goes forth to spread happiness and cheer to the world, one might think that the person has ulterior motives. Maybe the person is selling happiness and cheer. Is Santa Claus real? Is there such generous people in this world? Yes, there are. But few, they are. However, it is sufficient that these few exist, to spread as much happiness and cheer to the world as possibly can. Is such person sane? Will we be afraid of such happy and cheerful person? Is he psychotic?

Is it easier to be happy or sad? It has been said that less facial muscles are used to laugh than to frown. So should we laugh all the time? No, but smile more often. Those who laugh more are more healthier, both spiritually and physically. Laughter is infectious. Find every reason to laugh. It's easy. I was attending a funeral wake near my house. While the chanting session was in process, I noticed that a neighbour had in his arms a mat and pillow. Isn't that hilarious? I mean, the prayer was in session and the neighbour could've decided that enough is enough, and that he's moving out to find some peace and quiet, knowing that prayer chantings would last at least three days? Almost everyone else who attended this funeral wake was cheerful and none were too sad. Isn't it good for the deceased, knowing that her passing didn't bring sadness to those closest to her? Looking more than 85 years old, she would have wished for happiness for those close to her and she'd moved on peacefully.

Leading a peaceful life is not too difficult. Choose to spread happiness and cheer and peace will come to you. Do to others the way you want others to do to you. We'e heard this advice umpteen times and should put it into practise than just let it remain in theory. Go to a quiet place to contemplate on Life and seek peace in life. It's easier than you think and you'd be better for it. I'm going to choose to be happy and spread cheer to everyone I know. How about you? May you lead a peaceful life...