Shark Slaughter 1 (Photo by A.G. Saño)

While searching for a particular software last week, I came across one that offers a very unique way of putting together a photo collection. This is the freeware Photopolis. What’s different about it? Photopolis presents your images like buildings in a city. It groups the images by the week and assembles them into “houses.” You navigate the city by moving through the streets which represent months and years. It’s free and open-source. For those who like to tinker with software, the source code is downloadable. The program is an executable file that does not install files on your computer. However, you will need the latest Java runtime files (1.5 or newer) to make it work. After downloading, simply unzip Photopolis.zip and start Photopolis.jar (not Photopolis.exe.). Click on Create New City and choose the folders you intend to show in the city. You may want to try 2-3 folders first before putting in your full collection. Then press F1 for instructions. There are versions for both Windows and Mac. Download at sourceforge.net/projects/photopolis/ or at homepage.mac.com/dschulius/Photopolis/frame.html.

And now to our featured readers. April, being the month of Earth Day and the environmental movement, we start our feature with an advocacy to save the sharks.

Wildlife photographer A.G. Saño sent in disturbing images of a slaughter of sharks that occurred in Cagayan province last month. He shares: “We are hoping to put a stop to the carnage since the shark population is dwindling. Local and international laws have banned harvesting of certain species.” A.G. is also submitting his photos to shark experts for proper identification. The locals told him that the shark fins are bought and served by known restaurants in MetroManila.

(According to Wikipedia: Over 100 million sharks are killed every year, a portion of which is due to the demand for shark fin soup. Major declines in shark populations have been recorded in recent years—some species have been depleted by over 90% over the past 20–30 years with a population decline of 70% not being unusual. Only a small amount of the shark is actually kept. This is done in a process called finning where the fins are cut from living sharks. After the fins have been cut off, the remainder of the fish which is often still-living, is thrown back into the sea. When returned to the ocean, the finless shark is unable to swim and sinks to the ocean bottom and dies a slow death.)

Call center supervisor Ambo Quijano writes that he started on photography just last year. He only shoots when time permits and whenever he finds a good location. Ambo uses a film camera instead of a DSLR which he finds too expensive. “Film is a different feel for me,” he says. “It's a different kind of thrill. The fact that you don't know what the photos will look like makes you really excited. It's like my camera is my pregnant wife about to give birth and I couldn't wait to see how the pictures will look like. And when you find out that a shot was messed up, you feel the urge to go back to the location and do it again.”

Photo hobbyist Gilbert Koa writes that he “loves to travel around the world.” He is sharing his images today because he “wants others to see what a wonderful world we have,” Teddy Morta, an assistant technical director in an animation company says he’s been taking pictures for sometime now but only acquired a DSLR last year. He shares that he loves taking pictures but work has been limiting his time for photography. He hopes to be able to go to exhibits and attend photo conventions in the future. Teddy is a UST graduate with a degree in Fine Arts, major in painting.

“This Lenten Season,” Hershey B. Mandal writes, “I got hold of my camera to capture moments that for a very long time had never got my attention.” He took Semana Santa photos in Pampanga that show “the world the strength of our beliefs and faith as Catholics.”

Also sharing today is photo newbie Rhayan Christopher Cruz. “I would like to be good at taking photos but I don’t have a lot of opportunities,” writes Rhayan. “Kasi I work at night as a call center agent.” He likes portraits, street photography, landscapes, and abstract photography.

Readers who were able to take pinhole photographs last April 25, the World Pinhole Photography Day, may send in their images for publication. And finally, for reader-contributors, please avoid submitting images with watermarks or tags in them.