Paperdoll (Photo by Vans Navata)

Readers who use film cameras and scan their negatives may be interested in the Polaroid’s Dust and Scratches Removal software. This is a program to clean image dust after the scanning process. How is it different from other photo editors? Instead of just blurring the dust, the PDSR analyzes the image and creates a mask. All that appears to be dust are flagged. You can then edit the mask. If the program mistakes fine lines as dust, you can edit the mask to bring out the details. If after cleaning you are not satisfied with the results, just adjust the settings and continue on cleaning the image. This is a free program that’s available for both the Mac and Windows. Visit http://alphatracks.com/archives/134 4/ for links to downloading the freeware.

Another freeware that readers may like to consider is the Duplicate Images Finder. This program searches through your images collection and finds duplicates not only by file name or size, but also by visual similarity. Download at http://duplifinder.codeplex.com. After years of taking and storing digital images in various folders on my computer, I needed a program to help me systematize my files and I came across this software.

And now to our readers.

Mark Nakpil (www.marknakpil.110.mb.ph) shares that he’s been a photography hobbyist for the past two years. He currently works as a project development officer specializing in web graphics and print designing. Mark says that he’s “mostly interested in landscapes, but also enjoy capturing candid moments of kids.” He sent in photos from a recent trip to Legazpi City.

From Parañaque City, Margaret Perejas writes: “I started to appreciate photography when I was 18 years old. Nature is my favorite subject.” Margaret is a civil engineering student of TUP-Taguig.

PAGCOR employee Dennis Ylagan says that photography is one of his interests besides painting. He spotted a curiosity while in the supermarket and took the picture that he shares today.

Maria Adrielle D. Solsoloy (www.yhen1027.wordpress.com), PhilRice development communicator shares images from a visit to the southern part of Palawan. Yhen writes: “This is Palawan beyond what we see, read, or hear in the papers, tv, radio and sometimes, ads.”

Last year, this column featured readers’ tributes (pictures) to their moms for Mother’s Day. Two readers who recently sent in their homage to mother inspired this column to once again publish photos dedicated to our readers’ moms during this month of May. Readers may send in their best (or most memorable) photo of Mom.

Regular reader and contributor Lorecel Celzo-Benitez sent in a poem “in tribute to my mother-in-law for defining such unconditional love for her children and of course to my mom whom I owe all my life and the reason behind my words.” Lorecel herself is also “a proud mom.”
A God's Masterpiece

A flower, you are not
A beauty that never fades you got.
Nor the sun though
at its brightest at sight
for your guidance never
sleeps at night.

Not even the wind at its coolest
for your blew true calmness.
You are not an angle in flight
for your wings protect
us through all our fight.

You are not a soldier of mission
Cause you've won sacrifices
at legion.
You are not brave
'Cause every fight we've lost,
you are there to save.

You are more than what you knew
'Cause you are our mother so true.
You are a God's masterpiece
A true treasure to please.

I made this poem for you
Not just to say "Thank you."
'Cause no appreciation could
ever repay,
The care, the love
you've given us your way.

John Dedase of Iloilo City wants to thank his beloved mother Julie, Auntie Terry, and Auntie Manay "for their love, care and guidance, for taking care of my daughter Yana.; and to my wife Joy for understanding and the sacrifices; and to all the mothers in the world.”

Also sharing images today are Solomon Lim (http://splgum.deviantart.com/) who recently visited Macau, Eli Alfred Adrias, Richard Sy, Warren Causing, and Vans Navata.