Last night, I checked my Gmail and saw a subject saying, “Absolute Winner!“ Maybe it’s just spam, but come on, this is Google Mail, no spams get in my inbox. So I clicked.
Slowly, the curtains were raised, the lights were so bright, I couldn’t see a thing. Ladies and Gentlemen, here’s half of the email.
Hello Marie,
Congratulations!!!
I am very glad to inform you that one of your photographs has been selected
for our next year’s wall calendar ‹ ABSOLUTE KANSAI. In fact it will (be) a cover
picture. Please find attached layout format of your photograph (cover page,
and the back-page). Will appreciate if you can please approve the photo
caption and the photo credit as marked.…
In case of any query, please feel free to get in touch with me.
Thanking you for your interest and contribution for Kansai Scene.All the best,
Jatin Banker
Publisher & Art Director
KANSAI SCENE
Wow! This is the first time I joined a photo contest and I did it!!! Yeah! I thank all of my friends (Nyaw, Kaachan, Daddy) for encouraging and inspiring me to join the said contest. Actually, this photo was nearly an accident. It was just an astounding sight for me, so I took a fast snapshot of it. No thoughts, no lines, no rules of thirds, no whatsoever. It was colorful. And it made the cover page of a would-be-2009-calendar here in Japan.
Upon reflection, it dawned on me that pictures depict feelings. Feelings of the photographer, in fact. Perhaps, of the model as well, if there’s any. But mostly, of the one taking the picture. Happy photographers take photos that can make others happy. This is why sunsets are not lonesome all the time. Perhaps, this can be my first little influence to the world—my photos. Alright then. I have to compile and put them up for viewing. Some of them are reduced to small sizes and posted on my PhotoBlog. But now, I am inclined to share more. To somehow, in my own simple way, affect somebody’s heart… and probably make it leap, even just for a time.
This doesn’t mean though that I will only be uploading happy pictures. Of course, I have my moments of sadness and defeat. And in such moments, I also get to capture nature… or the world around me… which I will also share. With such melancholic shots, perhaps, I can awaken hidden thoughts and feelings. Yeah! Take them all out! And be free.
Hahaha, I’m talking a lot today. It’s been so long. I miss this. I miss blogging. I miss talking to lots of people at the same time (although now, I can’t see my audience). I miss a lot of things, especially my family.
I’m talking a lot today. But please, bear with me. For once again, I felt some rays of hope tingling my skin… that my purpose in this world is not that bleak at all.
(PS. I can’t post the picture here because Mr. Banker requested me not to forward it while the calendar is not yet released. So sorry. And if you want copies of the calendar, just inform me. I might send you one (first-come-first-served basis though). Limited copies. 
)
Ja.
