ZEN Bitchin'

I have very few reasons to smile and laugh these days. I won’t give the morbid and grisly details because people are put off by other people’s misery, this I know clearly now. It is not true that misery loves company. People, especially those whom you feel very close to, tend to drift away in your worst times. I am speaking from experience.

However, something happened to me a couple of weeks ago. Without any real expectations, I entered a photo contest organized by one of Cambodia’s English-language newspapers. The contest was open to all amateur and professional photographers, with no real limits as to how many photos one entrant can submit in any of the 5 categories. These vague rules added to my apprehension but eventually my recklessness prevailed. To hell with all these fears and worries and dread, I said. And I shot photo after photo until my CF card couldn’t take any more.

In the end, I submitted 10 photos for 2 categories. Among the other entrants that I know, I submitted the least number of photos in the least number of categories. After that I went on with my remaining life here in Phnom Penh. One Monday noon I received a congratulatory text message from B. I asked, what for? And he said I won in one category. Winners for each category were to be announced daily–a fact that escaped me. And I couldn’t believe it until I saw the spread of the newspaper that showed, yes, I indeed won in that category.

I bought about 10 copies of that day’s paper, for posterity. I felt elated and, I must admit, happy. For the first time in quite a while. I was still competing in another category but I didn’t care anymore. I already won. To win in the other category would probably be along the lines of tempting the fates. Had this happened, I would’ve felt terrified of what the gods have in store for me, in return for such good fortune. During the awarding ceremony last week, I realized that most of the other first placers in the remaining 4 categories, plus the grand prize winner were all professionals. They either do freelance work or they have their own studios and they do work in travel, fashion, and advertising.

It made me a bit proud to be among these men. This hobby has been very good to me so far. Will I dare pursue this professionally? Maybe not. Yet. I don’t want to think about it. I just want to enjoy my prize (pictured below) a Canon IXUS point and shoot. I tried asking the sponsor to change the color but I’m glad they didn’t because I’m digging its color right now. I remember my first digital camera was a Canon IXUS too (750 is the model, if I remember correctly) which got lost by an irresponsible person about 3 years ago. In a pinch, I bought a Sony DSC N-2. I still have it, by the way. I’m trying to decide whether I will sell it or give it to my relatives in Manila. My DSLR is an Olympus E-520. But my dream DSLR is the Canon EOS 7D. I posted the photos I submitted to the contest HERE.