For the Love of Photography: The Joy of Imprinting with Canon's Pixma Printers

"God gave us memories that we might have roses in December." ~J.M. Barrie

When was the last time you actually held photos from your digital camera in your hands?  I can no longer remember. 

Yet when I think back on those days when I had pictures from my film camera developed in the neighborhood photo store, I can still very much remember the sense of excitement from seeing my pictures for the first time, and the sense of fulfillment from actually being able to touch my photos. I first fell in love with photography during my film camera days back in high school. Now, in this day and age of the digital camera and memory card, I am even more in love with photography.  But having my pictures exist in print is something only in the realm of nostalgia but not in reality, for reasons of practicality and convenience. These days, who actually go to the photo store to have their photos printed? Certainly not me.

Then this week, I got an invitation from Nuffnang to an exclusive launch of a line of five new Canon PIXMA printers and was introduced to a beautiful bridge between the world of digital photography and real photographs.

At the exclusive launch of Canon's Pixma printers at the SM North Edsa City Style Annex on October 18.

Until this event, I can honestly say that I have never considered getting a photo printer because I've always thought that the printers themselves were really expensive, not to mention the cost of the ink and the photo paper.

Then that day, I learned about the PIXMA MP287, which is retailing at a surprisingly low price of only P3,495.00 while the next printer in the series, the Pixma E500 is only at P4,495.00. The other printers are in the price range of P6,495 to  P19,295.

These printers are ink efficient and judging from the photos that I actually saw the printers churn out, the quality of the prints is not compromised at all.  The details were sharp and the colors were crisp and beautiful. The PIXMA E500's cost per print is only at P0.74 for each plain black document and P1.74 for colored documents.  I also asked around and was surprised that each 30 sheet pack of 4 x 6 glossy photo paper is only P125.00 or only P4.17 per sheet, while a set of inks for the E500 is only P1,290.  The colored cartridge can print up to 400 pages while the black cartridge up to 800 pages.

The Canon Pixma E500 retails at P4,495

From the cost alone, I'd say that these printers are a a good deal. But they still have added features which make them real value for money. These features include an eco monitor which allows you to track your reduced carbon emissions and paper saved by Canon's Auto Duplex Print feature.  The PIXMA MG8270 (P19,295) and the MG5370 (P8,495) printers are also wi-fi enabled and can even print from Picasa Web Albums without a PC through the PIXMA Cloud Link.  What I especially like are the printers' fun filter effects (blur background, fish-eye, miniature, soft focus, and toy camera) that can be automatically applied to the photos before printing.

What I also found just so cool was that the PIXMA printers have a Full HD Movie Print feature, which allows you to print any frame from videos shot using certain Canon digital cameras. Amazing!

And because these printers are all-in-one, even the lowest priced PIXMA printer has a built-in scanner---perfect for turning my old film photos to the digital realm.

The event also featured the works of the PIXMA brand ambassadors  and showcased the best photos they've ever printed.  The brand ambassadors (Jun Miranda, Per- Andre Hoffmann, and Jo Avila) are talented photographers in their own right and the wall of their photos was very inspiring to a photography enthusiast like me.

Hoffmann's surreal take on Mayon Volcano

Pure innocent joy, as captured by Jo Avila.

I am a Canon girl through and through---from film to digital cameras, over the years, I have trusted Canon's quality and craftsmanship. And now with Canon PIXMA printers, I know I will take my love for photography to a new, and more complete, level.

I believe photography is, ultimately, all about memories. We use cameras to take photos to capture unique moments in time, and we print photos to make those moments last for eternity (or in case of photos printed with PIXMA printers, they can last up to 300 years!). With the prevalence of digital cameras in our generation and our never-ending fascination with Facebook and other social networking sites, I think we have somehow forgotten that having prints of our photos is actually an essential step in the art and process of photography.  Until a photo captured by a digital camera is printed, it only exists as kilobyte in our memory cards and computers. It is different to hold a memory in our hands, in a concrete, tactile, tangible form---somehow making it more real. Photography is not complete until we can actually see and smell and feel and touch our photos, and revel in its lights and shadows.  It is only then that photos are not just prints but become true imprints of cherished moments and memories.

PROMO ALERT. Starting October 15, Canon is giving away Rudy Project Sprint sets (a sports watch and arm band) worth P4,300 for every purchase of a Canon PIXMA E500, a Canon PIXMA printer and a corresponding ink, or 4 Canon Genuine inks. For more information on Canon's PIXMA printers, visit www.canon.com.ph.

Five Things, Fab Finds, and Serendipity

I believe in the power of serendipity, whether in the most significantly deep aspects of life, or even at the most mundane---such as things related to fashion and everyday useful items. (And even discovering that it's serendipity that's the common thread to my five things list was in itself serendipitous!)

1. Bazaar Finds

Without planning to, I found myself in Fashion Palooza: A Trendsetter's Bazaar at the Rockwell tent on Sunday and there I scored some fabulous finds without breaking the bank. I chanced upon Island Girl, which has handmade accessories made in Cebu but is marketed for export (incidentally, they also have a store in Boracay! :)) I had a hard time choosing from all the colors and styles for sale but in the end, I narrowed it down to this wooden bead necklace in a gorgeous shade of aqua.

I've also been looking for a charm bracelet to layer with other pieces in my bracelet collection and a pair of gradient aviator sunnies for a while now. And luckily, I found them both in the Rockwell bazaar. And I got all these three pieces for less than P800! (The pink sunnies case is also a surprise good find from my perennial favorite, Fab Manila).

2. Pouch

I instantly fell in love with this pouch which depicts New York City street scenes.  I don't need another pouch really but this is now the catchall clutch in my purse, holding everything from my umbrella to sunglasses and eco bag. And I found this one in good old SM Department Store, which never ceases to amaze me with its bargain but chic finds. 

3. Eco Bag 

I've had this red polka dot eco bag from for quite some time now. I have road tested so many eco bags that my stash is almost a collection. And I am ready to declare that this is the best and the most perfect eco bag---ever! (At least with respect to my lifestyle and taste). It's made of the perfect lightweight material so I carry it daily in my purse with practically no added weight.  Yet it's durable enough that it can carry heavy stuff, from extra shoes to groceries. It's also not too big and not too small---just the perfect size really. And what I love most about it is the perfect case that I can hook on to the bag whenever I use it. That way, I don't lose the case unlike with other eco bags. I also don't like eco bags that even come with instructions on how to refold the bag back into place. With this eco bag, I don't need to be an origami artist to put the bag back into the case! I can just stuff it right into the case and go. This eco bag is from Storage Solutions. I don't know if it's available online but I've been told they don't carry it in their bazaars but only in their Cash and Carry Mall store. 

4. Black ballerina flats

 

I've been on the hunt for the perfect black ballerina flats for some time now.  (And this is on top of my growing addiction to any lovely pair of closed flats). A pair of Repetto ballet flats is definitely on my wish list but in the meantime, several pairs have come to me through department store (pictured above) and bazaar finds. In the Rockwell bazaar last Friday, I discovered My Fancy Flats. Unfortunately, they didn't have a black pair in my size but fortunately, they have an online store.  My Fancy Flats may just satisfy my craving to hunt for the perfect pair of black ballerinas. As soon as I get my hands on them, I'll be sure to let you know.

5. Forever 21 Scarves 

And finally, I am just so happy with my knit and cotton scarves also serendipitously found at Forever 21, purchased on an impromptu visit during the office lunch hour. Plush, soft, and simply perfect for my upcoming birthday holiday out of the country.

Wishing serendipity will continue doing its magic for all of us. Cheers! :)