Smiles are meant to be captured and kept
Smile and the whole world smiles with you. It takes more facial muscles to frown than to smile. And don’t forget: smile for the camera. The three sentences that constitute the first paragraph of this piece tell it all, the story of the smile. To begin with, smiles are the global communicator when it comes to passing good vibes on to others. A smile (if done sincerely and without any hint of malice or immorality), has the power to positively change the way a person feels. And although flashing your pearly whites at random people is not exactly common practice, chances are you’ll get a smile in return. At its very simplest, you and a stranger could brighten up each other’s day with one. Secondly, it is effortless to smile when done out of honesty. Try it: scrunch up your face into the hardest, angriest scowl you can make. You won’t be able to hold it for very long. But you can smile the whole day, if you want to.
And while some smiles are so powerful and unforgettable, there are still those that get away. Smiling for the camera immortalizes the image, taking away the trouble of having to remember what a particular smile looks like.
Advances in electronics have even made it possible for cameras to capture smiles, and only smiles at that. Sony’s trademark “Smile Shutter” technology, for example, is a complicated algorithm of electrical hoo-hah that calculates the eyes, teeth, and other facial features as the camera automatically focuses. Only after it has processed that a subject in “smile” status will it take the photo. It struggles to take frowns.
The “Smile Shutter” feature has been incorporated into Sony Ericsson’s new 3.2 megapixel C510 Cyber-Shot cellular phone, giving more reasons for camera phone junkies to smile. Of course, the “Smile Shutter” can be switched off when, say, you’re taking a picture of something that can’t smile. Like a rock, or a wall, or something like that.
“The C510 is a stylish handset designed to give users easy-to-use features, without compromising the premium Cyber-Shot experience. It is one of the most accessible Cyber-Shot models to date, with an appealing design and functions usually expected from higher models,” says Sony Ericsson General Manager Dennis Manzano. Furthermore, the increased mobility of the added “Smile Shutter” feature will definitely be a hit as it captures all the smiles of the summer season.
Being appointed as Sony Ericsson’s Brand Ambassador for the Philippines has definitely made Sarah Geronimo all smiles. Known for her big voice and now for silver screen stardom, Sarah is rightfully cast for this role, having one of the sweetest smiles in the industry.
As official spokesperson, Ms. Geronimo will be the face of more Sony Ericsson campaigns to come after “Smile Shutter.” “I’m very proud and flattered that Sony Ericsson chose me. I’ve always liked Sony Ericsson. Maganda na siya, madali pang gamitin. Marami siyang features na nakakatuwa at innovative talaga,” said the 20-year-old with a winning smile.
Launched in Bohol, the “Smile Shutter” campaign gave users a chance to experience the C510 in one of the country’s most visited, historic destinations. Classic churches, the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers all made for perfect subjects. And, of course, everyone was smiling all throughout the trip, really putting the Smile Shutter function to the test.
Cameras today are getting more and more powerful in that they incorporate so many advantages such as speed, convenience and portability. Digital cameras (not to mention camera phones) allow one to keep shooting. Afterwards, just copy the contents of the flash disk or SD card into your computer, format it, and pop it back into the camera for another 700 or so shots. Likewise, these same images can be sent over the Internet anywhere in the world, in the blink of an eye. And often, the camera can fit in your pocket.
Quintessential photography would probably be something like this: having 36 shots on a roll of film developed, printed, and later framed or arranged neatly in a photo album. Nowadays, digital cameras offer a new dimension to the camera experience with all the technological advantages. Browsing through actual photos does make reminiscing feel different; but whether it is photo paper, megapixels, or digital albums, what is in the photo — the image — is what truly counts.
The smile, in this sense, does not cease to be a smile, regardless of what medium it is saved on.
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All photographs taken using a Sony Ericsson C510.
E-mail me at enricomiguelsubido@yahoo.com.
