MMS 173 Assignment 2: Knowing Where I'm At (Part 2)
MMS 173 Assignment 2: Knowing Where I'm At (Part 2)
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Part 1
The unit 1 taught me valuable lessons by emphasizing that photography starts prior to camera usage, entails training your eyes to see visual elements, and comprehending photography as a visual language with its vocabulary and grammar, which assists in creating effective frames.
Scanning through more than 15 assignments of my classmates has been an eye-opener. It's clear that there are some natural photographers in the class, even with just their mobilephones. The photos were stunning, and it's clear that every student tried their best to take gorgeous shots. This has been a learning experience, proving that skill and creativity in photography are not merely about the tools, but also the eye of the photographer and knowledge of composition.
There were classmates who made a good impression with their photography skills, taking great shots that demonstrated goodcomposition and emotional depth. Some photographs were simplyoutstanding. On the other hand, there were also students who requiredmuch improvement since they lacked focus, composition, or narrativein their photographs, but through feedback and practice, they canimprove their photography skills.
This epiphany has led me to move my attention away from the technicalities of photography and explore more into the artistic vision and narrative. It's a reminder that technology can be used to improve our work, but it's the creative vision and the capacity to communicate a message that really make a photograph great. This view stresses the significance of artistic vision and narrative in photography, while recognizing the contribution of technical proficiency. It invites you to delve deeper into the creative side of photography.
Part 2
Here are the top 5 stunning photos that caught my attention...
Korea Pavillion, Expo City 2020
Korea Pavillion, Expo City 2020
The photo of the Korea Pavilion at Expo City 2020 is a striking depiction of geometric repetition and architectural ingenuity. The stacked cubes, each adorned with bold red and yellow diagonal patterns, create a rhythmic and visually engaging composition. The use of repetition as a design element is particularly effective, as it draws the viewer's eye across the frame and emphasizes the pavilion's unique structure. The perspective chosen by the photographer enhances the sense of depth and scale, leading the viewer's gaze diagonally upward, which adds dynamism to the image.
The patience and effort of the photographer can be seen here, as waiting in line for two hours lends a sense of meaning and fulfillment to the final product. Although the lighting might have been improved to bring out the colors more vibrantly, the photo still retains its appeal by highlighting the pavilion's detailed design and symmetry. The carefulframing and perspective make it visually appealing.
If I were to shoot this photo, I would want to use golden hour lighting for increased contrast and warmth. Shooting from an angle or addingforeground elements might introduce depth and interest. With minor limitations, the photo is successful in showcasing the pavilion's beauty and giving a sense of effort and admiration for architectural artistry.
Peaceful Road
Peaceful Road
by: James Valenzuela
The "Peaceful Road" perfectly captures a peaceful and cinematic mood, reflecting the balance between nature and man-made elements. The tall pine trees form a natural canopy, encasing the road and leading the viewer's gaze to the vanishing point. This application of leading lines adds depth and direction, giving the road the feeling of a journey to a peaceful destination. The scattered people bring life to the scene without suffocating its serenity, and the golden light filtering through the trees imparts a warm, nostalgic quality that underscores the timelessness of the image.
The piece is nicely balanced, with tree lines on either side formingsymmetry and order. Adding the sidewalk on the right adds depth and form, while the empty grassy space on the left creates contrast and keeps the image from seeming too uniform. The natural lighting is alsoan impressive element, as it mutes the scene and gives a dreamlike feel that matches its peaceful mood. The contrast between movement(pedestrians) and rest (the deserted road) produces a sense of serene isolation and not loneliness, and this image comes across as an escape from city life.
If I were to photograph this myself, I could try using a lower vantage point to better highlight the verticality of the trees or introduce other dynamic points like a moving bike or vehicle to provide even more subtle tension. Further advancing post-processing to emphasize more colorful greens or even clearer details in the shadows may make somedetails stand out more. As a whole, this photo is able to convey peace and serenity while also holding the viewer's attention through its careful composition and natural light.
The photo successfully captures a candid and touching moment of two young kids taking refuge from rain beneath a jacket. Diffused light, muted tones, and tangible textures of rain and clothing all work together to create a somber and realistic mood. The photographer employs the rule of thirds by placing the kids off-center, and also employs leading lines formed by the street to lead the viewer's eye. The deep, selective color and shallow depth of field serve to highlight the children and to make them the unmistakable center of attention.
The power of the photo is its raw and real sense, capturing an intimate moment that provokes sympathy. The photograph brings out the issues of poverty, survival, and social inequality through the contrast between the kids and the figures with umbrellas in the background. The photographer's success in capturing such a real moment without intruding upon it is worthy of praise, and the photo is thus a strong visual statement on social inequalities.
If I were the photographer, I might get a lower shot to further highlight the vulnerability of the children and move them further away from the background. Although the composition works, an alternate viewpointwould increase the emotional weight. Black and white conversion would add further emotional depth.
A Drop of Sunlight
A Drop of Sunlight
The photograph "A Drop of Sunlight" captures a koi fish in a pond, reflecting colors. The composition employs elements like color, texture, line, shape and value. The ripples in the water create dynamic lines, and the koi fish is the primary shape, partially obscured by the water. The photo showcases asymmetrical balance, using the rule of thirds with the fish positioned off-center. Leading lines formed by the ripples direct the viewer's eye, while the wooden edge frames the scene.
The photographer successfully captured vibrant reflections and the movement of the koi fish, adding life to the scene. However, the image could benefit from improved sharpness, particularly on the fish. Additionally, the composition feels somewhat unbalanced due to the wooden element. The lighting could be more dramatic, with stronger contrasts to enhance depth.
To improve the shot, I would prioritize a sharper focus on the koi fish to emphasize its importance. Experimenting with different angles and framing could lead to a more balanced composition. Waiting for optimal lighting conditions with stronger highlights and shadows would add greater depth to the photograph. Additionally, I would wait for the Koi to stay still and capture it.
Light in My Night
Light in My Night
by: Cyril Bundalian
The photo "Light in My Night" effectively uses the element of light to create a focal point in an otherwise dark scene. The strong yellow light emanating from the shelter immediately draws the viewer's eye, creating a sense of warmth and invitation. The photographer uses contrast well, with the bright shelter standing out against the deep blacks of the night, enhancing the feeling of light overcoming darkness.
In terms of composition, the photographer has placed the shelter slightly off-center, which creates some visual interest, though centering it might enhance the symmetry and impact as the photographer mentioned. Leading lines from the pavement help guide the eye towards the light. The rule of thirds isn't strictly followed, but the balance between the dark foreground and the illuminated shelter works.
I appreciate the photo's emotional depth and the story behind it, as described by the photographer. If I were taking the photo, I might experiment with a longer exposure to capture more detail in the surrounding darkness, or try to include the full moon as the photographer suggested to add another layer of interest and context to the scene.
Part 3
As an intermediate-level photographer, I take pride in my ability to convey emotion and significance through my images, as demonstrated in “Light in My Night.” My experience as a photojournalist, including reaching the national level in journalism contests during elementary school and contributing to our school’s official publication, The Cursor, has shaped my storytelling skills. However, I recognize areas for growth, particularly in technical accuracy and composition. Observing my classmates’ work has been an eye-opening experience; their creativity and technical expertise inspire me to refine my craft further. Their ability to use lighting, framing, and storytelling techniques to produce aesthetically compelling photographs challenges me to push beyond my current limits.
In order to continue improving, I intend to implement a number of measures. One of these is practicing self-reflection more stringently by critically reviewing my photographs for sharpness, depth of field, and whether they accurately illustrate my vision. Further, I will try outdifferent lighting conditions and angles in order to add depth and moodto my photographs. Beginning a photography project on a chosentheme or subject—like night urban landscapes will allow me to build up a cohesive style while establishing my technical competence. Lastly, learning the techniques of famous photographers and copying their styles will give me a solid idea of advanced composition and narrative.
Finally, observing the methods of renowned photographers and copying their styles will offer insights into sophisticated composition and narrative development techniques. By combining rigorous practice with artistic experimentation, I look forward to finding equilibrium between technical proficiency and emotional depth in my photographs. In the future, I will emphasize mastering exposure controls, rules of composition, and narrative techniques while maintaining the emotional connection that characterizes my photography. By continuous effort and experimentation, I feel I can develop into a more talented and effective photographer able to create effective visual narratives.
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