When I first started on my MMS 173 journey, my expectations were a mix of personal interest and academic curiosity. As an amateur photographer, I was eager to delve into the technical aspects. I hoped to refine my skills and gain a deeper understanding of the "nitty-gritty" details, like ISO and shutter speed, that the course description promised. I was particularly excited to finally understand how these elements interacted to create a desired effect, as opposed to relying purely on instinct. Before this course, my approach to photography was largely intuitive, driven by the desire to capture a feeling or tell a story. However, I often felt limited by my lack of technical knowledge, struggling to achieve the specific visual outcomes I envisioned. Looking back at my self-introduction, I can confidently say that my feelings about the course remain positive. My appreciation has grown. With its focus on practical techniques, Unit II has been particularly engaging, allowing me to view photography in a significantly different light. I've found a greater appreciation for the importance of composition, lighting, and the fundamental principles of capturing an image, things I had previously looked over in favor of shooting based on feeling and the stories I wanted to tell. The ability to control the image through technical expertise has made me feel like I have a new level of control over my art and that my work can be elevated to a new level.

Submitting the initial assignments gave me a valuable glimpse into my classmates' work and, more importantly, my strengths and weaknesses. I realized that while I have a strong preference for visual storytelling and capturing the emotional essence of a moment, my technical skills needed significant improvement. I tended to prioritize the emotional impact of an image over its technical execution, a habit I now recognize as a potential boundary. For example, I found myself less experienced in manipulating aperture and shutter speed to achieve specific effects, relying more on post-processing to correct shortcomings. I would try to correct blur or light issues in post when I now understand that getting it right in camera is the best approach. I originally learned photography through observation, YouTube videos, and my older brother, who has a deep love for the craft. Through those channels, I learned what I know now about photography, whether bad habit forming or not. I also joined a photography club as a child, but that was less of an learning moment and more of fun ways to take pictures (we were never graded). Observing my classmates' portfolios, particularly those shot with dedicated cameras, was eye-opening. The clarity, composition, and overall quality of those images highlighted the importance of mastering the technical aspects of photography. I was particularly impressed by the depth of field achieved in some portraits and the crispness of action shots. However, I was also impressed by the creativity and resourcefulness displayed in phone-shot portfolios, demonstrating that compelling images can be created with any tool. I saw that many of my classmates were able to use the limitations of the medium to their advantage, create very interesting work, and even show off their creativity in ways that dedicated camera users did not.

As I look towards the upcoming assignments and the final project, I find myself experiencing a mix of excitement and anxiety. The final project, in particular, sparks a sense of anticipation, as I am eager to apply the skills I've learned and showcase my creative vision. I am excited to see how I can combine the technical lessons of Unit II with my innate interest in storytelling. However, the prospect of meeting or exceeding the quality of previous students' work also creates a sense of pressure. I want to create a technically proficient and emotionally resonant project. At this point, I have not put much planning into the final project, but I am excited to see what I create. While I haven't found the class discussions particularly impactful, the insights gained from observing my classmates' work have certainly influenced my approach to photography. I am now more conscious of the importance of planning, composition, and technical proficiency. I hope the final project will let me showcase my growth in those areas and find a way to merge the technical with my artistic vision.

I am looking forward to using the techniques I have learned and seeing how they affect my images. I hope to create technically sound and emotionally moving images and that my technical growth will allow my artistic vision to be more fully realized. I want to leave this class a better photographer than when I entered, and I feel that I am well on my way.