Part 1: General Assessment

I browsed through more than 25 random sites of my peers, and all I can say is this class is full of creativity! The pictures that I viewed were everywhere - some extremely personal, others quite artistic, and a couple that were professionally done.

From what I can gather after our Unit I readings, my peers are at varying levels currently. Some of my classmates have certainly got the fundamentals of photography down, while there's few individuals whose architectural photos actually blew me away with how they managed angles and composition. But in all honesty, others still have some work to do on aspects such as focus and lighting. That's completely okay though, we're all learning!

What actually caught my attention was how many individuals were already narrating with their photographs. There were photos of people living different lives and some of their pets, too. That really touched me. I kept returning to view them again. Another student had these abstract landscape photos that were strangely soothing to view.

If I'm honest, perhaps 5-6 are already shooting at a level that looks professional, I wouldn't be surprised to see their work in print somewhere. Their work shows both technical ability and a good eye. However, There are certainly some who'll require additional assistance to pass if the bar is raised.

I see that people also edit their photos differently. Some use all the editing software and make the pictures really stylized, while others leave it really raw. I like seeing both ways. It's amazing how differently we all perceive what constitutes a "good" photo.

Overall, I'm really impressed with where most of us are beginning. It'll be fun to see how everyone progresses throughout the trimester, and I also can't wait on how I can use this as an inspiration to also do better with my craft.

Maria Danielle Florendo

Korea Pavillion, Expo City, 2020.

This picture was the first one that caught my attention. The repetition of shape and pattern achieves such a satisfying rhythm, giving the composition this sense of balance and intentionality. The perspective and angle are what give us a sense of depth, actually making it almost seem infinite. The lighting also works really well—soft, but still good enough to render the details of the building. I especially like how the lighting produces shadows that give each geometric shape depth and dimension. The composition is also great at using balance and leading lines that guide the viewer's eye through the image

The contrast between the pavilion's warm colors and the cool blue gradient of the sky is a pleasant touch, and the image really pops with it. It's a wonderful example of how symmetry and pattern can take basic architecture and make it visually stunning. If anything, a slightly lower camera angle would have made the building seem even more imposing, but in all honesty, this picture already does a great job of revealing the beauty of the design. This is evidence of a good grasp of basic photographic concepts.

Angelle Felice

Untitled

I personally like scenery photos because it gives me a sense of calmness. This landscape photo from Angelle captures that serene and tranquil atmosphere of nature to perfection. The golden soft light, rolling fog, and expansive mountain terrain give it a dreamy quality, as if taken from a fantasy movie. The movement of the fog between the hills creates depth, and the location appears to be endless and inviting.

I also enjoy how the composition guides the eye naturally through the scene, with the hills giving a good flow. If I were to shoot this photo, I might attempt a lower angle to reveal more details in the foreground, but really, it's already such a beautiful photo that you just want to sit there and soak it all in.

Ren Avrielle Telebrico

"Layag Ng Malabon"

The soft, warm, golden tones of this image was what grab my attention, creating a peaceful yet reflective mood. The way the sunset blends into the water is just beautiful, giving the whole scene a soft, cinematic feel. The fishermen in the middle serve as a strong focal point, and their placement adds to the storytelling—showing the long hours they put in, working until sundown.

I love how the waves in the water take the viewer's eye directly to the boat, creating a dynamic yet soothing impression. If I were shooting this, I might try a bit lower vantage point to highlight the enormity of the water, but honestly, I don't think I could top this. It's a beautiful capture that's equally well-balanced in color, composition, and narrative.

Glyza Gayle Catalan

"Play With Fire",

This image is such a good demonstration of the way that composition and lighting can actually make a story come alive. The candlelit glow makes the darkness outside seem all the darker, drawing us immediately to the child and the look on her face. It gives the entire photo with a quiet, intimate mood—one of focused determination and intense attention. The positioning of the light on her face and hands gives depth, so the scene feels even more real and emotive. Composition-wise, placing the subject slightly off-center follows the rule of thirds, making the shot more balanced and natural., making the image more balanced and natural. The candle is not merely present to provide light, it is also used as a second point of interest, leading our gaze between the candle and the child. The shadows on either side of her create the sense of aloneness that makes the image so compelling. If I were to shoot this, perhaps I would want to use just a bit more of the world around her for context, a slightly wider cropping, but given how the contrast and lighting operate here, this already got a very solid and emotional image.

Jermaine Lobo

"Soaked In Reality", 2022.

This is a hands-down one of the strongest shots I saw. The narrative here is so potent, you can sense the feeling just from glancing at it. The way the children are huddled under a blanket, protecting themselves from the rain, immediately draws you in. The look on their faces tells you so much that the image feels raw and true.

Composition-wise, the application of thirds is perfect, where the kids have been put to naturally shift focus towards them. The two-color color grading works perfectly blending the background and allowing it to still remain significant yet subtlety making the subject's stand out more. The foggy images behind add a contrast and depth aspect, enhancing how different the people walking past the kids look from the kids. If I were to change anything, perhaps a closer crop might make it even more intimate, but truly, this shot already says such a profound and powerful story that I wouldn't want to make any more changes.

Part 3: Self-Assessment

After going through my classmates’ works, I’d place myself somewhere in the middle of the class when it comes to photography skills. I realize that I still have much to improve, but I always welcome new knowledge and improvement tips. Everyone's photos looked so wonderful, it gives a sneak peek of alternative views and techniques that would not have come to mind by me. Some shots had such strong storytelling, while others had perfect composition and technical execution. It made me understand that photography is not just about taking a subject but also about how you can make someone feel when they look at the picture. Seeing their work really inspired me to try harder so I can be there someday. For the time being, I believe I must pay much focus to learning and implementing the principles of photography.

Sometimes I shoot based on instinct, and it happens to work sometimes, but I know I must be more deliberate with my photographs. Being more mindful of composition, lighting, and framing will surely make me better. I also learned that proper angling of my photographs is an aspect I need to improve on—sometimes, a slight change of perspective makes the difference between making a photograph more dynamic and more engaging to the eye. To get better, I will practice more, perhaps taking random photographs daily and learning what does and what doesn't. I will also experiment with various styles and methods to determine what works best for me.

Photography is an ongoing improvement type of endeavor, and I am ready to continue learning. I am aware that I am not going to master everything immediately, but if I continue challenging myself and being receptive to criticism, I am certain that I will improve in time.

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