Assignment 6 

End Blog

What a meaningful semester it has been, really.

This photo was taken for our last activity in MMS 173, but I decided to choose it again for this end blog summary because out of all the pictures I’ve taken throughout the course, both in real life and in-game, this one felt the most real and honest. The most Andy. This was me. It didn’t have props or anything fancy. Just me, a blank wall with a light, and my phone camera. But somehow, it carried everything I learned and experienced in this class.

When I look at this photo, I see how much I’ve grown, not just as someone learning more about photography, but as a person learning more about herself.

At the start of the trimester, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. The moment I saw this course in the course guide, I was already excited. I thought of how this class would teach me so many new things. I’ve always liked photography, but I never really considered how deep and emotional it could get to me. I thought we would just take pictures, submit them, review, and that’s it. Just like when I was in senior high school, in one of my classes in the Arts and Design strand. But MMS 173 turned out to be something more than that. It taught me how to be intentional and how to tell stories with light, shadows, framing, and timing. I became more aware of the decisions I make when I take photos. Each click started to feel like a choice, not just a feeling, or how good the place looks.

This specific photo came from an idea I had while I was on the road. I wanted it to be the vision of who I am. The moment I saw the self-portraiture, I immediately knew that that was what I was going to do. It made me think about identity, about how we all reflect different colors depending on the light that hits us. That’s what this course felt like. A way to see myself through a different kind of lens—literally and figuratively.

In the process of taking pictures, both in real life and in games like the ones I did on Genshin Impact, I realized more that photography can be a form of self-expression, but also a mirror. There were moments I doubted my skills, especially when comparing my work to others. I thought to myself that I’ve been holding a camera ever since I was in 4th grade, and yet I still wasn’t that good at it. I’ve seen classmates post photos that felt like they came out of a magazine, and I’d wonder if I was doing enough. But I kept reminding myself that everyone has their own pace, and that the most important thing was that I was willing to learn and improve, little by little, in my own timeline. Like what I thought with coming out or embracing yourself to be out in the open. We have our own pace in loving ourselves, our own timeline in accepting what we are, and when we want to share it with the world. And I think that’s the beauty of knowing yourself. You are able to be free to do the things you care about in your own world.

One of my personal goals for this course was to step out of my comfort zone. I didn’t want to rely too much on what I already knew. I wanted to challenge myself to try new techniques and explore how photography can be more than just visual. That it can also be emotional. I think I did that—even just a little, especially in the photos where I focused on storytelling more than just aesthetics.

There were definitely some moments I could’ve done better. I do wish I could do more if I had a professional camera, or a simple one, rather than just using my phone. I wish I had taken more time with certain outputs. Sometimes I rushed because of other schoolwork piling up, or I didn’t feel confident enough to fully explore an idea. However, for me, progress is progress. And I know this doesn’t stop here. However, despite those moments, I still learned so much. I’ve realized that mistakes are part of the process—and that being open to feedback, even when it’s hard to hear, is one of the most valuable things I can do for myself as a learner. And for me, progress is progress. I know this doesn’t stop here in this course.

I also appreciated the way this course encouraged us to use photography in different environments, including in-game photography. Taking screenshots in Genshin might not seem that deep at first, but the way we were guided to analyze and think critically about composition, color, and narrative made me look at gaming from a new perspective. It made me feel that creativity isn’t boxed in. It’s everywhere—you just have to know how to see it and how to execute it.

As for communication, I think the forums, Zoom meetings, and group chats helped, though I sometimes felt disconnected just because of the nature of online learning. I didn’t always feel the “classroom” vibe, and there were times I wished I could’ve interacted more with classmates and our teacher. But I also understand that we’re all dealing with different things and doing our best. The asynchronous setup gave me flexibility, which I appreciated, especially during busy weeks.

If I’m being honest, photography now feels more personal to me. Before this class, I lost hope in photography as a skill I had to have. I stopped practicing for years, I stopped aiming to be better. But now, it’s also a way for me to process emotions, to explore themes like identity, growth, and self-acceptance. This course made me bring back the fire of my love for photography. This class didn’t just teach me how to shoot better photos. Not just that,  it also helped me see that I am enough, that I’m doing my best, and that it’s okay to take my time.

This photo sums up all of that. I’m in the center of the frame, not smiling, not posing—just present. The rainbow light around me reminds me of the many layers of myself I’ve come to understand. The shadows, the highlights, the expression on my face—they all speak of someone who is learning, changing, and slowly growing into herself. It’s not perfect, but it’s real. And I think that’s what makes it powerful.

If I were to summarize my biggest takeaway from MMS 173, it’s this: Photography is not just about seeing, it’s about being seen. Through the lens, I’ve learned to look at the world differently, but more importantly, I’ve learned to look at myself differently, too.

To everyone who’s been part of this journey–my partner, my friends, my coursemates, our prof, and even the characters I captured in-game—thank you. This class was more than just a requirement. It became a space for me to understand my creative process, to reflect, and to accept where I am now, while still being excited about where I’m heading next.

This one-shot photo isn’t just a summary of the class. It’s a summary of a version of myself I’m proud to have met, and will continue to make proud.