Looking at Arvin Christian Alviar's "The City is Asleep," what strikes me first is that even though it was taken with an iPhone XR, the details are still surprisingly evident. That says something about the phone's capabilities but also about Alviar's eye for capturing the scene. I do like the setting, especially that yellow lighting on the floor as it creates one of the nice focal points and adds a warm touch to the image. And when I look at the composition, I get the sense that Alviar was aiming for some kind of radial effect, and there's a bit of symmetry going on with the lines. At least, that's what I'm seeing. But there are definitely things I would change if it were my shot.

     For starters, that blue table on the right side just feels unnecessary. It doesn't seem to contribute to the story, and honestly, it's a bit distracting. I think I'd either try to darken it in editing or, ideally, just remove it from the frame altogether. Also, that white line on the left, it's a little crooked and it bothers me. I'd definitely want to rotate the image slightly to get that line straight. Cropping is another thing I'd play around with. I think a tall crop could work really well here. It would emphasize the vertical lines and give the photo a stronger sense of height and depth.

       In terms of effects, I'm really drawn to the idea of a black and white conversion. I think that would make the lines and textures in the image stand out even more. But I'd keep that yellow-orange light on the floor. That contrast would be so dramatic and powerful and it would really tie in with the title, "The City is Asleep."

     So, overall, while I think Alviar captured some good elements, there are definitely things I would do differently to strengthen the composition, eliminate distractions, and really drive home the mood and message of the photo.

     What really grabs me about this photograph is how well it captures the atmosphere of a lively bar.  For me, the photo's strength starts with how Albano has handled the light and color. The image is deliberately underexposed and that really works to draw your eye to the artificial, almost neon-like lights glowing inside the bar. Those streaks of orange and red cutting through the darkness create a dynamic focal point, and they definitely establish that energetic vibe you'd expect in a place like that. Then there's the color palette, all those deep blues and purples set off by the warm oranges and yellows. That color grading with its focus on complementary colors is so striking, and it shows a real understanding of color theory in my opinion.

     Movement is another thing that Albano has used effectively in this photo. The blur she's used really conveys the dynamism and energy of the bar, with those blurred figures suggesting people in motion and making you feel like you're right there. That technique adds a sense of immediacy, and it captures the fleeting nature of the moment. The composition is also worth noting. Albano has used an overlapping style, layering figures and light sources to create depth and visual interest which is perfect for showing the crowded and lively feel of the bar. The composition puts emphasis on two main subjects, guiding your eye to different areas of activity and it might even follow the golden ratio, which would explain why it feels so visually balanced and harmonious to me.

     While I find the photo largely successful, there are a few things I keep thinking about. The heavy use of blur while it does convey movement, sometimes obscures details, and I can see how that might be a drawback for some people. But, it could also be seen as a conscious artistic choice to prioritize the overall mood and energy of the scene, which I think is a valid approach. 

     Lara Althea Garrido's collection of photographs really resonated with me, especially knowing it was all shot on her iPhone 12 Pro. The detail is definitely there and it's clear she knows how to work with the exposure which is something I appreciate.

     What struck me most, though, was the story behind the first set of photos, dedicated to her late grandmother. Honestly, as someone who really struggles with the concept of death, her story hit me hard. The emotion in those photos is palpable. I think her creative use of lines to convey direction and emptiness was incredibly powerful and really captured the feeling of grief. It even made me think of the Twenty One Pilots song "The Line," which is all about that crossing point between life and death. It's amazing how lines in a photo can symbolize such profound themes.

      The choice of monochrome and grey color grading was also spot-on. It really emphasizes the sadness and the feeling of loss. Plus, it highlights the lines even more, which is crucial for conveying the emotion she was going for.

     Composition-wise, I think there's always room for a little tweaking. Some of the photos could have benefited from slightly different angles or compositions to balance the lines better. But the shot with the air conditioners? That one was really well done. The radial composition, with the light centered amidst the dark shadows, is just perfect. It even connects to the concept of death, in a way. And the variety of textures in that shot is really noticeable and adds depth.

        Honestly, though, more than any technical critique, I just want to express my condolences to Lara Althea. Her photos are a powerful testament to her grief and I genuinely hope she finds strength during this difficult time.

     I absolutely love Mary Danielle Florendo's shot of the Korea Pavilion at Expo City 2020. The composition is just so good, especially the use of diagonals. I really like how she applied principles like Repetition, Rhythm, and Pattern with the box seats, and for me, it's executed so well. The Proportion and Scale between the sky and the seating area are also balanced, and the variety of shapes and colors makes the photo visually interesting.

      Dani mentioned wanting to capture the shot with the sun fully out, yet I think it would also have been even better if the sun were positioned more to the right, aligning with the diagonal direction of the boxes since that's where the lines lead your eyes. But obviously, that's something the photographer can't control.

    I also keep thinking about how this photo would look in black and white. I think that could really emphasize the lines, forms, textures, and contrast which would be really powerful. It's definitely an alternative post-production idea I have.

    But overall, it's such a good photo. I was so impressed that I looked up the Korea Pavilion online, and Dani's shot really deserves to be there alongside the professional ones. It's a really strong piece.