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A Journey of Self-Discovery and Growth
As I reach the midpoint of MMS 173 (Photography in Multimedia), I can't help but look back on my journey in this course so far with mixed feelings. Well, this course for me is a lot different compared to the other major courses I've taken before. It's not the usual (you know) class with different required discussion forums each week. MMS 173 requires much more hands-on application and improvement of the skills and concepts we're learning.
When I first introduced myself in the self-introduction DF, one of my main expectations for this course was to gain skills in operating an actual camera - something that felt quite impossible since I didn't have one of my own. You see, it had always been a dream of mine to be able to operate and use an actual camera, but I had never even touched one before, relying solely on my iPhone XR for any photography needs. I had completed many prior projects and activities using just my mobile phone.
As far as I can remember, this specific shot was taken using my phone for my entrepreneurship class during my SHS years. We were tasked with creating a product, and our group chose to make scented candles. I remember filming a commercial to promote our candles, and we received a high grade for the project. Unfortunately, I cannot find the video itself, but I do have a snapshot showing how it looks like.
Shot using my Iphone XR
Me Holding a Camera for the Very First Time
I'm really really thankful to my friend/classmate Unicharmed for letting me borrow her uncle's Nikon D5300 to use for assignments like the bucketlist. Holding and operating an actual camera for the very first time was an almost disorienting experience for me - it felt like driving a car without any prior driving lessons. At first, I was confused; I didn't even know how to properly hold a camera (lol). Well, big thanks to Uni because she taught me the basics like focusing, how to zoom in and out, and capturing shots, which helped immensely.
While the camera operations initially proved challenging, certain course activities and modules definitely stood out to me in a positive way. The bucketlist activity, for example, allowed me to directly apply principles like the elements and principles of photography that I had learned about in Unit 1. Prior to this course, I hadn't realized how crucial concepts such as line, shape, form, texture, and others were to compelling photography compositions. However, after studying them, I could start identifying and utilizing them in my own bucketlist photos. It was rewarding to see that knowledge translated into tangible practice.
The photowalks were another highlight that really helped further develop my photography skills. Our Binondo photowalk, with my friend, proved especially insightful. Exploring this historical place allowed me to appreciate how a single image can indeed "speak a thousand words."
For example, in this shot, at first glance, the image appeared to simply capture buildings/establishments. But looking closer, I could start discerning layers of unspoken historical context within that simple composition. It drove home the truth that photography, when utilized properly, can convey so much more than what initially meets the eye.
But wait, there's more... What is a Binondo tour without a Binondo food crawl? I mean!!?? Of course, my friend and I used the time after the photowalk to try different foods in Binondo.
Eng Bee Tin
Plant-based Chinese Meal
Vege-Select
Ube-Latte and Xiao Long Bao
While eating, we checked how well we did on the photowalk and criticized each other's photos. For me, this is one of the most important aspects in photography - to value and accept criticism. After checking our photos, there was one photo of mine that didn't look good with the given theme of "silhouette". Given that it was already night, I couldn't redo it anymore and decided to look for another opportunity to do it again. That's the time when I looked for inspiration around the internet and even in my classmates' ePortfolios. I browsed their photos and looked for inspiration. Seeing the works of some of my classmates was incredibly motivating. I was amazed at the talents and eye for photography everyone displayed, whether using professional cameras or mobile devices. It really inspired me to keep working hard to elevate my own abilities over the remainder of the course.
As I look ahead to upcoming assignments and the final project, I feel a mix of excitement and anticipation. I know these will allow me to continue honing the photography skills I've begun developing over the first half of the course. While part of me still feels a touch of anxiety thinking about what creative hurdles may arise in the next set of activities, I'm trying to embrace that uneasiness as simply part of the growth and learning process. Well, for me, you cannot grow or improve without stepping outside of your comfort zone. So I'm having faith that any anxious moments will prove well worth it in the end as I further advance my abilities behind the lens.
Overall, my experience in MMS 173 has been very positive so far. I have an extremely hands-on professor, Mr. Al, who has kept me actively engaged through his provision of diverse materials like readings, videos, lectures, and more. I really appreciate how thoroughly and effectively he has run and facilitated this course.
I'm excited to see what awaits me in the second half of this course, and I feel ready to start pushing my abilities further. I'm confident that these remaining weeks will allow me to produce impactful photography that demonstrates how far I've come. This midpoint has been a rewarding transformation, and I can't wait to see what new creative heights I can reach by the end.
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