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MMS 173 | Assignment 4
I admit that I was pressured to do this task because I lack the proper equipment I can adjust the exposure settings manually. I wasn't able to borrow my cousin's DSLR. I was left with my smartphone's camera (Vivo V30e) to accomplish the following shots. After days of trials, I wasn't satisfied with my shots. Fortunately, I remember that my sibling has an iPhone, and I am one of those who believe that their cameras are superior to other brands, hence, I borrowed it to take some of my shots.
HEIGHT
When I read the first theme as height, I immediately thought of the Pasig Revolving Tower. It's known for its height and innovative design. I would not delve into its rich history or how it became a structural marvel of the city, but rather rely on my day-to-day encounters with it. I work in the vicinity, and during the night, it's truly captivating—especially with the lights that were recently added to it.
I told myself, if this tower is already so distinguishable from afar—sometimes even visible from neighboring cities like Antipolo—it would be interesting to shift the perspective. Instead of capturing it from a distance, I wanted to provide a view from directly below. This angle doesn’t just highlight its physical height, but also evokes the feeling of being small next to something so monumental. It’s a different kind of appreciation—one that emphasizes presence and scale rather than just recognition.
Camera Settings (Vivo V30e Camera)
Focal Length: 26mm & Aperture: f/1.79 - I cannot adjust the focal length and aperture of my phone's camera, and I think it automatically sets to these settings. Anyway, the focal length of 26mm allowed a wider field of view, which helped me frame the entire base of the tower while capturing its upward stretch. And the aperture f/1.79 allowed more light to enter the lens, which is crucial since I took this photo at night.
Shutter Speed: 1/17s - A faster shutter speed helped minimize motion blur since I am shooting with my hand.
ISO: 1118 - A higher ISO value helped brighten the scene because I was shooting at night.
PATTERN
There were so many ideas that came to mind for this theme. Most of them involved the structural patterns found around my workplace, but I decided to highlight a pattern found in nature instead. I’m not really into flowers, but this one genuinely caught my eye. According to the internet, it’s called a Lantana—a name I hadn’t heard before. I just see a pinkish sampaguita with an egg yolk at its heart.
Aside from its beauty, another reason why I captured this was the view of the pre-bloomed petals at the center, slowly forming the pattern as they mature. It felt like I was witnessing a moment of quiet evolution—nature unfolding its design. It's truly mesmerizing, as I've said. That sense of growth and symmetry is what inspired the title of this photo.
Camera Settings (iPhone 13 Camera)
Focal Length: 26mm & Aperture: f/1.6 – These are standard settings for the iPhone 13's main camera. This combination is great for capturing the entire flower without distortion. The wide aperture also provides a shallow depth of field, allowing the subject to stand out from the background with a soft, pleasing blur.
Shutter Speed: 1/285s – This fast shutter speed helps prevent motion blur caused by natural movements, such as wind, and ensures the image stays sharp—especially in outdoor daylight conditions.
ISO: 40 – A low ISO value like this is ideal for maintaining minimal noise and clean image quality, especially when there’s sufficient natural light available.
NIGHT
In line with my previous photo assignments, I wanted to continue using these capturing activities to tell the everyday (or every night) stories I observe from my workplace. I've mentioned before how dynamic and alive a public market can be—even during the earliest hours of the day. I once photographed the trucks transporting goods to and from the market. This time, I chose to highlight a different perspective: a road beside the Mutya ng Pasig Mega Market.
This photo was taken around 2 a.m., yet it already reveals the liveliness of the area. In many other places at that hour, you’d expect to see only the quiet glow of streetlights. But here, there's already a pandesal vendor preparing his cart, and clothing vendors that are still open, pushing through the long hours. It reflects the hardworking spirit of people in this part of the city.
Camera Settings (Vivo V30e Camera)
Focal Length: 26mm & Aperture: f/1.79 – The wide-angle view helped capture this wide scene of an intersection road. And the wide aperture allowed more light to hit the sensor, making the image brighter and clearer even at night.
Shutter Speed: 1/17s - A slower shutter speed helps the camera absorb more light to properly expose the scene, which is also ideal since I only took it with my hands.
ISO: 548 – This moderately high ISO value also helped the camera's sensitivity to light, brightening the image in a dark setting.
FLOWER
The flower theme was quite hard for someone who's not into flowers, or perhaps, I'm just pressuring myself since flowers are intrinsically beautiful, hence, I had to capture them in the most appealing way. Either way, photography should be done thoughtfully, and that's what I aimed for here.
As I was wandering to look for a subject, I saw this one that stood out, mostly due to its vibrant color. I thought it'd be interesting to use a depth of field composition, where the subject already pops due to its color, but is further emphasized by the visual separation from the background.
I searched the Internet, and it says that this flower is called Madagascar Periwinkle—a name that is new to me, again. If I were my 10-year-old self, I probably would've picked it and played she loves me, she loves me not thing. But now, at 23, I think photography doesn’t just save the flower—it preserves its beauty in a digital form, extending its presence far beyond its natural lifespan.
Camera Settings (iPhone 13 Camera)
Focal Length: 26mm & Aperture: f/1.6 – The focal length gives a natural perspective without distortion, ideal for close-up shots. And the wide aperture allows for a shallow depth of field, helping the flower stand out sharply against a blurred background.
Shutter Speed: 1/1536s - A faster shutter speed prevents motion blur and is helpful since I took this outside, where wind might affect the view.
ISO: 50 – Since this was taken in broad daylight, a low ISO value is enough to ensure minimal noise and preserve detail and color accuracy
MOTION
For the motion theme, I captured a photo that reflects the experience of commuting through ride-hailing platforms. Taking the shot while in motion was a challenge, but I managed to capture a moment where two vehicles appeared on both sides, creating a sense of balance and movement, which made this photo worth sharing.
This image aims to highlight the convenience that ride-hailing services offer, especially in urban areas where traffic congestion is a daily struggle. Beyond convenience, these platforms also provide greater accessibility, flexible travel options, and a safer alternative to traditional commuting, especially at late hours or in unfamiliar locations. With real-time tracking and cashless payments, they’ve reshaped how we navigate places.
Camera Settings (Vivo V30e Camera)
Focal Length: 26mm & Aperture: f/1.79 – The wide-angle focal length provided a natural commuter’s perspective, capturing more of the scene without distortion. The wide aperture helped create a shallow depth of field, subtly separating moving elements from the background and drawing attention to the rider in front.
Shutter Speed: 1/60s – This moderate shutter speed was ideal for capturing motion with minimal blur. I intentionally kept the motion blur slight to suggest the smooth and safe ride offered by the platform.
ISO: 400 – This ISO value was sufficient to brighten the image, considering the limited light from streetlights and nearby vehicles. It’s a balanced setting that helped maintain clarity and color accuracy in a dynamic, low-light scene.
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