MMS 173 Assignment 2: Knowing where you're at (Part 2)

PART 1: GENERAL ASSESSMENT OF THE CLASS

I went through the portfolios of my classmates with at least 20 of them. I did find pictures that I found impressive, and I will discuss most of them in the next part thoroughly. By looking at their photos, they are really good in terms of quality, they also managed to apply the elements and principles of design, and photographic composition which made their photos look great and compelling. Most of the photos I scanned were captured from their travels, those who wanted to capture certain moments they thought were beautiful and worth cherishing, the people they loved, and those who wanted to share a certain story.

Speaking of stories, I found a picture that moved me emotionally. It was captured by Ren Avrielle Telebrico, and entitled “Layag ng Malabon.” I like how he managed to capture fishermen in their small boat while showing the modern and big boats in the background, giving the contrast between the fishermen’s financial situation and struggles in their daily lives. The timing is also impeccable, as it conveys a mood of sorrow but also hope; despite the difficulties they went through, they are still able to move forward, which is evident from the direction they are heading. I truly enjoyed looking at this photo while thinking of what story it tells.

As for the people I thought were already on par with professionals, I found their photos impressive. The way they capture moments is so unique that I can’t help but eagerly await their next photography projects. Mr. Telebrico’s photos are more than just great captures; they always convey stories that we can interpret in our own way. Ms. Gumatay’s photos beautifully showcase nature and its seasons, which I personally admire. Mr. Alviar’s photos strictly follow the photographic composition principles I learned from the module, making his work simple yet captivating. Lastly, Ms. Santiago’s (Ma. Francesca) photos are versatile, demonstrating a creative approach to photography, with various themes and moods, such as the futuristic theme and vintage aesthetic featured in her assignment.

Overall, I think most of my classmates’ portfolios that I checked are doing well so far. Some truly excel in photography, perhaps due to their experience and skills, while others are only just starting. However, I came across a photo that I found lacking in quality because of its blurriness, which might be due to the photographer’s movement or the subjects moving at different speeds. Additionally, there were so many subjects that it was confusing to determine which one I should focus on, and the lighting also contributed to the problem. Another photo I checked seemed a bit lacking and dull to look at because of its angle and the overall quality of how it was taken. Although, the photographers seem to be aware of these issues, as they mentioned what they want to change to improve their work, which is a good first step toward improvement. So far, I have faith in my classmates’ abilities, and I believe they can successfully pass the course.

PART 2: CRITIQUE OF 5 PICTURES

Captured by Keizza Nazarie Gumatay

Where Morning Light Meets Petals of White

I like how the sunlight made the white petals of the flowers look delicate and soft, while the yellow center appeared spiky and slightly rough. The quality of the photo gave me a sense of how the flowers might feel by imagining their texture. The contrast between the petals and the pistil (the middle part of the flower) is striking. The sunlight made the flowers look more vibrant against the green background, which helped them stand out even more. The colors and textures are well-balanced and harmonize beautifully with each other.

The composition of overlapping was also applied in this photo, involving two elements: the two flowers positioned at different distances from the photographer’s perspective. The flowers in the background contributed to creating a sense of togetherness between the flowers. I can also imagine the use of the golden spiral in this photo, as the floral stems on the left side lead toward the large flower in the middle, followed by the other floral stems on the right side until they reach the flower behind the main one.

The City Is Asleep

The title perfectly complements this photo. The darkness of the night, along with the streetlights, creates the shadow that engulfs the closed establishments, assuming that the people working there have gone home and that another day has come to an end. The mood it evokes feels a bit gloomy with a bit of emptiness, which can be calming to look at personally.

The use of line elements in this photo is clearly visible, guiding our eyes forward along an empty, long pavement. There is also a contrast between the lines, as the store gates feature horizontal lines leading toward the vanishing point, while the building’s pillars are vertical. This creates a striking contrast within the frame.

However, I noticed something off with the photo, and when I checked it, it was slightly misaligned and not centered. If it were me, I would at least adjust the camera's placement a bit to make the photo centered and balanced. This would also make it possible to follow the rule of thirds, where the store gates, pavement, and pillars align with the intersecting points of the composition.

Captured by Alvin Alviar

Captured by Ma. Francesca Santiago

Purr-fect Shot

I love cats, so this photo particularly made me smile, considering the cat looks bubbly and playful. Ms. Santiago perfectly timed her photo when the cat was yawning, I presume. The composition technique of a frame within a frame is clearly applied here, perfectly emphasizing the subject, which is the cat at the center of the circle, and the usage of the frame is also perfectly balanced. Speaking of circles, the shape element is also visible here, used effectively as the frame. The element of color is also apparent—the gray frame makes the image appear monotonous, which helps the orange hue stand out, evoking warmth, enthusiasm, and energy that depict the cat.

Birds from My View – A Quiet Moment

This photo feels like a scene from a film because of its perspective. I like how Ms. Sigua captured the birds at this moment. I’d like to interpret a short story for these birds as if it were a movie. The two birds along the edge seem to be encouraging their fellow bird to join them and take flight, but for some reason, the bird under the shadow seems afraid to come out. The colors in this photo are well-balanced, with the combination of the sky (navy, teal) and the ledge (yellow-orange) creating a striking contrast.

Captured by Janna Arielle Sigua

The warm colors evoke emotions such as enthusiasm, optimism, and hope, which encapsulate the two birds basking in the sunlight. Meanwhile, the bird in the shadow is swallowed by darkness, which can be interpreted as solemnity. The element of line is also present, as it directly leads toward the bird in the shadows. It also perfectly harmonizes with the other bird looking toward the bird in the shadow. The elements in this photo work well together, with no distractions, successfully achieving the principle of unity.

Captured by Alexandra Nicole Agustin

Lizares Mansion

When I looked at this photo, I immediately thought of Art Nouveau architecture, which I am fond of. The use of natural colors inspired by nature on the window and the curved, wavy lines on the railing perfectly describe the Art Nouveau theme. The element of form is applied in this photo as it highlights the structure of the architecture and its perspective, showcasing how high the windows and the second floor are. It's also apparent that a heart shape is formed between the railings on the second floor and the placement of the windows, which is quite fascinating.

The element of line, along with radial composition or the golden spiral, can also be seen in this photo, where the direction of the windows (lines) and the stair railing (spiral) point toward the focal point above—specifically, the heart shape formed between the railings and windows. Overall, the photo evokes a sophisticated mood due to its architectural style.

PART 3: SELF-ASSESSMENT

After going through my classmates’ e-portfolios and looking at their photos, I would rate myself as below average. To be honest, I suddenly felt insecure about the photos I captured; the ones I thought were great suddenly felt inadequate after viewing my classmates’ portfolios. My photography skills haven’t improved for a long time due to being stuck at home and spacing out because of the pandemic. As a result, most of the photos I included in my e-portfolio were taken way back in 2019 and earlier.

I might have been interested in photography way back then, but I only started learning about the specific use of design elements and photographic composition after going through Unit 1 of the modules. My mindset was, “As long as it looks great, then it's good,” which I applied whenever I took pictures—or I was simply taking pictures without considering these elements, principles, and compositions. Most of the time, I only took photos at gatherings or small events, so I didn’t consider these aspects as long as I managed to capture everything I was supposed to.

While scanning some of my classmates’ photos, I felt a bit of inspiration and motivation to improve. I truly love how pictures can tell a story just by looking at them, giving them an emotional aspect that makes them valuable pieces. As a former photojournalist, I want to remember everything I learned back then and practice more.

I also think that being too harsh on myself might be a problem, so I should stop that and accept criticism positively. Instead of feeling discouraged, I should see it as an opportunity to learn and be confident in the progress I’m making. I'll start by understanding photography better and applying its basic principles to my photos. Then, I'll analyze them afterward to see whether I successfully applied the photographic elements, principles, and composition. Experimenting with composition and practicing regularly will also help me improve. Someday, I hope to capture even more wonderful and meaningful photos.

Page updated

Report abuse