MMS 173 Assignment 1b: Knowing Where I'm At (Part 2)

DECONSTRUCTING MY OWN FRAME

by: Filmore Kevin Tiston

F A C E P A L M A N D H I G H F I V E S

First of all, I’d like to say that I can’t help but feel awful about my photography skills because of this activity. And I mean it from the bottom of my heart. On the same weight, I take it constructively and that I feel gratified for knowing where I am at right now with my knowledge and how to deduce my photography skills. I blame no one but myself for not fully committing when taking in photos. Had I known that ‘half- baked’ photography will not be as majestic as others then I could’ve taken it a notch higher (is mine even as good as a half-baked output? I don’t think so, it’s even worse).

Since I have the luxury of being online most of the time primarily because I work from home, then I was able to go over the works of the rest of the class except for those whose pages don’t work at all. I don’t know what happened but, they probably might have unconsciously set it in private. Anyway, it’s safe to say that most of the people in the class already have the idea and the notion of how it’s being done in photography and definitely a lot of them made all sorts of impression to me. Some of them were ‘okay’ and some were really, really good and I can say that some of these people were at par with the faculty-in-charge’s output. I see a lot of promising photographers among the bunch. However, the thing about these very good students and photographers is that looking their portfolios, not all the pictures in there were very much consistent in terms of greatness, like only 2-3 photos stand out (well, at least they have something that stands out unlike mine, there’s none). Some of the photos were really moving and some were not and to be honest some of them brought a little bit of a hiccup to me and with that demise mine’s no exemption. You see how devastated I am now? Don’t worry, it’s more of a self- dismay situation going on here as of this writing and nothing against anyone and the ‘Kardashians’ would utter ‘BIBLE!’ in this situation, so ‘BIBLE!’ I’m okay.

But kidding aside, besides my sentiment and grief for my derailed photography is my appreciation for the talents under this class. I have decided to just focus on the ones that I found amusing (instead of picking those photos that may need a lot of refinement) to set as an example of how to be more adept in shooting a subject without compromising the rest of the details in a photo. But to be honest, I like my work to be criticized as much as possible and I don’t care if it’ll get lambasted or not ‘cause you know what they say, “THE TRUTH HURTS”, right? So far, here are the decoys that are really pin- worthy for me.

T H E P R I M E

"Place de la Bastille" by Mariebelle Balazuela

The indigo sky looks perfect with the fading white color of the pole and a black and white monochrome would also work for this photo too. However, it could have looked perfectly symmetrical if it was shot where the perspective of the ‘box’ platform (the lower part where the pole stands) is facing the camera and not sideways and this could be done if the photographer finds that perfect spot to angle the camera and ace the symmetry but probably, it’s just me nitpicking. The blur in the movement of the cars work for me because it gives an emphasis to the pole where it is solely being stationary and everything else in ground moves. The rhythmic element in this photo does not over power the main subject.

"Reflection" by Carm Lichelle Santos

This photo for me breaks the novelties of the “rule of thirds” and it kind of works for me since it’s in a square frame. Obviously, this is a frame within a frame kind of style and it really gives this dramatic feel between the tree’s reflection from the mirror and the fallen flowers on the ground. Although everything was shot in a flat- lay position, the contrast between the mirror’s reflection and the dark surface of the ground gives it an illusion of height and depth from my point view. Also, the shape of the flowers which looked like some sort of bell- shaped wilted petals accentuate the perfect circle edge of the mirror and I don’t really mind the flowers being scattered in the background or on the ground because it works for me. It almost look like it’s a portal to some other dimension or something and that really gets me, hence the word MAGICAL.

“Peruvian women with their llamas” by Angelica Craig

The first thing that I noticed in this photo is the striking colors of clothing these Peruvian women are wearing (No, I’m kidding it’s actually the very cute llamas first and then their garments after). Look how the color pattern of their tops alternates one after the other going from left to right. So it’s like blue then maroon and then again blue and maroon. Were they asked to position like this? We don’t know but it’s awesome for me. The guy at the background (at the exit of the alley) shows the perspective of the golden ratio based on the frame’s size. However, this photo has fallen shortly in terms of cropping. I think it would’ve been a lot better if the photographer has stepped back a bit to get the full details of the subject together in the frame instead of cropping it. Speaking of which, that hand in the left side of the photo that holds a bunch of ropes could have been excluded because it could’ve been a man and should it be included then the title of the photo wouldn’t make sense at all. The warm tone in the photo makes it pop; moreover it makes the subject to be emphasized and that is to depict the working class Peruvian women and their (again) cute llamas. This is a very ‘National Geographic- Chanel Shot’ and by saying that, I meant it’s awesome.

"Rapunzel" by Katherine Joy Cruz

A perfect shot for a perfect subject! We can right away determine that this photo embodies the golden spiral and radial composition as it was translated in the form of the staircase. The angle where this photo was taken made the white concrete staircase railing to compliment with the lines of each steps. It gives a definitive contrast between the two - the railing and the steps. It’s a good thing that the natural light coming from outside the building helped every detail to stand out. It makes the viewer to notice the spiral detail right away. The spiral form metaphorically represents Rapunzel’s hair and I’m totally down with it. Thumbs up to this!

"Silhouette" by Reggie Geografo

The sun in the background perfectly fits the invisible grid lines for the rule of thirds that made a good contrast with the main subject which is the silhouette of the machinery. The sun-rays were very striking and it’s evenly distributed for the rest of the frame from where it was angled and it’s really nice to look at the light creeping into the body of water. The silhouette of the arms of the machinery was given emphasis from its angle where the sun was. Due to the contrast of the silhouette of the machinery and the sky, it provided some melancholic vibe when you look at it. And for me it’s a good photography skill because a photo which depicts strength just like the way this photo does and for it to let a viewer appreciate it in the complete opposite (melancholy) of its depiction, well that’s genius.

"Himbing" by Anna Ellena Manguera

The monochrome totally works in this photo and the way the light travels from the left portion of the frame through the net of the hammock perfectly complements the sleeping position of the child. You’ll notice that the child’s head is tilting to the left (viewer facing the picture) and the amount of light above it gives justice to the title. It’s dreamy and vulnerable. I like it that the angle where this picture was shot was at the level where the net and the edge of the hammock that binds it can be seen together hence there was an emphasis of the intersecting lines of the net. The only thing that I can say to be improved is the left and the right sides of the frame. If the rest of the edge of the hammock gets included in the frame then it could’ve given the hammock’s edge a stronger shape. But nevertheless, it is still a very nice and serene photo.

"Tatay" by Isaiah Joaquin Mercader

This is a very emotionally appealing photo to me, however it wouldn’t compromise its eloquence if this photo could also be post processed in a black and white monochrome. The way the light hits Tatay’s face from his left side and the amount of light and shadow on his right side brings good contrast although I find it a bit distracting to look at the wall (I presumed it's a wall) in bokeh due to those little pointed details mounted horizontally. Should that detail be secluded, then it would look a lot better because I presumed that the effect that the photographer wants to have is for the camera to peek through this door or wall or whatever it is and go straight right to the subject. Smoothing this transition out will make it more on point. Honestly, I don’t think that blurring that portion helped it just because of those little bump details which I find unnecessary. The color of the wall and the color of Tatay’s shirt complements one another plus his facial expression brings out the value of life experience and that aging is a beautiful thing.

"Sunset 2" by Jorell Jan Quiben

I’ve always wanted to experience a sunset in a lake or in an edge of a delta and this photo right here makes me want it even more. Look at the colors, they’re so BEAUTIFUL. The silhouette of the sticks together with the boats complement the sky’s tincture. I just wonder what it would look like if the camera could’ve been positioned higher than this level’s perspective, maybe it’ll give more emphasis on the horizon where the sunlight descends and it it’ll also capture the rest of the sky’s hue from its left side by just making that bush silhouette to be less noticeable. It almost look like a painting to me. It makes me realize how God is such an artist.

OTHER PROMISING PHOTOS

"Ruins of a Fallen Mansion" by Sean Jonota

"Catch that dragon" by Villy Ver Veneracion

"Vintage Side Street" by Rizaldy Tamon

"Matchpoint" by Bruno Gabriel Santos

"Manila Bay Sunset" by Andrea Beatrize Santos

"The Bayou" by Mae Yparraguirre

F I N D Y O U R L I G H T

I found this photo from my camera- roll from a trip to Borawan, Quezon Province and asked myself, why I didn't include this as one of my photos for As1a? It isn't perfect but it has more to offer than those of what I included in Part I.

Alright, so for now I may describe my photography skills as some photo with the dimmest light in it. But at least there’s a flicker of light. It means that I can still improve and there’s still hope. And from the lamest light comes my actuality in this activity, here are some:

1. Improve my subject- I have to choose a more valuable subject. I don’t need to elaborate this so much because by just looking at the set of my photos, I could’ve scolded myself in terms of choosing the right subject had I known that there are millions of selections to engage with. Avocado (pertaining to one of my photos), really?! What am I thinking?

2. Improve the angles- I have to consider taking shots of a subject from different angles and not be contented with ‘this-is-the-best shot-so-this-will-be-okay’ attitude. I think this is pretty normal with people especially when we take our selfies; that we spend so much time finding our own flattering angle. But when it comes to photography or creative photography I have realized that this more than that. The subject and the details around it could make or break the whole composition with just a faulty-angle.

3. Unity and Oneness- I’ll make sure that the elements and principles (if not all) will be unified in one frame. As I asses my own photos, I’ve realized that I have so much to learn or improve for. I couldn’t help but laugh at my work but pretty much it’s a bit all over place. I try to be so focused in making sure that the subject gets the attention so much without realizing that the other elements in the picture matters as well in having a well composed photo. Every detail in that ‘frame’ matters so I’ll be more apprehensive next time.

4. I’ll articulate myself more in terms of photography- I have caught myself glaring some photos and tried to blend in what I have learned in terms of elements and principles. Unlike any other forms of visual art, this by far was one of those that I take for granted when it comes to technical appreciation. Like I could right away tell if it’s a good or a bad photo by just glancing at it without realizing that it can get more esoteric upon scrutinizing it. The course material was really helpful. Everything was so simple and easy to understand but the intricacy of learning goes beyond the way it was related to the reader. A good read some may say.

5. Invest on my ‘gear’- a good photographer needs to have a good camera too and not only skills. Well, I have a camera in my mind that I wanted to purchase and I’m also considering other options though. I know it’s a bit dubious but what I learned so far is that in order for you to capture a better photo; you really have to be equipped. Who knows, investing on it may pay off at the end, right?

6. Tell a story; a BETTER STORY- I believe that still images can tell a story, thus the expression “a picture paints a thousand words” hits me so hard. We now live in a world where “one snap meets one filter” and then everything begets praise. And I am no different from this norm. So I realized that if I want a good photo then I shall put my efforts in telling a story first over the fancy filters and post processing expedients. Although, I’m not saying that post processing is not important at all. It actually is. Sometimes it adds the flare into photo but what I’m saying is that I shouldn’t rely on it so much if I want to have a good yield. BASICS FIRST, Tell a story then post process. That’s it!

7. You are creative- I always say and instill this to myself. I always remind myself what creativity can deliver and what it does for me to achieve something. I still believe that this is my lucky charm and my sage. I’m not sure if this works with everyone but it does with me most of the time and I’m just hoping that it will guide to overcome the stumbling blocks of this course. This is by far, is the most promising light I can see in this obscured path that I’m taking. It’s now time for me to go overboard and start thinking what else can I bring to the table one photo at a time.

Report abuse