Taking up MMS 173 has been a fun and engaging experience so far! I found myself looking forward to the synchronous sessions, especially since we seldom meet at UPOU, given our independent learning setup. I am grateful to Prof. Al for dedicating his time to class discussions. I missed the feeling of being in a classroom, and I appreciate that our previous meetings were filled with meaningful and productive discourse.

During introductions, I shared that I still hadn’t familiarized myself with our family’s camera, the Sony ZV-1. So far, the photos I’ve posted are either from my smartphone or my mom’s iPhone. Seeing some of my peers use cameras, I noticed a significant difference in quality compared to phone photography. For instance, Dan Labayo’s "Street Photography," which I featured in my Assignment 1 Part 2 as my favorite photo, was clearly taken with a professional camera.

To better illustrate, here is a comparison between our pictures from Assignment 1:

Professional Camera

Taken by Dan Labayo

Smartphone

Taken by yours truly

While the smartphone shot looks nice, I believe it would look even greater if it were taken with a camera. I suppose the colors might pop more, and the texture of the image would be more defined. It is through this observation that I felt more motivated to navigate the features of our camera and start incorporating them into my outputs. I also think that I won't really improve my photography skills if I don't take the opportunity to learn and experiment with different tools and techniques. By challenging myself to use a camera, I believe I can push my creativity and expand my photography capabilities beyond what a smartphone can offer.

At first, I wasn’t familiar with the camera features, but our class discussions encouraged me to explore and start taking pictures with it. I became more conscious of the principles and elements applied in photography. As I practiced, I paid closer attention to composition, lighting, and framing.

Although we’re only covering the basics as of now, I agree with Prof. Al that learning the fundamentals is something we'll always fall back on in our photography journey. I have become more mindful of composition and photographic elements. I make a point that everything I've learned about photography thus far is being practiced whenever I go out and take photos.

Posted below are some samples of my recent work, taken with the Sony ZV-1 camera. These are my shots when we visited my cadet brother at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP).

Moving forward, I have started analyzing photographs more critically, not just my own but also those of my peers. The discussion forums allowed me to see more from their photographs, which I find extremely helpful. Seeing the different styles and techniques my classmates use inspires me to try new approaches and experiment further with my own shots.

Here is Ayesha's work — my easy favorite in the class:

A Ride from Home

Taken by Ayesha Mendoza

Beyond the technical aspects, I have also realized that photography is a powerful storytelling tool. Capturing moments, emotions, and perspectives through a lens has given me a newfound appreciation for the art form.

I am reminded of my sister each time we visit a new place and how she would capture their beauty through videography. Our family would then gather around to watch her videos, feeling like we were experiencing the moments all over again. Photography, much like videography, allows us to preserve memories and convey emotions. I have come to understand that a well-composed photo is not just about technical accuracy but also about how it connects with the audience.

These days, however, I'd say life got in the way. I found myself caught up with other responsibilities, both personal and academic — especially with the ongoing midterms — and I haven't had the chance to fully explore the capabilities of the Sony ZV-1. Still, I am eager to set aside time to practice with it. I know that developing my photography skills requires dedication and patience, and I hope to gradually refine my techniques as I become more comfortable with the camera.

Perhaps I'll consider taking more portraits of my family members. I also thought that for the upcoming UP Fair this April, since I don't think cameras are allowed within the area, I'd focus on developing my smartphone shots and experiment with different editing techniques to enhance the quality of my photos. This way, I can work on my post-processing skills as well.

In essence, MMS 173 has greatly influenced how I see photography, and I look forward to learning even more as the term progresses. I hope to improve my technical skills while also deepening my understanding of how photography can tell powerful stories.

This journey has just begun, and I am excited to see where it takes me.