Assignment 2: Knowing Where I'm At (Part 2)

General Assessment 𖡎 ↷

We're on to part 2! For this assignment, I had a fun time scanning around 30-35 portfolio entries of my classmates, as I had enough time to do so when I was waiting outside for my appointment a few days ago. I clicked the links in chronological order from the spreadsheet as I had the intention of wanting to go half, or even all, of my classmates' entries, but I guess this suffices in the meantime. Analyzing my current standing among my classmates, I can genuinely say that most of them, including me, are individuals who mostly consider having a casual relationship with photography. This is not to say that I am undermining their works, as I heavily critique mine as well to be below par or passing shots as compared to the objective standards in photography, but personally are decent enough in the subjective aspect through the memories or meanings they associate with their photos. In this sense, I will be honest that there aren't shots that necessarily moved me, but what I did genuinely appreciate is my classmates' stories about their shots. I just think it's beautiful how different individuals have photos that mean so much to them that others would just deem as a mere photo.

But of course, I have also seen quite a few who had objectively good shots, such as Alexandra Agustin's, who has followed decent techniques and compositions in their photos, which I will explain later on. I have no one to name drop as someone who has extremely bad photographs, but what I have analyzed is how most of us focus on elements such as emphasis and contrast as this is what I infer the easiest from the few techniques to execute. On the flipside, I have also noticed how some of us have poor executions of adjusting the exposure, as I have seen highly-exposed photos that make their shots look flat. This also includes unintentional partial cropping of the main subject from the overall photo, which Sir Al has just mentioned in his recent Zoom meeting to avoid. In hindsight, though, I am appreciative of this tip since I tend to overlook this aspect a lot.

Bearing these in mind, this is not to presume complacency, but this is what I believe a good starting point for me and my classmates in producing better outputs through the latter of this course, since they were able to incorporate basic techniques in their works and do identify them in their explanation. Additionally, I believe that each of my classmates' eagerness to convey a story through their shots is already a stepping stone to better their shots even more. However, I did notice that most of my classmates don't also have a professional camera, like me, so I do hope we can overcome any challenges with this course. Overall, I loved seeing and analyzing their works, and I look forward to seeing significantly better results for all of us as the units progress! :D

↶ Peer Critiques

Japan: Asakusa Tokyo

Shot by: Stephen John, Agtoto

Observation:

Based on his description of his shot, he mentions that his main subject of the photo was the cars moving and pedestrians walking to depict the concept of "busy streets," while having a perfect opportunity to showcase the sunset behind the infrastructures, which he explained as close to a "Manhattan henge" rip-off.

Overall, the photographic composition most evident for me is seeing the radial movement with the angle and position of the buildings, leaving the sunset as the main focal point. With the sun showing bright, the principle of contrast can be seen in comparison of the sunlight with its foreground which are the buildings and the streets. Although this may be unintentional, the metal fences at the front somehow serve as an overlapping technique because it shows how he is bounded with the bustling streets from a safe position. Moving on, I'll be honest to not be quite sure about this, but this may follow the rule of thirds, because pedestrians walking on the streets fall within the middle horizontal grid. Additionally, this gives a nice element to color, with the cool-toned streets showing a cold-arriving night against the warm-setting sun.

Observing his intentions for the photo, if I'm not mistaken, is the "image in motion"/"busy streets," as he mentioned, I would most likely think the sunset is the main subject of the shot and not the former. An addition to this claim would be the contrast between the sunset and the streets, wherein the people somehow blend in with the cool-toned streets, which makes them lack emphasis and not be the center of attention or just the afterthought.

If I were to take the picture, that would focus on the "busy streets," I would do a letterbox crop instead of a tall crop that is presented (I am not sure if this is cropped or it's just the resolution), because I feel that the people are moving horizontally and putting a tall crop to this is quite contradicting. I would have also avoided the metal fences in the front from the shot as this may be distracting for the subject emphasis. Since it will also be a letterbox crop, the pedestrians and the vehicles can be given more emphasis by taking a closer shot of them perhaps. Overall, I think he did a great job of capturing the photo, given the limited opportunities or constraints that he has with his position, and he was still able to capture a delightful photo of the sunset and the people!

UPD (2024)

Shot by: John Angelo, Aguilar

Observation:

Based on his description of his shot, he explains the mood of the photo was about exploration, reconnection, and learning. Analyzing the techniques he used, the most prominent one for me is the radial movement leading the focal point as a white light of "endlessness," with the element of line from the road markings that anchors this movement more. I have also noticed a balance and equal horizon of the tall trees shown from the sky, to the land of grass and road.

If I were to take this photo, with the intent of only showing the "sense of direction...almost creating a portal," as he mentioned, I would try and position my camera on the center of the road (excluding the factor that it is a main road passed by vehicles), so that there is total balance of what is seen from the left and right. As per the photo, I think this greatly follows the rule of thirds, only if the waiting shed was the main subject, especially with the stop sign greatly emphasized at the front.

Overall, I can see this as a very peaceful capture of the UPD roundabout, showing the wonderful color attributes of nature!

Couple, Iloilo

Shot by: Alexandra Nicole, Agustin

Observation:

Based on her shot description, she mentions that they are a queer couple that she has initially seen taking shots of each other playing on the beach. Analyzing the technicalities, the most prominent one I can see here is a frame within a frame, considering how she mentioned that she framed the subjects in the center of the kubo and the rocks, somewhat creating an element of a triangle shape around them. The shot showcases emphasis with the couple at the center of the frame, a good contrast of the calm and tan beach with the dark framing of the kubo. If the photo is also explored deeper, the textures of the sea waves, rocks, sand, and kubo roof because of the lights and shadows playing with the overall photo.

If I were to take the photo, I would just situate the couple a little to the left since they are just a little out of the center. (Unless this was just a mistake of Google Sites cropping the photo wrong after upload). Relatively, if the subjects were actually intended to be models, they could probably be signaled closer to the camera--if the faces of the subject/subjected themselves are more wanted to be focused on.

Overall, this was a great shot!

Afternoon Sessions

Shot by: Tajah, Alacapa

Observation:

Based on her description of the shot, she explains that this was a somewhat spontaneous shot of her friend playing the guitar. Scrutinizing the photo technicalities, I can see that the most evident technique is color--this can be greatly seen with the warm, overall bright layer of the sun shining upon the subject. Relatively, the subject playing the guitar poses emphasis as she is the one catching attention the most. However, I believe that the photo became overly saturated, which made the shot too orange, especially the subject. The shot also has distracting elements, such as the round table and the appliances/furniture behind her.

Before taking the photo, I would first remove any furnitures or adjust the angles so that there would be the least distracting elements possible. Next, given access to pro camera settings, I would ensure a shallow depth of field will be used by using a wider aperture camera setting, and making the subject distance closer to the camera, but to as much to still see the guitar, ensuring that the subject playing is the mere focus with a blurred background. With the subject mentioned, I would apply the rule of thirds where the middle grid is focused on her face. Additionally, I would try to lower the exposure and saturation during post-processing.

for forever

Shot by: Kiyara Julianne, Alvarez

Observation:

Based on her shot, she explains how this photo holds a deep sentimental memory for her--especially when taking photos of people. Analyzing the techniques she incorporated, I can say that she used emphasis as the two women are mostly what catches the attention of viewers. Although this seems to be the case, I find that there are too many distracting elements in the background that make this emphasis loose. Other than that, the heads of the subject fall under the lowest horizontal grid of the rule of thirds, but I do genuinely think this technique could still be executed better for this shot.

If I were to modify it, would position them first at the center of the frame, cut the excess top part (ceiling) as this draws the attention out from the subjects (too much negative space), widen the aperture to blur out the crowd, and make the subjects closer to the camera. Furthermore, I would also increase the contrast of the photo because it seems too flat, to enhance the shadows of the subjects.

If there is a goal to emphasize the screen that they are looking at, the rule of thirds can be applied where they can be placed at the rightmost part of the vertical grid with the leftover space for the screen. This provides movement to where they are looking at. If the movement will be unnecessary for the storytelling, they can be centered as initially proposed.

Overall, I like the sentimentality of the photo!

Self-Assessment ↷

Comparing myself to the rest of the class, I would say that we are all almost at the same level of playing field and have a lot to still give in the future lessons/activities. While I was observing my classmates' work, I realized that the level I try and critique my classmates should also be on the same level as how I should step and level up my skills with photography. As much as I really don't want to say anything regarding their pictures, as I don't want mine to be critiqued on the negative light as well because of how sentimental and reflective their connections are with their shots, I can't help but also realize that the future shots they will take with their camera will be enhanced through these assessments and feedbacks we are scared of receiving. If we are sentimental enough with our shots before this course, we can become even more sentimental and more powerful with our storytelling when we learn from our strengths and weaknesses through others.

Now, stepping into these technicalities I have mentioned that will improve everyone, I am propelled enough to learn the basics and become more intentional with my future shots. Honestly, I have never applied the rule of thirds with my shots because I find it confusing, even in this assignment, as it feels like every shot can be applied with this rule. Therefore, I have yet to remaster in engaging with it and furthering my knowledge through the succeeding units, especially the exposure triangle. But as of now, I do try and cross-reference from different sources on how this rule works, and hopefully I will perfectly be familiar with it.

But the truth is, I am actually more concerned or worried as I only have my phone with me as my camera. So hopefully, I will still be able to apply the lessons with what I currently have. This is quite a dilemma for me since, during MMS 172, I was able to buy a cheap yet passing condenser microphone for that course. However, it's quite a different story now since the price range of microphones to cameras is off the charts. Anyway, I still hope the best for everyone in this class!

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