This photo, which I took, captures a quiet and thoughtful moment centered around a place of faith. I was drawn to the way the structure stood against the sky, creating a sense of calm and reverence. The natural light helped bring out the peaceful atmosphere, and I wanted to preserve that feeling through the lens. I took this photo because it reminded me of how even the simplest scenes can hold deeper meaning—about belief, stillness, and the spaces we find comfort in. It’s a reminder to pause, reflect, and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us, even in silence. 

I used an iPhone 13 Pro Max for this assignment. It's equipped with a powerful wide lens at 26mm—perfect for capturing the full view of a structure like a church without distorting its proportions. The wide aperture of f/1.5 allowed more light to enter the lens, which made the image appear bright and detailed even if lighting conditions weren’t perfect. The ISO was set to 50, which is ideal for daylight photography, as it keeps the image sharp and free from digital noise. A very fast shutter speed of 1/10,309 seconds helped freeze the scene clearly, avoiding any motion blur and balancing out the brightness. The image was captured at the device’s maximum resolution of 12 megapixels and saved in HEIF format, which keeps the photo high quality while using less storage space. All these settings worked together to create a crisp, well-lit image that highlights the architectural details and peaceful ambiance of the church. 

This is the cafe where I work. I was in awe with its warm glow standing out against the dark. It symbolizes how the cafe serves as a beacon of freedom, especially for the LGBT community. It's their advocacy to create a space safe for the community. The light represents a safe space where everyone can be themselves, embraced for who they are. This picture captures not just the physical space but the core of our advocacy—acceptance and inclusion. 

Using ISO 80 kept the image clean and free of noise, allowing the soft light of the cafe to shine through without grain. The wide aperture of f/1.5 created a shallow depth of field, isolating the light and emphasizing the cafe as the central focus, while gently blurring the background. With a shutter speed of 1/60s, I ensured the image was well-exposed without introducing motion blur, preserving the soft, ambient light. The time of 10:20 PM added a sense of stillness and isolation, highlighting the cafe as a beacon of warmth and freedom in the dark. 

This rose was one I gave to my late grandmother, and holding it up in the air felt like giving it back to her—a way to honor her memory. I chose to photograph it because of the contrast between the delicate, soft texture of the rose and the vast openness of the sky. The idea of a simple, handcrafted object being elevated to such heights speaks to themes of growth, aspiration, and love. The rose, often symbolic of beauty and remembrance, suspended in the vast expanse, adds an element of surrealism and wonder. 

ISO 40 kept the image sharp and free of noise, while f/1.5 created a shallow depth of field, highlighting the rose against a softly blurred sky. The 1/23256s shutter speed ensured a crisp, motion-free image, freezing the delicate moment. At 10:43 AM, the natural light was soft and perfect for capturing the rose’s colors and textures without harsh shadows. These settings helped convey the symbolic gesture of giving the rose back to my late grandmother in a clear, intimate way. 

I took this photo of a heart shape formed by lusis through motion, and it somehow reminded me of the sparks you feel when you're in love. We were just playing with the lusis, enjoying the moment, when I decided to capture it. The glowing heart symbolized warmth, passion, and connection, with the sparks reflecting the excitement and energy that come with love. The motion of the lusis, combined with its soft glow, created a sense of movement and magic, turning a simple, playful moment into something meaningful. It felt like the perfect way to represent those little sparks of joy and emotion that come with being in love. 

ISO 80 kept the image clean with minimal noise as the sparklers provided ample light. The wide aperture of f/1.5 created a shallow depth of field, making the heart-shaped motion stand out against a soft, blurred background. A shutter speed of 1/100s was fast enough to freeze the motion of the sparklers, ensuring the heart was well-defined. At 11:26 PM, the darkness of the night enhanced the glowing heart, making it the focal point of the image.