MMS 173 Assignment 4: Bucketlist
Embedded Files
Framing the Sky
— Height —
Original
Edited
Why I Used These Settings:
I used ISO 250 for a clean image, considering it was around noon. A fast shutter speed 1/500s helped avoid motion blur while shooting handheld, and an aperture of f/7.1 gave me enough depth of field to keep the entire structure sharp. I shot at 23mm to fit the full height of the Dubai Frame in the frame. After noticing slight overexposure, I adjusted the exposure, contrast, and dehaze in Lightroom to recover details and improve clarity. I also cropped some empty space and leveled the image to strengthen the composition and draw more focus to the structure.
Description:
This photo captures the Dubai Frame from a low angle, emphasizing its towering height and grandeur. I initially tried to capture the entire structure, but given its massive scale and my proximity, it was difficult to fit it all in. Instead, I opted for a creative shot, using the sunlight glimmering off the windows to add a touch of drama. The upward perspective still reinforces the theme of "height." It was hard to think of a way that captures the entire structure because when I was up-close, it was really massive. So, with my camera, I couldn't capture it in close proximity and had to do it from a far. The post-processing adjustments helped bring the image to life, adding color and clarity, as the original photo appeared a bit dull due to overexposure. This approach allowed me to highlight the Frame's verticality while enhancing the overall mood of the shot.
Patterned by the Sea
— Pattern —
Why I Used These Settings:
I used ISO 800 because, at the usual ISO 100, the water patterns were too subtle and didn’t come through clearly. The higher ISO helped reveal the textures and details of the waves, making the patterns more pronounced. I chose f/14 for a deep depth of field to keep the entire scene in focus, and ensure the patterns were sharp. As for the shutter speed, I used 1/500s to freeze the movement of the water and capture the crisp, geometric shapes. At 63mm, I zoomed in to highlight the finer details of the water’s texture.
Description:
I took this photo at the beach and was fascinated by the natural patterns formed in the waves. The subtle geometric shapes in the water caught my eye, and I chose this shot because of the repetition and structure they created. The morning light (around 8 AM) gently illuminated the water, adding depth and contrast to the patterns. I was actually not sure if this would be considered as "pattern" but no matter how I looked at it, I really believe it fits the theme. I didn’t feel the need to edit the image, as the natural lighting and textures were already exactly how I envisioned the shot. Although, some parts looked overexposed. Nevertheless, the combination of light, texture, and pattern worked together to convey the rhythm and order found in nature.
Nahda's Night Rush
— Night —
Original
Edited
Why I Used These Settings:
Since it was a night shot and the area was a bit dim, I raised the ISO to 1600 to ensure enough light was captured without making the photo too dark. I used f/4.5 to gather enough light while keeping a sharp focus on the background. The 1/15s shutter speed was slow enough to create motion blur from the passing cars, which I wanted to emphasize. The original shot was a little bit dull, so I enhanced the image in Lightroom by adjusting the vibrance and saturation to bring out the streetlights and create a more dynamic contrast. I also cropped out some empty space and ensured the photo was level for a cleaner composition.
Description:
I took this photo right outside my apartment complex. The area is a bit dimly lit, so I was challenged to find a way to make the shot more creative and interesting. This road is actually always busy, especially during peak hours, but fortunately, there were not a lot of cars passing by at the time. It kind of gets scary when it's crowded there. For this one, I chose to capture a bit of motion blur to give the scene a sense of movement and drama. To add a touch of cinematic feel, I made use of the yellow hues coming from the streetlights and nearby shop signs in post-processing. I chose this photo because I thought it would be interesting to visually capture the energy and liveliness of a busy street at night.
Desert Rose
— Flower —
Why I Used These Settings:
I used ISO 125 to keep the image clean and free from noise, since there was enough light filtering through the trees. My aperture was set to f/8, which helped maintain overall sharpness, but also gave a slight depth of field. It created a soft blur between the background leaves and the flower, drawing more focus to the bloom itself. The shutter speed of 1/60s allowed enough light in while still avoiding camera shake. While these settings weren’t specifically planned for this flower, they surprisingly aligned well for the scene and helped capture the moment clearly.
Description:
I took this photo during a walk in the park. Although it was a sunny day, the spot I was in was shaded by trees, with occasional sunlight peeking through the leaves. I was originally trying to photograph a bird in motion, but while scanning the area, I noticed a small flower patch — the only one I came across in the entire park. Since summer's starting where I'm from, all the flowers are nowhere to be found in public areas. That's why, it caught me off guard, and I quickly took the shot without changing my settings. I later found out the flower is called a desert rose. Despite being an unplanned capture, I liked how it turned out. The natural light gave it a soft look, and I decided not to edit it, as it already had a quiet charm just as it was.
One Stays, One Soars
— Motion —
Why I Used These Settings:
I used ISO 320 to maintain image clarity while adjusting for the softer light during golden hour. An aperture of f/5.6 let in enough light while keeping both birds relatively sharp in the frame. To freeze the moment of the bird mid-flight, I used a fast shutter speed of 1/640s. I kept my edits minimal, only cropping and leveling the image to preserve the natural light and motion in the scene.
Description:
This photo captures a fleeting moment between stillness and flight. One bird rests quietly while the other takes off with its wings frozen mid-flap, creating a subtle yet striking contrast. I was drawn to this moment because it felt symbolic of motion itself: unpredictable, spontaneous, and alive. I remember waiting for about 5 minutes, just to take this shot because the birds weren't moving at all. Luckily, one did. I believe the lighting also played a part, with the lower half of the image in partial shadow and the upper portion glowing with magic hour warmth. This natural divide adds emphasis to the birds and enhances the contrast between stillness and movement, making it a fitting image for the theme of motion.
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