Previously, in Assignment 2: Knowing Where I am at (Part 2), I mentioned that I thought my photos belonged to the few good bunch from the class, but two days after the deadline for Assignment 2 was reached, I decided to look at every entry in the class. Of all the 150+ students in MMS 173, my photos were only mentioned five (5) times. All five mentions had valid and agreeable criticisms. Almost all of my classmates who criticized my photos mentioned my problem with exposure, to which I positively agree. My photos appeared dark regardless of how the colors popped from some subjects. Also, while looking at my classmates' Assignment 2 entries, I realized what type of photos received the positive feedback of the majority. Images like the school of koi fish and that South Korean landmark definitely captured the attention and taste of my classmates—and honestly, I know I cannot compete with that, despite stating in Assignment 2 that I would try to produce better photos than my top five. However, I stand with the other things I said from the previous assignment. I still think my photos were better than the 60+ students I checked. Maybe it is good luck, or actually bad luck, that I only stumbled upon works that had less impressive composition and techniques applied.
After saying all of that, I still cannot hide the excitement for the other assignment that will be given in the upcoming weeks. I am enjoying this class more than I did MMS 172. I like taking photos more and stimulating my brain with visual arts than forcing my tone-deaf ears to work properly for mastering and mixing audio. However, not that excited to attend any face-to-face classes. I do not feel like traveling from Pasig to Los Banos—even if I lived there during my early childhood and had a place to stay—just to attend a single class that will be recorded. It is also unfortunate that I do not have the time to attend online meetings with the professor and my classmates because of how little time I get to rest from all the other courses I am currently enrolled in. I enrolled with an overloaded number of units and I am currently figuring out how to implement my Capstone Project. So basically, I am enrolled in one production course, and four major courses, and I have my thesis to finish. So yeah, a lot of work every single day. Not to mention that most courses require bi-weekly group work activities, which is hell by the way. Going outside and taking photos is a good break every once in a while, despite being a requirement and all.
I am also having problems with one of my greatest weaknesses ever since my academic career started. I struggle to apply all the things I learned from the modules. I had a great deal of confidence when I answered the quiz. Like, when I reviewed UNIT 1 it was almost certain that I already knew the subjects and techniques that the manual has, but when it was time to answer the quiz, I second-guessed myself quite a lot. It was not also of any help that the quiz was scored by ticking all the correct choices. Well, I am still glad I received a passing mark, but I was frustrated because I knew I could have perfected the quiz. I am still incapable of efficiently applying the knowledge I have gathered throughout the years of being a student when it comes to written test-like activities. I do well in practical and application exams because my brain just works better that way. That reality is also the reason why I do not participate in critique activities, even when I try to objectively criticize the images used as examples, I tend to overthink things and become unmotivated and ridiculed by my own decisions. I wish the upcoming activities would require a more physically demanding nature such as going outside to take photos of public areas. Going to transportation terminals to take photos of interesting people is the only example I can think of right now. Just imagine the thrill of taking a photo of an infuriating passenger without getting noticed. I know it sounds unethical, but it does seem fun to an extent.
To wrap things up, I want to say that I am really having fun with the course. Probably the most fun I had since my second year in the BAMS program, and the only fun production course that I can honestly think of. I have a knack for animating and illustrating, but MMS 173 is more fun than MMS 175 and MMS 176. That is all. I do not have a lot to say.
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