MMS 173 Assignment 1: Knowing Where I'm At (Part 1)

This photo was captured not too long ago during UPLB's February fair (2025). I'm particularly fond of this one because I was together with my friends at the time and it has been a while since we last met. Being college students with increased responsibilities, add to that different universities, It's not often that we see each other. Actually during this event, only two out of six of my friends were able to attend. I was bummed but it was fun nonetheless. Fun fact, I was actually sitting on my friend's shoulders while taking this photo. It was an exciting yet scary experience. I remember the people behind us were not exactly happy about that because they couldn't see in front of them, so the elevated photo taking was short-lived. 

I chose this one as part of my top three because I was able to capture the concert at its peak, per se, where everyone is on their feet excited and anticipating. I like how the picture was able to show the how big the crowd was and how bright the stage is compared to the rest of the venue. We were like moths drawn to a flame. This picture is by no means impressive, considering that I took it using my phone with a not so high quality and that I was wobbling on top of my friend's shoulders. The picture is blurred, the focus is not focusing, and you can't even see the artists face clearly. But I do like this photo despite looking like it was taken by an amateur photographer (because it was). It captures a moment of fun and spontaneity that I’ll always remember, even if it’s a little rough around the edges which I find charming.

This photo was taken at the seaside of Mall of Asia during my organization's attendance of the annual Global Youth Summit. It was my first time as a member of the organization Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) to attend this event, and the first time in a very long while since I've been to MOA. Three of my friends who were also a member of the organization was there with me. I have very precious memories with this place since it was a place I often visited with my family during my childhood. Sitting on the seawall, facing the waters, and feeling the graze of wind and sunlight of my face brought back nostalgic and joyful memories with my parents back when they were still together. As much as me and fellow org members would've liked to stay a bit longer at MOA that day, we had a schedule to follow. Though I still had fun exploring and sightseeing with the couple hours of free time granted to us before we went back home. 

The reason this picture is part of my top three is because I like how the photo turned out and well, because it's impossible to take a bad picture of the sea. I took a couple pictures of it but this one in particular is my favorite because I like this angle the best as well as the ratio between the sky and the water. I also liked how I captured the dynamic movement of the waves, making me still hear the sound as it crashes on the shore. This may be my favorite among the three because of the feeling of nostalgia it invokes in me and the overall aesthetic of the photo.

This photo was taken two years ago at Calamba City Hall. During Christmas days, the City Hall would put up festive lights and decorations around the buildings and field which can be enjoyed by the public with their family and friends. That year, I went with my mother and we had a great time taking photos and admiring the lights. My mother and I don't usually go out together so I was pretty excited that night. There were a lot of different attractions that was set up, but the one in the photo is what I would call the centerpiece because it was the most attention grabbing of all. It depicts a scene in the Bible of Jesus' birth. I like how they placed the start under the arc of the building. It's creative and fits really well.

I included this picture in my top three because i really like the contrast of the night and glowing lights— similar as to why I like the photo I took at feb fair. The reason why is because I like the emphasis it puts on the subject of the photo, the way it captures the viewer's gaze before anything else. This one is also amateurly taken. The angle is bad and its not centered. It was hurriedly taken because my mother was pulling me along to go see the other lights. Regrettably, this was my only picture of this piece that night. There's a lot I could've done better to capture a better result, but regardless of its flaws, I think this photo deserve a spot on my top three.