The world is full of things to capture. Light, shapes, patterns, and motion. But with so much to see, narrowing it down to a specific theme can be a challenge. That’s why I appreciate assignments like this. They help focus my eye and push me to be more intentional with my compositions. For our fourth activity in MMS 173, we were asked to photograph five themes: Height, Pattern, Night, Flower, and Motion. I saw it as an opportunity to get creative, apply what I’ve learned, and continue finding my own visual style.
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Above the Noise
This photo was taken on April 6, 2025, at around 4:28 PM. It captures a rear view of the towering stainless steel sculpture The Time by Filipino-American artist JEFRË, appearing to gaze over the passing Manila Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 in front of SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.
To convey the theme of “Height,” I composed the shot so that the sculpture resembles a tall titan, similar to an “Attack on Titan” character as it looms over the rush of Metro Manila commuters. The towering figure creates a juxtaposition against the passing train, symbolizing both motion and stillness.
For this shot, I used ISO 100 to reduce exposure in the sunny afternoon light and to preserve the details in the shadows. I set the aperture to f/36 to keep both the train and sculpture in focus, given their scale and distance. To capture the motion blur of the train I used a slower shutter speed of 1/60 sec.
Forgotten Ride
This photo was taken on April 10, 2025, at around 3:40 PM at Pasig Rainforest Park. It captures the now-unused train tracks of a mini train that once ran throughout the park's vicinity. This train was once part of the park’s attractions, giving children a ride around the area. However, it has remained non-operational since the COVID-19 pandemic.
To convey the theme of “Pattern,” I chose to photograph the rail tracks, which naturally showcase repetition and symmetry. The parallel lines of the rails and the evenly spaced wooden bars form a visual pattern. Additionally, the barriers on each side of the tracks add another layer of patterned elements to the composition.
For this shot, I used ISO 400 to adjust for the low light, as the tracks are located in a shaded area. I selected a smaller aperture (f/16) to achieve a larger depth of field and keep more of the scene in focus. Since the subject is still, I used a medium shutter speed (1/20 sec.) to balance the exposure and capture the details in the dim environment.
Here Lies Today's Epilogue
This photo was taken on April 6, 2025, at around 9:50 PM at the elevated walkway in Ortigas Center, located at the intersection of Emerald Avenue and Doña Julia Vargas Avenue. This was an unplanned composition. After spending some time wandering around Ortigas Center in search of a subject, I decided to take a break on one of the concrete benches along the walkway. While resting, I noticed a group of people seated across from me.
At that moment, I saw an opportunity to capture the essence of “Night.” In this image, two individuals appear to be friends sharing a quiet conversation, perhaps catching up at the end of a long day. To the other side, another person seems lost in thought, gazing down at the night streets.
For this night shot, I used an ISO of 800 to bring in more light while minimizing noise. I paired it with a wider aperture at f/8 and a slower shutter speed of 1/6 second to compensate for the low-light conditions.
Bloom Through It
This photo was taken on April 10, 2025, at around 2:52 PM at the Flower Field in Pasig Rainforest Park. It captures a group of Zinnia flowers viewed through the frame of a metal grid fence.
Although there were many flowers in the area, I specifically chose this composition to convey the theme “Flower.” In this shot, a cluster of Zinnias can be seen, but most are already wilting and fading into shades of brown. However, one vibrant orange bloom stands out among them. It seems to symbolize resilience and beauty.
I used the metal grid fence intentionally to frame the singular flower and draw attention to it. Given the harsh summer sunlight, I adjusted my settings to avoid overexposure. I used ISO 100, a fast shutter speed of 1/200 sec, and a wide aperture of f/5.6 to create a shallow depth of field. This helped isolate the flowers from the background, allowing it to stand out among the surrounding elements.
Night's Pulse
This photo was taken on April 6, 2025, at around 9:16 PM on Bank Drive, Ortigas, just behind SM Megamall.
To convey the theme of "Motion," I decided to capture the traffic of vehicles moving in and out of the mall. The flowing vehicles create a dynamic contrast against the stillness of the night.
To capture this motion, I mounted my camera on a tripod and used a long exposure of 30 seconds. This allowed me to capture the continuous flow of traffic over time and create streaks of light. To ensure that the entire scene was in focus, I opted for a smaller aperture, which also produced a starburst effect on the streetlights. Given the extended exposure time, I set the ISO to its lowest at 100 to avoid overexposure and maintain the scene’s details.
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