THIS ASSIGNMENT CONTAINS THREE PARTS:
General Assessment of the Class
Five Pictures from Various Coursemates' ePortfolio
Self-Assessment
General Assessment of the Class
First of all, I would like to say how much I love scrolling through my coursemates' ePortfolios as it can give you a grasp of their day-to-day life as well as their personality and interests in life. This may be why I appreciate snaps that describe a person's "normal" life - like one of Janna Sigua's photos that captured the tranquil morning of a bird perched on a metal beam, how Sophia Marie Tan's picture described the crunchiness and freshness of the sushi through the picture, how the photos I saw on the each ePortfolios captured moments of nature, the bustling ride at home, or even the intimate moments with their favorite someone.
As for pictures that have stood out to me aside from the ones mentioned earlier, I loved how some people in the course have their own style – like if I see that photo, I can tell the person who captured it. To name a few, Jermaine Lobo’s snaps piqued my attention as she utilized the colors and contrast well in her pictures. She was able to make the photos dramatic and express the mood/emotion within the frame, making the pictures seem alive and telling a story. In terms of composition styles that stood out to me, I really love how clean the elements look in James Earl Valenzuela’s photos. The harmony and the positioning of the subject in his works were really aesthetically pleasing for me.
It was quite nice to see everyone’s work, and I'm excited to see more of their snaps. However, I can also observe that a lot of us also do not have much experience in taking pictures (count me in, haha), as some were not able to utilize the principles well, like composition styles or usage of emphasis on their snaps. It would be nice if we were able to polish our skills more and apply these newly learned principles and composition styles in our succeeding activities. Looking at some of the works of our peers can also help us to critique not only their works but also ourselves on what techniques we can apply to take a snap of a picturesque scene. 📸
List of ePortfolios I’ve checked (special thanks to them!)
✨ Janna Sigua, Jullia Rose Marquez, Lyan Kariz Salazar, Yvonne Cielo Siaron, Sophia Marie Tan, Joinne Alcano, Micah De Jesus, Fiona Gumasing, Natsuko Oishi, James Earl Valenzuela, Jermaine Lobo, Alyssa Ocampo, John Michael Ocampo, Paulo Santos, Chelsea Calma, Evie Oxales, James Joseph Gamao, Ryan Jeremy Lumague
Five Pictures ft. Coursemates' Snapshots
I think this is my favorite photo out of all the entries, maybe because I'm biased with how refreshing the picture is to look at. First of all, the usage of color was dramatic and contributed to the overall mood of the picture. Just by looking at it, I was able to guess what time of the day the picture was taken – hearing the chirp of the birds that tells you to wake up, it's already a fresh new start of the day! Second, the usage of lines was pleasing to look at as it directed my vision to the subject of the photo, which are the birds. I also appreciate that the photographer was able to capture the shadows well, which added depth to the subject, as well as the metal beams. As for the composition, I think she used Diagonals to direct the vision of the viewers to the birds. I also observed that the picture did not use the Rule of Thirds but was closer to the Golden Spiral with how the position of the bird fits the division of the ratio. This was a good photo to look at, and if I were the photographer, this would be the ideal picture to capture!
This is my second favorite due to how well the photographer captured the scene's mood. The use of color in this one was neat because I could sense the loneliness but also feel comforted by the tranquil moment within the frame. The contrast lighting of the dark seats to the shining light of the bus and the stoplight gave off light amidst the dark. I also appreciate how the photographer was able to capture the droplets of the rain that can be seen on the windows of the bus, I could imagine how this scene can be like those on music videos where the main character emotes (haha). Going back to critiquing, I also love the leading lines utilized in this one, as well as the pattern of the structure of the bus, which directed my eyes where to look on this dimly lit bus. As for the composition style, I think it used the Rule of Thirds as well as Diagonal composition, which made the elements look balanced and pleasing to look at. I mean, I could imagine how you'll use the Golden Ratio or Symmetry here. I think the usage of principles and composition was just right in the tonality and mood of the scene the photographer wanted to capture. Although, I think it would be nice if the lighting was not that too dark on the seats since I couldn't see them that much, but overall the picture was great!
I love the vibe on this entry because of the lighting. I love the contrast between the light and shadows as well as the (shining) reflection of the rides on the pavements. I also love how the people were not visible in the sense that the dominant color of the people is black/dark. The contrast between the light and dark colors gave off a sense of being "lost" amidst the crowd. I would also like to point out how the main subject of this picture (which is the person standing in the middle) has her back to us, which adds to the mood of the photo. Lastly, I also love the balance of the elements in terms of composition. I think this used the Rule of Thirds perfectly well, considering how there are cluttered people in the background. Overall, I love how, despite the shapes of the amusement park rides, my focus was directed to the main subject and then looking at the whole picture – feeling lost in the bustling park.
While I was looking at this entry, I was captivated by how it looked like a scene from a game or a manhwa – like I thought it was a realistic digital illustration or something. Maybe because of the vibrant colors and the smooth texture of the seats. I love how the colors and lighting were utilized in this one, sparking a contrast of light and shadows that also playfully contribute to describing the texture of the wood and the cushions. The lines were also utilized well in this one, as they guided me to where to start looking. Patterns in terms of the elements that can be seen in this picture can also be observed, like how there are similar seats, lights, and the design of the place. As for the composition, I think she used the Rule of Thirds along with diagonals. This made the elements look balanced and pleasing to look at as it has rhythmic elements. Overall, the choice of techniques applied here was well done, although it would have been nice if the picture was not that "shaky." Still, the picture turned out perfectly and very vintage! ✨
Compared to the other selected images here, I think this one also stood out as I love the convergence of the greenery and the road. The view was peaceful and tranquil! There are so many lines here, from the road to the trees. The patterns of the trees were also pleasing to look at, along with the people walking on the edge of the road, which guided the viewer on where to look and emphasized the "flow" of the image. As for the composition, I would say it utilized Diagonals as well as Geometric Elements and Patterns, as the road and trees were the main driver of this peaceful road (pun intended 🥁). Anyway, I also love the color on this one, as well as the texture of the trees and the seemingly smooth road. The exposure of the sky and the dramatic lighting that was made by the shadows of the trees was wonderful. I would like to commend the photographer on this one for retaining the colors instead of going black and white, as I think it captures the atmosphere of a "peaceful road" with the colors!
Self-Assessment
If I were to rate my current skills and techniques that I've applied when taking pictures, I think it would be between 6 and 7/10, just barely a passing grade. Comparing my snaps to my peers was helpful to understand that there are many techniques and principles I can utilize in my photos. I've observed that I need to polish my composition techniques as the pictures I've taken seem "boring" and too plain. I've also observed that I need to practice more on honing my skills in composition styles to elevate my pictures and avoid making the scene flat. In addition, the usage of principles like lines should be utilized more to create an interesting yet harmonious photo that guides the viewer where to look. Observing how colors and value/contrast can be taken advantage of may improve the overall mood of what I want to convey when capturing a scene.
It was nice to realize and determine my shortcomings in terms of applying techniques and principles of photography, which can help me improve my skills. Looking at my peers' snaps was an eye-opener and made me realize how important it is to be exposed to this kind of [photography] content to observe what I can improve on and learn from the pictures taken by others on what techniques I can apply when I take a photo. Watching or searching guides on how to fully use the function of my camera (e.g., ISO, grid lines, Focal Length) will also be helpful to explore what I can and cannot do/need to avoid doing to make my pictures look good.
As learning the principles and composition styles are important, it is also equally important to apply what we learn through taking pictures. I've also taken this course to persuade me to go outside and touch some grass, which I think will be the perfect time to practice and challenge my photography skills. Taking pictures of the place I went to, the food that I eat, or even the journey and scenery that I'll be experiencing while commuting – the possible subjects to snap a photo and skills I can polish are boundless if I try to go out and be adventurous to go out of my comfort zone.