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Time flew so fast these days, as we are close to the end of this term! It was fleeting, like it was just the start of the trimester, and here we are reaching the last blog for this course. As I was pondering the experiences I had on this course, it made me realize how the pictures we've taken retell the story of our journey, from being inexperienced to students who are continuously exploring concepts and techniques in photography. Sure, the term is ending, but it's not really the "end" for learning more about photography. There are still more chances to try new things, even though time continues to pass. 🕰️
GOLDEN HOUR✨
GOLDEN HOUR✨
📸 Genshin Impact, Starsnatch Cliff
May 5, 2025
The image was only cropped in 3:4 and did not undergo any other post-processing.
Taking a photo is something I rarely do. Like it's not a requirement to post an update on my social media on what I'm doing for that day, what cravings I had, or even a simple selfie that tells my online friends that I'm still alive. Photography was something I rarely did in my everyday life. It was something that I do when I feel like there's something special happening or a memory I want to capture. But looking back, I think it was "wasteful" to think like that, as some pictures I took could have captured those special moments more expressively or made it convey the feeling I wanted to remember in those photos.
📸 Genshin Impact, In-game Graphic Settings
Behind the Photo
Behind the Photo
Auto-focus
Applied (In-Game) Background Blur
Cropped using Photos (Windows)
Image ratio is 3:4
Starting this course was nerve-wracking as I have little experience in taking "aesthetic" pictures. Although I'm familiar with concepts like the Rule of Thirds, theories, principles, composition styles, and even post-processing were new to me. I was unsure whether I would be able to survive and make use of the full photography class experience, as I don't own a camera or equipment that is ideal to have in this course. So, what do these thoughts connect with the one-shot picture I've shared?
Golden Hour
Golden Hour
The Photography Experience
If I were to describe my feelings toward the photography class, I think it would be like the sky. It's all about having the freedom to express what we want to convey through the photos we take. Like the sky, we can tell whether something bright is happening, or if the day we're having is a rainy one. But how about the sky in my photo entry? The experience photography brought me was like the "Golden Hour." It was something like capturing a beautiful yet fleeting feeling or moment you've experienced.
As I was taking this photo in-game, I was experimenting with what kind of sky would properly convey my thoughts, and I think the Golden Hour fits the theme I want to portray – specifically, the setting sun.
Doing the activities was filled with uncertainty. As I was checking my coursemates' e-portfolios on the 2nd Assignment, I was astounded to see many who have already honed their craft and style when taking pictures. Comparing my photos to theirs was a peculiar feeling, as it took a lot of self-reflection and self-criticism to know what's lacking in my snaps, as well as learn from my peers on how to take pictures better. This feeling was like the sunset to me. We may be engulfed by the darkness of the night after the sun sets, but there will be light again as long as we reflect and try again when the sun rises!
Which is why I've participated in the Game Photography activity, which I think helped me a lot in learning how to convey a certain feeling or story in my photo. It was also fun experimenting with principles like emphasis, harmony, and balance, as well as composition styles in this activity. That's why I wanted to express how much I've enjoyed and continued to do game photography by doing my one-shot photo in this medium.
Now, you might be wondering why I didn't just capture a scenic view of the golden hour in-game?
Why did I have to include a character standing there?
We can see how the character in the picture seems to be trying to seek something with how she is posing. As I've said earlier, photography also involves a lot of self-reflection and facing criticism, whether we were able to convey the message or feeling we want to share in our pictures. This mindset was reaffirmed when I was doing the Self-Portrait activity, as it takes a lot of courage to capture oneself – much less face the camera. It was also about the exploration and expressing your authentic self through the lens of the camera.
Contemplating my photography journey this term was quite refreshing as I am able to learn more about what I can improve on, such as skills and techniques I need to practice, as well as mindsets that could be applied not only in photography but also in life – a never-ending cycle of expression and reflection. Looking back on my previous shots before taking this course and comparing them with new ones that I've captured during the span of the term shows how much I've learned about photography. The recent pictures in my gallery have better composition as well as application of principles of design like emphasis and harmony, while also keeping in mind elements of the pictures like lines, colors, and form.
Although I won't be dubbing myself to be an expert or professional level, as I still have so much to learn, most especially in doing post-processing of the pictures I take. I've realized that I could have tried doing experiments on how to enhance the pictures, or could have tried participating more in the discussion forums to learn more about how my peers do them.
Nevertheless, doing photography was somewhat a "breath of fresh air" to me during this term as I was able to casually do my tasks while enjoying snapping photos. It was like capturing the beautiful, fleeting moments we have in our lives and being able to feel the nostalgia through the pictures we've taken. But, photography can also be a medium to self-reflect and take the time to contemplate the little things we experience and appreciate them for a moment.
Just like the Golden Hour,
Just like the Golden Hour,
fleeting, beautiful, nostalgic, and full of endings, as well as seeking new beginnings. ✨
"Seeking"
📸 Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro
ISO 125 | f/1.9 | 1/8s
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