"MMS 173: Assignment 2: Knowing where you're at (Part 2)" ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ

PART 1: STORIES BEHIND THE CAMERA (click & drop here ᯓ★)

Most of the e-portfolios I checked from the directory were from familiar names I already encountered from previous courses. Some were my friends while some were acquaintances and a few were new people. Cakes, landscapes, music, familiar faces, love, and many more were captured in these photographs. I opened around 20 portfolios and was greeted by unique and astonishing galleries.

One of the photographs that stopped me from scanning the rest for a solid minute was from Ayessa Mendoza. The gallery from her portfolio looks so professional and I can tell that she already had experience capturing professional photos before taking the course. I also found Elixandra’s gallery impressive as it gave me a warm feeling, while Kayla’s portfolio gave me an impression that she is a digital artist and has a matter of aesthetic and pinterest vibes her photos gave off. Adrienne’s captures made me reminisce about my life as a student who commutes as she tackled her experiences with creative writing. Kenneth Santiago’s photos felt close to home. Although we might not know each other, his captures felt like I experienced the same experiences and been in the same situations. Most of the portfolios that I opened were different from each other. Most already look like they had experience with their cameras while the others, including me, still have a long way to learn.

A familiar name I spotted was Franceska Santiago. Upon looking at her portfolio, I already sensed that everything was captured professionally. From concert photos to sports and personal projects, by far this was the most interesting photos I've seen apart from the class. As for criticism, I believe all of the students in this course have the potential to grow into more passionate and outstanding photographers. From instagram shots and tacky tilted photos, to impactful captures, we will tell a story through these photos. With a little bit of lessons and ALOT of application, not just hoping to pass the course, I hope everyone enjoys the fun in photography!

Captures by Elisha Montealegre

PART 2: BEYOND THE PHOTOGRAPHS (click the arrows below !! ᯓ★)

Here are some of my favorite captures from my coursemates!

II. The Miracle

From Elixandra's Vault

I would've picked Elix’s third photo focusing on her boyfriend as it reminded me of the warmth of someone I love. However, as someone who got to attend a mass for the first time in Baclaran last Ash Wednesday, my heart was touched seeing a familiar place holding sentimental value. The photo gave a feeling of someone calling my name in these halls. The yellow color outshines the rest, the symmetry of the doors, the shadows from the walls, the repetitive pattern, it gave me peace and belongingness.

The lines on the floor led my eyes to the door down the hall while the forms of the arcs gave depth and perspective. Although I felt warmth in Elix’s 3 photos from her Assignment 1, the warmth of this photo is different as I feel the sun reaching out to those doors from the left side.

Starbucks, Las Piñas

From Kayla Gwyneth Pulon's Portfolio

I love the smell of coffee and pastries. For pinterest shots, I like this capture of the pastries from Starbucks by Kayla. Same as Elix’s shot, it looks like Kayla also aimed to give a warm feeling, which she executed nicely, giving comfort to my eyes.

The background of the pastries (the counter) looks messy, and since there are many pastries laid out, the emphasis of the photo is aimed to be all the pastries, applying a radial composition technique. A little more perspective or a closer look at the pastries would focus on one pastry giving it a much more neat shot where there are minimum elements around.

When cropped or zoomed in, although there are still other pastries in the photo, it will emphasize the one in the front.

The exposure and highlights from the effects or filters is quite overwhelming as the light ‘ate’ the top of the pastries and it’s kind of hard to tell which pastries are there anymore. The textures of the pastries and trays are still visible which gives a cozy feeling to the eye but is still close to disappearing because of too much light.

Timeless Reverence

From Adrienne Mercurio's Portfolio

The first 2 photos gave warmth. This photo of the Saint Augustine Church in Tanza by Adrienne Mercurio gave vintage and old times. Apart from the bygone architecture of the church, how the photographer adjusted the color grading gave it a calm feeling. The sky was eye-pleasing, clouds were soft as cotton, and the birds flying on the side of the bell tower of the church contrasted with the color of the church, making it more highlighted. The overlap of the church and the houses behind it tells me that there is a neighborhood that is quiet and calm. I can also see the form of the church as it was taken in a ¾ angle highlighting its texture as well. The subtle beige and brown dusty colors show the oldness of where it stands.

I understand that the objective of this shot was to showcase the church in one picture, however, with minimal cropping we can showcase it in a better position. For example, we can zoom in the bell tower capturing the beauty of the birds beside it.

The Best Day (Alexis’ Version)

From Alexis Alviso's Portfolio

Alexis's work is a mix of different experiences from her life. I could tell by the looks of her gallery. I'm saying this as a coursemate and not her friend (not being biased), but I saw how she captures her shots and is really passionate about her work.

As simple as it is, this photo caught my attention, not because of her dad being the focus, but because of what the background reminded me.

The crowd being active and being one united felt so familiar. In this shot, it is obvious that the emphasis is her dad smiling at someone from the side. The diagonal line of the railing where her dad leans on seems to look like a hand railing for stairs. The texture of his clothes and hair can be seen as its shadows and light contrast. The overlapping people in the crowd behind him being blurry made him the highlight of the shot covering the rest. I wouldn't change anything in this photo as it envisions something that can be seen part of photojournalism.

The Ride Back Home

From Tajah Alacapa's Portfolio

This shot was captured by Tajah Alacapa showing her a slice from her life. I appreciate this photo as it shows the commuter’s experience. The night sky being dark, the beaming light from the MRT train, the guard holding up the stop sign to signal the train. The diagonal lines from the platform and the rails directed my attention to the train coming over, but without it, the emphasis of this picture is the stopped train on the right side.

Applying the tall crop technique, we can better emphasize the train on the left railside coming over. This technique can also lessen the elements from the photo which helps the photo look less messy and overwhelming.

PART 3: MY PICTURE IMPERFECT? (click & drop here ᯓ★)

Examining through the captures of my coursemates, this made me realize that no matter how many times a subject is repeated, every photo is different from the other. Two people can have the same tree being photographed but will have different outcomes.

As for me, I would say I need to work more on my photography composition techniques, especially the rule of thirds where everyone believes is a start to being professional. To be honest, before taking this course, I was confident that my photos will do enough to have a high grade. Now, I’m slowly realizing what more progress I should make. Upon analyzing and admiring each one of my coursemates’s shots, it gave me the boost to learn and explore more on how I tell the stories behind the camera. Let’s be real, it can’t just be instagrammable shots and selfies. For fun, yes, but it could be more fun once the lessons are applied. Out of 20 portfolios, I can say that my portfolio and photos are not that eye-catching, let alone, professional. Although I lack technique and skill, some can still be found in the photos I displayed in Assignment 1. So, I would say that it’s not that bad of a start.

Comparing myself to the works of each one of us, from small leaves or raindrops, to big buildings and skies, every one of us tells a story. Through their captures, I can feel both pity and warmth at the same time which is pretty weird considering both contradict each other. I can feel calmness in storms or even an unreciprocated look in one's eyes. My photos lack this, emotions and stories. I wanted to catch up with most of them, I wanted to be good. But for now, I’ll rate myself a 6 out of 10 for being able to learn slowly but surely.

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