Assignment 2: Knowing where you're at (Part 2)

General Assessment...

I’ve taken a look at how our MMS 173 class is starting this trimester. I went through all the e-portfolios I could access on the Google Sheets so it was a lot to look through! I ended up focusing on about 25 of them to get a better sense of everyone’s work. I’m still new to photography, so I’m slowly picking up the basics as I go along and based on what I’ve gathered from Unit I about the Elements and Principles of Design, it’s obvious our class has a mix of different abilities. Some of my classmates seem to totally grasp these ideas and work them into their pics like pros, whereas a lot of us, myself included, are still trying to figure it all out. All in all, I’d say the majority of us have a bit of a base to build from, though we’re scattered all over the place in terms of progress.

Several classmates’ projects really caught my eye, and I feel compelled to highlight them. The work of Carl Daniel B. Torres, Ren Avrielle Telebrico, Siska Santiago, Leila Joy, Kelly Bianca, and Dan Labayo left a strong impression on me. I observed that a number of them either bring professional backgrounds, manage their own studios, or appear to have an innate gift for capturing stunning photographs.

I think there are definitely some standouts here especially with how they tell stories through their photos, even if they’re working with challenges like limited equipment. Some of the other portfolios I looked at, though, seemed like they could use more practice. For example, some students used selfies as their photos for this activity, and while I’m not against selfies since I take a lot of them myself. I just feel like there’s not much to discuss about them in terms of the Elements and Principles. As someone who takes a lot of selfies, I know there’s not much planning involved, so it’s mostly about luck to get a good shot because most of the time it is taken using the front camera of a mobile phone, so there’s no intentional application of concepts like Balance or Rhythm. As for me, I’m still learning the basics, but seeing everyone’s work is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to improving alongside the class.

The Standout...

1. "When blurry photos actually work..." by Leila Joy

This shot captures a concert with a couple of performers up on stage, but it’s kinda fuzzy since they wouldn’t stand still. Looking at it through the lens of design stuff, I notice how the warm yellow lights splash color everywhere, making the whole thing feel alive, while the dark backdrop really makes the singers stand out. The Principle of Movement is evident because the blur itself shows the energetic motion of the performers, which Leila mentions happened by accident. The composition feels dynamic, but I think the lack of sharpness makes it hard to focus on the subjects. I love how the blur pumps up the excitement of the scene because it makes me feel like I’m right in the thick of the crowd. If I had been the one behind the camera, I’d move nearer to the stage to grab more of the small details.

2. "Undeniably Gorgeous" by Michael Yukiro Mata

This breathtaking view showcases a sunset in Singapore, with the sky reflecting perfectly on the water below. The mix of colors and shades pops with life. The sky weaves together soft oranges, pinks, and purples, forming a bold clash against the darker, shadowed ripples under it. The Principle of Balance is used well; the horizon line splits the image symmetrically, giving it a calm and harmonious feel. The photo’s layout follows the rule of thirds, positioning the horizon in the bottom third so that the sky becomes the main focus. I genuinely enjoy the tranquil feeling this picture evokes as it brings a sense of calm when I look at it. I feel like the foreground could use a bit more detail to make the photo even more captivating. It's a beautiful shot as it is but i feel it needs something like a small shadowy figure, just to give the size some weight and tug the viewer further into the frame. But that the photographer has no control unless he e

3. "Perya" by Siska Santiago

Siska’s nighttime shot of a Ferris wheel pulls me right in with its slow, drawn-out vibe. Those vivid neon shades of bright blues, pinks, and purples jump right out, practically shouting with energy and tossing a cheerful, bouncy vibe your way. The movement hits just right; that slow shutter drags the wheel’s whir I don’t have much to dislike, but if I were taking this shot, I might experiment with a slightly shorter exposure to see if I could capture some of the Ferris wheel’s structure while keeping the light trails, just to add a bit more context.

4. "Layag ng Malabon" by Ren Avrielle Telebrico

Ren snapped a picture of fishermen in Malabon City, with a bird soaring behind them, and it carries a lot of depth. The way the colors play out is gentle yet striking. Soft, warm hues from the sunset blend against the calmer, cooler shades of the water, stirring up a quiet, serene feeling. The Principle of Emphasis is used well here; the small boat with the fishermen is positioned off-center, and the bird in the sky draws attention as a symbol of hope, as Ren mentions. The composition follows the rule of thirds, with the boat in the lower third and the bird in the upper third, which makes the image balanced yet dynamic. This shot reels me in with its mix of tough times and tough souls. It takes me right into the thick of things. I don’t have much to complain about, but if I’d been the one framing it, I’d likely have inched nearer to the boat, zeroing in on the fishermen’s faces to grab their grit in the moment and amp up the punch.

5. "Koiincidence" by Carl Daniel B. Torres

CD’s snapshot of koi fish swimming in a pond really grabs your eye. The way texture comes through is striking. Those fish scales look incredibly detailed, and the water’s rippling surface piles on even more depth. The colors pop too; those bright oranges, reds, and whites on the fish jump out against the shadowy water, making the whole thing a perfect example of contrast doing its job. The composition uses a close-up perspective, filling the frame with the fish to emphasize their patterns and movement, which aligns with the Principle of Dominance. I like how serene yet vibrant this photo is because it’s calming to look at, and the colors are so rich. CD pointed out that the water had a slight greenish hue, which I can faintly pick up on too, and it pulls a bit of focus away from the fish. If I’d been the one snapping this shot, I might’ve tweaked the lighting or played with the colors afterward to dial back the green, letting the fish pop more sharply against the water.

Overall, I learned a lot from looking at these photos and thinking about how the Elements and Principles of Design were applied. Each one has its own strengths, and they’ve given me ideas for how I can improve my own photography as I continue in this course.

Self Assessment...

When I check out the photos my classmates put together, I’m caught between admiration and a flicker of doubt about myself. Every one of them has their own cool vibe, and a few are hitting it out of the park with such vividness and imagination that I’m left wondering how I stack up in the bunch. I’d say I’m probably somewhere in the middle of the pack. Not the best, but definitely not the worst either. I’m just a random point-and-shoot person who loves freezing beautiful moments, and I don’t have any fancy gear. All I’ve got is my phone, and I rely on what catches my eye in the moment.

When I check out my own pictures, I think I’ve got a knack for picking out natural beauty. It’s like I’ve got an eye for catching those small, unique moments that stand out, though I’m not blind to where I fall short. My shots don’t always come out crisp, and the lighting can be off at times since I haven’t really figured out how to tweak that stuff on my phone.

Compared to my classmates, I think some of them are way better at controlling their shots like they know exactly how to play with light or get those super crisp details. I’m the type of photographer who keeps it simple and I have pretty much a “take it as it comes” approach. I don’t fuss with settings or tweak things afterward; I just aim, snap, and cross my fingers. I’d like to get smarter about lining up my shots, maybe figuring out how to arrange stuff so the main point stands out better. I also need to crack the code on dealing with weird lighting like when the sun’s blasting everything or when it’s too dim to see much. Playing around with different angles might spice things up too, since I usually just shoot head-on without giving perspective much thought.

To get better at this, I figure I should put in more time messing around with it and maybe check out some videos on how to make the most of a phone camera. I’d like to pick up a few simple editing hacks to spruce up my pics without them ending up looking fake. I’ve been tossing around the thought of capturing a ton of pictures of one thing, moving around to different angles to find what works best. I’m not here to top anyone else’s game, but I’d really enjoy feeling confident about seizing those fleeting moments that spark my interest and bring a smile to my face.

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