As the location is outside and, in the beach, the summer heat comes with the summer light so ISO 50 fits perfect and used 23mm zoom lens to capture the heights of the coconut trees. Exposure is lessened to elevate the details of the tree itself while it guides our eye leading to the top with the coconut fruits. The aperture and speed shutter are balance in a way that there is no motion blur, but the tree is not just a silhouette under the blazing sunlight. On top of this, the white balance is in 4600K to make the light cooler and more tropical tone.
This photo is the epitome of my point-of-view as we stay under the cottage above these gigantic trees. The heights do really show and even if we were on a summer vacation, I really want to seize the moment and capture such feeling. It feels like a street in Los Angeles or in Manhattan where patterns of the coconut trees lead the downtown highways. I was actually planning this shot before we went to the beach. As I saw the bucketlist requirements, the timing was perfect as the locations we look unto for beach getaway has such great coconut trees. The fate also has been my friend as our cottage is directly situated to the tallest one in the resort. I am proud of this photo as I was kneeling down the sand just to take the perfect angle and it makes me want to go back the beach again.
I choose the settings as same as above in ISO as the sunlight even at noon is still good in the open beach. I used 23 mm lens type setting to really capture details and high shutter speed elevated the details as well by creating emphasis on the movement. The exposure and aperture are made that way to create great balance in contrast between highlight and shadow so that the dominating light won't overexpose my shot but still well-lit enough that you can see even the spec of the water.
This was more of a spontaneous decision to shoot the waves. We were sitting in the shore and waves keeps on splashing our sand house. It was very chaotic but fun and it lighten a light bulb in me, I quickly borrowed my mom's phone and seize the dancing sea. Getting this shot was hard as the water were either too heavy or too light. The camera was even splashing just a tiny bit in the process. In order for me to perfect this shot, I knelt down at the sand and position the camera just close enough that it won't get wet but will still get the movement of it. I love this shot as it perfectly encapsulates the movement of the sea, a natural force and even a little spec gives a great dynamic.
The settings I used here are to capture and isolate the flower. ISO 80 was used as the sun was hiding behind the house where I captured the flower, leaving shadows in some areas hence, I also used flash to create separation towards the lighting of the subject. Exposure was done enough to make the flower seem glowing, but the details is still pristine. The shutter speed was high to capture the moving flower in less motion blur. It also enhances the lighting, improving the depth of field and the aperture and lens setting. The aperture may seem low to create depth, but the background was already far enough; hence, the bokeh effect with F1.8 depth of field is enough to balance the shot.
I was actually pressured by the flower theme one as there were no flowers anywhere near us. So when I was asked to buy something at the store, which is far way from us, I seized the moment to look for a flower subject. My first shots were overexposed as I tried to compensate the shadow given by the roof above the plant box. The following shots were blurred because of the wind, and my shutter speed was not in the correct settings.
I want to capture a dramatic shot towards some billiard pool in my office. I used the focal length to make the balls seem bigger. I also adjust the exposure and ISO as the table has a top lighting so I want to offset too much lighting and emphasize the shadows as well to make it feel like it is about to move. I also used aperture 1.79 just enough to still let the image seem bright even with the shadows in it. The warm tone was from the lighting above the table and the afternoon tone the windows also give.
I want to capture pattern but with a story. I actually shot multiple pattern photos and it was easy to come by but to create an interesting story and subject is what makes this shot standout. It is only billiard ball but there is tension between the colored balls to the white balls. I want to encapsulate the point-of-view the opposite site as usually players tend to be at the other side on the white ball. With this, I want to create an interesting story where the group of balls is against the white ball, teaming up to beat it. I also want to capture the shadows and higlights well as they blend and make the shot alive. With the reflection, pattern, composition and shadows, I am surely proud of how the shot came by.
The night theme was challenging as it was hard to capture my vision. I want to capture the streetlights and the quiet night. I used 1600 ISO with 1/20s shutter speed to make the light source seem to burst and to have enough light on some parts of the photo but still make a dim and dramatic feeling. With a 23mm focal length, I also used an aperture F1.8 to have more time for the camera to capture the scene.
My goal here was to highlight the streetlights and how darkness blends in with the surroundings in the nighttime. The neighborhood is quiet, and lights are only shine on selected areas. I want it to seem like the direction of the pattern of lights leads the eye to the unknown. Hence, the darkness around the shot works as a frame as well. I also want to use light and shadows to contrast each other. The night light is nothing but hope within the endless darkness of the night.