One Shot Summary 

       This shot was my favorite of all the pictures I took within MMS 173. Ironically, it is also a virtual setup, just like my school. Not only that I adore this picture, but encapsulates both my journey and look towards the experiences I have within this course span. 

Building my relationship with photography was a path that has no ending, but there is a vision. I cannot see the end of the tunnel, but I can see the way around. There might be darkness or lightness, but to push forward is to keep going. It represents what I was like before the course started, unsure of the pathway I look for the result, but I realize the result won’t come if you also don’t look at the pathway. I started as a frustrated photographer, although still not perfect, but the things I was unsure of, scared of, and avoiding were faced because of the approach of the subject. I don’t know if it is imposter syndrome or just simply trauma, but being scared of the outcome is what I face beforehand. Just like the shot above, where the path is unsure, I was also unsure to take the less taken road. But the first lesson I learned from MMS 173 was simple, it is to start no matter where your ending is. Fake it till you make it was not a thing as the course’s approach provided an experience where it can be personalized based on each capability. I didn’t feel belittled or outcast but rather helped me focus on my journey. 

This picture perfectly encapsulates my whole journey in a way that it started with checking on where I am in terms of photography and led me to my next position until I achieved understanding and continuous growth. It was unclear at the start, but the foundation of knowing where am I, knowing what I am dealing with, and playing with the technicality of photography created a pathway that even without a clear ending, I still want to continue. 

My goal before the subject started was to clear out my fear and understand the technicality of photos especially dealing with aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure, white balance, and compositions. I am aware and I believe that my imagination is blossoming but I cannot apply it because I ignore the technical side of photography. I want to assess both being a photographer and a viewer. The discussion forum was noteworthy for me. Accessing a more advanced photographer and understanding their techniques, helped me develop my eye and keen for photography. It also removes the fear of being judged as it lets me understand photography as an audience. I also loved how I could openly share some insights and ideas about already captured photos, implementing a great practice of continuous improvement and an eye for other perspectives. It impacted the way to grasp ideas as I have the medium to communicate with the community without judgment and with constructive criticism from more knowledgeable people.

I remember posting my “proud moment” picture, where I shot it in high school and I thought it was spectacular. I still feel that way, as a student who does not know but to click the camera, I still got the shot I desired. But even if there was feedback to improve, I never felt that I was the worst, but rather gave me space to understand things. It was a great outlet, too as sharing your pictures will allow you to understand the things you cannot see but can be pointed out by someone else.

The course has healed my heartbroken relationship with photography. The fear, intimidation, and also failures were effectively solutionized by the right approach. In terms of pursuing it, I say I am a long way along that road since it was not my strength or goal, but I am more confident now creating my passion projects, and enjoying it more as a hobby. Who knows, along that road comes another tunnel for the professional journey, just like my path of stillness photo. But one thing is for sure, the professional cameras don’t intimidate me now and the potential of phone cameras is going to change how I see photography as well.

My “sayang naman” moments will be joining both Zoom sessions and face-to-face classes. I don’t remember if I mentioned it, but yes, I am a working student. Although this year, from the night shift, I am now in a company with mid-shift, I still was unable to attend our meetings and even the face-to-face meetings due to being from Pampanga as well. I was either on the way home from the office while the Zoom meetings were happening or I had a shift when the face-to-face classes happened. It was not entirely a loss, but only missed chances. The discussion forum still enabled me to communicate and connect with my classmates and of course Prof. Al as well. But if I had the chance, in a heartbeat I would engage more.

The great thing about this generation is education has improved and diversified into one medium. Imagine the past generations of photographers where there were no direct courses that hone these skills and the internet was nowhere to be seen. Being an online student is already a miracle and an awesome setup so having a photography class online is a perfect opportunity for me. My key takeaway is that learning is not a one-way road. It involves engagement, experience, and acknowledgment of self-lapses and potential is limitless. I was able to learn, heal, and grow in just one semester and it was only online, because of the way the course approached learning. I also was able to apply and keep the learnings in mind even if I was just taking a selfie or capturing our food and so on. Photography is a discipline that we all have but being a photographer is the capability we learn. No one was born a photographer but everyone is born with exponential potential. The only stopping you to being who you want to become is yourself as well. So don’t limit yourself to fear as later it will turn to regret. Action now, learn on the way and the outcome will come by along the way.