PHOTO ESSAY || Anna Patricia R. Altre

Countless Meaning to Random Objects

I had fun in this activity, we get to put into practice our own skills and try to make everything seem like photogenic or worth capturing. I also felt kind of stressed in doing this activity because in the middle of the activity my digital camera died!! Aghh, I forgot to charge it, I also had second thoughts of bringing my SLR, I should've have bought that instead. Anway, I had to borrow my classmate's camera so I could continue the activity, THANK YOU KIM ALMOSA :) :) All in all, I had fun! It was really challenging but I know all the tips would be very helpful, especially for someone like me who likes to capture random objects. 

Here are the 10 best pictures that I was able to capture during the activity: 

I think this is an example of a Unique Vantage point. I'm having a really hard time identifying which tip my pictures belong to.What I did here was I leaned the camera at the wall :) I think this pretty cool...or not :) 

This is my favorite shot.  I just love the lighting here, how the rest of the picture is blurred, the reflection and all the details around it. For me, this is an example of Detail and Texture. The picture shows both smoothness and hardness. 

I was trying to do the Frame in this picture but I think I was not successful in capturing. I also like the frame and the objects behind it, I wish I was able to capture a better image of this. 

I had a hard time looking for a more natural shadow so I asked a friend to do a shadow for me. I'm not satisfied with this shot though I find the concept pretty cool :) 

I was trying to do another Frame in here, I think this was better than the first picture. I took this at a staircase near the SAC. This was a pretty challenging shot for me because I had to make the sides equal and  straight, it was really hard finding my balance because I was in the stairs and I had to make sure that the picture behind it has meaning too. 

This is an example of Rule of Thirds, it is the easiest tip but I had to find an object worth capturing. I think I was successful in this shot though I wished there were no people at the back so there would be more emphasis on the flower 

Curving Lines

What I like in this picture are the curves and the frames, I had hard time capturing the best angle in this picture because this was also taken at a staircase. It was hard because the stairs were narrow, I also wished I could've taken a better shot for this, I really like the frame and the shapes in here. 

Fill Frame

This was also one of the easiest tips but yet again you have to find an object worth capturing.  

I think this is and example of Imagined Horizons. I like how the photo was taken, the tree gives so much life to the picture, I love how it was not taken perfectly, like how the tree trunks are cropped. It was hard to take this photo because of the people that are passing by but I really loved this photo.  

Patterns and Shapes

This was taken near the chapel, when I first saw the patterns and shapes, I knew I had to take a picture of it. I had a hard time choosing the right angle, I know I had to give emphasis the the patterns and shapes so it was kind of challenging to capture this. 

Daylight

P H O T O G R A P H Y – Honestly speaking, what comes in to my mind whenever I hear this word I’ll say it’s an ART. It’s a creative way to express your true feelings. Actually, taking photographs is really not my thing; I’m really bad in taking photos. Having these simple tips in photography makes me want to learn more. That's why I find this activity a bit challenging in my part.

These are the photos I’ve captured during the limited time that we have. Actually, I don't have any idea how to start it, even though tips were explained very well. It's just that my mind was strained because of the activity. As what I have said, photography is not my thing. What I did is that I just randomly took pictures and following the tips that were discussed and eventually, I just enjoyed doing it.

As you can see the photos that were posted above are amateur shots, it’s really far from the professional photographers. But having these workshop help me gain an interest in photography and appreciate those captured moments. It also made me realized that capturing a moment is an amazing thing. Even though you take photographs randomly, it’s still count as a memory that would last forever.

- Almosa, Kimberly Ann M.

 LC -  202C

First Attempt in Learning Photography

“Photography is the magic that can turn moments into eternity.” —Next Stop, Happiness.

In all honesty, I regard myself as someone who doesn't have a special eye in taking splendid photos.

Nevertheless, I am grateful for the opportunity to explore photography in a different manner. It is because now, I am already armed with the basic techniques that one must apply in this kind of craft.

This is my first time to take pictures following a set of rules/techniques. The experience was really hard and at the same time different because I became conscious of what I should shot. I don’t know where to start. In fact, I don’t know where I got the courage to shot the “at-least-good-pictures” that I have.

I was pressured though, knowing that some of my blockmates are already familiar with this exercise but eventually I have push myself harder to come up with this 10 shots which are for me, the best pictures that I took for this activity.

TRANCE

TRANCE

Before taking this picture, I have already a technique in my mind that I should use. 

It was supposed to be the light and shadow technique. 

But after seeing the shot that I‘ve done, it turns out to be that I am already confused because I can also associate this shot  in to the “frame technique”.

Trance because..

• I am confused while I was taking this picture.
• I felt sleepy when I saw this picture.

THE CAVE

THE CAVE

Of all the pictures, this is what I really like the most. 

I love how the bluish clouds complement with the green leaves. I shot this without having any technique in my mind. 

This was a random picture, I guess.

The Cave because..

• When I saw this picture, I felt I was inside a cave, staring the wide blue sky out there.

DOMINOES

The technique I used for this picture was “pattern, shapes repeating.” 

I believe I have executed the technique correctly. This is my first photo taken after going out of the classroom.

Dominoes because..

• For me, it looks like a pile of dominoes arranged in a zigzag way.

5 AHAS

5 AHAS

This is the weirdest of all my pictures. 

I used the “detail, texture” technique for this picture.

5 Ahas because..

• The 5 sprouting branches looks like a scaly head of snake. It’s like they are coming from under their own world. 

TRAPEZOID

TRAPEZOID

I took this picture out of desperation. It is because I still don’t have any pictures that falls under the category of “framing”. 

Actually, I don’t know if I was successful, in creating this shot as a “framing shot”.

Trapezoid because…

• For me, the frame created looks like a trapezoid.

MISUNDERSTANDING

MISUNDERSTANDING

I took this picture because I feel like they are of the same appearance to me which will fall under the category of “pattern”. 

But after seeing it closely, I don’t know anymore what technique this picture is trying to illustrate.

Misunderstanding because…

• They are far from each other. 
• There are a distant feeling involved which suggests misunderstanding.

FALLEN

FALLEN

The technique I used here was “fill frame”.

I was fascinated by the color mixtures of the pebbles that’s why I took this picture.

Fallen because…

• The dried leaves in the picture looks like it have just fallen from the trees. 

NOWHERE

NOWHERE

The vaguest of all.

I tried to exemplify here the technique of “leading lines” but it seems that it is invisible.

Nowhere because…

• The lines are nowhere to be found. And it goes in a direction where no one knows.

TIME MACHINE

TIME MACHINE

A combination of three: depth, framing and light & shadow.

Time Machine because…

• When I saw this shot, I feel like I was inside a time machine, seeing the present state of the other world.

UNTOLD

Untold

UNIQUE VANTAGE POINT OF A GRASSHOPPER wandering in the fields of St. Scho Manila.

I put the camera on the field, right in the soil and click the button right away and this is what I’ve got.

Untold because…

• It gives a feeling of mystery of what grasshoppers are trying to look or stare at.

After the 45-minute photography exercise, I realize some values that one must possess in order to be a good photographer. These are the value of patience and dedication to what you are doing.

In some instances of my journey in finding good shots, I was a bit distracted because I was surrounded by a lot of people who were noisy and busy. I also got excited which resulted into a blank state of mind. I don’t have any idea of what I should shot. My only guide was the sequence of technique shots that I should apply in taking pictures.

Some Realizations:

• Be careful of what and how I will shot something.
• Be always mindful of all the techniques that has been discussed.
• Apply it to daily life as much as possible especially when I have the opportunity to take pictures.
• Take pictures as daily as I can.
• Photography is not just storing memories but also taking pictures with a sense of good quality.
• Appreciate all the beautiful scenery and surroundings that is within our reach of sight.

Thoughts-After-The-Exercise:

• It gave me new insights in seeing photography in a different perspective both a medium of entertainment and a medium of information such as slogans.
• It helped me to explore the different side of my self. I discovered that I can be also a good photographer if only I can learn by heart the values and techniques and also to give my 101% effort and dedication.

(c) smramos 

Thank you Sir Rondina for sharing your advices and tips for this meaningful exercise! J

Two thumbs up! J

-Shiela Marie S. Ramos
ABMC 202C

PMC. Life treats you kind--

I don't know how to explain what Photography really means, but as far as I know, photography is somehow a hobby of some people, who really desires of being a photographer someday.

Photography denotes having a want or maybe expressing yourself when you photograph a picture. Like, everything has meaning or has importance once you capture an illustration. Also, photography is somehow an art or a way of creating an art, after capturing an image. A practice of creating durable images..

I asked a friend of mine, and said that

"Way of expressing myself.. :)" - Paula Kamina Oliveros.

I once thought, that photography is also a helpful way to expose yourself, and as what she said, to express everyone's feelings. Like when you're depressed and frowning. This can be an avocation to percise a sentiment.

"Photography is a form of expression. It is a graphic imagination" - Miguel Luis Fernando. He also finds it as an expression. And an imagination.

I picked those pictures as my best photographs. I really don't have any talent when it talks about photography. But I know, those pictures showed how simple I am. I may not have the aptitude or the "BEST ONE" in myself. But, I put some effort when it comes to desiring on something I really aim for. The long path shows, that life may look that there's no end but someother time, you'll see that not everything is permanent. You may be happy at all times, but those happiness will last. And will see what's on the cessation of the road.

The rocks, for me flashed that in real life, you'll take the hard or maybe the hardest part. But then, if you see that there is still opportunity to accomplish everything, then take it until you have not finish it all yet.

Reflect everything that has happened all day, be inspired in what you achieved! :D

"Na siguro, kahit sobrang nahihirapan ka na sa buhay mo. Kailangan mong lumaban, at bumangon. Pero tandaan, lahat yan bigay ng Diyos para malaman niya kung gaano ka kalakas, at kung hanggang kailan ka tatagal"

-Faith Ayanna Valenzuela, 202C, Group 6 :)

GOD SPEED!

Serendipity

So, what would life be without photographs? I mean, can you just imagine going to a new place, visiting new countries, eating new dishes without the “Wait, picture muna! 1…2…3…” part? Well, I can’t. Because I’ve always loved taking pictures... it has always been a part of my existence.

Photos are the only way in which I can somehow go back to a time in the past: It’s a time machine; An output of memories shared with loved ones filled with all sorts of emotions. 

Here are my favorites:

We're in Heaven

I don’t know but there’s just something about clouds that makes me go lalalaaaa! It’s like seeing a glimpse of heaven. It’s more than just a view, for me, it actually voices clarity and happiness.

Katiting Ma'y May Laban Din

So what if I’m small? What if you’re way bigger than me? Well… it doesn’t really matter. Cause I am given the gift of life, too. And no matter how much storms and seas life will throw me and my family, we will stay together for as long as we live. As the saying goes, “Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.”

May Liwanag ang Buhay

No matter how much we weep for the past, we can never bring it back. How’s about moving on and looking forward for better days? There’s still hope…as long as we live, there’s still hope. We will all see the light at the end of the tunnel: no giving up, just working hard. 

Sandigan

“No man is an island.” as they say.  And by that, we know that we’ll always have a buddy to lean on, through the smooth and rough times.

Muntik Na

Wanting to go, yet feeling something’s not right…everyone’s dilemma.

Maririnig Rin

With much faith, we will all be granted that prayer. He hears, he listens, he will help. 

Kulasa Us!

Students molded with Christian-Benedictine values? Only in St. Scho. Because there is more to studying than just keeping tracks of lessons from the book in a notebook. There’s this thing called molding values into a student’s heart.

Bahala Kayo.

We all have to be alone sometimes. ME time, ME time!

Only Time

It has always been said: Time heals all wounds. Only time knows when the pain and longing will be over.

LEAD

Make a stand. Make a trend. Do not be contented with what life has already offered. Go for what has not been discovered and make a change. Never be afraid to speak out. BE DIFFERENT.

What I liked about this activity is that we didn't have to go to a far, far away place just so we can capture astonishing  photos; we just had to roam around the campus and look for beautiful sets that are worth capturing within the limited place and time.

Serendipity (which happens to be my favorite word!), is the perfect word to describe how I felt about the activity. It was looking for ordinary things without having the expectation to actually see beauty from those ordinary stuff. It was a means of appreciating what we see normal in a deeper way.