[01] THEME: LOCATION
Through the Frame
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And since the wall is perforated, the small holes also allow little glimpses of what’s beyond it, almost like extensions of the location.
Since the scene was outdoors in daylight, I used a low ISO, which helped keep the image clean and free of noise.
The 1/200 shutter speed was fast enough to keep the scene sharp, especially since people were walking through the entrance.
The 5.1 mm focal length allowed a wider view so both sides of the perforated wall and the arch could fit in the frame.
The f/3.9 aperture allowed enough light in while still keeping most of the scene reasonably clear.
The 1/200 shutter speed was fast enough to keep the scene sharp, especially since people were walking through the entrance.
The 5.1 mm focal length allowed a wider view so both sides of the perforated wall and the arch could fit in the frame.
The f/3.9 aperture allowed enough light in while still keeping most of the scene reasonably clear.
As someone who is drawn to the “frame within a frame” technique, the pattern of the perforated wall was what caught my attention first.
That day we were on the way to the market, and I brought my camera along in case I could capture something for the assignment. I was originally planning to capture the wet market or one of the stalls for this theme.
When I noticed the pattern of the wall, I instinctively looked through the openings to see what was on the other side. From there, I saw the Marikina Sports Center arch and thought it might work well as the subject inside that frame. The idea to capture it was really a spur-of-the-moment decision.
What I liked about the scene was the contrast between the darker foreground and the brighter space outside. The wall basically works as a visual frame that directs attention toward the arch. And since the wall is perforated, the small holes also allow little glimpses of what’s beyond it, almost like extensions of the location.
The taho vendor stationed near the entrance wasn’t something I planned, but I liked that he ended up in the frame. Without him, the image might have felt a bit static. His presence adds scale and makes the place feel more lived in rather than just showing the structure itself.
That day we were on the way to the market, and I brought my camera along in case I could capture something for the assignment. I was originally planning to capture the wet market or one of the stalls for this theme.
When I noticed the pattern of the wall, I instinctively looked through the openings to see what was on the other side. From there, I saw the Marikina Sports Center arch and thought it might work well as the subject inside that frame. The idea to capture it was really a spur-of-the-moment decision.
What I liked about the scene was the contrast between the darker foreground and the brighter space outside. The wall basically works as a visual frame that directs attention toward the arch. And since the wall is perforated, the small holes also allow little glimpses of what’s beyond it, almost like extensions of the location.
The taho vendor stationed near the entrance wasn’t something I planned, but I liked that he ended up in the frame. Without him, the image might have felt a bit static. His presence adds scale and makes the place feel more lived in rather than just showing the structure itself.
That said, there are things I would change if I had another chance. The sky turned out a bit overexposed, which pulls some attention away from the arch. I also think I could have adjusted my position slightly so the framing from both sides felt more balanced.
[02] THEME: PATTERN
Organic Encounter Pattern
Organic Encounter Pattern
When I saw the raw chickens, I noticed how their shapes, legs, and even the texture of the skin repeated across the frame. It almost felt chaotic at first, but the repetition of the forms created its own rhythm.
The camera was at 9.5 mm, which helped me get closer and include more of the repeating forms within the frame. I wanted the viewer to immediately see the repetition rather than focus on a single subject.
The aperture of f/4.9 was mainly the camera’s limitation, but it still allowed enough depth to keep most of the chickens reasonably in focus.
Since I was shooting handheld in a busy market environment, I used a shutter speed of 1/100 second to keep the image sharp.
The lighting inside the market wasn’t particularly bright, so ISO 400 helped maintain proper exposure without making the scene too dark.
The aperture of f/4.9 was mainly the camera’s limitation, but it still allowed enough depth to keep most of the chickens reasonably in focus.
Since I was shooting handheld in a busy market environment, I used a shutter speed of 1/100 second to keep the image sharp.
The lighting inside the market wasn’t particularly bright, so ISO 400 helped maintain proper exposure without making the scene too dark.
At first, I was thinking of fruits or crates of vegetables, which I actually had a lot of shots of. Those displays already form very obvious patterns because of how vendors organize their produce. But the more I looked around, the more I felt that those were a bit too predictable. I wanted something that still represented repetition but in a way that felt less expected.
When I saw the raw chickens, I noticed how their shapes, legs, and even the texture of the skin repeated across the frame. It almost felt chaotic at first, but the repetition of the forms created its own rhythm. At the same time, I noticed there was a smaller pattern within it; the tiny dots and texture on their skin. And even though the scene is a bit unconventional, it made me look at something ordinary in a different way.
When I saw the raw chickens, I noticed how their shapes, legs, and even the texture of the skin repeated across the frame. It almost felt chaotic at first, but the repetition of the forms created its own rhythm. At the same time, I noticed there was a smaller pattern within it; the tiny dots and texture on their skin. And even though the scene is a bit unconventional, it made me look at something ordinary in a different way.
I could have framed it better, but honestly I was a bit embarrassed taking the photo in the middle of the market. I didn’t want to linger too long or draw too much attention, so I took the shot fairly quickly. At the same time, I think the angle worked because it avoided a big chunk of shadow should I proceeded with capturing from the top of the raw chickens.
[03] THEME: SILHOUETTE
A Double Golden Moment
A Double Golden Moment
In the end, I kept this version because it captured the most authentic moment, even if the technical aspects are not perfect.
The shutter speed I used was 1/2000 second, which is very fast. I thought the sun was directly in the frame and the scene was extremely bright so I decided to use the camera's max setting. I was trying to prevent it to be too overexposed (which isn't enough still). It also helped me keep the moment sharp, especially the interaction so the silhouettes remain clearly defined.
The ISO 200 helped me keep the image relatively clean and handled the strong backlighting. Though I should've used ISO 100.
The f/3.9 aperture is part of the camera’s available settings, but it still allowed enough light into the camera. Even with this aperture, the strong backlight made the subjects into silhouettes so the focus became more about their shape and interaction rather than fine details.
The ISO 200 helped me keep the image relatively clean and handled the strong backlighting. Though I should've used ISO 100.
The f/3.9 aperture is part of the camera’s available settings, but it still allowed enough light into the camera. Even with this aperture, the strong backlight made the subjects into silhouettes so the focus became more about their shape and interaction rather than fine details.
Everyday, we have this routine with our dogs. We walk them one by one because walking them all together would honestly be chaos, especially since they’re big dogs. I normally don’t bring a camera during these walks but since this was for the assignment, I decided to bring it along this time.
I wasn’t really looking or waiting for something interesting to happen. I was mostly just observing the walk as it usually unfolds. The idea was more about being open to whatever small moments might appear along the way.
I just kept capturing small movements during the walk. I was also paying attention to the time of day because I was consciously thinking about what shutter speed and ISO I'll use with the sun getting brighter.
Then at one point, our dog had just finished pooping (I even took a photo of him doing this) and the leash had to be put back on, so as the person bent down to attach it, the dog looked up toward him. It happened that the sun was directly behind them at that moment. And because of the strong backlight, their shapes immediately turned into silhouettes. So even without facial details, the gesture between them was still very clear.
I wasn’t really looking or waiting for something interesting to happen. I was mostly just observing the walk as it usually unfolds. The idea was more about being open to whatever small moments might appear along the way.
I just kept capturing small movements during the walk. I was also paying attention to the time of day because I was consciously thinking about what shutter speed and ISO I'll use with the sun getting brighter.
Then at one point, our dog had just finished pooping (I even took a photo of him doing this) and the leash had to be put back on, so as the person bent down to attach it, the dog looked up toward him. It happened that the sun was directly behind them at that moment. And because of the strong backlight, their shapes immediately turned into silhouettes. So even without facial details, the gesture between them was still very clear.
Looking back at the photo, there are definitely things I would change. The camera angle could have been lower to strengthen the silhouettes and separate them more clearly from the background. The sun is also quite blown out which caused lens flares to spread across the frame. It may add atmosphere but at the same time a bit distracting.
I also noticed that the pole at the center of the frame was distracting and pulled attention away from the subjects so in post-processing, I chose to remove it to make the composition cleaner and keep the focus on the subject.
I tried repeating the shot afterward, hoping to improve the composition, but it just didn’t feel the same. It felt staged than natural.
I also took a cleaner version of this shot, which is technically more straightforward and less distracting. But when I compared the two, it felt a bit more static. It shows the shape clearly, but it doesn’t have the same emotional impact. The version with the sun rays feels more dynamic and closer to how I experienced the moment.
So in the end, I kept this version because it captured the most genuine moment between them.
I also noticed that the pole at the center of the frame was distracting and pulled attention away from the subjects so in post-processing, I chose to remove it to make the composition cleaner and keep the focus on the subject.
I tried repeating the shot afterward, hoping to improve the composition, but it just didn’t feel the same. It felt staged than natural.
I also took a cleaner version of this shot, which is technically more straightforward and less distracting. But when I compared the two, it felt a bit more static. It shows the shape clearly, but it doesn’t have the same emotional impact. The version with the sun rays feels more dynamic and closer to how I experienced the moment.
So in the end, I kept this version because it captured the most genuine moment between them.
[04] THEME: NIGHT
Neon Night
Neon Night
It was one of those moments where I felt like what I learned in class finally clicked.
I used 5.1 mm to capture a wider view of the street, including the restaurant and the passing cars.
The 1 second shutter speed allowed the headlights and taillights to appear as light trails, which shows motion in the scene.
I chose ƒ/11 to keep most of the environment in focus while controlling the light during the longer exposure, and
ISO 200 to keep the image relatively clean while still being sensitive enough for the night setting.
The 1 second shutter speed allowed the headlights and taillights to appear as light trails, which shows motion in the scene.
I chose ƒ/11 to keep most of the environment in focus while controlling the light during the longer exposure, and
ISO 200 to keep the image relatively clean while still being sensitive enough for the night setting.
I took this photo partly because I’ve always been fascinated by night photos that show streaks of light from moving cars. Before this course, I used to see photos like this and think, “Wow, I don’t think I’d ever be able to do that.” At the time, I didn’t realize how much camera settings actually affect the result.
When I finally tried it myself and saw the light trails appear in my own photo, I honestly felt really happy. It made me realize that something I thought was difficult was actually possible once you understand the settings, especially shutter speed. It was one of those moments where I felt like what I learned in class finally clicked.
When I finally tried it myself and saw the light trails appear in my own photo, I honestly felt really happy. It made me realize that something I thought was difficult was actually possible once you understand the settings, especially shutter speed. It was one of those moments where I felt like what I learned in class finally clicked.
Looking back, I noticed that some of the streaks are slightly uneven, which might be due to the timing of the passing vehicles or the limitations of the camera. If I were to shoot this again, I would experiment with longer shutter speeds and possibly wait for more cars to pass so the light trails feel fuller and more continuous.
Even with these limitations, I still feel proud of this photo because it represents a moment where I realized that understanding camera settings can expand what I’m able to capture, even with a simple camera.
Even with these limitations, I still feel proud of this photo because it represents a moment where I realized that understanding camera settings can expand what I’m able to capture, even with a simple camera.
[05] THEME: MOTION
Motion Through the Arches
Motion Through the Arches
I thought taking advantage of a strong, stable background would help communicate the sense of motion more effectively.
I kept ISO 100 because there was enough daylight and I wanted to keep the image clean without introducing noise.
The shutter speed of 1/125 sec allowed a slight motion blur on the tricycles while still keeping the surrounding environment visible. I didn’t want the subjects to be completely frozen because the blur helps communicate the idea of movement.
The aperture of f/5.2 kept most of the scene recognizable, especially the arches and railings in the background, while the
11.5 mm focal length allowed me to include more of the street so the tricycles could move across the frame.
The shutter speed of 1/125 sec allowed a slight motion blur on the tricycles while still keeping the surrounding environment visible. I didn’t want the subjects to be completely frozen because the blur helps communicate the idea of movement.
The aperture of f/5.2 kept most of the scene recognizable, especially the arches and railings in the background, while the
11.5 mm focal length allowed me to include more of the street so the tricycles could move across the frame.
I was originally trying to capture the patterned arches for the pattern theme in this assignment. But as vehicles started passing through the frame, I realized it might also be a good opportunity to capture motion. The arches created a very stable and structured background, so when the tricycles moved across it, the contrast between the still architecture and the moving subjects became more noticeable. Given the limitations of the camera, I thought taking advantage of a strong, stable background would help communicate the sense of motion more effectively.
Looking back, I think the scene works mainly because the motion crosses a stable and patterned background. Both tricycles move quickly through the frame, while the arches and the train remain fixed. That contrast helps make the movement more visible.
If I were to capture this again, I would probably experiment with a slightly slower shutter speed to exaggerate the motion blur and make the sense of movement stronger. I still liked how this photo turned out, it shows a familiar moment of everyday traffic passing through the city.
If I were to capture this again, I would probably experiment with a slightly slower shutter speed to exaggerate the motion blur and make the sense of movement stronger. I still liked how this photo turned out, it shows a familiar moment of everyday traffic passing through the city.
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