DAY 14: Projector Photography

 For our last meeting, what we did was projector photography. We have two models again and an allotted time also for every group of three persons so that there is an order and we'll experience all to be the photographer. We choose projector photography over body painting photography honestly because it will not cost us much and I think it is more convenient for us. 

     Projector photography was not as easy as what I thought at first. You have to choose the right image suited with your models. But all in all, everything is a worthy experience. 

    

 It's the last day of our Visual Communication class and I wonder how time flies so fast. This course became very special to me because it brought back my love for photography. I was then discouraged because I have no good camera to use until we had this photography class and  I was able to realize a lot of things. I am thankful to my classmates who let me use their cameras whenever needed and to our professor who not just teach and share his expertise about photography but appreciates the work of everyone and enthusiastically give his comment how to make each photo better. I learned a lot. As in A LOT. Now, I feel this way:

     "Everything I need to know about photography, I learned in Visual Communication :) "

     

    

DAY 13: Lessons from a Certified Google Teacher

Disclaimer: This post isn't much focused on photography thingy but it contains a lot of thoughts and words that will feed your mind and heart to be a successful photographer or in whatever type of career you want someday. 
   

     Proudly, our professor, Sir Rey of Rey Mendoza Photography, became one of 50 teachers in Southeast Asia chosen by Google to attend on its recent convention and be one of its certified teacher. With the fact that it was a sought-after seminar, knowing what had been talked about on that event is a very nice experience. Good thing, our professor dedicated part of our class hours to share us inspirations and things on the said event. 

     We watched a cute video about the parable of the talents. After some reflections, the lesson from the story had been connected to our Visual Communication subject. To sum it up, here's what our professor told us:

"Photography and videography is not a talent, it is skill. 

Everything that needs to be learned is not a talent" 

"You have to work on your talent"

"It's not about what had given to you but what you do about it"

     After watching the video, we had an activity to write in a paper, we wrote our talent, what we have done about it, and what are action plan for the talent which we do nothing about. A verse from the bible was also mentioned to us because it is somewhat very applicable to take initiative and do something about our talents. 

" Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" - Matthew 7:7

    As a student, I realized that I need to know what I really love and that I have to do something about on what I perceived as my talent and on the things I'm good at. We also learned the 10X THINKING which is a redical way to think and the MOONSHOT THINKING which is choosing to be bothered and thinking that something might be possible not because it's easy but because they're hard. 

"When you found passion, you're unstoppable".  

     We also learned Pecha Kucha which is a new effective way of delivering a talk or seminar with a limited span of time. After watching a video explaining what Pecha Kucha is all about and the tips for doing it, we tried doing it and had our own individual presentation with just 20 slides and a limited time . 

"Pressure makes diamond"

      I felt that the class became so productive and we have learned life lessons that will help us to be successful someday.

DAY 12: Product Photography

These are the guidelines or the objectives you must have in doing product photography:

1. Standout. You're product must be the one which stands out in the photo regardless of what the background is.

2. Sharp. There should be no blurry photos when it comes to this type of photography because the aim is to persuade and advertise what you are shooting.

3. Focus Stacking. This is digital merging of the 3 focus points of your product, an alternative way to have a shot which the near whole product is focus even if you're using is just a kit lens.

4. Lighting. There should be proper lighting so as the product will be shown clearly and attractive. 

After discussing things about product photography, we had talked about the photo album that we'll pass on finals and  tips in doing the layout. 

Thoughts that I've learned:

"Less is more" 

"If you're holding a camera and you think you can Photoshop it later, put down your camera and slap yourself" - Zack Arias 

Day 11: Digital Panorama

     Have you seen good photographs with very long width? Those are what we had done for the day, we learned about digital panorama.
     We had 3 different shots of a particular view that we stitch and make as a one whole shot. That kind of photos are called panoramas.

(I'll upload some of my shots when my internet connection goes fast)

     The following are some stitching software that you can use for your photos:
1. Photoshop
2. Hug In
3. Autopano

     Aside  from doing the panorama shot, I also learned other useful things:

- The quality of shots that your typical camera could take can actually be like the ones that very expensive cameras take, just use ISO 100. (however it depends upon the situation but using ISO 100 is advised)

- Your lens is at its best in its middle aperture.

I also noted the best words for the whole class session by my professor that really catch my attention. Here it goes,

"Your camera will soon die, the good thing is, you already had memories out of it" 

- Sir Rey Mendoza

DAY 10: Photo Shoot

     We had a photo shoot today and we hired models. Since we're many, there is an allotted time for every group of three persons to shoot so that we will all have the opportunity to take a shot and direct the models. The time given for every shoot is just 4-5 minutes which is somehow good so we can practice as early as now, working under pressure.
   
     Before we started officially the shoot, our professor advised us few things:

1. Go for quality not quantity
2. Work as a team
3. We can use trigger and external flash.
4. The external flash should not be directed in front of the model
5. Have fun. Enjoy your shoot!

(I'll upload later some of my shots when my internet connection goes fast)

 It's been a great new experience! 

STOP- MOTION VIDEO!

     Hey (: Look at what we've made! An original stop-motion video titled, "The Shoes Story".

Just click THIS to view our video (: 

THANKS! 

My Rim Light Shot!

     This is my entry for our Rim Light Photo. The shot needs to have light on its edges. I have my own title for this shot  and there is a certain reason why I named it that way. At first, I struggled in doing my photo because I have no available light which can produce a good glow. Our flashlights aren't working well also. I am also a bit hesitant if my first work is correct, if it really portrays what a back-light shot should be. Until I've got a surprised visitor that night, the very moment which  I am feeling not contented with what I am doing because I can't take good photographs. 

     I think that it's coincidence that He visited me because my mood changed. What's the best thing that happened that night? Before he leave, he opened the lights of the motorcycle that he is riding. When the light hits the plants, Voila! I yelled and turned very happy. I explained him about the back light stuff that I am doing in my room a while ago before he came. I asked him to keep the lights on toward the direction of the leaves in front of our house. Now, this is my shot! (: Because of what had happened before I finally got my photo, I called it as:

Meant-to-be Serendipity