Exquisite Photo Journey Continues

Honestly speaking, I was quite worried at first thinking that I won't be able to maximize my learning experience due to the limitations imposed by my Olympus IR-300 digital camera. Just like what I have expected, I had to struggle with its various limitations. It was also unfortunate that I wasn’t able to borrow an entry level DSLR camera from a friend of mine. However, I had to stay optimistic in spite of all the impossibilities. So, I decided to concentrate more on improving my photographic vision in order to continuously learn how to take good shots. Therefore, instead of simply relying on my camera, I had to make decisions on how to use it better. Finally, after going through all those trials and errors, I was able to figure out how to maximize its use. So, instead of shooting from afar I had to get closer to my subject and continuously learn how to incorporate the elements of light and composition all together. Honestly, it was quite challenging at first, but good thing I was still able to become more productive day by day. In fact, without even realizing, I got a passion for street photography. Therefore, even though our photography class has come to an end, I'm planning to continue my exquisite photo journey. :)

Photos Taken During My Street Photo Journey

These are my favorite photos that I've taken during my three weeks of street photo journey. I really still can't believe that summer classes is almost over. Indeed, time is running so fast these days! However, though it was a rather fast and short semester, I was still able to achieve and learn many things :)

Without further ado here are the photos...

Cainta, Rizal, 2010

Cainta, Rizal, 2010

Antipolo City, Rizal, 2010

Antipolo City, Rizal, 2010

Antipolo City, Rizal, 2010

Antipolo City, Rizal, 2010

Antipolo City, Rizal, 2010

Antipolo City, Rizal, 2010

Antipolo City, Rizal, 2010

Antipolo City, Rizal, 2010

Cainta, Rizal, 2010

Pasig City, Rizal, 2010

Cogeo, Rizal, 2010

Cainta, Rizal, 2010

Cainta, Rizal, 2010

Cogeo, Rizal, 2010

Taytay, Rizal, 2010

Antipolo City, Rizal, 2010

Antipolo City, Rizal, 2010

Cainta, Rizal, 2010

More Post-processing Techniques

Adding two more post-processing techniques to the list :)

Imitating the Dave Hill look

Before

After

My first try of the lomo effect

Before

After

Journey through the Lens

Admittedly, at first I was so preoccupied with tremendous amount of pressure that I had to take good photos. However, greatest photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson and Steve McCurry motivated me to learn and improve my photographic skills further. My camera has given me an opportunity to create an even more intimate connection with the people in various places. In fact, visiting the cities and towns of Rizal province has also brought me greater photo opportunities. And, after revisiting the same places over and over again all my fears have gone away. In fact, I often looked like a cat scampering after a mouse when I was photographing people on the streets. Unfortunately, the biggest problem that I have often come across is when the people were generally too eager to pose and smile at the camera. This basically makes shooting extremely difficult as it ruins the perfect candid moment. Nevertheless, this made me seek for better opportunities to get good shots. Through constant practice, I also recognized my limitations better and have also become more watchful of my own errors. In fact, without even realizing, I was actually exhausting all my energy on street photography. :) Photography not only causes frustrations in life but it also brings happiness. And more importantly, it also gives me very rich learning experiences that I will never forget.


Here are some of the photos that I've taken



I'm usually really bad with timing, but this tells us the otherwise :) It was such a luck...



I had to get off my car right on the middle of the street in order to take this shot. However, it's so unfortunate that the dog was so hyperactive at that time!




One of the shots that I've taken during my first street photo journey.



I liked the color of their clothes quite contrasting to the background :)

Post-processing

We've been doing various post-processing techniques from simply cropping images to other effects such as HDR and Motion Blur for the past few weeks and now here are my takes :)

Crop

Before & After

HDR

Before & After

Motion Blur

Before & After

The Beginning of My Street Photo Journey

It's been almost a week since I started my first street photo-journey. It was quite tough at first, since I had to go through many trials and errors. In fact, the most challenging part was when I had to shoot people on the streets. So, I often found myself standing and watching the people and the moments go by. However, when people noticed that I was holding a camera some smiled and some even asked me to take them a photograph. The people were generally kind and friendly. So I then started to have the guts to capture the various moments and events of their lives. At first I was very proud of myself and of my achievements. Unfortunately, my first shots were not really that impressive as I thought it would turn out to be. In fact, I wasn’t able to incorporate the rules of composition and almost all of the photos were just plane dull and lifeless. Therefore, I got really discouraged with my very terrible and awful photographs. However, to think of it now, this experience was just a beginning of my unforgettable photo-journey.

After my first shots I realized that photography isn’t just about capturing the things that we see around, and that it isn’t just about merely going out and taking shots. So my mistakes made me realize the importance of capturing the various emotions and lives of the people. Therefore, good photography is indeed about creating a link between us and the subject we are about to take. And like what many people say, cameras help us build intimate relationship with the things and with the people around us. So for this reason, street photography has also given me an opportunity to become an amateur photojournalist at times. :)

At the end of the day, I continuously learn how to be involved, be fascinated and be patient. However, there are also a lot of hard and tiring moments as well, but it never fails to bring fun, excitement and new learnings. I never thought that street photography would give me such a wonderful experience. And I’m glad that our group has chosen this as our project.