Reflection on the Lesson #1 (Shaw Academy)

Hi everyone! Have you been taking pictures lately? I hope you have, because what’s the point of learning photography if you do not try it?

I have launched an “Other Resources” page. It’s a result of hours of searches on the internet, and if you feel like going beyond what I tell you on this this blog, take a look there!

Yesterday, I watched a video smartphone photography on Shaw Academy as part of a online course consisting of more than eight videos. It was so fantastic I cannot help but want to share something brilliant.

Travel photography: One thing the video talked about is the styles of photography. What makes travel photography different from regular photography? Does travel photography not include landscape and portrait photography? Caroline Callaghan remarks that travelling gives people a open mindset and that on a trip abroad, people are more curious about their surroundings(Diploma). If you had been on a trip to a new place, you will know what she is talking about. It reminds me of a photo I saw of a scene in Europe, which, at first, struck me as being completely new and interesting, but really, little effort is used to take that picture: the “spark of life” in that picture lies completely in its subject. Can’t we do the same with our city? Going out of our daily routine, treating the city as completely new, and exploring a new neighborhood, just like a tourist does, will often bring pleasant surprises.

Even the buildings you know well give off a different light at different times! 

I have an idea: I will go explore when it’s dark outside, and I will tell you about this experience in my next post. This is my “going out of my routine.” What about yours?

Did you know there are many ways to take a picture other using the “capture” button? For most phones, you can take a picture by pressing the volume UP button. If needed, you can even use the volume keys on the earphone cords. For Android phones specifically, pictures can be taken when you shout “cheese” or “capture” in camera mode (I am not kidding; many phones have these features enabled on default). Because of these features, one can use camera to take a picture at more than an arm’s length away, offering a different perspective.

Camera Toss: This is a failed concept, but one worth sharing. I admit, Callaghan’s actual subject is drone photography, but this reminds me of the possibility of obtaining aerial view through tossing the camera(Smith) (in this case–my phone) that I’ve read. I used a headset with volume control, and tossed my phone upward in sports mode (suitable for capturing objects in movement), capturing the image when it reached its highest point and faced downward directly. Besides having little value unless you are on a soft bed(which is where I experimented the technique), this method does not work unless you manage to spin your phone so that it faces directly downward. A more practical way of photographing the aerial view would be to attach it to the highest object you can find, and use the self-timer to capture the image 2, 5, or 10 seconds later.

Did you know? To go to the camera app quickly on iPhones, just swipe left on your home screen. 

The link to Shaw Academy can be found on my Other Resources page.