#DigitalPortfolio TheCamera JoshuaSariego UEManila PalawanBlogger

[jongjongen]

The Camera

"Photography is an art of teleporting the past into the future." — Mehmet Murat Ildan

Photographs play an important role in everyone’s life – they connect us to our past, they remind us of people, places, feelings, and stories. They can help us to know who we are. Printed photographs are extremely valuable because they allow us to not only record a certain moment in time but also to preserve it for future generations, allowing us to relive the beautiful memory or experience over and over. Even more, printed photos are easily shared with others and serve to authenticate our important past.

This is me around 2002. My mother was thrilled since this is the first time I had stood up by myself without the aid of a walker, so she took a photograph

We live in a world where everyone has endless access to a camera and pictures are constantly being taken. The camera is one of the most essential instruments used in every production. It captures photographs and videos.  It is a powerful storytelling tool a filmmaker and photographer has, that is why it represents the audience's eyes. Whenever we wanted to draw viewers into this world, we swung the camera around. We could move the camera closure if we wanted the audience to feel more connected to a character.

Photo shot for Kabataan ni San Jose Facebook page during Chapel Visit on August 21, 2021, at Brgy. Pangobilian, Brooke's Point, Palawan. See the full album here: https://www.facebook.com/YMBrookesPoint/photos/a.6367232930017179/6367226173351188

"The importance of the camera is not in the device itself, but in what it produces." — Patrisha Kichline

Ever since I was a kid, I always love taking photographs. As a memory hoarder, I once filled my Instagram with more than 2,000 pictures before I archived three-quarters of them. My Instagram account was created in May of 2014. Even though I don't have high-end camera equipment yet — yeah, I only use my smartphone to take images — I have practiced my photography skills there.

This is one of my first landscape photography using a Cherry Mobile Flare S2 smartphone. A photo was taken last October 26, 2014, at the boat on the way to El Nido, Palawan. I added this experience in my core memory since this is very unexpected as the Augustinian Recollect Sisters from our sister school in Liminangcong, Taytay, Palawan treated us on a trip to El Nido, Palawan. See here: https://www.instagram.com/p/uncICvjURj/

This photo was taken last December 14, 2016, at Brooke's Point Port using my Lenovo A5000 smartphone. I captured this as a requirement for our photography class in MAPEH. I remembered that the security guard almost did not let us enter the port because we are still wearing our school uniform. We were lucky enough because my uncle, who is working for that port, saw us and he himself asked the security guard to let us come through. See here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BN-dZgNh4qn/

My humble and beloved Sacred Heart of Jesus High School of Palawan, Inc. I took this photo last March 16, 2017, using my iPhone 4s, at the top of the Parish's bell tower. It seems weird to study in a school adjacent to the sea, but I must say that spending my 6 years in this institution is one of the best experiences of all. Don't worry, the sea never bothered us. See here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BRs_UsugJwW/

I'm not sure why, but I truly enjoy documenting my daily activities; unfortunately, technological devices like smartphones, cameras, and laptops were not permitted at my previous school. But that doesn't stop me from pursuing my passion for photography. I established the Official Facebook page of my alma mater with the agreement of our principal and my student council adviser so that I could easily bring my camera to capture events at school. Some even refer to me as our school's "official photographer." Furthermore, my initiative benefits not only me, but it also helps other students in having their images displayed because, once again, they are not permitted to have their electronic devices with them.

Some of my random photographs at Sacred Heart of Jesus High School.

Perhaps the most heartbreaking photograph I captured — my classmate, Leo's death.  Seeing my classmates crying in front of our late friend's coffin while taking this picture is an unexplainable feeling. Leo lives in a different municipality. As one family, our school initiated a Holy Mass for him. This day was the last day for some to see him. See here: https://www.facebook.com/SHJHSBrksPtPal/photos/1546957568744182

I enrolled in the Broadcasting program because I wanted to work in the media industry, or perhaps because I appreciated my previous duty at my former school. My peers generally appreciate my efforts and enthusiasm; however, our hobbies are dissimilar, as they like mathematics, science, and physical sports, which I find agonizing. I chose to seek a profession in media because I enjoy documenting, whereas others choose to pursue jobs in medicine, engineering, or teaching.

This is my first picture of my University right after I took the College Entrance Test and officially enrolled as a freshman. Look here; https://www.instagram.com/p/BykICGRFZOT/

"Camera movement, following the action, adds a sense of forward momentum, adds pace & energy, and allows the viewer to participate in the action." —  Matt of On Point Video Productions

As I progressed through college, I met a number of excellent people who shared my interests. To be honest, I was initially disappointed in myself because I recognized that what I had studied in high school was insufficient. I mean, I could know something, but I'm a little sluggish because I don't know much about camera basics. Thankfully, our professors provide opportunities for us to experiment with the camera. This is where I first learned how to use a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera and make a video. My first experience is the Freshmen Film Festival: Take 4 (FFF4), where we, Kalyteros Productions' Oculi Peccatum, got various awards, including the Best Picture.

"News that is broadcast on TV or streamed online requires pictures and sound to tell a story." —  Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Another instance where I explored the camera was when we produced a full-blown news package. To be honest, I have no idea how to make one, but my groupmate does. However, because they had never used a camera before, I took over and handled the videography of our news.

Christine Manalo, Sentro Balita's news anchor. This was filmed at the University's Media Center. Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61ZUwp74AoY&t=160s

Nicole Espinoza, Sentro Balita's sports correspondent. This was filmed at the University's Gym. Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61ZUwp74AoY&t=160s

"Vlogging is designed to share experiences, thoughts, and ideas with an audience. It is a form of communication which is used to engage an audience in a personal fashion." — Amy Baker

Who'd have guessed that someone like me, who used to despise vloggers, would be vlogging in the future? Yes, I recently established my YouTube channel. Our field trip for the Readings in Philippine History course in Cavite, Philippines was the first video I posted on my channel. The vlogging portion came as a complete surprise. I selected a few decent shots, tweaked them, and then published them. In this vlog, I described the entire day of historical site visits in a three-minute video. One hilarious part is that my students were unaware that I was filming videos throughout our field trip. They were amazed to see that I had already posted it on my YouTube channel.

I only enjoyed vlogging in this pandemic. Currently, there is a total of 26 vlogs that I uploaded on my YouTube channel. It was all started when my cousin, Ate Rhea, invited me to do a vlog to ease our boredom during the lockdown. Many of our friends liked it and asked for more, so we'll keep vlogging because it is a great way for me to improve my filmmaking, editing, and speaking in front of the camera abilities.

This is the playlist of all of my vlog episodes. Link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adj1FZLDkYU&list=PLqdUGCjUeRDk2koujFDd5FvgdT-Cw1gm6

We also experiment and do a music video during the quarantine. Dannah, my sister, featured on this music video entitled "Hindi Para Sayo". Watch the whole MV here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJienaqQN2Q

“Video submissions are widely-used in Online Classes”

Because the number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines is still large, the government has no choice but to move classes over the internet. This is to say, no physical classes and lectures were transferred into virtual classrooms. As a result, video submissions are on the rise. The majority of the students learned how to withstand one-man productions. No one was spared from the preparation of the scripts, the setup of the set and camera, and the editing. The use of ultra key was also utilized frequently.

My camera-manipulation adventure is not based on my responsibilities as a media student. I also volunteer at our church, St. Joseph, the Husband of Mary Parish, and at Sacred Heart of Jesus High School of Palawan, Inc., where I graduated high school.

That is to say, anytime they require manpower, they always turn to me for assistance, primarily in the areas of documentation and video production. Even if it is stressful to be a student in an online class, it is beneficial to me since every time I volunteer, I learn new experiences.

The ARSC student council of SY: 2020 - 2021 invited me to help them produce their promotional video. I helped them by conceptualizing and creating the script, directing and filming them, voice-over for the narration, and editing this whole video. Watch the whole video on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xTXVzA7Y0M

I'm enabling myself to grow and help others with my average skills because learning is a never-ending process. A photographer and videographer's journey is never over since this field is a vast domain. Knowing them all will take time. As per Henri Cartier-Bresson, "To photograph: it is to put on the same line of sight the head, the eye, and the heart". An excellent photograph must elicit an emotional reaction from the viewer. Photography is a form of art, not only a representation of reality.

Years of study and practice are required to become a professional camera user. I'm not even in the middle of being one. Each photographer's journey will be different and the journey will never be over. There will never be a shortage of fresh things to learn. At the end of the day, photography is a form of art. It necessitates the use of your eyes, heart, and soul. Because art is subjective, there is no such thing as a perfect photo.