Photography : Self-Reflection 1

Self-Reflection 1

Connect

-Idea and visualization on your topic as you shoot

Expand/Extend

-How/ Did you expand your knowledge about the topic

Challenge

-The trouble that you faced before/during/after the photoshoot

My initial topic and idea was to document the activity of BJJ (Brazilian Ju Jitsu )

I have never heard of this type of martial art before. I got to know this martial art through my friend Alex as he practiced this martial art. So I want to learn and understand more about BJJ and to make a photo-book out of it.

I made plans with Alex to meet up and shoot him as he practiced. It was going fine, but as I didn’t really understand what the martial arts is about, I had difficulty capturing the good angle and composing the picture. After I research more and consult with my teacher, I kind of get what I should do better.  The pictures that I took were too random and have no sense of composition. More expression of the people should be shown to capture the emotions about what they are doing and what is happening. So I made plans with Alex again to shoot some portraits. When I was working with him, I find it really difficult to direct him and in conclusion, working with him was proven to be challenging for me.

These are some photos of Alex that I took in the training place and studio;

What I had in my mind was different from the reality. I understand that it is my project and not his. So not to complicate the matter, I decided to change my topic before it was too late.

My new topics are to capture either the life of a cosplayer or to capture consumerism in Singapore focusing on what they eat in daily routine.

The challenge that I faced when I shoot the hawker center was shooting strangers. You don’t know their reaction when they are photographs against their will. Such that it made me a bit awkward when I shoot them.

Sharing session

My colleague gave me advice that I should have more focus on the photos that I took. Maybe focus on the atmosphere, the food that they eat or the people who are eating the food. That is a really good point as I lack focus and still confused about my topic.

One way to solve that problem is to set up the breakfast, lunch and dinner with model or friends as that way I can direct them better and thus the photo will result in what I imagine.