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WHAT IS BEAUTY IN PHOTOGRAPHY?

I have a few questions: 1. What Is Aesthetic in Photography—and Who Gets to Decide? In today’s world, almost anyone can be a photographer. With a smartphone in nearly every hand, the barriers to entry have all but vanished. You no longer need a DSLR or years of formal training to create powerful, meaningful images. But this democratization of photography also raises important questions: What makes a photo aesthetic? Who decides whether it’s beautiful or not? And is beauty really in the eye of the beholder? Photography Is No Longer Just for “Photographers” There was a time when photography was seen as a specialised skill, reserved for those with expensive equipment and technical know-how. But not anymore. Today, people from all walks of life are using their smartphones to capture the world around them—moments big and small, spontaneous and staged. This shift has sparked a quiet revolution: everyone is now a potential visual storyteller. Whether you’re documenting your travels, capturing...
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MINDFUL PHOTOGRAPHY 2.0

 WHAT is Mindfulness in Photography? Mindfulness in photography is the practice of being fully present and aware while taking photographs. It’s not just about pressing the shutter — it’s about slowing down to truly see, feel, and experience the moment before capturing it. It involves:    •   Intentional seeing: Observing details, light, color, form, and emotion.    •   Non-judgmental awareness: Accepting the scene as it is, without trying to perfect or force it.    •   Deep presence: Being fully immersed in the environment, moment, or subject — whether it’s a bustling street or a quiet garden.   HOW to Practice Mindful Photography 1. Pause Before You Shoot       •   Breathe. Look around. Ask yourself: What am I seeing? What am I feeling?       •   Let the subject come to you instead of chasing it. 2. Limit Your Gear or Shots       •   U...
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ON FRAMING

  Framing in photography refers to using elements within a scene to create a visual “frame” around your main subject. This can be done naturally — like using windows, arches, doorways, trees, or architectural structures — or intentionally by adjusting your position and angle to enclose the subject with surrounding elements. 🔍 In the photo you shared: This is a great example of architectural framing. The dark metal structure of the train station acts as a natural frame around the two trains, drawing our eyes directly to them. The composition leads the viewer’s focus into the depth of the scene, with the KL city skyline in the background adding context and narrative to the shot. 🎯 Benefits of Framing in Photography: 1. Draws Attention to the Subject: Framing helps isolate and emphasize the main subject, ensuring the viewer’s eyes are drawn exactly where you want. 2. Adds Depth and Dimension: It introduces foreground elements that guide the eye inward, creating a sense of la...
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Ten Days into My Black & White Photography Journey

Ten Days into My Black & White Photography Journey:1-10 of July 2025 It’s been ten days since I made a deliberate decision to devote my photo-taking and learning in July 2025 entirely to black and white photography. This journey isn’t just about stripping away colour—it’s about sharpening my vision, training my eye, and engaging my heart to see the world differently. With intention guiding me, I’ve started to notice beauty in things I once overlooked: the contrast between light and shadow, the rhythm of lines and shapes, the quiet drama in silhouettes, and the emotional depth in everyday scenes. To help myself see in black and white, I use my smartphone’s monochrome mode as a visual aid—framing the scene as it would appear without colour before pressing the shutter. Day by day, I can sense a shift. My compositions are becoming more thoughtful, and there’s a growing sense of clarity and creativity in my images. What started as an exercise is slowly evolving into a new way of seeing....
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EXPLORING B&W PHOTOGRAPHY 01/2025

 
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BASIC FUNDAMENTALS

  FACTORS TO CAPTURE BETTER PHOTOS Today, a friend reminded me of something important: the basics. After more than a decade of being actively involved in photography, I’ve developed habits and instincts—some good, some questionable. Over time, it’s easy to take things for granted and shoot on autopilot. But fundamentals matter. We often know them, yet we either forget to apply them or ignore them in the name of “breaking the rules.” A creative rebellion is fine—but not at the expense of intention. Here’s a timely reminder of five fundamentals that help create stronger, more thoughtful images:  1. Layers – Add depth and complexity by composing with foreground, midground, and background elements.  2. Limited Palettes – A controlled range of colors (or tones in black and white) can give your photo more harmony and mood.  3. Rule of Odds – Odd-numbered groupings (like 3 or 5 subjects) often create more visual interest and balance.  4. Framing – Use natural or archit...
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CHANGE OF MINDSET IN B&W PHOTOGRAPHY

When composing and shooting black and white photos, your mindset and visual approach should shift compared to color photography. Without the influence of color, you are working with light, contrast, shape, texture, and emotion more deliberately. Here are different ways of thinking and approaches to guide you: 🧠 1. Think in Tonal Values, Not Colors    •   Train your eyes to see how colors translate to greyscale: red may become dark gray, yellow becomes light gray, etc.    •   Use monochrome preview mode on your camera (if available) to help visualize scenes in black and white. 🔲 2. Focus on Light and Shadow    •   Black and white photography is driven by light—its intensity, direction, and interplay with shadows.    •   Look for strong contrasts: backlighting, side lighting, or silhouettes. 🧭 Approach: Shoot during golden hour for soft shadows or mid-day for stark, dramatic contrasts. 🎨 3. Pay Attention t...
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