THE SAN BEDA Student Council (SC) and the San Beda Junior Marketing Association (SBJMA) organized “Beyond the Cut” and “Story in Sight” to impart Bedans with skills in graphic editing and visual photography last November 8 and 24, respectively.
Beyond the Cut
According to the organizers, this event’s goal is to not only improve editing skills but also to “assist students in discovering their passion for editing across multiple platforms.”
Martina Magsino, the Head for Interactive Graphic Design and the event’s activity chair says that she invited third-year marketing management students as well as their SBJMA officers as the participants since they “saw an opportunity to invite student editors from diverse groups.”
In addition, they also welcomed student editors from various Student Organization Circle (SOC) members, and external partners from various universities who shared a desire to improve their editing skills and explore the world of digital editing.
“The inclusive character of our invitations was intended to stimulate collaboration and knowledge exchange among participants with varying backgrounds and experiences,” said Magsino.
The large scope of this project was met by a team of devoted and enthusiastic individuals, each offering their own unique abilities and unflinching devotion to ensure the event’s success. Magsino then shared how “every part of our combined efforts was flawlessly coordinated, from thorough preparation and coordination to faultless execution.”
Despite miscommunications within the team during the planning process, Magsino shared how the team was still able to pull off a great event, “showing our team’s capacity to adapt, communicate, and overcome obstacles in order to create a memorable experience.”
Magsino then urged the students “to embrace curiosity for innovation, explore new skills, and dare to go beyond the ordinary,” while remaining to be actively involved in student organizations. “The ‘Beyond the Cut’ event stands as a testament to the remarkable achievements possible through collaboration,” she concluded.
Story in Sight
With the conclusion of “Beyond the Cut,” the SC and SBJMA launched its sequel, “Story in Sight: A Masterclass in Mobile Visual Storytelling,” which was live-streamed on November 24.
This time in partnership with Xiaomi Philippines, journalist Atom Araullo and photographer Jonathan Hodder served as keynote presenters in teaching Bedans tech awareness and “pushing beyond their horizons.”
A renowned broadcaster, Mr. Araullo talked about how photography and journalism goes hand-in-hand with each other. He began his presentation with a brief introduction, highlighting the fact of being first a photographer prior to being a journalist.
“Back in the day, it was more difficult to get into the hobby of photography, because it was quite expensive. You know the film, expensive and processing, it was also expensive as well,” he commented as he shared his captured photos from his permanently borrowed manual camera from his grandfather.
Mr. Araullo also revealed that journalism was not his plan. However, his interests in photography complemented his work well.
As he spoke about how he uses photography at present, Mr. Araullo shared his shots in Tawi-tawi, the Rohingya refugees, just to mention a few, to display the work he’s been doing.
While exclaiming how “Photography is mainly an art,” Mr. Araullo then gave three points that consitute a good photo—lighting, composition, and moment.
Mr. Araullo further shared that a photographer’s personal style will develop as they further progress the rabbit hole of photography. Within this rabbit hole, he emphasized that not all photography is journalism. “Don’t manipulate your photos, it must show real life, you don’t have to add or subtract.” he said.
In ending his keynote presentation, Mr. Araullo urged aspiring photographers to build discipline for the hobby by either giving themselves a specific assignment to shoot on or join organizations for the love of photos.
The next keynote presentation for this event is Leica Ambassador, Jonathan Hodder, wherein he spoke of his personal notes behind the basics of visual storytelling. “Before you step out the door, wear good shoes,” he said. A good pair of shoes has protected Hodder from different rock and dangerous situations during his time as a photographer.
His next advice was for aspiring Bedan digital storytellers to research and planthe field. In addition, he urged them to open their minds and eyes to see the truth – through this way, capturing the subject of the photo will be easier.
Mr. Hodder then gave several more points such as the importance of light and shadows, single image and image series, and fishing.
In concluding his keynote presentation, Mr. Hodder presented how artificial intelligence (AI) has changed the landscape of digital photography. Non-destructive AI has given life to previously dead photos but, given the case for destructive AI, taking away the beauty of photography. Hodder’s advice to aspiring Bedan digital storytellers is to simply maximize the tools that they’ve been given.
With the end of SBJMA’s two-part series, “Beyond the Cut” and “Story in Sight,” participating Bedans were able to develop their skills for the 21st century. Digital editing and digital storytelling are difficult skills to acquire, but with SBJMA and the SC, in partnership with Xiaomi, acquiring these skills has made it easier for the Bedan community.
(with D.S. Elijah de Castro)
ERRATUM: In the printed version of this article in the November-December 2023 Regular Issue, Magsino’s surname was spelled as Magasino. The editors deeply regret the error.