Experience as a Media Production student

As a second-year student studying media production, my journey has been a lot of growth, discovery, and challenges. The first year was all about learning the basics, familiarizing myself with the equipment, and experimenting with different styles. But now, in my second year, I’ve started to find my voice in the way I create output content, with my interest being photography I am refining my skills with a clearer sense of purpose.

In the beginning, I focused on mastering technical aspects—learning to use my camera manually, understanding exposure settings, and experimenting with lighting. While these concepts are still crucial, I've now started to think more creatively. I spend more time planning shots, considering composition, and exploring different genres of photography like portraiture, street photography, and landscape and broaden my comfort zones.

One of the most rewarding parts of this year has been discovering the stories I can tell through images. I’ve learned to use photography not just to capture moments, but to evoke emotions, convey messages, and express personal views. Whether it’s through the subtle use of lighting and shadows or the choice of subjects, each photograph now feels like an extension of my perspective and life.

However, it hasn’t all been easy. Photography, while inspiring, is also an art form that requires a great deal of perseverance. There are moments of frustration when a shot doesn’t turn out as expected, or when the creative ideas in my head don’t translate to the camera. But those challenges are part of the process, and each setback teaches me something valuable.

Networking with other photographers, both in and outside my class, is another important aspect of my second year. It’s inspiring to see different perspectives and approaches, and it encourages me to continue evolving my style. I’ve started to collaborate more with peers on projects, giving me the opportunity to learn from their experiences while sharing my own.

Overall, my second year in media production has helped develop my skills in photography immensely. I’m becoming more confident in my skills and clearer in my artistic vision. As I move toward my third year, I’m excited to see where my university course takes me, and I’m eager to push myself even further, knowing that every photo is an opportunity to learn and experiment.

Written by Ellen Faulkner.