A snapshot filled with passion

Photo courtesy of Isaac Shen

Senior Isaac Shen takes a picture using his photography skills on a trip to Yosemite.

A clear sky of vibrant blues melt behind snow covered cliffs dotted with lush trees. Lifting his father’s old Nikon camera to his eyes, senior Isaac Shen snaps a photo of the frosty slopes of Yosemite. 

Shen started learning photography in September 2024 after deciding that he wanted to pursue a new hobby. Captivated by the breathtaking photos he saw of nature and cars, he was inspired to replicate the beauty within those pictures. 

“I was always enchanted by certain photos that just leave you murmuring, ‘damn,’” Shen said. “Photography was something that was always at the back of my mind because I also wanted to recreate those photos.”

By watching YouTube videos online, Shen was able to understand the fundamentals of photography. He would mostly watch videos created by Pat Kay, who has multiple videos explaining techniques and suggesting tips about photography. Besides watching videos, he would also spend hours taking pictures, adjusting the ISO or light sensitivity, aperture and shutter speed. When going out to take photos, he travels anywhere from his neighborhood to national parks.

“When I first started, I had to learn the very basics of ISO, aperture and shutter speed. Practicing composition was also important, but I try to live in the moment when I take photos. Shen said. “So practicing usually came second to simply enjoying my time.” 

Among the many photos he has taken, some of his favorite pictures include the ones he took during his trip to Yosemite. In one of those photos, he uses trees to frame his subject, drawing attention to the mountains and the person in front of them. With the dark shadows of the picture contrasting with the lighting of the sun, the photo illuminates the subject, creating a sense of awe that Shen tries to capture within his photos. Generally, when taking photos, his pictures are taken with less exposure, making the entire image slightly darker. After taking his photos, he spends 10 to 30 minutes editing them on Lightroom and Photoshop before uploading them on his Instagram account, @Shen.jpeg. 

“Another type of shot that I really like from [his photos] is natural framing with the trees or fences,” senior Boris Chuang, one of Isaac’s friends, said. “Yeah I think [they are] ones without composition but it looks cool [with] the wide depth of field.”

Through photography, Shen has been able to connect with nature, exploring different places and expressing his creativity by finding unique angles to take photos in. 

“Photography enables me to capture the fleeting moments of beauty in nature,” Shen said. “I can express my creativity by using unconventional angles that give a different perspective on life.”