Author's Reflection

Looking back at where I started this semester, I can honestly say my creative skillset has levelled up in ways I didn’t expect. At the beginning, I was confident in my eye for aesthetics, especially when it came to cars, but I lacked technical control. Now, I feel much stronger in visual storytelling, framing, and understanding how to build a concept from an idea into a complete piece. My portfolio shows this growth, especially through projects where I experimented with dynamic angles, movement, and lighting inspired by automotive cinematography.

My favourite part of the process was the creative stage when everything still feels possible. I loved brainstorming concepts, imagining the mood, and shaping visuals that combine luxury, motion, and personality. As a “car girl,” that thrill reminds me of the feeling before a drive; the anticipation, the excitement, and the freedom to create something powerful. My least favourite part was definitely the technical end exporting, formatting files, and navigating equipment like the tripod. Those steps always felt like hitting unexpected traffic when all I wanted to do was get to the exciting part.

The most significant thing I learned throughout this course is that creativity becomes stronger when you trust yourself. I realized I’m someone who thrives on taking risks, trying new angles, pushing visuals further, and adding personality to every shot. But I also learned that I put a lot of pressure on myself to get things “perfect,” which made the technical processes feel more challenging than they needed to be.

The media piece I’m most proud of is The FIRST DRIVE | the Mercedes 2022 A35 AMG. This project reflects everything I love; movement, emotion, power, and style. It pushed me to think like a director, how to capture speed, luxury, and character in a way that feels cinematic. Seeing it come together was that same rush you get when you hear a turbo spool for the first time; satisfying, intense, and unforgettable.

Going forward, I plan to apply these skills to future projects in branding, creative direction, and content creation, especially automotive-focused work. I want to continue exploring cinematography, DSLR shooting, and advanced editing techniques so I can build a career where creativity and car culture intersect. This course showed me what I’m capable of when I commit fully, and now I’m ready to keep pushing that momentum into the next gear.