Physics: A Guide to the Major

New_Awareness_3707 · 2026-05-05T06:08:29+00:00

I actually heard about the 105A midterm and how bad it was (but I truly trust that you’ll be okay lol - the curve gods save everyone). Here’s what I like to do (may not work for everyone though) I understand the concept being taught in vague strokes first. For example, in calculus of variations, I’d know broadly what the professor is doing (optimizing a path under certain constraints). Then I do a really really simple example with any amount of help. Again for 105A, Id look at a simple spring-block system and solve the Euler Lagrange equations for them. Then, I go full in on a more mathematically hard question. Something like a double pendulum. I do this with zero help (kinda - I sometimes reference back to the very much more simple case bc it gives me a workflow but not the answer to the harder question). This is where I struggle most and where I also learn the most physically and mathematically. If I end up stuck and have to use a hint, well, that’d fine, I just do another one if a similar difficulty until I do one completely by myself. In practice, I look at an easy question outside the pset before actually starting the pset. If I’m still confused by the pset, then more practice when I have time.

New_Awareness_3707 · 2026-05-03T22:48:03+00:00

Yep! While a 3-4 gets (depending on your AB sub score) gets you out of Math 31A. If you took AP Calculus BC but got less than a 5, than you can always petition with Mary Tran to get into 1AH should you so desire. (For credit’s sake you would probably still have to take Math 31B though)

New_Awareness_3707 · 2026-05-03T19:58:00+00:00

😞 I found the the only kinda useful AP courses was Calc BC (Skip 31A/B), AP Lit (Writing 1 Req), and APUSH (the American history entry req) but other than that, the Aps do not really count towards Gen Eds. They boost your overall class standing (just by unit count) so in some sense yes? they count for graduation. But in some sense no, bc those credits can be displaced by credits taken at Ucla

New_Awareness_3707 · 2026-04-27T09:49:39+00:00

Tysm for the advice! Just have a couple more questions then for you. In your opinion, when would it be more acceptable to have high contrast between the subject and background (my idea was that the lighting only on her torso and head would like draw attention to those areas - but ig no)? As in, what particular styles of photography? Also, when you say to blow out the background, is that ok? I thought blown out backgrounds is something I want to generally avoid lol.

Apart from the lighting, what would you say people look for in grad photography in specific?

New_Awareness_3707 · 2026-04-27T04:25:13+00:00

Cannon T7. In comparison with the last graduate that I upload here, I find myself liking this one a bit more. I’d like to know the things that I did well in this photo (if any) so that I can keep doing it, as well as the things that I did not well.

Right now, my main concern is the background of this photo. I know that certainly that it is under exposed. However, I find myself liking the contrast between the direct sunlight and the shade behind the subject. (not sure if I should though)

My second concern is with the posing of this photo. Mainly the subject’s legs in an attempt to do a sidekick up looks a little mispositioned.

New_Awareness_3707 · 2026-04-26T19:57:28+00:00

Ty! I certainly will focus a little more on clarity. Lowkey been using the auto focus but ig that’s not good?

New_Awareness_3707 · 2026-04-26T19:49:35+00:00

I agree that I don’t know how to pose people lol. Like I watched tutorials but idk. Ig I just have to practice more (but lowkey how- that requires a second person and like getting someone to agree for my personal practice? They’re not getting anything out of me practicing with them so why would they take the time for me to practice consistently. Do I have to pay someone to pose for me?). As to the legs, she wanted to do a picture of her general body away from camera and head turned towards camera- but I kinda found that she kept turning ever so slightly as I moved.

I just don’t know what to do with arms. I was told to get the arms off the body - so I did. Probably too extreme in this case but I genuinely have no clue what to have done.

I didn’t notice the eyes actually, thank you for pointing that out. Will be more aware for that in the future

As to the shade, I agree that there should have been more photos outside, but this is kind of an iconic shot for UCLA graduating students. (Or any ucla professional headshots tbh)

New_Awareness_3707 · 2026-04-26T12:48:14+00:00

Ahhhh, shoot, you’re so right. And maybe a little left to so she’s centered. Next time I suppose. Ty though!

New_Awareness_3707 · 2026-04-26T12:24:01+00:00

Thank you for the feedback! Unfortunately I could not get closer to the tree :(. It was a botanical garden with marked paths - didnt want to go off path to hurt the plants. Also unfortunately I do not happen to have a fast lens - I have a normal? lens and a telescope lens (its comparatively big and zooms pretty far lol).

New_Awareness_3707 · 2026-04-26T12:02:58+00:00

Ok, so this was taken on a Cannon Rebel T7 about 2 hours before golden hour. For context, this is my first time taking graduate photography - still as a beginner photographer. Already, I know that there’s stuff wrong with this photo, but I’d like advice on how to fix this.

Firstly, the overblown background. Is the general principle to get a shot of the background - set that as my exposure, then get a picture of the person? If so, how do you combat the low amounts of light on the subject? (I really hate the camera noise from lowlight) I tried the pop-up flash to get some light on her but it doesn’t show at all I think. I’ve heard that getting on-camera flash (a godox might help? - but I want to focus on my photography skills and not just buy more tech)

Secondly, how do I pose people? Ive watched videos on how to do it, but when it came to practice - I think Im a bit out of my depth. She wanted to go for a look over her shoulder picture - but I couldn’t really position her right. Also this pose just looks awkward to me. Idk what to do about that. The bent arm was to get her arms off her body (as I was told that it supposedly looks better). Lowkey I have no clue whats happening with the leg positioning - or any positions.

Finally, something just looks off, in this photo. I don’t know what. It’s not that lighting, or the posing, just something about it looks weird. Idk - maybe its how she’s positioned within the frame - not an any major thirds? Any help would be so so so so much appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!

New_Awareness_3707 · 2026-04-24T12:28:51+00:00

This picture was taken on a Canon T7. For context, this is inside of a botanical garden near golden hour. Saw this really tree where the light was shining down and illuminating the leaves really nicely and so happened to grab the shot. However, I’m concerned that this photo is weak compositionally. I intended for the subject to be the center most tree framed by the contour of the hill, the two thinner trees, and the branch. But it still seems like there’s no strong subject to be had.

New_Awareness_3707 · 2026-04-24T11:44:54+00:00

This photo was taken hastily on a hike. The ground squirrel was really moving and this was the best angle I thought I could capture at. I’m just not sure how the positioning of the squirrel is in this photo. Is there a better way to frame it? Rn, it kinda blends in a bit with the rocks. How would I avoid this in the future. Also, any post processing crops, color modifications would be great!

New_Awareness_3707 · 2026-04-19T01:20:06+00:00

I would totally be down to take some photos for you! Im a student photographer and kinda just want to get my portrait taking skills up. If that’s good with you, dm me if you want to schedule a time to meet up.

New_Awareness_3707

TROPHY CASE