Photographers Walk, Shoot ‘Uniquely Filipino’ Images
They say the world is made of beautiful images, and the Philippines is no exception. About a hundred professional and new photographers attempted to capture what is “uniquely Filipino” in their hometowns during the Second Annual Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk held simultaneously last July 18, 2009.
Social photography
A photo walk is a social photography event where photographers get together, usually in a downtown area or local destination, to walk around, shoot photos, and have fun with other photographers. It is also a friendly competition showcasing local talents who can capture images unique to their hometowns. The winner will get Scott Kelby’s Digital Photography Book Volume III and will compete with other Photo Walk winners from across the globe for a chance to win more prizes.
In the Philippines, the event was organized by master photographer John Chua for photographers of the Manila Baywalk leg with the support of Canon Marketing Philippines. Professional and budding photographers were then treated to snacks and dinner wherein they socialized and foster friendships through their shared interest in photography. Canon also provided a service clinic at the site offering free cleaning of camera and lens to make sure it will vividly capture uniquely Filipino moments and images through the digital camera.
Winning unique photos
A photograph of two brothers curiously exploring the breakwater after a wet afternoon along the Baywalk won first place and will represent the Manila Baywalk leg in the international competition. This moment was superbly captured by Giovanni Lagamas using his Canon EOS 450D camera with 18-55mm lens. Lagamas shot the photograph a quarter after 6 p.m. but did not fire his camera flash to produce a dimming effect on the image.
Froi Rivera’s photo of colorful reflections of light on stagnant water caused by ripples from raindrops won second place and will also represent the Manila Baywalk leg in the international competition along with Giovanni Lagamas’ photo. He used a Canon EOS 40D camera.
Another standout photo during the event was taken by Winston Baltazar using his Canon EOS 5D Mark II with a Canon 70-200 mm f2.8mm L lens. The photo—an image of a Filipino delicacy, dried squids on sticks— was one of the three photos which won third place in the contest.
Photographer Paolo Sy used panning technique with his Canon EOS 40D camera to blur the surroundings to make his subject – a kalesa – a standout which appears to be in high velocity. The photo was exposed using ISO 100 at 1/8 shutter speed and an f number of 18. The other third place winner is Jhigz Relativo with his photo of an ice cream vendor along the Baywalk. He took the photo to experiment the off camera flash of his Canon EOS 40D with Canon 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 lens.
Explore the familiar
A photo walk encourages photographers to explore their own towns to find familiar and often unnoticed beautiful images. “Sometimes we take for granted things that are familiar and common to us that we fail to see the beautiful images that surround us,” Chua said. Thus, a photo walk provides an opportunity to photographers to rediscover their hometowns and cities and open their eyes to see how beautiful the place they live in, he added.
Photographer Lemjay Lucas captured with his Canon EOS 400D with 10-22mm f/3.5-5.6 USM lens a fascinating image of a girl playfully blowing bubbles along the Baywalk. “I love the photo because it does not only showcase the playful culture of kids in our country, but also the majestic places where our children play,” he said.
More than a hobby
Chua said among the Photo Walk’s objectives is to spark new interest in photography and encourage newcomers to take photography beyond being a hobby. In line with this, they organized “photo buddies” of professional and new photographers where professional lensmen assist and advise newbies on better subjects and angles and how to maximize their cameras’ features to produce good and high quality photographs.
Chua said the Photo Walk was successful in both highlighting the “uniquely Filipino” theme and energizing a social network of old-timers and budding photographers. He also expressed gratitude to all the people who supported the event, especially Canon which has been active in promoting photography in the country.
“Canon is delighted to be part of the Photo Walk and be able to collaborate with new and veteran photographers in a social environment,” said JayR Romero, Canon Marketing Philippines’ product supervisor for EOS and Pro products. “Canon is committed to provide only the best in professional gear to meet the demanding and challenging requirements of creative photography.”
This photo of two brothers exploring the breakwater along Manila Baywalk after an afternoon drizzle bagged first place in the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk Manila Baywalk leg. Photo was taken using Canon EOS 450D camera with 18-55mm lens.
This photo taken using a Canon EOS 40D camera won 2nd place in Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk Manila Baywalk leg. It is an image of the reflection of light from a post on stagnant water caused by the rain.
Captured with Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera using Canon 70-200 mm f2.8mm L lens, this photo of a “uniquely Filipino” delicacy – dried squid in sticks – won third place in the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk Manila Baywalk leg.
This third place-winning photo used the panning technique to blur the surroundings to make the subject standout and appear in high speed. Photographer Paolo Antonio Sy used Canon EOS 40D camera with ef-s 10-22mm at 10mm lens.
Photographer Pet Salvador used a tripod, .3 NDG and twilight picture style effect to produce a violet sky and blurring waves.
Photographers find their angle to capture that “uniquely Filipino” image at the Manila Baywalk during the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk.
Veteran and budding photographers pose with Manila Baywalk leg sponsor Canon Marketing, Inc. before snapping their cameras in the Second Annual Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk.
The participating photographers in the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk Manila Baywalk leg before the judging of the winning photos at the Ad Photo Enrique Studio.
Photographer Lemjay Lucas says this photo titled “Bubble girl” depicts the playful culture of Filipino kids and showcases the majestic places where they play.
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