Hey guys, I just wanna get your thoughts with regards to Philippine Street Photography.
I've seen so many local "street photographs" and most of the time I feel uneasy and sometimes sad about the photographs I see on the web. I'm not judging the person behind the lens taking the photos, I salute them for their guts, out the streets slinging an expensive camera hoping not to get mugged. They even stick their head out and wonder the bad streets of Tondo just to take a photo. However majority of the photographs uploaded on the web saddens me.
It looks like there is a common theme with our version of this genre. A snap shot of a street kid or indigent, sleeping on the dirty aisle of Metro Manila. Or a photo of a kid holding his hand out, probably begging for food or money from the photographer. I know this is the reality of being poor living in the Philippines and there's nothing wrong with the truth. Let me share you a quote from one of the greatest street photographer in the US
"Photography is not about the thing photographed. It is about how that thing looks photographed."
- Garry WinograndAll you have to do is do a flickr search on "manila street kids" and you'll get my drift. Many of these photographs are taken with proper technique but to me they look cliche and unnecessary. We have beautiful subjects in a bad context.
What do I think a good Pinoy Street Photography should be? Personally I do not know but I have some ideas
- Kids playing "tumbang preso". Should bring back good memories
- Open street karaoke
- Man peeing infront of a "Bawal Umihi Dito" sign
Check out the following links below
http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2013/01/22/the-vibrant-light-and-colors-of-manila-street-photography-by-chio-gonzalez/And this flickr page is from a fellow guitarist and Yupangco and Philmusic forumer. There is a story (a short poem) associated with every photograph which makes the photograph more relevant and interesting. Also note the camera he's using for the set.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kamalayan