Street photography, we could say is one of the easiest platform to get into photography, but knowing the right technique and having a unique style could really give a big difference. According to my Street photographer friend, Dominic Meily, in becoming a street photographer all you need to do is get a camera and go out, take a photos. You don’t need fancy cameras, or fancy lenses and one doesn’t need to be a professional.
HOME SWEET HOME by Dominic Meily
After all it’s’ not the camera which makes a good photo composition, though having fancy one could really contribute on the crispiness and quality of your shot. It still boils down on how creative and how you compose a shot.
Dominic Meily is the current president of Photoville International
As Dominic always say “making better photo could be achieve not because of the big money you spending but with more time you make to often take pictures…better pictures.” Street photography is open to everybody.
I personally starting to enjoy street photography, though in my short experience as a newbie, I realize that one should really need to have some style and strategy in taking shots, and in street photography, having a small camera could be very efficient for you to be invisible enough in taking shots. But some do like to take shots face-to-face with their subject. it is actually really depends on how one attack the subject.
In a short chat with street photographer, Dominic Meily, I learned some tips he shared to me to become a better street photographer. And here are some of the tips that he enumerated:
Tips
Be quick, always have your camera with you
Be patient and wait for the right moment to take the photo
Let your curiosity lead you in the streets
Dress not to attract attention, learn how to be invisible
Best places for Street Photography in Manila
The Philippine have a lot to offer, specially when it comes to places where to take some shots, whether you like to explore nature or jump across the busy street of the metro. So aside from the tips, I also asked Dominic his top places in the City of Manila to target as subject for Street Photography. According to Dom Meily, the bigger the city, the more interesting it is. The more people there are, the more interesting ones there are.
So here are his (Dom) top places to visit for Street Photographers
1. Binondo
Binondo is the world’s oldest Chinatown and is very rich in culture. The place was also named as one of the world’s best chinatowns in the world. Opportunities are all around you. So many subjects to shoot. The best place to start your photowalk is on Carvajal Street, also known as Umbrella Alley, which offers some of the best street food in the city.
During photowalks or after… the food trip here is the best, Shanghai Fried Siopao is one of my favorite. Prices are also very cheap. I did my last photowalk here with only 300 pesos in my pocket.
Streets of Binondo by Dominic Meily
How to go there:
If you’re going to take public transportation coming from the North (Monumento Area) or from the South (Baclaran) riding the LRT could be the best way to go in Binondo. Look for Carriedo Station, LRT 1. This is the nearest LRT station if you are going to Chinatown. Ongpin street where most of the restaurants are located is just a 5-minute walk from Carriedo Station.
2. Malate
Photo by Dominic Meily
Ermita and Malate are particular favourites with visitors from all over the world. You can see a lot of tourists here. Also one of my favorite place for photowalk. People would think that you are also a tourist. Best time to start your photowalk here is from 3pm to 12mn.
One cool subject you can find here with an old world feel, is the Old Church right across Rajah Sulayman Park and The Aristocrat Restaurant near Roxas Blvd. Cross the street and you’re looking at Manila Bay where you can watch amazing sunsets. Also a lot of people walking along the baywalk gives you a lot of subject opportunities to shoot.
How to go there:
You can ride the LRT 1 and go down to Pedro Gil Station, from there on you can walk approximately 830 metres passing Robinson’s Place Manila. From there on your Photo journey starts.
3. Quiapo
Photo by Dominic Meily
Located at the heart of metro manila, Quiapo is again another place for a very large crowd of people. Especially on Fridays which is called “The Quiapo Day”. If you’d like to visit Quiapo Church, the best way to get there is by train. By commuting via LRT1 (orange line) to Carriedo Station, you can avoid the heavy traffic jam in Rizal Ave, riding the train is much faster and more comfortable as well except for the rush hours. From Carriedo Station walk down to Carriedo street making your way to Quiapo Church. It is easy to spot buses and jeepneys going to Quiapo as well.
A walk around Plaza Miranda is a good place to start your photowalk. You will find so many interesting characters there. From fortune tellers to old people selling anting-anting and weird herbal medicines, and a lot of religious people doing weird things.
You can pass also by the underpass to get to R.Hidalgo Street to visit Bahay Nakpil-Bautista, Ocampo Pagoda, and San Sebastian Church. Hidalgo Street is well known as the best place for cheap cameras. And then Return to R.Hidalgo to visit the Manila Golden Mosque then proceed to Carlos Palanca Street to end your photowalk under the bridge.
4. Intramuros/Fort Santiago
Photo by Dominic Meily
For hundreds of years, the walled city of Intramuros was considered to be Manila. Intramuros is a vast area with all the historical buildings. For me it is the safest place to do your street photography. It is a well known tourist destination in Manila. People who lives here think if you’re holding a camera, it means you’re a tourist. It’s so easy to shoot people here because they don’t mind you taking pictures of them. It is also my best place to conduct my street photography workshop.
Photo by Dominic Meily
How to get here:
(Source: http://wikitravel.org/en/Manila/Intramuros)
By taxi
For visitors who don’t mind shelling out a little extra – and putting up with rush-hour traffic jams – Manila’s relatively inexpensive taxis are probably the easiest and most direct way of reaching Intramuros from elsewhere in the city. The current flagdown rate is ₱40, and the fare goes up in increments of ₱3.50 every 300 metres.
By train
The nearest railway station is Central Terminal (LRT-1 / Yellow Line). Though within sight of the eastern walls, the station is a pretty long walk from the western part of Intramuros (where many of the major sights are located), so tourists headed in that direction might consider covering the rest of the journey by taxi.
Until our next discovery in the City!
またね Mata ne!
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