tired old men
There are times when I just happen upon a scene while driving and my foot involuntarily steps on the brake. It has become a subconscious reaction. At other times when my brain kicks in, I over analyze and miss everything. Too many thought processes – will the scene still be the same after finding a parking spot and reaching there on foot? Is there enough light to make a good shot? Will I be allowed to take a photo? Am I nuts? Is the person I am shooting nuts? Is there a policeman around? Will he shoot me if I shoot him? By the time I have decided to let instinct take over, I’ve already driven too far away.
So I always keep in mind that whatever I see in front of me will not happen again. Ever. Then I bring the car to a screeching halt, grab my camera and rush out. I’m sure this fine chap was convinced that I should be in locked up in the loony bin as much as I think that that spare tire of his will never ever fit on his bike. It sure takes one nutcase to recognize another.
This is another such example. I’ve circled the block twice, found a parking space but was shooed away by the traffic officer. He probably didn’t like my looks. I was fine with that. The feeling was mutual. Luckily this guy wasn’t a fast reader.
Ok, ok. The calendar girl did catch my attention. She was looking at me very intensely when I first passed by. After the second pass, she was still looking at me the same way. So I got up close, and when this guy started looking at me the same way, I had to shoot him.
Shooting people in public draws a lot of different reactions. Some will cover their faces, while others will just get back to what they were doing. I let them know that I am posting their photos on this blog, and sometimes show them the other photos I’ve taken, and that puts them at ease.
I usually shoot at the widest angle at 17mm on my Canon EOS405D, or at 24mm with my Lumix LX-5. Distance to subject is around 1 meter, sometimes even less. The trick is to get close, and how to get there is done with a polite smile and striking up a conversation. It’s all about human interaction. It never was about the camera.
A walk with my camera 
It’s all about finding a connection first before even taking a photograph, isn’t it? Glad to have found your blog.
yes. I find it better that way as I am able to understand more about the person in the photograph.
You have beautiful work and an admirable approach to your photography
thank you for the kind words 🙂
Reblogged this on gametyalcin.
Great photos! Signing up! Looking forward to the updates!
Thanks
Orlando Uy
Beautiful picture! Here I leave you my blog from Argentina: http://soyasifotografia.wordpress.com/
Thank you, and thanks too for sharing photos from your side of the planet.
Orlando Uy
Love the playful, intimate mood of these pictures. And i’m right with you on hte technique of getting close and being friendly.
you are a fantastic storyteller.. I will be following you with great interest!!!
thanks!
Orlando, great narrative and I especially love the black and white take on all your photos. I live overses now but your photos strike a real chord close to my heart as I can relate to the scenery you capture. I grew up in Tondo, Manila. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks and keep up the wonderful record of your remarkably unique town.
Thank you. If by chance you have photos of Tondo when you were still there, I would love to see them.
Regards,
Orlando
I’ve just discovered your blog and I absolutely love it! Your photography is raw and beautiful and you make it easy to imagine standing there in your shoes…looking forward to checking back in for more!! Thanks for sharing….
thank you, Kathy. I’m glad to hear this.
Enjoying your blog! Not only excellent photos, but great commentary with them. Thankyou.
thanks likewise
The photo of the young calendar girl and the old guy reading the news is amazing. You get the difference between old and young, women and men, real-life and distilled life. Wonderful!
.. and the difference between glamour and reality. Such is life here, but the people are generally happy. thanks for dropping by.
Nice pictures and story! Good to read as I’m off to North India soon and will probably find myself in similar situation 🙂
Have fun in India. It’s one of the places I’d love to go and shoot in the monsoon rains. thanks for dropping by.
I enjoy seeing your pictures. The people are in their element, and the details of where they are and what they’re doing is so interesting (probably not to them, but to me). I particularly enjoy your comments about how you go about taking pictures.
thanks, Vivian. Sometimes I run out of things to say, and at other times I just ramble like an old man. 🙂
nice work. i like that technical details too.
thanks. This is something I don’t envy you as I can really get in close and be literally in people’s faces with my camera whereas you’re sure to get arrested if you do that in the US. And then taking photograph of kids too.. it’s definitely more fun in the Philippines.
Hahaha, the calendar girl caught my attention too, before I could read your narration:) you are such a good story teller, and has a good heart. The camera helped too.
I guess it’s because I only have a handful of photos of ladies in this blog.. they’re quite hard to find, unless I resort to just shooting faces, which I don’t think will lead to a good story. Or maybe it will.