PHILIPPINE

PHOTOGRAPH
 Being under Spain, a developed Western country in the 19th century, the Philippines had
adopted technology, as well as the culture of Europe. Photography is not an exception. The
pioneers of photography in the Philippines were mostly from Europe. Particularly from the
1840s to 1890s, photography in the Philippines developed due to the following reasons:

1. Photographs were used as medium of news and information about the colony.

2. Photographs were used to promote tourism.

3. Photographs were used as a tool for anthropology.

4. Photographs were used as materials for propaganda.

5. Photographs were used as a source of ideas for illustrations and engravings.

 Since the country was under Spain, and later under the United States, techniques and elements
of photography that developed were based mainly on Western standards. And this is still particularly
true to the present state of Philippine photography. Some of the most famous photographs in the
history of Philippine photography, and of the Philippine history itself, are the following:
 REPRESENTATIVE
PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE
PHILIPPINES
 Felix Laureano
He was regarded as the first Filipino
artist to consciously use photography as a
medium for art. From Laureano to today's
photographers, changes and
developments have already drawn
additional artistic elements and concepts
in photography.
 George Tapan
Armed with his camera, Tapan travels the
Philippines and the world. His mastery makes him win
in various contests in the country PALAWAN and
abroad.

Aside from travel photography, Tapan has also

exceled in movie posters, with his subjects Joseph
Estrada, Fernando Poe Jr. and Dolphy to name a few.
He also tried advertising, political campaign, sports, and
fashion photography when he was younger
 John Chua
With more than four decades of
experience, Chua is considered a master
photographer, gaining awards locally and
internationally. He is best known in
advertising and commercial photography
and in his technical excellence and mastery
of notoriously challenging photo shoots.
PHOTO-TAKING ESSENTIALS
FOR FILIPINO STUDENTS
 There are many techniques in taking the perfect photo As photography is an art, it is
with the artist to convey the story or the aesthetics that he or she wants to showcase with
his or her camera. The following are some essentials applicable to students who are yet
to master the art of photography.
 1. Composition
Proper combination of the different
elements makes it easier for the photographer
to convey the message. There are instances
when a photographer only uses one clement
to effectively present his idea. But there are
times when two to three elements have to be
combined in order to give a clear concept.
 2. Rule of Thirds
This serves as guide that gives emphasis
on the concept of the picture. The
photographer divides the image captured in
the camera into nine equal parts in horizontal
and vertical form. Then, he places the subject
in the line intersections. The rule of thirds is
used to balance all the elements in the picture.
 3. Shot
Shots are of three kinds - close-up shot, medium
shot, and long shot.

Close-up shot is done to make sure that even the

smallest detail can be easily seen in the picture. It also
enables the photographer to show the emotion of the
subject.

Medium shot is used to show relationship between the

subject and other elements used in the picture. Long
shot is used to present the entire scene.
 4. Angle and
Perspective
Perspective and meaning of the picture can be altered by using
different angles depending on the eye level.

• Eye-level angle is the basic angle used in photography. By using the

eye-level angle when taking pictures, the photographer present
relationship and affinity of the concept. However, eye-level angle is
not much recommended because it weakens the impact of

• High angle is used to emphasize the little significance of a certain

thing. When taking pictures using high angle, the camera is
positioned above the subject. Taking pictures using this kind of angle
diminishes clutter.

• Low angle is used when the photographer wants the subject to appear
big, dominant, powerful, and dignified. The camera is on a worms
eye view position. the picture.
 6. Use of flash
Flash is used if the light that gets into the
camera is not sufficient. It is also used to
avoid backlighting and silhouette or dark
appearance of the subject. Knowledge on the
range of the flash is necessary to make sure
that enough light is reflected in the picture.
 MEGAPIXELS
A pixel is the smallest manipulative part of an image. For camera, it is
the single scalar element of the digital sensor. Megapixel is one million
effective pixels or the image sensor elements of a digicam.

For the first timers in choosing a camera, pixel count is not the sole factor. A
full-frame camera beats another camera in terms of image sensor if the two
has the same pixel count, say both have 12MP. Also, the zoom is one
consideration in choosing digital cameras, or smartphones.
Activity:

1. Search for the works (with pictures) of the representative

photographers in the Philippines.

2. Give two of their works and a brief description for each

work.