Award-winning Filipino travel photographer George Tapan tells travel 3Sixtyº what inspires him and shares his top tips to capture the perfect shot.
Compiled by: Chitra Santhinathan
Photo by George Tapan
WHAT MAKES A GOOD PHOTOGRAPH?
A good photo is one that talks to you, or has spirit. Good photographs do not have to be postcard-perfect; it’s
not about green grass and blue skies all the time, but about capturing the moment and the spirit of a place or situation.
WHY DID YOU PURSUE A CAREER IN PHOTOGRAPHY?
I’ve always enjoyed photography and sharing the images I’ve captured with others. Through my photographs, I can communicate with others and inspire travel. This is what pushed me to become a travel photographer.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPH?
It has to be ‘Into the Green Zone’, a photograph that captured the beauty of Onuk Island, Palawan, after a rainstorm. I submitted the photo for a contest in 2011 and it was judged the best out of 21,000 other entries! I had to wait for the right moment to shoot and fortunately, the decision to click, made in a split second, resulted in a beautiful photograph.
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WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE SUBJECTS?
I like photographing people and landscapes.
IS THERE A PLACE YOU KEEP GOING BACK TO FOR SHOOT?
In the Philippines, the stunning natural beauty of destinations like Albay, Batanes and Palawan lure me back time and again. There are always changes in the aura of these locations, influenced by prevailing weather and that’s where the challenge is for the photographer. There are not many things that can be controlled when shooting nature and these unpredictable elements add to the beauty of the perfect shot.
DO YOU PREFER WORKING WITH FILM OR DIGITAL?
Digital is more convenient because you can use different settings without having to change the film. In comparison, shooting in film requires discipline as you cannot afford to waste a single click of the camera or your roll will run out. With digital, you can delete shots you’re not happy with but you can’t redo anything with film. I’m fond of film but technology also has its advantages.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I’ve always been inspired by photographs in magazines such as National Geographic, where each image tells a story. The photojournalistic style appeals to me and inspires me to capture images that convey stories.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF CAPTURING A GOOD IMAGE?
A photographer often only gets one shot at capturing a great photograph. You need patience to wait for the right moment but if you take too much time, the moment will be gone. The same opportunity will never come by twice. This is especially true when shooting landscapes where the weather plays a big role.
HOW MUCH EDITING IS NECESSARY TO MAKE A PHOTO LOOK GOOD?
Most photographs require only minimal editing to remove scratches or dirt, or to correct underexposed or overexposed images. Over-editing is a no-no and over-edited photos tend to have a cartoonish quality to them.
You need to capture whatever your eyes see. By choosing the right time to photograph for example, sunset, you can achieve the effects you’re after. When you rely on filters and editing software, then you’re using technology to say you’re good.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A MENTOR FOR THE #iamairasiatravelphotographer CONTEST?
Competitions like this are really beneficial for budding shutterbugs, who get to learn tips and techniques from professional photographers for free, thanks to the sponsors. It’s also a chance for us photographers, to
share our knowledge with a new generation of shutterbugs.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS?
Read up on photography, and study your tools and camera. Find out what you like to photograph and focus on those subjects. There has to be a reason why you chose that subject to be your favourite, your forte. That’s your expression. As a photographer, you have to constantly improve and develop your talent.
SEE ALSO: Great Shot! 10 Stunning Travel Photos of Photoblog
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FROM GEORGE TAPAN
RESEARCH YOUR DESTINATION
Background research on a destination will help you narrow down the best places or vantage points for a shoot. Research may also help you identify the hidden gems of a destination, resulting in unique photographs.
RESPECT THE LOCATION
Find out if there are rules about shooting at certain locations such as places of worship. It is also good to note if flash photography is allowed in these places. Knowing well in advance the restrictions of a location will help you plan ahead.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME
Is a location more beautiful at first light? Timing is essential to capture the mood of a place. Study your location and find out when your subject will be at its most beautiful. Be patient and do not rush.
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