Batangas Street Photography #1: Talisay Public Market

Finally, I am posting my Batangas Street Photography collection!

I think it’s about time for me to show my work in my own hometown! I have been posting my travel and street photography from places outside the Philippines (well, mostly), but I was always adamant about posting my work from my own backyard. A Batangas Street Photography walk is something I do regularly, but I never post any photos from this process.

I was born and raised in the town of Talisay in Batangas, Philippines. That being said, I always felt like there is nothing special about taking photographs of things I see on a daily basis. However, it came to my realization that the rest of the world needs to see it more than I do.

One day, I went to the public market with my Mom to shoot some environmental portraits and street photography, and I was actually stunned with the results. Presenting, photos from Talisay Public Market!

Batangas Street Photography: My Collection

Talisay Public Market Batangas Street Photography
BATANGAS STREET PHOTOGRAPHY: In front of a seafood stall at Talisay Public Market in Batangas, Philippines.

I have rarely explored the idea of layering in street photography, hence I was surprised by the result of this photograph when three different layers were captured in a diagonal/tilted perspective. The three subjects were not actually competing for attention because they are all coming from and looking at different directions. I love surprises like this in my work. Not to mention that the market is a very busy place — you need to be discreet, you need to be quick, and you need to think ahead when composing your shots.

Talisay Public Market Batangas Street Photography
BATANGAS STREET PHOTOGRAPHY: A vendor inside her stall at Talisay Public Market in Batangas, Philippines.

Excuse the tilted/diagonal perspectives of the photos as I was trying something unique in my compositions. For this photograph, I have been tempted to edit it in a way that it would have a 3D/glitch effect focusing on the subject of the photo, but it will lose its focus of the background which is her store (a very important element of this environmental portrait). I also want to show the goods she’s selling in her variety store and a little depth of field without blurring the background.

Talisay Public Market Batangas Street Photography
BATANGAS STREET PHOTOGRAPHY: A vendor using her phone inside her stall at Talisay Public Market in Batangas, Philippines.

I was intending to create a frame out of the metal bars to serve as a foreground of this shot, and this is the best I can do. Also, it’s a little frustrating that I did not notice the electrical wire right on the face of the subject. I could have tilted the camera up from the waist level. But nonetheless, I still like this shot.

There must be something in my hometown that the world deserves to see. So, see you on my next photo for the series! πŸ™‚

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