Some would say that famous faces appear in particular fine dining or hip venues while “real people” are seen on the streets. Hence, a photographer documenting what’s really happening need not attend high-end parties and eccentric gatherings. He only needs to come out and see the normal kids outside his window or the faceless figures filling up ordinary daily roles. Mark Aiven Antang, a former drummer and guitarist of a college band, found some new exciting beat and rhythm through photography – a medium that has “the ability to make my own art through the lens,” according to him. He has realized that the streets, being the catwalk of regular people, have countless subjects worthy of being captured through the camera.
Having explored the possibilities of the craft with a borrowed camera, Mark made sure he has to own one. He finally got his first DSLR (Canon 1000D) in May last year. It’s just a year since then but Mark already found his mark. There’s no letting up. “Most of my pictures were taken on the streets with people and kids playing and having fun. Most of the time I use available light to make my images and transferred them to my laptop for some minor adjustments,” he shared. The use of what the streets can offer when it comes to lighting is a reflection of his dependence with reality It doesn’t hurt to make minor adjustments. Besides what’s the use of Photoshop technology if not put in the context of enhancing the sense of beauty of a basically good shot.
After scoring his own equipment, this freelance computer technician didn’t waste his time moving forward. He joined the Konsepto Camera Club last December and immediately made an impact among its members. Last month, one of his photos made it to the finals of a Photoworld Cup contest with the theme “Larong Pinoy” – not surprising for a man attached to the games played by street people. “For me,” he disclosed, “effective photographs move the viewers. They make you feel sad when they look sad, make you feel happy when they look humorous. They have feelings and emotions.”
Single and a resident of Las Piñas, Mark is fast-rising as a lensman in touch with reality, able to understand the relationship of people in common households and the streets that bind them as communities. Known for keeping streets clean and orderly, Las Piñas simply sits well being a location conducive for street images that are not eyesore. Mark used to take photos from his computer’s webcam then edit them using photo-manipulation software. His passion for photography took a quick spin and by the time he got his borrowed first digital camera, he was so hooked to it that he felt pretty much empty when it was time to bring the equipment back to its owner. He shared, “I am still considering myself a newbie, like an empty glass waiting for a pour of cold and refreshing water.
I am looking forward and hoping to explore other fields of photography with God’s help even in limited resources and places.” Mark, a simple guy whose religiosity and artistic talent come together as one, renders his shots black and white to “convey texture, shape, and form.” That’s one colorful aspect of his portfolio. His influences range from foreign artists like Rarindra Prakarsa and gifted locals like Jon and Maricris Carlos and Edwin Loyola. Though he admits that street photography is a personal favorite, he believes there’s more for him to discover. Being a photographer has made Mark to imbibe the importance of “seeing things in a way you’ve never noticed before.” It doesn’t come easy. So he is pushing the envelope, hopinghe’d read his name as the big winner.
“Photography,” in his words, “is capturing moments in still images bringing back the feeling every time you look at it again and again and again.” The street provides that feeling, the lensman freezes it.
Having explored the possibilities of the craft with a borrowed camera, Mark made sure he has to own one. He finally got his first DSLR (Canon 1000D) in May last year. It’s just a year since then but Mark already found his mark. There’s no letting up. “Most of my pictures were taken on the streets with people and kids playing and having fun. Most of the time I use available light to make my images and transferred them to my laptop for some minor adjustments,” he shared. The use of what the streets can offer when it comes to lighting is a reflection of his dependence with reality It doesn’t hurt to make minor adjustments. Besides what’s the use of Photoshop technology if not put in the context of enhancing the sense of beauty of a basically good shot.
After scoring his own equipment, this freelance computer technician didn’t waste his time moving forward. He joined the Konsepto Camera Club last December and immediately made an impact among its members. Last month, one of his photos made it to the finals of a Photoworld Cup contest with the theme “Larong Pinoy” – not surprising for a man attached to the games played by street people. “For me,” he disclosed, “effective photographs move the viewers. They make you feel sad when they look sad, make you feel happy when they look humorous. They have feelings and emotions.”
Single and a resident of Las Piñas, Mark is fast-rising as a lensman in touch with reality, able to understand the relationship of people in common households and the streets that bind them as communities. Known for keeping streets clean and orderly, Las Piñas simply sits well being a location conducive for street images that are not eyesore. Mark used to take photos from his computer’s webcam then edit them using photo-manipulation software. His passion for photography took a quick spin and by the time he got his borrowed first digital camera, he was so hooked to it that he felt pretty much empty when it was time to bring the equipment back to its owner. He shared, “I am still considering myself a newbie, like an empty glass waiting for a pour of cold and refreshing water.
I am looking forward and hoping to explore other fields of photography with God’s help even in limited resources and places.” Mark, a simple guy whose religiosity and artistic talent come together as one, renders his shots black and white to “convey texture, shape, and form.” That’s one colorful aspect of his portfolio. His influences range from foreign artists like Rarindra Prakarsa and gifted locals like Jon and Maricris Carlos and Edwin Loyola. Though he admits that street photography is a personal favorite, he believes there’s more for him to discover. Being a photographer has made Mark to imbibe the importance of “seeing things in a way you’ve never noticed before.” It doesn’t come easy. So he is pushing the envelope, hopinghe’d read his name as the big winner.
“Photography,” in his words, “is capturing moments in still images bringing back the feeling every time you look at it again and again and again.” The street provides that feeling, the lensman freezes it.