Cameras

Learning street photography with the Canon EOS RP

A picture is indeed worth a thousand words

Published

August 25, 2019

Vincenz

Street photography has been around for decades — way back in the early years of World War, famine, hunger, and financial crisis. It even sparked several debates whether it’s legal or ethical to do so. Although these questions remain unanswered, a lot of people have been more invested in street photography lately.

It may have started that way but it didn’t stay for long. Today, it’s not just limited to photojournalists, it even hits casual and creative photographers alike. But the real essence of this photography genre is still intact: it is thrilling, challenging, and takes a lot of patience because it should be candid and in perfect timing, not staged.

Canon Philippines gave us an opportunity to learn more about shooting in streets with the guide of popular photojournalist, Jilson Tiu. We roamed around the streets of Intramuros and got a glimpse of life inside the walls.

It hasn’t been long since Canon released the EOS RP in the Philippines. Just a refresher, it is the early successor of the EOS R, which is Canon’s first full-frame mirrorless camera. It is also their second mirrorless camera with a smaller body and introduced other cut-down features to make it (a little bit) cheaper.

Canon has come a long way in making and manufacturing cameras. My first camera is a 60D, which was a prosumer king during its time. My initial hands-on with their newest mirrorless camera felt familiar. They have managed to keep the design language in a smaller form factor.

Enough with the technicals. As someone who has been into photography since high school, I can tell that street photography is specifically not my forte. But this doesn’t mean I won’t challenge myself. I learned so many things during this photo walk — so I’m giving you eight tips when shooting around the streets, together with my EOS RP experience.

1. Learn the basics

They are called “basics” for a reason. You should not go to war without learning how to shoot a gun — the same principle applies in photography. Learning how shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, and aperture work before you shoot is essential because you will not (and should not) rely on Auto Mode, especially that you are going to use DSLR or mirrorless cameras when shooting, which is a lot more versatile than using point-and-shoot cameras.

Other photography jargons such as Depth of Field (DOF), focal length, white balance, exposure bracketing, should follow along the way. Composing shots is also part of the basics, including placing subjects within the frame, exercising Rule of Thirds and/or Golden Ratio, and more. With the existence and vastness of the internet, searching for tutorials shouldn’t be a problem for most.

More over, technicals should come along the way. Even the lens you pick affects the quality of shots you take. Prime, kit, telephoto lenses, you name them. Photography isn’t as easy as it seems, but trust me, knowing the basics will be one of your biggest achievements and advances as an aspiring photographer (or photojournalist).

2. Look for human elements

Imagine walking around the streets without any human element, do you think street photography would still make sense? Human element creates several stories in the shots you capture. Street photography isn’t literally talking about capturing the streets, it’s more about capturing the culture between people and the streets you pass by.

One misconception about street photography is when photographers take their posing models as subjects, and street as a background element — put simply, that’s not street photography.

3. Know one’s story

To whoever is reading this, I would admit that I’m socially awkward. A big chunk of me being an introvert holds me back from talking to people. If you are really focused on doing street photography, this tip is very important in establishing connections and making relationships as you shoot more individuals in the long run.

Once you find at least one (or several) human element/s you want to capture, it shouldn’t stop there. Talk to them. Ask them about life, how is their day going, other questions to follow. These questions may sound simple but it helps in creating a sense of belongingness, even if you are both strangers to each other. It would also feel authentic when you talk to them more, even when you are both focused on the different things you’re doing.

Taking the shot above as an example. Although he is busy with his job as a barber, he still entertained our group because we took the initiative to speak with him. Talking to people contributes to the candidness of the photograph. It did not disrupt the things we all did — he even enjoyed the small talk with our group. Let your single photograph say a thousand words to those who will see it.

4. Respect all things around you

Part of having moral ascendancy is respecting each and everything around you — not limited to life forms such as people, animals, and plants, even non-living things alike.

In this particular shot, an old man got mad at our group for suddenly capturing this dog. After trying to ask for permission, he then decided to let us shoot. There are times when people are not amused seeing cameras pointed at them nor at the things they own. If it happens to you, respect their privacy and decision. You should not argue and you definitely need to walk away before you get yourself in trouble.

5. Stop making poverty an aesthetic

I have seen a lot of street photographers who are making poverty as an aesthetic. In connection to tips two and three, showing one’s respect is not imitating the way they live or how they interact with other people.

Exhibit A: You want to do a staged photoshoot with models pretending they are beggars.

Exhibit B: You were awed when you saw two siblings sleeping along the footbridge. You decided to take photos of them and shared it on Social Media without their consent.

Social Media exposure would raise awareness about their situation, but do you think it would make them happy if they knew they were photographed without consent? If no talk or story-telling happened in between, it is not street photography anymore. The essence of knowing their life nor story never even happened. It is unethical to make one’s living condition a part of your Instagram or Bēhance portfolio — so is exaggerating one’s situation as a staged shoot.

6. Post-processing is normal, #NoFilter shots are not bragging rights

Cameras and lenses are not created equally. Although my experience with the Canon EOS RP is outstanding and its RF 28-70mm f/2L USM lens does the job well, there were times that the shot I took was not aligned to what I wanted the outcome to be.

Post-processing isn’t cheating. There’s nothing wrong with fixing your photography mistake (or worse, a hardware mistake). In fact, it already takes place the moment you press the shutter button on your camera — that is why people should not make #NoFilter shots a big deal. If you are one among the clumsiest users who forgot to set RAW shooting, you have no choice but to stick with your .jpg files.

Let’s say you forgot to adjust the Custom WB (White Balance) while shooting, post-processing apps can help you fix it. You can even do other processing techniques if you want to convey more feelings in your shots. It is a part of experimentation, and the values in each photo you edit are not something that’s always definite.

In this particular photo, I adjusted the curves that helped it achieve a faded look instead of deep shadows, making it feel softer with minimized shadows and contrast. I minimized the highlights because of the harsh sunlight hitting the tile bricks. I also moved the slider to the warmer side for it to look lively. Color science says that photos on the cool side feels melancholic and lifeless.

I suppose not everyone is computer-literate. There are mobile apps you can try when it comes to post-processing your shots — such as VSCO, Snapseed, and Lightroom Mobile, a toned-down version of the PC-based Adobe Lightroom. Take note that mobile apps may have limited functions, especially because they are free.

Reminder: Before all of you use (and abuse) the power of post-processing, you should have already understood the first tip. Not to sound like a broken record but it is about understanding the basics. Nowadays, a lot of people rely on post-processing without knowing the essentials — maybe it’s time to learn them properly.

7. Capture the scenery, too

Imagine you are trying to shoot on top of a building. You peeked at your camera’s viewfinder, adjusted the focal length, and tried fitting human elements within the camera’s frame. Suddenly, you realized that the scenery makes them stand out more — that’s what this tip is for.

Street photography should not be limited to street per se. As long as the background element does not overpower the human element or subject, you are good to go. The lush greenery along this golf course make the golfers stand out more. The differences in their movement make it feel dynamic, candid, and emphasizes their actions of playing golf.

8. Explore unusual elements to shoot

Last but definitely not the least is all about looking for odd elements that will make you and your composition different from others. Staged photographs can be imitated, but not the candid ones. That’s why learning the basics matter, so you can compose shots in a split second — every shot you take makes a lot of difference.

Use juxtaposition when possible in order to convey two contrasting elements in one frame. In the shot above, I was aiming to describe the situation of the Philippines (or other similar nations) today — the biker represents that Filipino citizens are freely moving around, while the window grilles represent that we are restricted to freely express ourselves due to government policies and sanctions (Threat to Press Freedom, anyone?).

I captured more than ten photographs in the same location just to get my desired composition. If you think this goes against the essence of shooting candid photos, it’s not. I do not personally know him nor directed him to pass by. Misconceptions like this can cause trouble among the photography community, and you should avoid that.

Another candid shot I took talks a lot about growing up and getting old. Having the same walking direction between the old man and the children tells us that time is constant. There is nothing that can stop us from accepting more responsibilities and having different kinds of interest as we grow up.

Photography throughout my years

I was born knowing what traditional film cameras look like and how they function. I was even there when VGA, 3-megapixel and 5-megapixel cameras in phones made headlines. Photography has come a long way, and they still keep improving. It’s not even limited to professional cameras anymore that newer smartphones with excellent mobile photography prowess can now be considered as contenders.

As I was saying, street photography is not my forte. But from my experience using the Canon EOS RP coupled with a new RF lens system (vs the old EF lens mount), capturing photos still felt like I was using my old 60D because of the familiar feel and function. After using different cameras throughout my creative journey, Canon still lives up to their name for creating a big name in the camera industry.

Related Topics:Canon Canon EOS RP Canon RP

Cameras

Canon EOS C50 cinema camera price in the Philippines

Smallest, lightest cinema camera made for today’s filmmakers, creators

Published

December 6, 2025

Manila Connoisseur

Canon Philippines is capping the year strong with the release of the Canon EOS C50 in the market. The cinema camera is priced at PhP 189,998 for the body along with an XLR handle.

The Canon EOS C50 is designed for both filmmakers and creators who need mobility and professional-grade quality.

It has the same 3:2 Open Gate recording feature also on the EOS R6 Mark III, which gives users flexibility for post-production.

Creators can extract full 4K footage along with cropped 2K vertical or square versions from the same capture with the Simultaneous Crop Recording feature.

This is ideal for producing multi-platform content, like 16:9 landscape videos for YouTube then vertical shortform videos for social media.

Also, an added edge is the up to 7K 60p RAW recording capability on the C50, compared to just 7K 30p for the Mark III.

Filmmakers can also record at up to 4K 120fps should they need high frame rate captures. Recording in 4:2:2 10-bit is also available for rich color and flexibility in post-production.

In addition, the EOS C50 features dual CFexpress and SD card slots. 7K RAW can be saved to CFexpress while other formats can be saved to the SD card.

Different format, resolutions, and color sampling can be assigned for backup, distribution, or quicker edit-ready files.

Photo performance

For stills, users can take advantage of the 32MP CMOS sensor for capturing up to 40 shots per second (with electronic shutter).

The camera also supports pre-continuous shooting and AF performance improvements with its Dual Pixel CMOS AF II.

Enhancements include Auto setting, animals, vehicle priority, and eye AF, as well as the new left/right priority.

Moreover, the camera features Dual-Base ISO with Auto Selection, automatically switching between ISO 400 and ISO 3200 depending on the scene.

This ensures the highest signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining a wide dynamic range. Users can also manual select the ISO to match lighting conditions.

Professional interface

Onto its controls, the EOS C50 has a TIME CODE terminal, which is perfect for seamless multi-camera setups. It also features two XLR terminals and a handy control dial for professional audio input.

There are 14 assignable buttons, each thoughtfully positioned for quick, instinctive access while filming. There are about 100 customizable functions available so the camera can match a user’s workflow.

During the launch event, Canon Philippines demonstrated a wide range of scenarios for the EOS C50, including multi-angle live broadcasts with just one camera.

Cameras

Sony launches the new Alpha 7 V

Get yourself a full-frame mirrorless camera for Christmas.

Published

December 4, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

Are you still wondering what to get yourself for Christmas? If you have a good amount of leftover money after shopping for everyone else, Sony has a new camera just for you. Right on the cusp of the holiday season, the Sony Alpha 7 V is here.

The Sony Alpha 7 V is the fifth generation of the aforementioned series. The full-frame mirrorless camera uses a partially stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor to take photos with 33.0 effective megapixels.

Further, the new BIONZ XR2 image processing engine uses the Alpha series’ AI technology to deliver better imaging, Real-time Recognition Auto-Focus, and Real-time Tracking. To add to this, Sony is also launching the FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II full-frame zoom lens to support the camera.

For connectivity, the camera supports Wi-Fi 6E GHZ for data transfers. It also supports USB-C connections for wired transfers.

To ease usage no matter the scenario, the Alpha 7 V comes with vertical format support and an adjustable electronic shutter sound. It also has a 4-axis multi-angle monitor for shooting in various angles. Finally, it has a better grip for stability.

For those long shoots, the camera has better power management. It also has a Monitor Low Bright mode to preserve the battery.

The Sony Alpha 7 V body is available from the end of December. Meanwhile, the kit and the lens will be available on February 2026. The body costs SGD 3,699. From now until December 31, customers will get a free 240GB CEA-G Series CFexpress Type A memory card.

Cameras

DJI Osmo Action 6 review: An adventurer’s best friend

This might be the best action camera yet?

Published

November 22, 2025

MJ Jucutan

My life as an athlete with a love for adventure often throws me into days that move faster than I can track.

One moment I am at the gym before sunrise, convincing myself that today I will stretch properly. Next, I am sprinting through airports or packing for a weekend race that I definitely did not plan for (but signed up for anyway because that is who I am).

When the DJI Osmo Action 6 entered my life, it felt like finding a piece of gear that immediately understood the mess I willingly put myself through.

I have always wanted a camera that could move with me (and survive me), preferably without making me feel guilty every time I jump off something or run through something.

I wanted a camera that did not need pampering. Something that would not make me pause my life so I could “protect the gear.”

Then suddenly, there it was. I had an entire month with the Osmo Action 6, and it almost felt like the universe handed me something that finally matched my pace. It followed me through unexpected moments that felt too good not to capture.

Made for those who ~really~ move

The first thing I noticed was how easy it was to hold the Osmo Action 6. It felt secure even when my hands were wet or drenched in sweat from training, as if it wasn’t bothered at all that I was already exhausted at 7 a.m.

Most of its controls are placed so intuitively that it felt like the camera was gently guiding me, saying, “Don’t overthink it. Just press this. Go live your life.”

The user interface was so straightforward that even people who have never touched an action camera would know what to do.

The screen reacts quickly and the settings are easy to reach. Its layout feels like it was made for people who move first and think later.

It removes every excuse to miss a moment because you were too busy trying to understand how the device works.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jaye (@hemjaye)

Out of the box, the Osmo Action 6 gives you everything you need: a 1.5m extension rod, three Extreme Battery Plus units inside a multifunctional battery case, two locking screws, a curved adhesive base, a USB-C 3.1 cable, and two Dual-Direction Quick Release Adapter Mounts.

Depending on your lifestyle, accessories like the floating handle, the dual direction mini extension rod (which doubles as a tripod), the 360-degree wrist strap, and the hanging neck mount all serve one purpose: keep you hands-free so you can focus on living your story.

Inside a race course

During the Spartan Race’s Asia-Pacific Championship in Alviera, Porac, Pampanga, I joined the open category simply because I wanted to film my moments inside the course.

I could never join the Age Group Championship wearing a red band only to slow down for content. My competitive self would revolt.

I have always raced in the front pack with elite athletes and seasoned racers. Content creation is a blessing until you’re in a race and your pride says absolutely not.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jaye (@hemjaye)

So my friend (also an elite athlete) and I became last-minute racers thanks to Mang Inasal Philippines. We joined the Sprint Category, which covers 5 kilometers with 20 obstacles (plus three extra because championship vibes).

Armed with only the Osmo Action 6 on a dual direction mini extension rod, I climbed walls and nets, carried sandbags, passed through hanging obstacles, and ran under an open trail where the sun genuinely felt personal.

Alviera is hot. We call it Hellviera for a reason. Yet the camera kept going despite direct sunlight and constant movements.

I dialed the resolution down to 2.7K because long 4K recording will always test thermal limits. Even then, it stayed reliable.

Like a scene straight out of an adventure documentary

The stabilization was genuinely magical. The frame stayed clean and level even when my hands were doing a million different things, like swinging my arms, gripping nets, adjusting grip, and bracing for impact.

Whether you choose RockSteady or HorizonSteady, your running sequences will look cinematic and documentary-level.

When we climbed or jumped, the shots had that adventure-film energy. There were no jitter or weird warping. No “Sorry, can you do that again?” moments.

We did not need retakes, and we did not need to check footage mid-race. The Osmo Action 6 kept up with the pace of an endurance athlete.

The built-in microphones even picked up our voices clearly. Pair it with DJI’s wireless mic and you get clean commentary that feels like the behind-the-scenes of your own sports film.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jaye (@hemjaye)

Calm moment underwater

One of the most meaningful moments came when I lent the Osmo Action 6 to GadgetMatch’s Account Manager and Resident Host, Noela Amparo-Oro, for her birthday.

She wanted to celebrate by freediving, which honestly feels like the most poetic thing you can do for yourself. So I handed her the camera and said, “Go live your birthday moment. Capture it.”

Action cameras deserve to see actual action, not city sidewalks pretending to be adventures.

Noela had fun descending into the clear blue water. The footage she brought back made my heart stop for a moment. It was surreal. Like she had slipped into another world and returned with proof that it existed.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Noela 🎧❣️🎶 (@noeyylovesyou)

I have seen plenty of underwater clips from action cameras that turned murky or desaturated, requiring heavy color adjustments. The Osmo Action 6 did not do that. Underwater, it preserved colors beautifully.

The details of her movements; the subtle shimmer of light across her skin; and the calm flow of bubbles. Everything was captured with clarity that felt emotional.

The Osmo Action 6 handled depth and shifting light with ease. Watching the clips felt like I had been there beside her, suspended underwater.

Even Noela could not believe the footage. And the fact that the camera does not need an underwater case up to 20 meters makes the experience feel even more freeing.

A picture quality to love

The Osmo Action 6 uses a large 1/1.1-inch square CMOS sensor that lets in more light, allowing underwater clips to remain balanced and detailed even in low-light environments.

With 10-bit color support, gradients in the water and sky looked vivid. The variable aperture paired with the sensor gives you the flexibility to shoot under harsh sunlight or underwater without losing depth or mood.

Exposure transitions also felt natural, and the highlights stayed controlled while the shadows held detail. The Osmo Action 6 preserved the emotional tone of each scene without flattening the story.

As James Rusameekae from Physical: Asia said, it is simply “Wow!”

Is the DJI Osmo Action 6 your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Osmo Action 6 excelled in every environment I threw it into. Water, low light, heat, fast movement, and unpredictable conditions? It handled everything with ease.

I collected footage filled with emotion and energy, and everything remained steady and sharp.

The clips felt complete even before editing, like they were already telling a story. (I uploaded some of them straight to my Instagram Story!)

If you live an active life and thrive outdoors, the Osmo Action 6 will meet your needs. You will appreciate how quick it is to use, and you will love the size, durability, and picture quality.

It feels like the kind of gadget you bond with, which makes it a Swipe Right!

Anyone who wants a companion for adventures will find comfort in the Osmo Action 6. For me, it is a Super Swipe.

With the experience I had, and the ease it brings to my life whenever I am out and about, PhP 24,390 for the Standard Combo feels like an investment in moments that matter.

The DJI Osmo Action 6 deserves the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.

If you do not live an active lifestyle, the Osmo Pocket Series or Osmo Nano might suit you better since it is built for city travelers. But if you want to look adventurous — and you have the budget — who am I to stop you?

The DJI Osmo Action 6 retails for PhP 29,990 for the Adventure Combo, giving you all the accessories you may or may not need.