Z Academy: Trailblazing with Francis Ansing

By Cocoy Lopez

For travel and landscape photographer Francis Ansing, to “trailblaze” is to visit novel destinations that one has yet to explore and experience. This word easily became the subject of his Zoom discussion held last September 13, where he shared three of his passions and desires in life that primarily fuel his love for photography: travel, nature, and storytelling.

Ansing discussed that he became interested in photography when he purchased a Canon 350D to take pictures of guitars prior to selling them. He eventually moved from taking photos of guitars to capturing birds and plants outdoors.

“When you do it and you do it often, you kinda […] develop your interest [in the] subject matter. And that’s 2009,” he said.

That same year, Typhoon Ondoy made landfall in the Philippines. Ansing’s images of the flood won a photo contest held in Pasig, and he has not stopped taking photos since then. While he admitted to initially experiencing moments of confusion, uncertainty, and failure, among other things, he said that he continues to pursue photography to this day because of his desire to “conquer the world” and share stories with others.

Ansing’s landscape photography was largely influenced by his background in Biology and his hobbies in mountaineering, travel, and exploration. Through travel, he shared that one not only sees the world but also gains new experiences, perspectives, and lessons about oneself and the world.

Photo above by Francis Ansing

“We travel because it’s a journey that will stay with us for the rest of our lives,” he said. “Isa sa mga magandang memories ng mga photo tours or travel is when you eat together, talk, […] and be comforted by hot meals after [a] super cold day of shooting.”

According to Ansing, photos capture experiences so that others can understand moments, feelings, and even global issues. Photos also pave ways for one to share these experiences with peers and to “return to that place through images” after time has passed.

Of the wide array of genres, Ansing shared that he remains interested in landscape photography for the challenges it poses, particularly in capturing multi-dimensional spaces, elements, and feelings as an aspect of storytelling. Additionally, he said that he loves the lack of ethics and directing needed to capture different landscapes.

Ansing concluded his discussion with a few tips regarding the artistic process and philosophy of landscape photography.