Top 5 at Zone V: July 2023 - Zone V Camera Club

Top 5 at Zone V Camera Club

July 2023

Pride: LGBTQ is July’s photo contest theme at Zone V Camera Club. It is defined as images depicting the way of life, the community, the culture of the LGBTQIA+.

The month’s theme was a wild card and sprung like a surprise to most members as majority we spoke with does not have any images in their treasure chest of photographs that can be readily pulled out and printed for this contest. Thus, the pictures submitted were mostly freshly minted and shot specifically for this contest.

With great pride, we share with you the top 5 winning shots and learn for yourself the backstory behind each of them as shared by our humble winners.

#5 “Untitled” by Bern Wong

Queer doesn’t have to always be loud, colorful and extravagant.

I want to create an aesthetic cue for showing LGBTQ without a rainbow by juxtaposing masculine with feminine elements/ symbols – the lily symbolizing purity and rebirth and the string of pearls for serenity and beauty.

Being queer can be subtle, quiet and elegant.

#4 “Proud to be Drag” by Mac Omega

ISO 500; f2.8; 1/1600sec

This photo was a last minute decision and I have to give credit to sir Pepito Reyes for helping me decide to make this photo as one of my entries. The moment he saw this photo, he said “gusto ko ito”.

While the photo looks simple but this was not very easy for me to capture. I wanted my photo to be as candid as possible and I do not want the subjects to be posing and looking directly at my camera. Hence, I took this photo from the hip instead of the usual taking photos at eye level.

Shooting from the hip is a challenge because you do not know what exactly your camera is capturing so I used a wide angle lens to cover as much space as possible.

#3 “Golden Gays of Manila” by Jeff Dytuco

When I learned about the challenging theme, first thing that came to my mind was the old movie of Dolphy…”Markova”. I didn’t really get the chance to watch the movie but I know the story revolved around an old or aging member of the LGBTQ community, and her challenges in life.

I did a little research and found out that there’s still an existing foundation that helps “old and aging (60 years and older)” members of the LGBTQ community who no longer have family members to support them. The foundation is called Golden Gays of Manila. Their main source of funds are primarily from doing corporate shows since most, if not all, of the members of the group are “performers” or impersonators of famous international artists.

I hope you don’t mind the lengthy write up about the Golden Gays of Manila and not really about the technical details of the shot.

I chose to submit shots from the said group primarily to help generate awareness for them and their good cause, even in a little way. Please feel free to reach out to them if you can extend any kind of support, which will be most welcome.

#2 “Curious Couple” by Oscar Sanchez Soriano

Taken in San Francisco Gay Pride Parade, June 2019, using an iPhoneXR

There are more pompous, gay and colorful moments in a Pride parade but I chose to enter this image of a simple, yet cleverly-clad curious couple perched on a news stand wearing just wings and a tail that to me signify the pitfalls, the struggle and the flight of the LGBTQIA+.

It tells a more compelling story of how and why people from all walks of life gather for a day of celebration in support of a cause that tries to change perceptions and build a solid foundation of diversity and acceptance.

#1 “Pride – Celebration of Freedom” by Ruben Castor Ranin

ISO 6400; f8; 1/5000sec

Taken with a Canon EOS R5

In celebration of PRIDE month last June, we were given a chance to shoot the event. It was my first time to see for myself what goes on and was amazed about the program. Through observation, I realized what the members of the LGBTQIA+ are rallying for – equality, anti-discrimination, inclusivity, rights and protection.

Pride is about being able to appreciate everyone regardless of gender and sexuality.

Pride is about freedom. It is about being able to express one’s gender identity and having the confidence to just be the way you are.

When I took this shot, I got lost and separated from the ZVCC group and then found myself on an elevated vantage point wherein I am facing the stage during the program. I waited for a drag performer on stage and waited for a couple of hours. When this performer got on stage, I used my long lens and took the moment to shoot when she finished her rousing performance.

It is an intentional shot wherein my patience to wait paid off as I captured that triumphant moment that ended a performance. The expression, gesture and tension of the subject made more it more appealing to reflect what true pride is.