The men and women behind ‘Seeing Beyond’

 

MANILA, Philippines – Sharing stunning visuals online has never been easier. Thanks to Facebook and Instagram, we see hundreds of photos every single day. Unfortunately, there’s just too much content vying for our attention that we rarely have the time to pause and look beyond the pretty picture.

Photographers Angela Panlilio, Bern Wong, Jeff Dytuco, Michael Olivares, Fred Tiongson, and Tony Rivera had one goal in mind: Encourage people to go beyond “postcard-pretty pictures.” With a collection of striking and unconventional photographs, these artists put up an exhibit called Seeing Beyond with the sole purpose of pushing the envelope further for both photographers and enthusiasts, alike.

“As a group, we just felt we want to elevate photography to a fine art. We just felt that we can we push it a little bit, to a point where it’s not typical landscape, its not typical street, its not typical portrait,” Panlilio shared.

“I guess our goal was to open the minds of the viewers, see how the photos will speak to them. That’s our initial goal. We want be able to present photography in a different light.”

The photographs on exhibit aims to encourage the audience to take a deeper look not only into their surroundings but more so into their own philosophies. Proceeds from the exhibit-sale will benefit ERDA Tech Vocational School.

Visit Seeing Beyond photo exhibit at The Shoppes Artway of Solaire Resort & Casino in Parañaque City. Exhibit runs from January 4- 25, 2018.

Bern Wong

Having an emotional connection with the audience has always been at the core of Wong’s art. While typical landscapes are that of beaches, mountains, or deserts, she opted to “remove everything recognizable” and let the “essence of the place” speak for itself.

 

“I want you to look at it and not say, ‘Saan kaya ito?’ I want you to look at it and say, ‘Wow, I feel sad,’ ‘I feel the melancholy,’ ‘I felt joy, the serenity.’ There’s a story to every scene. I want something that can move people that can engage them, emotionally.”

Angela Panlilio

The exhibit is a little more personal for Panlilio. Rather than focus on the “grimy and depressing” side of street photography, she decided to share her personal journey of faith through a collection of layered photographs.

Jeff Dytuco

Just like Wong, Dytuco wanted to veer away from the usual postcard shots. By simulating charcoal sketches and watercolor artworks, he was able to present a different treatment to the typical landscape. The series of photos was taken at a fishing village in China, which he described as a haven for landscape photographers.

Tony Rivera

Going beyond the traditional portrait with one person posing, Rivera took photos of two people facing each other, each juxtaposition telling a different story, evoking emotions of joy, hope, awe, amusement, gratitude, and serenity.

“So, most of the pictures they’re not necessarily pretty and they’re not intended to be, but they’re intended to be able to touch you. Make you think,” he said.

 Michael Olivares

As a still life photographer, Olivares has complete control over the entire picture’s composition, each crafted carefully with a specific purpose. It invites the audience to use their imagination to find hidden meanings and symbolisms.

“In still life you create the image. You don’t find the image – you create it. So, when you create, you have to have something to say bout it. It has to have meaning or else it’s just a picture.” – Rappler.com