‘Essence of Filipino culture’ highlighted in TECNO and FPPF photo contest
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Photographer Froiland Rivera bested over 300 participants to win the grand prize in the ICONIC Philippines CAMON 20 Pro Series Photography Contest held last July.
Made possible through a collaboration between technology brand TECNO and the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation (FPPF), all entries were taken using the TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G and showcased the beauty of the Filipino culture.
Rivera won the judges over with his portraits of locals from the north and south of the country, garbed in their traditional attire and showing glimpses of their skin art. His shots of the well-loved Filipino breakfast staple pan de sal and kape (coffee) beside a lampara (gas lamp), Pinoy handicrafts, as well as his night shot of the Manila Central Post Office with the Binondo Bridge and its light posts in the foreground, likewise got the highest marks.
“Using TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G was a great experience. I love how this smartphone’s camera produces lively colors. Using the TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G made my portrait work so easy that I wanted to shoot more and more! Low-light shooting is not a problem anymore because of the Super Night Mode. This is probably the best portrait smartphone/camera I have ever used. The effects like the smooth skin are superb. It produces life-like skin retouch and the skin texture is retained. TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G’s effects are so natural looking,” Rivera said.
The second and third place went to professional photographer Jay Vicencio and photojournalist Arnold Jumpay, respectively.
“The AI camera is a game-changing feature. It is good at detecting objects and what you want to capture and does its job properly at changing the scenery which is amazing. The quality of shadow, colors, and details is also noticeable while capturing in low-light and dark areas,” shared Vicencio.
“My overall experience using TECNO’s CAMON 20 Pro 5G was exceptional,” said Jumpay. “The 64MP main camera delivered sharp details, vibrant colors, and accurate exposure. The multi-skin tone imaging system worked well with the Filipino skin tone. The images I captured using this feature turned out to be true-to-life, with no color distortion or unnatural enhancements. The Portrait Master feature on the CAMON 20 Pro 5G greatly enhanced my portrait photography and fittingly captured the Filipino skin tone with precision and authenticity.”
“TECNO has always seen portrait photography as an important opportunity to promote greater inclusivity in smartphone technology,” said Jack Guo, general manager of TECNO. “With a consistent dedication to bridge the gap with global emerging markets through better technologies, our goal is to strengthen our technological capabilities in multi-skin tone imaging to better capture the essence of humanity in a way that represents everybody.”
Opened to Filipino amateurs, hobbyists, and professionals, the ICONIC Philippines CAMON 20 Pro Series Photography Contest sought out photos that captured the essence of Filipino culture. 305 participants joined, with the contest receiving over 1,000 photo submissions. Entries were judged based on creativity (40%), impact (30%), and adherence to the theme (30%).
Five finalists each received a TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G, which they used to take photos for the final round where they were required to submit two portrait photos, two still life photos, and one landscape photo under the theme ICONIC Philippines. Rivera received P50,000 in cash prize, while Vicencio and Jumpay received P30,000 and P20,000, respectively. The other two finalists were Jacqueline Hernandez and Heigen Villacarlos.
TECNO CAMON 20 Pro Series photography endorser and award-winning photographer Niccolo Cosme, TECNO PH marketing manager Mitze Abrio, US-based multi-awarded photographer Edwin Loyola, and FPPF instructor and independent photography professional Victor Sison served as the judges. Cosme is also an esteemed member of FPPF and acts as the creative director of Howwwl Digital, The Red Whistle, and Headshot Clinic.
“Congratulations to all the winners! We all had a happy challenge—choosing the best of the best among all the worthy entries. Judging the finalists’ entries was also more challenging as all the photos are iconic. They capture different aspects of our beautiful country and its diverse people. The quality is also amazing. TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G’s camera features are quite impressive,” said Cosme.
“We are very happy with the outcome of the ICONIC Philippines CAMON 20 Pro Series Photography Contest. Our partnership with TECNO has given our photographers the opportunity to experience hands on using the TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G. TECNO’s inclusive multi-skin tone portrait technology helps our photographers show the perfection of true skin tones. Our photographers did not only get to showcase their talents, but also once again took pride in highlighting the rich culture of our country,” said Eduviges Huang, FPPF chairperson.
The FPPF is a non-profit, non-government organization based in Intramuros, Manila, that advocates photography in the Philippines. It is the umbrella organization for photography and camera clubs in the country with about 2,000 members. FPPF organizes the largest and longest-running photography event in Southeast Asia, the annual PhotoWorld Asia Trade Show and Convention (PWA), which has been held for more than 35 years. The upcoming PWA 2024 will be held on Jan. 25 to 28, 2024 at Glorietta, Makati. FPPF also conducts photography workshops since 1993. For those interested, you may contact FPPF through [email protected] or follow its Facebook and Instagram pages.
TECNO CAMON 20 Pro Series
Recently launched in the Philippines, the TECNO CAMON 20 Pro Series takes smartphone photography to the next level. It can capture every emotion in motion, epic journeys, and unforgettable moments. With inclusivity in mind, the TECNO CAMON 20 Pro Series empowers users to express themselves, flaunt their uniqueness, and vibe with their own tribe.
The CAMON 20 Pro Series has different camera lenses for different photography styles and shots. The main camera lens is a 64MP RGBW rear camera, which significantly increases image brightness, and it has a 32MP Super Front Camera for selfie shots. It also has a front dual flash and a ring flash. With a Portrait Master algorithm, enjoy DSLR-level blur and professional beauty effects at the same time. Users can also customize according to different skin tones.
With the ICONIC Philippines CAMON 20 Pro Series Photography Contest, TECNO affirms its commitment to support progressive individuals who will “Stop at Nothing” to hone their craft. At the same time, it supports FPPF and photography enthusiasts in showcasing the Philippines through the lens of the CAMON 20 Pro 5G.
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Editor’s Note: This article was provided by TECNO Mobile Philippines.
