July 2007 Featured Artist of the Month: Edwin S. Loyola

Quick info

History of a passionate

Edwin Loyola is an accomplished, self-taught Philippine photographer born in the province of Pangasinan, currently living in the Santa Ana district of Manila. Before he started his full-time professional career, he used to work as a clerk in a life insurance company Philamlife. It was there that his photographic talent was discovered; to this day he holds regular exhibitions in the company's lobby.

Self-portrait

Edwin has entered countless photographic competitions. His photos have won prizes and distinctions in over 30 contests - some sponsored by big, global brands such as Kodak, Adobe, Epson or the National Geographic Channel; others by on-line services such as PhotoPoint.com or RitzCamera.com. The list includes not only global, but also national and local competitions, such as The 1st IdN Club Philippines Extreme Digital Explosion 07 competition, the Soul of Makati competition or Hundred Islands On-the-spot Photo Competition. A full list of his impressive achievements can be found on Edwin's website.

Currently, Edwin is making a living from digital photography, but also lay-outing, graphic design and advertising. He has a 12-year old son and is an active blogger and participant in on-line communities. His weblog (also nominated for several awards) can be found under http://edwinloyola.multiply.com.

Selected works

"The Joy of Childhood"

Winner of 2005 National Geographic Channel International Photography Contest

Agfanet contest 2004 - winner

Rangefinder Magazine Cover Contest - finalist

"Cotton buds"

"The Cowboy"

Ritz Camera's "Capture Your World" Big Print Photo Contest 2005 - first place in the Black and White category

Black & White Category imaging-resource.com's Photo of the Month - January 2007

Image from the "Black & White" series

Image from the "Panoramic" series

Image from the "Chalk" series

Image from the "Bottles" series

"The Pray"

Photo of the Week - Picture Perfect / Manila Bulletin

"My Grandpa"

Ritz Camera's 'Capture Your World' Big Print Photo Contest - Runner-up

"The Cry"

The 1st IdN Club Philippines Extreme Digital Explosion 07 - 3rd place in the 'Soft' category (for photographs minimally retouched by photo-editing software)

Image from the "Manila Bay" series

"Maskmen"

From the Ballet Philippine series

Image from the "Yellow" series

Interview

Edwin Loyola - portrait by Dariuz Lark Ganitano, age 5 - Edwin's favorite model (see "The Pray" in our Artist Gallery).

Can you tell us how you discovered your passion for photography?

My interest in photography is basically instinctive. I really like taking pictures. I've tried painting using oil and watercolor but I kept on going back to photography.

What does your professional life look like now? What are your plans for the future?

As of now, I'm happy with my work as freelance artist/photographer, my clients still like my style. I'm planning to go to the US and attend some photo workshops to improve my skills.

How do you see photography? Is it an art or a job?

I treat photography as an art, not something that may be used to earn money. In every image I create, I want to satisfy my eyes and my heart.

You seem to favor certain themes - children, landscapes, still life. Can you tell us about those and other motives? What do you like to photograph most, and why?

I love still life! I want to create beautiful images from ordinary things, things that are normally ignored by people. And I love informal children portraits--their candid and sweet smiles and their soulful eyes. I'm not good in landscape photography, but I'm trying hard to improve it!

Would you say your art is strongly connected to Philippines, or do you feel it's detached and/or universal?

It's partly connected to my country, but when I create my images I want to have a universal appeal - a picture that can communicate without the use of language, thereby crossing language barriers.

Your web album is entitled "The art of Available Light". Are you particularly attracted to certain photographing techniques?

90% of my works use available light. I love its natural and dramatic effect. I find joy shooting an object from various angles and using available lighting. I prefer to shoot ordinary things like shells, stones, leaves, cola chalk, and even cotton buds. Things that are too common to be noticed.

One object can be made to look different from five angles. But thanks to digital photography, costs have been minimal.

My images are mostly experimental and shot spontaneously. There is no pre-planning. The concepts form inside my head during the actual photo shoot.

What kind of equipment do you use?

As of now I'm using a Canon DSLR and some lenses, my favorite lens is my 50 mm.

You enter a lot of contests - with great success. What role do they have for you?

Competition is simply a test!

You are very active in photographic communities - what are your influences? Do you admire any particular photographers?

Ansel Adams for his dramatic black and white images! Locally, Chie Zamora, Rey Dalmacio, Eduviges Huang and Atty. Eli, Miranda who shared their talents and support when I was still new to photography.

What is your approach to artistic education? We heard that when reading books about photography, you cover up the illustrations - why is that?

It helps you to create your own style, because you don't pattern your images after others'. You just learn the theories behind capturing images and make it on your own.

Lastly, what advice would you give to an aspiring photographer?

Get out of the box. Break the rules! Achieve the ability to see things from a different perspective. It is not only about choosing a subject and shooting it; it is about a particular sensitivity, awareness, even a consciousness for scale, balance, proportion, and all the other elements of art that makes photographs art and not mere photos.

Thank you very much for the interview, Edwin, and we're wishing you good luck in the future!

Interview by Pawel Pohl

See last Featured Artist