The expression “third time’s a charm” captured the journey and experience of 25-year-old Luke Anthony Obusan Singson as he bested hundreds of photographers at the Philippine leg of the biggest on-the-spot photography contest in Asia — the Canon PhotoMarathon 2018. This is his third attempt to take a spot in the competition and with this triumphant win, Singson moves forward to the championship in Japan to represent the Philippines.
Singson, who currently works as a cruise line photographer, first joined Canon PhotoMarathon in 2014 after his father, who is also a photographer, influenced him to join the competition.“My dad has always been a Canon user so he basically introduced me to the brand.I started shooting in high school and oftentimes, I would join him in his shoots and we would do a lot of photo walks. Canon PowerShot G2, which is a point-and-shoot camera, pa gamit ko nun,” beginner or a professional, you would definitely find the most suitable cameras and lenses for your needs and passion with the brand’s wide range of products.”
On his third year to join the highly-anticipated competition, Singson was finally hailed as the CanonPhotoMarathon Philippines 2018 Champion. With the theme “The World in The Eyes of The Next Generation”, Singson’s winning shot was taken using a Canon EOS 60DDSLR with an EF 17-40mm f/4L USM lens.“Upon hearing the theme, I knew I had to find a structure with eyes peeking at or looking into a moment. The first area my dad and I scouted didn’t work, so we continued to walk around the city and came across this interesting wall. I asked my dad to stand for by the wall for a test spot and told him, ‘I think this could work.’ Tapos nag-abang lang kami until I got the shot I wanted with the perfect subjects.”
When asked about the inspiration behind his winning photo, Singson shared, “I was really aiming to capture somebody who’s using a mobile phone. I wanted to show how today’s technology connects more with the youth and how in the years to come, the technology landscape will continue to evolve to cater to this younger, more agile generation.”
This year’s CanonPhotoMarathon Philippines challenged Filipino photographers to extend the power of their photographs to help create lasting impact for the future generation. Participants were tasked under time pressure to capture stunning visual masterpieces according to this year’s themes “The World in TheEyes of The Next Generation” and “WhatMakes a Smile”. A portion of the registration fee of each participant, as well as proceeds generated from Canon’s CSR program called Print for Smiles, were dedicated to help raise funds for Canon’s local partner organization, OperationSmile Philippines. The NGO, which has been a partner of CMPI since 2011, provides free reconstructive facial surgery to indigent children and young adults born with cleft lip and cleft palate deformity.
Singson’s latest addition to his Canon EOS 60D, EOS 40D, and PowerShot G2 is a brand-new Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera worth Php147,998 which he took home after winning the competition along with a ViewSonic VP2468 24” Professional Monitor, and a 1-year Membership atCelebrity Fitness, One Bonifacio High Street. He will also represent the country at the Canon PhotoMarathon Grand Finals in Japan in 2019.
“I’m very excited for theGrand Finals next year! It will be my first time to participate in an international competition and I’m beyond grateful to be alongside amazing photographers — my fellow finalists from the other countries. Thank you, Canon, for this once in a lifetime experience and opportunity,” he added.
Canon PhotoMarathon started in Singapore in 2003 and is currently the largest on-the-spot photography contest in Asia. Now held in Nepal, Brunei, Cambodia, ChinaMainland, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand,Vietnam, and the Philippines, Canon PhotoMarathon has been receiving overwhelming reception among different communities in the Asian region throughout the years.
