The Grand Finale of Photo Face-Off, Season 2 took place in the dazzling holiday island of Cebu.  Being the oldest city and the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines, Cebu not only has amazing beaches, but a very rich history.

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The finale was a fierce competition between the five finalist from the previous episodes and one new competitor from the Philippines. Resident pro Justin Mott took the role of lead judge and for the first time did not take part in the competition, showcasing the photographers more than ever before. The six amateur competitors were Shaun Tan Chun Weng from Singapore, AzrilAzam from Malaysia, Kennardi Sebastian from Indonesia, ThawiphumTechaphan from Thailand, Nhong “Rose” Hong Nyugen from Vietnam, and Archielou D. Romero from the Philippines.

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First Challenge In Cebu

The finale followed the same structure as all of the previous episodes, and as always a challenge that tested speed was followed by a thematic one, all based around Cebu’s rich history. The finalist of the two first challenges were Shaun from Singapore and Ken from Thailand, who each took at least one win from this final episode. Archie, the photographer from the Philippines did not make much of an impression throughout the episode, putting him at the end as a representative from the country seemed more random than anything else, a decision I couldn’t help but question throughout the episode.

One Last Chance To Prove Themselves

The last activity was the best challenge I had seen on the show, testing the photographers ability to shoot underwater. None of the competitors felt very comfortable with the assignment of doing a fashion shoot somewhere with so little air since none of them were divers. Shaun went even as far as to say he wasn’t a good swimmer, a worrying comment to make before submerging yourself in the ocean.

The judges for the event were Sarah Black, Beauty and Fashion Photographer, and Dexter Alazas, Fashion Designer. The competitors got a few quick tips regarding Fashion Photography,  the most important of which were:

• Show the garment, the fabric and its texture – that’s half the art in clothes design.
• Glamourize your model- idealization is key.
• Show your model’s face and engage with the subject!
• Be spontaneous because often you can’t plan the best shots.
• Look for something that will make the viewer come back for more, create details and a world for the audience to peer into.
• Lighting is extremely important – a rule that the contestants had been drilled on throughout the season.

Each contestant had to photograph a model in and capture the drama and theatricality of the water in their shot, expressing the essence of the garments designed by Dexter Alazas. Each of them had 30 minutes to create a powerful shot.

The photo-shoot was intense and dramatic, on top of everything else they had to worry about their ability to stay underwater as well as the models, who had to come out every 10 seconds to breathe. To give directions to the model was also quite complicated and the photographer would give some instructions to the model when coming out for air, which made communication and engagement harder than usual. Another unforeseen challenge which no one warned the photographers about was the way light filtered underwater. Something that was unavoidable and often gave the photos a surreal element, but something that had to be carefully monitored and taken into account to get a functional shot.

The Last Photographers Standing

Both Shaun and Ken’s photos were great, but Shaun’s followed the fashion photographer’s tips a lot closer, making his more successful in the genre. In Shaun’s photo the composition and the light were good, the colors very intense and contrasting, building the drama in the shot. You could see the face of the model very well, completing the shot and engaging the viewer.

Ken’s photo was astounding, but it was more a portrait than a fashion photo. You could hardly see the dress. Composition and light were fascinating, and you could tell that the refraction of the light underwater elevated his shot from being a simple portrait. Justin loved Ken’s photo, he considered it the most dynamic photo taken during the season (including his own photos), but it didn’t fulfill the requirements to be considered a ‘fashion’ shot which was what ultimately decided who was the winner.

Shaun took home the first prize much to the delight of many Singaporeans, and expats living in Singapore alike. Singapore being my home away from home, I couldn’t be more pleased! He was undoubtedly the best photographer in the competition and proved himself in the Grand Finale, a prize well deserved. Congratulations Shaun, well done!

Why You Should Watch Photo Face-Off

As a photography show, Photo Face-Off provides entertainment andhelpful tips for aspiring photographers. But, at the end of the day it is a commercial show and the aspects of it that make up the entertainment part have in some instances gotten in the way of showcasing and rewarding good photography, regardless of what the challenge was. Despite these shortcomings, which to some extent can’t be avoided in a TV show, it’s a good show and I’ll be looking forward to season 3! Visit the Photo Face-Off site in History Channel.

Do you want to learn more about photography?  Join one of our workshops, http://grafikaphotographydesign.com/workshops.html

Check also the article published in the Strait Times. http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/winning-mix-of-ocean-and-fashion

Visit Grafika Photography and Design page to find out more about Helga’s work.