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shotbyalexist · 3 years ago

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for Love, Susie engagement rings!

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curiousconversations · 8 years ago

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Lexi Tsoi, Travel Photographer

Hi I'm Alexis (but once we're friends you can call me Lexi). I have a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Ateneo de Manila and I currently work as an accountant for my family’s company, as well as run my own business on the side. I love to travel and document my trips through photography, and have a deep passion for rap music.

You work in business and run a business of your own. How do you make time for photography and why did you decide not to pursue it as a full time career?

I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t jealous of those photographers who made it and are literally paid to travel and experience the world. (Who isn’t jealous, though?) But I’d like to focus all my efforts in my other businesses for now! Maybe in the future or when an opportunity arises. What’s meant to be will be!

When and did your interest in photography start?

Since I was a fetus. Hahaha. I remember playing with cameras a lot when I was a child. I used to have a Pikachu camera, and even if it never had any film I would pretend to take photos of anything or anyone with it. When smartphones came out, I was so into the cameras and only wanted the phones that took the nicest shots. My friends would always tell me that my pictures were really good, so I guess that helped inspire me to take pictures more seriously.

You are surprisingly outdoorsy. What is it about being outdoors that you love so much?

I know, right! When I tell people that I love the outdoors in general, the first thing they ask me is how is your skin still so white? (I go full on for sun protection!) I am deeply in love with nature! It’s ironic how we feel like we’re in a different world when we’re outside of the city, when the real world isn’t even man-made. I think it’s refreshing to spend time in the mountains, the beach, a waterfall, or even just a field of flowers. It’s a feeling I can’t explain, it’s like… this world is so beautiful I could cry.

What is it about travel photography in particular that — forgive the pun — captured you?

I think it’s the experience of going to and being in different, far places because you do have to get out there if you wanna get that shot, after all. I don’t like just seeing beautiful places on the computer screen or television, I wanna actually be there. More than anything it’s also the stories and memories that accompany the photos you took which you can share with your friends and family when you get back from that adventure.

How long does it take you to find the shot?

I just keep on taking shots and as soon as I feel ok with it, I’m good! Sometimes I just keep taking shots and I don’t really like any of them and I just move on. A few weeks or even months after the trip, I look through my photos and I end up liking some shots a whole lot more and just do a bit of editing. Same thing vice versa, I think I really like the shot the moment I take it but then realize afterwards that I don’t. So I actually don’t know when I have the shot until I get home and take time to look through everything!

What are your travel essentials?

I don’t like carrying heavy things for long periods of time so I try to bring as little as I can! But when I’m on the road I definitely need to have my:

DSLR and one lens. All in a camera bag. A tripod if needed Umbrella Jacket or hoodie Cellphone Some snacks (don’t wanna get hungry) Alcohol spray and some tissues to stay clean, haha!

You have a very unique style in photography. Did you draw inspiration from anyone or anywhere? How did you develop your style?

I’m not exactly sure how I’ve developed my style. I feel like it’s always been there and I’m still slowly discovering it the more and more I take pictures, but I am influenced by a few artists in terms of their composition and imagery! I really like Monica Moraru, she’s probably the one that got me really into the whole pastel feel. I also really like Wes Anderson, his work is so neat and dreamy! Oh, and Hilton Davila. He’s a friend I recently made on Instagram and his adventures are so cool.

I’m more drawn to minimalist or clean images too, and I usually find myself focusing on a single message or subject when I’m trying to take a photo. I like to keep things simple and dreamy at the same time!

Of all the pictures you’ve taken, which one is your favorite?

This photo I took of my mom really makes me smile. It captures her personality so well. She’s so bubbly, young, and fun loving. She’s also my constant travel companion and I’ve spent some of the best trips ever with her. This was taken on our trip to Batanes a few years ago.

There’s a common misconception that in order to take amazing photos, you need an amazing camera with an equally amazing price tag. What gear do you use and what are your thoughts on this?

My first and only DSLR is the Canon 100D (it’s an entry level DSLR) and I chose to get it because: #1 it fit my dad’s budget, #2 it’s great for beginners, and #3 it was a new model at the time. I’ve had it for a few years now and it still does the job really well for me! For the lenses, I have the 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS (kit lens), the Pancake 24mm F2.8 STM, and the 50mm F1.8 STM — all of which are inexpensive. I’m lucky I have friends who use Canon lenses too, so sometimes I borrow if I need to. I took my kit lens on an adventure before, and a friend of mine saw my photos and asked ‘wow! it looks like it was taken with an L Lens, did you take that with an L Lens?’ (Canon L Lenses are high end and are made for professionals, they are very expensive). So no, I don’t think the gear you have will correspond to the overall quality of the pictures you’ll take!

I know you’re very meticulous about how you edit your photos. Can you share your process?

I’m really OCD when it comes to coloring and alignment, so those are the two main things I look into when I’m editing. I don’t have a clear method or formula for when I edit — it depends on the photo, but I always try to go for moods that evoke peace. When in doubt, black and white is the way to go. I’m not a heavy editor, I just touch up on basic settings most of the time!

I use VSCO X, which is the only photo editing app I have on my phone (other than Instagram) mainly because I don’t like transferring photos from app to app. Having just one app makes things simple. If the photo requires heavier editing then I use Adobe Photoshop CS2.

Of all the places you’ve been to, whether it be in the Philippines or outside the country, what has been your favorite so far?

That’s a tough question. But based on scenery and landscape, it’s probably Iceland! Everything there is so dramatic, and at the same time it’s taken care of by the locals, so it’s great and well maintained. Switzerland comes to a close second though. I only spent around 3 days there and the views were amazing. I can’t imagine how much more in love I would be if I got to see more of it!

Travel photography has been increasingly popular, and that’s pretty obvious on social media. How do you feel about people being more interested in getting that Instagram-worthy shot than actually being in the moment?

Hahahah I’ll let people be as long as they respect the space and aren’t hurting anyone or anything!

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Easy! Patagonia, South America.

And for our final question, what travel photography tips and advice can you share with us?

The best photos are the ones with stories, so don’t be too pose-y or obsessive over getting the perfect shot, because the nicest photos are the ones that capture that special moment! Pay attention to your surroundings, don’t just focus on that “shot” that everyone else takes because there’s a lot more to see. As long as you can link that photo to a happy memory or a great experience, you’ve got a great photo.

Find more of Lexi on Instagram or Tumblr.

#travel photography #alexis tsoi

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shotbyalexist · 3 years ago

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