Instagrammer/photographer Julian Cheong has a knack for creating arresting landscape visuals that transport his followers to an ethereal space, where peach-coloured sand meets tumbling cobalt waves, and sunset so golden it seems to immortalise the subjects that bask within. He meets Alvin Choon, a videographer/photographer who captures the streets and portraits in its truest form – silent observer who knows exactly what to do when serendipitous moments present themselves. 

EOS 6D Mark II, TS-E50mm f/2.8L MACRO lens, f/2.8, 50mm, 1/800sec, ISO100
Photo by Alvin

After becoming friends on Instagram, the two creatives meet for the first time at a park on a balmy Saturday, each with a Canon EOS 6D Mark II, Canon’s latest and lightest full frame DSLR cameras. They also bring along a Tilt-Shift lens, TS-E50mm f/2.8L MACRO, an EF85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens, and an EF35mm f/1.4L II USM lens.

EOS 6D Mark II, TS-E50mm f/2.8L MACRO lens, f/2.8, 50mm, 1/800sec, ISO100
Photo by Alvin

The Instameet

The park’s vantage point overlooks the city, which is covered partially by a canopy of lush tropical trees. Using a Tilt-Shift lens, Alvin captures shots of the cityscape and close-up photos of the wildlife that dwells within the park. Tilt-shift lenses take photography to the next level through its complex manoeuvre of the tilt and shift mechanisms, which are used mostly for architecture photography to capture the lines and shapes of a building closest to what the human eyes see (shift). Tilt-Shift photos are also commonly known for its miniature look, where subjects are kept sharp on a single plane (tilt) while the rest of the photo becomes blurry, altering one’s perspective of the photo. 

EOS 6D Mark II, TS-E50mm f/2.8L MACRO lens, f/2.8, 50mm, 1/320sec, ISO800
Photo by Alvin

Find out more about Canon’s new Tilt-Shift lenses in: Canon Announces 3 New TS-E Tilt-Shift Lenses

The Wet Market Encounter

EOS 6D Mark II, EF85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens, f/1.4, 85mm, 1/2500sec, ISO200
Photo by Julian

Within walking distance from the park is a wet market, where fruits and vegetables are sold wholesale. As the market workers pack, chop, and transport fresh vegetables, Julian and Alvin remain inconspicuous and capture the market activities through their lenses.

EOS 6D Mark II, EF85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens, f/1.4, 85mm, 1/400sec, ISO400
Photo by Alvin

EOS 6D Mark II, EF85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens, f/1.4, 85mm, 1/2500sec, ISO800
Photo by Alvin

Learn more about the EF85mm lens in: EF85mm f/1.4L IS USM: Developer Interview (1)

A Dramatic Twist

The exploration of the market leads Julian and Alvin to another discovery – a Teochew (Chinese dialect group) opera stage, set up at the far end of the wet market. Knowing that the opportunity to photograph an opera troupe does not come easy, the duo proceeds to request permission for a photoshoot.

EOS 6D Mark II, TS-E50mm f/2.8L MACRO lens, f/2.8, 50mm, 1/160sec, ISO1600
Photo by Alvin

The Instagrammers are given backstage access to the opera performance, with the help of Glarence Pang, the lead actor of Xin Xin Rong He Teochew Opera Troupe. Gaining a rare insight into a dying trade, Julian and Alvin capture essence of these artists, the art of face painting, and a glimpse into the lives of these seasoned performers.

EOS 6D Mark II, EF35mm f/1.4L II USM lens, f/1.4, 35mm, 1/125sec, ISO200
Photo by Julian

EOS 6D Mark II, EF85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens, f/1.4, 85mm, 1/250sec, ISO640
Photo by Alvin

EOS 6D Mark II, EF35mm f/1.4L II USM lens, f/1.4, 35mm, 1/100sec, ISO500
Photo by Julian

EOS 6D Mark II, TS-E50mm f/2.8L MACRO lens, f/2.8, 50mm, 1/160sec, ISO1600
Photo by Alvin

EOS 6D Mark II, EF85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens, f/1.4, 85mm, 1/320sec, ISO800
Photo by Julian

About Canon EOS 6D Mark II

A full frame DSLR camera with a 26.2-megapixel full frame CMOS sensor, Dual Pixel CMOS AF and a vari-angle touch panel LCD monitor, the EOS 6D Mark II is a lightweight and powerful tool that captures high quality photos and videos. The camera’s powerful sensor is capable of shooting under low light conditions and still produce sharp and clear photos. In addition, the new DSLR also comes with a stunning 6.5fps continuous shooting, giving photographers the ability to track and shoot fast moving subjects with ease.

Find out more about the camera in: An Initial Review of the EOS 6D Mark II

EOS 6D Mark II, EF35mm f/1.4L II USM lens, f/1.4, 35mm, 1/320sec, ISO800
Photo by Alvin

Follow the journey of the two Instagrammers in this Instameet video and watch their stories unfold: