Annice Lyn, a Malaysia-based photographer, decides to document the daily lives of the citizens in Kuala Lumpur, and specifically the portraits of the second and third-generation family business owners. Annice tells us her inspiration behind these shots and why EOS RP is her choice for street photography.

 

EOS RP, RF28-70mm F2 L USM lens, f/2.0, 43mm, 1/400 sec, ISO100
A local citizen picks up a daily newspaper upon purchasing

What are the inspiration behind these shots?

The motivation/inspiration behind these are drawn from the existing hidden gems of Kuala Lumpur (KL) tourist spots in Petaling Street Chinatown. With a collection of shops, local delights, and cultural temples that are believed to have a hundred years of history, it has become known as one of the best attractions in KL. I want to project the citizens of KL – the second and third generations who are still running a family business – and compose a series of portraits with their surrounding goods, giving readers a context of what they do.

 

EOS RP, RF28-70mm F2 L USM lens, f/2.0, 28mm, 1/125 sec, ISO320
A man from the 3rd generation in the family in a button & sewing store poses for a photo

How did you go about planning for this series?

I’ve always wanted to revisit something close to home – places that we pass by on a daily basis but never pay attention to or take a second look at. As the years galloped by, there is much more substance to this area than just chock-full of shops and stalls selling goods and foods. In between those lie several stalls owned by families of many generations including floral stands, traditional button shops, and nostalgic toy stores that inspire me to pick up my camera and shoot these photographs. Some vendors are around the age of 70 to 80 years old, and they share with me their worries of the younger generation not taking over the family business.

 

EOS RP, RF28-70mm F2 L USM lens, f/2.0, 32mm, 1/160 sec, ISO640
I ask the visitor to turn and face the light as he picks his new shoes

What are some of the EOS RP features you’ve used and which are your favourites?

• Silent Mode Shutter – Comparing to the EOS 5D and 1DX series that operate in a mechanical shutter form and can at times be a little disruptive, the EOS RP's silent mode shutter enables the photographer to engage with the subject in a respectful way and not intimidate or distract the subject as well as their surroundings.
   
• RF Lenses Control Ring – While exploring the hidden back stalls, time passes by and so does the lighting. I've set the RF Lenses control ring compatibility to the ISO, hence allowing me to do quick adjustments, and with the EVF, it lets me know whether I'm under or overexposing the photo.
   
• 3.0-inch Vari-angle LCD touchscreen – It helps the photographer to achieve lower angle images. While looking at the screen, the photographer too can be aware of his/ her surroundings (as compared to looking through the viewfinder, especially on the busy narrow streets along Petaling Street Wet Market.
   
• Wi-Fi Connectivity – I can safely say that not everyone likes to get their portraits or photos taken, and some would actually question whether it is for editorial purposes. To clear their qualms, I decide to download the photos directly from the EOS RP via Wi-Fi and then transfer the photos seamlessly to them as a token of appreciation.

 

EOS RP, RF28-70mm F2 L USM lens, f/2.2, 28mm, 1/250 sec, ISO160
A holistic picture of a local tea maker taken to visually project his entire “office” in whole in one photo

Why should one invest in this camera?

Whether you're a professional or an enthusiast, the Canon EOS RP is portable and perceived as one of the lightest full-frame cameras out there.

As a professional, the EOS RP is a great alternative option as a compact second body. While traveling, the image quality along with the features that are enough to give you the boost to create good imagery.

For the fellow enthusiasts out there, it is definitely a good kick starter & a more affordable full-frame camera to ignite one’s passion in photography. Plus, with the adaptor, it could always be attached to your existing EF and EF-S lenses, enabling you to experience the best of both worlds (EF/EF-S and RF lens systems) in photography.

 

EOS RP, RF28-70mm F2 L USM lens, f/2.0, 47mm, 1/250 sec, ISO100
Portrait of a newsstand owner with his goods

How much should one know about photography to take such amazing photos? Where does one even start?

There's no limitation to this, aside from getting equipped with the basic knowledge such as composition, and knowing how shutter speed, aperture & ISO work together. Keep a curious mind, projecting and conveying your message through visuals from a genuine place, and most importantly understand your subject instead of just picking a camera to point and shoot.

Start from humble beginnings such as your surroundings and photograph the people close to you, and then branch out from there. Find what speaks to you and what you love shooting. When the time is right, challenge yourself with creative composition, step into the world of photography with an open mind, and never stop learning.

 

EOS RP, RF28-70mm F2 L USM lens, f/2.0, 34mm, 1/1600 sec, ISO320
A second generation stationery shop owner poses for a photo with his great-granddaughter next to a classic postcard stand

 

Find out what happens when Annice Lyn takes on a landscape photography challenge in This is What Happens When a Documentary Photographer Shoots Landscapes. Read up on the EOS RP and its features in the articles In Focus: EOS RP; or learn more about street photography in Street Photography Cheat Sheet.

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