I just received my copy of Henry Bateman's wonderful book of street imagery centered around Manila and have been totally absorbed by what unfolds as I turn each page. His keen eye for shots that create intensity and impact grabs the viewer instantly, but what impresses me even more, is that each time I pick it up, I discover something new. He has captured the essence of street life from each and every aspect and there is a strong sense of movement and power in these images. There is a raw beauty that encompasses these photographs and a fly on the wall approach to the daily lives of ordinary people. Beautifully presented, vivid and stimulating. When I look through this book, I feel as if I am there, experiencing what these images represent. I'm waiting now with bated breath for his next publication.

THE STREETS OF MANILA
Photographs by Henry Bateman

Street Photography is shooting from the hip. No ultra-expensive paraphernalia needed just a trusty camera, keen intuition and a good eye. A good photographer sees something special in the every day, and have the ability to know, quick as a flash, just when to aim and shoot. Bateman is a good photographer and his collection of images taken in the streets, malls and markets of Manila is a tribute to life in this bustling city.

As we walk through a city streets we are constantly glancing, noting first one thing then another. When something catches the eye, it becomes clear while all else becomes secondary in our field of vision, the object is identified and the eye move on. Bateman’s images emulate how we see the world around us as he presents a single sharp focal point surrounded by a peripheral blur. In this manner, the shot Manila Cathedral focuses on a white statue of a saint standing amid softening grey stone and green foliage, and the image Chess Game shows the strategy on the board sharp and clear while the protagonists are in a haze.

Streets of most big cities are rarely still and Bateman presents quite a few images that demonstrate this activity, in all quarters, both day and night. We notice how it’s the people that give life to a city. People like those in the photograph Eddie’s Barber Shop. This image isn’t about any shave or haircut happening inside, it’s about three generations of men sitting on chairs, outside. It’s a place to meet. Then Mannequins, which focuses on headless plastic female forms in trendy clothes, captures humanity in the bored blurred bloke on the right. He not only balances the composition, he has something to say; ‘Just waiting for the wife to finish looking’. And Boy Chasing Bubbles where three soap bubbles in sharp focus are watched by a boy. Every one knows when bubbles are blown they are the centre of attention.

There are some great ‘panorama’ shots like Reflection with golden buildings standing against a blue sky as the sun bounces off their windows. And Sunset a distant shot where the dark skyline seems to bow before the golden sun as it is pushed beneath the horizon by a vast, cloud filled sky. Then there is the busy Onyx Street where vehicles and pedestrians bustle about in a haze under horizontal power lines and vertical towers of power.

All in all this is a fascinating book of images from The Streets of Manila that not only celebrates a city, but attests to the photographer’s skill at capturing its personality.

Judith McGrath

This is the first book I have had printed by Lulu and it was with some trepidation that I entrusted my work to their tender loving care. My doubts were unfounded, the quality of the copy of the book, which I received a few days ago, is second to none. The colours are true, the repoduction of the image files is accurate and the binding is strong with a promise of longevity. All in all, it is a product I am more than happy to have my name associated with.