10 Local Urban Instagram Accounts You Should Follow Today

Metro Manila has always been a fascinating city to photograph; the lights, the people, the traffic, and even the dirt make a beautiful image to capture on lens. A lot has been perceived of this city, but only a few remain in memory.

Today we give you 10 Instagram accounts that feature the urban façade at its best. From the darkest alleys to the busiest streets, give yourself a visual treat through the eyes of these urban photographers. Read on our short interviews with them below and make sure to click that follow button. Enjoy!

1. rennell

A hint of humor and a load of depth are seen in Rennell Salumbre’s photographs. Take a trip to Metro Manila’s quietest streets and most crowded establishments in his profile. We asked Rennell:

Would you rather shoot under the sun or under the rain?

I like [shooting in] both. Shooting in the rain can be quite difficult – worrying about your gear, getting yourself soaking wet – but it gives higher chances of taking photos which are far from the usual street photographs. Let’s just say [that you can] capture photos with more emotion because of the conditions. When I just want to stroll around the city, I prefer a warm, sunny day.

A photo posted by Rennell Salumbre (@rennell) on

2. patnabong

Pat Nabong translates the grit and beauty of Metro Manila in vibrant square-cut photographs. This part-time teacher-slash-freelance journalist-slash-multimedia storyteller should definitely be part of your social feed today. We asked Pat:

How do you see the Manila streets 20 years from now?

Hopefully, Manila’s streets will be cleaner, safer, and less congested by traffic 20 years from now. But I’d never want it to lose its character – the small establishments, the rustic walls of buildings, the people you meet – from the fortune tellers in Quiapo to the passers-by who still smile at you when they see you taking their pictures – and even the disarray of objects are all part of Manila’s history and charm. Henri Cartier-Bresson once said, “There are places where the pulse beats more.” Manila has always been one of those places and I hope that 20 years from now, the pulse will still be beating.

#everydayphilippines #everybodystreet A photo posted by patnabong (@patnabong) on

3. everywhereweshoot

Aside from fashion, art, interior, and food, breathtaking landscapes of the city – may they be the sunset or the streets – are also favorite highlights in Everywhere We Shoot’s Instagram account. Watch out for cute cat portraits of @ewsfuzi from time to time, too. We asked EWWS:

What Philippine city would you never get tired of shooting? Why?

Makati. Dahil dito kami nakatira, pare-pareho ang mga nakikita namin araw-araw pero ang nakakatuwa doon lagi pa rin kaming may nakikitang espesyal o kakaiba. Mula grade school, high school, college, hanggang magtrabaho at ngayong mag-asawa na kami, wala kaming kasawaan sa Makati. Laging may sorpresa – kasing simple ng pagbagsak ng araw sa semento, mga nalaglag na dahon, o mga naiwan na kalat ng mga pumasyal dito.

4. larrymonseratepiojo

Melodramatic and monochromatic are the best words to describe Larry Monserate Piojo’s work. The intense contrast of black and white aptly fits the stories that he try to convey in his photographs. We asked Larry:

Why do you shoot in black and white?

It has the classic appeal that many are easily captivated. And at some point I have tried to mimic the works of some legendary photographers who have inspired me. Eventually, it has become a matter of choice; a choice of ways to express one’s opinion, message, imagination, or art. So soon I found myself shooting a lot in black and white and it’s merely because I feel I’m able to express myself effectively, more clearly through it. I feel that black and white provides a profound meaning and that the images are able to reach out more deeply to a viewer. Photography has no boundaries. It is a universal language and black and white speaks even the most isolated and distinct dialects.

5. vjvillafranca

VJ Villafranca seamlessly uses texture and grain when it comes to presenting his photographs. Portraits and vague representations of the city come beautifully in this account. We asked VJ:

Would you rather shoot portraits or landscapes?

I shoot mostly landscapes. It’s very limiting to answer per se because I use both [formats] in my work. Better to say that my work deals with stories and intimacy; my images are fueled by those voices that I photograph. The images that I publish are the interaction of the person with the landscape and how one exists with the other.

6. andoyp

Aside from his fascinating images of the city, Andrew Pamorada’s #EverydayIligan photography project also caught our attention. Portraits of children and mundane snaps of every day are must-sees here. We asked Andrew:

What makes you click the shutter?

There’s something irresistible and inspiring about the everyday stories of the people here in Iligan. I’m just amazed at how unique and simple these people’s lives are and I can’t help but share this experience with the rest of the country and maybe the world. I keep capturing these stories hoping they will inspire others as much as they have inspired me.

7. eggcheeks

Stepping into Iya Forbes’ Instagram account is like one amazing review of the Metro Manila life – the traffic, the smiles, the parties, and the people are communal subjects in her profile. We asked Iya:

What’s your favorite Philippine city to visit and photograph?

There are so many amazing cities in the Philippines but unfortunately, I’ve only explored a few of them. As a photographer though, one thing I strive for is to constantly find beauty in everyday situations. So shooting even in areas I go to daily interests me. It’s all about keeping an eye out, being more aware and sensitive to your surroundings. A city that always gets me excited to grab my camera and shoot is Manila. It’s so diverse, extremely rich in culture and history, and there’s always something happening in every corner.

8. kikomeily

Professional lens man Kiko Meily takes us behind the scenes of Metro Manila through his portraits and well-composed photographs. Follow his account for a splash of color and local culture. We asked Kiko:

What’s your most memorable Instagram photo so far? Why?

I wanted to show how life is a bit slower in the province. This is my favorite photo because it was featured by an international publication. It encouraged me to do my own thing and tell the stories I love. And funny thing that the caption for this photo was “Finally, Ariel happened to me.”

Finally, Ariel happened to me.

A photo posted by Kiko Meily (@kikomeily) on

9. bono_diaz

Bono Diaz’ minimalistic photography approach will lead you to bigger stories inside your head. We love how clean but distinct his images are. We asked Bono:

Why do you photograph the city?

I shoot [the city] because I would like to redefine what we normally see. Cities, especially here, are generally gritty, rough, and unforgiving. But I like to present moments of clarity, subjects that play beautifully with each other, even though they last a split-second.

B&W breaker. Vito Cruz Station #everydayphilippines #everydayasia #vscocam A photo posted by @bono_diaz on

10. kimweeebol

Kimberly Bles captures the ordinary in an interestingly extraordinary way. Scanning through her Instagram account leaves us a fresh, captivating feeling. We asked Kim:

How does your mood affect your photos?

There are million of stories happening around us which is why I take as much photos as I can in every chance that I get – that’s how I can show the world what I see. As simple as my photos may be, I guess they can tell stories that some people may not notice on a regular basis. They say that a person’s photographs reflect how he/she thinks and reacts on things. I try to show simplicity through the photos that I share because that’s how I see the world – a simple and still place where there can be joy in the quiet amidst the chaos.

Vertigo

A photo posted by Kimberly Bles (@kimweeebol) on

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