One thing’s for sure, Bryan van der Beek takes the craft of photography very seriously.

As he fittingly puts, photography is far more than pressing a button or producing a nice photograph. It is the ability to find a story behind something that is deemed mundane or boring. This is also known as street photography, something Bryan deftly practises, undoubtedly giving him an edge over the rest.

“Photographers are often in very unique situations, to see things that other people don’t get to see, and it’s our obligation to share those images to those who aren’t in the privileged position that we are in,” he explained further.

The Singapore-based photographer’s discerning observation comes from his vast experience in the newsroom. A former photojournalist for The Straits Times, Bryan has left his mark on other international publications, including Time, Newsweek and The Washington Post. Guest lectures at some prestigious institutes are a common occurrence for him as well. You can even witness some of his photographic works in a permanent collection at the National Museum of Singapore.

So, what has Bryan been photographing these days?

Professionally, he is sought after for his commercial and editorial work. But Bryan shared there’s something else that holds a special place in his heart.

He revealed: “I think styles are always evolving, but the one constant with my street photography and all non-commercial and non-portrait work is that I don’t set up my photographs. Everything that you see (in the photos) happened in front of the camera and is captured without any interference!”

With his penchant for street photography comes the perfect shooter — the RX100 VII

STREET ESCAPADES WITH THE RX100 VII

Right from the start, Bryan declared that he has been a RX100 series fan, having owned every iteration of RX100 since launch. He is always on the lookout for next generations, scrutinising how the newer models have improved. So far, he has been really impressed. The RX100 VII’s compact body and low-light shooting capabilities make it the ideal pocket-sized companion for Bryan. With fast autofocus capabilities, the RX100 VII makes it easier for Bryan to capture unpredictable moments.

“This latest generation maintains the ease of use of the whole series, and it’s unparalleled when it comes to autofocus,” he shared. “I’ve always been impressed with the low light sensitivity and the image quality, but the autofocus on the RX100 VII brings it into high-end Alpha territory.”

Indeed, the best shots are taken on roads less travelled, capturing fleeting moments and telling overlooked stories. The autofocus capabilities of the RX100 VII give Bryan the ability to capture the fleeting moments. With a total of 357 focal-plane phase-detection AF points, the RX100 VII makes it easier to freeze a subject in motion. This is complemented by 425 contrast-detection AF points, and AF acquisition is achieved in a groundbreaking speed of just 0.02 seconds.

Fitted with a high-magnification 24-200mm zoom lens, the RX100 VII delivers remarkable telephoto capability from its pocket-sized package, vastly expanding one’s options for creative expression when it comes to street photography. The versatile focal lengths really left the biggest impact on Bryan, something he now simply cannot get enough of.

CAPTURING THE WORLD THROUGH YOUR EYES

When questioned about his love for street photography, the seasoned photojournalist attributed his passion to share his views of the world through his photographs.

“I think photographers see the world a little differently, and while I wouldn’t say we are obsessed with the world around it, it can sometimes seem that way,” said Bryan. “I tend to be curious about a lot of things and photography gives me a reason to wander about.”

When scouring the streets for new subjects to photograph, it is essential that your camera is capable of capturing fast-moving subjects before the moment passes by in a blink. The RX100 VII effectively freezes every split second of a subject in motion with the 90fps Single Burst Shooting Function, which takes up to seven shots in rapid succession with up to 90fps. This has helped Bryan to capture the fluid movements of an Wushu martial artist in training on one of his street escapades.

ALWAYS CONNECTED

In an age when phone cameras are often used for quick snapshots that are subsequently shared online, Bryan believes that nothing can truly replace the functions and capabilities of a camera. The RX100 VII is a testament to his sentiment.

“I love the fact that the RX100 series ships with an EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) that lets you shoot in a traditional way,” said Bryan. “What’s more, you can send images to your smartphone via Imaging Edge immediately after shooting. This is perfect for street photography enthusiasts who wish to share their photos on the go.”

As far as street photography goes, Bryan highly recommends Sony’s RX100 VII as a handy pocket-sized companion. It is truly ideal to capture everyday moments with.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of Bryan van der Beek. They do not reflect the opinions or views of Sony.