Actress Meryll Soriano Photographs Japanese Whimsy With the Neptune Convertible Art Lens System

For darling of Filipino independent cinema, Meryll Soriano, photography is a life-long vocation. She’s captured the wild days of her youth, unseen moments of Philippine showbiz, and adventures abroad with both film and digital cameras. But it was the Lomo LC-A which she first got in 2001 that hooked her on film photography. “It depicted how I viewed and felt about photography. It was fun, playful, no rules and just simply an expression,” she shared.

Acting since the age of 8, she was a recurring cast member in TV sitcoms like Buddy en Sol and award-winning films like Honor Thy Father (2015) and Pinoy Sunday (2009). She’s since explored other ventures, like taking up product design in Central Saint Martins and publishing a photobook about her previous life in London. Through it all, photography remains to be her grounding passion.

The actress recently went on a trip to Japan and she used the Lomography Neptune Convertible Art Lens System to photograph the country’s whimsy and heritage. Read the full interview below for her thoughts on this experimental art lens!

Hi Meryll! Welcome to Lomography. Please tell us a bit about yourself and what you do.

I'm a mother to two beautiful boys. I love being a mom. Aside from being a modern woman, motherhood is one of the best things that's happened to me. I'm an actress. I’ve been in the film and TV industry for 31 years. The set is my home. Being an actor, I am constantly and continually taught by the characters I portray and by the people I work with. I have always, always, loved photography as well as art and design. These things give a certain internal conversation and sparks up interest, happiness, sadness, rage, love and everything in between. I can truly say that photography is my Ikigai.

How did you first get into film photography?

I was in Baguio taping for a TV show. I was so young and I don't remember how I got my hands on a point-and-shoot film camera, but it was the beginning of my love story with images. I think it was for taking pictures of us on the set. My stepfather saw the printed photographs and said I have an eye for photography. The rest is history. Photography has been my intimate go-to sanctuary.

Then Lomo came along, and I was hooked. I think it was 2001 when I first got my LC-A. I fell in love. It depicted how I viewed and felt about photography. It was fun, playful, no rules and just simply an expression.

Where and what did you photograph using the Neptune Lens ?

I went and roamed around Yokohama for the first time. My family in Japan moved here from Tokyo. I’ve been around the usual tourist spots but I haven’t explored Yokohama.

I love capturing the everyday ordinary when I travel. I walked around, took snaps and my favorites are the resting man on the grass, and my self-portrait at the Yokohama Art Museum.

What’s your favorite thing about the Neptune Lens?

It’s a great way to be creative and play around. There’s so much more to explore with the Neptune Lens. It’s a great tool for practice and gives you creative power. It’s fun!

In what instances is the Neptune Lens best used?

It’s really best used for people who have time to tinker with their cameras and lenses. If you plan on traveling, I suggest dedicating days using the Neptune Lens. You will need time to probe and learn it. As for me, I only get to take photographs with my camera when I travel on my own.

What was it like shooting with the Neptune Lens System?

I love that macro adapter ring. Taking photographs up close feels personal and secretive at times. Even if you see the details, there's still something else there. The Thalassa is perfect for linear images as well as reportage. It captures mundanity and grit. While the Despina is great for editorial, fashion and portraiture.

The lenses are beautifully crafted and they produce strong images.

What do you like about analogue photography?

Analogue for me is super fun. I can take pictures seriously with all the settings and all, and I can also shoot from the hip and then I wait. I like the delayed gratification aspect of it. I think that alone is an essential skill in life. More so, nowadays, where everything is instant on social media and the internet.

Does the “hands-on” medium speak to your artistic sensibilities?

Yes, definitely. There's so much strength in having that skill to tell a story.

Where’s your happy place? Does this translate to your photography?

I love the ocean. It is my happy place. But anywhere I travel is my happy place too. It's my source of inspiration for my photography. New things to see, food, experience. Every place has a story. Every culture is different and they are so rich in every place's history.

Do you think your children will want to follow in your own footsteps in photography?

As of now, it's still me behind the lens. I also do hope that one of my sons finds joy in taking photographs.

What's it like growing up in a household with family in the limelight?

It's been difficult and it still is. That's why privacy is a very important and sacred thing for me. I need it for survival. I've always dreamed of having a simple and ordinary life. I know it sounds weird because a lot of people dream of the opposite. I have been very lucky to experience it though when I studied in London for a couple of years. It has been a beautiful journey. It was a milestone and I will forever treasure it. Just to be able to do the mundane things like walking, commuting and just doing nothing outside without anybody knowing you. It was fulfilling and it helped me realize so many things and it taught me so much. It contributes to who I am today.

What do you think about the sizeable Filipino film photography community?

That is very true. It always amazes me that this community exists strongly. I would get messages from time to time expressing their love for film and that my photographs make an impact on them and they are inspired. This makes me happy.

We, Filipinos, are creative and we thrive for creativity. It is inspiring to see works of different film-enthusiasts and artists. We have gone through so much as a people and I know for a fact that it is a big part of why we are creative. The passion from the daily struggles, the celebration of daily victories and the history that shaped us are our own and it defines our style and manner in the art that we create.

What's next for you?

I've recently ventured into content creation ever since I gave birth since I wanted to take my time with motherhood before I get back to TV/Film work. That being said, I will definitely continue focusing on motherhood, parenting and education-driven content.

TV/Film work are still in the pipeline. My newest adventure will be directing. I have been working with a team of producers and a writer on this. I am scared, excited and everything in between.

I also have been planning for ages for a photography project using film about the simplicity of daily snaps that does the opposite of social media design. This has been a dream project. Hoping to start this sooner than later.

Do you have any pointers for anyone using the Neptune Lenses for the first time?

There are no rules. Mistakes are sometimes sweet surprises. Keep trying, keep shooting. It is your world, so HAVE FUN!

Where can we find your photography work?

I have an Instagram account solely dedicated to my photography. You can check @yourcityismyplayground. I also have published a book Playground: London available on select Fully Booked branches.

Anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for this opportunity to focus on my photography. It's a very important thing to me. It makes me see things in a different light and perspective. It is also humbling to be able to share it to the world.

Thank you to Meryll for sharing your photos! You can stay updated with Meryll's exciting life and photography through her Instagram and her YouTube.

You can buy the Neptune Convertible Art Lens System in our Online Shop.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

written by margamagalong on 2024-09-14 #gear #people #culture #travel #collaboration #lomo #japan #celebrity #filipino #apac #philippines-art-lens