How to win Capture Bangkok

Time Out

09-07-2025

The final countdown is on! With our Capture Bangkok photo challenge submissions closing in less than a week on July 15, there's no better time to get out there and find your winning shot. To give you a creative boost, we asked some of our headlining photographers to share their secrets: where they find their inspiration, how they harness the city's chaotic energy, and the techniques they use to capture the real Bangkok.
This isn't just about gear; it's about perspective. It's about learning to see the beauty in the mundane and the stories hiding in plain sight. Take their advice, grab your camera, and show us the city through your eyes.
Danny
For Danny, the best photo opportunities are found far from the tourist trail, in local markets such as Khlong Toei where there's activity 24 hours a day. He enjoys the Giant Swing area, noting it's 'full of Buddhas and vintage buildings'. He's a firm believer that the morning light is ideal, but as long as the sun is out, any time is a good time to shoot. He avoids grey, overcast days that can flatten the city's dynamic character.
A longtime Canon user, Danny values the system's consistency. 'I know their colours, I know how the camera will respond', he says, 'and that lets me focus completely on the moment without the gear getting in the way'. For the Capture Bangkok project, he chose the compact Canon RF 35mm f/2.8, appreciating the hands-on control. To ensure sharp images in Bangkok's fast-paced environment, he typically shoots between f/5.6 and f/8. When it comes to photographing people, he says a little effort goes a long way. He suggests learning the simple phrase 'Tai ruup dai mai krap?', which means 'Can I take your photo?', calling it a small gesture that helps build trust.
Darkle
Darkle urges photographers to look for the city's residual energy, venturing into places where the past lingers. He points to Thonburi, especially around Tha Din Daeng, as being reminiscent of 'how much of Yaowaraj was back in the late nineties and early noughties', a place where local merchant ecosystems remain intact. His advice for those who venture there: 'Tread lightly'. He also suggests exploring the city's older arteries – the 'in-between spaces, slipstreams of movement and memory' along canals and rail lines. His favourite time to shoot is morning, when the soft light provides a 'tenderness'.
Working with Canon for this project, he found the Canon RF 24–105mm f/2.8L remarkably versatile, allowing him to 'reach further to capture candid street moments more anonymously'. He also used the RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro to isolate details, relying on the powerful 8-stop image stabilisation of the EOS R5 body. For Darkle, respect is key, but he advises against being overly deferential, believing the tension between observer and subject can produce something real. His approach is about finding the right balance – in his own powerful words, 'humility with swagger'.
Don Amatayakul
Don finds his inspiration in the lively, authentic atmosphere of local hubs like 'Bobae Market', where you can encounter the 'local way of life'. He also recommends simple, classic walking routes through Talat Phlu and Yaowarat, which are 'bustling areas that have preserved a traditional way of life', guaranteeing you'll always go home with a great shot. He is a devotee of the 'golden hour', which he feels has a 'magical quality'. This light, he finds, perfectly complements the 'soft, slightly yellowish warmth' of Canon's colour profile, making his images even more beautiful.
For his street work, Don relies on the flexibility of the RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM and RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM zoom lenses. Rather than sticking to fixed settings, he adapts to the light and uses face detection to ensure he doesn't 'miss the moment'. He believes friendly conversation is the best way to connect with people, noting that with his style – where subjects are part of a larger scene – camera size is never an issue. His post-processing in Lightroom is straightforward: he builds on the pleasing colours of the Canon RAW files to recreate the scene exactly as he saw it with his own eyes.
Ganesh Sinkorkiat
Ganesh suggests exploring the edges of the city's waterways, like the banks of Khlong Bangkok Noi, where you can still find 'ancient ways of life that still remain', from people in rowboats to the historic steam railway station. He also loves Pak Khlong Talat (the flower market) in the late afternoon, when the harsh light filters through tarps, creating dramatic pockets of light and shadow. He loves capturing the 'baskets of fruit stacked up, which provide a great variety of colours'.
On his walks, Ganesh uses the Canon RF 15-30mm for wide scenes and the Canon RF 24-105mm for specifics. He often employs a 'fishing' technique: finding a great location and then 'waiting for a good story to walk through the frame'. To be ready, he pre-sets his aperture to f/7.1 or f/8. He believes the key to photographing locals is to be friendly and observant. 'A simple smile, a nod, and the ability to read body language are essential', he advises. 'If someone seems uncomfortable, I stop shooting without forcing it'.
Hiang Kanjinna
For Hiang, the question of where to shoot in Bangkok has one simple answer: Charoen Krung. The entire road is her canvas. Her favourite time to capture this iconic road is during the golden hour, between 4pm and 6pm. Her approach is refreshingly direct. When it comes to interacting with people, she has one simple rule: 'Ask them directly, 'Can I take your photo?''.
This philosophy of clarity extends to her editing. Her signature style is a matte finish with a vignette, a look that prioritizes emotion over technical perfection. For Hiang, the bottom line is that a photo 'must be able to communicate the emotion of the photographer or of the picture itself'. It's this focus on pure feeling that makes her work so resonant.
STYLEdeJATE
Ask STYLEdeJATE for a list of hidden gems, and he'll tell you that 'everywhere we haven't been yet is a secret area worth exploring'. His advice is to 'be diligent, try entering any soi, and just keep walking', because then the city's identity will reveal itself. He often experiments by pairing his Canon mirrorless bodies with vintage manual-focus lenses, loving how the old glass can 'help erase the sharp crispness of modern lenses'.
His method for approaching people is just as organic: he smiles, says hello, and starts a normal conversation. He believes friendliness is a 'universal language' and that in Thailand, 'people are very ready to be friendly with you'. His workflow is equally spontaneous. For this project, he shot with a compact camera and printed directly with a portable Canon printer, proving that the only limitation is your own creativity.
Piti Amraranga
Piti suggests looking for places where passionate communities gather. For a unique experience, he recommends you 'buy a football ticket' and experience the atmosphere at 'PAT Stadium', home of the Port FC team. To beat the heat, he advises starting your walk in the late afternoon, around 3pm.
For this project, Piti primarily used the versatile RF 24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM lens, but his favourite is the RF 28mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens, which he calls 'the perfect size for street photography, compact, and affordable'. His advice for interacting with people is to 'act like a tourist', because locals won't question you for taking strange photos. He believes in keeping post-processing simple, reminding us that for street photography, content is key and 'imperfection is what helps your street photos look alive'.
PK Vanasirikul
PK believes the most authentic photos are found in residential areas, suggesting you explore 'Bangkrachao, meng jai or udom suk' to find 'more of a local experience'. For a different vibe, he enjoys walking around Nana and Asoke at night to capture the 'life of the underbelly seedy side of Bangkok'. He advises photographers to 'follow the moment', not just the light, because a good picture is always subjective.
He prefers the flexibility of a zoom lens and loves the Canon f/2.8 series. He's also been experimenting with slow shutter speeds for their 'surrealistic nature'. His number one rule for photographing people is politeness, believing it's 'better to just enjoy it than try to photograph it' if the moment isn't right. He finds a professional Canon camera makes you 'look more legitimate', which helps subjects feel comfortable.
Now it's your turn to shoot
You've heard the secrets from the pros; now it's your turn to make a masterpiece. The clock is officially ticking, with submissions for the Time Out Capture Bangkok photo challenge closing permanently on July 15. That leaves just a few days to get out there, follow the light, and capture that one incredible moment only you can see. For your shot at having your work hung on the gallery wall at The Corner House, submit your photos now. The city is waiting.