Have you ever tried getting an ID photo from a makeshift street corner studio? Well, I had. And the experience can only be described as hilarious. These establishments sure use digital cameras. But before they print your photo, they apply questionable amounts of retouching techniques via Photoshop. Why? I have no idea really. Maybe Mr. Kodaker, as photographers are fondly called, is of the opinion that everyone wants to look 'chinito' or K-Pop-ish and white. One time I was surprised that my hair was obviously dark brown and straight in the photo when in reality my hair is undoubtedly curly and black. There was also an instance when my eyes looked slanted after my eye bags were magically erased in the picture.
In order to prevent these things from happening, I decided to just get my ID pictures from photo booths of old. And there is one near the entrance of Landmark Department Store. It's Foto-Me and I call it my old reliable. For PHP 80.00 you get unadulterated ID pictures almost instantly. My appearance is far from perfect, but I want my photos to look exactly like me, especially when I have to submit them to companies and government agencies.
Only one person operates the Foto-Me booth, so it closes whenever the staff is on break. Operating hours correspond to that of Landmark's. read more