Landscape Photography in Singapore - In a Day

Marina Bay Sand and Garden by the Bay

Singapore, close neighbor to Malaysia never seem to be strange for me. As soon as my sibling settled down here, i always get a chance to visit there whenever i can. I've been reluctant to bring my camera on streets to capture the faces of Singapore, because we shared similar culture here in Malaysia. However, now Singapore have become one of my favorite destination for landscape/ architecture photography, you can find many interesting building and cityscape easily in this beautiful country. 

Singapore is not only a holiday destination for me - Its a city i'd be happy to call home. I have sibling staying here, i have no problem communicate with the people here, they have food that i loved. A perfect blend of Indian, Malay, Chinese, and plenty of Caucasians, make this place wonderful full with beautiful culture, and delicious food, satisfying your taste bud every moment. They have systematic transportation service; and cleanliness of the streets make you feels like in a hospital, but really, there are nothing much to complaint about, other than the size of the country.

Clarke Quay at Night

Marina Sand at night, during a show

Louis Vuitton Exclusive Retail shop @ Marina Bay Sand

Louis Vuitton Exclusive Retail shop @ Marina Bay Sand

Shoot the entire photographs with my previous Canon 60D, its an awesome camera for landscape, you can adjust everything in live view mode including metering and exposure chart, as well as the lever tool. Carrying a Velbon tripod weighted more than 2KGs, together with a bag of Lenses walking around the city and got lost, couldn't find a way to go through another side of the river at Marina Sand. End up spending more than 5hours walking in the middle of the city and reach home by 3AM in the morning.

Vibrance of the Lion City

Marina Bay Art Path

Garden by the Bay

Messing around in this city is really fun, you got lost on the road sometimes but you will never get lost if you are taking a MRT. It's so convenient to transport you from one place to another, you don't need to be a genius to understand their route, its as easy as breathing. Singapore can be a great city to experimenting architecture photography, because you get so many object to shoot in the town, typically in Raffles Place, City Hall, and other major white collar zone. Personally, i really like shooting in Singapore, because you can get pretty much different perspective as they have beautiful blend of different culture (Modern, and Traditional). Hopefully i will be in Singapore again for the coming semester break, or during my sister wedding (looking for further updates), will do more street photography this time with my beloved Lumix GF1 (One of the best camera i ever owned).

If you would like some tips on where to visit in Singapore, i hope i can help, just send me an email or enquiry through this website, and i will try my best to assist!

byUnknown

in Architecture Photography, Canon 60D, CityScape, Clarke Quay, Landscape Photography, Marina Bay, Samyang 8mm Fisheye, Singapore, Tamron 17-50mm Non VC

10:48:00

Landscape Photography in Singapore - In a Day

Marina Bay Sand and Garden by the Bay Singapore, close neighbor to Malaysia never seem to be strange for me. As soon as my sibling sett...

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5 Tips To Photograph On Streets

At one time of my photography life i only did landscape photography. Why? Because you capture no human being but some non-moving, and non interactive subject. I don't have to communicate, or interact with the person to shoot the photograph. Waking up very early in the morning to capture sunrise at the beach side, enjoy the sea breeze and wind blowing off your hair. Combine good use of filter, tripod, and carefully composite your image before the actual sunrise.

However, photographs on the streets mean something completely different. Faces, expression, and interesting moment. You will not have another extra second to think and composite the photo before it gone. This is what distinguish landscape and street photography.
You can't estimate what you will capture on the street".

This shot was taken at Royal Palace @ Bangkok. The cherish expression on their faces weren't fake, they were came from bottom of their heart.
Every trip down to the street is an adventure, knowing when to press your shutter require utmost creativity and experience. Photographing a piece of interesting street life means you don't ask permission from your subject, in order to capture the true form of them (Of course with proper manner). Eric Kim is one enthusiasts on street photography, be truthful, i don't respect the way he take a camera and flash pointed at random people for photograph.

A cambodian kid from nearby village sitting all alone posing for photograph at Angkor Wat @ Siem Reap.
Well, how do i shoot on streets? I realize 5 tips that benefits me most shooting on streets.

1. The smaller camera, the better.
People tend to be scared off when you point at them with a big-bazooka-DSLR-Lens. They feel threatening when you use a long telephoto lens and point at them, and it is very obvious you are photographing them, hence, it isn't candid shot anymore! A point and shoot camera can be a good option for this kind of photography, it bring less attention to your subject. Imagine the situations when you were randomly being photographed on street with DSLR and a small P&S camera.

I waited her to turnaround and look at me after i carefully composites this photograph, and i clicked the shutter.
2. Be more patience.
When you're at a location, don't just shoot whatever thing you saw on the streets. Instead, spend more time watching things surround you and predict what might happen next, your object might walking toward a scene of beautifully lit background; a children walking toward you and beg for your kindness.

When i walked through the Aranyaprathet (Thailand) - Poipet (Cambodia) boarder, she noticed me and begged for $1 from me.
3. To have ethics and manner on the streets.
Sometime it be can interesting to get involve with your subject, to ask question that can answer your curiosity on their action. Understanding the subject to create photograph that create meaning and bring message to others rather than merely snap shots. Thank your subject by giving a nod and smile is utmost important to show respect, if possible, give them a copy of the photograph later on.

These children were shy but curious to see what's in my camera

4. Don't hesitate deciding on a shot.

When it comes to street photography, you don't have time to hesitate, Henri Cartier Bresson summing up street photography with his words "Decisive moment". "It's always better to press shutter when you hesitate", says Eric Kim. You may have missed the decisive moment if you always in doubt. Memory card is the best invention for photographer nowadays because you can shoot as much as you want, and experience a lot different techniques and review the instant result. 

This street lady got angry when she noticed i took a photograph of her, then i apologized and walk away. (Not every Vietnamese are photogenic)

5. Write about your photographs

Take a break from your busy schedule and write something to describe your photographs, recall the moment when you press the shutter, what's in your mind? What draw you to snap the photograph? Explain about the situation, the composite, or the intention of the photographs. It makes you think, and to know what you really want to achieve. 

One of the final and most heard tips is that, "get out there and do more shooting". Its most practical advice you can get from most experience photographers out there. It is like a cycle, when you shoot a lot, you get to practice a lot; and when you get to practice a lot, you tend to understand better on how your camera actually works; Then you get comfortable with your camera, and now you only require little consideration on getting the shot you want despite messing around with camera and afraid to scare or scared off by your subject. 

Well go out and shoot!!

What are your personal street photography tips or experience? Share them by leave a comment below!

byUnknown

in Bangkok, Nikon 35mm f1.8G, photography tips, Potrait, Royal palace, Street Photography, Tamron 17-50mm Non VC, Vietnam

04:58:00

5 Tips To Photograph On Streets

At one time of my photography life i only did landscape photography. Why? Because you capture no human being but some non-moving, and non in...

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Hoi An - Vietnam Experience

Hoi An situated approximately 2 hours, or 130KM south of Huế, It took 2Hours by sleeper bus. It was really a brand new experience for myself, i never seen a sleeper bus in Malaysia, but you can find it easily here in Vietnam. Hoi An Ancient Town has more than 2,000 years history was the primary port of Cham Kingdom. It has once become the favorite port for Japan and China to outsource their market into South East Asia, because of this, Hoi An is rich in Chinese and Japanese culture and architecture. 

Arrived at evening, checked in to Hoa My Hotel, I was lucky enough to get free upgrade again, triple bed for myself. There weren't many choices in Hoi An as it's really a small town based on tourism industry. So with $10, you can get a room like this, still pretty good deal. 

 

Address:
Hoa My I Hotel: 201 Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hoi An Ancient Town, Viet Nam
Tel : 84.510.3916582 * Fax : 84.510.3916855
Hoa My II Hotel :44 Tran Cao Van St, Hoi An Ancient Town, Viet Nam
Tel : 84.510.3864267 * Fax : 84.510.3916855
Email : hoamyhotel2003@yahoo.com

After wash up, grabbed my tripod and head outside to get some night landscape. This old town has many Tailor shop and Souvenir shop, they open for business till very late. Walking along the Thu Bồn River River, it was an important Vietnamese trading centre in the 16th and 17th centuries, where Chinese from various provinces as well as Japanese, Dutch, and Indian settled. Somehow i comes to the famous Japanese bridge, it is a unique covered structure built by the Japanese, the only covered bridge with a bud dish pagoda attached to one side.

          Hoi An Ancient Town night street landscape

          Hoi An Signature drawing shop

          Row-full of Shoes shop selling tailored shoes

One of my favorite food in Hoi An is the baguette filled with various ingredients include pork belly, vegetables, chilly paste, eggs, ham, and sauces. Believe of not, i had 5 Bánh Mì as my Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Each cost 10,000 Dong, around $0.50 USD, Yes, thats awesome deal. This could be one of the main reason that drive me back to visit Vietnam again!

Entry to all historical sites in Hoi An is via a coupon system, you have to purchase the coupon cost 90,000 dong (US$5) to enter five attractions: one museum, one old house, one assembly hall, the handicraft workshop (and traditional music show) or the traditional theater, and either the Japanese Covered Bridge or the Quan Cong Temple. Tickets can be bought from various entry points into the Old Town, including Hai Ba Trung Street, and also at some of the attractions, including the Cantonese Assembly Hall. The city requests that visitors to dress appropriately while visiting sites in the Old Town, to show respect to the local culture.

People in Hoi An is relatively friendly, maybe they get used to see tourists everyday, thus have no obligation toward the visitors. You can see the lady posed and throw her smile at me before i press my shutter, then she tries to sell banana to me. Aww..

          My most satisfied shot throughout my trip

In a nutshell, I doesn't really enjoy the trip in Hoi An. Despite it is a very small town, the best thing to do here is to do shopping and tailoring. Since i have no interests in either of these activity, Hoi An seems a little bit boring to me, 2nights is too long for me, i recommend travelers like me to do 1night trip or day trip to Hoi An.

However, there were things that i enjoy while i was here. Firstly, many restaurant offer cheap draft beers, it only cost 3.000 Dong ($0.30 USD). Furthermore, the food is delicious, but if you choose to eat in a restaurant, it might be slightly inflated due to the tourist trade. A papaya salad cost me 60,000 Dong, which allow me to buy 6 pieces of baguette (Yes, Im obsessed with the baguette). 

As for the tourist site, most of the houses have more than 200 years history, but in my own opinion it doesn't worth the visit as most of them were reconstruct facsimiled. Last thing about Hoi An is their beach, undeniable they have a really beautiful beach. I doesn't have the chance to play in the water, but sitting below a coconut tree near the seaside was relaxing enough to fall asleep. Well, i would not wish to come back unless i want to make a really nice tailored fitting suite for myself, somedays.

byUnknown

in Canon 60D, Hoi An, Street Photography, Tamron 17-50mm Non VC, Travel, Vietnam

11:07:00

Hoi An - Vietnam Experience

Hoi An situated approximately 2 hours, or 130KM south of  Huế, It took 2Hours by sleeper bus. It was really a brand new experience for myse...

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Huế - Vietnam Experience

This was my second experience on a foreign train after Bangkok - Aranyaprathet. When i boarded to the train, i saw most of the locals sitting in a group relaxing. Perhaps most of them travel in group with family or friends. As soon as the train started to run, i saw a family taking out their stuff from plastic bag, from drinks, to Bread, Cheese, Ham, and fruit. They were really well prepared for the long ride!

The train officer sell food and drinks on board with slightly higher price, but was acceptable. Things that amazed me is that no matter what they eat, the waste will directly throw from the window to outside. Well, i don't practice this so i kept the rubbish and passed it to the officer, but what happen is that they receive the rubbish from my hand and throw them directly through the window. Immediately i was stunt. Well, since I'm in their territory, so i think should follow their culture so i got used to it very soon. *Its a bad habit!

A lovely women slept on her husband's lap after many hours spent in the train. They must gone through many things in their life together, Happy, Sorrow, Tears, and laughter. Im envious at them, wonder if i can be like them one day, holding my partner's hand, walk around the beach every evening, with my kids running around us, share the joyful moment everyday. Throughout the journey, i met some friendly Vietnamese offer me fruits along the journey, and i also met a Vietnamese who speak Malay to me and letting me know when i arrived at my destination.

Stepping down from the train station after 20hours on wooden hard seat is really killing me. Finally i arrived in Huế, the historical city of Vietnam. At 3AM in the morning, I quickly flash out my iPad and figure out the way to my hotel. It wasn't far from the Train station to the place i heading to, approximately 20minutes by walk. Along the way there were many motorcyclists offered me riding services but i rejected them all. Soon later, i arrived in the hotel, "Than Thien Hotel" (Friendly Hotel). The receptionist was sleeping, but notice my arrival soon after i rang the door bell, he greeted me with singlet and short pants, and said he was waiting for my arrival, thats pretty awesome hospitality!

I booked a superior room via Agoda but they upgraded the room to deluxe room due to the unavailability of superior room. The room is super clean and look modern, its simply elegant. They even have wooden floor! For $10/Night, i have nothing to complaint about!

ADDRESS:
ThanThien1 Hotel: 10, Nguyen Cong Tru Street, Hue City, Vietnam
Tel: (84-54) 3834.666/3934.777 - Fax : (84-54) 3834.555

Mobile Phone: 84 - 913425306 (CEO - Sales: Mr. Thuy, MBA- Manager, speak English)

The next day, i was lucky enough to be in Huế on 2nd of September, which is their National Day. I met my CouchSurfing friend -Amy Nguyen in my hotel and she brought me to the Imperial Citadel just across the Truong Thien Bridge. Admission was free because it's Vietnam National Day. The spectacular Citadel was surrounded by local crowds from around Vietnam. 

Walking around this place gave me a feeling like time-walking to 80's and 90's, as u can see from their outfit, it gave me sort of retro feeling. Everyone is in group with big smile on their face and non-stop talking. *Vietnamese people speak really fast.

Huế Imperial Citadel has more than 200Years of history when Nguyễn Phúc Ánh took control over Vietnam and proclaimed himself as Emperor Gia Long. He chosen Huế as central headquarter to built this Palace. More than thousands of workers involve in the building of this Citadel. 

 A young lady look totally lost in the busy streets. 

The best delicacy in Vietnam require you to be down-to-earth and squat down to wait them to serve you. Guarantee tip top satisfaction for your tummy. Spring rolls with fresh vegetables and meat are typical Vietnam street food.

I have no idea why they put flower on the lock. I found this place on my way to visit some of the Emperor Tomb, the place is locked up, and flowers attached with the lock were shriveled. My local friend told me they put the flower with purpose, but even her don't know the exact reason why.

 Vietnam flag flying as the people celebrating National Day. It is one of the emperor Tomb in Huế. 

Personal Experiences in Huế. 

1. Expenses can be relatively cheap here, with $10 you can get a pretty comfy hotel room!

2. Vietnam Local cuisine, you have to be down-to-earth in order to get delicious and affordable Meal!

3. Bargain, even a bottle of mineral water from local grocery store.

4. Local tend to say hi when you pass by. In their language, Hi refer to "Hey, you are foreigner, i want to earn some money from u". *Not all but majority i'd say.

5. Friendly local friend be my tour guide, showing me around and have fun time in their unique local coffee shop.

In sum, Positive experiences beyond negative, definitely will come back again.

byUnknown

in Amy Nguyen, Canon 60D, Couch Surfing, Huế, Imperial Citadel, National Day, Spring Roll, Street Food, Street Photography, Tamron 17-50mm Non VC, Travel, Vietnam

10:33:00

Huế - Vietnam Experience

This was my second experience on a foreign train after Bangkok - Aranyaprathet. When i boarded to the train, i saw most of the locals sitti...

Read More