I was at UBIN

“Photographs will offer indisputable evidence that the trip was made, that the program was carried out, that fun was had”

Susan Sontag

In many ways, photography was opened up a new vision and perspective to people.

However, it was gives an impression that something does exist and is “Present” in that time and space. Question is, how can we use this “Present” Objects / Scenes to create something NEW.

Holding on to my new film camera, my girlfriend and I decided to take a trip down to a Island around the isle of Singapore called Pulau Ubin. Armed with just a bicycle and the camera we went around the island taking in the view and serenity not seen in the busy Singapore island. While she was there practicing “framing” - She’s a Film Major Student,

I was there looking to practice my exposure on film as well and double exposure compositions.

The thing about film is how it never fails to surprise you. 

Unlike the DSLR, you an’y bend your head down after ever shot to check if you “GOT IT!”

And considering that it was my first time using this new form of manual focus, it was hard for me to “GET IT!” However, after developing I was surprised to get a couple of interesting and planned shots. THANK GOD!

All in all, it was definitely not easy to get the focus on a film.

However, one thing it definitely does is train us to view things from angles outside of a DSLR.

Instead, we hunt for angles that we know is different.

After all, with just 36 Frames we only want the best in it.

36 Frames

Moving Back to Move Forward.
After So many months of yearning and procrastinating, finally gotten my hand on a Manual SLR. And my I've to say I'm loving every part of it.


While what seems to be the whole world moving towards the Digital Era, I choose to move a little back into the 1970s.


I'm not an old middle age man and neither am I a Hipster. I can't fit in skinnies anyways for that matter of fact. But, a good man/photographer once said, 36 frames forces you to focus on the necessary and shoot only the best. Besides that, $7.50 per roll and $6 developing fee also does the job of making sure I have only the best shots possible in that 36 frames.

Previously shooting on a Canon N series I had the ease of Auto Focus to ensure my shots are sharp. With this Manual SLR, its a WHOLE other story. 


Working on a film makes you respect all those photographers pre-DSLR. All the amazing street photographers that truly had to frame, compose and make changes within seconds to get the shot they wanted. 

With reference to one of my favorite Vietnam War photojournalist Nick Ut who shot one of the most famous photos that is iconic to the War. "The Napalm Girl " It really makes you shiver at the thought of "what if he didn't frame it well." The whole world wouldn't have seem the painful innocence of a civilian casualty. 


Then again, with the whole idea of film comes the problems.
Nothing hurts more then have a roll of film accidentally exposed or damaged.....
Its hurts just as much as realising that your CF card is corrupted after an amazing photo shoot.


Time to return to my Susan Sontag.
My goodness, they should give her articles as "A" Level examination scripts. 
Surely, there will be a uprising of disgruntled students. Then "Ways of Seeing" the next year. That would scare the living day lights of students....

First for Everything.

Over the past couple of years, one of the "real world" lessons in photography I've learnt was to grasp whole of any opportunity that comes your way. Sometime, it doesn't always turns out good and then again there are the really good once. 

Recently, I've started work as a temp worker at a local online shopping site. 

Despite the need for me to edited countless amounts of photo to make them look "clean" and folding of clothes. I've had my fair share of photography work done. After all, its not everyday where you get to shoot Semi Professional Models and get paid at the same time. Well to be frank, this was a God given opportunity and Le Girlfriend's introduce. 

One of the first shoots I did with them was for their monthly "Special Pick" from Guest. 

These time, it was for the owners of a wine bar.

Just a quick observation from the shoot.

1. There are reasons Models are paid and not free. It DOES take skill and talent to be one.

2. Reflectors might give extra light but it doesn't always does the model justice. (Photo 2.)

3. "Fashion Shoots" are about the model and how the clothes flow matters....ALOT

4. Every angle counts. Even if it means getting the model to pose for 5 minutes more. It might make the difference of a Portfolio worthy shot.

5. DO NOT LOOK DOWN ON A $100 50mm 1.8F lens.

It was disappointing that I wasn't able to get photos from this shoot into my portfolio. But darn it was a heck of a learning journey

New and Developed...

Like weapons, the evolution of cameras is just as quick and lethal.

From the old school FM and FEs to the multi-numbered camera series ,the technological improvements never seems to seize. The use of digital photography has definitely eased the increasing fascination in photography. With the cheaper availability of cameras, more has come forth to present their talents as photographers and artist. At the sometime,for some cameras have been cheapen to that of an accessory.

As much as I enjoy the cheap trills of owning a trigger happy digital camera.

Sometimes the need to return to the roots of film photography is needed. 

After all, for $7 you only get Thirty Six frames.

Each frames hurts.