These days, a lot can be achieved via the smartphone, an essential piece of advanced technology that’s always in our pockets. Just look at the quality of the photos that have clearly surpassed that of the old point-and-shoot cameras — do these even exist now? With Chinese New Year just around the corner though, maybe it’s time we honed those smartphone photography skills; and instead of your regular OOTDs, try looking at this year’s festivities through a familiar but different lens.
These local photographers show us how it’s done. The theme? Cultural heritage, or a look at Singapore’s nostalgic or soon-to-be forgotten spaces and traditions, which has resulted in a series of creative photographs and reconnect us to our rich heritage, all taken with the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max. Nature or old-school neighbourhoods, perhaps you’ll be inspired enough to explore and find meaning in your own spaces. Ahead, the photographers also share some tips that might get you going.
1. Jason Lim (@jsnjnr)
Location: Haw Par Villa
tip #1: look for interesting ways to frame your shot using the wide angle lens
“I remembered looking at my parents inquisitively when I was much younger, wondering how the Buddha managed to land on top of the pagoda,” said Jason Lim about his first image, which he captured using the Wide Angle lens, with the surrounding leaves framing the main subject, the Buddha.
Similarly, a combination of the Wide Angle lens and the macro function can create an interesting shot, like that of the Goddess of Mercy within the park’s gardens. A photo of The Pagoda also shows off the use of the Wide Angle lens, while having an object nearer than the subject can create a great contrast or “bokeh” effect.
tip #2: try night mode to capture crisp detail in low-light environments
Jason also shared it has been more than 30 years since he last visited Haw Par Villa’s Hell’s Museum exhibit. “It’s amazing coming back how detailed the exhibit is, especially when using Night mode,” he said.
2. Lauryn Ishak (@laurynishak)
Location: Beauty World Plaza ; Malta Crescent in Sembawang ; Yishun
tip #1: keep your eye out for soon-to-be-forgotten places
“Beauty World is an iconic place in Singapore — most know it as a place that houses tuition centers and helper’s agencies. It’s not a place frequented by most Singaporeans unless looking for a specific store although the area is currently and slowly going through a little bit of a renaissance,” says commercial and editorial photographer Lauryn Ishak. Beauty World Plaza, at dusk, was shot on the Ultra Wide Angle lens, while the old-school snacks at Nelly’s Retro Snacks caught her eye too.
tip #2: play around with the 3x optical zoom and macro modes
While on a walk through nature at Sembawang, Lauryn captured an image of an empty black and white bungalow on Malta Crescent using the 3x Optical Zoom. A close-up of flora near Yishun is shot on the Macro mode, against the sunlight for an ethereal effect.
3. Darren Soh (@darrensohphoto)
Location: Thomson Nature Park ; Night Safari at Mandai
tip #1: actively seek out places that are off the beaten path — particularly those with a rich history
While not really a typical “forgotten place”, architecture photographer Darren Soh wanted to draw attention to Thomson Nature Park, formerly a Hainan Village vacated in the 1980s and then overgrown by secondary forest. It was only recently turned into a nature park, though not many Singaporeans are aware of its existence, he shared. “Treks through the park early in the mornings will yield morning mist and dew, which I have photographed with the iPhone 13 Pro Max.”
tip #2: timing is everything, especially if you’re photographing a familiar location
Visitors to the Night Safari are almost always there for the animals, but Darren shared that a particular area next to Upper Seletar Reservoir can be beautiful at dusk. “Here’s a tip, go right when the Night Safari opens at 6.30pm because you will need to trek by foot to the spot I’ve photographed near the Indian Rhino enclosure, where you’d be greeted by the last light of day,” he said.
4. CR Tan (@xlbcr)
Location: Katong / joo chiat
tip #1: explore your neighbourhood
Food photographer and stylist CR Tan had moved to the Katong/Joo Chiat area just over a year ago, which is why he was so eager to capture the charm of his backyard. “There aren’t many high-rise buildings around, mostly shophouses with interesting histories, like the Peranakan Shop Houses that I am currently staying in.” He used the Ultra Wide Angle lens to capture the various colourful murals while out on a walkabout.
tip #2: pay attention to your surroundings, even at night
CR also shared more about the shot taken of a shophouse along Blair Road (image 1) around 10pm. Using Night mode, and with the street light shining directly on to the subjects, the unique details of the door, some chairs, and an art piece further accentuate the story in his photo.
5. Nicole Quek (@nicolequek)
Location: Katong
tip #1: be on the lookout for meaningful scenes (and cute animals) during your photo walk
Photographer Nicole also focused on Katong, a place that has had “significant meaning to me since I was child. This place brings back memories especially during the New Year when my grandmother was still around. It still amuses me until this day that this was a kampong where I used to run around barefooted.” While revisiting the area, she chanced upon a husky sitting across Roxy Square — her name happens to be Roxy too! “Portrait mode really helped capture her expression and the details of her fur.”
“When I was young, this door was like a portal of emotions (image 2) and seeing it is really nostalgic for me. I remember running out to the door from the kitchen while playing catch around the alley and sometimes even getting punished here for being a naughty child. But my most fond memory was folding paper boats with my family and watching it stream down the drain in this alley.”
tip #2: try a combination of the ultra wide angle lens and macro mode for unique perspectives
Nicole also pointed out that the Wide and Ultra Wide Angle lens are perfect for capturing the details of Katong’s alleyways, including the unfinished beads on the Manik Kasut. She also used Macro photography on the Ondeh Ondeh, giving an unusual perspective to a much-loved sweet.
6. Ivan Kuek (@phonenomenon)
Location: jurong railway line, along the green corridor
While many have heard of the Green Corridor, photographer Ivan noted “what many might not know about is that it has a lesser-known sibling, the Jurong Railway Line”. Leading westwards from the Bukit Timah Railway Station, this was a 19km-long railroad that connected Malaysia, then known as Malaya, to the Jurong industrial area’s docks, and National Iron and Steel Mills. With Singapore’s independence though, its use was limited and it eventually closed down in the 1990s. Ivan focused on the the old Bukit Timah Railway Station and Clementi Forest taken through Macro photography and the Ultra Wide Angle lens.
APPLE’S #SHOTONIPHONE CHALLENGE
Calling all smartphone photographers, Apple has announced a Shot on iPhone photography challenge, this time focusing on macro photography. They are inviting photographers from around the world, from amateurs to professionals, to submit their best macro photos shot on the Apple iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max, in order to participate.
A panel of 10 expert judges from the industry and Apple will review the submissions and select 10 winning photos, which will be celebrated in a gallery across official Apple accounts. They may also appear in digital campaigns, Apple Store locations, billboards, or in a public photo exhibition. Fyi: our local photographer Yik Keat Lee will be one of the expert judges as well!
To take part, share your favourite macro photos on Instagram and Twitter using the hashtags #ShotoniPhone and #iPhonemacrochallenge. The challenge ends on 16 Feb 2022, while winners will be announced in April 2022.
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