Sadly, they are gone

I was reading the newspaper last week and I saw an article that Kodak will soon cease the production of my favourites Kodachrome film as it is no longer viable for their business. It was a pity because Kodachrome produces the most true to life colour and it was claimed the images would last up to a 100 years! Although I have only shot a few rolls of Kodachrome in the past, I really loved the colour it produces. I would have shot more on Kodachrome but at $14.50 per roll and having to send to Japan or Australia for processing and having to wait around 2 weeks to see the captured images were just too much for me!

On the following day, I again read in the newspaper that Farrah Fawcett has died of cancer at the age of 62. I have grown up watching the Charlie’s Angels TV Series on television during my primary school days and enjoyed watching the 3 beautiful women on TV. Finally, it was news that Michael Jackson has died of cardiac arrest at the age of 50! I watched Michael performing on TV, with his brothers in The Jacksons Five, during his younger days and followed his songs to the nineties. Some of my favourite Michael Jackson songs include Ben, Billie Jean and Beat It.

Well, I guess it is part and parcel of life that we will have lots of experiences with good things come and go. Let not the good things that are gone pull us down, we must move on with our lives and look forward to the future for it is there that we will be heading towards!

Lunch Time Photography

One morning I was helping a colleague to setup the projector in a meeting and looking out the windows to enjoy the beautiful view from the Singapore River all the way to the eastern anchorage when some bum boats on the river caught my eyes. These were not the usual bum boats that ferry visitors along the river, they were decorated with landscapes and human figures and I decided to take a closer look during lunch. I took a quick 15 minutes lunch and headed towards to Singapore River with my Olympus 570UZ camera to take some pictures.

When I got to the river, I realized the bum boats were there to promote the Singapore Art Festival and the decorations depict Singapore early settlements lifestyle. There were Kampongs with human figures dressed up in Malay sarong, Chinese Wayang (Opera) with painted faces, and Koolies (labours) carrying gunny sacks of rice and pulling rickshaws. There were the Satay man and Samsui women (红头巾) too.

All these images brought back fond memories of my younger days. I used visit my grandparent’s Kampong house in Kim Hock Road area during my parent’s off days. My uncle use to drive me to the Chinatown area to run errands and I saw workers carrying sacks of rice and rubber from bum onto the warehouses along Clarke Quay and Boat Quay. My dad also loves to bring us to eat Satay at Elizabeth Walk Satay Club. The Satay seller would charge us based on the number of Satay sticks left on the table after the meal. Yes, many people, include your truly, would throw away a couple of sticks so the meal will cost a few cents less! The Singapore River has changed so much since the sixties and seventies. It is hard to imagine that Clarke Quay and Boat Quay were some rundown warehouses and all the bum boats that berthed along the stinking rivers. I’m gladded that I have experienced the life back then and to see how much our country has progressed through the years!

I must have look like a tourist, strolling along the Singapore River with a camera in hand in the hot midday sun. There were waiters and waitresses inviting me into the restaurants for lunch. I just smile and say “no, thank you” then quickly walk on by. I spend around 30 minutes to snap some pictures and went back to work as I only have an hour lunch break.

A Morning at Botanic Garden

Last Friday I was clearing my 2008 leave and my uncle asked me if I would like to go to Botanic Garden to take some photos. As usual I would never turn down any photo opportunity and immediately agreed.

The day was overcast but luckily the rain only comes after we have finished our photography. I was rather lazy that day so I only brought my Nikon D300 with an 18-200and a SB800 flash.

Here are some photos from the morning outing.










Here are the Panoramic Series

Germany visitors

I have always wanted to visit the Marina Barrage since it started operation but did not manage to find the opportunity to do so until recently when two of my friends came over from Germany for holidays.

I met up with my friends (Sebastian & Christina) and an ex-colleague (Jackie) for lunch at the Prima Revolving Restaurant. After which, Jackie suggested to bring Sebastian and Christina to Marina Barrage for sightseeing and I happily agreed because I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time! Best of all, Jackie was driving that day and we have free transportation there!

We reached the Marina Barrage at around 3pm in the afternoon and the sun was scorching hot and it is not a good time for photography but I couldn't careless. I just wander around and snapping away happily. I could probably get much better pictures if I had my Polarising filter with me but I guess a beggar shouldn't be a chooser so I just make the best of the given opportunity!

Here are some photos taken from the Prima Revolving Restaurant and the Marina Barrage.