I've figured out why i dont like shooting in singapore
it feels so stifling shooting here!When u capture photos you're looking to bring out a certain theme, event or feeling that the place gives you. You're trying to play on it, naturally or manipulatively in order to achieve your desired feel. Thats scenario one, when you kinda understand the place you're in and you're thinking about your shots. This happens most of the time when you're shooting for events, performances, parties, where shooting is very deliberate..the feel is already probably there and you're just trying to capture it. Thats where the skill and technical comes in..haha.Cambodia this year was exactly like that. i had in mind what i wanted to shoot, had no idea how to use an slr, went for the trip with my uncles 350d, shot everything in manual but absolutely loved it. Of course the editting after that was hell, considering that almost every single shot was over exposed. Even until now i dont know how to meter properly, and yes so my technical sucks, but thats not the heart of photography! i try to defend myself against the rampant bombardments of techies john and zong jie.
Scenario two is when you walk into a place with no prior assumptions, and you're open to shooting whatever catches your eye...which is often very good cause you enter open minded..But of course as you begin to spend more time in the place and if you enjoy it, scenario one naturally develops sub consciously, and u joyfully gallop through that town/city/countryside and just love shooting in that place. You're not thinking too much, you're exploring the new sights but when something catches your eye, you go in and frame the shot. thats very enjoyable=) That was perth in June, first trip on my d70s, din quite know what to expect besides nature and nice vineyards and azure blue seas, actually thats pretty much everything...but the place was nasty beautiful. even in 'winter'.(place, not trip..good photography trip..but normal dont like some people holiday)
and so...back to the point of why i dont like shooting in singapore. As i mentioned when u shoot, u look for a feeling to capture, you do this either consciously or if ure enjoying yourself so much u dont even know ure looking for those good shots. and sad to say, shooting in singapore captures no feeling. or rather it captures the culture- of no culture. of iron steel buildings, unfeeling, with the random religious festive activity. shenton way shenton way. little india little india. cliché of clichés! there is no singaporean feel that i am proud of or can enjoy. and so it just doesnt come out in photos.Even our poetry is a reflection of our lack of culture. gerh 'no other city'. Exact same story. And so i've figured that enjoyment appears in the sub communities, family, close friends, entertaining events. These are nice to shoot. But in terms of the national identity? naah....i dont want to go to boat quay and capture the brown statues of boys jumping into the river. or of shenton way. eh?
of course this isnt to say that u cant capture good photos in singapore, i've seen some amazing shots of little india from some really talented guys. And in a sense to me thats more out of art sake, theyre just really really good. maybe the feel u get from the teh and curry man can be quite interesting, but that still a very isolated case. very individualized, to capture the identity of that man and his store, that character, but other than that, i dont see anything in singapore that is worth shooting.
so anyway, yes i dont like shooting along our streets. very boring. dont like the feeling it evokes, the singaporean feel. so suck. oh well..so late already...have to wake up at 7 to go back to school and hand up report book -.- and its 3.20 now. and yes theres still a tennis party to plan with some people not responding as fast as what would be greatly appreciated. which is just ass irritating.....but nvm..thats for tomorrow to worry about. gah..holiday..and life is stressful. im ignoring the cynical bitter and pissed off part. sounds so happy.
posted by gneh-snah @ 9:43 AM
1 Comments:
i agree.
street photography is only as interesting as the people walking along those streets.
im pretty sure you can get a good series on Singaporean HDBs tho. i shall try it someday
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