Street Thoughts

I don’t want to over-intellectualize things, but after doing this for a few years now, I’ve come to the conclusion that for me, to take street photographs is to think on my feet.

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When I came upon the above scene for example, I am reminded of how much culture depends on physical toil that is too often, invisible. We marvel at the Great Wall of China, at the pyramids in Egypt, and of course, there’s an invisible history of physical toil involved.

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I like the way signs are re-appropriated for other purposes. The full-size image of an air hostess welcomes you into the shop, which is closed for lunch. I make it a point to come here every time I’m in Singapore, to check out some of those NATO watch straps.

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The deployment of trees is part of the city’s architecture.

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The trees frame the building. Living in the city, we tend to forget that it is ultimately nature that frames human activity.

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Something we do every day, waiting at a pedestrian crossing. One of those insignificant yet ubiquitous experience that characterizes urban life which we tend to forget.

Thanks for reading!

Buy my latest street photography and poetry book!

Camera: Olympus XA 3

Film: Ilford XP2

 

 

Chinatown Moments

A history of the present…

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The streets are clean.

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Street tourism.

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Somewhat in your face…

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Street prayer…

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Street fruit!

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Street selfies…

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Another history of the present…

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Thanks for reading!

Buy my latest street photography and poetry book!

Camera: Olympus XA 3

Film: Ilford XP2

Spaces of Discipline

We shape the city.

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The city shapes us.

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We create new possibilities.

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But there’re only so many paths you could choose to take.

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Sometimes the view surprises us.

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Sometimes it stops us from going further.

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We have to do the work of philosophy.

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To think about what we’re moving, and what moves us.

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Camera: Contax TVS II

Film: Kodak UltraMax 400

 

 

 

 

Against a Wall

This has been done many times before.

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I really like this wall.

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There’s texture, brick by brick.

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The colour is luminous.

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The window is dark enough.

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I’m a fly on the wall.

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Nice door.

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There’s no end to the stream of individuals.

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All deep in thought.

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Conversing with their individual humanity.

Camera: Olympus XA 3

Film: Kodak UltraMax 400

Street Colours

The street markets of Shamshuipo are very busy.

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There’s a constant assault of colours.

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There’s so much movement.

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So much that may be hidden.

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That you can’t take what you see for granted.

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Every scene is a visual poem.

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The camera is a notebook with which to write.

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Thanks for reading!

Camera: Olympus XA 3

Film: Kodak UltraMax 400

Singapore Street Photography

These are various snapshots in Singapore, with no particular order or theme in mind.

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Though I must confess a significant number of images have to do with food…

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He’s eating.

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He’s texting.

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He’s working really hard.

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He’s buying.

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I’m buying.

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I’m buying some more.

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These, I suppose, make up part of what Singapore is.

Camera: Olympus XA2

Film: Ilford XP2

Corporate Cliches

We need to avoid doing the same thing and look out for or even create the next paradigm shift.

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We need to think about how we can add value to our work.

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It’s all about win-win.

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What’s our ROI on this?

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We need to think outside the box here.

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This is inevitable – it’s because of creative destruction.

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We need to synergize our mission and vision.

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Let’s pluck the low-hanging fruit for now and circle back to this discussion later.

Camera: Contax TVS II

Film: Kodak BW400CN

Mindful Platitudes with Street Photography

What is the next step on the journey?

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Where should one go?

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What is your work building up to?

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Is it all in vain?

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Am I willing to own my mess and work with it?

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Perhaps there’s a need to sit down in the midst of things and regroup.

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Illumination can only emerge where there is darkness.

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You’ll find your own way.

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Look for the good stuff.

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And wait until it all becomes meaningful.

Camera: Contax TVS II

Film: Kodak BW400CN