When Glenn asked if I wanted to go to some random deserted house to shoot, i immediately said yes without asking much more. I’m glad to have been too lazy to do any research prior because if i had did, i would have likely said no.

Again, another good article by The Smart Local might make you think twice too.

The pictures between than and now shows how much more dilapidated the place has become. We went there around 5.30pm and didn’t had much time before evening came. Glenn and I swore we heard some weird ass chanting as we were outside the house but STILL went in. Folly of our youth. haha. Thankfully, nothing else happened.

Inside the place… hot damn, it was eerie af. Though, the one thing that made me less afraid was the fact that much of the graffiti had pictures of dicks drawn (LOL).

Towards the end, the sun seemed to be setting too quickly and no way in hell i was gonna stay in that place.

Explore at your own risk - apparently, this spot is also out of bounds.

Faces of Havelock.

It started as the above… but having lived here temporarily for a year plus, i find myself documenting the area a little bit. Here’s what I see.

Cameras: Olympus EM1 MARK 2 / Fuji / Leica / iPhone

Impromptu shoot with Kai. Testing out the Fuji X100F which i eventually sold because… Leica has spoilt me :p I kid… it’s a great camera for what it is!

Love exploring neighbourhoods like this. The heartlands has a heart.

Camera: Fuji X100F

It will not be possible for Singaporeans without a home to "Stay Home".

Disclaimer: This was an impromptu solo walk that i took. Had to go to the office and decided to take a long, long walk to the train station.

I have not been able to find that many articles about about the correlation with COVID stay home order and struggles of the homeless. But did find this article/video that shed some light of their plight.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/housing-the-homeless-in-singapore-video-11754242

TL;DR

- Those who find shelter gain weight, start to think better and start to converse better

- Those on the streets are target of crime and lose their IC making it harder to get help

- Some remain homeless by choice

- Singaporeans do not want to see homeless in their backyard

This isn't a political piece... just... when things look clearer on the streets when everyone else is staying at home. I did speak to this lady and asked if she had eaten... and she pointed to her plastic bag to say she has. I offered her some money to which she declined at first. But i just pushed it towards her and she looked happy. I hope she has somewhere to go this evening. Anywayyyyyyy... not really a rant lah... but i think i will go check out Redemption Hill Church Renewal thing and see how i can get/educate myself a bit more.

If you know an organisation or have a contact i could over my help (volunteering etc) just let me know!

EDIT: MORE INFORMATION

SALT AND LIGHT

"HHOS founder Abraham Yeo, 38, told Salt&Light: “If we see the homeless on the street, we can give food and water and ask them how their health is – these are simple but thoughtful ways that we can help.”

https://saltandlight.sg/news/novel-coronavirus-homeless-hearts-sg-takes-to-the-streets-to-care-for-destitute/

HOMELESS.SG

Tips to help if you come across the homeless

https://homeless.sg/tips-to-help/

Every time i shoot with Kai, we end up doing some stupid (fun) shit. Sometimes he'll spot a really funny image idea, or i'll get him to help me take a shot. Credit goes to both of us just having fun.

Featuring... our gravity defying sofa. Kai makes it look easy. I tried, but failed.

"Seashells for Sail"... so. damn. cute.

Probably one of those stories of how a future entrepreneur starts. This little boy,  Wyatt, just returned from Krabi... and the next day, was selling (Sailing) seashells!

So cuteeeeee, omg. He was also teaching another little boy around his age how to drill holes into the shell, how to paint them and how to attach the ribbon.

We bought a simple bracelet. I thought it was quite cute and ended the day with coffee :)

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Shot this set with my new (vintage) Leica 35mm Summicron! From the 1970s. Love it... some additional images at the back.

This is why street photography is so fun :)

I visited Lorong Buangkok hearing that it is the last such Kampung on mainland Singapore.

Local content website “The Smart Local” has a really excellent piece that shares about the Kampung’s rich history and background.

The place was definitely unlike anywhere else in Singapore. TIme seems to run a little slower, the air a little cooler atmosphere was really laid back.

Walking into one of the compounds, i saw a little girl, her dad, and their grandma tending to their garden! There were other visitors in the area as curious as i was. Very much like tourists in our own countries, pictures were taken to preserve the memory of their visit. I would like to think the picture probably serves more to immortalise the memory of the place.

Speaking to the gentleman with his daughter, he shared how his grandma still lives there and despite her old age (80!), she still stays very active. He visits her regularly on the weekend coming from his home in Yishun and brings her daughter along to visit grandma. I joked with the grandma (which the grandson helped me translate) about how strong she was despite her age. I walked away at first… but decided to come back and make a quick family portrait for them. Perhaps i’ll come back again and visit with a print for them :)

Camera: Canon 5D Mark 4
Lens: Canon 50mm F1.2 L

We took a stroll through Joo Chiat starting from Eunos MRT. I've found 4pm - 7pm to be a perfect time in Singapore. Its not too warm, people start to come out... and the light is usually very nice.

All shot on a Leica M240, primarily with the 50mm Summicron V5 (took a small handful of shots with the 35mm Summicron v3). Post production in LR with intent to make it look film-like.

I really love the 50mm for street.

I have found it a little bit hard to capture Tiong Bharu because i live nearby. Familiarity i guess, doesn't always help :P (excuses...) However, as i walked about, details called out and stories turned up around corners. Here's a small simple set taken with the folks from @Instasg It was a fun first meeting with a rather diverse bunch!

All taken on a Leica M240 with a 50mm Summicron v5.

Ash and i decided to go to Upper Bukit Timah for lunch at this place called Revelry - i didn’t take pictures of food.

We walked by the road Lorong Kilat and saw this really interesting space/shop along the dusty road. The neatly stacked lines of hats and caps caught my eye and we walked in. There was no one around and i pulled out my camera to take a few pictures.

We tried to Google search this place but barely any information came up except this small piece she found online here:

—————
Singapore Chinese Welfare Association. Formerly known as the Hawker Association of Sin Chews, it was established in 1947. The members are all hawkers of Bukit Timah's seven-mile Pasar. In November 1967, the application for registration was approved and renamed as the current name. Mission: Relieve the disaster victims, help the poor, and organise charitable welfare undertakings. There are sub-help clubs to take care of the aftermath of members and their families. The 15th (1982-1983) president was Chen Guishui.

—————

Camera: Leica M10
Lens: 35mm Summicron F2 ASPH

Went on another awesome photowalk with the Leica User Group Singapore to the Pasir Panjang Wholesale Market! This market has like a tsukiji market kinda vibe except the seafood is dry, haha! Anyway… been awhile since i posted here. Hope you enjoy these images!

Camera: Leica M10
Lens: 35mm Summicron ASPH

Gritty faces, Asian Vampires, Quiet time, Fleeting glances and love. The subway has it all.

All shot on the Fuji XT-2.
Edited in Lightroom

A trolley, a crazy, adventure time. Cameo appearance by a fun stranger. Thanks for letting us be weird!

Also, some really nice grills, gates and texture around the area. 

Shot on a Canon 5D Mark 4 with the basic 50mm F1.4 lens.

A disused bottling factory. Urban exploration.

Camera: Fuji XT-2 with Leica 50mm Summicron and some Fuji lenses.
 

From my last visit to Joo Chiat, i promised myself to visit the area again. This visit is it! 

This isn't the most optimal time to do street shooting (9.30-11.30) because in Singapore, it gets too hot. But this weekend has been rather busy so i could only afford this window. From my experience, the best time to shoot, with the best light is 5-7pm; It is cool enough that you have more people activity and depending where you are, light and shadows are generally better. Joining me for this short walk about is Klein from Malaysia. Cool chap.

Camera: Leica M240
Lens: 28mm Summicron
Edited for a film-esque feel in Lightroom

Just when i was starting to feel a bit jaded… i went somewhere further and the rush comes back… street documentary the magic of really making me happy.

Camera: Leica M10
Lens: Leica 50mm ASPH Summilux

Visited Treasures of The Natural World at the Singapore Art Science Museum. I guess i’m more a fan about human history and less… natural history. But it was still a really good exhibition and well laid out. We had a good time :)

Camera: Leica M240
Lens: Leica 50mm Summilux and Leica 28mm Summicron

Went on a short trip to Ipoh. My first time here! Some interesting characters, good food and very laid back. of course, made possible only with Ash’s super hospital family!

Camera: Leica M10
Lens: Leica 50 Summilux and 28 Summicron (…and iPhone for 1 picture)

Full gallery here.

Finally, Kai and I got down to visiting Punggol to do some street shooting! It’s a really interesting location in Singapore. Really really wonderful canal (i think…) running through the middle of housing blocks.

A pity however, that we could hunt or chase for good light because the skies were pretty overcast.

Nonetheless, still a good walk with interesting moment, a great art wall mural and a crazy good bird whisperer!

Camera: Leica M10
Lenses: Leica 50mm Summilux and Leica 28mm Summicron

The Leica User Group of Singapore Facebook group organised a photowalk around Tekka Market and Little India. Met very cool folks like Paul Nah, Jesmen and Augustine amongst others who love street photog and Leicas :p

Despite the extremely warm and sticky weather… it was an eye opener for me. The market was abuzz with activity, people were kind and friendly.

Through the day, we marvelled at the colours of the shophouses along Little India, the beautiful murals painted on shophouses and enjoyed all that the streets had to offer.

I felt the most memorable images taken that day was of this uncle fixing and painting one of the many colourful windows of the shophouses. I had a few thoughts… I i didn’t expect a chinese uncle to be the one fixing the door… i had expected an Indian uncle because it was LIttle India (But i guess that makes me quite myopic given our multi cultural society). I chatted with him slightly further, and i wish i spoke more, but he seemed genuinely happy to have someone talk to him and ask him about his work. Even though he was a little shy at first as i coaxed him to let me take a portrait of him, he eventually didn’t mind and stood up. I missed his name, but i remember the feeling of that day.

I’m encouraged to continue to chat more with the folks of our everyday. To learn more about people and perhaps learn from their stories and experiences.

Camera: Leica M240
Lens: Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH, Leica 28mm Summicron ASPH

Got a new lens today! The very polarising Voightlander Nokton 35mm F1.4. Some people find the barrel distortion too distracting. Some find the bokeh too jittery. Well, i really like it. I like the contrasty colours and it’s sharp enough for what it is. Strongly recommend this lens as a beat around, small and compact, fast 35mm!.

Did some lame-ass instagram type shots but i thought they were cool. haha. Thanks to James for helping me shoot some shots i had in mind and showing me where to find the marina bay maze.

Camera: Leica M10
Lens: Voightlander 33=5mm F1.2 (and some shots with the Leica 50mm F1.2)

Singapore top-down flag shot (2nd image) #takenoniphone haha!