Places In Singapore That Don’t Look Like Singapore, As Shot By Local Photographers Using Only Their Phones
Time to explore your own backyard.
Singapore was recently minted the most Instagrammable place in the world by a British travel publication — the magazine highlighted photogenic spots with splendid IG opps, you know, like well-known landmarks like Gardens by the Bay and Haji Lane.
But if you’re looking for photo opps in lesser-seen sites on our sunny shores, you’re in luck. Intrepid local photographers share some of their photos of photo-worthy spots around the island.
Some have even uncovered IG-worthy spots that don’t even look like Singapore, and others showcase well-known spots in a whole new light — and without fancy equipment too, just their iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max. They’ve also dispensed tips, so all you need to do is to pick up your phone and head out to explore.
Haw Par Villa
Local photographer Jason Lim explored the recently refurbished attraction, an oldie but goodie for all things kitschy.
Tip: To add interest to his snap of The Pagoda, Jason reveals that using the wide angle lens while having an object closer to you than the subject creates a IG-worhty ‘bokeh’ effect.
Malta Crescent in Sembawang
Transported to another era in this tranquil landscape in Malta Crescent is commercial and editorial photographer Lauryn Ishak.
Tip: Nothing fancy needed to capture this shot – just a keen eye, a love for nature, and the 3x optical zoom function on the phone.
Thomson Nature Park
Why not stop for a moment for a breathtaking photo on your next hike like Darren Soh did? The architectural photog explores the lesser-known Thomson Nature Park, a former Hainan Village that was turned into a nature park.
Tip: Go early in the morning to capture this shot of morning mist and dew like he did on his iPhone 13 Pro Max on the wide angle mode.
Night Safari
Who knew there was a view like that tucked away in the Night Safari? This shot, also taken by Darren, goes to show that the next time you’re there, don’t just traipse around looking for animals.
Tip: “Go right when the Night Safari opens at 6.30pm ’cos you’ll need to trek by foot to the spot I’ve photographed near the Indian Rhino enclosure where you’ll be greeted by the last light of day,” Darren shares.
Blair Road
Food photographer and stylist CR Tan discovered this little nook in Tanjong Pagar after he’d attended an event in the area. Surprise, surprise, this was taken, not in the day, but at 10pm in the back alley of a shophouse.
Tip: Make use of street lighting — in this case, it was shining directly on the door and the objects — and use the night mode for the shot.
05 cr joochiatwallmural
CR also explores his own neighbourhood of Joo Chiat, specifically, the Peranakan shophouses where he lives. Some of the shophouses in the 'hood have been given a facelift with these new murals, "adding more colours and charm to the [neighbourhood]," he says.
Tip: Use the Ultra Wide Angle to capture the vibrant murals in different perspectives.
Katong
Nicole Quek spent her childhood in the Katong neighbourhood, which is now popular among café- and IG-philes with the countless shophouses and Insta-worthy cafes that are in the area. Yet, the photographer manages to make a familiar scene even more interesting with this photo of the street, shot atop an overhead bridge.
Tip: "I shot this by using the bridge railing as a tripod. However, with the advanced night mode, I still can shoot amazing and sharp pictures at night without worrying if it'll turn out underexposed or blurry. I wanted to try creating some light streaks which I’ve never done before. This was shot by adjusting my shutter speed to one second,” she says.
Clementi Forest
Are we in Jurassic Park? The lush Clementi Forest has become quite the hiking hotspot over the course of the pandemic. Photographer Ivan Kuek ventures along the 19km-long Jurong Railway Line to snap these shots.
Tip: Ivan used the macro photography mode and ultra wide angle on the iPhone 13 Pro Max to get his shot.
