Category: Photography

My First Experience with Large Format Photography

I swore I would never touch the large format photography, yet before long I got my first large format camera, which was made of wood, specifically teak: the Chamonix-F2 4×5. It’s really a lightweight camera, just around 2kg, which gives it a great advantage for field shooting.

I took it to Thomson Natural Park twice for practicing, but unfortunately, I only managed to fail even after making lengthy preparations, including framing, light metering, focusing and other steps. The major mistake I made the first time was using an unsuitable loupe, which has a 15x magnification that made the focusing process so difficult, resulting in me hardly being able to guarantee the focusing accuracy.

I hesitated to press the shutter that time, and didn’t do so until the sun went down. I had to leave the park before the light faded completely.

As for the second time, I made another mistake that lacked common sense. I used a Rodenstock Grandagon-N 90mm f/4.5 lens, with which the bulb shutter can be fired without being cocked. I struggled to cock and fire the bulb shutter, but I couldn’t get it to work properly no matter how many times I tried. However, I got perfect framing and accurate metering during this time, and I believe it’s a valuable takeaway for me to gain experience with large format photography.

Eventually, I took my first 4×5 film last weekend at the Armenian Church, the small and peaceful place I loved so much. I shot the main body of the church on white&black film, and what’s worth noting, I also practiced technical maneuvers like rise/fall during this shoot, which are specialized features provided by large format cameras.

The Mint, SG

No Photography for a Long Time

I can hardly remember the last time I went out for photography: where I went and what pictures I took.

In these two weeks, I am spending almost all my time on my work and moving out of the last residence, which is making me feel tired and anxious.

Luckily, good news, I really found some great spots for photography around my current residence recently, during my commute to and from work. I cannot wait to take photos with my cameras after wrapping up this tiring period.

The Mint, SG

Stairs in Fort Canning: Late Night Photography

When I was living in Sophia Hills, there was a popular park near my home—it’s about 15 minutes walk from my place to the park.

There’s a small children’s playground at the foot of Fort Canning Hill, and my daughter really love it then. I took her there a few times, mostly in the night. My daughter especially loved the swings here, she was full of courage and energy whenever she was on them.

I took this photo around the midnight one night. I can clearly remember the light metering results for this scene, the darker areas required a 26-second exposure time, so I reduced the exposure by 1 stop to 15s to avoid overexposure in the bright areas, and then I pressed the shutter.

  • Camera: Hasselblad 503CX, Carl Zeiss Planar CF 80mm f/2.8 lens
  • Film: Kodak Gold200
  • Location: Fort Canning Hill, Singapore

The Mint, SG

Loong: B&W vs. Color Photography

There are two Nine-Dragon Walls on either side outside the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce, which were built in the 1960s and are nearly 70 years old now.

I took these two photos one night last month, one is in color, and the other is in black and white.

Just for your appreciation.

  • Camera: Hasselblad 500C, Carl Zeiss Planar CF 60mm f/3.5 lens
  • Film: Kodak Gold200, Kentmere Pan 100
  • Location: Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Sophia hills, SG

Angel of Grief: B&W Photography

I could not make out the words on the grave’s epitaph, I only saw the angels of grief on the either side of it.

Sometimes I feel that Christianity and Buddhism express compassion in similar ways. Other times, I believe that what they share is simply how people around the world express joy and grief.

I took it within the Armenian Church, which is a small and peaceful place in Singapore.

  • Camera: Hasselblad 500CM, Carl Zeiss Planar CF 180mm f/4 lens
  • Film: Kentmere Pan 100
  • Location: The Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator, Singapore

Sophia hills, SG

Table and Chairs: B&W Photography

It’s still within the Armenian Church—the first Christian church built in Singapore in 1835, and the oldest Christian church in the country.

I took this picture that afternoon, a peaceful and summery one, I really love this place.

  • Camera: Hasselblad 500CM, Carl Zeiss Planar CF 60mm f/3.5 lens
  • Film: Kentmere Pan 100
  • Location: The Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator, Singapore

Sophia hills, SG

Angel: B&W Photography

Inside the Armenian Church, a small Armenian cemetery lies in the corner. I saw around 10 graves there. By reading their epitaphs, I learned that most people buried here passed away nearly a century ago or more.

I was attracted by this angel statue for its elegance and mien. The statue stands behind a grave that belongs to a famous woman in Singapore who died in World War II. She points up to the sky with her right hand, which means the soul will ascend to heaven; she holds a wreath in her left hand, bows her head and looks down at the earth, which means remembrance for those who passed away.

  • Camera: Hasselblad 500CM, Carl Zeiss Planar CF 180mm f/4 lens
  • Film: Kentmere Pan 100
  • Location: The Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator, Singapore

Sophia hills, SG

Late Nights in Sophia Hills

The 100-step stairs to Mount Sophia, Hasselblad 500C

This is the 100-step stairs between Orchard Road and Mount Sophia, where I resided for nearly 2 years. It has a very long history that dates back to the 1930s.

I found an interesting old picture about this stair while searching, and you can check out the link here: The Hundred Steps to School.

It’s a ring road around the Sophia Hills, really quiet, especially late at night.

I get a bit bored living in The Sophia Hills day by day, except for this road.

I took this picture late at night by the road just outside Cathay, the process right before pressing the shutter always makes me feel relaxed. By the way, I believe the exposure in this picture is at least 1 stop over.

The road in front of the Sophia hills, Hasselblad 500C
  • Camera: Hasselblad 500C, Carl Zeiss Planar CF 60mm f/3.5 lens
  • Film: Kodak Gold200
  • Location: Sophia hills, Singapore

Sophia Hills, SG

Cyperus papyrus: B&W Photography

Cyperus papyrus, Rolleiflex 3.5F

Cyperus papyrus, which originally grew in ancient Egypt, can be processed into papyrus-an ancient form of paper.

It was brought to Singapore by someone in the 19th century or even earlier(I haven’t found a clear record of the import time), and as the temperature, humidity and sunlight here are all ideal for its growth, it grows well locally.

I took this picture at Colony Garden, which is within Gardens by the Bay.

  • Camera: Rolleiflex 3.5F, Carl Zeiss Planar 75mm f/3.5 lens
  • Film: Kentmere Pan 100
  • Location: Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

Sophia hills, SG

Sunlight: B&W Photography

Sunlight, Hasselblad 503CX

I took it on a brilliant sunny afternoon in an obscure alley, where the sunlight fell on the building.

What’s worth mentioning in this picture is the light metering is spot-on, and it instantly brings back memories of that afternoon when I pressed down the shutter.

  • Camera: Hasselblad 503CX, Carl Zeiss Planar CF 80mm f/2.8 lens
  • Film: Kentmere Pan 100,
  • Location: around Bencoolen MRT station, Singapore

Sophia hills, SG