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

Carousel: B&W Photography

Carousel, Rolleiflex 3.5F

I still cherish my memories of my childhood, even though I didn’t have many toys and had never been to an amusement park—never seen a carousel.

I took this picture at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore one afternoon in October.

  • 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

Twisting Tree Roots: B&W Photography

Twisting Tree Roots, Hasselblad 503CX

I can barely remember where I took this, since there’s a long interval between taking it and developing it. I guess it might have been at the Chestnut Nature Park.

What I am satisfied with is the light exposure — the main part of the roots falls in Zone V(or VI), which preserves almost all the details on the roots.

  • Camera: Hasselblad 503CX, Carl Zeiss Planar CF 80mm f/2.8 lens
  • Film: Kentmere Pan 100
  • Location: Chestnut Natural Park, Singapore

ORQ, SG