SG Nomad Photographer

Author: Ethan Chua

  • Singapore Hidden Spots: Photography Spots Off the Tourist Trail

    Every passionate photographer dreams of finding scenes and moments unseen by the average tourist, secret spots framed by morning light, alleyways alive with character, places that breathe with local energy yet often slip right past the crowds—even when they are hidden in plain sight. Beyond the famous Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands…

    Written by

    Ethan Chua
    Upward view of towering glass-and-steel skyscrapers framed by palm trees, capturing Singapore’s dramatic verticality from a lesser-known city center vantage point.

  • Photographs of Singapore: Last Traditional Craftsmen’s Challenges and Rewards

    The air in the workshop hung heavy with the scent of aged wood and lacquer. Dust motes danced in the single beam of light slicing through the dim interior, illuminating the face of an elderly man bent over a piece of teak. His hands, gnarled and stained from a lifetime of work, moved with a…

    Written by

    Ethan Chua
    Close-up of an elderly craftsperson hand-carving an ornate wooden panel in a Singapore workshop, wood shavings catching the light.

  • The Art of Street Photography: Ethics and Approach in Singapore’s Busy Districts

    Street photography is a unique art form where the city becomes both canvas and gallery. For many street photographers, the thrill lies in capturing urban landscapes, candid moments, and street portraits that reveal real life unfolding in Singapore’s bustling districts. Yet every street photograph also raises important questions about street photography ethics—how do we create…

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    Ethan Chua
    Sunset street scene in Singapore’s bustling district with pedestrians crossing a vibrant shophouse-lined road, capturing ethical street photography in dynamic urban light.

  • Vanishing Trades: Visual Documentation of Singapore Traditional Crafts and Craftspeople

    As a photographer in Singapore, my journey has taken me through urban skylines and bustling markets, but nothing has drawn me in quite like the intricate world of Singapore traditional crafts. These art forms, rooted in our local culture, are slowly fading—victims of modernity and shifting priorities. Each time I raise my camera, I am…

    Written by

    Ethan Chua
    Elderly artisan weaving a rattan basket by hand in a small, cluttered workshop, showcasing a traditional Singapore craft for the article “Vanishing Trades: Visual Documentation of Singapore Traditional Crafts and Craftspeople.”

  • Sony Alpha Singapore Photography: Tested in Challenging Light

    For photographers, investing in a new camera system is equal parts excitement and careful consideration. This is especially true in Singapore, where light conditions can be extreme and varied. I recently put the much-anticipated Sony Alpha through its paces in the Lion City, searching for the best combination of camera settings, lens choice, and shooting…

    Written by

    Ethan Chua
    A photographer holding a Sony Alpha camera captures a glowing city skyline at night, showcasing low‑light performance.

  • Haji Lane Photography: The Photographer’s Guide to Best Times and Angles

    If you’re looking for a shooting location in Singapore that truly buzzes with life, creativity, and color, Haji Lane stands out as a crowd favourite for both locals and tourists. As a professional photographer and longtime Singapore resident, I’ve spent hours weaving through its narrow streets, discovering new street art, vibrant murals, and the kind…

    Written by

    Ethan Chua
    Golden hour at Haji Lane, Singapore—vibrant alleyway drenched in warm light, with wet pavement reflecting colorful street art and murals. A striking portrait of a woman with headscarf and earrings anchors the right wall, while café tables and passersby animate the left. Ideal angle captures depth, texture, and cultural energy, perfect for travel and street photography guides.

  • Singapore Street Photography: Dawn at Chinatown Complex Market – The Story Behind My Award-Winning Market Series

    My alarm rings at 4:00 AM—long before most people are awake. But for a Singapore street photography enthusiast like myself, this time is perfect for exploring the living heart of the city. The streets of Chinatown remain draped in quiet, but within the iconic Chinatown Complex Market, stalls flicker to life and the real Singapore…

    Written by

    Ethan Chua
    Early morning at Singapore’s Chinatown Complex Market, where elderly shoppers select fresh vegetables under dim corridor lights, while fish and leafy greens glisten on ice across the aisle. A vintage Fujifilm camera hangs in the foreground, framing the bustling wet market against colorful shophouses and red lanterns outside, capturing the atmospheric dawn that defines this award‑winning street photography series.