SG Nomad Photographer

Tag: Street Captures

  • Singapore Photos That Tell Stories: My Journey with Heritage Artisans

    The air was thick with humidity as I navigated the labyrinth of back alleys behind Jalan Besar. It was that magical time, the golden hour, when the sun dips low and paints the city in hues of honey and amber. I was searching for nothing in particular, just letting my camera guide me, when a…

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    Ethan Chua
    A large, colorful mural depicting local vendors and daily life is painted on the side of a building next to a modern high-rise apartment complex. The artwork features men engaged in various activities, such as pouring drinks and arranging flower garlands, celebrating traditional street culture.

  • Singapore Photographs: The Art of Documenting Dying Trades

    I stumbled upon it by accident. I was chasing the golden hour light through the back alleys of Jalan Besar, camera in hand, when a rhythmic tapping sound drew me in. Peeking into a dimly lit workshop, I saw an elderly man meticulously carving intricate designs into a large wooden panel. The air was thick…

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    Ethan Chua
    Towering, vine-covered "Supertree" structures dominate the landscape of Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, connected by a curved aerial walkway. In the background, the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel stands tall under a bright, sunny sky.

  • The Colors of Little India During Deepavali: A Visual Celebration in Singapore Photography

    Every year, as Deepavali approaches, a corner of Singapore undergoes a breathtaking transformation. Little India, always a vibrant neighborhood, shifts into a higher gear, becoming an incandescent wonderland of light, color, and sound. For a photographer, this festival is more than just a cultural celebration; it is a visual feast, a sensory overload that presents…

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    Ethan Chua
    A vibrant neon archway featuring a peacock, traditional instruments, and the words "Deepavali Festival of Lights" illuminates a busy street in Singapore's Little India. Below the glowing decorations, long-exposure light trails from passing cars create a sense of movement through the festive urban landscape.

  • Prime Lenses for Street Photography: My Top 3 Picks (and Camera Stores) for Singapore’s Streets

    Street photography in Singapore is a thrilling challenge. It is a dance between the chaotic energy of a hawker center during lunch rush and the quiet, geometric precision of the CBD. You have to be quick, discreet, and ready for anything, from the harsh midday sun to the dim, moody lighting of a back alley…

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    Ethan Chua
    A person wearing a white bucket hat, black t-shirt, and teal sneakers sits on a set of concrete stairs while holding a professional camera. They appear to be resting or reviewing photos in a sunny urban setting, framed by dark marble walls and a yellow-edged step.

  • From Concept to Print: The Photography Journey of My “Heartlands” Exhibition

    An image begins as a fleeting idea, a whisper of a concept. But to transform that idea into a tangible print, hung on a gallery wall for others to experience, is a journey of a thousand small steps. My “Heartlands” exhibition was the culmination of such a journey, a deeply personal project that took me…

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    Ethan Chua
    Several clusters of uniform, white high-rise apartment buildings stand prominently against a vast, pale blue sky with wispy clouds. A dark canopy of trees lines the bottom of the frame, contrasting with the bright, modern architecture towering above.

  • Evolving the Palette: The Art of Vegan Izakaya Styling and Shooting New Culinary Canvas

    Picture yourself under the glowing lanterns of Tokyo, where the rhythmic hum of conversation fills a vegan restaurant’s cozy bar at dinner. Traditionally, izakaya in Japan have centered around the traditional Japanese meal of small meat and seafood dishes—a plate of fried chicken, skewered meats, or warming miso soup arriving one after another to share…

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    Ethan Chua
    This narrow, bustling Japanese alleyway is captured at night, filled with glowing paper lanterns, vibrant neon signs, and rows of parked bicycles.

  • Hawker Center Photography Tips: Camera Settings for Balancing Low Light and Movement

    There’s nothing quite like the buzz of a Singaporean hawker center. From the rhythmic chopping coming from a stall to the vibrant display of signature dishes, these spaces are a feast for the senses—and an irresistible draw for any food photographer. Capturing mouth-watering food images in these bustling environments isn’t easy, though. The mixed lighting,…

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    Ethan Chua
    This image captures a brightly lit storefront, likely a hawker stall, advertising "Kampong Carrot Cake" with the Chinese name displayed prominently.

  • 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…

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    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.”