Category: Altered Reality

A Moment of Devotion

A Moment of Devotion
The last time I photographed this area was with Dad twenty years ago. Back then, I turned my lens towards the flourishing flower trade outside the temple. One of Dad’s photographs from that outing was later selected by SingPost to appear on a postage stamp in 2008.

Returning this time, during the same session that produced Faith and Fortune, I concentrated on the activity at the temple itself. Again, I used a slow shutter speed to let the movement of worshippers blur around a still point. With the frame set, I waited for the right moment. It came when a man in bright red stepped into the centre to offer incense, his shirt echoing the red drapery above.

In processing, I selectively enhanced some colours and desaturated others to draw attention to him. Amid the bustle, a moment of devotion holds still.

Laundry Day

Laundry Day
The morning after watching the NDP rehearsal fireworks from the rooftop of Andaz Singapore, I went for a walk around the hotel and looked back at Duo Towers. Among all those repeating windows and balconies, a brightly lit row of laundry caught my eye. I muted the colours in the rest of the photograph to let the clothes stand out, a cheerful little glimpse of everyday life against the vast facade.

Seller of Joy (售喜)

Seller of Joy (售喜)
Photography has always encouraged me to look beyond the obvious subject and consider the stories that surround it. In this scene from Shenzhen, China, the balloons naturally draw attention. However, it was the vendor carrying them who held my gaze. The photograph became a reflection on the unseen effort behind the small moments of happiness that brighten our daily lives.

I am honoured that Seller of Joy (售喜) has been selected for the 21st Ngee Ann Photographic Exhibition (NAPE) 2026. The exhibition holds special significance for my family, as my late father, Tan Lip Seng, was the inaugural Photographer of the Year when the exhibition was first launched in 2005 and remained a regular contributor for many years thereafter.