Category: Long exposure

Slow-shutter pictures with motion-blurring effect

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.

Happy 61st National Day Singapore


This post is a day late. It took me longer than expected to go through all the photographs from the past two weekends.

I have not photographed fireworks for quite a while, but a former university classmate persuaded me to give it another go. So we ended up “camping” for fireworks twice—first at the National Day Parade rehearsal on 1 August, and then again on National Day itself.

This photograph was taken during the final encore of fireworks at the rehearsal. I liked the lines and patterns created by this particular sequence, so my first edit was entirely in black and white. Later, I changed my mind and used layers in Photoshop to bring back some of the colours.

What I like most, though, is the Singapore flag projected across the dome of the National Stadium. I restored its red and white as my small tribute to National Day.

A belated happy 61st National Day, Singapore!