Wonder/Wander

Wonder/Wander
The last (and third) theme for the Canon PhotoMaraton 2024 I participated in last Saturday was “Wonder/Wander”. Heading indoors, we decided to explore this theme using a semi-slow exposure trick I have employed before in urban indoor photography. Looking for a high vantage point in a busy setting is the first step. The next is to look for groups of people with different vibes of activity so as to create what I call an “oasis of calm in a sea of chaos” effect. The effect in my final submission was done all in-camera as required by the rules. This version shown here is enhanced later in Lighroom for colour balance, clarity and luminance but is otherwise largely similar to the original.

Clarity

Clarity
The second theme released for the Canon PhotoMarathon I participated in yesterday was “Clarity”. Released at 12 noon when lighting was the harshest for any outdoor photography, we experimented with a few ideas over a quick lunch but those ideas didn’t work the way we wanted. With just about less than 45 minutes to go till the deadline, I chance upon a public security camera (while walking back to the main event venue) and came out with this photo for my submission. Deliberately throwing everything into overexposure, I exposed for my own reflection in the security camera dome, coming out the above unusual effect.

Harmony

Harmony
I last took part in the Canon PhotoMarathon in Singapore 2016 with my father eight years ago. With the event coming back finally after a long hiatus (not helped by the COVID-19 pandemic), I finally dusted off my Canon camera and lenses and headed out with my father for some “photo-hunting”. The first theme for the Photo-Marathon was “Harmony”. Announced at only at 10 AM (registration had started as early as 8 AM), the lighting was already starting to get harsh and less photography-friendly. Given two hours to complete the theme, I settled in the end for a shot of two bridge maintenance workers hard at work under the Read Bridge. This is a Lightroom-enhanced version of the original I submitted (the rules allowed for only photos straight out from camera, with in-camera edits the only form of editing allowed).