Chor Chen: Blog

Chinatown During Covid Pandemic #3

(Chor Chen) — Sun, 03 Apr 2022 11:09:28 GMT

Here is photo #3 referred to my earlier blog.

Chinatown During Covid Pandemic #2

(Chor Chen) — Sun, 03 Apr 2022 11:04:57 GMT

Here is photo #2 referred to in my earlier blog.

Chinatown During Covid Pandemic #1

(Chor Chen) — Sun, 03 Apr 2022 11:02:11 GMT

I have not uploaded any blogs since the start of Covid 19 pandemic. In 2020 and 2021, if one took photos in the streets in Singapore, it would be of people with masks which distracted from the photos.

I did visit Chinatown in Singapore three times to shoot over this period and here are a few photos that I think captures the mood of the place:

1. The many stores that were closed due to travel restrictions and covid-related policies.

2. Masks being the default for people out in the streets and how some try to have some humor with it.

3. The renewed interest in our heritage places as most could not travel for pleasure and we begin to appreciate the stuff in our backyard. Such as this couple looking at the colourful mural in Chinatown depicting a Teochew street opera which was a popular form of street entertainment in the 70s in Singapore.

Now with travel restrictions lifted. Hopefully, we will have a resemble of pre-Covid activities in one of my favourite places for street photos.

Tsukiji Outer Market

(Chor Chen) — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 00:01:09 GMT

The famous Tsukiji market moved out from its namesake location a few years ago. The outer market is still there and is frequented by tourists for its seafood stalls and sushi restaurants. Took a quick stroll one morning as my hotel was nearby and was not really inspired to shoot anything. But managed to catch this shot with natural frames for the subject.

Shenzhen with iPhone

(Chor Chen) — Sun, 01 Sep 2019 07:40:48 GMT

I was in two work trips over the last 2 weeks. The first trip to Taipei I brought my camera but didn't press the shutter release once as I was in meetings most of the time and the camera never left my bag. I was carrying extra weight for nothing.

Wising-up, I left my camera home the second trip which was to Shenzhen and used my iPhone when I had some photo ops while I was going about the day for meetings and meals. The old axiom that "the best camera you have is the one with you" rings true.

Mist at Jewel Bridge

(Chor Chen) — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 14:06:04 GMT

Visited the hottest attraction in Singapore... Jewel at Changi airport. Part mall, part theme park.

I know everyone is taking photos of the huge in-door waterfall. So for something different, a figure walking in the mist at the bridge that overlooks the waterfall.

Exercising at the Marina Bay Sands Promenade

(Chor Chen) — Sun, 16 Jun 2019 05:46:29 GMT

This man sure knows a good spot and time of day to exercise.

Warm sunshine and a front-row view that's a million bucks.

He was totally not self conscious bearing his shirtless bod at a place that is heavily visited by tourists from all over the world.

Yokohama

(Chor Chen) — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 14:57:19 GMT

Street-74

Visited Yokohama for a work trip and brought along the handy Fuji X100F. It is one of those camera you can shoot at a close range without raising it to eye level. Took this shot of the ubiquitous Japanese school girls as they were strolling home. It is surprising that many of them are still in school uniform at this hour at night.