= Stefan's Weekly Singapore City/Landscapes =

[SomeFormOFhuman]

I like the second shot's composition a lot more. Wish the bottom right rock was complete in the picture though.

Here's the story:

Setup camera and tripod, low level position, patiently awaits for waves. Did the bracketing exposures while waiting for it. Then small waves came by.... I snapped some. Then saw something big moving fast from the horizon - A BIG wave. Shot it, another one came - shot it. Kept on shooting until I find the nicest white streams on sand. This time a bigger torso-high wave one came, splashed all over my camera and me. Camera and my clothes were wet. Tripod sank downwards as sand was soft. Waves kept hitting the shore - had to reposition my tripod and camera quickly. And the worst thing happened - filters were all wet. :angry: Can't shoot. Spent the next 30 seconds cleaning my filter, repositioned camera and tripod to the composition I want quickly in haste, waves were even stronger than before. Somehow God help me but managed to got the two shots above. Everything was done in quick haste but with excitement. ;p

 

[SomeFormOFhuman]

Something simple I did today.

Literally a Bicycle

2 Image DRI using ND 0.9 + Lee Big Stopper + Tiffen ND 1.2 for extreme slow shutter effects to blur out an overcast sky and the slow turning Ferris wheel.
The Singapore Flyer, Singapore.

I've always wanted to do this for a long time now, but didn't make up the time to visit this place.
The weird thing is, I'm surprisingly busy these few days to even go out for a photography trip...​

 

[SomeFormOFhuman]

One more for the day.

There's Work to be Done

5 image HDR/DRI using GND 0.9 soft + ND 0.9 for smoothed water effects and CPL filter for sky. Gardens by the Bay, Singapore.
Shot at different times that include the blue hour and dusk setting hour.

Many people have been there and shot this place countless times. I thought twice about its surroundings and thus my own rendition of this place.
Not sure if others have done it before but this shot was a, "on the spot" thought, to head down the dangerous and slippery slope and shoot from this angle.​

 

[trialboy7]

Nice shots. Hope to learn

 

[kuantoh]

Something simple I did today.

Literally a Bicycle

2 Image DRI using ND 0.9 + Lee Big Stopper + Tiffen ND 1.2 for extreme slow shutter effects to blur out an overcast sky and the slow turning Ferris wheel.
The Singapore Flyer, Singapore.

I've always wanted to do this for a long time now, but didn't make up the time to visit this place.
The weird thing is, I'm surprisingly busy these few days to even go out for a photography trip...​

This is very creative. The way the shot is composed to make it look like a bicycle wheel spinning. Lovely.

 

[SomeFormOFhuman]

Thanks trialboy

This is very creative. The way the shot is composed to make it look like a bicycle wheel spinning. Lovely.

Hey thanks man, I'm glad you liked it. The flyer has been taken a dozen times before, that's why I thought of something that might be of an appeal... My idea is, the Flyer always spinning, so to take a snapshot or a fast shutter of its motion kinda kills its intended purpose; I want to make it look like its always "working" or spinning, and in a exaggerated motion, even in pictures because that's kinda the whole point of a ferris wheel. And if I pictured what I imagined it to be, it looks like an inverted bicycle wheel.

 

[pinholecam]

One more for the day.

There's Work to be Done

5 image HDR/DRI using GND 0.9 soft + ND 0.9 for smoothed water effects and CPL filter for sky. Gardens by the Bay, Singapore.
Shot at different times that include the blue hour and dusk setting hour.

Many people have been there and shot this place countless times. I thought twice about its surroundings and thus my own rendition of this place.
Not sure if others have done it before but this shot was a, "on the spot" thought, to head down the dangerous and slippery slope and shoot from this angle.​

Nicccceeee!!!!

I used to do a lot of fishing in the area, but gave it up a long time ago.
Never ever crossed my mind that the rocks at low tide would form an interesting foreground.
Good job!

 

[SomeFormOFhuman]

PINHOLECAM!!!! Have I met you at Sembawang Beach before??!! :bigeyes:

 

[sinned79]

My idea is, the Flyer always spinning, so to take a snapshot or a fast shutter of its motion kinda kills its intended purpose; I want to make it look like its always "working" or spinning, and in a exaggerated motion, even in pictures because that's kinda the whole point of a ferris wheel. And if I pictured what I imagined it to be, it looks like an inverted bicycle wheel.

idea of flyer spinning is not new though. I did one sometime back but in the evening. nice photo nevertheless.

 

[SomeFormOFhuman]

Thanks. I'm speaking about during the day haha. Night is easier because there's less light and thus normal for the camera to have longer exposures emulating similar effects. Many have done so. And during the evening the lights will be turned on, and well don't suit what I planned; and the sky will be darkened.

 

[edutilos-]

Weird, I swear I typed something out about the last image but it doesn't seem to have appeared, or I might have got distracted and closed the window without sending the reply.

Anyways - I just wanted to say for "There's Work to be Done" that I like the processing. Think rags' group has done it quite a bit, and it almost always works well, but to me there was still the issue of the colors not quite tallying for the different parts. Naturally this is a matter of adjustment, I guess.

I'm not so sure about the composition here. I like the top, I can appreciate the foreground, but the two seem to subtract from each other a little. Diagonal foregrounds which do not lead into the picture or to a point of interest, especially those that slash across the picture like they do here, are not something I can appreciate so far. They represent a break in continuity within the picture for me, and are much weaker than the alternatives. The two seem to be totally separate entities here, with little correlation with each other, hrm.

So while I can appreciate the attempt to be different here, I'm not sure if this is the best way, hrm.

 

[SomeFormOFhuman]

Anyways - I just wanted to say for "There's Work to be Done" that I like the processing. Think rags' group has done it quite a bit, and it almost always works well, but to me there was still the issue of the colors not quite tallying for the different parts. Naturally this is a matter of adjustment, I guess.

I took a few of the skyline during the golden hour (6.30 - 7pm) and another with the blue hour (7 - 7.30pm) for the rocks. I combined the exposures of different timing. I figured the orange glow at the point of time the sun sets down gives a little emphasis to the city, and the rocks work best when in blue, since by nature they're greyish yellow.. A city skyline appearing blended with foreground elements don't make up for it.

I'm not so sure about the composition here. I like the top, I can appreciate the foreground, but the two seem to subtract from each other a little. Diagonal foregrounds which do not lead into the picture or to a point of interest, especially those that slash across the picture like they do here, are not something I can appreciate so far. They represent a break in continuity within the picture for me, and are much weaker than the alternatives. The two seem to be totally separate entities here, with little correlation with each other, hrm.

So while I can appreciate the attempt to be different here, I'm not sure if this is the best way, hrm.

I think it depends on how you look at it. For me, I think it works because the angular direction of the rocks give breathable space to where the MBS is, since it's the biggest element in view, so therefore the amount of space (the water in this case) counters the tight fitted-ness of the MBS and the Gardens; leaving the lesser desirable elements at the tighter side of the picture in this proportion. The rocks' strong angular direction *may* draw the eyes to the right, but the MBS pulls your direction back thanks to its size, and also thanks to the horizontal horizon of the skyline. So far, I've shown this picture to many others for opinions; photographers and laymen alike, the skyline seems to draw higher attention than that of the foreground elements, and described it as a complimentary element that doesn't take up, or at least 1/4 of the scene. It's alot better to show the rocks or it would've been dread boring to show the skyline at half level of your frame, and its matte finished water.

Thanks anyway, I'm going there again to explore other alternatives.

 

[edutilos-]

I think it depends on how you look at it. For me, I think it works because the angular direction of the rocks give breathable space to where the MBS is, since it's the biggest element in view, so therefore the amount of space (the water in this case) counters the tight fitted-ness of the MBS and the Gardens; leaving the lesser desirable elements at the tighter side of the picture in this proportion. The rocks' strong angular direction *may* draw the eyes to the right, but the MBS pulls your direction back thanks to its size, and also thanks to the horizontal horizon of the skyline. So far, I've shown this picture to many others for opinions; photographers and laymen alike, the skyline seems to draw higher attention than that of the foreground elements, and described it as a complimentary element that doesn't take up, or at least 1/4 of the scene. It's alot better to show the rocks or it would've been dread boring to show the skyline at half level of your frame, and its matte finished water.

Thanks anyway, I'm going there again to explore other alternatives.

Yes, I agree that this is better than having a non-reflective water surface and a load of space which shows nothing, I guess. But that's if you opt for even having the water at all? I won't go so far as to say that it is complementary. I'm still trying to compare an option where you just leave a wee sliver of water with this, and I guess it boils down to personal preference; both have their flaws. Still, I'm sure you would agree that a stronger foreground would be better - naturally the big issue here is that one would be hard pressed to find something better around the area. :bsmilie:

Anyways, I do realize that I have some perculiar preferences that most people find alright. This isn't the first time I've given a negative opinion on a non-leading diagonal foreground, with others disagreeing (I think on a few occasions in naturescapes). Maybe it's just me. Cheers!

 

[SomeFormOFhuman]

Anyways, I do realize that I have some perculiar preferences that most people find alright. This isn't the first time I've given a negative opinion on a non-leading diagonal foreground, with others disagreeing (I think on a few occasions in naturescapes). Maybe it's just me. Cheers!

Hahah, no man don't look at it that way. If it weren't for your suggestions I wouldn't even attempt going there again to explore alternatives as mentioned in my last paragraph. Chillax man. BTW, Labrador Park? I heard from my Aunt that some guys got caught for climbing over the fence by NParks. They were just looking for corals but I guess the public tipped them or something... Now I'm worried.

 

[MGohzxc]

There's Work to be Done

I was on the same spot and shot almost the same angle before. Mine came out very under exposed for the stretch of rocks and so delete it. Regret did not do multi exposure. Btw, for the Tiffen ND 1.2 that you are using, is it a slot in type or the screw on type. I'm actually looking for a 4 stop ND..
Thanks and happy new year..

 

[SomeFormOFhuman]

It's great to find someone daring enough to get down there and get the best out of it. I like that. I'm going there again sometime, care to join me for a shoot?

Tiffen ND 1.2 is a screw on filter. I'm now using Lee ND 0.9 as it's much more convenient and quicker.

 

[MGohzxc]

It's great to find someone daring enough to get down there and get the best out of it. I like that. I'm going there again sometime, care to join me for a shoot?

Tiffen ND 1.2 is a screw on filter. I'm now using Lee ND 0.9 as it's much more convenient and quicker.

Hi Stefan, thanks.. and yes the screw on type will be very inconvenient having it together with the LEE holder. I guess i will also have to settle for the 3 stop 0.9 ND.
Big stopper is a bit too much and too long for the weather these days...
I would very much like to join but this few days will be quite busy preparing for school starting next week. But definitely I will join you another time.. Thanks..

 

[Anthony]

It's great to find someone daring enough to get down there and get the best out of it. I like that. I'm going there again sometime, care to join me for a shoot?

Tiffen ND 1.2 is a screw on filter. I'm now using Lee ND 0.9 as it's much more convenient and quicker.

Tiffen ND 1.2 is screw on filter 77mm. can I attached on filter holder at 77mm?
I m using LCW ND MK II 77mm. But output is 82mm

Where you bought your Tiffen ND 1.2? Price?

 

[lazykid]

I love this thread.

 

[Anthony]

Cathay photo no stock for Tiffen ND 1.2. Any other shop selling this filter? Need it urgently.