Last Day for Clifford Pier

Today marks the last day of operation for Clifford Pier. This old historical building has been a faithful and loyal servant in Singapore for the last 73 years, overlooking the sea and welcoming seafarers, tourists and shipping crews to our shores. He has been quietly toiling long before Singapore’s independence. Built in 1931 by the Public Works Department, oversee by the Chief Architect then, Frank Dorrington Ward, this magnificent structure was officially opened on 3rd of June 1933 during the colonial times by Sir Cecil Clementi. After such a long period of time, this old faithful closes it door which marks the end of an era and its beautiful history.



No words can express how sad I am with the closing of Clifford Pier. I am not sure about others but to me Clifford Pier is a very special and memorable place. Not because it is closing down then I feel nostalgia or special about it but this place has been special ever since my childhood days.

Back to more than 2 decades ago, when I was still a little boy, my father will usually like to bring me out to town for a walk when he is not working on Saturday. I will really look forward to it when he said that he will be bringing me to “Ang Teng Bay Tiao”, 红灯码头 or in English, Clifford Pier area. We will take a bus from our Kampong that drove us to town. I will be fascinated by those tall buildings structures and the busy activities in Shenton Way and of course, the most famous landmark at that time and place, Clifford Pier.

My father will usually bring me to the hawker centre at Empress Place which is just next to Singapore River to have a cup of coffee for him and tea for me and something else breakfast, the coffee and tea were very cheap at that time, it is usually served in those small white caps with sauces. : )

I can always recall seeing how those bumboats that were parked at Clifford Pier; it is just such a sight. Other instance whereby I have the chance to go Clifford Pier is when my parents have to bring us (my elder sis and I) to Kusu Island to pray. We will usually leave the house early and reach Clifford Pier at around 7:00am plus and stay in the queue to wait for the ferry service to bring us to Kusu Island. Over the years, the crowd visiting Kusu Island just grew lesser and lesser. But during those days, the now large empty area inside the pier will be crowded with devotees waiting to go to Kusu Island, it is just so memorable.

I actually leave today just to spend the whole day at Clifford Pier to take some photos to record its past glory. However, I feel that no amount of photographs taken of Clifford Pier can be better than the real and original thing. All I can do is, to capture its beauty as it still stands and keep it as a part of my memory. I also hope to develop a few photos to show to my parents so that they can feel nostalgia about, I believe it has been long since they ever visited Clifford Pier. I just want to share the feeling with them so that we can talk about it and try to recall those glorious days of Clifford Pier and its ever-enchanting charisma and history. Just to share a few more photos that I took in IR.

Farewell Clifford Pier. Farewell.

My First Digital Basic Photography Course Outing @ SBG and Seeing Clifford Pier through my Eyes

Actually, I wanted to update my blog on Sunday, but I was too tired after running around for more than half a day and also I am not in the pink of health. Resting at home now after falling sick last night. It seems that the cold virus hit me back again. I started to feel sick on Friday as I can feel that my Upper Respiratory Tract is a bit sore. It got worse on Saturday as I was coughing away. I took some medication that night hopefully I can recover by Sunday morning because I got a photography outing. After one night of rest, it didn’t get any better but still I went for my Digital Basic Photography Outing at Singapore Botanical Garden (SBG) because we need to submit a few photos from this outing for our assignment.

I woke up late that morning even though I set my alarm. The alarm was set at 5:45am so that I can have ample time to prepare but instead I woke up at 7:00am. I rush to get myself prepared and packed my gear for the outing. I left my house at about 7:20am and I have to call for a cab as there is hardly one in the vicinity on Sunday morning.

On the cab, I was thinking to myself, is there a problem with my handphone because I set the handphone alarm or am I so sound asleep that I off the alarm unknowingly. I did a check and found that the alarm was set at 5:45pm, that answers everything. (+_+)”

The cab reached SBG at 7:55am; I was 5 minutes early as the outing was set at 8:00am and I was very thankful that I can reach on time. Anyway, during our outing, our instructor, Steven Yee, share with us some techniques and taught us the use of a Circular Polarizer filter. It is really an interesting filter as I observed that it can remove the reflection from the pond and also make the leaves greener and the sky to a darker shade of blue.

Anyway, we walked around the Botanical Garden and took quite a few shoots for our assignment. As again, I will post up those pictures that my instructor picked for our submission after the end of my course. So do keep a lookout. At around 10:15am, we have completed what is needed for the submission and the whole group break off from there. As for me, I walk back to those subjects that we took earlier to redo a few shots more until I am satisfied with the results.

At around 11:00am, I walk out of SBG and took Bus 75 to go to town as I wanted to take a few shots of Clifford Pier. For those who don't know, Clifford Pier would be closing down after 73 years in operation. WEF 1 April, all services at Clifford would be relocated to the new Marina South Pier (which I still don't know where it is). It is rather sad to see such an old and nice historical building to be closed down. So I decided to take a few shots as a commemoration.

I actually brought quite a few lenses out for this outing and I was trying to figure out which lens is the best to make this commemorative photography series interesting. At last, I settle for my latest addition to my lenses collection, my 10.5mm Fisheye Lens, to undertake this task to capture a good series of photos to keep as memories of Clifford Pier. I named this series, "Seeing Clifford Pier through my Eyes". Enjoy.













This one is my favourite of all. I hope that you can get that irony message. (Alright, the sign shows NO FISHING, the irony question is "FISH-eye-ING OK?!)
I really like to do some of these irony and witty shots, that will be very fun. If my bro Ian is around here, maybe he can give me more ideas. :P





How can be photography outing be complete without an IR shot or two. I must admit that the weather is rather not ideal for photography as it was dark and gloomy. But lucky, at around 2:30pm or so, the sun was out for a while. So I set up my gear and started to do a few IR shots. Here it is. Enjoy.









I thought of taking leave this Friday to recapture some shots as I really want to capture the majestic looks of this old yet grand pier and I also like to do a few Fisheye IR of Clifford Pier, but the problem is that I don't know what/which gelatin filter to use, how thick it is and also how to cut to the required size. Need to ask those IR Gurus for advice again.

Alright, this is the end of my long post. Thanks for reading. Looking forward to the upcoming 5th IR Outing this Sunday. Will try to update you more.

After a long wait, I finally got my precious ...

How should I start this post as I am still shaken by joy. Even how bad today is, how unhappy and stressful work is, how crappy things can get, it simply can't beat the joy, happiness and excited spirit in me now.

After a long, long period of waiting, I finally laid my hands on my precious, long awaited for, highly anticipated, (alright, alright, enough of this already) my Nikkor AF DX Fisheye 10.5mm f/2.8G ED lens. I had been waiting for this lens since the start of the year. This is one of those lens that is a must have so as to create nice and interesting effect with distortion at the side and less distortion but close-up effect at the centre. I have put my name down at T K Foto for this lens in January and I waited and waited. I was very surprise that a lot of stores in Singapore do not have this lens, it seems like out of a sudden, this lens become very popular.

Anyway, just to tell you briefly what happen, I was surfing Clubsnap when I came across a thread saying that the Nikkor AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED is in stores already. This is quite a new lens from Nikon and it can cover a wide range with 11.1X zoom (the calculation is 200/18) and a lot of people are trying to get their hands on it.

I decided to try my luck in getting this lens, so I called up James from T K Foto. He said that the 18-200mm lens is in, but limited stock. He said that he had called a few people that are on the waiting list (OMG, waiting list for a lens, can you believe this) and it seems that they had either gotten the lens already or not interested anymore. So he said he will get back to me when my turn has come (I also put my name for this lens too, hehe). So I waited and waited. As I was waiting, I feel my chance of getting this lens is slim. Then at around 4pm plus, my mobile rings and I see a familiar number (I have been a regular patron at T K Foto, I have been calling them to enquire about lots of my equipment). I picked up the call and James asked me if I still wants the 18-200mm. I thought, why not, if you have it, I will take it. Before I can answer, he said, he also has a piece of the fisheye 10.5mm. Joy just strike me out of the blues, without even a split second or thought, I told him, reserve the fisheye 10.5mm for me and let go of the 18-200mm. He said he will reserve the fisheye lens for me. I was really so happy. After more than 2 months of waiting, finally can get my fisheye lens.

My morning start quite poorly at work and is not getting any better, but that call from James was a turning point. I sprung up into action at work and keep my eyes on my watch as I am leaving early today. I trust that James will reserve the lens for me, but I just can't contain my excitment and wish to get this lens immediately. At around 5:45pm, I left the office and flew to T K Foto on a cab.

When James saw me as I walk into the shop, he knows what am I after. He took out the lens and took me, this is the one and only piece that come in this shipment and that I have make a wise choice because this lens is getting scarce for don't know what reason and the 18-200mm should be easily available in a month or so.

I took the lens home to try out and a thought flash across my mind. Those who know me well knows that I am a great fan of Scott Adam's Dilbert comics. There was this strip whereby Dilbert had gotten a new equipment or something and was feeling all excited and "evil" like a mad scientist that had gotten a new toy that can use conquer the world. Well, the feeling is mutual.

The lens is really worth the money and the wait. The built of the fisheye lens is made of metal instead of plastics to give it a firm touch. The ability to take 180 degree picture angle and incredible depth of field (DOF) properties characteristic of fisheye lens is simply amazing. Anyway, just to share a few test shots on my subject, "Xiao Gui" to see the effect of the lens. Hope to take more beautiful and creative photos with this great lens. Will keep you all posted. Thanks for reading.

Fourth IR Outing @ Dempsey Road + SBG (aka Singapore Botanical Garden)

Before I start my this new post, I feel really guilty for not updating this blog regularly. There are actually a lot of things that I want to share with you all but I was quite busy since last Saturday.

I have yet to tell you about my morning jog to the Matilda House and the nice vast field for nature lover located around Punggol MRT.

I have also not mentioned about my last Flashlight Photography Outing (Day Shoot) at ROM.

Also, I have yet to talk about the outcome of my photo clinic and selection for submission with Mr Goh, our Flashlight Photography Course instructor and to share with you all the photos that he selected.

Lastly, my Digital Darkroom Course outing at ROM which happend yesterday.
Just lots of things to share but I was really busy with work and other things and hardly have the motivation to sit down and start typing again. I really apologize for that and I hope to find the time to describe those experience with you all.

Alright, with that out of the way, I shall talk about my 4th IR Outing today. As usual, I will start by showing the list of people who join the outing today.

1. photoexpress - Bobby, the organiser for this outing
2. teerex - Teerex or Lee, our IR Subforum "Boss"
3. vortex - Andy, heard from Edmund that Andy is a DJ in Zouk, I was quite surprise. Anway, Andy joined us late today as he slept very late last night (4:30am)
4. karfee - Jia Fei, he brought 3 of his Holland lady friends for this IR Outing as we are going to try out the effect of IR portrait shots
5. Francis247 - me, myself and I
6. thl - Tan, he is also very interested in Macro photography
7. HweeChwee - Poh, Thanks for the ride again. Anyway, Poh used to have a Clubsnap account, it has been a while since she use it, ever since she started to do IR with us, she begin to post again in Clubsnap. Her Marina South shots are really very nice.
8. eawtan - Edmund, he always bring his 80-200mm lens and the very interesting thing is that he attached the lens cases to his belt, I guess I can't do that as my belt will drop, hahaha. Glad that he can join us for this outing.
9. Arowana - Mike, this is his third outing
10. Hosea - Stanley, thanks for pointing out and guiding me for the portrait shoots, he is not only good with landscape shoots, he actually teaches Karfee's friends to pose. Really a pro.
11. Ark19 - Ark, first time seeing him but he is very active in the IR Subforum, today is his birthday and he just turn 28 today. Happy Birthday to you, Ark.

I have done the post-process for some of the photos. Enjoy. Thanks for reading. Cheerz.

Third IR Outing @ Marina South Park

Feeling rather happy and excited today as I went for my 3rd IR Outing with the IR Regulars in Clubsnap. The shooting location is chosen at Marina South Park. I must confess that I did not know much about this park even though I saw quite a few good shots by posted others in the forum. This really keeps me excited as I can finally see the Sundial that was made famous by Hosea (Also known Stanley, more of his details later) who did an IR shot on it with stunning and amazing effects. As usual, here is the list of people who participated in this outing.

1. dibyo (our friend from Indonesia) - Teerex's friend from Indonesia who is here to do some IR shots with us. I heard that he have quite a few good shots taken at Bali. He also bring another Indonesia friend with him for this outing.
2. teerex - Teerex aka Lee, Our IR Subforum Moderator
3. Kar Fee - Jia Fei. He is late for the outing today, I thought I am going to be the bottleneck but he is still later than me.
4. Panda - Jonathan aka Jon.
5. Francis247 + 1 - me and Poh. (Poh is really sporting and on, she actually went to gym after our IR outing at around 12:30pm or 1:00pm. After that, she still meet me up to go East Coast Park to shoot again before meeting her friends for blading. Really thanks for the ride again, feel so bad about that. Anyway, need to teach her how to do posr-processing for those IR Shots that she had taken)
6. vortex - Andy
7. thl - Tan
8. Arowana - I think Stanley aka Hosea mentioned that his name is Mike
9. RonSS - Ronald
10. Hosea - Stanley (I must say that I am really honour to see him, a very nice and friendly guy. His photo shoots are really very nice and his overseas trip shots are simply amazng. Hope to be able to learn from him about landscape photography)

Too bad Bobby, Edmund and Nisa are not able to join us for the outing today. If not it will be more fun. Anyway, hope to see them for the next outing.

For this outing, I had made a couple of mistakes which I must try to remember and not to commit the same mistake again.
1. I forgot to bring my 67mm -> 77mm Step-up ring. My Hoya R72 IR Filter is 77mm and my kit lens is 67mm, so I will be needing a step-up ring so that I can screw in the filter onto my lens, but since I forget to bring, I have to hand-held my filter during the shooting. Morale of this mistake, always do a equipment check before going for a photography outing. :(

2. I forget to do an Exposure Compensation aka EV of +1 stop when doing IR photography. The IR filter remove the normal colours lights hence reducing the exposure, the EV is to compensation for the loss of lights by 1 stop. Morale of this mistake, start a small handy note book with some checklist to list down the procedures and steps when doing the different type of photography.

Enough said already, do enjoy some of the photos taken during the outing. Enjoy and Cheerz.

Flashlight Photography outing on 2nd March 2006 and 2 New Photography Course

I must admit that I haven't been updating my blog recently as I am quite tied up with things to settle. First is the company's work that is dealing with Field Failure Return (FFR) which I will not elaborate more as I don't want to be reminded of work. Next is my photography course which I will tell you more about later.

Anyway, I am taking a break from work for these few days (from 1st March till 7th Mar). Not that I am taking leave but I am on DFSS (Design For Six Sigma) course at the Four Seasons Hotel in Orchard. It is good to attend courses as I can be away from work, it is a good time to rest and relax oneself so as to prepare for the road ahead.

Alright then, I was rather excited last night (2nd Mar) as it is my first outing for the Flashlight Photography course held by PSS. The instructor told us to meet at Singapore River near to the Sir Stamford Raffles statue (White colour one. FYI, there is 2 Sir Stamford Raffles Status around Singapore River, one is a black colour statue outside the Victoria Concert Hall)

Before the actual shooting start, I took a few IR shoots under the evening sun just to see the effect. It looks rather interesting but I still need to work more on the composition and also improve on my Photoshop skills as I believe that those experts can retain that Blue sky effect yet make those buildings at the back to be white or at least light grey. Really need to learn from them.



At around 7pm, Mr Goh, our Flashlight course instructor arrived. He told us to warm up first by shooting at the UOB Building and Raffles statue.



As the sun sets, he told us to use the Flashlight on the statue.



As it goes on, all of us (There is a total of 9 people including me who are in the Flashlight Photography course), if not, some of us thought that that is how our this lesson will be conducted. At around 7:30pm, a model (new, no or little experience) shows up and Mr Goh introudced her to us but I somehow can't seems to be able to recall her name, so sorry about that.

This is my first try taking portrait/model shoot and I feel very stress as I am more of a landscape/cityscape shooter and portrait isn't my cup of tea. There is a lot of questions in my head, What is the best exposure to be used? How to compose the photo with the model in it? Is the rule of third applicable? If yes, how? I am afraid that I can't produce good results with portrait/model shoot. Anyway, I just tried my best and also understand more of the capability of my Nikon SB-800 Flashlight.

A lot of shots were taken but I am not sure which one is good so I decided to bring all the photos down to the instructor for him to review and select those that are good enough for course submission. I will post those photos after his selection.

It is during this outing that I managed to get to know my course-mates better. It is a pity that no group photo is taken, but I can remember their names and the nicks for those who are Clubsnap members.

1. Stanley
2. Alvin - CanonWS (Full-time photographer)
3. Bryan (or is it Ryan?) - didn't get his nick (photographer, I think full-time)
4. Francis - This is another Francis, same name and surname as me, nick is GOMUS (work as an architect)
5. Dave - daveheng (work in Logictech)

This course outing had been very fun and interesting, our instructor, Mr Goh is very knowledgable and it is nice and great to know those who are in the class.

There will be one more Flashlight course outing on the 12th Mar 2006, this will be a day shoot and we will learn how to use the flashlight to fill-in those shadow/dark area. However, that will also be the last lesson for the Flashlight Photography course but I also have signed up for 2 more courses offered by PSS. The details of the courses are as follows :

13th Mar 2006 - Digital Darkroom (6 lessons)
14th Mar 2006 - Night Photography (6 lessons)

As you can see, my interest for photography is really growing but still not to the extend of converting to do full-time as I am more of a leisure shooter aka serious amateur.

Ok, that is all for now. I think I better get some good rest so as to prepare myself for the coming 3rd IR Outing that is on the 5th Mar 2006. Will keep you all posted and will try to upload some more pictures. Cheerz.