Istana Changing of the Guards Ceremony

The Istana ("palace" in Malay) is the President of Singapore's official residence. It's next to Plaza Singapura, at the end of Orchard Road.

The whole ceremony seems to be handled by the Military Police Command. Even the traffic control was by MPs on motorbikes. However some policemen in blue uniforms were around to look after security. Based on information provided, the band here is either the SAF Central Band or SAF Band A.

It's on the first Sunday of every month, at 6pm, but not in July or August ( http://www.istana.gov.sg/content/istana/presidentsoffice/ceremonialguards.html ). 

• D7000, 70-210mm f4-5.6
• At 210mm, f11, ISO 6400, 1/1000 seconds
• Aperture priority exposure, center-weighted metering, auto white balance
• Picasa: Straighten, auto contrast

Took a chance and stationed myself on the other side of the road, to avoid the crowd. Photo was taken at the end of the ceremony. Band is marching out towards Cathay Cineplex, where they disperse. Policemen had just cleared the crowd to make way for the band, so I had a clear shot. You can see the gate of the Istana in the background. The gate might not be a main part of the photo, but it's important for establishing the location, giving the photo a unique look.

1/1000 seconds is too fast, should have reduced ISO. But needed the high ISO earlier for when the band was in the shade, didn't have time to switch. Should have used auto ISO. Needed small aperture because depth of field at telephoto focal lengths is small. Which means that a super expensive f2.8 70-200mm isn't necessarily worth it because many times, you can't use f2.8.

SingTel Crab on SBS Bus

Another SingTel crab. This one is of a different species from the one at the bus stop ( http://sgsnaps.blogspot.com/2011/05/singtel-crab-advertisment.html ). It's a green crab. Poor thing is now red, which means that it's already cooked. It was spotted along Selegie Road.

• Nikon D7000, 35mm f1.8
• At 35mm, f4, ISO 100, 1/60 seconds
• Program exposure, center-weighted metering, auto white balance
• Picasa: Auto contrast, crop

Sriveeramakaliamman Temple, Serangoon Road, Little India

Sriveeramakaliamman temple ( http://www.sriveeramakaliamman.com/ ) is one of the oldest Indian temples in Singapore.

The family look like they are posing for the photo, but they are just waiting for the pedestrian crossing light to turn green.

• Nikon D7000, 35mm f1.8
• At 35mm, f4.8, ISO 100, 1/45 seconds
• Program exposure, center-weighted metering, auto white balance
• Picasa: Auto contrast, crop, straighten

Bukit Panjang, Aerial View

Oval building on the left is part of the Senja-Cashew Community Centre, also called Community Club ( http://www.pa.gov.sg/locate-our-centres/details/senja-cashew-community-centre-18.html ). It stretches all the way to the right. The bright white over-exposed patch on the right is its public swimming pool. 

The pond in front doesn't seem to have a name. The drains and canals in the area, feed into it. It's used by the PUB as a source of tap water. The high-rise buildings in the background are all HDB public housing. You can just make out the LRT train track on the left.

Road on the left is the Bukit Panjang Ring Road. Including it in the photo helps to balance out the photo, which would look more plain without it.

• Nikon D7000, 35mm f1.8
• At 35mm, f2, ISO 400, 1/30 seconds
• Manual exposure, center-weighted metering, auto white balance
• Picasa: Auto contrast

24-Hour Internet Cafe, Desker Road, Little India

The shop is in a row of old shophouses, off Serangoon Road. Price is $1 for 30 minutes. I like the way that they've kept to a traditional design, in a tasteful low-key way. Lots of other Internet cafes along Desker Road. Most don't look as nice. 

• Nikon D7000, 35mm f1.8
• At 35mm, f2, ISO 400, 1/30 seconds
• Manual exposure, center-weighted metering, incandescent white balance
• Picasa: Auto contrast, straighten.

T-Shirt Shop, Cheng Yan Place, Bugis

This looks like the place to go if you want a T-shirt which has a cute slogan or that parodies corporate logos. Me? I'm a buttoned-down shirt guy. Cooler (thinner) and doesn't stretch out of shape.

I'll photograph anything with bright colors. The T-shirts qualify, but it's the blue blocks on the second level, that really make the photo work.

• Nikon D7000, 35mm f1.8
• At 35mm, f3.3, ISO 800, 1/45 seconds
• Program exposure, center-weighted metering, auto white balance
• Picasa: Auto contrast, straighten, crop.

Had to wait a few minutes, take a few photos, to avoid pedestrians that were walking around and messing up the photo.  At least I didn't have to deal with cars.

Evening is a good time to photograph buildings. You get enough daylight to light up the outside of the building, but not too much until the light inside the building is overpowered.

Oxford Hotel Singapore

The Oxford Hotel Singapore ( http://www.oxfordhotel.com.sg/ ) has an unusual design. Few hotels here have murals, let alone such a brightly-colored one. It looks like it is glowing because of spotlights on the ground. It is 7:20pm in the evening. 

The hotel is located between Queen Street and Waterloo Street, near the Singapore Art Museum. Compared to a conventional hotel, it is turned 90 degrees: the side of the hotel faces the street. 

• Nikon D7000, 35mm f1.8
• At 35mm, f1.8, ISO 800, 1/60 seconds
• Manual exposure, center-weighted metering, auto white balance
• Picasa: Auto contrast, straighten.