PHOTOfrenz Blog

by Wong Casandra

I was watching Channel News Asia last Saturday, and I spotted a familiar face in a programme called Warring Frontiers – Mr. Wayne Umehara, a photographer who taught Photojournalism in my school.

This was the man who taught us how to shoot on B&W (he was also the man who inspired me to take the plunge and venture into photography), how to develop film and print them. He is also a spectacular photographer with years of experience in both commercial photography and photojournalism.

Aside the man himself, what was also memorable about the module was the experience attained during the many shootings for my final project. We were given the liberty to do a photo essay on any subject, and I chose to do one on the subject of orphans. However, because of the tight legal issues surrounding orphans in Singapore, I had to make do with friends and friends’ siblings or cousins (who of course, weren’t orphans).

What happened was that for a couple of weeks, we had to report to Wayne with what we shot, and he would look at them during scheduled one-to-one sessions. These sessions were interesting and informative chats on how to improve your angle, how to make your shot more interesting by changing the background, etc. I would have say that I learnt a lot while shooting for this project.

1. Cracked This (and the 2nd and 3rd photo) was taken in a small-forested area in Yishun. It was really hot and humid when we went there, and everything was drying up (hence, the cracked ground).	2. Eyes Half Shut Impromptu shot! This was taken while standing on a plastic chair dumped at the aforementioned place.
3. Painted Love I got my friend’s brother (a very patient, sweet and cooperative boy mature beyond his age) to paint a heart on the ground. I deliberately left his face out of the composition.	4. Lines & Shadows Photographed my friend’s cousin at a staircase in Marsiling. The sunlight made it looked as if he is confined to a jail cell.
5. Peering He did a great job in looking forlorn and hopeful at the same time. He was peering out of one of those unnecessary ornamental structures found at the void deck of a HDB flat.	6. Stare I managed to rope in two friends to help me out. While unintentional, this shot had a more aggressive mood compared to the first five.

Though the shots were done when I wasn’t so sure about how to use a camera, I was far from disappointed by the results!

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by Wong Casandra

I took a 5-day trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with my friends in June this year after quitting my first full-time job. It was a refreshing episode in my life – a mini-holiday taken to celebrate the end of a tediously boring 9-to-5 job and to bid for time while I a) rested enough before my Japanese classes b) decided what to do with the rest of my life.

Therefore, the trip held a special place in my heart as I was struggling at a crossroad in my life: disillusioned yet hopeful enough to wish for something great to happen (of what magnitude or nature; I wasn’t sure), but nonetheless, jaded and spiritually exhausted.

So I thought, what other better way to release this tremendous bout of stress than to bring my hardy, reliable Nikon F55D film SLR along for the trip! Back then, I was trying to get back into the rhythm of taking photos on a regular basis like how I used to before my job, and Vietnam, an exotic third-world country, presented many great photographic opportunities. Indeed, it was a soul-searching experiment of sorts.

And I wasn’t disappointed. I wouldn’t call myself a great photographer (well, I shoot too selectively to be one) – and plus, I was shooting casually – but I was happy with the results. Yes, I was rusty given the long period of inactivity, but I guess the joy of seeing my photos developed from those minute film canisters eradicated my usual level of expectations.

Anyone who has been to Vietnam would be spellbound by her characteristically chaotic traffic and rustic old-world charm. Roadside hawkers, boatmen, makeshift markets, speeding motorists - a whole new and hectic world, bursting at the seams, framed by a 35mm format camera.

1. Traffic at a Standstill HCMC, fondly referred to as the “Capital of Motobikes”, is flooded with hundreds of scooters, motorbikes, and riders who abide by their own traffic rules. At first glance, crossing a road might look hazardous, but it’s actually pretty elementary: just bravely walk on, and the vehicles will all swerve to avoid you!	2. Street Peddling Galore! HCMC is filled with roadside peddlers selling anything from pho, fruits, dumplings to even hats!
3. The Packed Buildings of HCMC A common sight in HCMC - buildings build closely packed together.	4. Rain, Rain Go Away A shot taken from the steps of the Ben Thanh Market; you can see workers lazing around while waiting for the rain to subside.
5. Lovers Caught! This newly married couple was posing for photos outside the HCMC Hall and Statue of HCM.	6. River Navigation The boatman took us along the river on a ride that was uncomfortable, wet and … scenic.
7. Stuck on the Other Side The old man looked ready to cross until he noticed me and stopped in his midst.	8. In Between Gates This girl didn’t look too pleased knowing that I was taking photos of her, but I did it anyhow.

Some of these photos granted me a chance to embark on a photographic expedition to Sri Lanka, of which I can safely say was the most memorable, grueling and eye-opening experience in my life (well, that will be saved for later!).

So to me, the capital of Vietnam will always remain a poignant symbol of renewed dreams and hope. Needless to say, I came back feeling much better.

About PHOTOfrenz:
PHOTOfrenz offers easy online photo sharing, photo printing and photo gift ordering with fast upload and free online storage