Singapore...

Those of you who have read my previous blogs will know that January was a bit of a mad month. I returned to Taiwan from the UK and then went straight to Singapore. After Singapore it was back to Taiwan for a few days and then off to Hong Kong (Hong Kong in the next blog).

I had heard mixed reviews of Singapore, I try and keep an open mind and see what I find when I get somewhere. One man's idea of heaven is another's idea of hell after all.

You would have thought by now having flown about a bit that I would have got used to it. Not every airport demands you be there 3 hours early, I guess I have been conditioned by travelling from Heathrow too often in the past. That and having missed flights, not to mention the odd ferry.

On this occasion I got to Touyuan airport so early I was offered a seat on an earlier flight, this would have meant that I would be in Hong Kong airport waiting longer for my transfer. Having been delayed in Hong Kong airport twice in 2 weeks I was a bit bored of the place so decided I would get a coffee then go and snooze at the boarding gate.

When I stepped on the plane I wished I'd taken the earlier flight, a real sense of terror washed over me. I don't normally get nervous flying, but then I don't normally find myself on a plane wondering where the pedals are. The seats were wobbling around and the whole plane twisted and creaked as it flexed it's way to the runway for take off. It was vibrating so much that I could only imagine it was beating it's wings like an ungainly swan as it built up enough momentum for a truly epic crash. They didn't even have an entertainment system as a distraction, it was white knuckles all the way.

I had an inkling from my research and it's reputation that Singapore would be efficient. I wasn't wrong, after a brief (efficient) chat with a German visitor I was in the cab and on the way to the hotel.

Have I told you that my wife has a fabulous ability to get a great deal at a hotel? She had surpassed herself, we were in a very pleasant suite on the 24th floor, it wasn't huge but it was well appointed. Most importantly it gave us access to the club floor on the 22nd.

The 22nd floor was home to an outdoor pool and jacuzzi, with spectacular views across the city. I'll give Singapore it's due, there is some great architecture. Also on the 22nd was a dinning area and kitchen which served breakfast, but more importantly between 18:00 and 20:00 happy hour. How happy can happy hour be, how about free drinks and nibbles, including a great cheese board, I would say pretty happy thank you.

I had done a bit of research (I always do), about interesting places in Singapore. Any travel photographer will have a look at what other photographers have done previously, have a think about what they want to shoot, and when would be the best time to be there to photograph it. I wanted to get up early and head to the botanical gardens to photograph it in the early sunshine before any crowds filled the reportedly beautiful location. Morning sunshine, ha, don't make me laugh, I didn't see any blue sky the whole time I was there. Every morning I would set my alarm, wake up and peer out of the window only to see a thick layer of cloud. Bugger!

So what. I will find other subjects to photograph, there is bound to be lots of interesting life to see around, we are in Asia after all. It turned out Singapore is not like the Asia I have experienced. 

I got to go to the botanical gardens as we met friends for lunch there. Afterwards, Camille went off to meetings and I did one of my favourite things in a new city, I went for a walk about.

In Taiwan, I love to just wander around and head down lanes and alleyways looking for the curiosities and life within. I had done the same in Yangon and Bangkok. Each time meeting smiling faces, seeing interesting buildings and feeling a real sense of life. In Singapore I got a bit bored, it seemed a little lacking in something, I think the only word I can think of is soul. It seems a bit manufactured to me.

Don't for a second think that Singapore is not a nice place, it is, it is just that, nice.

Back at the hotel, for a bit of wine and cheese, before heading out to take the classic evening shot looking across the river to "Gardens by the Bay" and the Marina Bay Hotel.

Having taken the MRT to the financial district I had to then make my way to the bus stop to head to the spot I wanted to set up for the above photograph. I realise that people need to get to and from work, and I used to get annoyed sometimes with tourists in London, however the rudeness of the people as I walked for the bus was unsurpassed. One paved area and they had to walk 5 wide to fill it up, blocking the way for anybody heading in the other direction. One woman walked directly at me, barged straight in to me as if I weren't even there. Well, I weigh around 90kg and swinging around as if to move out of her way caught her with perfect timing. My 20kg fully loaded camera bag sent her barrelling off into the throngs of zombie like workers marching toward the MRT entrance. I had a little chuckle to myself before promptly boarding the wrong bus. Instant karma, but worth it non the less.

Whilst making the shot above I had a little chat with a security guard. He had asked me to move up the bank from the waters edge as it was slippery and I was his responsibility. I asked him if I could be responsible for myself, I think this put him off balance a little, he paused, thought for a second whilst looking at me. He then said, "yep I will tell my supervisor you are responsible for yourself", smiled and went on his way. That is the correct attitude, security guards everywhere take note, as long as someone is not endangering others, leave them alone.

Having made the shot I headed back over the bridge and along the river bank. The atmosphere was relaxed, so I took my time and made a few shots on the way back to the MRT.

 

A new day and Sentosa was on the cards. This is an island which is like a giant theme resort, a sort of family friendly Vegas attached to Singapore. I think maybe if Sentosa was a bit more like the den of iniquity Vegas is it may be a bit of light relief, and a better place for it.

I walked across to the island, there is a cable car if you want to enjoy a view of the island from above before being deposited in the middle of it all. The boardwalk doesn't take too long, and if you are lazy there is a travelator to carry you the 500 meters or so. Once you are on the island transport is free, there is a monorail (I always hear the monorail song from the Simpsons at this point https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZBPoRwog00), and buses that ferry you around from one attraction to the next. 

Universal studios has a park there, there is a zip line that according to the hotel tourists channel reaches 250mph, it would be amazing if it did and I would definitely be on that, the reality is though it might reach 25mph with a tail wind. If you don't fancy approaching the speed of light on a zipwire, you can take a chair lift up and enjoy a luge ride back down instead, this did look like fun.

After all that excitement why not stroll the man made beaches, enjoy the music which is piped everywhere you go from speakers in the bushes, as opposed to the sounds of what jungle and wildlife is left. If you walk or cycle you do get breaks from the music and the jungle jingle takes over. It is so much nicer to hear, even if it does sound like listening to a drunk parrot band whilst suffering a severe tinnitus attack.

I was in search of the iconic white sand, blue sky shot. The sky being devoid of blue, or sun for that matter, I settled for an interesting spider I spotted above a drainage ditch, and a shot with a bit of a moody cloud hanging around in it. I am sure had the sun been out and the sky been blue it all would have looked perfectly beautiful. I love the view of the group of container ships and tankers too. Even without the sun beating down I managed to get sun burnt. Paddling along the waters edge shoes in hand watching the families enjoy themselves was pleasant enough, £20 for a Manhattan was definitely not. 

Hotel, wine and cheese....

Looking like a redneck farm hand, the following afternoon I headed in to Chinatown. It was heaving as Chinese new year was approaching and everyone was getting geared up (see previous blog for Chinese new year). I had heard about a house in Chinatown that showed what the architecture and layouts used to be like. It turns out to be a museum, and interesting. Not many people had bothered to go in resulting in it being a very nice relaxing place to be, and a relief from the madness on the bustling streets outside.

Don't you love the old magazines pegged up, the styles were great and a total contrast to the living conditions as you can see.

It was our last day, Camille had not been very well for a few days but was feeling better, I wanted to go and eat laksa. Laksa is a Malaysian dish so I figured Singapore should have top quality bowls available. The cab driver took us to the famous area for laksa and said that I should try from different stalls as the portions were small. One bowl was plenty,  this totally explained why the cab had learnt toward the drivers side somewhat on the ride from the hotel.

I had been shooting all week, lugging my camera bag and tripod around everywhere, I wanted a night off and just spend it with Mrs L. Typically this is when we ended up in a place with a bit of a beat to it. There was a gorgeous Hindu temple with a wedding going on, life on the streets was real, this is where the actual everyday people where. Colonial architecture served wonderfully as the backdrop and reminded us of days gone by. Days when the evenings would have all been filled with the sounds of people chatting over bowls of food and cold glasses of long drinks. It was a world away from the mansions I had been surrounded by earlier that week walking back from the botanical gardens, I was finally seeing more of the life I would expect from Asia. 

Across the street from where we ate was a bar, it actually had ale on draught. I guess this is part of Singapore, a mix of cultures all smashed together in a relatively tiny place. A lot of it is geared up purely for the tourists and corporate staff. Being young and working in Singapore I can imagine the lifestyle could be fun, hanging with your mates around Clarke Quay, earning good money in the sunshine, it's got to be better than drudging to work through the rain and wind right. That isn't for me though, it doesn't seem real enough, like Sentosa it is manufactured. The little pocket on the last night was more my scene, I enjoyed the atmosphere on the street, the food I ate and the beer I drank. 

Overall I found Singapore to be a bit rigid. It has compartmentalised itself it seems, work area, shopping area, drinking area, beauty area. I found no surprises, nothing to make me think "wow, that is so cool". I found nothing offensive, apart from the prices, £7 for a can of beer from a shop! but I didn't find anything particularly exciting either. 

I am sure that I will be back in Singapore from time to time, I won't avoid it, I hope there is plenty more to see and experience. If I have to sum it up though, there is only one word, nice.

I hope that you all enjoyed this episode and look forward to the next one. There has been so much going on as ever. I have built my new website, it is up for all to see at www.duncanlongden.photography, I have 2 great students I am teaching photography too. I have been exploring abandoned places in Taiwan plus much much more....

Be sure to follow my blog, don't forget to share it and be sure to call if you need a photographer in Asia, I am always keen for work.

Until next time, Cheers.....

   

   

Floods......

It is hard to escape the news about the plight of the UK. Even here in Taiwan the severe weather smashing the British countryside and shoreline is hitting the headlines. I hope that all my friends and family are safe, and that those who have been evacuated, and feel right now that all is lost soon get back on their feet. I also hope that the local authorities realise that the rivers need dredging and defences need to be put in place to prevent future devastation.

Although the water is high, the temperature is low and winds are howling, these conditions often offer the opportunity for intrepid photographers to create some dramatic and powerful images. I was back in the UK at the start of the year, I grabbed every chance to get out and make photographs. Getting up pre-dawn, glad of a thick coat and the grip of my shoes I climbed walls and icy cold railings to stand on slimy cobbles as the Sun peaked over the horizon to create this photograph of Switherland Water in Leicestershire.

  

It is surprising that the water level in the reservoir isn't higher on the marker. The rain had been heavy and continuous for sometime. I drove from place to place trying to find a spot that I could get some shots from. The Mondeo's door seals being tested as I made my way through water approaching 2ft (24 inches) deep. I finally managed to get set up to create these images.

The water was almost topping the bridge I was standing on here. I thought about my friends Craig, Gerry and Nick who live on the waterways. Sometimes a boat is the best place to be, in fact in my experience, quite a lot of the time, a boat is the best place to be.

The reflections of the dawn Sun in the mirror like flooded field is beautiful. I expect the Farmer has concerns, but flooding happens most years over some part of these fields. This year though, dry land was very scarce indeed.

Whilst over on our visit, my friends Richard and Roger kindly popped up (despite the conditions) for a visit. Richard doesn't need much of an excuse to jump in his beloved Volvo for a road trip. We went out and drank a few pints of good ale, then grabbed a curry from the local curry house. The food was excellent, not being a licensed restaurant we asked for tea to go with the curry. It caused us all confusion, especially in our mildly inebriated state, to be told by the waiter would see as "tea isn't always here".

I had a busy morning and when the lads finally got up we decided to head up to the Beacon Hill and check out the view. We were so glad that we did. I think the shot below is one of the most stunning photographs I have ever made. Of course all we do as photographers is capture the light in a way that conveys our vision and present that to the world. When I made this the sun was setting, beneath the heavy clouds, there was cold rain finding it's way sideways into my ears, but the light was gorgeous.

Having braved the worsening conditions, we were rewarded by this superb rainbow. I was extra happy as it is another shot for my growing and somewhat unconsciously collected collection of bench photographs. How can a view like this not leave you in awe, I think we all just stood and stared at this magnificent vision. I would happily sit on that bench and look at that for hours. There was in fact a double rainbow, but it was bloody cold and no messing, so we stood all that we could stand and then dashed back to the warmth and comfort of Richard's Volvo ( I have to type Volvo, if I referred to it as Richard's car he would never forgive me!). 

We had a little adventure via Switherland Water and then into the Quarry works. I think you have probably gathered that Richard likes Volvo's, if you haven't figured this out yet let me spell it out..RICHARD IS OBSESSED WITH VOLVO. Ok? Bearing this in mind you can imagine his excitement when he got to make this photograph....

Photograph courtesy of Richard Gritton via "the Vovlvo appreciation society" (yes that is right).

Whilst in France I had made a photograph of another Volvo obsessed friends car and promised Richard I would make a shot of his too, more of that in a tick.

Obviously even if we want to, we can't be out making photographs all the time. Look around you and you can see things that you take for granted are already set for you to photograph. This little cherub has been sitting at my folks house for years, I hadn't paid it much attention. However having been away from the T.V for a few months I found, on my return that it just gets on my nerves. I looked for a distraction, something to do, and there it was. If I was religious I could say this is the anti T.V Angel, that would be a godsend. 

I did warn you about the promise to Richard and his ca...Volvo. Employing both Richard and Roger, 2 Speedlights fitted with my ever versatile Rogue Flashbenders and iShoot Radio Transceivers fitted we made this. I did have to build up the light with several different shots, but Richard got his sexy Volvo shot I promised him, and I am happy to prove that you don't need all the lights and modifiers in the world to make a car shot. Sure a little refinement is possible, but the fun is greater with 3 freezing cold mates, one with a passion for Volvo's one with a passion and knowledge of photography and one with a passion for tea working together to make this....

To all the folk around the world suffering weird weather, my friends in Alabama dealing with the snow, those in Eastern Europe enduring some mad ice build up (look out for falling icicles) and everyone wading around in the UK. Stay safe, stay warm and look out for one another ok.

Next time somewhere a little warmer, Singapore. For now though it is Mandarin practice time, then more for the new website.

Please be sure to share, I appreciate all the likes but sharing is more fun. I am looking to send out my promo book to Editors and Agents, if you are one and want a copy get in touch...duncan@duncan-photo.com they are very limited editions. If you know any that might be interested in my work and working with me then steer them my way.

Hit the follow tab, stay in touch and don't forget, if you need a good no BS photographer, I am your man, give me a shout.

Chinese New Year.

I am sorry it has been a while, as you are about to see I have been around the world and making a lot of photographs. I am not going to flood one blog with all of them so I will start with the Chinese New Year.

If you don't know it is the year of the horse, it is not the first time I have enjoyed Chinese New Year, but it is the first time I have been around for the build up. It starts getting very busy, everyone heads out to special markets to stock up on tasty treats and the streets get decorated with lanterns and lights.

January was a very busy month for travelling. I returned to the UK for the New Year there and made shots of the floods (that is another posting so keep a look out for that.), I then headed to Singapore. It was the first time I had visited Singapore and I will do a blog on that too. After Singapore we popped back to Taiwan and then off to Hong Kong before finally getting back to Taipei and a chance to get up to date with everything.

I have been processing so much that I strained my eye. I got a bit worried, but it is calming down a bit so hopefully will stop twitching soon.

Like I said, there will be episodes to come from each of the trips but for now, here are shots from around Asia of the Chinese New Year....

First of all of course, from Singapore, this magnificent Horse. It was the lead of an impressive lantern display near Chinatown.

When I returned to Taipei from Singapore I headed to Dihua Street market, rigged up my Rogue Lightbender onto an off camera, hand held speedlight and headed into the throngs of people busy stocking up.....

Entrance to the market...

Fresh fruit Tea to keep you going.....

Sweet and savoury Rice and Yam cakes...

Toffee Strawberries....yummy!

Hot Ginger Tea....Delicious! 

Of course, plenty of pic'n'mix....

Dried Squid......

A superb spread of succulent Sausages..... 

Dried Fish and Shrimp/Prawn...

Do you want to try? Dried Peach, they were really good.....

The market in Taiwan was great, everyone was super friendly and offered me tasters of all sorts. As ever I will try almost anything and made some great discoveries, these Peaches are something I will definitely keep an eye out for.

A few days spent in Taiwan and I was back on a plane again and off to Hong Kong. Like Singapore it would be the first time I had made it out of the airport and into the streets. 

I liked Hong Kong from the start, it has a great vibe about the place and I look forward to future visits. I shot hundreds of photographs in Hong Kong, the following are from the New Year market in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay and some shots of the lantern display at Tsim Sha Tsui. The market was a bit more lively, with people on P.A systems getting the crowd going. In the evening sun it was a colourful experience and great fun just to hang around.

The Security weren't too pleased that I climbed over the barrier, I just smiled and made the shot, it had to be done.

As always, spread the love and share my blog around, it is for everyone to enjoy.

I go back to school tomorrow to continue learning Mandarin, I also will be finally getting started building my new website. My book will hopefully be back from the printers and then sent out around the world to Editors, Art Buyers and Agents, if you are one of the above and want a copy get in touch quickly as they are very limited editions.

I hope you enjoyed this selection, next time the subject will be the floods in the UK, I put on my Landscape photographers cap and set out risking life and limb (well a wet foot) to make some gorgeous shots.

Spread the word, hit follow and don't be afraid to say hi......

 

Plenty going on.....

My third month in and it has got busy.....great.

I am going to school and learning Mandarin, Monday to Friday sees me on the bus to Taipei at 08:30 school books in my bag. The morning light in Taipei is by far the nicest I have seen since I got here, it is clearer and less hazy as the humidity hasn't filled the air with vapour. I can see that I will have to be up earlier and earlier to make the landscapes I want. That is cool though, I like to be up and about when everyone else is still sleeping. I don't know when the first bus to town is but I will soon find out.

Sadly though the weather has changed and we are in for a week of rain, I am not worried too much about it and will look to make some shots of the wonderful reflections in the wet streets. Writing that has given me a great idea where to start.

It is not just school that has made me busy, I have had several shoots too. First up was an opportunity to cover Taproot. A guy called Tony Collridge is behind Taproot. He is an American Taiwanese with roots in the Taiwanese indigenous people. The short story is that many many moons ago Taiwanese set off from this beautiful land and began to populate islands, they finally ended up in New Zealand. The Maori people are directly descended from indigenous Taiwanese. Tony had organised a cultural exchange and a group of Maori students where coming for a whirlwind trip to Taiwan. I was asked if I could spare a couple of days to cover the trip. Of course I was into that and soon found myself heading on a train to Taichung. I had not been on a train in Taiwan before, I don't have the best track record getting around on public transport. I even managed to get the wrong bus, then the wrong MRT (underground) to college the other day and I had been going there for a week. Seems like luck was on my side and about 5 hours later I made it to my destination. No sooner had I got there than I was out to the night market with the students. What a great laugh that was, they sure knew how to shop. I think it was the best trade that town had seen in a while, shoes, trousers, T's the lot, loaded down with bags it was back to the accommodation to get set for an early, and full day.

I have been waiting for an opportunity to use the Rogue Flashbenders (www.expoimaging.com) I was supplied a few weeks back (I had had a little test and you can see the results below), So as the sun was up and I wanted to use a bit of fill in flash, this was the perfect opportunity. The Rogue Flashbender is a simple but effective speedlight (flash) modifier, they enable you to bounce the flash and therefore not have a hard light that the direct flash would give. I only used one, and hand held it as you can see reflected in the glasses, it softened the flash and filled the subject with a nice even light, perfect.

 As I said I had already had a little play around with the Flashbenders, the main reason for the practise was because Travel in Taiwan Magazine (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/travel-in-taiwan/id588665954) had asked me to cover a feature on Kumquat Farmers as part of their ongoing focus on food in Taiwan and also a great Indigenous Artist. Demedeman (https://www.facebook.com/Demedeman?ref=ts&fref=ts) creates her pieces with a mix of traditional materials, feathers beads and shells mixed with modern materials such as safety pins and nuts, as in nuts and bolts. I have to say the generosity and overwhelmingly warm welcome I got from both the Farmers and Demedeman was extremely heart warming. The people here are amazing, I just love them. The features will be in the March issue of Travel in Taiwan, I am contracted not to show the photographs so you will have to wait, sorry. You can check out other issues from the link above, I certainly will be looking forward to more shoots for them and the opportunity to meet more of Taiwan's wonderful people as well as seeing the beautiful country.

The shots I can show you are from the tests. I first shot a still life, using one Flashbender as a main light and a second formed into a tube to create a snood (spot).....

The second test I made was with portraits in mind. I set up one Speedlight and Flashbender on a stand to light the plants and also bent it to create the light on the shoulder. Two directions from one Speedlight, sweet.The second was hand held and used to fill, and counter the sun. The model is of course my lovely and super patient wife :-)....

And finally, Dominic Paul (http://dominic-paul.com/), a talented Make-up Artist I shot for in the summer got in touch. He had been approached by Zélé (http://www.zelemagazine.com/) who wanted to publish some of the shots....

So like I said at the top, it certainly has been a busy few weeks. I have finished my promo book of "The Collectors" and it is off for a proof print soon. I am very excited about that and hope it will bring plenty more portrait shoots my way. I am back to the UK on new years eve and then am looking at a possible trip to Singapore. At the end of January I am heading to Hong Kong, if you need anything or anyone photographing while I am there get in touch to confirm dates.

Next time I will post the shots from my first Urbex adventure, I got some beautiful shots and am eager to collect more soon.

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