Discovery of old Mitre Hotel's location

It's finally found.

Location of the place is at 145 Killiney Road 239565, which I can't see anything from the map yet.  Will need to set foot on the place to see how it is now.

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Chartis YEP 2010@Zirca

Armed with SB-800 on my D300S, it was the perfect armament for my first event shoot at Zirca, the year end party held by my ex employer.  Being a non-employee with them now, I had to await for entrance after 10pm.

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Shutter Trail - the continuation

The morning had been occupied with photo editing as I have changed my watermark to something more complicated, chaotic, which represents the true nature of myself.

Will be revising all the photoworks that I will be uploading in Facebook and Flickr, as most of them are oversized, resulting in my watermark being too tiny to be seen.

Dearie had rested well, and could tell from her morning voice that she's still sleepy and like to plaster herself more to her comfy bed in the airconditioned room; something which I've been deprived for the past 5 years or so, ever since the dinosaur unit broke down in my room.

The sun out there is sunny, definitely a good day to go out for shoots since I'm already on track on the Shutter Trail.

Let me finish the as much as I can before getting ready for the weekend outdoor shots.

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Abandoned Places: Even further reading

Have further refined on the location of the Saudi Embassy in Nassim Road; according to Gavin.

After reading further about the abandoned house in Kampong Glam, it spurred me to read further and came across Pin Guan Hotel, which is located near Rangoon Road.   A real old hotel of the 1930s which look really pre-war state; wonder if it's still there as a thread I read suggested the pic was taken in 2005.

Location is described as "Pin Guan Hotel is located near Owen Road; near Race Course Road; near Worcester Road"

Hope it's still there.

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Processing - the continuation

I have managed to do some decent processing of the pics taken at Mt Emily - it has been themed with an eerie green glow considering the dilapidation of the place.  Looking forward to be going there for a shoot in the day again on my off days; there are still more pics to be taken at that place.

More works to be done as I need more time to process the handful of that day's shots.

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The contemplation of Sigma 50mm f1.4 EX DG HSM

After many days of skimming through lenses, it still looks more economical to import the Sigma lens from Tin Cheung, as it is much cheaper despite being a grey set...but I have to personally test the lens before deciding if it delivers the desired results.

Looking forward to this Sat's shoot at Dempsey Hill.

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Further lineup of abandoned places

A few more places lined up for those which are not forgotten by the world that is moving around:

http://ghostclubsg.blogspot.com/2010/04/abandoned-houses-places-property.html

Looks like there are more than meets the eye; and yet to be known to many around us....

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Flashguns line up

Been reading through a few 3rd party flashguns for my A500, such as Nissim, Yongnuo, Sunpak and finally came across this make on artworkfoto's site:

Tumax DPT386 AFZ for Sony,Olympus and Panasonic

 For the price, it's much more decent compared to getting a HVL-F58AM which is almost triple its price.

Another into my consideration list...

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Minolta AF MACRO 100mm F2.8(32) D

Just read about this lens that is identical to the Sony SAL100M28, which costs SGD1,248 for a new set, compared a used set can cost only SGD690.

The used set of Minolta AF Macro 100mm F2.8 can go as low as SGD500.

It seems to be receiving positive reviews, following is the sample shots from the lens.  Seeing those pics itches me on the settlement of a macro lens!

http://www.dyxum.com/reviews/lenses/Minolta-AF-100-F2.8-Macro-D_review99.html

http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/topic11628.html

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2 abandoned places swept into history

Today's plan was to find View Road Hospital and also Tong Watt Road old shohouses.

When I reached Tong Watt Road, what was left was only the steps to the five foot way, shophouses are almost fully demolished with only the front face, which are also covered in netting.  What a disappointment; so I decided to makedo with the conserved surroundings to build up the collection of conserved places.  Managed to get some shots of a colonial style building which is used by a childcare centre, near Oxley Rise.

Next destination was View Road, but after locating the place, it had now been named as "View Lodge" and houes foreign workers; on man...a double disappointment.

I had to eat as it's already 3; with limited choice, Macs settled my dinner before making my way back.  Spotted Seletar West Farmway and decided to take a peek.  The road is exceptionally long, and on the way back, found the dirt road to Seletar Jetty where fishermen lived.  The place is scattered with trash on the mangrove swamp, fishing equipment and huts built on wood.  That reminded me of those olden days where fishermen made their living on their catch.  It's surprising to see that such a trade still lives in today's world.

With the overpowering platoon of commandos, I had to move off soon as they're getting the better of me; furthermore, not adequately attired for the wild trail; soiled my shoes heavily with mangrove mud and decided to RTB.

Later on read online that the place had been under conservation status for decades and since 2008, it had served as a dormitory building...I must have missed capturing them in their lost state by 3 years.  Though the building stands, what had been stagnated since it was vacated had been lost.

On the bright side, the labour today are not too bad as I've also got some shots of the state-owned McCallum dormitories that was at the edge of SGH.

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Abandoned Places: Old French Embassy

An unexpected harvest today as I was actually on the hunt for Istana Woodneuk, which was known to be along Tyersall Aveneue.

Making a couple of rounds finally brought me to a building that is perched on top of a hill.  "I've found you" was what came to my mind at that moment.

I had parked my car elsewhere to prevent getting attention for a singular car that was parked by the winding road among those good class bungalows.  Here I am, after a distance by foot, I had reached the foot of the building.

The place was totally uninhabited, with overgrowing plants on the stairway, gaps of buildling and one look of the building, could tell it was made of wood.  A room that was dark brings about the sound of a fan - that sounded like there was a running computer within one of the rooms.  No matter.  Keep moving.

The latrine that looked older than my parents had stood there with a broken door, overgrown plants and an open roof.  Even the covered walkway from main building to the rear building, that looked like the kitchen, was also torn from the erosion over the years.

Intially, there was an uneasy feeling as it's the first time venturing to such a building, but after awhile of warming up with the solitude, the mind is open and I able to venture through those rooms freely.  Wooden planked stairs appeared sturdy with each step but the main door was locked.  In respect of the place, I won't open any unopened doors as they may be too poor a state.

After a good visual harvest of the place, I had made my way off, leaving memories of the place and thinking how it used to function in it's glorious days.

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Abandoned Places: Baghdad Road

Oops, I must have got the name wrong when I first visited the place in the evening.

Parked at the right timing near Sultan Mosque, I have evaded the parking summon where the enforcement officer who just made his rounds when I was placing my coupons.

Took a few wide shots of the conserved buildings along Arab Street before making my way back to that place that was just opposite Sultan House that had been fenced up.

Since I've been past that old shophouse I wanted so much to go back, this is the best time to take shots while day light is bright.  There are a couple of rag and bone men doing their rounds of collecting used carboard and using the main gate of the small passageway as their "warehouse", completely unoblivious of me taking from outside. 

I shall go in.

The structure of the building reminded me of my granny's place in Jalan Ampas, which though, is made of zinc and wood, the era is identical.  But from the debris, the place looks like the place is more than 50 years old.  From the engravement on surrounding buildings, that engraved 1922, that could well suggest that the place could be as old as what other buildings had been branded.  All the places in the house look  quite okay except the last room that was almost pitch dark and could only be illuminated with my flash.

Beyond those sealed doors are actually leading to the back alley which I could see activities of life - lockers of workers who work in the building beside the dilapidated shophouse that was still active.

It has to be the most fruitful event of the trip as I continue my collection of abandoned places.

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Conserved Places: Joo Chiat Part 2

More shots of the place taken in close proximity; a venture up the spiral concrete stairs which accomodates only 1 person at a time, and the place is, sure dirty, filled with a stench due to dampness.

I got a shot of the stairs and surroundings with where I could venture.  Gates are shut but it seems that the place is inhabited by foreign labour workers.

That should bring my works on this place complete - for now.

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Conserved Places: Roundup

Found the following places.  Hope there's still access since it's state owned and rentable:

Bungalows;

54,Upavon Road, Singapore 507739

54,Regent Street, Singapore 798339

33,Malcolm Road, Singapore 308271

1,Cornwall Road, Singapore 119663

5A&B,Malcolm Road, Singapore 308278

38,Rebecca Road,Singapore 266711 

10,Winchester Road,Singapore 117784 

25,Changi Village Road,#01-15,Singapore 509924

HDB:

134C,Kang Ching Road, Singapore 619064

426,Clemenceau Avenue North, Singapore 229516

Other places:

461,461A,Sims Ave,Former Ren Ci Hospital & Medicare Centre,Singapore 387541

70,Martaban Road

19,Aroozoo Avenue,Former Paya Lebar Swimming Complex,Singapore 539830

101,Yuan Ching Road,Former Yuan An Primary School,Singapore 61865

Retail Places:

9A,Kerbau Road,Singapore 219148

16,Morse Road,#01-213,Singapore 099228

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Conserved Places: Arab Street

Dropped off at Arab Street and decided to commence the first night shot of the place; walked by Arab Street and passed through Banglah Road where I spotted a fenced up house which is branded as State Property; windows and doors are all locked and sealed; so the only place I could capture the building was through the fence gaps.

Opposite the road was a dilpilated shophouse that looked more than 50 years old; which part of the roof was bared with overgrowing stray tress from within; saw another 2 photographers taking the place; being too dark, flash had to be used.  Night doesn't seem a good choice to capture the age of the building's age that is read on all the eroded debris.  It's strange that the building is still around; but it had better be soon that I take a picture of it before it's swept into extinction and history.

Done a research online but could not find anything about the bared-rooftop shophouse.  The state owned house is actually calld Sultan House along Sultan Halt.

Quite a fruitful trip tonight.

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Abandoned Places: A list gathered

Some of the places that I've found online are as follow:

Old Mitre Hotel - off Killiney Road
Robertson Quay Godown #2 - near Rodyk Street
Army Supply Base (Abandoned) - near Kranji Road; 0.1 kilometre away from Jalan Surau
Abandoned shophouses - Tong Watt St

I need to find out more about these places and how to get there exactly.

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Abandoned Places: Left for?

The journey of discovering more these places continues.

Sometimes I wonder why these place are left and not taken down?  Is it due to some ruling reasons or just simply because supernatural causes, such as the fate of those who had attempted to bring down Matilda House?

I guess the only people who will know are URA / SLA who will have up their books all the places that are left and untouched, dispute being vacated many years ago.

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Abandoned Places: The journey continues

Have been packed with many events lately that I had no time to go to this place to add another set to my collection.

It was the old asylum for that had since been defunc after relocating to Buangkok.  Wondering if it's still accessible at this time?

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Soong Sisters' House

Not a chance to enter Soong Sisters' House even after locating it, as the seal, "Private Property" had been affixed at the pathway towards the 3 grand houses.

Situated just behind Cineleisure and well hidden among the lush vegetation, I could see the 2nd house which was a walk way up.  It appears to be within a zone of conserved buildings.  Vegetation had since built up over the years compared to what SPI got when they could enter the premises.

I had better not try my luck as there were quite many people around for the constructions around.   The first house at 7 Grange Road seems occupied with Zen artifects inside and outside.

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Abandoned Places: Pasir Ris Red House

I had arrived at the gates of the infamous Red House located along Pasir Ris Drive 3, near Bluewater condominium - nearly missed it as it had prominently low front red gates.

The sign branding it as private property had been prominently labelled and it certainly is a no no to enter the premises despite the strong urge.

What greeted me was the densely overgrown shrubs in the surroundings that had also grown inside the house.  Upon closer examination, there was a big tree that had grown inside the tree and had flourished much...was it due to strength from the paranormal or simply just left to grow in the wild?

Moveout after staying there for an hour or so.

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Abandoned places: Old KK Hospital

I just found out that the abandoned building at 143 Victoria St, Singapore 188020 is actually the old KK Hospital that had been there since 1924; so many decades before I was even born.

Good place for me to take the next shot.  The last time I saw it; it had appeared to be fenced up and nothing said on the map.

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Abandoned places: Matilda House, old CGH and Hendon Camp

I've finally found the place after circling Punggol Walk and Way a couple of times.  Matilda House is hidden away from the main road if you're not in a coach or high seated vehicle.

The route I took was a rough barge into the place, as I made my way through a small gap from the thickened vegetation.  Finally, after a while, and taking pics of close to nature around me, I reached the fenced up perimeters of the old building.

Read online this building was built in 1921 and with the recent development, governement has fenced it up and placed under the care of AETOS which provided auxillary security service.

The place was magnificently huge and building still standing firm.  Come 2021 will make the building a century old.  I wonder what the government will do since they are unable to demolish it, and keeping it fenced out from the public's trespassing.  For the passion, it's certainly not worth a risk to trespass.  The heat of the afternoon made the photoshoot quite a thermal challenge but it has to go on.

Having taken a handful of shots, the next stop was old Changi General Hospital.  I recall entering the premises in 2005 shortly, after my ORD with Girish who was in full time uni studies back then.  I reached the gate and found it also fenced up with AETOS branding.  Guess the best way was using my SAL75300 to do the closeups for views beyond my reach.

Upon leaving, I caught a few shots of the old commando camp which were also built in colonial style towards the sunset.

As the time slipped by quickly from the baskering heat in the afternoon, soon, the time has come to evening and it's time to get back home.

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Woodlands Garden Park

A 20min drive took us to the quiet, yet nolgastic park which was surrounded by older flats; something which isn't seen much in modern Singapore today.

Weather is decently temperated and took some pics for dearie after gathering good composition from the surroundings. In view of the travel time and welcoming mozzie battalion, we had moved out after a year.

The photos are impressive especially so when taken in manual mode; a great improvement when I look back to the first photo taken. It warms my heart knowing that my partner likes them all and have posted a few done previously, on Facebook for viewing.


•クラドーのiPhone•

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Product Studio shoot - 1st and completed!

The product studio shot for Andy was done pretty smoothly despite quite a handful of manual work on making my own light tent, from a decommissioned 40cm glass tank…it certainly was the heaviest light tent which I’ve encoutered; most of the tips online are suggesting using cardbox boxes.

Thanks to dearie who has also helped me to arrnage the merchandise while I take my aim and shoot, under the not-so-professional looking studio right here in my room.  My prettiest assistant to date who has been so supportive of my shutter passion, and no one else can be better!

After all the work, finally it has been done and ready to pass to Andy tomorrow!

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Nikon Capture NX2

My first photo editing done on my Mac; must say that the colours are much more vibrant in Mac's screen.

Seems like Mac is more tweaked for photo editing as true colours can be seen here.

Just a retouch of the Double Helix album; sadly most of the originals are lost when there was a card reading error of my SD card; else all can be redone.

I shall try using Mac more often so as to maximise it's value; afterall it's bundled with the broadband plan I have just signed up.

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HVL-F58AM

This is the awaited flash that will definitely help me take quality pictures when coupled with the Sigma lens...

Someone selling it for $400 on Clubsnap but has been reserved...man....let's hope there's another of such a deal.

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Sigma 50mm f1.4 EX DG HSM for Sony

Just found out the prices of this lens I want to get; it's pretty costly but based on the quality of pics, it has to be a winner!

$840 (OP) | $870 (MS) | $890 (CP) | $825 (TK, Mar09)

Check out the quality of pics taken by this wonderful lens!

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=546050&highlight=Sigma+50mm+f%2F1.4+f1.4+EX+DG+HSM+for+Sony

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Product Studio Photography

I've received this as the first assignment without any trial from one of my MMORPG friends, so only a couple of trail shots are done with minimal proper setups.

Works will be uploaded later.

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