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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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....

Read More

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...

Read More

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

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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?

Read More

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.

Read More