These past few months I have been out and about here in Singapore, exploring neighbourhoods to capture daily life in Singapore. I have barely scratched the surface in this pursuit.
Singapore, despite its small population size of approximately 5.8m, is surprisingly diverse with so many cultural traditions and holidays celebrated throughout the year. Singapore’s neighbourhoods reflect its cultural heritage, such as Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam (the Arab quarter), Geylang, Balestier Rd, and Joo Chiat…. they are all colourful…they all are filled with local shops, hawker markets, temples, and community centres…they all have their own histories.
I would like to share a few images of daily life in Singapore with you today.
Hawker Markets are bursting with colour and action… a photographer’s dream. Local cuisines, fresh fish, fruit and vegetables, and lastly—the special peanut pancake only to be found at Tanglin Halt.
Despite the Covid lockdowns and reduced social activities, there is still a lot of street life…businesses like the flower stalls in Little India, a wedding in Joo Chiat, men playing traditional Chinese checkers in Chinatown, people visiting temples in Little India, tending to one’s birds at the Kebun Baru Birdsong club, and jaywalking in Geylang because it’s the only way to cross the street. Tradition, culture, heritage…all here…on the streets.
Even on rainy days people are out and about. Another photographer’s dream as you capture the glistening streets and reflections.
Singapore’s religious diversity through photographs is another route a photographer could take to portray daily life in Singapore. There are small temples set up even in offices and hawker markets where people leave offerings. There is so much to learn here.
And lastly, there is Old Singapore…My last photograph in this series is about nostalgia. This photo was taken from a 40-year old Nikon FE film camera. The location is on one of Singapore’s surrounding islands. It is here where you can still get a taste for life in the kampong….slower…simpler. This picture is of the taxi drivers waiting for fares under the cover of shade as the bumboats from the big island come over. There are not many chances to view what the large island of Singapore was like before its development of high-rise living and a super charged architectural scene in its central business district. But on Pulau Ubin one can get a glimpse.
“Waiting for Fares”
Throughout the first six months of 2021 I have been building up my Singapore portfolio…. exploring areas not in my neighbourhood. I am discovering Singapore...learning….and appreciating life on the ‘Red Dot’. I hope to be sharing more with you soon.