I did not take any pictures of the Christmas tree at Raffles City Shopping Mall last year. Not losing the chance this year. It is a golden and red theme this year. I am going around town just to check out the decorations for the festive season. Some are better than last year and some a wee bit less than the past event. The weekend is almost here. Have fun!
Christmas Tree at Raffles City Shopping Mall
I just read the news that a christmas tree outside Ngee Ann City Tower A caught fire last night at about 8.36pm. Pictures and videos are posted at Yahoo Singapore. Unfortunately, the fire destroyed the christmas tree. No report out yet on the cause of the blaze.
There were three christmas trees outside of Ngee Ann City that I remembered. From the videos and picture, it looked to be the tree on the extreme left. For comparison, these pictures were taken last thursday night before the fire destroyed the tree.
Three Chrismas Trees outside Ngee Ann City 5 days before the Fire
Vertical View of Christmas Trees outside Ngee Ann City
Thursday night, there were maintenance or repairs done to that christmas tree on the far side. If that was the christmas tree on fire last night, I wonder if there are any faulty wiring. Sad to see it go up in a blaze of glory. So very very glad I got pictures before its destruction.
Hope there is a replacement soon.
Another posting on kites today. I am beginning to be fascinated by them.
Stumbled upon a group of guys flying kites. It took coordinated efforts from each guy to fly each kite into a formation, steady them, disburse, then come together once more. At one stage, the kites formed into a perfect circle, then scrambled away and become like a ladder. One kite refused to cooperate and well formed its own solo company. Heh heh!
Very interesting to watch. 😉
Well, today’s posting is about an exercise in composing a picture using natural frames. Same location, different perspectives using the “cage” or bridge structure to frame the landscape.
Wide Angle Frame
Horizontal View by Framing Landscape
In this composition, the landscape is broken up in smaller pieces using the natural angles of the bridge structure. It helps that we had blue sky and puffy clouds on that day. With a dull sky I doubt it will work as well.
Vertical Panorama
Focus Upward - the Sky Is the Limit
Turn the camera the other way now for a vertical perspective. Keep a low horizon and the sky is the emphasis of the photo. I like the circle in the centre. If the clouds would cover the sun for a “ray of god’s” moment right smack in the centre circle, that would have been a very interesting picture.
Side Angle – Rule of Thirds
Perspective Lines - Side Angle
On hindsight, I should have moved a wee bit to the left so that the dam would fit nicely in that lower frame instead of being slightly covered. At this angle, the nearest metal frame looked the biggest and the furthest looked the smallest. An interplay of perspective lines. I like this composition best of the three pictures.
No matter how many times I have been to the same place, I always try to take photos from different angles. Break out from the monotony and change perspectives once a while.
Today, I tagged along with my sister-in-law in support of her cousin participating in the Dragon Boat Race at the Singapore River, in front of UOB Plaza. Event started at 10.30am with various teams from corporate companies, polytechnics and various sectors from the government and statutory boards. It rained intermittently and we had to rushed for cover each time a heavy downpour started.
Pictures from the event.
It had been a while since I took any sunset photographs while at the Lorong Halus Wetland. It rained in the late afternoon but had subsided in the evening. Weather forecast was cloudy in the evening. Perfect conditions for a great sunset. The battery went flat while I was taking pictures at Rievierra LRT Station. Always bring a spare camera or the handphone could be handy. I used my Lumix LX5 camera instead.
Three pictures from different focal length taken at the red bridge, Lorong Halus Wetland. As we got nearer to December, the sunset position had moved further to the left horizon. While in May around 7pm, the sunset’s position was just over the buildings on the right frame.
Tomorrow’s weather forecast is rain in the late morning and early afternoon. Bear that in mind if you are going out. Have a great weekend!
Sunset over Punggol and Serangoon Reservoir
Beautiful Clouds during Sunset
Wide-angle view of Serangoon Reservoir during sunset
Just came back from Orchard Road and running short of time. Haven’t got a chance to look at the pictures yet to see if there is any worth posting. In summary, the whole stretch of Orchard Road was lit in blue and silver christmas lighting. It was raining now and then. Even after 10pm when most shops had closed down, there was a constant stream of people. Not advisable to take bus or taxis at that hour. Traffic jam and cars horning constantly. Best to take the MRT instead. Be right back later with pictures.
Update : Pictures uploaded.
Orchard Road in Silver Blue Lights for the Singapore Christmas Light Up 2011
Crazy traffic at Orchard Road during Christmas Light Up
A few things to note. Wisma Atria at street level is undergoing renovations. The side street in front of CK Tangs and ION Orchard are under construction too. November is not the optimum time to take christmas lights in Orchard Road it seems. Wait till December, once renovations are done, to take those pictures.
Have a great weekend, everybody!
Dark Clouds hanging over Punggol Reservoir
Approaching Storm
I had more time to re-look at Sunday’s pictures and here are two of them. I reckon these are cumulus clouds fast forming into cumulonimbus. To emphasize the clouds, I tilted the camera upwards to have a lower horizon. With moody clouds like these, things below the cloud linings in perspective look very small in comparison to the gigantic clouds.
If there are nearby shelter, I would have like to stay longer and photograph till the end when the thunderstorm is finally here. It is not good to be caught in the wide open with such fast-changing weather. I am sorry to hear about the two men who was hit by lightning on Coney Island last saturday. Unfortunately Singapore has one of the highest lightning strikes in the world. Be careful out there.
Related articles on cloud types
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cloud_types
http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/cloud3.html
http://www.cloudstypes.com/
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmosphere/clouds/cloud_types.html
http://www.atmosphere.mpg.de/enid/u7.html
The cloud storms are spectacular to see. Mid afternoon seems to be the best time to see them with blue sky and all that fluffy clouds with dark hints of the approaching storm crowding the horizon. Last Sunday I took some snapshots at the beach. Today, I was at Marina Bay during lunch time. Amazingly, there was no rain today. Even the sunset was amazing to see with all that dark menacing clouds in one corner and at another corner, wispy bright white clouds seem to be dancing. I was in the bus so no photos of that scene. Here was the scene at Marina Bay this afternoon.
Storm Clouds at Marina Bay
As part of the Singapore Christmas Light Up 2011 celebration, Sentosa and Harbour Front celebrate in a blaze of colors, lights and dizzling laser displays. So pretty to look at. Folks this is the place to be to get entertained with beautiful lights display. I heard whispers of fireworks at midnight but did not linger for long. Bear in mind this was not confirmed. On weekends, this place will be jammed pack. Choose a weekday instead to come here and snap as many photos as you wish without jostling. Have fun!
Beautiful laser displays at Sentosa in celebration of Christmas
HASAYANG'S TRAVEL AND PHOTOS 