Assignment 3: Change

Theme: People through Change

“We live in a country where only thing which is constant is change.
Create 8 to 12 pictures essay on a theme. Select appropriate point of view which addresses the theme.”

Equipment used: Canon 30D, 17-40 mm lens & 28-105 mm lens

*update*
I think the class did very well this week. Most of the photo essays presented are gorgeous. There’s an evident improvement in everybody’s work.
In my opinion, Steph, Ivy and Yikang presented the best three series. Steph’s work exhibited finesse through simplicity- something that is extremely hard to achieve. Steph’s and Ivy’s work conveyed a clear, comprehensive take on the assignment topic of Change. Yikang on the other hand, has an excellent and refreshing take on the topic. I dig his surrealistic, grim concept. Yikang really is rather amazing, offering something new and STUNNING every week.
His concept reminds me of an old first person shooter computer game- American McGee’s Alice. You play the role of Alice in the mad lunatic world of wonderland where card soldiers are hunting you down and you only have a meat carving knife for protection in the beginning. Eventually Alice does get her hand on meaner, more wicked weapons like exploding dice etc etc. And I’ve digressed….
So! *drumrolls* The three of them gets full marks!!!! In comparison, I rate myself a 78/100 (33 for creativity, 45 for effort)
Some feedback from the class and my friend, Terry is that the photo essay isn’t “tight”. The element of change isn’t that coherent and apparent in the series. I’ve decided to break my essays into two series as suggested by Paul. He mentioned that the first few images belong more distinctly in a group of their own.
I guess that while change really is random, however in the context of a photo essay, it works better to have a more coherent bind/links running throughout. Paul mentioned that improvement is hard and it is tough breaking out of one’s comfort zone.
I totally understand how he feels.
*end of update*

Initially, I was fretting over what to shoot that can relay my chosen theme. Had the chance to chat with Prof. Irving Johnson of the South East Asia Studies Dept. Thanks Dr J for your various “interesting” suggestions. But I did take your suggestion to TRY and move away from the “Tan Pin Pin”-ish images that were typical of my film projects and photos.

I hoped to capture the characteristic of change itself through the subject of people- how people are affected by changes. Changes in their surroundings, life style and values.
Change to me is random and pervasive. It often creeps up on us without us knowing.

Below are two separate series.

Series 1

Synchronized Cleaning

Location: Jurong East Entertainment Center
This is one of the first few photos I took. I was surprised to find that in this day and age, building facade cleaning is still being done so manually. I was expecting at least a gondola considering that everything is so mechanical and automated these days.
I guess technology isn’t the answer to every problem we have in life.

Till We Meet Again

Location: Aliwal Street
Aliwal Street is located in the Arab Street vicinity. Most of the shop houses on both sides are well maintained with fresh coats of vibrant paint.
However, the street was unusually quiet with a lack of both human and traffic activities. I was walking in the middle of the road the entire time there. It was as if the street was abandoned overnight. The inactivity of the street clashed so much with the colours, giving off negative, morose vibes.
The streets were coloured, but they felt black and white.
The signboard which translates loosely into “Till we meet again” completes the sullen, melancholic mood of the place.

Out of Place?

Location: Aliwal Street
Volkswagen literally means the people’s wagon. I’ve been told that they were initially conceived as a form of cheap private transportation. I wanted to juxtapose the vehicles that moves the people back then and now. The vintage Volkswagen minibus in the foreground and the salon car that most Singaporeans drive.
In this case, the peeling wall in the background makes the otherwise common salon car seem out of place. It felt right to find a retro bus there.

Frenzy

Location: Aliwal Street
Right here, the bus felt out of place immediately. An old man in a hurry passing by and leaving a piece of the past behind.
This is my attempt at creating the “multiple exposure” effect that is typically associated with film camera.

Alleyway Barber

Location: Aliwal Street
One of the last few remaining barbers (I heard there’s only one other such barber) that operates without a retail shop space.

Side by Side

Location: Pandan Gardens
A common scene in the heartlands of Singapore. A barber and a hair dresser side by side. Most of us grew up having our hair done in such joints.

It’s Hairy!

Location: It’s Hairy, Far East Plaza
There are many hair salon in Far East offering the latest in foreign styles. It’s Hairy appeals to modern Singaporeans with its various offerings. Braiding, hair tattoos, dreadlocks and hair extensions etc. You name it they can do it.
They even boast an in-house trichologist!
Where was that when I was growing up?

Good Morning Sir!

A sight associated with most neighborhood barbers and salons. This made in China towel has the signature Chinese words that translates into “Good morning sir”. It can still be seen around salons in Singapore but are getting phased out.
Slowly but surely.

Series 2

Share Share Ok?

Location: Pandan Gardens
Scene of two toddlers playing and sharing a toy.
A playground might undergo renovation, new foam flooring might replace the sand box of old.
The playground might change but what it stands for doesn’t. Play remains an important aspect of growing up.
The lessons from play doesn’t change either.
Share share ok?

Old Man and His Cans

Location: Pandan Gardens
A familiar sight that has sprung up in the past 5 years or so. It’s not uncommon to see senior citizens making their way around food centers collecting empty drink cans.
Perhaps this is an indication of the rising standard of living here. Senior citizens have to collect cans to sell off for a pittance. Anything for a little more money to cope with life.
Here we have an old man flattening his collection of the day.

Change Arrested

Location: Pandan Gardens
This shot was inspired by the conversation with Dr J. He suggested shooting people working out in the gym.
“Those are people wanting to change.”
Here’s my take on that. This shot was done using a panning technique, resulting in the motion blur of the background. I wanted to capture the moment when the jogger acknowledges my presence.

Pounce

Location: Pandan Gardens
The cat stalks its prey stealthily. Waiting for the right moment to pounce.
Random moment captured as I was taking a break. Looks lile the cat’s about to pounce on the lady jogger.
Topsy turvy role reversal. It’s a crazy world we live in.

They Grow Up So Fast

Location: Pandan Gardens
Lastly, my concluding statement for my theme. People are affected by changes. More so for the young. What lies ahead for them? How much of the present will the remember?
A common lament of parents, kids really grow up too quickly. Blink and you might miss the entire process.

~ by crankymike on September 19, 2007.