Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Abandoned, Discovered
As part of my photography class assignment, students have to submit a photo essay of what they wish to shoot: the idea and rationale behind it, etc, etc. (An A4-size paper worth of essay, mind you!)
Our shooting homework for subsequent weeks would then be to take pictures according to the photo idea and theme that we submitted in the essay.
I have an interesting mix of classmates from different parts of the world. Besides the locals, I have classmates who hail from German, France, USA and Holland.
This Dutch classmate, I call him "Wolverine", cos he looks just like the X-man character in the film!
Wolverine has an interesting idea for his photo assignment - to capture pictures of abandoned buildings!
Yes, old buildings that have been abandoned. If you think it's easy to find them in Singapore, think again.
In its efforts in modernization, I see this small country sparing no efforts in ensuring old useless buildings are torn down to give way to glossy high-rise skyscrapers, while interesting old buildings are methodically restored to their past glory, and then converted into shophouses or museums (but seldom do they get abandoned to rot)!
Anyway, Wolverine uses his animal instinct to successfully track down this abandoned building, located - of all places - in the heart of town! (It's actually tucked away in some inconspicuous corner of Grange Road.)
So with a mix of excitement and trepidation yesterday, Wolverine and I (two otherwise law-abiding fellows) walked quietly up the path, sneaked a glance at each other and muttered "let's go" before trespassing into an area that is obviously private-owned.
For our efforts, we were rewarded with a dilapidated bungalow towering over us. Yes, for sure, it's abandoned. And for a long time too.
It looks like it could be home to a respectable middle class family in its hey days. Overlooking an open overgrown field, the 2-storey house boasts large windows and a little front porch area strewn with rotting woods and overgrowing weeds.
Stepping into the house, you are greeted with graffiti on the walls, shards on the floor, algae everywhere, and more rotting planks of decaying wood.
If you were there, you would witness two grown men tiptoeing their way gingerly around inside the house, all for the great art of photography!
(Ringing in my head is the "995" number that I dutifully inform my fellow trespasser, when he asked me just moments ago what's the emergency phone number for ambulance in Singapore.)
When we both saw the interior ceiling, we were horrified. We instinctively turned to look at each other, and agreed that it's just a matter of time before the ceiling collapses - it's just a question of when!
We may be brave, but we're not foolhardy.. thus we eventually decided against going upstairs.
The graffiti at the stairwell ominously foretells "Shinning Path" (sic).
As you can see... the whole place looks kinda spooky, really - even in broad daylight.
In case you're wondering, my photo essay idea is not to shoot abandoned places.
My presence here was requested by this dear classmate who thought that he could use an extra buddy around, to help call the ambulance or something...
... you know..
... just in case the roof collapses on him...
.. or he chances upon a visiting Mighty Python or Black Widow.
(OK. If you must know, these are scenarios painted by him, not me!)
I hope our super hero manages to capture some shots for his homework.
All these precious pictures you see here are taken by his bodyguard, who risked life and limb and broke the law to obtain these pictures, so you won't have to ;)
It was an interesting experience, thanks to Wolverine. In any case, I'm just glad it was a case of cry wolf :)
Our shooting homework for subsequent weeks would then be to take pictures according to the photo idea and theme that we submitted in the essay.
I have an interesting mix of classmates from different parts of the world. Besides the locals, I have classmates who hail from German, France, USA and Holland.
This Dutch classmate, I call him "Wolverine", cos he looks just like the X-man character in the film!
Wolverine has an interesting idea for his photo assignment - to capture pictures of abandoned buildings!
Yes, old buildings that have been abandoned. If you think it's easy to find them in Singapore, think again.
In its efforts in modernization, I see this small country sparing no efforts in ensuring old useless buildings are torn down to give way to glossy high-rise skyscrapers, while interesting old buildings are methodically restored to their past glory, and then converted into shophouses or museums (but seldom do they get abandoned to rot)!
Anyway, Wolverine uses his animal instinct to successfully track down this abandoned building, located - of all places - in the heart of town! (It's actually tucked away in some inconspicuous corner of Grange Road.)
So with a mix of excitement and trepidation yesterday, Wolverine and I (two otherwise law-abiding fellows) walked quietly up the path, sneaked a glance at each other and muttered "let's go" before trespassing into an area that is obviously private-owned.
For our efforts, we were rewarded with a dilapidated bungalow towering over us. Yes, for sure, it's abandoned. And for a long time too.
It looks like it could be home to a respectable middle class family in its hey days. Overlooking an open overgrown field, the 2-storey house boasts large windows and a little front porch area strewn with rotting woods and overgrowing weeds.
Stepping into the house, you are greeted with graffiti on the walls, shards on the floor, algae everywhere, and more rotting planks of decaying wood.
If you were there, you would witness two grown men tiptoeing their way gingerly around inside the house, all for the great art of photography!
(Ringing in my head is the "995" number that I dutifully inform my fellow trespasser, when he asked me just moments ago what's the emergency phone number for ambulance in Singapore.)
When we both saw the interior ceiling, we were horrified. We instinctively turned to look at each other, and agreed that it's just a matter of time before the ceiling collapses - it's just a question of when!
We may be brave, but we're not foolhardy.. thus we eventually decided against going upstairs.
The graffiti at the stairwell ominously foretells "Shinning Path" (sic).
As you can see... the whole place looks kinda spooky, really - even in broad daylight.
In case you're wondering, my photo essay idea is not to shoot abandoned places.
My presence here was requested by this dear classmate who thought that he could use an extra buddy around, to help call the ambulance or something...
... you know..
... just in case the roof collapses on him...
.. or he chances upon a visiting Mighty Python or Black Widow.
(OK. If you must know, these are scenarios painted by him, not me!)
I hope our super hero manages to capture some shots for his homework.
All these precious pictures you see here are taken by his bodyguard, who risked life and limb and broke the law to obtain these pictures, so you won't have to ;)
It was an interesting experience, thanks to Wolverine. In any case, I'm just glad it was a case of cry wolf :)
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Door of Opportunities
Difficulties are opportunities to better things; they are stepping stones to greater experience.
When one door closes, another always opens.
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