I'm sure many of us have photographs that have significance in our lives.
Here is one that made an impact on me.
The year was in the early 80s. I was commissioned by the Trade Development Board of Singapore to photograph "Vanishing Trades". The pictures were to be used by the Trade Board to promote tourism. One of the subjects was the "Sampan" man.
Sampan, a row boat, is a historical part of Singapore. But the trade of ferrying passengers to the ships was dying off.
When I took the photo, I did it with a heavy heart. Singapore was prospering economically that time. In fact, touted as one of the four Asian tigers.
Here in front of me is an elderly gentleman eking out a meagre living. The nation's prosperity left him behind.
I paid him to row me out to sea. When I found the right spot, I told him to stop and just hold the oars as though he's rowing.
I didn't want to tire him out. I mounted my flash on top of my Nikon and proceeded to shoot at a slow speed. I think it was 1/15 to 1/8 sec.
This speed was deliberate because I wanted to blur the "Merlion" on the left.
The "Merlion" is a symbol of modern Singapore's success and prosperity.
Having it out of focus with the sampan man in the foreground in sharp focus is a visual indictment of the failure of the government to look after the less fortunate. For him, the nation's prosperity is as good as a mirage.
Till today, I have not forgotten this gentleman. This assignment hit home that life can be very unfair to some.
Here is one that made an impact on me.
The year was in the early 80s. I was commissioned by the Trade Development Board of Singapore to photograph "Vanishing Trades". The pictures were to be used by the Trade Board to promote tourism. One of the subjects was the "Sampan" man.
Sampan, a row boat, is a historical part of Singapore. But the trade of ferrying passengers to the ships was dying off.
When I took the photo, I did it with a heavy heart. Singapore was prospering economically that time. In fact, touted as one of the four Asian tigers.
Here in front of me is an elderly gentleman eking out a meagre living. The nation's prosperity left him behind.
I paid him to row me out to sea. When I found the right spot, I told him to stop and just hold the oars as though he's rowing.
I didn't want to tire him out. I mounted my flash on top of my Nikon and proceeded to shoot at a slow speed. I think it was 1/15 to 1/8 sec.
This speed was deliberate because I wanted to blur the "Merlion" on the left.
The "Merlion" is a symbol of modern Singapore's success and prosperity.
Having it out of focus with the sampan man in the foreground in sharp focus is a visual indictment of the failure of the government to look after the less fortunate. For him, the nation's prosperity is as good as a mirage.
Till today, I have not forgotten this gentleman. This assignment hit home that life can be very unfair to some.
