singapore street photography - chinatown

Singapore Street Photography: Chinatown w/ Sony RX100 III

I have to be honest, the Sony RX100 is a great camera. However, the only reason I used it for my Chinatown street photography was because my Ricoh GR battery died! Haha…to tell the truth, I was surprised to learn that the RX100 is capable out on the Singapore streets, too!


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  Words & Photos By Nathan Allen


Obviously, one reason is that with an f1.8 lens, I can still shoot at night or in low light. The photo below was taken at Chinatown complex after dark. This group of men is hanging on every move of an intense Chinese chess game.

Men Playing Chinese Chess Game - Chinatown Street Photography, Singapore City - Sony RX100 III  © Nathan Allen via @idreamedofthis
Men playing “Dum”, or Chinese Chess – Chinatown complex

I shoot RAW and do my own black and white conversions, but the RX100 has nice B&W and effect modes as well.

“Zone Focusing”

My Ricoh has a “snap focus” mode, which really helps with split second street shooting. The Sony does not, but I still found a way to set it up for zone focusing. Basically I set the aperture low, like f8…then use a fast shutter speed, like 1/500 of a second. Then, in manual focus mode, I use “focus peaking”, so I can see where (and how much) of the scene in front of me is in focus.

Man & lanterns at Buddha Tooth Relic Temple entrance - Sony RX100 - Chinatown Street Photography, Singapore City © Nathan Allen via @idreamedofthis
Temple worshipper & lanterns in patchy sunlight – Sony RX100 III

The shot of the man & temple above was probably focused around 1.5 meters in front of me. With those settings, most of what you see behind him will be in focus as well. Keeping the camera set up like this enabled me to take plenty of lightning quick shots here…and make sure they were all candid.

By the way, I realized that the RX100 has a nice focus ring…my Ricoh does not.

In the Chinese zodiac, 2017 is the “year of the rooster”. The photo below shows a massive lantern display, right in the middle of the busy Singapore streets. This gives you an idea of just how serious the Chinese take their traditions.

Long exposure giant rooster lantern - Sony RX100 - Chinatown Street Photography, Singapore City © Nathan Allen via @idreamedofthis
Giant Rooster lantern @ intersection of New Bridge & Upper Cross Roads

I used a relatively long exposure setting, so that I could capture the motion of the pedestrians and traffic passing by. It was taken handheld, thanks to the camera’s superb image stabilization. For more about this, you can check out my Low Light & Night Photography w/ RX100.

Below is another black and white evening shot in Chinatown complex. Don’t worry, this old man is only resting.

Old man sleeping with Chinese Chess game in distance - Sony RX100 B&W - Chinatown Street Photography, Singapore City © Nathan Allen via @idreamedofthis
Elderly man napping during Chinese Chess game behind him

Singapore Crowds on Pagoda Street

Of all the locations I shot street in Singapore, I think I like my Chinatown the best. I found a never ending stream of people…and from all walks of life. The arc of the sun falls in line with Pagoda street…so there’s nice, even morning and afternoon lighting.

Tour group on streets - Sony RX100 - Chinatown Street Photography, Singapore City © Nathan Allen via @idreamedofthis
Tourists and lanterns on Pagoda Street

I walked through the shady corridor until I reached the entrance of Chinatown Food Street, another great location for afternoon shooting.

Chinese women w/ sun hats - Sony RX100 - Chinatown Street Photography, Singapore City © Nathan Allen via @idreamedofthis
Young women in sun hats @ Chinatown Food Street entrance – Smith St

Temple Scenes – Chinatown Street Photography

The Buddha Tooth Relic temple is a striking landmark. I was quite inspired here. I love the way the afternoon sun drops lantern shadows on the walls. The later in the afternoon, the more pronounced the effect is.

Man on street near Buddha Tooth Relic Museum  - Sony RX100 - Chinatown Street Photography, Singapore City © Nathan Allen via @idreamedofthis
Local man outside Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

After exploring the temple inside and out (a must see), I made my way back to Pagoda Street.

Boys & old man on Pagoda street - Sony RX100 III - Chinatown Street Photography, Singapore City © Nathan Allen via @idreamedofthis
Men..young & old – Pagoda streetscape

The shadows were growing taller and taller…a sure sign of fading light to come. I returned over the course of a few days, and decided my favorite time for Chinatown Street Photography is about 2 hours before sunset.

The low angle of the sun provides perfect lighting – with a lot of dramatic shadows. 1 hour before sunset might be a bit too late in a big city like this, because the tall buildings may already be robbing your subjects of sunlight.

(continued below, but I do hope you’ll consider following along with me…)

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Before hopping on the MRT, I noticed one last opportunity for a shot. It turned out to be one of my favorites.

Vintage style photo of older man on Pagoda Street - Sony RX100 - Chinatown Street Photography, Singapore City © Nathan Allen via @idreamedofthis
Stylish gentleman walking near Chinatown MRT

Pleasantly Surprised by Shooting Street w/ the RX100

Overall, taking candid shots with the RX100 certainly impressed me. I already knew the camera was versatile, but I realize it more and more every time I use it. Hope you enjoyed my Chinatown street photography series…be sure to check out the 3rd and final chapter of my adventure below.

Those interested in this awesome little camera can find it on Amazon here: Sony DSC-RX100M III Cyber-shot Digital Still Camera

I’m curious if you’ve used the Sony RX100 for street photography?

Do let me know if you have any questions.

  1. Downtown (main page)
  2. Chinatown
  3. Little India

– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

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Nathan Allen FBI Dreamed Of This on FBI Dreamed Of This on TwitterI Dreamed Of This on InstagramI Dreamed Of This on PinterestI Dreamed Of This on Youtube
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