Shophouse Neon Photo

Photographer’s Note

Someone asked me recently what Singapore was like - this wasn't easy to answer. At one point I settled on "It's like Hong Kong, but nicer"...I was satisfied with this for awhile but then I realized it wasn't so true...Lots of differences...cleanliness being one...nobody honks the horn in Singapore, and the streets are not full of neon. This neon sign in Chinatown (set against the restored shophouses) seems to be such a rarity that people come and take photos of it....including me

Dragonheart, canan, Luko has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

canan (963) 2006-08-17 4:59

my answer to that question is "singapore is the explanation of postmodernizm"...great pov..liked the pastel colors and neon contrast a lot...postmodern isnt it?

Dragonheart (8393) 2006-08-17 5:13

Hi Mark,
Thanks for the note, good colours and framing. I like how you have tilted the image.
Thanks for sharing
Best regards
Vivek

sebinho342 (18784) 2006-08-17 5:16

Hi Mark, a good one, good way of using tilt, i hesitate this morning to upload a highly tilted picture but i didn't ... you did :) ... and with success
Simple picture, sound very exotic
Good colors and contrats, for a sharp result
Have a good day

ben4321 (9807) 2006-08-18 13:09

I like the tilt that you've given to this shot Mark, with the neon sign running diagonally through the frame.
The bright colours of the neon combine well with the more muted pastel shades of the buildings.
Nice work.
Cheers,
Ben

Luko (13896) 2006-09-05 11:26

Mark, I like your caption, as much as your photo but I think I would have replied something like "Despite what the maps usually say, Singapore doesn't belong to Asia."
Lately, it had been my third short stay in S'pore : each time, the way they're going get more on my nerves... I felt now that S'pore was enjoying a kind of Disneyland of wealth and cleanliness, mixed with the most unbearable trend atmosphere of NYC and Paris.. I mean the artificial glitz and emptyness of just brands and names, but nothing behind.

I don't have anything to say against (most of the) average s'poreans, eager to show the best sides of their city... but there's a general trend, something like a wish of being more western than the western countries, that have pulled them out of Asia.

It's a pity, I love Asia.

HongKong retains that mix of bitish and chinese influence with pride. Hong Kong is still bustling and true.
S'pore is the Michael Jackson of Asia, trying to be someone else. Just look at Clarke Quay restaurants and bars, where eating crab is more expensive than in Paris (!.. ).that leads us to our second point.

Second myth to fall : Singapore a fooding paradise. Hey come'on, Malaysia is ten kilometers from Clarke quay though, you might end paying a grilled squid dish some 10 euros... Berapa harga sotong dan nasi, eh?... lemme laugh... More over, I've eaten way better in Bangkok, Penang and Saigon...

So, I'm sorry if I hurt some S'poreans but guys, wake up! Try putting up your nose off your work, life is not just about clean roads. .. not surprised that S'pore has the highest rate of bachelors, you don't take your time enough (although I must say the s'porean girls you see walking in the streets are probably some of the most attractive women)... wonder what should be their suicide rate, though...

Hmmmh... forgot my critiques to your photo... clean as s'pore can be, a disneyland of chinese neons... here's main street-lah...