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5 Photography Tips That'll Make You Explore Singapore In A Different Light

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Faruq Senin •  Jun 29, 2020

Travelling might be off the cards right now as you’re staying home or taking precautionary measures for your safety. But who says you can’t dream about your future trips? If you’re planning to visit Singapore when it’s safe to travel, we’ve got some essential tips you should know before your trip. We’ve rounded up 5 awesome photography tips and Instagram-worthy spots so you can explore Singapore through a fresh perspective!With this guide, you’ll rediscover your favourite spots like Marina Bay Sands, ArtScience Museum, and the Helix Bridge in a different light. We hope you’ll be inspired to spice up your Instagram feed the next time you visit Singapore ?

Note: These tips and photos were kindly provided to us by local photographer, Javan, using iPhone 11 Pro Max.  

1. See Singapore’s skyline in a different light at the ArtScience Museum

You’ve probably seen millions of pictures of Singapore’s skyline from Marina Bay! But the next time you visit, why not capture it in a different light from the ArtScience Museum

The ArtScience Museum is known for its interesting exhibitions that have pushed the boundaries of science and technology like the IG-worthy FUTURE WORLD: Where Art Meets Science exhibition. With its eye-catching and futuristic architecture, it makes the picture-perfect backdrop for your photos! 

Take your photo-taking skills up a notch by trying out different composition techniques like leading lines ? To get this unique Insta-worthy angle of the Singapore skyline, use the curves of the ArtScience Museum to frame your picture so that they will beautifully lead to the buildings in the CBD.

The Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade is another spot that offers plenty of picture-perfect opportunities! Instead of taking a generic shot of Singapore’s CBD skyline, you can make use of reflection to create a stunning symmetry in your photos.

#HHWT Tip: Capture all the details in your reflection shot by using the Ultra Wide camera feature on your mobile phone which is perfect for landscape shots. 

2. Capture the captivating architecture of the Helix Bridge

The Helix Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in Singapore! Its stunning architecture is modelled after the Double Helix DNA, which makes it an incredible addition to your photos of Singapore. 

As the longest pedestrian bridge in Singapore connecting Marina Centre and the Bayfront area, it’s very popular with both locals and travellers! But we’ve got a simple hack that’ll help you snap a captivating picture of the Helix Bridge without the crowd ? 

All you have to do is use the Live Photos function on the iPhone! Snap your pictures in Live Photos mode, then click on “Long Exposure” in the Effects section. With this function, the moving crowds will automatically disappear ? Amazing, right? 

P.S. Love taking photos? Check out these 12 stunning Insta-worthy spots in Singapore!

3. Snap an alternative perspective of Marina Bay Sands

One of the most iconic landmarks in Singapore is none other than the towering Marina Bay Sands, an integrated resort with a hotel, shops, theatre, a convention centre and more! Designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie, its 3 sloping towers are an architectural marvel and you will not want to miss taking a picture with it ?

Instead of taking a picture of the Marina Bay Sands alone, experiment a little and snap an alternative perspective of it - like this dreamy blurred effect! By using the Portrait mode on your mobile phone, you can get that blurred background of Marina Bay Sands that will make your photos different from everyone else! 

#HHWT Tip: Use the Depth Control feature on your mobile phone to adjust the depth of field in your picture! With this feature, you can adjust how blurred you want the background to be. 

4. Focus on architectural details

With so many architectural gems in Singapore, you’d want to capture all these intricate details while you’re here - from the Marina Bay Sands’ striking design to buildings in the CBD, the Merlion fountain and more. 

Trust us, you won’t be able to get enough of Marina Bay Sands’ magnificent architecture from just one angle. Once you’ve snapped a picture of it from afar, go closer to capture the details of its curved towers and the Skypark from a bottom-up perspective! 

#HHWT Tip: If you’re using the iPhone 11 Pro, its Telephoto lens (with 2 x optical zoom) will help you get a closer shot of architectural details.

Another great spot to take snapshots of Singapore’s skyline is this spot between the Jubilee Bridge (left) and Esplanade Bridge (right). The Jubilee Bridge is a pedestrian bridge built in 2015 to commemorate Singapore’s 50th birthday celebrations while the Esplanade Bridge is part of the F1 Marina Bay Street Circuit!

By using the Telephoto lens on your mobile phone to zoom in on architectural details, you’ll get a fresh new perspective of the buildings in Singapore’s CBD ? That’s what makes taking pictures in the Marina Bay area super interesting! 

P.S. Plan your future trip to Singapore with our 3D2N Muslim-friendly Singapore itinerary!

5. Capture the night atmosphere of Singapore

Singapore is not just beautiful in the day but at night too. So why not show that in your photos? Take this opportunity to capture the bright lights and night atmosphere of Singapore! 

The Merlion Park is one of the best spots to take your night shots as it offers an incredible view of the Merlion set against the backdrop of Singapore’s skyline. For the uninitiated, the half-fish, half-lion mythical Merlion is a national icon of Singapore. It symbolises Singapore’ humble beginnings as a fishing village centuries ago when it was called Temasek. A must-see for every traveller in Singapore! 

#HHWT Tip: Make your photo even more captivating by using the rule-of-thirds composition technique, where you place the subject off-centre and along the intersection of the grid lines on your mobile phone. See how the Merlion is beautifully placed in the photo! 

For another perspective of the Singapore skyline, head to the steps at Queen Elizabeth Walk! Did you know that this area was named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II after her coronation in 1953? While you’re here, look out for memorials honouring those who died in World War II. 

From here, you’ll get an impressive view of the Anderson Bridge and the Singapore skyline in the background. With the Anderson Bridge lit up in various colours, it’ll surely add an interesting element to your pictures ?

#HHWT Tip: Make sure you turn on the Night mode on your mobile phone! If you’re using an iPhone, the Night mode turns on automatically and you don’t have to switch on your flash. Remember to hold your mobile phone still when taking a night shot as the shutter will take a while to capture your photo. 

Apart from Singapore’s remarkable landmarks, it is also known for its vibrant food culture! So, you’d have to try some yummy and halal local food while in Singapore. If you’re feeling hungry after sightseeing, fuel up at one of these amazing halal eateries around Marina Bay!

Jiak Modern Tzechar

Jiak Modern Tzechar serves up halal authentic Chinese home-cooked stir-fried dishes (known as zi char). One of the dishes that we highly recommend here is their signature Grandpa’s Chilli Crab! The Chilli Crab sauce is sweet and slightly nutty, with just the right amount of spice. Don’t miss out on other best-sellers like Sambal Kang Kong and Hotplate Beancurd ?

Halal status: Halal-certified

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Noosh Noodle Bar & Grill

Owned by local Muslim Chef Ummi Abdullah, Noosh hasan amazing variety of fusion food. Their dishes will tease your taste buds with unexpected, yet familiar flavours. Be sure to try their Creamy Smoked Duck Lemak Chili Padi Pasta and Chicken Satay Pasta ?

Halal status: Muslim-owned

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Makansutra Gluttons Bay

For a glimpse of Singapore’s hawker scene, Makansutra Gluttons Bay is where you should go! Craving one of Singapore’s well-loved dishes, Hainanese Chicken Rice? Matahari Chicken Rice has got you covered! For local Malay and Indian delights, be sure to visit Syifa’ Satay for some mouth-watering satay and Old Satay Club Mee Goreng for their signature Mee Goreng, Roti Prata and Murtabak ?

Halal status: Muslim-owned

Website

Now that you have read about the IG-worthy spots to visit in Singapore, make sure you bookmark these 5 photography tips! The next time you’re here, you can experiment with different shots for your photos and discover another side of Singapore ? From iconic Marina Bay Sands to the Helix Bridge and ArtScience Museum, Singapore is waiting for you as you stay safe during this period. If you’re looking for more inspiration on IG-worthy landmarks in Singapore, check out Visit Singapore’s official Instagram page!

Singapore Where Your Passions and Possibilities Meet (Singapura Saatnya Impian Menjadi Nyata).