Martin Liew Photography: Recently Added Galleries and Collections

Black & White Panorama

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Color Panorama

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Black & White Verticals

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

More panoramic photographs coming soon...

NOCTURNES : The Art of Surrealistic Landscape

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What is Nocturne Photography?

As defined in dictionary, nocturne has two meanings:
(i) a painting of a night scene;
(ii) a instrumental composition of a pensive, dreamy mood, especailly one for the piano.

The word photography comes from two ancient Greek words: photo, for "light," and graph, for "drawing." "Drawing with light" is a way of describing photography. When a photograph is made, light or some other form of radiant energy, such as X rays, is used to record a picture of an object or scene on a light-sensitive surface. Therefore Nocturne Photography is all about light-painting/drawing of a night scene.

On personal perspective, nocturne photography is more than just light-painting. As I started out my night photography in B&W, venturing into nocturnes just came natural with enthusiasm and strong determination. No doubts I'm inlfuenced and inspired by other photographers' work. Nocturne photographers like Troy Paiva, Michael Frye, Larrie Thomson, Andy Frazer, just to name a few.

Nocturne photography certainly challenges me to see things a whole lot different from B&W night photography, especially in the night where all colors are flushed out. But in nocturnes I use artificial colored lights to paint the night sceneries which in turn creates a total different feel or mood and sometimes, emotionally charged, surrealistic images. I really love night photography as I love the tranquility of the night and the atmosphere. What you see here is a series of nocturnes I did from 2005 to the present day. More nocturnes are still in progress and I will update this album from time to time.

Hope you enjoy viewing these fotos just as much as I love making them.

On Reading

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In September 2008 issue of Black & White Photography (UK edition) magazine, I came across André Kertész: On Reading.

André Kertész (1894–1985) is recognized as one of the world’s most significant and influential photographers. André Kertész: On Reading is a collection of 104 black-and-white photographs that highlight Kertész’s signature style of the visual poetry in everyday life. The photographs were taken during a 50-year period, beginning in 1925. By capturing individuals immersed in the act of reading in a variety of settings—parks, cafés, libraries, rooftops, backstage, street corners, trains, and bookstands–, Kertész uses the activity of reading as a constant motif for his narrative, which weaves in and out of public and private spaces. These observations form an engaging, and often amusing, study of the universal and captivating power of reading.

Upon reading and seeing his work, I was really inspired and thus I started out my own street photography project based on the same title. Though I can't compare my work with the great master amd not to mention of cliche photographs or being a copycat, nonetheless, I hope at the process of this project I would be able to develop a photographic signature style of my own, where my photographs create a strong visual communication to all viewers.

© Martin Liew Photography. All rights reserved.

My Street Photography I

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What you see in here, is a collection of all my street photographs, randomly shot on different dates and times. No particular themes or anything. Purely street photography. I will keep adding more photographs here as I roam the streets.

All photographs are taken on different cameras - Nikon D70s, Nikon FM10, Seagull 205 rangefinder and P&S toy camera. At times with my Sony Ericsson K850i digital phone camera.

All photographs are in Landscape orientation.

© Martin Liew Photography. All rights reserved.

The Closing Down of New 7th Storey Hotel

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Closing Down of New 7th Storey Hotel

Built in 1953 along Rochor Road, the New 7th Storey Hotel was landmark of a bygone era. In fact, this building had resided in the same spot for the last 55 years. New 7th Storey Hotel was not what its name suggested. It actually had nine storeys with 38 rooms to cater to the budget conscious travellers. Travellers were offered a quaint side of Singapore with its spiral staircase and a "cage" lift that can still be operated manually. Situated near the heart of the city, the New 7th Storey Hotel was ideally located for business, shopping and sightseeing. It's a mere 3 minutes walk away from the Bugis Junction and Bugis MRT station. Arab Street, Little India and Bugis Street are all within walking distance.

The hotel offers individual budget business travellers and backpackers "alternative, affordable and well-kept lodging with warm personal service". Staff are encouraged to provide good service not only to their own guests but to all tourists, adopting the "treat your guest as you would treat your best friend" approach. With this good service attitude, the New 7th Storey Hotel had won a accolade of Awards from Singapore Tourism Board, Singapore Hotel Association, FDAWU, Singapore Kindness and HostelBookers.com.

Built by the late property magnate Wee Thiam Siew, who also owned the Ban Leong Group that distributed 555 Brand cigarettes, the top floor offered panoramas of ships sliding across a proverbial blue horizon. With the advent of land reclamation, the seascapes gave way to flyovers. Following urbanization directives, shophouses, a Chinese temple and passar malam markets in the hotel's immediate surrounds were also pulled down. 55 years later, the hotel was closed down due to Government Acquisition.

On June 26 2008, the hotel's tenants and occupants would have to leave before end of October. This was to facilitate demolition works for the new Bugis MRT Station for the Downtown Line. According to the Land Transport Authority, the hotel was not an iconic building and had no conservation status. Since then, there has been a flurry of media attention and negative responses from the public. The Land Transport Authority said the demolition is unavoidable due to engineering constraints and confirmed that demolition is targeted for the first quarter of 2009.

The new Bugis MRT Station is one of the six stations that make up the 4.3-kilometre Downtown Line One, which is scheduled to open in 2013. Once completed, commuters will have more transport choices in the city as the Downtown Line One will serve existing and upcoming developments in the Marina Bay area, including One Raffles Quay, The Sail @ Marina Bay, Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort and the Marina Bay financial center.

Garung Guni Man

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This is a 70 years old garung guni man whom I've never get to know his name nor his surname. This was my third visit.

He's married with kids. How many? I dunno. I'm sure they are all grown-ups and married. The old man has been working here at Dickson Road (Little India area) for many years. I bought him coffee and we started to chat up. It's always the same old "kopi-tiam" topics i.e. work, health, people and the high-standard of living in Singapore, etc etc. The higher standard and fast living pace really affected him so much. Howsoever, he's able to cope by himself; buying and selling strap junk for a living. Well, of cuz, with some help from his son who happened to be around that day.

The old man's son is friendly and chatty. We talked about the old kampong days in Singapore. As we're talking, the old man takes a break with his cigarette and coffee. Shortly after, his son left. We chatted on for the next 30 minutes. Eventually I requested to take his photographs and he gladly agreed.

Upon taking his portraitures, it occurs to me that life is like a melody with many high and low notes/keys. To this old chap, his melody is unchanged after all these years at Dickson Road, where he's contented with what he got. Or does he?

Well, I guess it doesn't matter to him at all, even on the last day of 2006. The unchanged melody still plays on...

Jimmy Chen, Iron Welder

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This is Mr Jimmy Chin the iron welder, who works at Hwa Heng, one of the oldest shops that still operates business in Balestier Road, for more than 3 decades. Jimmy, in his 50s I guess, is married with 2 kids, has been working here for 2 years for his old uncle in this dying trade. He used to be in the engineering line.

I was stopping by outside the store, observing the way he soldering those metal works. I stepped forward to chat with him, asking some curous questions, well just to break the ice. Jimmy is friendly and chatty. We clicked and started to chat for one and a half hour before I aked for his permission to take photographs. In kind return, I promised to send him the photographs. This is one of the few dying trades in Singapore as there are lesser and lesser people doing such tough and "dirty" work. Only those older folks are still doing, trying to keep up with life, enough for 3 meals a day. In this modern day, 21st century, no younger generation is willingly to pick up this skill anymore. I'm delighted to see there's still one exist in my neighborhood.

Mr Chen, Construction Worker

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This is Mr Chen from Jiang Xi China. He works as a construction worker at a nearby construction site that builds new condominiums named Pavilion (in the background). I happened to bum into him while I was walking up to this grass field area right behind the old Balestier Road Market (defunct). As I walked towards Mr Chen, he looked up at me and said with a smile, "Taking photos?" in Mandarin. He sounds friendly and I replied, "Yes I am." He stood up and started to chat with me.

I asked Mr Chen what is he doing on this grass field. He was told to patch up the whole field with new grasses, to make it more greener. Later on we talked about his homeland, China and his hometown, about life living in China and Singapore, work, etc. He has been working in Singapore for 2 years. The construction company he's working for, employs mainly Chinese foreign workers. After our 30 - 40 minutes conversation I asked for his permission if I can take pictures of him. He was shy and kind of relunctant at first, so I convinced him that I'll print and send him the photos as his souvenirs. He gladly agreed.

Night Photography (Color)

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Twins Sisters

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Fu Shuhui Portraitures

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Tan Eng Lee & Sharon Wong

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

My Street Photography II

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What you see in here, is a collection of all my street photographs, randomly shot on different dates and times. No particular themes or anything. Purely street photography. I will keep adding more photographs here as I roam the streets.

All photographs are taken on different cameras - Nikon D70s, Nikon FM10, Seagull 205 rangefinder and P&S toy camera. At times with my Sony Ericsson K850i digital phone camera.

All photographs are in Portrait orientation.

© Martin Liew Photography. All rights reserved.

Jaclyn Tan Portraitures

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Jaclyn is one of my best friends and in fact this was my first time taking portraits of her, in more casual manner. I like iit this way of shooting style/method as it really makes my subject more relaxed and their expressions are more natural.

Michael & Lai Lai wedding Portraits

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This is a small collection of B&W portraits on Michael & Lai Lai, taken after their wedding lunch.

The Aisle Bridal Boutique

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here are some of the shots I did for The Aisle's online wedding bridal gowns catalogue.

Jason Poon & Ivy Chan Wedding - 14 Dec 2008

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

New 7th Storey Hotel

martinliew74@gmail.com (Martin Liew Photography) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Built in 1953 along Rochor Road, the New 7th Storey Hotel was landmark of a bygone era. In fact, this building had resided in the same spot for the last 55 years. New 7th Storey Hotel was not what its name suggested. It actually had nine storeys with 38 rooms to cater to the budget conscious travellers. Travellers were offered a quaint side of Singapore with its spiral staircase and a "cage" lift that can still be operated manually. Situated near the heart of the city, the New 7th Storey Hotel was ideally located for business, shopping and sightseeing. It's a mere 3 minutes walk away from the Bugis Junction and Bugis MRT station. Arab Street, Little India and Bugis Street are all within walking distance.

The hotel offers individual budget business travellers and backpackers "alternative, affordable and well-kept lodging with warm personal service". Staff are encouraged to provide good service not only to their own guests but to all tourists, adopting the "treat your guest as you would treat your best friend" approach. With this good service attitude, the New 7th Storey Hotel had won a accolade of Awards from Singapore Tourism Board, Singapore Hotel Association, FDAWU, Singapore Kindness and HostelBookers.com.

Built by the late property magnate Wee Thiam Siew, who also owned the Ban Leong Group that distributed 555 Brand cigarettes, the top floor offered panoramas of ships sliding across a proverbial blue horizon. With the advent of land reclamation, the seascapes gave way to flyovers. Following urbanization directives, shophouses, a Chinese temple and passar malam markets in the hotel's immediate surrounds were also pulled down. 55 years later, the hotel was closed down due to Government Acquisition.

On June 26 2008, the hotel's tenants and occupants would have to leave before end of October. This was to facilitate demolition works for the new Bugis MRT Station for the Downtown Line. According to the Land Transport Authority, the hotel was not an iconic building and had no conservation status. Since then, there has been a flurry of media attention and negative responses from the public. The Land Transport Authority said the demolition is unavoidable due to engineering constraints and confirmed that demolition is targeted for the first quarter of 2009.

The new Bugis MRT Station is one of the six stations that make up the 4.3-kilometre Downtown Line One, which is scheduled to open in 2013. Once completed, commuters will have more transport choices in the city as the Downtown Line One will serve existing and upcoming developments in the Marina Bay area, including One Raffles Quay, The Sail @ Marina Bay, Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort and the Marina Bay financial center.