8 Unique And Underrated Photo Spots In S’pore Along The Downtown Line

If classic shots of Singapore’s skyline and landmarks aren’t your thing, keep reading.

We get your Instagram struggles. You’re sick of seeing photos taken at Coney Island and Tuas Lalang Field.

So we’re here to save your Instagram feed from being #basic. We found a couple of Instagram-worthy places along the Downtown Line so you can up your photography game.

1. Tekka Market Mural

Little India has always been a vibrant, upbeat neighbourhood with plenty of things to see and do. Did we mention that there’s plenty of murals scattered around Little india?

If the weather is too hot or you’d rather stay in a shaded area, there’s a colourful mural right at Tekka Market itself! Best part, Tekka Market is a 3 minute walk from Little India MRT so you don’t have to lug your bags and heavy cameras in this crazy heat.

If you do plan on going on an early weekend morning, do take note that Tekka Market can get pretty crowded and crazy. Just be patient and get your cameras ready for the perfect shot.

Tekka Market Mural
Address: 665 Buffalo & Serangoon Roads, Little India
Nearest MRT: Little India MRT, Exit C

2. Stalls Along Little India

Who would’ve thought that fruit stalls would make a good backdrop for your couple shots? You can find plenty of stalls selling fresh produce all around Little India. The stall owners are really friendly as well so don’t be afraid to approach them for a picture!

Just remember to be respectful and TRY not to drop the fruits on the floor.

Nearest MRT: Little India MRT (DT12)

3. Little India Alleyways

One of our favourite things about Little India would definitely be their alleyways. Sure, they’re not the most romantic or cleanest place to shoot at but it makes for an amazing street photo.

Besides, there’s barely any crowd at these alleyways. So go ahead and act crazy and take your wildest shots!

If you’re lucky, you might just find an abandoned Mustafa Centre Trolley which will be an extremely useful prop for your pictures.

Nearest MRT: Little India MRT (DT12)

4. Mustafa Centre

There are 1001 reasons why Mustafa Centre is the greatest place to have ever existed in Singapore. Every week, tens of thousands of people shuffle their way through Mustafa’s narrow aisles in search for a ‘fun’ way to pass their day.

The interior of Mustafa Centre is confusing enough to put The Maze Runner to shame. This also means that there are plenty of hidden photo opportunity spots so keep your eyes peeled for them!

Who would’ve thought that you could find a mini Gardens By The Bay in Mustafa Centre?Image Credit: Melissa Chan | Vulcan Post

Sike. We found a row of flowers on the 3rd floor of Mustafa Centre and decided that it’d be the perfect backdrop to fool all your friends with. Tag Gardens By The Bay on your picture and your friends probably can’t even tell the difference.

If you’re into all things retro and you believe that John Lennon is the next closest thing to God, then you’ll be pleased to know that Mustafa Centre has an aisle dedicated to old school vinyl records. You’ll find everything from Frank Sinatra to Coldplay here.

Do take note that the aisles are pretty narrow so be smart and try not to block others from viewing the vinyls!

Mustafa Centre
Address: 145 Syed Alwi Road, Singapore 207704
Nearest MRT: Little India MRT (DT12)

5. Rubbish Dumps along 632 & 634 Veerasamy Road

Yes, you read that right.

This amazing wall is in fact a rubbish dump. Go right around the corner and you’ll find a long wall with this quirky mural. Get creative with your poses and you might just get that perfect shot. No one can tell that you took this shot at a rubbish dump.

The smell? Trust us, it wasn’t that bad.

Rubbish Dumps
Address: 632 Veerasamy Road
Nearest MRT: Jalan Besar MRT (DT22)

6. Selegie House

Now that National Day is just around the corner, here’s where you can go to show your love for Singapore. This is the perfect place to get that very Singaporean shot for your Instagram.

We highly recommend bringing a friend here in case you’d like to take a photo like this.

Do note that this is a residential area so be respectful of the neighbours!

Selegie House
Address: Blk 8 & 9, Selegie Road
Nearest MRT: Rochor MRT (DT13)

7. Bhai Sarbat Stall

If you’re a Bugis crawler, then you know that this is the BEST place to get your teh tarik fix after a long day. Previously known as the “No Name Teh Sarabat Stall”, they have finally gone digital and created their very own Instagram account AND fixed a shop signboard to help wondering Singaporeans and clueless tourists to find their stall!

Whether you love teh or not, buy a cup (or two) and strike a pose.

Check out their Instagram page here!

Bhai Sarbat Stall
Address: 21 Bussorah St, Singapore 199439
Nearest MRT: Bugis MRT (DT14)

8. Queen Street Bus Terminal

This terminal serves buses and taxis which take passengers to and from Malaysia.

Before the taxi terminal was built in 1984, taxis plying between Singapore and Johor Bahru parked at Rochor Road. The bus terminal started in 1985, bringing Malaysia-bound buses – which previously picked up passengers from bus stops at Queen Street and Waterloo Street, all under one roof!

If you’re looking for that old school vibe, this bus stop will give you that P.Ramlee and Saloma or Yuen Wah and Yuen Qiu feels.

The best time to check out this place would be in the evening so you can catch that golden hour glow!

Queen Street Bus Terminal
Nearest MRT: Bugis MRT (DT14)

Have we inspired you? Now that you know these places, it’s your turn to grab your cameras and some friends and go on an Instagram adventure!

Do you know of any places we should go to next? Let us know!

Also Read 9 S’porean Photographers To Follow On IG Who Actually Shoot, Not Steal, Photos

(Header Image Source: Melissa Chan | Vulcan Post)

These Epic Aerial Photos Of S’pore Will Show You How Beautiful Our Country Really Is

Here at DiscoverSG, we love drone footage and drone shots as much as the next person.

Not only do they offer us a rare glimpse of the world from above, they have us looking at familiar things through new eyes. Sometimes, a fresh perspective is all we need to appreciate the art, architecture, and beauty that exists all around us.

With National Day just 1 day away, we decided to scour Instagram for some of the sickest shots of Singapore from up high, and we were not disappointed.

From common sights (and sites) like malls we grew up visiting to some of the newer landmarks that have sprouted up in more recent years, these epic drone-taken photos will show you another side of our nation’s beauty.

1. Fountain of Wealth by day

Suntec City and the Fountain of Wealth have been around for ages – since 1995, to be specific.

In 1998, the fountain made it on the Guinness Book of Records and was named the World’s Largest Fountain. While no longer the world’s largest fountain, to this day, many visitors still circle the fountain for good luck.

A symbol of wealth and life, its bronze ring was designed based on the Hindu Mandala. Meaning ‘universe’, the ring is symbolic of the oneness in spirit and unity, further symbolising the equality and harmony of all races and religions in Singapore.

2. Fountain of Wealth by night

Beautiful by day, the structure looks even better by night – at least in our opinion.

3. Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay

It’s probably safe to say that we’ve all seen the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay.

One of the most intriguing additions to the Singapore skyline, the trees look even more eerie and fascinating from above. Measuring between 25 and 50m, these towering structures are connected by a 128-metre aerial walkway that adds to the futuristic quality of these vertical gardens.

4. ArtScience Museum

Another architectural masterpiece and favourite among museum-goers is the ArtScience Museum.

A structure that’s typically too large to see in full, this bird’s eye view lets you see the “The Welcoming Hand of Singapore” in all its ten-fingered glory.

5. Lau Pa Sat

A market wasn’t the first thing to come to mind when we first saw this photo.

Situated in the Central Business District, Lau Pa Sat, which translates into “old market” is home to plenty of scrumptious grub. A regular haunt for those working in the CBD, we bet you didn’t know it looked so pretty from up above.

6. Cargo

There’s just something so satisfying about seeing all these cargo containers lined up neatly, no?

7. Palawan Beach

When was the last time you went to Palawan Beach?

For us, it would be when we were teenagers. While splashing around at the beach isn’t a popular pastime here in Singapore, you’ve got to admit that this photo makes that little island off the beach look pretty cool.

8. The Road Into Sentosa

Ever wonder how your drive into and out of Sentosa island looks? Probably not, but here’s how it looks anyway.

9. Sentosa Cove

Sentosa Cove – an area populated by the super-rich of Singapore. The houses here will cost you anything between $2,000,000 and $80,000,000. Can’t stomach those kinds of numbers? Then settle for this shot of Sentosa Cove from above.

10. NTU School of Art, Design and Media building

We did a double take when we realised this picture was taken of a university campus. Consisting of 3 intersecting arcs, this ‘Green Roof’at the NTU School of Art, Design and Media building is turfed and slopes at a nearly 45-degree angle, blurring the line between landscape and building.

11. Jetty

12. Pearl Bank Apartments

Google ‘best architecture singapore’ and many of the search results will have Pearl Bank Apartments on their list. Built in 1976, its unique horseshoe shape (or c-shape) was intended to provide residents cover from the sun, while allowing a view from the top of Pearl’s Hill.

13. Housing Estates

Of course, we can’t forget the housing estates we live in. The places we call home, grow up, build our families, and rest and recharge for the next day, these are perhaps the spaces that mean the most to us here in Singapore.

Tomorrow, we celebrate National Day.

We celebrate 52 years of independence, 52 years of progress, and we celebrate all that we have here in this beautiful country we call home – the people we are proud to call our friends, the opportunities that are out there for us, the security we feel as we go about our daily lives, and so much more.

We don’t know about you, but we’re so proud to be able to call Singapore our home.

Also read This Local Instagram Account Is Turning Dabao-ed Hawker Food Into Works Of Art

(Header Image Source: @_jjjoel_, @ucchow)

Baby Photographers: These Amazing Pictures Of Little Ones Will Melt Your Heart

As The Avons sang, “We’re Only Young Once”, children will only be tiny munchkins for that precious instant in their lives. Who wouldn’t want to capture their lovely, tiny human at the pinnacle of their childhood charm? Before all your tiny darlings start shooting up like Jack’s magical beanstalk, book one of these outstanding baby photographers to freeze all those precious moments and expressions.

Photography Style: Versatile and Ingenious

1. Bambini Photography

If your baby is crying like a burst dam, it may make perfect sense to call off your photoshoot. Or even better, why not let Bambini Photography turn that moment into a breezy au naturel photo opportunity?

Also, they are such dedicated baby photographers that they’ll even bring their props and backdrops to your home for a photoshoot if that’s what will make baby and you feel more comfortable.

Bambini Photography
P.S. I Love You Photography[/caption]

Whether it’s recreating a nautical scene on a beach, or depicting your baby as a hen, game on.

P.S. I Love You Photography
The Studio Loft[/caption]

Helmed by an all-women team, this boutique photography studio specialises in dreamy, whimsical shots with playful use of costumes and props.

Photography Style: Surreal and Edgy

4. Jen Pan Photography

This baby photographer’s shots will speak to your inner wild child, as her shots are snazzy and mystical all at once.

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Photography Style: Simple and Classic

5. Bamboo Shoots Photography

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Cici from Bamboo Shoots Photography believes in delivering simple, sincere and elegant shots. What better way to do this than capturing her subjects under natural light?

Besides her artful integration of nature into the photography process, she is adept at capturing her subjects’ emotions. No wonder she’s on the 2016 Best list of Singapore Tatler!

Bamboo Shoots Photography
Photography Style: Humorous and Candid

7. The Family Man

Photography Style: Sophisticated and thought-provoking

8. Sealey Brandt Photography

With the blood of photography running through her veins, Tatler’s listed Sealey Brandt has photographed over 1,000 families across the globe. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to experience the magic of what her and her camera can do.

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The Perfect Shot – DarylAiden’s Photography Journey & DreaChong

With his boyish good looks and impeccable style, it’s relatively easy for one to mistake Daryl Yow for a member of the latest K-Pop boy band. Just take a look at that beach-tousled hair and perfect everything. Sigh.

For the social media savvy, the 25-year-old photographer hardly needs an introduction. Better known as @darylaiden, Daryl is the man behind some of @dreachong’s most stunning shots. With 24k followers on Instagram, we’re really not sure if we should be more jealous of his incredible works or the fact that he’s Drea’s photographer (and one of her best friends). Oh, did we mention that Daryl is also the co-founder of One of Daryl’s many stunning works[/caption]

We managed to grab the talented man for a quick chat, to find out how it all started, his tips for taking the perfect photo and most importantly, how he became the goddess’ personal photographer and one of her best friends.

So Daryl, tell us how you got into professional photography!

Oh, it started with praises from others when I first started out. Okay, this is a funny story really. I’d wanted to save on the photography costs when I started Everyday People so I decided to shoot the photos instead. I got a little more creative and people started praising my works on social media! I currently do portraits, interiors and food photography for my clients.

What do you think are the main challenges in pursuing this profession?

People tend to underestimate the amount of work in editing and shooting the photos. Clients can sometimes try to undercut the budget and get you to do a lot more for a lot less. Plus, you need to spend on lenses, camera bodies so it can get pretty hard to survive.

In that case, how does one build his portfolio?

You need to have quite a bit of savings. Some of my friends didn’t know about this at first, but you need a good camera and lens in order to capture details and colours for that perfect photo. If you’re intending to go into fashion photography, you’ll have to pay for your models and makeup artist. Plus, you’ll want your photos to stand out so you may want to conduct an overseas shoot or you’ll end up shooting at botanic gardens like everybody else. Essentially, you cannot really progress as a photographer if you don’t have the budget.

Woah, so what’s the most expensive gear you currently own?

That has to be my Canon 5DS – the body alone is around $6000. Cue gasps. Its lenses are pegged at around $3k-$4k.

What’s your favourite subject matter so far?

I like shooting human portraits! I used to underestimate the power of the models, but the difference between having an average and high-end model can be quite drastic. Their expressions and movements are what make the photo. Every model needs a direction, but some less-experienced models will try overly hard and become stiff. That’s when I’ll get a little frustrated.

In that case, which is your favourite portrait shot?

The shot of Andrea in Maldives where she was flipping her hair! Okay here’s the backstory, she was very doubtful of this photo and saying that it’ll end up looking messy and crazy. The water level was up to our waist and the waves were so strong they almost got to my then-new Canon 5DS. She’d flipped her hair about thirty times and was getting a headache. But I told her to trust me and we got a good shot in the end!

Okay, we have to ask, how did you and Andrea meet?

Oh, Andrea followed me on Instagram first (though she will most likely deny this). I approached her at an event and we talked about photography. After which she said she was wearing clothes from my online boutique and asked if I can photograph her. After a series of omg why you take so long to edit and I really love your photos, we began to speak more on a daily basis. I then shot most of her photos and our Hong Kong trip last year late November was our first trip.

How long does it take you to get the perfect shot?

The timing ranges from 3mins-30mins (especially when the location gets too crazy). Many people ask what camera I’m using, thinking that they’ll achieve photos if they get the same one. But honestly, when it comes to photography, it’s 25% photo-taking and 75% editing. I take roughly two hours to edit a photo and will do up three editions before deciding on the best!

What is your ultimate tip to getting that perfect photo?

Framing, framing, framing. People usually focus on taking a photo from just one angle. What I usually do is to take a photo from a certain angle before moving closer to the subject or shooting it from the floor before deciding on the best.

Which camera would you recommend a budding photographer start out with?

 The Cannon 6D is the basic and takes pretty decent softer images. It’s priced at around $1k-$2k so it’s not too bad. For richer colours, one can try Nikon!

Despite his gorgeous works, we’re glad to say that Daryl is one humble photographer. Pursuing the art of photography may not be easy, but after browsing through the stunning, we reckon the effort  be worth it. Nobody starts out a professional, where it takes months if not years for one to build a reputation. So if you’re a budding photographer anxious about rising to fame, fret not. If it took Daryl two years and a hell lot of work to be where he is now, it’ll be your turn to come.

Also, photos are courtesy of Daryl unless otherwise stated.

Also, read These S’porean Youths Are Realising Their Dreams, What About You?

14 Sweetest Humans of Singapore Photos About LOVE That’ll Make You Go Aww…

True love knows no boundaries. In Singapore’s multi-racial society, we grew up learning to love and care for each other regardless of race, language or religion. From our very own Humans of Singapore, we have compiled the loveliest photographs that best captures the spirit of love.

From toddlers, young couple to elderlies’ love, this infectious message of unconditional care and concern should be spread all around. Hopefully these posts will inspire you to remind the people around you how much you love them!