DISCOVER SINGAPORE'S HIDDEN GEMS
You will discover more of the Lion City if you start-out with a good plan. At Singapore Street Shots our Blogs will help you discover Singapore’s hidden gems. We give you Information & tips for creating stunning photos and exploring Singapore's neighborhoods.
Telling your Singapore story with photos
Soft light after a storm, a beautiful Shophouse, distant storm clouds, make for a great photo - 216G Syed Alwi Rd, Singapore
TAKING NICE SHOPHOUSE PHOTOS
Take my word for it... Many of the most beautiful Shophouses are located well off the beaten path. So you're going to miss out if you don't know where to find them, or if you only visit the tourist sections.
Research and planning are the first steps to a successful holiday. So in this blog I’m going to reveal neighborhoods, streets, locations along with addresses where many of Singapores most beautiful Shophouses can be found.
Along with all these great locations I'll give you tonnes of photography tips & advice, so you can create stunning photos that help tell your Singapore Shophouse story. Even with a smartphone!
NOTE- Don't forget to post some of your own stunning Shophouse photos along with a short story about your experience on our Singapore Street Shots Facebook Page.
For Information on how to easily get around Singapore see our Blog Using the Singapore MRT & BUS System to save time and money
SINGAPORE SHOPHOUSES
Different styles of Shophouses found in Singapore
THE SIX DIFFERENT STYLES OF SHOPHOUSES
Singapore is well known for her abundance of beautiful historic Shophouses, fact is there are six distinctly different types and about 8,500 Shophouses throughout Singapore. Many are well kept with beautiful ornate tile work, colorful doorways, windows and shutters, while others have been left to wither away in the tropical humidity, heat and sun.
To be sure there are many stunningly beautiful Shophouses around town, and some definitely do look better and stand out from the others. Basically, if one is recently reconditioned it usually jumps to the top of the list. However all of them have their stories to tell, harkening back to a time when the neighborhood was vibrant, full of life and excitement.
An age old argument among shutterbugs & photographers in Singapore is "Which are the most beautiful Shophouses in Singapore"? For me its the one I happen to be photographing at the time, however beauty is in the eye of the beholder...
Capturing a photographic memory of these stunning buildings can be challenging, so to aid you with your photography I'll do my best to reinforce my tips and advice with the Photos posted in this Blog.
EXAMPLES AND LOCATIONS OF SINGAPORE SHOPHOUSE STYLES
1. *Early Shophouse Style (1840s–1900s)*
- Examples: Shophouses along Telok Ayer Street
- Location: Telok Ayer Street
These shophouses feature simple facades with minimal decoration, and small windows, often with wooden shutters.
2. *First Transitional Shophouse Style (1900s–1940s)*
- Examples: Shophouses on Emerald Hill
- Location: Emerald Hill Road
Transitional features include more intricate facades, decorative plaster motifs, and the beginnings of the use of tiles and other embellishments.
3. *Late Shophouse Style (1900s–1940s)*
- Examples: Shophouses on Amoy Street and Petain Road
- Locations: Amoy Street and Petain Road
These shophouses are highly decorative, showcasing elaborate plasterwork, colorful Peranakan tiles, and ornate woodwork. The "Chinese Baroque" influence is very evident.
4. *Second Transitional Shophouse Style (Late 1930s–1960s)*
- Examples: Shophouses on Balestier Road
- Location: Balestier Road
These buildings exhibit simpler lines and designs, with a noticeable reduction in ornamentation. Some Art Deco influences can be seen, such as geometric patterns and vertical emphasis.
5. *Art Deco Shophouse Style (1930s–1960s)*
- Examples: Shophouses on Tiong Bahru Estate
- Location: Tiong Bahru Estate
Art Deco shophouses have streamlined forms, rounded corners, and elements like flagpoles or porthole windows, reflecting the modernist trends of the time.
6. *Modern Shophouse Style (1950s–1980s)*
- Examples: Shophouses on East Coast Road
- Location: East Coast Road
Modern style shophouses are characterized by their simple, clean lines and the use of modern materials like concrete and glass, moving away from traditional decorative styles.
These examples and locations provide a glimpse into the architectural heritage of Singapore, with each style reflecting the cultural and historical influences of its time.
Explore my list below and discover the different variations of the six styles of Shophouses.
Important note: It's important to remember that while Shophouses are sought after tourist attractions to photograph, many are also places of business and some are even private homes. So please be respectful while photographing.
COMPOSITION IS KEY
(Foreground, Leading lines, Rule of 3rd's)
Professional photographers know that the best time for photographs is the early morning and late afternoon to early evening, this is because the light is at its best, Soft & Warm. However if you're touring in Singapore or anywhere for that matter you may not have that option. That said you will have to make do with the light and conditions that are available to you at the time.
When I start to photograph a Shophouse, I like to start from across the street and get some wide shots from as many angles as possible (Be sure and add some foreground). Then move in to capture the smaller details like, tiles, stone & masonry work, windows and door fixtures. Go slow and have a good look around to take in all the little details.
In some locations leading lines are not available or the foreground is boring, so look for anything that can serve as an anchor and add depth to your photo. Even manhole covers or traffic signs painted on the road will do. If you're lucky you may have a pedestrian with an umbrella, bicyclist or a Taxi passing by, so use that to add depth and character to your photo.
Mastering two aspects of photography will improve your photos 100 percent. First is Setting up your camera properly and learning how to use it. Second, is mastering composition & light...
My favorite rules of composition for beautiful Shophouse photos.
Foreground- Adding some foreground to your Architecture & landscape photos is essential, it adds depth and interest to your photo.
Leading lines- Leading lines will capture the viewers interest and lead them from the foreground into the main subject of your photo.
Rule of 3rd's- You can activate the Rule of 3rd's grid lines and other compositional assists in your camera or smartphone, this puts them on your display for easy use.
Colors & Patterns- Exploit all the patterns in the tile work, look for different color clashes in rows of Shophouses.
Symmetry & Balance- (You'll make good use of this rule on Singapore Shophouses)
TIP- Be sure a compose your shots wide as you will lose some of your photo when correcting with Geometry Tools in post processing.
TIP- You can always pick a few Shophouses and come back to photograph during golden hours, and I recommend you do just that.
The Four must have shots to tell a Story
There are four shots you’ll need to tell your story. These shots will establish your storyline and it’s direction.
WIDE: Take some wide angle shots of your scene, this gives the viewer a sense of what they’re about to experience.
MEDIAM: Shophouse windows, archways and doorways, or any signs
TIGHT: Close ups, portraits, selfies of store owners
DETAILED: Tile work on the Shophouse walls, door handles …
SUNNY DAY PHOTOGRAPHY
Making Photos on a Hot Sunny Day
For some great TIPS on how to take better Photos on a bright Sunny day see our Blog SUNNY DAY PHOTOGRAPHY
To learn more about setting up your camera and phone see our blog MASTER YOUR CAMERA
POSTING YOUR STUNNING PHOTOS
Don't forget to write a description and some details about your photos.
Who doesn’t remember looking through the photo drawer at your grandma’s house, and how the photos always had descriptions on the back. It really made the experience so much nicer to read all those details.
So don’t forget to do the same with all the photos you post, it really does add to the viewers experience when you write down some names, dates and locations. Plus, a little note or story about the photos.
For some awesome help editing and post processing your photos see our blog EASY EDITING
Closing Remarks
Ilonka & I in Desaru, Malaysia June 2015... Malaysia is gifted with beautiful beaches that surround the entire country.
I hope this Blog has been helpful and informative, and inspires you to make the most of your visit to the Singapore and Asia. Be sure and enjoy one of our Singapore Street Shots Photo walks.
Singapore is well known for it's incredible verity of delicious foods from every corner of Asia, so do stop at the Hawker centers for lunch and discover the local cuisine...
Also for night life, try hitting some of the Roof-top Bars and restaurants in Chinatown and the downtown area for drinks & dinner.
Please do not forget to post some of your best Shophouse photos along with a short story about your experience on our Singapore Street Shots Facebook Page.
Cheers,
Mark Stevens & Ilonka Guenther
Business Owners, Photographers & Travelers
Want some help exploring Singapore
Book a Singapore Street Shots Photo walk and let us help you create stunning photos for your Singapore story.
SEE ALL OUR BLOGS
At Singapore Street Shots our Blogs are meant to give you tips & advice for exploring Singapore and creating stunning photos. You will discover and photograph more if you do some research and create a good plan.
Singapore in Pictures - Telling your Singapore story with photos.
(A Seven blog series)
SINGAPORE SHOPHOUSES - Telling your Singapore story with photos.
Singapore Skyline Panorama's - Photograph Singapore's world class Skyline
Singapore's Chinatown - Kreta Ayer - Telok Ayer - Tanjong Pagar - Bukit Pasoh
Singapore's Little India - Culture & Colour
Kampong Glam - Singapore's Arab Quarter
Hawkers & Markets - Flavor the Moment
Singapore - Off the Beaten Path - Discover the Singapore most tourist never see
DRESSING FOR SECCESS -Look good and Feel good on your day-trip
Tips for Travelers: Capture your Memories with Pictures
Singapore's MRT & BUS System-Saving you Time and Money using : Utilizing Goggle Maps with the MRT
A Rainy Day Holiday in Singapore - Things to do in Singapore when it's rainy weather
MASTER YOUR CAMERA - Use your camera like a pro
EASY EDITING - Make all your photos pop
Great Singapore Shophouse locations - The best locations for photographing Singapore Shophouses
FUTURE BLOGS
(Coming soon)
A Five Blog series
"Discovering Singapores Parks"
Parks:
1st Series: East and West coast parks:
2nd Series: Singapore Botanical Gardens:
3rd Series: Kent Ridge & Hort parks:
4th Series: Fort Canning park:
5th Series: Lakeside Gardens
A Three Blog series
"Photographing Singapores Natural Beauty"
Nature Reserves:
1st Series: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
2nd Series: MacRitchie Nature Reserve
3rd Series: Singapore Zoo and Singapore Bird Park
A Six Blog series
"Photographing Singapores Islands"
Singapore’s islands:
1st Series: Pulau Ubin
2nd Series: Coney Island
3rd Series: Sentosa Island
4th Series: St. John Island
5th Series: Kusu Island
6th Series: Lazarus Island.
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