Today was really an eye-opening experience for me. I was given a golden opportunity to be the main photographer, given the most vital role to play, which was to take photos of the president, Mr Tony Tan and some important ministers of Singapore during Water Day event. I was apprehensive as I had never, never been selected to be one. Upon hearing that I was chosen, my emotions were filled with nervousness but excitement.
I became more tense when my thoughts about my digital camera being unable to shoot the photos with actions fast enough, began to dawn on me. Thankfully, my photography club aka classmate, Shuting decided to pass me her DSLR camera.
After briefing and touring around to familiarise the surroundings at 7am by XX, I tested on the camera excitedly yet seriously. I kept moving around, looking for a few good spots to take photos at. Given the good tips by my mummy and Shuting, I found some good spots from different levels. One was on the ground where the stage was and the second level where I could take an overview of the place, including the audience.
As the programme started unfolding with the president and other ministers arriving by a boat to Marina Barrage, I stood, waiting with Shuting's camera in hand. (I felt as if I really owned her camera instead, haha) Behind me were a group of photographers.
Once the president walked out of the boat, I clicked, clicked, clicked away. I realised it was shockingly tough work trying to catch his full face facing inwards. I kept moving, or rather squeezing to the front of the crowd of photographers, and clicked away in the hope that I took good shots. I barely had time to view the reviews of the photos. I again maneovoured myself through a sea of photographers to take shots of Mr Tony once he was on the stage, giving his short speech.
Thank God, there was a second level to avoid the huge crowd. I wasn't asked to take photos as my role didn't require but I anyhow did. It was a bitter struggle to get to the front row to do some close-ups. Thank goodness, I was petite and thin enough to get through.
There was another challenge awaiting me. That was when we moved on to viewing the booths. We, photographers just followed where the important people went. That time, I was out of the crowd. I stood outside, thinking of how to get close to the president according to my duty of taking photos of his full face which was the main concern, yes, including the ministers too. Something struck me, I then stood behind the booths and snapped through the ajar of every two booths in between and it was successful. (:
Before the group moved to the next booth, I got myself into the best position at the next booth beforehand and waited for them. Ahhh, it was so good now that I could face the president and ministers fully while they were viewing the equipments the people invented to conserve the water. This method worked for the next few booths.
Next, we moved on to the Green Roof. This time, the work was a little easier now that the space was wide. But when it came to taking a group photo, toughness started to raise.
I was supposed to be on the blue stage but the lucky photographers got up there before me. I was again stuck out. I stood there but was cruelly blocked by them. But nothing was stopping me from not taking some shots. So when I looked down, I saw a small hole. Guess what? I kneeled down and squeezed my camera through and held my balance. Yes, I finally clicked, with the Singapore Flyer, Marina Barrage and the three mascots in the photos as requested!!! :D Relieved!
Not knowing that the programme was going to end soon, I saw my mummy and Shuting, and said that I was so, so exhausted and my wrist was painful. My mummy spurred me on by telling me that it was the last one and she hurriedly asked me to go and take photos of the president! I then rushed towards the two white, well-polished cars. I struggled to capture an one good minute of him bidding a goodbye to the large, curious audience while he was in the car despite the photographers closely surrounding him. That photo ended up as one of my favourite shots.
Shuting, mummy and I entered the cafe, basking in the air-conditioned store. Enjoying our desserts while Shuting and mummy skimmed through the various photos I took, they were impressed at my angles and ability to capture the right facial expressions of the people. I smiled at their feedbacks.
In conclusion, I realised that it was really tough and breathless for the photographers for they have to be pretty rough and a little selfish so as to get to the front to snap photos. That event also opened my eyes to the world of a real job of the photographer.
The most challenging thing was obviously squeezing myself through a pack of people to the front.
One unexpected thing happened after the event. I was asked to be interviewed. First question - What did you like best? I answered, "Holding the camera," with my smile flashing across my sweaty cheeks. The interviewer gave out a small laugh. I reciporated with a momentous laugh.
Then, one photographer took photos of me pretending to be in actions with the camera in my hand. I moved around, snapping photos casually. There was also another video recorder recording my movements. I felt awkward but treated them as invisible guys and it worked!
Most of all, I would like to thank Shuting for willing to give me a rare opportunity to be the main photographer. Not forgetting your camera, it was so wonderful being able to use yours with ease, apart from its weight itself. I really like to thank you for allowing me to unleash the potential inside me.
I became more tense when my thoughts about my digital camera being unable to shoot the photos with actions fast enough, began to dawn on me. Thankfully, my photography club aka classmate, Shuting decided to pass me her DSLR camera.
After briefing and touring around to familiarise the surroundings at 7am by XX, I tested on the camera excitedly yet seriously. I kept moving around, looking for a few good spots to take photos at. Given the good tips by my mummy and Shuting, I found some good spots from different levels. One was on the ground where the stage was and the second level where I could take an overview of the place, including the audience.
As the programme started unfolding with the president and other ministers arriving by a boat to Marina Barrage, I stood, waiting with Shuting's camera in hand. (I felt as if I really owned her camera instead, haha) Behind me were a group of photographers.
Once the president walked out of the boat, I clicked, clicked, clicked away. I realised it was shockingly tough work trying to catch his full face facing inwards. I kept moving, or rather squeezing to the front of the crowd of photographers, and clicked away in the hope that I took good shots. I barely had time to view the reviews of the photos. I again maneovoured myself through a sea of photographers to take shots of Mr Tony once he was on the stage, giving his short speech.
Thank God, there was a second level to avoid the huge crowd. I wasn't asked to take photos as my role didn't require but I anyhow did. It was a bitter struggle to get to the front row to do some close-ups. Thank goodness, I was petite and thin enough to get through.
There was another challenge awaiting me. That was when we moved on to viewing the booths. We, photographers just followed where the important people went. That time, I was out of the crowd. I stood outside, thinking of how to get close to the president according to my duty of taking photos of his full face which was the main concern, yes, including the ministers too. Something struck me, I then stood behind the booths and snapped through the ajar of every two booths in between and it was successful. (:
Before the group moved to the next booth, I got myself into the best position at the next booth beforehand and waited for them. Ahhh, it was so good now that I could face the president and ministers fully while they were viewing the equipments the people invented to conserve the water. This method worked for the next few booths.
Next, we moved on to the Green Roof. This time, the work was a little easier now that the space was wide. But when it came to taking a group photo, toughness started to raise.
I was supposed to be on the blue stage but the lucky photographers got up there before me. I was again stuck out. I stood there but was cruelly blocked by them. But nothing was stopping me from not taking some shots. So when I looked down, I saw a small hole. Guess what? I kneeled down and squeezed my camera through and held my balance. Yes, I finally clicked, with the Singapore Flyer, Marina Barrage and the three mascots in the photos as requested!!! :D Relieved!
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| Spot me! |
Shuting, mummy and I entered the cafe, basking in the air-conditioned store. Enjoying our desserts while Shuting and mummy skimmed through the various photos I took, they were impressed at my angles and ability to capture the right facial expressions of the people. I smiled at their feedbacks.
In conclusion, I realised that it was really tough and breathless for the photographers for they have to be pretty rough and a little selfish so as to get to the front to snap photos. That event also opened my eyes to the world of a real job of the photographer.
The most challenging thing was obviously squeezing myself through a pack of people to the front.
One unexpected thing happened after the event. I was asked to be interviewed. First question - What did you like best? I answered, "Holding the camera," with my smile flashing across my sweaty cheeks. The interviewer gave out a small laugh. I reciporated with a momentous laugh.
Then, one photographer took photos of me pretending to be in actions with the camera in my hand. I moved around, snapping photos casually. There was also another video recorder recording my movements. I felt awkward but treated them as invisible guys and it worked!
Most of all, I would like to thank Shuting for willing to give me a rare opportunity to be the main photographer. Not forgetting your camera, it was so wonderful being able to use yours with ease, apart from its weight itself. I really like to thank you for allowing me to unleash the potential inside me.
