2018 school sports season
As always, Singapore's sporting scene is quiet. And with some major events reaching their final contracted year, things are looking a little bleak. To keep myself occupied early this year, I decided to refresh my eye and head back to where I first started, school sports.
While I didn't manage to photograph much events due to other work commitments, thank God for blessing me with some decent images that you see here.
It's been a while since I've posted something here, and I finally had some time to look through some of my images made earlier this year.
As always, Singapore's sporting scene is quiet. And with some major events reaching their final contracted year, things are looking a little bleak. To keep myself occupied, I decided to refresh my eye and head back to where I first started, school sports.
School sports here is pretty challenging, as most venues have messy court lines and backgrounds. In rugby for instance, you can also have a soccer goal post right behind the try zone. Yet, school sports is pretty fun, as most youth athletes tend to be more expressive, compared to their senior counterparts. And organizers aren't too strict about where you can photograph from, so that gives you a little bit of room to move and play around.
While I didn't manage to photograph much events due to other work commitments, thank God for blessing me with some decent images that you see here. All images were photographed on assignment for Red Sports.
Joshua Lim of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) celebrates after anchoring his team to win the National Schools boys’ ‘A’ Division boys' 4x100m relay final at the National Stadium on April 12, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo © Yong Teck Lim/Red Sports)
Barathan S/O Murugiah of Anglo-Chinese Junior College in action during the National Schools boys' 'A' Division shot put final at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium on April 3, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo © Yong Teck Lim/Red Sports)
Ryan Lim of Raffles Institution falls on his attempt during the National Schools boys’ ‘A’ Division boys' triple jump final at the National Stadium on April 11, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo © Yong Teck Lim/Red Sports)
Chong Wei Guan of Singapore Sports School celebrates after winning the National Schools boys’ ‘A’ Division boys' 110m hurdles final at Choa Chu Kang Stadium on April 3, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo © Yong Teck Lim/Red Sports)
Umar Mohamed Sha’ari of St. Andrew’s Secondary School tackles Kenji Chng of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) during the National Schools boys’ ‘B’ Division rugby final at Queenstown Stadium on March 28, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo © Yong Teck Lim/Red Sports)
Iain Yeow of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) falls after a tackle on Umar Mohamed Sha’ari of St. Andrew’s Secondary School during the National Schools boys’ ‘B’ Division rugby final at Queenstown Stadium on March 28, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo © Yong Teck Lim/Red Sports)
Marcus Chan and James Batt (right) of St. Andrew’s Secondary School celebrate their win against Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) during the National Schools boys’ ‘B’ Division rugby final at Queenstown Stadium on March 28, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo © Yong Teck Lim/Red Sports)
Oliver Loo of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) celebrates his doubles match victory against Raffles Institution during the National Schools boys’ ‘A' Division tennis final at Kallang Tennis Centre on May 9, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo © Yong Teck Lim/Red Sports)
Muhammad Umar (left) of Victoria Junior College and Bradley Leong of Meridian Junior College contest a header during the National Schools boys’ ‘A' Division football final at Jalan Besar Stadium on May 14, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo © Yong Teck Lim/Red Sports)
Nathanael Chin of Meridian Junior College reacts after his team's loss to Victoria Junior College during the National Schools boys’ ‘A' Division football final at Jalan Besar Stadium on May 14, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo © Yong Teck Lim/Red Sports)
Best of 2017
I've much to be thankful for in 2017, especially the opportunities given to me to continue doing what I love. And at the same time, I'm grateful for all the new friendships and bonds forged along the way, be it on assignments or while travelling!
It's barely a month into 2018, but here's looking back at my favorite frames of 2017 to make sure I do better this year! :)
I finally found a little bit of time to look through some of the images made through the year. While I didn't do as much photography this year, due to a bit of a small dive into videography, I'm happy to keep growing and upgrading my skill sets.
I've much to be thankful for in 2017, especially the opportunities given to me to continue doing what I love. And at the same time, I'm grateful for all the new friendships and bonds forged along the way, be it on assignments or while travelling!
It's barely a month into 2018, but here's looking back at my favorite frames of 2017 to make sure I do better this year! :)
Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen, right, of Finland collides with teammate Sebastian Vettel of Germany at the start of the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix on the Marina Bay City Circuit Singapore, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Yong Teck Lim)
Isma Zakiah (C) of Singapore Sports School falls as she, Tanisha Moghe (R) and Amirah Aljunied (L) of Raffles Institution cross the finish line during the 'A' Division girls' 100m final during the 79th Singapore Open Track and Field Championships at the National Stadium on April 28, 2017 in Singapore.
Jay Wey of the Kaohsiung Truth goes for a layup against Justin Howard of the Singapore Slingers during their ASEAN Basketball League regular season match at the OCBC Arena on March 12, 2017 in Singapore.
Holly Holm (R) of the United States knocks out Bethe Correia of Brazil with a kick during their bantamweight bout at the UFC Fight Night at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on June 17, 2017.
Supanut Wannakool of Thailand rides Luminous during the FEI Asia Eventing CCI1* Championship on December 9, 2017 in Pattaya, Thailand.
Venus Williams of the United States celebrates after beating Caroline Garcia of France during their semifinal match at the WTA tennis tournament in Singapore, on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Yong Teck Lim)
Rugby Union - Singapore Sevens - National Stadium, Singapore, 15/04/17 - Kenya’s Frank Wanyama (bottom) is tackled by Australia’s Tom Lucas.
A man surfs at daybreak at Ventura Point on November 12, 2017 in Ventura, California.
Soccer Football - Chelsea vs Bayern Munich - International Champions Cup - Singapore - July 25, 2017 Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery in action against Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta REUTERS/Yong Teck Lim
Rugby Union - Singapore Sevens Final - National Stadium, Singapore - 16/04/17 - Canada players celebrate their victory. REUTERS/Yong Teck Lim
Josiah Alvira #15 of the Redlands Bulldogs falls after a tackle by the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen at the William Rolland Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Thousand Oaks, California.
Adam Scott of Australia hits a shot on the seventh green during the second round of the SMBC Singapore Open golf tournament at Sentosa's Serapong golf course in Singapore January 20, 2017.
Ramadan
Recently for an assignment for Reuters Plus and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, I got the chance to experience what goes on in a mosque during the month of Ramadan. The last I ever stepped foot into a mosque was when I was 13, back then as a young student during Eid al-Adha. So photographing a day's proceedings at a mosque was a refreshing change from the usual assignments I get.
Recently on assignment for Reuters Plus and the Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth, I got the chance to experience what goes on in a mosque during the month of Ramadan.
The last I ever stepped foot into a mosque was when I was 13, back then as a young student during Eid al-Adha. So photographing a day's proceedings at a mosque was a refreshing change from the usual assignments I get.
The mosque that was identified by the client was Masjid Al-Mukminin. The mosque, while, modern, preserved several culturally important elements. Ustaz Fakhur, who was extremely helpful and patient with my no-knowledge, took me around and explained to me the different facets of the Islamic religion.
At the same time, Ustaz Fakhur also mentioned about our migrant worker friends that brought my respect for them to a whole new level. At Masjid Al-Mukminin, several of the volunteers were migrant workers. Even after a whole day of hard labour and fasting at the same time, these men would rather invest their precious rest time in volunteering. We, as locals, should really treasure these guys more.
That said, credits for this series pretty much go to the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth for the trust on this assignment, and Ustaz Fakhur for all the help and knowledge. Eid Mubarak to all Muslims out there! :)
Muslim devotees perform ablution before taking part in prayers at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
A muslim devotee prays at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
Muslim devotees read the Quran at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
Volunteers prepare meals for iftar at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
Volunteers prepare drinks for iftar at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
Volunteers prepare meals for iftar at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
A volunteer (R) interacts with a member of the public at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
A Muslim devotee prays before iftar at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
Muslims eat their iftar meals at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
Muslims eat their iftar meals at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
Muslims take part in tarawih prayers at Masjid Al-Mukminin
Muslims take part in tarawih prayers at Masjid Al-Mukminin
Muslims take part in tarawih prayers at Masjid Al-Mukminin
Muslims take part in tarawih prayers at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
Muslims take part in tarawih prayers at Masjid Al-Mukminin.
UFC Fight Night Singapore
When the UFC made its way to sunny Singapore three years ago, I was still a young student trying to make my way into the industry. Fast forward to today, the sport's top promotion is back in the small city-state. Holly Holm capped off the night's main card with a head kick KO to Bethe Correia, ending her winless streak since her victory over Ronda Rousey.
When the UFC made its way to sunny Singapore three years ago, I was still a young student trying to make my way into the industry. Fast forward to today, the sport's top promotion is back in the small city-state.
I wouldn't say I am a hardcore MMA fan, but I do follow the UFC now and then. There were several other MMA-related events prior, such as ONE Championship (formerly known as ONE FC), but I've never had the opportunity to cover that. At the same time, I didn't really follow it much as well. So when UFC decided to hold its second event here, I'm thankful that the opportunity to photograph the event came along.
Photographing from octagon-side has its challenges, because one has to shoot the action through the cage, creating some problems with autofocusing. And with the fighters moving around so quickly, switching to manual focus can be a tricky challenge as well. Thanks to tips from friends and colleagues such as Chih Wey of Xinhua and Roslan of AFP, I managed to get the hang of it despite it being my first time photographing the sport.
Here are a selection of my takes from the night's main card. Holly Holm capped off the night with a head kick KO to Bethe Correia, ending her winless streak since her victory over Ronda Rousey.
Tarec Saffiedine vs Rafael dos Anjos
Dong Hyun Kim vs Colby Covington
Andrei Arlovski vs Marcin Tybura
Holly Holm vs Bethe Correia
Mr Ng Bee Kia
Following up on the basketball series I did with my friends, I went ahead to look for some stuff to photograph, and I chanced upon my friend, Matthew, and his portrait series with Team Strong Silvers, a group of active and sprightly seniors. That’s how it all started, with Matthew linking me up with Robert, who helps manage the team, and subsequently, the gentlemen themselves, including 72-year-old Mr Ng Bee Kia.
Mr Ng Bee Kia
Following up on the basketball series I did with my friends, I went ahead to look for some stuff to photograph, and I chanced upon my friend, Matthew, and his portrait series with Team Strong Silvers, a group of active and sprightly seniors. That’s how it all started, with Matthew linking me up with Robert, who helps manage the team, and subsequently, the gentlemen themselves.
After some research, I found that the group had been featured a couple of times before, and as I was keen in looking for a subject who was yet to be 'overly photographed', I decided to focus on Mr Ng Bee Kia, who is 72, and a good subject according to Robert.
Similar to the basketball series, I brought along only my primes for this set of pictures.
I managed to photograph Mr Ng, along with the rest of the team at one of their workout sessions at Gym Brigade, where they usually do group workouts. Otherwise, it would be at their convenience in their respective residential neighborhoods.
While I am hoping to dive deeper into the series, this would take some time and I thought I’d just share a little of the images, at the same time, to thank the team for their time and obliging me with the opportunity!
To be honest, they made me feel extremely guilty throughout all my interactions with them. Maybe it's high time I get my fitness back on track. And hopefully, I can continue working on the series sometime soon. :)
