Last weekend a mate of mine (Ethan) wanted to learn more about DSLR photography, so I borrowed a colleague’s EOS 500D (thanks Glenn!) picked up two tripods and headed out to the Esplenade to capture the changing face of Singapore’s Skyline.

After a quick dinner at Ichiban Boshi (one of my favourite places for affordable Japanese), we set up along the waterfront as close to that giant flotilla they use for National Day.

A quick 15minute tutorial on DSLR technology, ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed later, and we were shooting away.

Here are two of his best shots – for someone who’s never used anything other than a compact point & shoot, I’d say he’s done pretty darned good.

Key takeaways from the shoot:

• It only takes about 15mins to learn the basics of a DSLR
• The best time for sunset shots of Singapore’s Skyline is about 7.15pm-7.45pm
• The freebie tripods that are given away with DSLRs in general are crap-o-la – unfortunately quite a few of Ethan’s shots were slightly blurry around the edges because the tripod was just so rickety. When I swapped my Manfrotto with him, his results were brilliant.

Here are some of my favourite shots from the day:

The Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort is literally flying up – the amount of construction there is mind-boggling. Currently it resembles a giant battleship at a massive shipyard.

Shot at: 7.33pm                                        Shot at: 7.42pm (what a difference 9mins makes)

shooting info: 30.0sec, f/22, ISO 200, 24mm

So we wrapped up the shoot at 8.21pm and wandered over to Max Brenner for much-deserved some desert.

The following kit was used to create these photos:

• Canon EOS 5D Mark II
• EF 24-70 F/2.8L USM
• Manfrotto 055PROB Tripod and 488RC4 Ballhead
• CAnon RC-1 Wireless Remote Control

All my shots were captured using a wireless remote trigger (Canon RC-1) and a long exposure of 30sec, f/22. Have included the exact shooting info for my favourite image (see above).

Thanks for the company on the shoot Ethan. Looking forward to the next one!

p.s., The lovely response that I’ve received to this set of images has prompted me to create a new section on byNoelYeo.com titled ‘Free WOM (Wallpaper of the Month)’.

This is a section in which I will put up one wallpaper a month that readers can download and use free of charge.

These are images that have either received the most positive feedback from readers of byNoelYeo.com or that have graced my own desktop at some point or other.

While I have a line-up of images in mind for February and March, I am totally open to suggestions (these can be subjects, themes, people, events, etc).

If your ideas are interesting enough, I might just conduct a shoot to create the shots – crediting you as the mastermind behind the concept – so write in with your requests!

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With Debbie Harry’s lyrics still ringing in my head, Y2K has given way to 2010.

After dealing with closure of my carefully planned fireworks-photo-vantage-point (new broadwalk beside Marina Bay Financial Centre), hordes of people, illogical police crowd-control tactics and unfriendly photographers who had ‘reserved’ every front-row seat… I managed to score a good space at the Mandarin Oriental.

Here are the highlights:

~ Floating Light Spirits à la Avatar ~

~ Tall Poppy Syndrome ~

~ Dandelion ~

~ Decepticon Descending ~

~ Space Invaders ~

~ Water Fountain ~

~ Giant Rubescens Octopus ~

~ River of Fire ~

~ Squiggles ~

~ Bursts ~

~ Finale ~

Hoping 2010 is as spectacular for everyone as the fireworks!

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