A reflective photoessay on revisiting Singapore, observing its deeper layers, and how time, pace, and life experience shifted my perception of Singapore.

A morning photoessay exploring Gurney Bay Penang, a luxurious waterfront park launched in 2024. Despite its clean design, I struggled with the flat, minimal space and lack of depth. With my Canon 5DSR and TS-E 45mm, I experimented with tilt-shift techniques, framing the waning crescent moon and Venus at dawn. This shoot reminded me how quickly light and clouds shift, and how even quiet places can teach you something new.

I wandered through a George Town morning starting at 6 a.m., when the streets were still wrapped in shadows and faint light. From trishaw silhouettes and a cat’s unbothered stare to glowing shoplots, market rush, quiet prayers, and a massive mango tree, each frame revealed a city slowly waking up. This photoessay isn’t about dramatic scenes but about the delicate play between shadow, light, and Penang’s layered history.

I’ve decided to bring back my “what a morning” photoessay—a simple practice of capturing fragments from a morning walk. From an uncle glued to his phone to an old car fading into a textured wall, from trees overtaking rooftops to aunties locked in timeless conversations, each frame reveals quiet truths. A morning walk is never just exercise—it’s a reminder to notice the small, ironic, and poetic details around us.