COVID 19 is now present in all continents of the world. Maybe Antarctica is the only continent spared for now. The life we knew is probably consider the past. Many things have to be change or have already change. In the near term, I don’t see life resuming back. As a photographer, work has also come to a halt. There is nothing I could do but pray all this will come to pass.
In Singapore, when one leaves home; wearing a mask is compulsory by law. Welcome to the future. (X-Pro3 + XF23mm F1.4)
I live in Singapore. Our version of lockdown is name, Circuit Breaker. Basically we are not suppose to visit anyone. All shops are close other than essential services. Everyone works from home. Local schools are closed from 7th April, the beginning of nightmare for many parents. We could only go out to purchase the essential. Thankfully one could still visit a nearby park for a jog or walk; everyone needs a breather right?
The joy of my daughter’s face because it’s the last day of school due to COVID. (X-Pro3 + XF27mm)Panic buying before the lockdown. (X-Pro3 + XF23mm F1.4)Hawkers at a local market. (X-T4 + XF23mm F1.4)Rush Hour. (X-Pro3+ XF27mm)No one is suppose to have a seat. Buy your essential and go home. (X-T4 + XF23mm F1.4)Fish monger at a local wet market. (X-T4 + XF23mm F1.4)
This series of photos is taken just before and during the Circuit Breaker period. I would like to share some photos from my part of the world. Each time if I do need to leave home for a quick essential errands, I will still bring a camera along to snap and document this challenging times we live in.
Here are 2 sets of photos showing the differences.
Local retirees having a nap. (X-Pro3 + XF27mm)
Now these benches are consider out of bound. As the government doesn’t want people to mingle. (X-Pro3 + XF27mm)Duck tape have been place on the stool for social distancing purpose prior the lockdown. (X-Pro3 + XF27mm )All cover-up once the lockdown is in place. (X-Pro3 + XF27mm)
This series are all taken at home. I guess we look harder for a shot because our world is no more out there. Rather confine to the house we live in. Kitchen, living and bedroom. Maybe also a couple of landscape and wildlife photography through the window.
Can’t leave home without it. If not for 1st time offender; about USD$200 fine. ( X-T4 + XF23mm F1.4)Evening glow through the bathroom glass wall. (X-Pro3 + XF27mm)Morning light in my dining area. (X-Pro3 + XF27mm)Morning Light. Bathroom window. (X-Pro3 + XF27mm)Temperature taking before HBL(Home Base Learning) X-Pro3 + XF27mmDiscussion with teacher and classmates. (X-Pro3 + XF27mm)Wildlife photography via my living room window. Who says we can’t shoot wildlife at home? (X-Pro3 + XF50-140 + TC X1.4)A timely reminder. (X-Pro3 + XF27mm)When one is thankful, your meal becomes a feast. ( X-T4 + XF23mm F1.4)Reflection. (X-T4 + XF35mm F1.4)Always good to have a Zoom party with fellow Fuji Fanboys and Fan girls. (X-Pro3 + XF27mm)Morning light (X-T4 + XF35mm F1.4)My neigbour. Guess what is he wearing? (X100V)Lone bird. Shot through my daughter bedroom window. (X-T4 + XF50-140mm) Eterna Bleach Bypass.National Stay Home Coloring Contest. (X-Pro3 + XF27mm)Chair. (X-T4 + XF35mm F1.4)
I heard flour is a hot commodity. Everyone is baking. Here is our little adventure. Plus many blessing from friends that feed us with cakes too.
A friend bake a yummy Burn Cheesecake for us. I guess as a photographer I should do a quick shoot before eating it. (X-Pro3 + XF35mm F1.4)Mama and Summer first attempt at making Kuih Bahulu. Which turns out fine except it tasted like a French Madeleine instead. . (X-T4 + XF35mm F1.4)Like it? Kuih Bahulu. (X-T4 + XF35mm F1.4) Eterna Bleach Bypass.Lunch is serve. (X-Pro3 + XF90mm)
Happy Birthday! Celebrating my wife’s birthday at home with a “spa” surprise during the lockdown. It was certainly a challenge looking for a cake during this crisis.. Now I wish I could bake. LOL.
A mini celebration for the queen of the house. (X-Pro3 + XF23mm F1.4)Welcome to “Home Spa”. (X-Pro3 + XF23mm F1.4)Meet my in-house Manicurist. (X-Pro3 + XF23mm F1.4)Bubble bath time. (X-Pro3 + XF23mm F1.4)
Here are some outdoor snaps.
Stuck at a traffic jam. Shot a taxi driver via the rear view mirror. This occupation is consider very high risk. I had a family friend who is a Taxi Driver too. He caught COVID via a passenger. He almost lost his life and had to stay in the hospital for almost 2 months. (X-Pro3 +XF23mm F1.4)X-T4 + XF23mm F1.4Before entering a local supermarket. Contact Tracing App. (X-Pro3 + XF27mm)Men at work. (X100V)Hello Teddy! ( X-Pro3 + XF27mm)X-Pro3 + XF27mmSlowly the weeds are taking over. (X-T4 + XF23mm F1.4)Cycling at the near-by park. (X-T4 + XF23mm F1.4)Eterna Bleach Bypass (X-T4 + XF23mm F1.4)When will we fly again? (X-T4 + XF23mm F1.4)Finally a well deserve hair-cut. Salon are recently allow to open. Only basic hair-cut is permitted. Hair coloring or hair treatment is not allow. (X-T4 + XF23mm F1.4)In the initials lockdown, Mask is always out of stock. (X100V)Social Distancing (X-Pro3+ XF27mm)When you don’t have a face mask. (X100V)Temperature taking before entering my daughter’s art school. (X-A7 + XF18mm)
Lastly I decided to shoot a fashion shoot in my home. As its illegal to commission a model to my home for a shoot during this lockdown period. I decided to beg my 9 years old daughter and her doll, Charlotte to be my models. Here is my 7 page spread project with the not so cooperative models.
Couture Collection. All dresses and face mask are design and made in house. (GFX50S + GF45mm )I am please to introduce my in-house top models. Summer and Charlotte. (GFX50S + GF45mm)Looking forward to more cycling days. (GFX50S + GF45mm)Everybody is a baker during this lockdown. Did I mention the photographer needs to help to bake too? (GFX50S + GF63mm)Rodeo theme with Quickfoot. Soon we will be free to ride again. (GFX50S + GF45mm)Bed time is always fun. (GFX50S + GF63mm)All checked and nowhere to travel. (GFX50S + GF63mm)A well deserve break after the Fashion shoot. Both models looks tired. Thank you to the both of you. You girls are amazing! And they are open for booking after the lockdown. (X-Pro3 + XF2 7mm.)
Lastly to all my fellow photographers, stay safe and we will get through this. God Blessed.
Ivan Loh, A Fuji X-photographer is known for his quirky and different approach through his lens. He has received numerous accolades from the International Photography Award, New York and Photography Master Cup. Most Recently a Gold, 1st Place at the 2014 PX3 Prix De La Photographie in Paris .
Ivan started shooting since his teenage years with his father’s Nikon SLR and he hasn’t stopped since. He has lensed campaigns for clients such as Singapore Airlines, MTV Asia, Nike, Bossini, Nanyang Technological University(NTU) Tuas Power, Allianz Insurance, Manulife Insurance, HSBC Insurance, DHL. TNT, UOB, CAAS, Hilton Group, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Raffles Hotel, Diegeo, Embraer, Carlson, TATA Communication, HDB, Clark Quay, HOT FM 91.3, Kiss 92FM, JIA 88.3, Power 98, and CHIMJES.
His editorial works have appeared in magazines such as Conde Nast, Home+Living, TopGear Singapore, Her World, Cleo, Seventeen, FHM, Parents World and Home & Decor. His works have also glossed the pages of international magazines such as Asian Photography and Digital Photography(UK).
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