Creative inspirations, equipment selection

I'm fascinated with capturing emotions and expressions - especially up- close, where you almost feel like you could reach into a photo and touch the subject.I am also attracted to locations with unique lighting, as these environments inspire me to compose some of my most dramatic shots.

When I'm out and about, taking snapshots of special moments from the streets, I really enjoy using my FE 50mm F1.8 prime lens and Zeiss FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS zoom lens.

The versatility of a zoom lens

Zoom lenses provide a fantastic balance of shooting options - enabling you to capture everything in your environment, whether you're in tight indoor areas or wide-open spaces.

With the 24-70mm F4 ZEISS zoom lens, you can use a 24mm focal length to snap an entire scene or zoom to 70mm for a close-up on your subject's facial expressions and emotions. On this lens, I'm really surprised with the quality of the bokeh at 70mm, even at F4!

Preparing for a busy night ahead

The opportunity for this shot came up when I passed by a night market during the day and spoke with one of the vendors, who had begun her preparations early in the afternoon.

As this alley happened to be quite narrow, I had limited space to set up my shot without being intrusive. Thankfully, the form factor of my camera and lens made it easier for me to compose the shot, despite the space constraints.

Using the 24-70mm F4 ZEISS zoom lens, I could frame the shot nice and wide, while keeping distortion well-controlled. A 25mm focal length allowed me to capture more of the background, including other interesting storytelling elements.

A lifetime of fishing, told through a photo

Since he was young, this man has been taking a boat to this location and casting his net to catch fish. His favourite time for doing so happens to be a timeframe that's also perfect for a picturesque shot.

To capture this scene, I stood around 15 feet behind the fisherman to snap a clear view of the sky, his net and his boat in one photo. As the sunlight was rather strong, I was able to dial up my shutter speed to ensure the net was captured with optimal clarity as it was being cast.

Every detail of this amazing scene was captured in high quality by the Alpha 7C's full-frame sensor. At F4.0, there is a good depth of field - with ripples in the water and grass in the foreground adding a tranquil touch to the photo.

Seeking inspiration amidst the hustle and bustle

This subject is a fashion intern who was seeking inspiration amidst the hustle and bustle of the commercial centre. As this was a busy crosswalk, I had to take my shots when traffic conditions (and the traffic lights) allowed me to do so. I used the Alpha 7C's LCD screen to avoid bumping into others as I framed my shots.

I chose a 60mm perspective to further highlight the subject and was around 12 feet from her when I shot it. The photo was taken from a lower angle, which allowed me to capture the crosswalk and subject proportionally within the frame. The other people in the photo lend an added reality to the scene, with their "after-work exhaustion" telling a story of life during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The versatility of the 24-70mm F4 ZEISS zoom lens is excellent for situations with a good amount of unpredictability, like this location.

A weekend at Petaling Street

In street photography, your background can tell powerful stories.

I wanted to capture life in the city, with popular themes of cafes and fashion lining the streets. I started planned my shoot in the late-afternoon, just before it began raining. There was strong natural light and less crowds to contend with, as many had retreated to the safety of nearby malls.

As the evening started to creep up on us, the light started to dim - providing the perfect background for the shot. I shot this photo from a lower angle, and from around 6 feet away from the subject - getting a full-body shot with an equal balance between the subject, street and all the local elements in the area. Zooming to 24mm provided a wide perspective that ensured more of the environment was captured.

The essence of street photography

I believe that street photography is all about capturing emotions. This happens when you create authentic connections with your subjects. So, speak with them, learn about their lives and take a genuine interest in them.

You'll have some amazing stories to tell - both in your photos, and with your memories of these encounters.