Whether you shoot the National Stadium as a main focal point or as a backdrop, the beauty of its architecture is a plus point. This photo shows participants at The Straits Times Run 2018.
PHOTO: GAVIN FOO/THE STRAITS TIMES

We travel to see new things. But who’s to say you can’t do the same back home by looking at familiar things from a fresh angle? The Straits Times’ Deputy Picture Editor Wang Hui Fen gives her take on how to get a different perspective of the Singapore Sports Hub through the camera lens. 

1. What unusual photos can I shoot at the Singapore Sports Hub? 

Whether you are in the National Stadium itself or a few kilometres away, the beauty of the architecture and the dome are hard to miss. Make use of them to create special photos. 

This photo of national sprinter Timothee Yap training at the Kallang Practice Track was created using a fast shutter speed. PHOTO: DESMOND WEE/THE STRAITS TIMES

2. Where can I get action shots?

You can shoot bodyboarders making a splash at half-pipe surfing facility Stingray® at Splash-N-Surf. At the Singapore Sports Hub Hard Courts, catch basketballers shooting hoops or capture skateboarders jumping their boards at the Skate Park. 

Shutter speed is the most important thing to get right in sports photography to “freeze” the action. If your shutter speed isn't fast enough, you will get blurry shots that no amount of Photoshop post-processing can salvage, unless that is the effect that you want. 

If you are using a DSLR camera, a shutter speed of 1/500 of a second is a good starting point and should be fast enough for most sports. If possible, take test shots to check how sharp the photos are. If you spot blurring, switch to a faster shutter speed. You may need to go as high as 1/1000 of a second or even faster depending on how much you would like to freeze the action. 

If you are using a mobile phone camera like the iPhone, hold on to the release button to activate the “Burst mode”, which is an iPhone camera setting that lets you take multiple shots very quickly. This maximises your chances of capturing a moving subject in the perfect position or pose. 

3. How do I get a nice night shot of the National Stadium?  

To capture the landmark at night, shoot from across the Kallang River and include its reflection in the water to give your photo atmosphere.  

When shooting under low light conditions, such as at dawn and dusk or at night, use a slow shutter speed and a tripod to reduce camera shake. 

You can also create the effect of car light trails zooming past the Singapore Sports Hub using long exposure. If you are using a DSLR camera, set your shutter speed between 1/15 seconds and 30 seconds or 60 seconds — the longer the shutter speed, the more blurry the moving object. 

You can also capture an exterior shot of this local landmark from the top floors of nearby HDB blocks or office buildings. PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI/THE STRAITS TIMES

4. Are there any places nearby where I can get photos of the entire National Stadium?   
There are several spots, such as: 

• Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck; 
• Public track Home of Athletics (formerly known as Kallang Practice Track); 
• The higher floors of the HDB blocks or office towers nearby.

Seven-year-old Charumithra Prem Kumar dancing to the beat during the Fitness Workout after participating in The Straits Times 3.5km fun run on Sept 29, 2019.
PHOTO: WANG HUI FEN/THE STRAITS TIMES

Shake up your perspective by shooting from a very high angle. The picture above shows fireworks in the National Stadium during the National Day Parade 2016. PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI/THE STRAITS TIMES

5. How can I shoot better photos?

Composition is perhaps the most crucial element of a good photo and a well-composed photo can make you seem like a professional. Here’s how to improve composition:  

• Choose a point of interest, then frame it using elements such as windows, doorways or overhanging branches. Framing your subjects can make an image more interesting and engaging, making them really stand out.
• Give your background or foreground that blurry, out-of-focus effect by using selective focus. The blurring will draw the viewer’s eye to the subject.
• Use contrast. One common form of contrast is light versus shadow. You can also find contrast in size, colour, shape and sharpness.
• Change your perspective by shooting from a super high or super low angle. We don’t often see things from those angles, so your photo will look fresh. You might need to lie on the ground or climb to the top of an HDB block, but getting a great shot will make the inconvenience worth it.

Finally, the most important part is to enjoy taking the photo. Photography captures things important to you and the process of creating the image can be a rewarding experience in itself.

To see more works by the photographers of the ST Picture desk, go to www.straitstimes.com/tags/through-the-lens.