Who knew there would be a higher viewing spot than the Marina Bay Sands Skypark to see the city lights. And yet there we were, on the rooftop of One Raffles Place, at the One Altitude bar. Perched on top of the old OUB building, the bar is split into three floors (I believe), but we stayed up on the roof the whole time.

It was a good catching-up for us University of Michigan schoolmates who had spent three of more years there. The view is certainly astounding, but the only drawback is you can’t see the Central Business District skyline because you’re standing right on it. A vantage point from MBS or the Singapore Flyer would serve that purpose. I loved the music and the relatively smaller crowd at One Altitude, so I might return pretty soon!

Unlike many sunrise photos that are taken at the break of dawn, when the light peaks from the horizon, this one was done at mid-morning, probably sometime between 8 to 9 am. While this image’s colours were enhanced to give it more dramatic punch, what really caught my eye was the streaks of light bursting through the clouds.

At this time of the year in Singapore, skies are often overcast, and so to see the sun breaking through the gloom is a sight for sore eyes. It was shot at 1/1250 sec, f11 and ISO 100. The smaller aperture supposedly makes the rays more defined, but now I wonder why I didn’t just drop it all the way to f22. Also another significant point to note: I had to underexpose the image to bring out the cloud shadows that you see at the bottom. Without doing so, there’d be much less contrast.

Singapore, March 20, 2009: After a hot and dry February, the rain made up for part of it today with two different occasions of heavy rainfall. Along the East Coast Parkway, traveling cars leave mist trails, cooling highway-lined vegetation that suffered last month.

Ann Arbor, Mich., Oct. 26, 2009: A woman analyzes one of the finalists of 4th annual photo competition by the Center of Chinese Studies at the University of Michigan. The year’s theme — “China: Global/Local” — aims to show how China has broadened itself politically, economically and culturally. The photos are on exhibit till Oct. 31, at the School of Social Work.

Ann Arbor, Mich., Oct. 21, 2009: A wireless microphone hangs on Logan Elementary School teacher Katy LaCroix’s neck, whose voice is transmitted into the new “soundfield” system for easy listening. The microphone and speakers on the ceiling are part of the latest technology plan implemented in Ann Arbor public schools. (Ted Chen)

Personally I was stunned by the clarity of the voice through the system, which relies on 4 flat speakers built into the ceiling. Having the microphone hang on the teacher’s neck is also an ingenious idea as it frees up the hands to do all the other tasks teachers need to do — writing and holding things up for show being some of them. Now there’s no excuse for kids sitting in the back to say that they can’t hear the teacher or classmates’ voices.

Ann Arbor, Mich., Sept. 4, 2009: About forty students, new and old, crowd around Ulrich’s bookstore on the corner of S. University and E. University, in the hope of catching t-shirts tossed from the roof. Orientation for the incoming freshmen began on Sept. 1 and will last till Labor Day. Classes begin on Sept. 8.

Ann Arbor, MI, July 19, 2009: Behold the mess I’ve created on two desks, in slightly longer than a month since moving back to Ann Arbor. Bits and scraps of photography gear can be seen here, such as a lens tripod collar, battery grip and Canon 40D. National Geographic magazine is a must-read. On the right, water, tea, phone and stylebook make up the non-camera-related half of the junkyard.

Are photographers made to be a mess? Not necessarily, considering we have to put considerable thought and brain power into composing the next best photo. Light must always be measured, calculated and then applied to your desires. It’s almost a science (though not a complete one), so there has to be some order around.

I’ll admit that I’m acquiring more gear than I can even carry on my own, and if there is to be a successful business, I have to get the logistics right on. That means packing the gear into the right bags for travel and storage. My Lowepro Fastpack used to be a behemoth for transporting all my gear, but now it’s probably bursting at its seems. If I have to travel abroad (and I know eventually I will), another solution will have to present itself.

Unfortunately there’s no ultimate solution. Backpacks can carry the bulk of gear, but the weight and inaccessibility will just wear you down during outdoor adventure shoots or during a news assignment. Hard cases and large roller bags fit the frame for air travel, but is nowhere ideal for day-to-day work. Sling bags do that well, but there storage capacities are limited. With all that in mind, it’s hardly surprising to hear photographers having 10 or more bags, each with their own specialization.

Bags aren’t a priority purchase for me now, but if I had only one choice, it’d be a roller bag, since I already have two camera backpacks and refitted sling bag for low usage. Those roller bags can easily fit all my gear. But once again, these aren’t a priority, so it’s just a mental note for the future.

Till then, the gear will live all over. The desk won’t be spared.

Ann Arbor, MI, June 23, 2009: While its bright neon lights and outdoor seats look out of place along the residential East Ann Street, this Jimmy Johns outlet provides late night supper snacks to homeowners of the region. (Photo: Ted Chen)