'Tis The Season To Be Jolly !

As the Christmas season draws near, Orchard Road is alight with the usual festivities and light show. The last time I photograph the lights at Orchard Road was ....err....I do not remember.

This year, I decided to take a closer look and armed with my trusty camera, I headed to Orchard Road to check out the lightings. I decided to check out the area around Scoots Road and Orchard Road since this is the heart of Orchard Road.

I started exploring the area in front of Wheelock Place and Shaw House. I was greeted by giant hanging ornaments.

Holy hanging stars and balls, Batman!

As I crossed over to Scotts Road, I saw the rooftop of Takashimaya stand out among the street decoration. The street lamp added that warm glow to the photo.

More ornaments.....check out the rooftop of Takashimaya

I headed across towards Ion Orchard and saw this "gateway". It looked rather majestic, as if it were beckoning a welcome to the heart of Orchard Road.

The gateway to shopping paradise

As I emerged from the underpass to the street level, I was greeted by this sign. It looked awesome ! Great job, ORBA (Orchard Road Business Association) !

Is that awesome or what?

Walking along Orchard Road, I caught more than a glimpse of the "blue" Orchard Road. Looks cool!

Why can't Orchard Road stay this colourful all year round?

Tangs is a home-grown department store founded by Mr Tang Choon Keng (CK Tang). I was told that his first store at Orchard Road used to close on Sundays so that his employees could attend church. I love the message they are sharing this Christmas - "Love each other as I have loved you."

Inspired by the gospel of John

As I sauntered along Orchard Road, I bumped into some colourful characters.

What a colourful bunch

Is that today's papers?

They seem right at home amid the festivities

I headed back towards Paterson Road and chanced upon this couple seated in front of the lighted signage. There was something magical about the spirit of Christmas. It is a time of giving and being thankful for the blessings in our lives.

Christmas Magic

As I was heading off, I took a photo of the Christmas tree at Ion Orchard topped with a red star. There seems to be another star to the left off the tree. It reminded me of the Star of Bethlehem and how this all started.

Star of Bethlehem?

Merry Christmas, everyone. Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas !

A New Toy

After a period of resistance, I succumbed to a new toy. A wonderful work of art which blends old world manual focus with new world digital photography. Those in the know will know the camera I am referring to. It is too expensive for me to afford brand new. To further defray the cost, I traded in my old camera and an old lens for this pre-owned (aka second-hand) camera. Buying stuff second hand is always a risk. That's why I only buy it from this one camera store at Peninsula Shopping Centre. I bought my previous camera (also second hand) from him too.

Armed with my new toy, I headed out into the night to take some photos. It was a dark and stormy night and as the rain fell, I found a shelter across the road from this temple along Telok Ayer Street.

The reflection from the wet floor, which gave this temple a special glow

Close-up shot of the dragons on the roof

When the rain subsided, I headed to the Marina Bay area and got a shot of Marina Bay Sands. I also dug up an old photo I took some months earlier with the camera I traded in. Frankly, it is difficult to compare which is better because I did some processing to the images.

Taken with "New Toy"

Taken with the camera I traded in (aka old camera)

Regardless, I am very pleased with my purchase. In case you are wondering what the big deal is, the new toy has a full frame sensor while the old camera had a crop factor of 1.5. Again, for those in the know, you know what I bought. Hahaha.