Bryan Chung’s Blog

I learned how to stitch photos using Adobe Photoshop to create a panorama photo. I used 3 photos that I took at Sands SkyPark – probably the highest point of Singapore at 200m up, located at the top of Marina Bay Sands. For more of Marina Bay Sands, click here for my earlier blog entry. So here is the panorama photo I done.

Although the sky was very dark and cloudy (it rained later), I totally love it! I read an article saying, “There is no such thing as bad weather.” I guess it is true! Many will take nice clear skies photos. At least mine taken on that day makes this photo outstanding, I feel. :)

God gave you the power to exercise your will. You have the power of the choice you want to make. Humans can influence those choices. But ultimately you are a free moral agent. Which is the original intend of God. It all simply means that the decisions in choices you make will create the future.

“Your choices create your future.” – Rev. Dr. A.R. Bernard

If choices didn’t matter, then when Adam ate the fruit that was not intended for him to eat, there should not be any altercating of the world. But choices do matter. Because Adam made a choice that created the future.

“All growth is a process.” – Rev. Dr. A.R. Bernard

Built into growth there is a promise; a promise of an ultimate end. And it is the ultimate end that sets the expectations. Too often people are committed to the end results than the process.  But when they see the sacrifices and pain they have to go through during the process, they choose to back out. Commitment to the process is the goal to get us to the objective.

Jesus understood that going to the cross was part of the process of saving the world. Jesus saw the process can be so painful that he said to God, “If is possible, take this cup (of death) from me.” But He understood that the process was what He was born for. Jesus endured the cross because He knew the joy set for Him on the other side, as the objective.

Full sermon can be found in my Sermons page.

A new epicentre of leisure, entertainment and business in the heart of Asia – Marina Bay Sands. There is nothing quite like it in the world and Singapore is first to have an Integrated Resort. Pulsating with life day and night, Marina Bay Sands offers a host of sensational entertainment options. This masterpiece of design is home to three luxury hotel towers, the magnificent Sands SkyPark, top designer boutiques, gourmet dining, contemporary theatres, the picturesque waterfront event plaza and versatile expo and convention facilities. This is also where you find the region’s first world-class casino.

The Sands SkyPark has been opened since 26 June 2010. It was a place I wanted to be at – top of the world (or Singapore), literally. Although I had acrophobia, it did not stop me from wanting to get the best view possible. Thankfully the fear of heights did not bother me much when I reached the 56th floor. The moment I stepped out of the lift and saw the stunning aerial view, I was busy snapping away on my camera. The SkyPark offers almost a dozen of viewpoints where you can take photos. Unfortunately photographers are not allowed to setup any tripod once up there. They fear that the equipment may be blown away. The wind was quite alright because of the design of the glass panels. Unfortunately I know my time up there was limited (as that the ticket has time limit period but because the sky was turning dark). So I took as many photos as I could without reviewing them on the spot. Here are some photos.

Indeed about half-an-hour later, the rain started to pour down. I was given two options by the hotel. I can either re-entry at a later time on the same day or I can do a full refund. Of course I did a full refund! I was quite heart pain to pay $20 just to go up to take photos. Besides, the other part of the SkyPark that consists of the swimming pool and park, were out of bounds for public. Only hotel guests were allowed there. Hence, I was disappointed to not take better photos of what the SkyPark actually has. But now that is a “Free” experience, it was not too bad after all.

I continued to roam around in Marina Bay Sands. Walked from tower to tower and eventually into the shopping place – The Shoppes. I was not allowed to photograph anything near the casino area. But at least I got a glimpse of how it looks like inside because it was quite viewable from the outside – unlike the other casino in Sentosa Resort World. The Shoppes is a very high-end shopping mall. With branded names like Alfred Dunhill, Armani Exchange, CHANEL, FENDI, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, and many more. A plate of chicken rice cost at least $5. Time for more photos.

If you are interested to have a little “boat” ride, The Shoppes offer a ride on a sampan for a cost. I am not sure about the pricing but I think is about $5-$10 per person. Before going there, I read about it and thought it was going to be quite nice. However when I saw the distance that the boat actually travels to-and-fro, I felt it was kind of waste of money. The distance was no more than 100m at very slow pace. And being on the sampan, you are being a subject for photographers (like myself) to photograph only! :) Anyway thanks to these people willing to pay then I can take a photo like this.

My overall experience was not bad. Although there was really nothing much to photograph. $20 for the SkyPark view, probably you will just want to go up there once. For me, I will not pay $20 to go up there again. Unless if the hotel decides to open the other part of the SkyPark for public, which I think is unlikely. Or maybe one day I will be a hotel guest! :)

All photos are taken with Canon 550D with 18-55mm and 11-16mm lens. You can view the photos with captions here.

After doing my online research yesterday on camera bags, I went out today only wanting to buy a camera bag. I went straight to MS Color at Ang Mo Kio. That shop had the last Tamrac 5547 Adventure 7 bag I wanted. I was expecting to pay over $100 for it but the sales-person offered me the bag at $95.00. I tried asking for discount but he insisted that was the best price even after asking the shop boss.

Then just out of curiosity, I asked about the price of a wide-angle lens. It was a lens I always wanted to own because I like taking landscape photos. But I have already held back wanting to buy because the price of one is ridiculously expensive. I am referring to it as about $1000 per lens. It was a price I was never willing to fork out myself. But I did not know what struck me that when I asked more about the lens; I started to not mind spending the money. Then after a short while of recommendations from the sales-person, I agreed to purchase one. The one I ended up buying is not Canon brand but Tokina brand. Tokina 11-16MM F2.8 lens to be exact, together with a Hoya HMC filtered that was discounted to me at $50 instead of $74.

These are taken with my kit lens.

Just yesterday when I was online and saw the prices of the lens, I told myself it was way off my budget. Yet I spent $960 on that lens. Together with the bag, I asked for more discount and the final price I paid was $1100. I hope this money will be well spent as I look to take my photographing to another level. Heart ache of spending so much? Err well, I have always be saving money just so that I can buy things I want. This is probably the first time I spent so much at one go after saving for 26 years.

I think I should turn my photographing hobby into earning some money. Any ideas how? I want my photos to one day be as nice as these!

“God please somehow bless me back financially! :)“

Trying more and more flavors of brownies from p.Osh. My mom paid them all since I brought her to the shop after our church service last Saturday. And for the first time I am trying their strawberry cheesecake!

My mom chose the mint & dark chocolate brownie while I chose the triple choc brownie. =)