By Tan Chong Yaw
Digital Life Reporter
cytan@sph.com.sg

 

Those around me were whipping out photographic gear that costs thousands of dollars – per component.
My stash was a collection of compact cameras, none coming remotely close to even a grand in cash.
I was at a National Day Parade rehearsal and my brief was to shoot photos worthy enough for Digital Life’s cover and for the cover story inside.

After more than five years of reviewing cameras from pretty, slim things to the professional equipment that the photographers around me were toting, I have a fair idea of what compact cameras can and can’t do.
There are sound reasons why serious moolah is coughed up for pro gear – their performance and reliability put them in a much higher league.

It’s one thing to use compacts for casual shots and a totally different kettle of fish deploying them for mission-critical shots. Let’s just say that I felt like David with his slingshot – that’s a great name for a camera by the way – weaving amongst Goliaths carrying bronze spears.

The last time I was at an NDP, I was not the man I am today – I was much lighter on my feet, and many waist sizes smaller. I forgot how the event is a maelstrom of activity. The pace never lets up. Translated, that means you may have scant prep time to get ready for the next shot.

Like there is no warning for the brief bursts of fireworks that happened throughout the show starting as early as 6.30pm when the sun was still up. The F15s zipped past the stand in double quick time. And even though the Red Lions started their jump from 3km up in the air, in no time, the last man - the 'cameraman' who has a camcorder strapped to his helmet - had already landed.

Red Lions forming up more before deploying their chutes -- ST PHOTO: TAN CHONG YAW

Closeup of the last paratrooper to land -- ST PHOTO: TAN CHONG YAW

Apache at an odd angle with the Marina Bay Sands behind -- ST PHOTO: TAN CHONG YAW

I also spent another afternoon in the company of photo enthusiasts waiting patiently by the Esplanade Waterfront Promenade beside the Marina Bay Floating Platform with tripods in place. We waited about five hours, for just five to 10 minutes of fireworks at the end of the parade. There were compacts and camera phones aplenty, but I think I was the only person there who was using a tripod-mounted compact camera.

Any camera will do -- ST PHOTO: TAN CHONG YAW

DSLRs are still the go-to gear for nailing that critical shot. That hasn’t changed. I didn’t put mirrorless cameras to the test this round but they are a new force in the camera world to be reckoned with. Let me say this about compact cameras. They may be dinky, ditsy and sometimes even iffy in results if stretched beyond their ken. But they have come far in speed and picture noise control, with a wealth of software tricks packed in.

Please read Wednesday's (July 3) edition of Digital Life for tips on how to get great shots using compact cameras. Yes, all the photos in the main story on pages 8 and 9, including the one on the cover, were shot with compact cameras. Except for a couple of photos shot using a prosumer compact camera, the cameras used had tiny sensors – about 1/6th that of the size of a microSD memory card.

Here's looking at you, baby -- ST PHOTO: TAN CHONG YAW

I love the NDP! -- ST PHOTO: TAN CHONG YAW

A Tron moment -- ST PHOTO: TAN CHONG YAW

One last thing – it’s easy to get caught up in the flurry of activities at the NDP. Or, spend it all behind the lens.
My best takeaway moment wasn’t the collection of NDP rehearsal photos that I am a little proud of as they were shot with compacts. It was when the national anthem was played and I stood ramrod straight with everyone else in the stand. Sang Majulah Singapura, which left a lump in my throat. That picture in my head, I will carry for quite a while.

Worth a five hour wait! -- ST PHOTO: TAN CHONG YAW