"FEELING BLUE” Ivan Kuek @phonenomenon

During the Circuit Breaker period, everyone was at home, but Ivan has a job in the F&B industry and was still able to go to work.

These are the images he captured during and after the CB. Most of the photos are primarily blue in colour, reflecting his blue mood: lots of uncertainty and a feeling of loneliness.

Blue, however, is also the colour of the sea and sky, which he was able to spend more time admiring, learning to appreciate nature more.

#tomenu > #Yafiq Yusman

DARK AND LIGHT Yafiq Yusman @yafiqyusman

Yafiq is a full-time, independent multi-portfolio freelancer who focuses mainly on mobile photography and social media marketing.

The pandemic is a hard time for everyone and the Circuit Breaker was the start of something new for Singaporeans. Yafiq decided to capture emotions through details of things that affected people: overgrown grass, roadside plants, a food court, a locked soccer court, yellow boxes in lifts, and the red warning tape. All of these elements made him emotional, so he chose to edit his photos with dark tones.

With safe reopening came the ability to go out and do more. People can now go out to places that hold meaning for them, such as places of worship. These photos are taken and edited in lighter tones to indicate a fresh start in the new normal — a reminder to see things from a brighter perspective.

#Ivan Kuek < #tomenu > #Leslie Heng

55MIN OUTSIDE Leslie Heng @blackmobil

Leslie is a self-taught photographer whose passion for photography was sparked by the Instagram revolution.

Used to spending most of his time outdoors, the pandemic caused a big change in his lifestyle. The time he spent outside suddenly became the most precious thing. His works document his “me time” outside of his home, and the things he normally wouldn’t pay too much attention to. He connected with beautiful sunsets and nature through his newfound love for running, and saw beauty in ordinary places and people.

In the process, he discovered new paths and ways to cope with anxieties, learning to adapt to the new normal.

#Yafiq Yusman < #tomenu > #Zac Tan

NEVER BEFORE Zac Tan @zactaaan

A Communication Design student, Zac has always been drawn to the art of storytelling through photography and visual arts. In his seven years of shooting photos, he has worked with several people and brands he resonates with, and being able to translate intangible emotions into perceivable photographs is one of his greatest joys.

For Never Before, Zac took to the streets with an iPhone in his hands. He wanted this series of photographs to raise questions, and to thrill people of future generations about witnessing a different side of Singapore.

Lifeless streets, empty roads and redecorated coffeeshops — they are all different now.

#Leslie Heng < #tomenu > #Lee Aik Soon

LOCKDOWN Lee Aik Soon @aiksooon

Aik Soon is a multi-disciplinary visual creative based in Singapore. His photography work is inspired by human emotions and storytelling. He is constantly driven to create something different from what is unnoticed by everyone else.

This series of photographs, captured during the COVID-19 time frame, revolves around words written down while brainstorming for ideas: ’Solitude’ and ‘New beginnings’. These are sometimes perceived as negative words, his idea was to approach them with optimism. It may seem sad or unhealthy to be alone, but a time for self-reflection and an opportunity to make something good out of it can lead to new beginnings.

Scenes devoid of human presence evoke emotions such as serenity, peace and independence — if not loneliness and despair.

#Zac Tan < #tomenu > #Lee Yik Keat

"ALONE” Lee Yik Keat @yk

Yik Keat is a photographer known for his unique colours and the ability to draw the audience in with his unique perspective on everyday life. This project has allowed him to explore the essence of what he does: searching for unique things in the everyday, with the pandemic at the centre of it all.

#Lee Aik Soon < #tomenu > #Steven Sung

"My Fellow Singaporeans” Steven Sung @photographyholic

Steven Sung is a multiple street photography award recipient. His accolades include winning the Singapore Hawker Culture photography contest organised under National Geographic Asia and the Ministry of Communications and Information.

Steven is constantly on the streets searching for moments that many refer to as the ‘snapshot aesthetic’. He loves candid, close-up images of people walking the streets and likes to get up close, often venturing into people’s personal spaces. His fascination with the duality and double lives of individuals drives him to capture moments.

My Fellow Singaporeans is the story of people in waiting — a story about the issues faced and emotions felt by Singaporeans during the COVID-19 period. Everyone has their own story to tell, but not everyone has a listening ear. These photos bring their stories to light, if viewers will listen with their eyes.

#Lee Yik Keat < #tomenu > #Yais Yusman

"ALONE” Yais Yusman @yaisyusman

Yais was born and bred in the heartlands of Singapore. He is a self-taught, passionate advocate for mobile photography. Currently a freelance creative, he is known for his unique perspectives in shots that involve a lot of reflection and symmetry. His photography journey started as a hobby with his father's camera back in 2011, and his interest was reborn and further developed with the introduction of Instagram in 2012. Yais is an ambivert who knows when he needs to be alone and limit his socialising. So, he was perfectly fine being indoors and staying home during the Circuit Breaker. However, other people needed to be outdoors for different purposes. He chose to capture these people from the side or back, because his inner introvert knew he himself would feel insecure about being shot from the front. He also wanted to demonstrate how emotions could be shown through different angles.

#Steven Sung < #tomenu