Creative inspirations, equipment selection

I'm fascinated with capturing emotions and expressions - especially up- close, where you almost feel like you could reach into a photo and touch the subject.I am also attracted to locations with unique lighting, as these environments inspire me to compose some of my most dramatic shots.

When I'm out and about, taking snapshots of special moments from the streets, I really enjoy using my FE 50mm F1.8 prime lens and Zeiss FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS zoom lens.

The captivating qualities of a prime lens

A prime lens is just a joy to use on the streets, especially the 50mm F1.8, which is especially easy to handle. This makes framing shots very intuitive and allows me to capture "in-the-moment" snapshots that really capture the mood of what was happening in that instant.

For great looking photos using a prime lens, always pay attention to the distance between you and your subject, and the all-important rule of thirds!

Standing out from the crowd

This photo of a fashion intern was snapped at a busy crosswalk along the Bukit Bintang retail area. As the shot was taken after dusk, there was a good mix of natural and artificial light - which gave the environment a cool mood.

As the dinner crowds began to form, I asked my subject to pose, while I moved around to frame the shot perfectly. Having a full-frame camera certainly made things easier. From around 6 feet away from my subject, I crouched for a lower angle shot to frame the crosswalk, sky and subject proportionately.

The creamy F1.8 bokeh gives this shot an "urban mood", while the natural 50mm perspective keeps the portrait looking natural and candid. In street portraits like this, you can combine light, colour and emotion to create some really captivating photos.

A bucket of water, and a storied life

Sometimes, random encounters can lead to powerful moments - and stories that capture the heart.

I met this man at Central Market. In this shot, he was on his way to gather water from a nearby building pipe, so he could bathe himself along the streets.

As this was a random encounter, I couldn't predict what the subject would do, or where he would go. I did realise that this street was in the shadow of a large building, so I dialled up the ISO to balance the lighting.

The shot was taken from around 12 feet in front of the man, using my FE 50mm F1.8 prime lens. We were chatting as I snapped, and he spoke candidly about his life - revealing genuine emotions. In this photo, the 50mm perspective really brings out the subject's expressions, with the depth of field highlighting the weariness he was feeling from living a hard life.

Second-hand clothes, anyone?

This unexpected encounter happened in Central Market and I saw a lady folding clothes by the sidewalk.

The street she was walking down was rather dark, I turned up the ISO and shutter speed to get a crisp image with my FE 50mm F1.8 prime lens. I also decided that a portrait shot would suit the narrow street better and did so while looking through the viewfinder.

Like the previous shot, this photo was also taken from a distance of 12 feet. If possible, it's always good to lead your subject and give them an idea of what your desired shot looks like - so they can cooperate. Here, the 50mm focal length and F1.8 depth of field creates a natural, non-distracting bokeh that enhances the storytelling element of the photo.

A fish farmer and a family legacy

This man makes a living by installing telephone wires and internet cables in rural areas. Outside of work though, you'll usually find him fishing on his boat. Fishing, he explains, is a family legacy - which explains his fondness for the activity.

For this portrait shot, I got on his boat and had to stabilise myself as much as possible. Fortunately, the camera and 50mm F1.8 lens are a lightweight combination that's easy to handle and stabilise. I took this photo approximately 3 feet from the man. The close-up shot and 50mm perspective really highlight the emotion on the subject's face - giving the shot an added sense of intimacy and believability.

When shooting staged shots like this, it's always great to create a real, heartfelt connection with your subject, so you can capture their true emotions with your camera.

The essence of street photography

I believe that street photography is all about capturing emotions. This happens when you create authentic connections with your subjects. So, speak with them, learn about their lives and take a genuine interest in them.

You'll have some amazing stories to tell - both in your photos, and with your memories of these encounters.