Giving Back to the Photography Community: My Journey with SWP

As 2025 wraps up, I’ve been reflecting on one of the most rewarding parts of my photography journey: being part of Singapore Weekend Photography (SWP). When I joined the group about 2.5 years ago, I was simply looking for a space to learn, share, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Fast forward to today, and SWP has become a big part of my creative life.

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Over the years, I’ve attended more than 30 photography events organized by SWP. Each photo walk was an opportunity to explore new perspectives, meet passionate photographers, and grow as an artist. This year, something special happened. I was invited by the hosts of the group to step up as a co-host for the group. It was both humbling and exciting because it meant I could contribute more actively to the community that has given me so much since I arrived in Singapore.

Together with a dedicated team of six core members, we managed to host 40 photo walks in 2025, welcoming over 650 participants. That’s a lot of conversations, shared tips, and creative energy flowing through the streets of Singapore! For me, these walks aren’t just about photography. They’re about building connections and keeping the spirit of creativity alive.

Why does this matter? Because we’re living in a time where AI is reshaping creative industries, and many artists feel uncertain about the future. While technology can be a powerful tool, I believe human creativity, our ability to see, feel, and interpret the world, remains irreplaceable. By giving back to the photography community, even in a small way, I hope to keep that spark alive. Hosting photo walks might seem simple, but it creates spaces where ideas thrive, friendships form, and art continues to evolve.

As I look ahead to 2026, I’m excited to keep contributing, learning, and growing with SWP. Photography is more than just images; it’s a shared experience, and I’m grateful to be part of a community that celebrates that.

Here’s to another year of creativity, collaboration, and capturing Singapore, a country buzzling with potential, through our lenses.

Cyberpunk with Fujifilm X-T4: My 2026 Creative Project No. I

As 2026 begins, I’m diving into a bold photography experiment that combines cyberpunk aesthetics with the versatility of the Fujifilm X-T4. My goal? To create a cohesive body of work throughout the year using two carefully chosen Fujifilm film simulation recipes—one for daytime and one for nighttime shooting.

Daytime: Retrovision 2049

For daylight scenes, I’ll be using the Retrovision 2049 Fujifilm recipe, available on Shuttergroove. Built on the Classic Chrome film simulation, this recipe delivers a cinematic, retro-futuristic vibe with muted tones and soft contrast. It’s perfect for urban streets, industrial landscapes, and futuristic architecture, ideal for photographers who love the Blade Runner-inspired aesthetic during the day.

Nighttime: Neon Obscura

When the city lights come alive, I’ll switch to the Neon Obscura cinematic Fujifilm recipe, also from Shuttergroove. This recipe is designed based on Classic Negative for night photography, emphasising deep shadows, glowing highlights, and vibrant neon colours. It transforms ordinary streets into cinematic scenes, making it a go-to choice for anyone chasing that cyberpunk night vibe.

Singapore in the light of a Cyberpunk, futuristic themed creative vision. (Disclaimer: AI generated artwork)

Consistency is key in storytelling. By limiting myself to these two Fujifilm film recipes, I can create a unified visual narrative across all my images. This approach challenges me to focus on composition, lighting, and mood rather than constantly switching styles. It’s a creative constraint that I believe will lead to stronger, more cohesive work. Throughout 2026, I’ll share my progress, behind-the-scenes insights, and plenty of images on my blog and social channels. If you’re a Fujifilm shooter or a fan of cyberpunk photography, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

From Fujifilm to Leica: My Brief Affair with the Q2

This week’s photo walk with Jay and the Singapore Weekend Photography (SWP) team was extra special; he handed me his Leica Q2 to try out! Leica has a legendary reputation for its colour science and those gorgeous monochrome tones with rich micro-contrast. Since I’m a sucker for high-contrast black-and-white shots (I usually shoot with a custom Acros-based film simulation on my Fujifilm X-T4), there was no way I was passing up this chance.

I’ll admit, the Leica interface threw me off at first. It felt like learning a new language, and honestly, I had more misses than hits. But when I nailed the composition and focus? Wow. The results were stunning, crisp details, beautiful tonal range, and that signature Leica look that makes every frame feel timeless.

Safe to say, this brief encounter left me seriously tempted to spend more time with a Leica in the future!