162nd SWP Photo Walk: A Colorful Morning in Joo Chiat

Our 162nd SWP photo walk on 10th January was all about soaking in the charm of Joo Chiat, one of Singapore’s most vibrant and photogenic neighborhoods. With its rich heritage, colorful shophouses, and laid back vibe, Joo Chiat never disappoints, and this walk was no exception!

We kicked things off at Joo Chiat Complex, where the morning buzz was already in full swing. From there, we strolled down Joo Chiat Road, a street that feels like a living gallery, every corner has something unique, whether it’s a quirky café, a mural, or a classic Peranakan facade.

Taking a turn at Joo Chiat Place, we slowed down to appreciate the details: ornate tiles, pastel-colored walls, and those iconic wooden shutters that make this area so special. It’s the kind of place where you can easily lose track of time because there’s always another angle, another frame waiting to be discovered.

Of course, no Joo Chiat photo walk would be complete without visiting the Peranakan Houses. These heritage gems are a photographer’s dream; vivid colors, intricate patterns, and a sense of history that’s hard to find elsewhere. We spent a good while here, experimenting with compositions and sharing tips with each other.

This walk reminded us why we love doing this: it’s not just about the photos, but the experience of discovering places together, seeing them through different lenses, and building a community that shares the same passion.

Fujica Super 6 & Kentmere PAN 200

For the first SWP photo walk of the year on 3rd January, I decided to go old school and bring along my Fujica Super 6 medium format camera. There’s something magical about shooting 6x6 film. It slows you down, makes you think, and rewards you with those timeless square frames.

I loaded it with Harman’s Kentmere PAN 200, a film I’ve been meaning to try for its classic look. I shot the entire roll at two stops over, effectively rating it at ISO 800 instead of the box speed of 200. After the walk, I developed it at home, adjusting for the push during processing.

The results? Absolutely worth it. The images came out with beautiful contrast, deep blacks, and a punchy tonal range that gave every frame a strong character. What surprised me most was how well the grain held up even after pushing two stops. It added texture without overpowering the details, a perfect balance for street photography.

Contact Sheet: Fujica Super 6 with Harman Kentmere PAN 200@800

There’s a certain thrill in experimenting with film, especially when you’re not sure how the negatives will turn out. This roll reminded me why I love shooting analog: the anticipation, the imperfections, and the unique rendering that digital just can’t replicate.

If you’ve been thinking about pushing film, Kentmere PAN 200 is a solid choice. Affordable, forgiving, and full of character. It handled ISO 800 like a champ. I’ll definitely be trying this combo again on future walks.

• Film: Harman Kentmere PAN 200 @ 800

• Developer: Ilford Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 (20 c) 14’ 30”

Developing Film at Home: A New Year, A New Creative Adventure

There’s something magical about film photography; the anticipation, the imperfections, the tangible results. But what if you could take that magic one step further and develop your own film at home? This year, I decided to finally stop procrastinating and dive into the world of DIY film development. Here’s how it all started.

Starting the Year with a New Creative Challenge

With the new year rolling in, I decided to dive into something I’ve been curious about for a long time: developing film at home. Shooting film has always been a passion of mine, but let’s be honest, getting rolls developed at a lab is becoming increasingly expensive.

About two years ago, I bought all the gear and chemicals needed to develop black-and-white film at home. And then… nothing happened. Maybe it was my hectic work schedule and studies, or maybe it was the fear of messing things up. Either way, I kept procrastinating. But this year, I wanted to turn a new page in my creative journey and finally give it a shot.

Photography, for me, is an art form. Even if I completely ruined the roll, I knew I’d learn something valuable from the process. Sure, losing those images would sting, but the experience and lessons gained? That feels like a fair trade-off.

The First Roll of the Year

For my first shoot of the year, I loaded up a roll of Harman Kentmere PAN 200 in 120 format into my Fujica Super-6. This camera shoots 6x6 medium format, which means 12 frames per roll. I’ve always loved monochrome photography, so black and white was an easy choice.

Note: Image created using Generative AI.

The square format, though? That was new territory for me. It felt like an experiment in unlearning and re-learning composition, and honestly, that made it exciting.

Film Choice and Shooting Constraints

I love pushing black-and-white film. I’ve done it before with Ilford HP5 (ISO 400) in 35mm, and the results were gorgeous. Great contrast and just the right amount of grain.

But this time, I had a few constraints to juggle:

• My camera’s widest aperture is f/3.5, which isn’t ideal for low-light indoor shots.

• The fastest shutter speed is 1/500, so pushing ISO too high could cause overexposure in bright outdoor light.

• No ND filters for this camera, so I had to be careful with exposure.

 Pushing ISO 100 to 400 would have been tough indoors, and pushing ISO 400 to 1600 would have been risky outdoors. So, what’s the middle ground?

Enter Kentmere PAN 200

Kentmere PAN 200 was the perfect solution. It’s the newest addition to the Kentmere lineup of black-and-white panchromatic film and offers a sweet spot between flexibility and affordability.

Cost was a big factor in my selection of film since prices have skyrocketed lately. Foma PAN used to be the go-to for budget-friendly monochrome shooters, but Kentmere PAN has matched that price point while delivering quality comparable to Ilford’s own films. That’s a win in my book.

What’s Next?

This post was all about the shoot and the thought process behind it. In my next post, I’ll share the details of how I developed the film at home step by step. Stay tuned!