Photo Exhibition themed "Stranger On The Bus"

This is my umpteen time in which 2 of my photos are currently on exhibit at Cat Socrates 苏格拉底猫 Bookcafe with a theme this time round to be "Stranger on the Bus". I simply like and will always try my best to pursue each photo theme opportunity released for a photo exhibition at this chic bookstore!

Photographing strangers in public transportation is regarded by some as a little odd. Yet pictures of our daily life related to the use of public transportation are what come to define an era and many of the great pictures of the past decade would fall into this category. Photography in a bus or train though is far more than that. It can be hard to define and many practitioners have their own ways of shooting. But what's fascinating about such photographic scene is that it's open to anyone with a camera. You do not need special access, even the most basic disposable camera can be used. All you need is time, patience, shoe leather and a good eye. Get real people, some of us just enjoy photography for what it is, without any ulterior motives, and, as  much of what we do becomes a useful archive of contemporary life. Photography has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them!

Shortlisted "Stranger on the bus" photographs are currently on exhibition from 1 May to 30 June 2012.

Location of CAT SOCRATES 苏格拉底猫 bookstore cafe:
Bras Basah Complex #03-39B

Exhibition Timing：
12 noon - 8 pm (Daily)
1 pm - 7 pm (Sunday & Public Holiday)

来到这个城市里一个珍贵的存在书城 Bras Basah Complex. 大概是在大学时期听导师提起新加坡有这么一栋集合各类书店的建筑物, 从此这里就成了我一个人游走时的秘密基地. 从以前的一家家书店去探索, 到现在固定地去一个心灵充电基地站. 那就是特色小店 "苏格拉底猫" Cat Socrates, 售卖独立音乐, 独立杂志和书籍, 各种杂货, 还有各种 Lomo 相机及相关产品. 来自上海的店主经营一种生活美学, 非主流但深得我心. 每次一踏进店内, 心灵仿佛就找到了归宿. 昏黄的灯光下, 悠扬的音乐轻飘着, 颇有心思的陈设形成一道迷人风景.

原来, 书本, 音乐, 用心制作的事物, 坚持经营美丽的小店, 这些我依恋的一切, 就是我的小宇宙. 它们贴近我的心, 传达我的信念, 展现我喜欢的美好. 我在这个小宇宙里, 舒服自在, 找到了我生活的态度, 和尊严. 日常生活让我那么疲惫无力, 是因为我必须离开自己的小宇宙, 走入一个不得不面对不美的世界.

My first original "Stranger on The Bus" photo submitted for display!

My second original "Stranger on The Bus" photo submitted for display!

I had an early nine am work appointment which meant the bus would arrive to pick me up at 8:15 am to get me there by 8:45 am. Yeah that's one heck of a bus ride, but that is how it goes. I got on the bus and sat right in front seat because nobody usually sat upfront and I was self-conscious about mingling that day. I had noticed from a sides eye view the bus was full when boarded and I wasn't going to sit in the front and middle. I went to the back and took the window seat. I was happy they all squeezed into the middle of the bus, leaving the seat next to me pleasingly empty. If you don’t want people to notice you taking their picture and your camera has a noisy shutter then develop an even noisier cough to synchronise with each shot you take. Oldest trick in the book for all of us who can’t afford a Leica! :-)

p/s: To view my past photographs being exhibited at Cat Socrates Bookcafe, please feel free to browse my "Photography Exhibition" category. Thank you.

Alternatively, you may click onto the below URL to browse my photos in the past exhibitions at Cat Socrates:
http://jennifer-teo.weebly.com/1/category/photography%20exhibition/1.html