1980s Travel Shots – Backpacking the world in 85-87

Singapore, 10 February 1986

Walked to the city around sunset, taking shots in the twilight at the Raffles statue. Moved on to Chinatown. Walked around the gambling stalls and clothes stalls (50 cents admission each place). Then around the beautifully lit streets, impressive neon pictures of tigers – the Chinese year of the tiger.

Took quite a few shots, once I had finished my print film, using tripod, cable-release for time exposures. Also used my flash for the first time. A lot of walking, back at 11.40.

Singapore Zoo was more like a circus. There were animal shows and you could get a portrait with either a chimp, orangutan or python. The orangutan was frustrated, I saw it pinch a woman’s nipple and suffer a beating from the animal keepers. I like the mixed emotions of the family and onlookers in this shot. In the background you can see 4 kids placed on an elephant – trusting they don’t fall off.