How to ace Instagram, according to a photographer
Featured image credit: @qhventures
What you want to be when you grow up is a universal question every kid gets.
And the answer these days? I want to be an influencer. The times have changed, and nobody wants to become an astronaut anymore. What for when a TikTok or YouTube career pays millions?
And in this ever-evolving landscape of influencers and their growing influence, there are specific subsets you can aspire to become.
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You’ve got the traditional influencer, great at posing and selfies. And then there are digital content creators, masters of photography and videography, wielding the camera or a smartphone like a wizard.
Qi Hao, a local digital creator, is one such wizard. The Instagram-famous photographer clocks up viral videos on the regular. And when it comes to knowing the best spots to take Instagrammable photos and videos in Singapore, there’s no one better to ask.
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But sometimes, it’s not about where you go, but how you take your photos or videos. It’s about how you extract the stories from your subjects, especially if you’re a street photographer like Qi Hao. Mostly, it’s about going up and talking to strangers.
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“I think, especially if there isn’t a language barrier. If your common language is English and you can converse in English, that’s great. A common language benefits you because you can dive deep and interact with these people.”
“So, my Mandarin isn’t that great for me, right? So sometimes, when I speak to uncles in Singapore, they only speak Mandarin, and there’s only a certain level where you can connect.”
“But if both parties speak English, it’s easier to understand the background of their shop, what they do, why they do this and that.”
“One good example is when I encountered an auntie’s Assam laksa shop in Chinatown. And then we chatted, and I took photos of her shop making a TikTok video, which kind of went viral.”
@qhventures Penang Assam Laksa anyone? Chef kiss! 🧑🏻🍳 #tiktoksg #singapore #photography #food #penang ♬ Married Life – Michael Giacchino
“Then there was one day I went back, and she was like, wow, I didn’t know the shop went viral. You see those two people behind, like, they saw your video, and they came down, and I was like, wow, social media has a crazy impact.”
“So, I like covering spots or people with interesting stories and tourists should go and cover all these places before they’re gone.”
“Ultimately, don’t be afraid to dive deep into the local culture. Don’t focus too much on the touristy stuff. It’s also good if you have a local friend or guide. Those are the best people that can bring you around.”
“For example, in Hong Kong, a lot of times when I was alone, I was very clueless. I didn’t know where to go or what to do. But then, once I linked up with locals, it was so much easier. They bring you to the exact places that you’re looking for.”
But don’t worry if the idea of going up and talking to a stranger seems intimidating. Sometimes, all you need to do is go to the correct location, and it’s even better if that locale has a rich history.
We were hanging out with Qi Hao on the seedy triad trail. It was hosted by an ex-convict who told us prison stories and tales about the area’s history back when Singapore was the wild west of the east. When opium, gambling, and prostitution were more than just rife, but a way of life.
It was immediately apparent that Qi Hao was a walking dictionary of the best places to shoot in Singapore at each spot we stopped. Although the tour more than brought us to locations we otherwise wouldn’t have visited.
It also gave us a good sense of the area’s history, which in a way, makes your images more powerful when you understand what you’re shooting.
Lesser-known Insta-worthy spots in Singapore
Regarding top Instagrammable spots, however, Qi Hao has his clear favourites.
“Little India is my go-to photography and video spot for street photography. The people are so friendly. English isn’t their primary language. And you only can speak very basic English. But they are so welcoming and friendly.”
@qhventures Replying to @The Straits Times More street moments from Little India🧵🪡 #littleindia #singapore #cinematic #cinematics ♬ Ylang Ylang – FKJ & ((( O )))
“You can smile at them. They smile back. You can point the camera at them. They won’t scold you or shoo you away. It’s a great place. It’s an excellent place for street photography.”
“And that neighbourhood has so much character. It’s not like the perfect Singapore you always see in the media, right? Clean, super tall skyscrapers and all that. Little India is different. And sometimes you need that character.”
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“But ultimately, Singapore also has a good mix of places to take photos. We got the very futuristic stuff, right? Like Gardens by the Bay. And even within the Gardens, we have the Super Trees and the Cloud Forest.”
“The government is also constantly developing more small spaces here and there. Marina Bay Sands (MBS) is another futuristic spot. Then we also have the cultural stuff. For example, temples and different cultural groups.”
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“But the coolest spots are those with a mix of nature and modern architecture. So, like, Park Royal Pickering and the Cloud Forest in Gardens by the Bay. Even condominiums have a nice mix of greenery and concrete.”
Cool Insta-worthy experiences to check out
Geylang’s reputation as Singapore’s only legal red light district may be more sleazy than Insta-worthy, with its brothels and dilapidated shophouses, but don’t be fooled. There’s more to this area than its notoriety. Walk alleyways to see the sights and sounds of this area and learn the stories of people from all walks of life.
Led by ex-convicts and ex-gang members, this eye-opening tour takes you on a journey back to the past, when Singapore was teeming with drugs and gangs, a far cry from today. The experience itself may not be Instagrammable per se. But it’s an excellent opportunity to learn a Singapore that not many know of and a chance to shoot an area with a rich history.
Some of the best spots to take photos and videos for Instagram and TikTok lie around the Bras Basah-Bugis area. Check out some of the neighbourhood’s Insta-worthy sites with an IG walk around places like Waterloo Street and Kampong Glam. And learn from a nano influencer who will double up as your tour guide.
It’s time to #instawalk the talk with a tour of the Civic District, home to gorgeous black-and-white buildings, old-school architecture, and modern skyscrapers. Hang out with friendly influencers as they share with you tips and tricks on how you can ace your feed on Instagram. You’ll never see the city in the same light again.
Whether you pick the beach or city as your location, Singapore is blessed with superb picnic spots that are undeniably Insta-worthy. And it won’t just be the locale that’ll provide you with plenty of photo-taking material. The tents will be designed with fairy lights, a customisable message, and a luxurious spread for you to treat yourself.
