What does architectural photography mean to you?

I have been an architectural photographer for the last 13 years. In a small country like Singapore with constant redevelopment, buildings come and go at an astonishing pace. To document these buildings for my work, I depend on equipment that is innovative and always evolving. In a genre where precision and image quality are vital, Sony Alpha shares my fundamental values for photography. You can even say that our DNA is similar.

Tell us, what's in your camera bag 

I am using the Sony Alpha 7R IV in tandem with several Sony G Master and G lenses. Most of my work is captured with FE 12-24mm F4 G and FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS lenses. I appreciate Sony Alpha mirrorless camera system’s pursuit of the very best image quality and innovation. 
 

What do you look for when you are out on a shoot?

There are two elements that I look for - light and story. The quality and the direction of natural light is key to expression and colour. For example, the early morning sun offers a great opportunity to frame an interesting shot with the interplay between shadow and light.

As a visual storyteller, I am always on the lookout for a scene with an untold story. There are many tales to be gleaned from the façade of a typical public housing block. I also look for a contrast between the old and new, juxtaposing older and contemporary architecture. A unique theme is an important ingredient to a captivating image.

How has the Sony Alpha’s compact size and ergonomic design improved your work? 

I love the ergonomics of the new Alpha 7R IV. The handgrip feels comfortable in hand without sacrificing the compactness of the design. It just means that I can shoot more comfortably for longer. The combination of Sony’s Alpha 7R IV and FE 12-24mm G lens weighs far less than a bulky DSLR, so the weight on my shoulders is greatly reduced. I can easily carry three Alpha 7R IV bodies with different lenses - without being bogged down by the weight. Even with such a compact body, the Alpha 7R IV has dual card slots and 650-shot long battery life, so I won’t run out of memory space or power. No other 35mm full-frame camera offers the same combination of portability and image-quality.

How has the high image quality brought value to your work in architectural photography?

For architectural photography, the resolution of the camera matters. Sony’s Alpha 7R IV’s 61-megapixel resolution helps me preserve a piece of Singapore history in the highest resolution possible. Many facets of Singapore’s architecture may disappear overnight with the rapid rate of urbanisation. For future generations to benefit fully from my captures, they really need to be of the highest quality. With 61-megapixel resolution, every detail and texture is captured unerringly.

Every now and then, I produce billboard-sized images - sometimes as large as 6m in height and 9m in width. This is where the Alpha 7R IV’s new 240 MP Pixel-Shift capability truly shines. It creates a seamless, gargantuan image from stitching 16 separate images together to deliver a final print that stands up to close scrutiny. Pixel-Shift delivers the results that exacting professionals need.

Unique Alpha mirrorless camera innovations like the 61-megapixel high resolution sensor and Pixel-Shift technology, allow me to future-proof my work in the highest image quality possible, extracting details that are often invisible to the naked eye. I am realising my quality and creative vision to its fullest potential. That’s the Alpha difference.

As an architectural photographer, which Sony E mount lenses do you recommend?

I use the FE 12-24mm F4 G lens and the FE 100-400mm G Master zoom lenses for most of my work because of its high quality and versatility. The FE 12-24mm G lens is especially useful in Singapore because the buildings are so close to each other and the wide focal lengths can capture buildings in their entirety within the limited space. Coupled with its low weight, almost distortion-free perspective, and amazing edge-to-edge sharpness, I am able to capture dynamic cityscapes without compromise.

My other favourite lens for architecture is the  FE 100-400mm G Master. This super telephoto lens allows me to connect incongruent skyscrapers into a seamless tapestry of steel and glass. I love it for its corner-to-corner sharpness when used at F8 to F11, helping me tell a detailed story. The FE 100-400mm G Master also has one of the fastest and most accurate autofocus I have ever used in a super telephoto lens.  Coupled with the autofocusing capabilities of the Alpha 7R IV, a precise focus with the lens is assured - even in low-light situations.

Overall, how would you describe your experience with Sony?

At the end of the day, the five fundamentals of the Sony Alpha mirrorless system offers an unparalleled combination of image quality, speed, lens line-up, long battery life, and comfort. With the advanced technology of the Alpha system, my images of these buildings will stand the test of time, preserving my stories and memories for future generations.