http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_Indoor_Stadium Let me start with the competition venue, The Singapore Indoor Stadium. This is one of the most beautiful buildings in Singapore surrounded by the Kallang River, the new Singapore Sports Hub, the Tanjong Rhu private condos and some old and new commercial buildings. The Kallang River is a popular site for sea sports where canoeists and dragon boat rowers frequent in large numbers especially on weekends. This Kallang area will be a hotspot for sports and recreation, relaxation, shopping, F&B and entertainment when the entire Sports Hub complex is completed. Built in March 1987 by the famouse Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, and opened in July 1988, this quarter century old lady, with its diamond-shaped cone roof, is very comfortable with plush cushioned seats and air-conditioning that can seat a maximum of 12,000. Here are some pictures taken in January of this grand old dame with the adjacent new Sports Hub into its final stages and the surroundings. The Stadium MRT sits in between and is a welcomed transport mode for many. But by midnight, no trains will be available so badminton fans will have to leave the stadium at least 15 mins earlier to catch the last train.
SIS and some R1 pictures This year's SIS interior is much better than last year's. The grid for lowering the lights is placed much higher and doesn't block the view and the lights are much more friendly as they do not stare unceremoniously into your eyes. The new LED results board is sharper and neater. So altogether a thumbs up for the improvements. Here are some pictures that I took yesterday during Round 1.
Thanks everybody for your kind words and well-wishes. Actually I'm a very lazy photographer and never got round to using the manual mode. I've been using a Canon EOS 550D for a few years now. I did'nt quite take care of my camera as it is now infested with fungus. I only use the 'P' mode to take pictures, preferring to 'edit' them with a simple and free software Photoscape thereafter. It takes time and effort though and this is what I don't have enough of, since everyday there is a new round over six days. Today should be interesting. it being the QF. Thankfully it starts at 3 pm, so that I don't have to leave the office too early. Of course the worst day is Round 1 or Round of 16. For taking action pictures like these, I use a Canon zoom lens EF 75-300mm as I'm seated quite a distance away on a fixed location throughout. As there are four courts, it is not comfortable to take players in action at the far end at Court 4 from my seat. I choose ISO 6400. To help me to stabilize, I use a monopod (one leg and luckily I did not bring a tripod as this seemed not allowed). I shorten the monopod and place it on my seat so that the camera is close to me and I do not interfere with the movement or vision of those around me.
Lee Chong Wei versus Chen Yuekun at R2 This Singapore Open's star performer must necessarily be WR1 Lee Chong Wei and some pictures of him in action are in order. Whether it was Chen Yuekun's good or bad luck to have to face LCW in R2 is open to debate. With a defeat of 21-11, 21-6 in 29 mins in the hands of LCW was not something to be happy about but CYK had the satisfaction of playing against the current best player in the world and he should treasure it as a rare lesson. For how many will have this opportunity?
Chen Yu, Chen Yuekun's coach, won the Singapore Open a few years ago. It's interesting that the student's name is an extension of his coach's name: Chen Yu & Chen Yu(ekun)
Yes no wonder he looks so familiar! Your picture memory seems intact. I recall Chen Yu as a robust, hard-hitting soldier.
Ma Jin looked very unhappy during the WD match ..... no wonder they lost. Ng Hui Lin's younger sis is quite photogenic, didn't realize that till now. The tall Bellaetrix and smooth-skinned Kim Ha Na, beautiful as always ......
Chen Yuekun's coach would have a better chance against LCW ..... He beat LCW at the 2007 All England Q-Finals.
I blame it on Zheng Bo - one of her previous partners. He gave her a bad time. She picked a bad habit off him.
I'd say she looks dissatisfied. Permanently. She's dissatisfied with her on-court partners, with her matches, with her opponents, with just about everything!
Don't think so, she may be too preoccupied with badminton. Hurry, grab the application form and apply!!!