Clear umbrellas and easy smiles brighten a rainy evening in Bukit Bintang.
MOST people instinctively seek shelter when it rains.
However, Yap Chee Hong, 47, who has worked as a photographer with The Star for 21 years, finds the rain an invitation to head outdoors with his trusty camera.
In this series, Yap captures the vibrant energy of Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Bintang shopping district on a rainy day.
“Rain adds another layer to an image.
“Wet surfaces reflect light better, giving the scene a different mood,” said Yap.
“Street photography calls for speed, a sharp eye as well as good artistic sense in capturing the different aspects of a certain theme,” he said.
On capturing clear images in the rain, Yap said photographers could take cover under an umbrella or along a canopied sidewalk.
However, most professionals rely on a lens hood to keep the lens dry and free of water droplets that could obstruct the shot, but prefer to face the weather head-on.
This often means the photographer ends up soaked, but it may be a small price to pay to see things in a completely different way.
Clear umbrellas and easy smiles brighten a rainy evening in Bukit Bintang.
An umbrella seller popping up as soon as there is a need for protection against the elements, contributes to the visual story.
A digital billboard casting a reflection on the wet path creates a dystopian mood in the capital. — Photos: YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
A woman and girl staying close under one umbrella while crossing a busy street in the Golden Triangle.
A pedestrian cutting through Bukit Bintang’s neon glow with an umbrella her shield in the rain-soaked evening.
