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1. Marina Bay Sands Skypark

First off we'll start with Marina Bay Sands Skypark. The only thing about this place is you have to pay a $25 entrance fee during the National Day period but on normal days it's $23. I took this photo using my Samyang 8mm fisheye lens. Before the fireworks show I walked around the skypark to enjoy the scenic view of Singapore.





2. Bras Basah Complex

Next is the apartment complex at Bras Basah. From levels 1 to 5 you can visit the various shops that this place has to offer such as art shops, music shops, restaurants and more. But if you take the elevator up to the 25th floor you'll get a nice view of the city.

This was where I took the photo above. Its also advisable to come here early as other photographers came around 1730.









3. Gardens by the Bay East

I like this photo as you'll be able to see Singapore's famous attractions in one framing For this photo I used my Samyang 12mm which allowed me to capture (from left to right): Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands and Singapore Flyer.

4. Marina Bay Sands - Spectra Light Show

On normal days there will be a free light show known as "Spectra Lightshow" held in front of MBS but because there's the rehearsals and NDP itself the lightshow was cancelled on the event days.





5. The Float @ Marina Bay

Usually this place would be closed on previous NDPs but because for 2019, the NDP was held at The Padang to celebrate Singapore's bicentennial year. The very first NDP was also held at The Padang. Do take note that the last NDP to be held here will be on 2021 before it gets demolished in 2022 to make way for construction of "NS Square". You can find out more here

6. Benjamin Sheares Bridge

During the rehearsal days and NDP day itself you'll see vehicles slowly moving as the drivers themselves want to watch the fireworks even for just a second. And the traffic marshals will have to rush them to avoid any traffic congestion.

To get here, you'll need to go up the stair on the right.

Once you go up you'll see this bridge most likely filled with photographers. The bridge will also lead you to MBS if you decide to take a train or bus from there or want to do some sightseeing after taking your photos.

7. Small Pier at Esplanade

During the day this small pier is used for tourist to board and alight after enjoying their time on a boat tour but come evening this area is a good spot to see fireworks!

One thing to note is the boat tour staff will ask you to take away your camera around the pier to make way for tourist to alight, but once the staff clocks out around 1800 you plant your camera there for the ideal shot.





8. Marina Boulevard Area

I took this shot when I first started learning about "Fireworks Photography". At that time I have yet to learn about compositing various shots together if I wanted more fireworks.





9. Photo of Parliament House

Pictured here is the Parliament House and on the left is The Padang where NDP 2019 was held. To celebrate the bicentennial year, fireworks were set off at 3 locations: The Float@Marina Bay (center), The Padang (left) and Singapore River (right).

10. Coleman Bridge Located in Clarke Quay this bridge is also a good spot. I managed to find a somewhat private area. It was only me and another photographer here.





A good place to photograph or watch fireworks. And on the right is my somewhat private area.

11. Block 15 Farrer Park Road

Coming here was good as it's something different. Normally my photos will have Singapore's landmarks like MBS, GBTB, and Singapore Flyer, but for this shot we get to see HDB flats and Singapore's central area in the back.





12. River Hongbao

This was my 1st time attending the yearly River Hongbao and it was really nice to see fireworks from the seating area of Float@Marina Bay! Before the fireworks show you can enjoy performances and walk around the event area for food, games and displays.

In fact, I took a video each shows for 3 minutes and 10 minutes that you can check out below!









This is what it looks like without any events. As mentioned earlier for NDP, the last River Hongbao to be held here will be on 2021 before it gets demolished in 2022 to make way for construction of "NS Square"

#13 - Esplanade

This shot was taken during River Hongbao 2020 at Esplanade's "Outdoor Spaces". For this shot I suggest using a fisheye lens if you want to get the oval shape of this part of the building.

#14 - Esplanade Bridge

This shot was taken on the last day of River Hongbao 2020 (RHB2020). This shot comprises fireworks of RHB2020 and Chingay 2020 held at F1 Pit Building. I was disappointed with this shot as I expected the last day of RHB2020 to have better fireworks but they were smaller instead.













Bonus #1 - Fireworks in the Heartlands

To celebrate our bicentennial year, fireworks were set off at 5 locations in Singpore's Heartlands: Bishan, Jurong East, Punggol, Wisma Geylang Serai and Woodlands. All of which are also busy areas in Singapore and worth exploring. There were games, performances and photo opportunities with army vehicles. You can read more about it here





Bonus #2 - Clarke Quay Area

I won't be revealing this location but the clue is that it was taken in a staircase landing of a building in Clarke Quay. The windows are dusty and can't be open. If set-up properly it has enough space for at least 2 photographers. Another option is if you know someone working in one of the offices facing MBS or a resident in the upper part of the building.

Bonus #3 - Chinatown





Bonus #4 - Chinatown Located at block 32 Park Crescent in Chinatown, this housing estate offers a front row view of the fireworks being set off. Best part is there's also a food centre so you can have your dinner after your photo shoot!

I took this photo from South Bridge Road, Blk 532 during the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is a nice spot as you'll be able to see the fireworks shooting towards the sky from the car park of People's Park Complex.

Bonus #5 - Crane Dance @ Resorts World Sentosa

Crane Dance is held at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) daily at 2000 and entry is FOC. The event features: LED displays, light and water effects, pyrotechnics and it's own original score. Do note that Crane Dance and Maritime Experimental Museum by RWS will close their doors on March 2nd 2020 for redevelopments. You can read more about it here









I also took a video of the fireworks which you can check out below!







Bonus #6 - Vivo City This shot was taken at the rooftop of Vivocity facing "The Crane Dance" at Resorts World Sentosa. Like what I mentioned above, the FOC show will close on March 2nd 2020.

Bonus #7 - Bishan Blk 291 Due to 2020's pandemic our National Day Parade's fireworks were held in various parts of Singapore. To prevent any crowd from gathering the exact locations were not published. This shot was taken at the field next to "Junction 8".



I also took a video of the fireworks which you can check out below!







Conclusion





Fireworks is one of the nicest things to see and take photos of. In Singapore, fireworks are normally set off onand. For this article I'll be showing you where you can watch and take photos of fireworks both at the central areas and less visited parts. Whether you're using a proper camera, your handphone or to watch with your friends and family, this article is for you!Most of my photos were taken on NDP rehearsal days. Every year, just before the actual NDP there will be at leastrehearsals held at the venue of the event.Do note that this place do not allow tripods which was why most photographers used clamps or Gorrilapod like me. It's also advisable to come here around 1600 to secure a favourable spot.This is the spot where I took the photo in July 2019. Surprisingly there weren't many photographers around. I guess it's also because it's more convenient if you have a bicycle as there's no direct transport to this place.As stated above, if you want to come here the nearest bus stop is at Marina Barrage or if you have a bicycle and you can cycle from Marina Barrage. Regardless, it's still nice to see the landmarks of Singapore from afar. During the evening there will also be plenty of joggers and cyclist.You can get a really nice shot here but the only thing I did not like was the sunset as it was really warm. Here is what it looks like just before the crowds came around 1700+.Here is what it looks like just before the crowds came around 1700+.Coming here is not too bad as there's many spots for you to choose from to take your fireworks photos.This was my set-up. On rehearsal days, photographers will go to the various locations around 1600 onward but because it was NDP day itself, most spots were taken when I came to this car park around 1430.This is the building.And these are the photographers leaving the car park after the fireworks ended. Behind me are drivers in their cars honking at other drivers as they try to leave the building.This is also a good spot as I wasn't surrounded by other people and I got to enjoy my view before taking my photos.This is the HDB flat just outside Farrer Park Station.This was where I took my photo. I was afraid that other photographers will take up the good spots so I went down at 1500, which was 5 hours before the fireworks were set off. Alas, there was only 1 photographer who came around 1930 and the rest were residents of that HDB block.As the fireworks were set off in a HDB area, they were not as grand as NDP's but it was still enjoyable to watch the fireworks.There are definitely more places to take photos of fireworks in Singapore but these are the places I managed to find. I've also made a Google Maps of the places in this article that you can check out here: