Colourful Spiral Staircases
Tucked behind Bugis Street Market, this narrow alleyway features a tightly packed row of external spiral staircases, each painted a different bold colour, creating one of Singapore's most striking urban compositions. Shoot straight down the alley to compress the staircases together and let the repeating curves lead your eye through the frame. A wide angle lens works well for the full row, while a short telephoto lets you isolate two or three staircases and emphasise the colour contrasts. The alley is shaded for much of the day, which actually works in your favour by softening harsh tropical light and keeping colours saturated. Overcast days are ideal. Visit on a weekday morning before the surrounding market gets busy, as foot traffic through the alley can clutter your shots. Getting low and shooting upward adds a dynamic twist to the geometry. (Bras Basah, Singapore)
