What would Singapore look like if we could see infrared light? Executive photojournalist Ong Wee Jin has answered this intriguing question by paying homage to the red of Singapore's national flag through innovative infrared photography. In his reimagined vision of the city-state, lush foliage transforms into brilliant red hues while people appear dressed in colors perfect for National Day celebrations.
Inspired by the stunning spectacle of maple trees turning red during autumn, Ong often let his mind wander, wondering what Singapore would look like if it had its own autumn season. He discovered the answer when he began experimenting with photographic filters two years ago and stumbled upon the fascinating world of infrared photography. By modifying his camera, he found he could capture an entirely different world invisible to the naked eye.
The visible light spectrum, which is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that human eyes can perceive, typically ranges from 400 nanometers to 700 nanometers. This range encompasses what humans see as different colors. However, infrared light has a longer wavelength and remains completely invisible to human vision, opening up extraordinary photographic possibilities.
To achieve these striking results, Ong performed what's known as a full-spectrum conversion on his Canon RP digital camera. This process involves replacing the infrared cut-off filter, which normally blocks infrared light from reaching the camera sensor, with a clear filter that allows the sensor to capture infrared light. The photographer cautions that modifying cameras this way will void their warranty, but the artistic results prove worthwhile for those willing to take the risk.
By adding appropriate filters to the modified camera sensor, infrared light can be captured and rendered as visible color, literally allowing photographers to see the world in a completely different light. Ong was particularly excited by the visual possibilities this technique offered. He focused on using a combination of filters that loosely emulates the effects of Kodak Aerochrome, a specialized color infrared film that was discontinued in 2009.
This historic film was originally developed with military applications in mind and proved highly effective at detecting camouflage, which appeared green in photographs, while natural foliage was rendered in striking red or pink tones because vegetation reflects infrared light differently than artificial materials. This unique characteristic made it invaluable for military reconnaissance and scientific applications.
Armed with his modified camera, Ong began exploring Singapore, searching for locations that would look particularly striking when captured in red tones. Each time he looked through the lens, he found himself surprised all over again by the transformed landscape. Though infrared photography was entirely new to him, he discovered that the fundamental principles of regular photography still applied – proper lighting remained crucial, and clear blue skies made all the difference in creating compelling images.
His photographic journey took him to numerous iconic Singapore locations, each transformed into something almost otherworldly. At Gardens by the Bay, home to the futuristic-looking Supertrees – vertical gardens with the tallest reaching the height of a 16-story building and housing an observatory – the familiar structures took on an entirely new character. The Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, where a man and child used stepping stones to cross the Kallang River next to a yellow flame tree, became a scene of surreal beauty.
The tree-lined Mandai Road, where cyclists navigate beneath rows of rain trees forming a natural canopy archway, proved particularly photogenic. This stretch, which was designated as a heritage road in 2006, represents part of Singapore's ongoing efforts to conserve the nation's unique tree-scapes. In infrared, the natural tunnel created by the trees appeared as a magnificent red archway.
Other locations that benefited from the infrared treatment included Bukit Canberra, a 12-hectare integrated sports, community and lifestyle hub next to Sembawang MRT station. Designed as a living building, it aims to restore nature and enhance biodiversity, goals that became visually striking when captured through the infrared lens. Views from Mount Faber, The Arena at Keat Hong in Choa Chu Kang, and the rooftop garden of the parking structure at Skyville Dawson all took on new dimensions.
The technique proved equally effective at water locations throughout Singapore. At Upper Seletar Reservoir, people watching the sunset beneath a Bornean ru tree created scenes of tranquil beauty, while the reservoir itself provided stunning sunset vistas. The Singapore Botanic Gardens offered multiple opportunities, from joggers running past Swan Lake to visitors exploring the Bonsai Garden and viewing the pulai basong tree, designated as a heritage tree by the National Parks Board as a significant remnant of a 19th-century swamp forest.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Ong's infrared photography was how it affected the appearance of people in the images. While familiar places took on a surreal, dreamlike quality, the people in them remained fundamentally unchanged in their human essence. However, their clothing told a different story entirely. White clothing remained unchanged in the infrared spectrum, but darker outfits appeared in varying shades of red, creating the illusion that everyone was dressed appropriately for National Day celebrations.
This clothing transformation effect was visible throughout Ong's collection of images, from visitors admiring floral displays at Gardens by the Bay to park-goers taking photographs at Lakeside Garden. Even everyday scenes, such as people walking past St. Andrew's Cathedral or visitors splashing around Adventure Cove Waterpark in Sentosa as seen from a cable car, took on a festive, patriotic appearance thanks to the infrared effect on clothing.
The human element in these photographs remained compelling and authentic. Whether capturing a man hunched over listening to his radio at Upper Seletar Reservoir, people walking past the National Museum of Singapore, or even a simple row of actual Singapore flags in Hougang, the infrared technique added layers of meaning and visual interest that traditional photography might not achieve.
Ong's innovative approach to celebrating Singapore's National Day through infrared photography demonstrates how technology and artistic vision can combine to create entirely new perspectives on familiar surroundings. His work suggests that there are always new ways to see and appreciate the places we know well, and that sometimes the most striking art comes from literally seeing the world in a different light. The project stands as both a technical achievement and an artistic tribute to Singapore, painting the entire nation red in honor of its national colors.
