Photographer Erwin Tan spent the three weeks before the elections taking black and white photographs of rallies and the general atmosphere around town. One of his pictures, of an uncle at the edge of a rally, is on our cover. Here he tells us more about this project and about this image in particular.

Tell us a bit about your work shooting the general elections.

I’ve always been interested in socio-political issues since University days, so the elections have always been something that interests me. But things are definitely getting more interesting and “entertaining” since the last watershed election. I want to contribute with a small voice using my photography for this one. 

Any interesting observations on your walkabouts?
There is a cultural difference between the different parties. Certain parties, the supporters tend to shy away when you point the camera towards them, while for other parties the supporters tend to scream louder when you do the same thing. One uncle did tell me candidly, “Hey, don’t post my photo on newspaper, ok? My boss ask me to do OT and I say no!”

Tell us a bit about the picture that will appear on our cover. [See above]
I love old vintage stuff—the bike, not the uncle—I find more soul in them. The uncle looked relaxed, chilling on his motorbike and reading his newspaper. For a split second he brought me back to a time when I was young. You see quite a few of such carriage motorbikes around.

You spoke to the uncle afterwards. What did you guys discuss?
I started by asking him if there are any interesting news on the elections, in Mandarin. He replied, “Aiyoh, whoever comes into power, life will still go on.” I figured he wasn’t politically inclined so I went on asking about his life. 

Why did you choose to shoot in black and white?
Many reasons. I like the classic feel. I find colors often distract from the message. Black and white brings out the soul of the image better: it makes a shouting image louder, it makes a calm image more serene. I can go on and on.

The first set from this series is in Tanjong Pagar. Any reason you started here?
I grew up in this area. And second, I have huge respect for the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew. I wanted to pay a small tribute by capturing the first election without him, and in the GRC that he helmed until his passing.

All photographs by Erwin Tan. See Erwin Tan’s election photography here or at a joint exhibition at the Queenstown Community Centre from Oct 5-Dec 27.