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Research on a key location in my story: Swan Lake in Botanic Gardens

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Research on a key location in my story: Swan Lake in Botanic Gardens

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The Swan Lake is a popular attraction among both tourists and locals.  Formerly, it was known as the Main Lake or the First Lake.  Its construction was completed in 1866, briefly after the formation of Botanic Gardens itself.  A fun fact was that it was considered to be one of the oldest ornamental water-feature in Singapore.

The lake serves as habitat for a plethora of diverse aquatic plants and fishes, spanning over an area of slightly less than 1.5 hectares, with a depth of about 4 meters.  This lake received its name from a pair of beautiful mute swans originating from Amsterdam which would gracefully glide across the lake.  These swans regularly captivate visitors with their mesmerizing elegance.

Another memorable feature at the lake is the island bearing a large clump of Nibong palms, (Oncosperma tigillarium) which were recorded historically to being planted at the lake back in 1891. The Swan Lake serves as a key source of water for the plethora of garden plants surrounding Tanglin Core.

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The 3.5 metres steel clock tower stands firmly on a 0.7m tall granite base.  It was designed by Eng Siak Loy, who was inspired by the Sealing Wax Palm (Cyrtostachys renda) found in the Garden’s logo.  It was initially situated at Nassim Gate Visitor Center, and was later moved to Orchid Plaza in 2014, where it became an icon.  The clocktower was commissioned and donated by Lady Yuen Peng McNeice, and constructed in 1998.

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Research on story-worthy sculptures in Botanic Gardens

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Research on story-worthy sculptures in Botanic Gardens

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1. Crocodile in the lake

In the garden's annual report back in 1892, a crocodile which escaped two year ago had been sighted to reside in Swan Lake, despite the tiresome numerous attempts to capture it. This soon escalated, when the notorious crocodile stealthily seized an innocent coolie who was going about day-to-day work and drawing water. As a response to the fatal incident, the lake's water was immediately drained off to pin down the crocodile and execute it. Following this incident, the lake was thoroughly sanitized so that new signs of life, water lilies and other aquatics could be planted.

2. Revival of the water lilies

During 1961, Swan Lake was drained yet again to deduce and crack the mysterious case of the water lily population's abnormal absolute disappearance in the lake. It turned out that six herbivorous Painted Batagur (Callgur borneonis) turtles were caught red-handed and brought away from the lake. Subsequently, water lilies reappeared, such as Nelumbo and Nymphaea, and even a beautiful, mesmerizing rare blue Nymphaea emerged at the exact planting spot where it had been last seen thriving in 1953. These sudden stunning emerges were believed to have derived from a rich stock of dormant seeds buried in the mud, which then gradually germinated due to temporary drying out of the lake as well as enhanced aeration.

3. Culling of Aruan

During the same time as the late draining session in 1961, nearly 100 specimens of vicious predatory fish called Aruan (Channa micopeltes) were seized and transferred to the University Of Singapore, the National Museum, the Van Kleef Aquarium and the Water Department itself. However, the countless sheer quantity of these predators meant that complete elimination was impossible.

Credits: Photo taken by me at Botanic Gardens

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Botanic Gardens was established in 1859, being the oldest garden in Singapore.  It had initially been a scientific garden in the earlier years, and the 74 hectare garden was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 4 July 2015.  In 1859, a second horticultural society formed in the same year revived the Botanical Garden, previously established by Raffles, repositioning it from an ornamental garden to a mesmerising leisure park rather than an experimental horticultural port.  To this end, the government managed to secure a 23-hectare tract in Taglin from businessman Hoo Ah Kay, who had been a founding member of the exact same society which propped the initiative.  Hence, Botanic Gardens was officially situated in Tanglin, its current-day permanent location.

Singapore Botanic Gardens boasts a plethora of unique sculptures, each having their own deep and meaningful backstories, crafted intricately by local sculptors as well as artists across the globe, out of numerous different materials.  Many have made their mark on partnerships with nations, corporations, communities and individuals, donating benevolently and making them a significant and crucial portion of the garden’s long history.  These sculptures are available for purchase at the Gardens Shops and online as well.

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This column displays the refinement I have made for my story and the growth process

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This column displays the refinement I have made for my story and the growth process

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I was able to gain a clearer vision from Ms Sherlyn and consolidated the new story here.

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Botanic Garderns

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Ms Sherlyn: You have a complex story. Play with the idea how Botanic is an escapade in society. Play around with black and white symmetry( serenity, balance) shots. Think about progression in serenity. Talk about how we can escape this reality. For example start off with the closed door and leads into the garden. Wide shot at ending showing the whole garden. You can consider a thematic approach (Hidden escapade we have). Bring audience into the escapade. Play with patterns, shapes and size. Can play with colors if you want, for example color and non-colored. Mise-en scene. Use contrast of colorful flower, for example. Play with the contrast of urban and nature.

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Research on story-worthy sculptures in Botanic Gardens

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Research on story-worthy sculptures in Botanic Gardens

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Close to The Dell at the northeastern end of Swan Lake, visitors can locate these gaggle of Geese.  They were first donated in 1995, placed in front of Burkill Hall, gifted to the gardens to congratulate the opening of the National Orchid Garden.  These statues were relocated to Swan Lake in 1996.  The artist of these Geese remain unknown, but was donated by Tan Jiew Hoe.

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This stately wall sculpture was commissioned to celebrate rainforests, which are home to over half the world’s flora and fauna, it captures the incredibly rich biodiversity that can be found in rainforest habitats

The mesmerizing stone wall with two dimensional organisms popping out was commissioned to celebrate rainforests, which are beautiful homes to over half the world’s diverse flora and fauna, depicting the extensive and diverse population and species that rainforest habitats accommodate.  This magnificent sculpture was created by Eng Siak Loy, donated by Dr William Chan and Mrs Chan Tsok Fah in 2017.  It is majestically located at the entrance of the Learning Forest.

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These two sculptures located in the Ethnobotany Garden were created by Aileen Toh from the Singapore Sculpture Society.  Sculpted from wood of salvaged Shorea logs from within the Gardens, they depict Orang Asli or ‘native people’ in Malay, the indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia.  One sculpture shows a life sized figure clenching a lengthy stick for defence in his right hand, and the other is equipping a blowpipe at his mouth, preparing to fire a poison dart at potential targets.  Next to the hunter is an Antiaris toxicaria tree, a native species which they use for a source of poison.

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The brown spherical statue took sculptor Ueil Fausch three months to sculpt by hand.  Weighing 700 kg, it fits perfectly into a 3-tonne basal block, kept afloat by extremely strong water pressure gushing through the block itself.  This statue was donated by the Swiss community in Singapore, created in 1991, located at the junction of Cissys Trellis, Lawn E and the Fragipani Collect.

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1. Develop a strong story concept using a "What if..." proposition
2. Establish my story premise using 5W + 1H.
3. Identify my story question.
4. Establish central theme

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1. Story concept using "What if..." proposition

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1. Story concept using "What if..." proposition

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Story Concept: What if a desperate park ranger travels back in the past to undo past regrets, only to create a new reality that expresses his dark desires?

With the context of the story i wrote to Chat GPT previously,

AI section (Chat GPT assistance)

With the context of the story i wrote to Chat GPT previosly,

My prompt: Can you create a compelling what if proposition

Chat GPT: Absolutely — a "what if" proposition is the heartbeat of a compelling high-concept story, and yours has huge potential. The best "what ifs" hint at both wonder and danger, and make the reader immediately want to know what happens next.

Here’s a polished, compelling what if for your story:

What if a lonely park ranger, desperate to undo the regrets of his past, discovered a time-traveling watch buried in the wilderness — but when he used it, he shattered the flow of time, freezing the world in place, and the only way to restore reality is to sacrifice his life and become the eternal heartbeat of time itself?

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1. Who is the story about? : The story revolves around a young park ranger who lives with the burden of not being able to protect his beloved pet swan in the past.

2. What is happening? : The park ranger hears a thunderous slam and discovers a strange orb that smashed into the ground nearby, cracking open to reveal a strange looking swan-shaped bracelet that reminded him of his long lost pet goose that he loved so endearingly.

3. When does this take place? : In present-day at his established animal conservation park and later in the past during the fatal time he lost his pet swan.

4. Where does this take place? : At his established animal conservation park, which was set up to honor his pet swan.

5. Why is this story important? : Till this day, the ranger is still desperately hoping to search for a way to bring his beloved pet swan back to life.

6. How does the story unfold or resolve? : The goose bracelet reveals his darkest desires, enabling them to take full shape.

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Story question: Will the park ranger be able to save his pet Swan and return back to the present safely?

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Central theme: Loss and grief can lead us to foolish decisions we will eventually regret.

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Situated in the lake's center is a gaggle of bronze geese depicted to be taking flight from the tranquil water surface. This statue was created by an unknown artist, and was donated by Tan Jiew Hoe in 1995. This majestic statue is situated in Swan Lake.

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Prompt to AI(Chat GPT) :What if a park ranger discovered a hidden treasure, a time traveling watch, and tempered with it, only to realize it was a huge mistake and there was no turning back. I need your help to craft a compelling hook and stake for this story that is good. Thank you.

Chat GPT: Of course — that's a great story seed with loads of potential. Let’s shape it into something tight and compelling. Here’s a hook and clear stakes you can build from:Hook:
When solitary park ranger Eli Mercer stumbles upon an ancient, dust-covered watch buried deep within the untouched wilderness, he unwittingly unlocks a device capable of bending time itself. But after a single reckless jump into the past, he fractures the delicate fabric of reality — and returns to a present where the world has reshaped itself into something unrecognizable, a wilderness where history and time bleed together and he no longer exists in anyone’s memory.

Stakes:
To restore the timeline — and reclaim his identity before he fades entirely from existence — Eli must navigate a shifting landscape of forgotten empires, extinct creatures, and future ruins, all collapsing into one chaotic now. But every use of the watch hastens the unraveling of time itself. The deeper he meddles, the thinner reality becomes — and if he fails, not only will his own existence vanish, but time itself may disintegrate into nothingness.

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Prompting Artificial Intelligence for advice to strengthen my story (1/2)

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Prompting Artificial Intelligence for advice to strengthen my story (1/2)

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Prompts to Meta AI:

The protagonist is a park ranger who lost his pet geese during an encounter with intruder ancient civilisations who once raided his park.

A mysterious brown orb smashed down in front of his eyes, cracking open to reveal a oddly looking futuristic/ancient watch.  The sight of it tugged the dark desires he hid in that crazy mind of his.

He strapped it on,messing with the interactive interfaces only to experience something breath-taking.  He had been transported to the time he lost his beloved pet geese. He spotted two indigenous intruders approaching the tree of his fate.  Moments flashed before his eyes, realising he could save what he failed to.  He had to act fast.  As one of them stealthily drawn out a dart shooter, aiming upwards at a resting-fleeting geese, he recklessly charged forward, ready to slam the lengthy weapon down to the ground, only to alert the indigenous warrior’s furious ally, who charged towards him.  Ranger panicked, feeling powerless as he forgot to carry any weapons with him, except the watch.

With shaking hands and a cloudy mind, he impulsively slammed on the emergency button on the watch..  Suddenly, everything froze in front of him, tightly stitched into the fabric of time.  His geeses were safe, but they did not look comfortable at all in their constrained, still positions.  Vasts park areas became mere concrete displays, majestic yet chilling to view.  His whole world just stood there.

This wasn't what he wanted.  Sure he could have his goose all to himself forever but…he didnt want to see it like this.  Not when life was eternally framed for his foolish choice of selfish desires.

To be selfish or selfless?  Waves of emotions swpet over him as he stared endearingly at his precious goose,  feeling grateful of its presence but sorrowful if he attempted to preserve it this way.

Eventually he realised that in order to restore life on the land, he had only one option, to fuse with the heart of time.  As a result, he made his way to the heart of the island, and turned himself into a clocktower.  He had decided if he had to give up his life, he would do it in an upright manner.

He wanted to send a grave reminder to this world, a chime that would rumble the hearts of the impulsive and selfish, ingenious individuals inhibiting this planet.

He had accepted his punishment, And though he stood permanently still, the hands of time would forever be moving now, sparing this selfish world once again.

They say curiosity killed the cat.  How true when careless emotions of a regretful ranger led to his own folly.

Hey Meta I wrote a story surrounding this.  Are you able to help me make the cause and effect between why he randomly picked up the watch, more clear and logical?  I want there to be a distinct reason why he picked up the watch and played around with it, rather than it being random occurrence.  What ideas do you have?

AI (Meta AI)'s response:Possible motivations

1. Connection to lost geese: The watch has an inscription or symbol that resonates with the protagonist's lost geese, sparking his curiosity.

2. Ancient civilization link: The watch bears a symbol or marking that matches the intruders' tribe, and the protagonist feels an inexplicable connection to it.

3. Desperation and hope: The protagonist is drawn to the watch as a potential means to undo the loss of his geese, and he hopes it might hold some kind of power or technology.

4. Scientific curiosity: As a park ranger, the protagonist has a scientific background, and the watch's futuristic design and ancient origins pique his interest.

Alternative scenarios

1. The watch calls to him: The protagonist feels an inexplicable pull towards the watch, as if it's calling to him or resonating with his emotions.

2. A mysterious voice: A voice emanates from the watch, tempting the protagonist to pick it up and explore its capabilities.

Adding depth

1. The watch's history: You could reveal more about the watch's past, its creators, and its purpose, making the protagonist's decision to pick it up more meaningful.

2. The protagonist's emotional state: Show more of the protagonist's emotional turmoil and desperation after losing his geese, making his decision to pick up the watch a more understandable response to his grief.

By adding one or more of these elements, you can create a more logical and compelling reason for the protagonist's actions, making the story more engaging and believable.

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Prompting Artificial Intelligence to strengthen my story (2/2)

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Prompting Artificial Intelligence to strengthen my story (2/2)

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Context: I felt slightly unsatisfied with the cause and effect of the scene when the ranger picked up the watch and hence requested AI's help for assistance to create a clearer cause and effect.

My Prompt to AI (Meta AI): I need a clear reason why he felt hasty to pick it up and why he went back to the time of his goose

Meta AI: Let's create a clear motivation for the protagonist's actions:

Possible reason

The watch emits a faint, pulsing glow that seems to resonate with the protagonist's emotional pain and sense of loss after the incident with his geese. As he approaches the watch, he feels an inexplicable connection to it, as if it might hold the key to undoing his loss.

Connection to the past

When the protagonist straps on the watch, he discovers that it has a unique interface that allows him to manipulate time. The watch's interface is linked to the protagonist's emotional state, and it detects his deep longing to relive the moment when he lost his geese.

Hasty decision

The protagonist's desire to relive the moment and change the course of events becomes overwhelming, leading him to impulsively use the watch to travel back in time. He's driven by a mix of emotions, including grief, guilt, and hope that he can make things right.

This motivation creates a clear connection between the protagonist's emotional state and his decision to pick up the watch and travel back in time. It also sets the stage for the consequences of his actions and the themes of the story.

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I don't necessarily need a character and can be a subtle human presence like a lone figure in the distance, a hand touching a leaf or someone sitting quietly on a bench. This adds narrative and interest without dominating the visual experience.

I can go for a more conceptual, aesthetic-focused thematic story to evoke the emotion of serenity in the escapade, which some photos already achieved that.

Possible synopsis: This photo story of 12 images explores the Singapore Botanic Gardens as an urban escapade—a serene sanctuary amidst the city's bustling landscape. The series captures the Gardens as a natural gem woven into the fabric of urban life, offering a momentary retreat for individuals seeking stillness and renewal.

Visually, the narrative plays with symmetry, shape, pattern, and rhythm to accentuate the harmony between natural and man-made elements. Repeating forms in foliage, architectural structures, and human presence are composed to create a visual rhythm that reinforces the theme of balance and contrast. Through thoughtful framing and composition, the story invites viewers to reflect on how nature coexists with urbanity, and how such spaces are vital for well-being in a modern metropolis.

To give you an example of how the story structure work for thematic story

1. Hook / Opening (Frames 1–2):

Begin with strong, contrasting visuals of the urban environment:- crowded, concrete, fast-paced. This sets the stage and draws the viewer in with tension or dissonance.

2. Transition (Crossing the threshold) (Frames 3–4):

Introduce the Botanic Gardens as a threshold:- a shift from chaos to calm. These frames should visually suggest a passage or movement into a different space, almost like entering a sanctuary.

3. Exploration / Rising Action (Frames 5–7):

Focus on the key visual elements—symmetry, patterns, rhythm, and shapes in nature. Show moments of stillness, interaction with light, and details that evoke serenity.

4. Story Questions (Frames 8–9):

Include at least two photos that raise subtle questions—e.g., a lone figure looking into space, or an empty bench facing a reflective pond. These moments invite viewers to pause and wonder:

Who comes here?

What are they seeking or escaping from?

What does this quiet mean to them?

5. Climax (Frame 10):

This is your emotional peak—perhaps a wide, awe-inspiring landscape, or a moment where nature fully envelops the viewer. It should feel like a release or moment of clarity.

6. Resolution / Conclusion (Frames 11–12):

End with a frame or two that blend city and nature—suggesting harmony, coexistence, or a return to the urban world, changed by the experience. The story closes with a sense of peace or reflection.

Reference: you can watch a video on how Wes Anderson uses symmetry in his framing and editing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-XoLPmZZl4

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Before deriving at the meaningful, chilling tale of the ranger and his swan, I scrapped multiple ideas and concepts.

1. Seletar Fishing Village: I was getting stoked about crafting an exhilarating tale of "How I paused time, nearing the end of the world". The skillfully taken images of mesmerizing silhouettes of leafless trees bathed in golden sunset which I had saw online left me breathless. It was a huge bummer to know that being one of the last fishing villages in Singapore, the treasure was protected and you had to pay a professional tour guide to show you around the place. The thought of me only being able to take long shots of the silhouette trees made the whole concept seem dull, hence I scrapped it.

2. Another concept I had was the story of Gardens By The Bay's last farmer, who was on a quest to finish what his parents started, to completely plant the entire roster of all 18 Supertrees. In order to do so, he had to embark on a lengthy scavenging quest to locate and collect the remaining Super Seeds left in the world. The only problem was, age was catching up and he was uncertain if he could complete the happy ending in his bloodline, having no kids to pass down the unfinished quest to as well. This story seemed captivating but I forseen majority of the photographs having the 'Super Seeds' in them, hence making the visuals slightly repetitive. Gardens By The Bay is also an ever-popular tourist destination and definitely not a favourable place for assignment photographs which I tend to spend a longer time at the venue on.

3. Senkang Riverside Park and its man made gargantuan fruit sculptures. the humongous fruit sculptures provoked many ideas and concepts such as fruits previously being warriors but currently under a fruit curse, or a farmer searching for the truth of his mother's early death which turned out to be the result of her turning into the giant Mangosteen to save mankind, sacrificing herself in the process. The huge issue was that Senkang Riverside Park had not much intriguing subjects other than the gigantic fruits, hence this idea did not pique my interest.

Although many ideas and concepts were cancelled, I surely could not let them go to waste. Hence I combined my favourite ideas together, along with a few other new elements, crafting my final story.

Combination: Stop time + Emotional sacrifice of a life + Frozen in place (as a punishment or curse.) + Animals +Moral values

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My main character is a park ranger who lost his pet swan during a fatal incident. I wanted to create a clear cause and effect regarding why the ranger sets off on his journey, or in other words, his motives, aspirations and goals.

Many films i have watched revolve around the concept of going back to the past to save a loved one, such as Doctor Who whom went back in time in order to save civilizations from various threats.

I brainstormed and came up with the connection below:

The park ranger lives in sorrow and regret due to the loss of his pet swan, which he often persistently blames himself for not acting quickly during the fatal moment (Cause). Hence, he constantly feels desperate to revive his pet swan whom he spent every moment from birth to now with (Hero Empathy), resulting in his desperate yet psychotic thoughts or trying to bring his swan back to life, which are solely driven by regret, pain and the loss of a very close loved one. (Effect)

Unable to let go of his past, he built a conservation park for endangered animals so as to protect exotic species left in this world, in honor of his beloved late pet swan.

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Brainstorming on cause and effect as to why he picked up the watch

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Brainstorming on cause and effect as to why he picked up the watch

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Through prompting Meta AI, I narrowed down into the idea of the watch being linked and connected to his emotions, hence magically being able to transport him to the time that he lost his pet swan.

I needed to establish a clear cause and effect as to why he picked up the watch, since I did not want to make it happen out of curiosity, but rather due to the desperateness of the park ranger.

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Prompting Artificial Intelligence to strengthen my story ending

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Prompting Artificial Intelligence to strengthen my story ending

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Context: I wrote to Chat GPT my entire story, and was inspired by the clock tower situated outside the narrow entrance of the tourist-loved Orchid Garden in Botanic Garden. This piqued my interest as its clock-like interface draws connection to the watch in my story. Hence I wanted to have a meaningful ending, where the ranger sacrificed himself, turning into a clock tower to let time flow again.

My prompt to AI: I need you to help me build on why he chose to transform into a clock tower. This needs to be in relation to the story, and clear to understand and not out of place. Thank you.

Chat GPT: You've created a rich, evocative myth with personal emotion and philosophical weight — great work. The image of the ranger turning into a clock tower is powerful and poetic, but as you rightly ask, the why behind it must be grounded in the story’s internal logic and character journey. Let's strengthen that.

🎯 Why He Chose to Transform into a Clock tower (Clarified, Grounded in the Story)

1. Symbolic Echo of the Watch

The story begins with a watch — a portable, personal symbol of control over time. But by the end, he relinquishes control, turning himself into something fixed, permanent, and shared with the world. The clock tower is the spiritual opposite of the watch:

The watch was his temptation — a selfish tool of manipulation.

The clock tower becomes his penance — a selfless vessel that returns time to everyone.

Narrative Logic: He broke time with a device meant for one person. He fixes it by becoming a beacon that serves everyone.

2. The Clock tower as a Moral Monument

A clock tower doesn't just keep time — it reminds people of it. It becomes a symbol of:

Awareness: Every chime is a heartbeat warning against emotional recklessness.

Responsibility: A reminder that even good intentions (saving his geese) can fracture the greater whole when driven by personal regret.

He doesn’t want to be forgotten — not himself, but what he represents:

“Let my body be the lesson. Let time flow through me, not for me.”

3. It Aligns with His Journey: From Isolation to Responsibility

He began as a lonely ranger, attached only to his geese, avoiding people and responsibility.

The watch gave him a chance to undo his private pain, but it harmed the collective world.

The clock tower makes him visible, central, and useful — not for himself, but for others.

Emotional Resolution: He finally takes a stand. No longer hiding in the wilderness, no longer running from the pain of change — now he is the change.

4. Thematic Closure: Stillness vs. Movement

There’s a beautiful irony to it:

Time froze because he couldn’t let go.

Now, he freezes himself so that time can move again.

The hands of the clock move, because his own can’t.
The world flows, because he chose to stop.

✨ Line You Might Use in the Story:

“He once watched the world from the trees, distant and afraid. Now the world would watch him — a man who became time itself, so life could go on.”

Would you like me to write a short passage or monologue showing his final thoughts as he chooses to become the clock tower? It could elevate the emotional impact even further.

My reflection:

The ideas provided by Chat GPT were fresh and emotional, and I especially liked the idea of him starting off selfish and ending off selfless, showing his character cultivation and growth through the lesson learnt. The quote "Let time flow through me, not for me" by AI shows how he was no longer holding back to the agonizing urge to revive his pet swan, but was ready to let go of everything, even himself, all for the good of this world. The line "The world flows because he chose to stop" by AI creates beautiful contrast, possibly teaching us how life will go on for everyone, if we only learn to let go of our mistakes and regrets, and keep moving forward.

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Every story has to be meaningful, in order to create hero empathy and emotional attachment to the show. I wanted to create a story with meaning and morals to take away.

Hence through countless brainstorming sessions and AI's assistance, I deduced my moral of the story.

1. Good intentions can lead to bad choices when driven by regret.

2. Never attempt to fix the past. Keep moving forward for the best outcomes.

3. Grief and regret can lead to poor choices in life that lead us to worse situations.

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Inciting Incident: Hunters who shot down his pet goose

1st plot point: Finding the time travel watch + Traveling back in time

Midpoint: Travel back to save goose

2nd Plot Point: All the things he loved became stone

Resolution: He decided to turn himself into a clock tower, fusing with the heart of time to allow time to flow once again in the land.

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After finding a mysterious swan clock resembling his beloved pet, a park ranger must travel back in time to successfully save his swan before he loses his only chance to.

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Feedback from peers regarding my story (From peers)

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Feedback from peers regarding my story (From peers)

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Naomi: Your story is very unique and fresh, with ideas that are not common. The story as of now seems good to go. If possible, ensure that the photographs are shot purposefully to express the emotions you want to convey in your story.

Ash: Your story is quite cliche. Usually time traveling stories are about going back to stop something or help something, but your story is about wanting to spend more time with the swan, making it a different approach. It would be cool to shoot a rainy scene regarding the portion where the ranger ponders about what decision he should make, to enhance the sorrowful yet depressing conflict he is facing.

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Asking AI, how could I make the story more exciting?

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Asking AI, how could I make the story more exciting?

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My prompt to AI: How can I make my story more exciting?

Chat GPT: This is a really imaginative and emotionally compelling story! You’ve got strong elements here:

a tragic hero,

time travel,

moral conflict,

and a symbolic transformation.

To make the story more exciting, you can focus on tightening the tension, amplifying sensory detail, and sharpening character stakes. Here's a breakdown with specific suggestions:

🔥 1. Raise the Stakes and Conflict

Your ranger faces internal conflict and moral dilemmas, which are great, but adding more external danger and urgency will heighten excitement.

Suggestions:

The indigenous warriors could be portrayed with more complexity and menace — maybe they’re time guardians or relic scavengers who sense the watch and want it.

Show what happens if he fails — maybe the geese aren't the only thing at risk. The park, the world, time itself?

“The watch shimmered with a low pulse — not just counting seconds, but judging him. Behind him, the tree cracked, bending with the strain of a collapsing moment. If he didn’t choose now, it would all be lost.”

✨ 2. Sensory Immersion

You're doing well with visuals, but adding sounds, smells, textures, and emotional beats will make it more vivid.

Examples:

When the orb crashes:
“The ground trembled. A searing hum filled the air, followed by the scent of burnt cedar and ozone as the orb hissed open.”

When time freezes:
“The world went silent. Even the wind halted. Goose feathers hung in mid-air like glass shards in molasses.”

⏳ 3. Build Suspense Gradually

You can slow down key moments to let the tension breathe.

Examples:

As he’s sneaking toward the warriors, use heartbeat rhythms, hesitant steps, and visual focus on the dart.

When he slams the emergency button, draw it out with hesitation, like time slowing before the freeze.

💀 4. Deepen the Theme of Selfish vs. Selfless

Give more space to his internal battle. Make us feel how much those geese meant to him. Maybe show flashbacks of them following him around, being his only companions after some personal loss.

Example inner thought:

“They were more than geese. They were my only witnesses. The only ones who saw the ranger I used to be.”

This makes the final transformation into a clocktower even more powerful — not just symbolic, but a redemption arc.

🧭 5. Clarify the World and the Watch

You can raise excitement by grounding the rules of the watch and the mystery of the orb. Where did it come from? Why was he chosen? A sprinkle of lore or cryptic messages from the orb might work wonders.

“A glowing inscription carved itself into the underside of the strap: ‘One may stall time, but never steal it.’”

🏛️ 6. Refine the Ending

Turning into a clocktower is poetic — very Studio Ghibli / mythic fantasy. But you can make it hit harder by showing how others react afterward:

Maybe children visit the clocktower.

Maybe people hear the chimes and feel a strange sense of calm.

Maybe a future ranger finds the watch embedded in the stone — sequel potential.

✍️ Final Touches – Language Polish

Some minor line edits could increase impact. For example:

Original:

"With shaking hands and a cloudy mind, he impulsively slammed on the emergency button on the watch.."

Revised:

"Hands trembling, mind fogged with panic, he slammed the emergency button—hoping, praying, regretting."

In Summary: What to Focus On

AreaHow to ImproveTension & ConflictAdd stakes, enemies, countdownsEmotionShow deeper connection with the geese, personal lossSensory DetailUse sights, sounds, smells, texturesPacingSlow down high-stakes momentsLore/WorldbuildingAdd mystery to the orb/watchPoetic PayoffEnd with emotional echoes that ripple outward

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Swans are often viewed as symbols of grace, love, fidelity, beauty and transformation. Swans are famous for their strong bonds and eternal partnerships, causing them to be a symbol of love and committed. Interestingly, in some spiritual contexts, Swans represent the journey from the scared to the mundane and back again, according to Wild Gratitude. Swans are sometimes viewed as beautiful symbols of wisdom and longevity, due to their witty intelligence and lengthy lifespans. Their white overall scheme can represent innocence and purity in some traditions, and in some cultures are referred to as messengers between the mortal and spiritual realm. Seeing a single swan could mean solitude, self-reflection or personal transformation.

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5 frame storyboard generated by Chat GPT

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5 frame storyboard generated by Chat GPT

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5 frame storyboard generated by Chat GPT

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5 frame storyboard generated by Chat GPT

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Prompts to AI in chronological order:

1. Produce a sketch of a park entrance with closed gates and a symmetrical floor pattern.

2. Produce a sketch of a swan shaped watch that is revealed when a mysterious orb crashes down on Earth. A hand is reaching out to the watch. Use POV shot.

3. Produce a sketch of an angry tribesman with a spear facing the camera. Have a hand that is in a POV shot, about to press the 'more time' button on the swan shaped watch he is wearing on his wrist. The background should be a forest with trees.

4. Produce a sketch of a statue of a swan flying above the water surface, frozen in time.

5. Produce a sketch of a boy transforming completely into a sturdy clocktower by fusing with the swan watch that he is wearing. The clocktower has no human features.

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What if a lonely and desperate park ranger is transported back in time by a mysterious watch, giving him the chance to rescue his long lost pet swan?

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My own notes (Curated from Chat GPT's response)

-Wild vs controlled: Serene, graceful animals VS crazy urban city.

-Garden offers hidden magic

-Protagonist could be burnt out

-Nature seems to push back against the city's encroachment.

Potential shot ideas:

-Roots crawling onto pavement/Concrete wall.

-Slow shutter speed of walking citizens and maybe stagnant protagonist.

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1. Who is the story about?: The story is about a burnt out civillian who works at a typical nine-to five job, which involves him to deal with heaps of technology.

2. What is happening? The exhausted office worker is burnt out and seeks a retreat from his hectic work life, and in a larger scale, to escape the crazy accelerating city life.

3. When does this happen? In a modern day Singapore where everything is accelerating at insane velocities, and technology is greatly consuming the world.

4. Where does this take place?: In the ever-evolving technologically advancing lion city, which only fails to generate cheerful citizens in reality.

5. Why is this story important?: This story serves as a reminder to hectic city dwellers, encouraging them to take time and recharge, expressing how nature creates the perfect and ideal escapade for city dwellers like us.

6. How does this story unfold or resolve? The protagonist saunters through the magical Singaporean escapade, slowly unwinding and letting go of this technology side of things, appreciating nature.

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Hey chat I am writing a thematic story on Botanic Gardens. What ideas do you have for my theme of nature VS urban? The idea is to show that Botanic Gardens is an escapade in Singapore.

Chat GPT:

🌳 THEME: Nature vs. Urban (Botanic Gardens as Escape in Singapore)

1️⃣ Contrast of Worlds

The Botanic Gardens represent serenity, timelessness, and natural rhythms in stark contrast to the hectic, man-made urban jungle of Singapore’s towering skyline and high-tech living.

The protagonist may feel overwhelmed by urban life—pressures of work, technology, fast-paced consumerism—and the garden becomes a refuge where time slows down.

2️⃣ Hidden Oasis

The Botanic Gardens could feel like a secret portal, a place where the city’s roar fades and one can breathe again.

There could be a physical transition (e.g., stepping through a discreet gate, crossing a small bridge) that symbolizes crossing from urban chaos into natural tranquility.

3️⃣ Character Journey

A stressed-out urban dweller (perhaps a salaryman, an overworked student, or a tech developer) starts visiting the Gardens to escape digital overload.

Over time, they may rediscover lost connections—with nature, family, themselves—mirrored in their changing appreciation for the flora.

4️⃣ Symbolism

Wild vs. Controlled – The meticulously curated gardens still retain a sense of natural wildness, juxtaposed with the hyper-controlled urban planning of the city.

Roots vs. Pavement – Roots breaking through cracks in concrete, vines creeping up walls, a metaphor for nature’s persistence even amid urban expansion.

Reflection Pools – Still water in the gardens reflects the sky, suggesting moments of introspection in contrast to the city’s constant movement.

5️⃣ Environmental Subtext

The story could touch on sustainability, showing the Botanic Gardens not just as a place of beauty, but a sanctuary preserving biodiversity in a densely urbanized country.

Characters might grapple with the tension between development and preservation—a developer eyeing new land versus a conservationist fighting to protect green spaces.

6️⃣ Magical Realism Element (Optional)

Perhaps the Gardens contain hidden magic that offers healing, transformation, or secret wisdom to those who seek it amidst the concrete.

🏙️ Possible Story Concepts

✅ A burnt-out tech worker finds solace in daily walks at the Gardens, where nature seems to reclaim parts of the city, slowly transforming their perspective on life and success.
✅ A young botanist working at the Gardens notices signs that urban expansion is threatening the delicate balance of species and fights to protect it.
✅ A child living in a high-rise discovers a secret, hidden part of the Gardens where nature seems to push back against the city's encroachment.
✅ A love story set in the Gardens between two urbanites from vastly different worlds who meet in the calming embrace of nature.
✅ A narrative built around a tree in the Gardens, showing how it has withstood the encroachment of urban sprawl, with different characters’ lives intersecting near it over the decades.

🌿 Would You Like Me To?

🔹 Sketch a detailed plot outline based on one of these ideas?
🔹 Design a symbol-rich scene where the urban vs. nature theme plays out powerfully?
🔹 Create a character arc that embodies this theme?

Let me know what resonates with you, and I can draft something right away! 🌱

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Protagonist : My father (subjective to change)

Possible outfits: Casual cap and shorts OR business attire

Knowledge about my dad:

I am aware that my dad works in the technology industry, and has a passion for photography. He is an avid photographer of nature and wildlife, often taking those opportunities to unwind and slow down with nature during those outings.

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What if a burnt out technological office worker discover an escapade in Singapore, transporting him into the hidden side of Singapore.

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Story conflict: The office worker wants to spend more time with nature but has to arrive to work on time.

Story stake: The office worker needs to arrive to work on time.

Inciting incident: On the office worker's way to work, he encounters a magical doorway that he never seen before in Singapore.

1st Plot Point: The office worker decides to enter the park out of curiosity, not knowing what to expect.

Midpoint: The office worker sees himself in the mirror/ a reflection pond and realized how much technology has changed him over the years. OR He looks at a photo of himself and realizes how technology changed him.

2nd plot point: He starts to wake up from what seemed like a dream, receiving text messages about meetings that are occurring soon.

Climax: He is torn in between staying in the mesmerizing part and connecting with nature, and heading to work on time.

Resolution: He rushes to work, arriving on time, but bringing a small flower out of the garden with him as a memory of this magical place in Singapore.

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Prompts to AI to develop story structure

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Prompts to AI to develop story structure

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To Chat GPT:

Me: Hey chat could you generate a Inciting incident, 1st plot point, midpoint, 2nd plot point, climax and resolution from this non-fictional story I created?

Chat GPT:That’s a beautiful and relatable concept! Let’s break it down into a structured narrative framework that highlights the “nature vs. urban” theme. Here’s a version of your story with dramatic beats, while still honoring its gentle, reflective tone:

🌿 Narrative Structure

1️⃣ Inciting Incident

On his usual crowded commute to work, the burnt-out tech office worker takes a wrong turn (or is delayed) and stumbles upon the entrance to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a place he had always ignored in his rush. The sudden tranquility and lush greenery stop him in his tracks.

2️⃣ First Plot Point

Drawn by a mix of curiosity and yearning for calm, he decides to explore the gardens, pushing his work obligations aside for just a moment. As he walks through the winding paths and serene landscapes, he feels his constant anxiety and stress begin to fade away. The decision to step into the Gardens marks a point of no return for his internal journey.

3️⃣ Midpoint (Moment of Realization)

Sitting beneath a towering rain tree or by a reflective pond, he experiences a moment of deep realization: he has become so entangled in urban busyness and digital demands that he’s lost touch with himself. The Gardens, with their living, breathing beauty, provide him a stark contrast to his office’s fluorescent lights and code-filled screens. This epiphany makes him question whether he can continue living in such a state of disconnection.

4️⃣ Second Plot Point (Crisis / Decision Point)

His phone buzzes insistently with missed calls, emails, and reminders. Reality intrudes sharply. He’s late for an important meeting, and the stress of work obligations floods back in. He has to decide whether to leave the Gardens and return to his work life or stay and risk professional consequences. He reluctantly chooses to leave, but with a changed perspective.

5️⃣ Climax

As he hurries back to his office through the city streets, he carries the memory of the Gardens with him. He notices tiny fragments of nature amid the concrete – a lone flower growing in a crack, a tree shading a walkway. He feels a sense of determination rising within him to reclaim a bit of nature in his life, whether that’s returning to the Gardens, slowing down, or bringing a plant into his workspace.

6️⃣ Resolution

Back at his office desk, under harsh fluorescent lights and a glowing screen, he places a small leaf or flower he picked up from the Gardens beside his monitor. It’s a small but powerful reminder of his brief escape. He resolves to return to the Gardens, even if only for a few minutes each day, marking the start of a new balance between urban demands and personal renewal.

Would you like me to:
🌿 Expand each plot point into full scenes?
🌿 Create a symbolic motif (e.g., a specific tree or flower) to link his journey?
🌿 Write the story in first person or third person with descriptive prose?

Let me know how deep you’d like to go! 🌳

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-How can I juxtapose elements to convey my story?

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Ideas on portraying Botanical Gardens into an escapade and fantasy world

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Ideas on portraying Botanical Gardens into an escapade and fantasy world

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1.Low angle shot of waterfall

2.Deep dimensional space at the symphony garden.

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Locations that are story-worthy in Botanic Gardens

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Locations that are story-worthy in Botanic Gardens

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1. National Orchild Garden (paid entrance)

2. Rainforest

3. Jacob Ballas' children garden

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With Holland Road and Napier road to the south, Cluny road to the east, Tyersall Avenue and Cluny Park Road to the west and Bukit Timah Road to the North, the linear distance is roughly 2.5km (1.6 mil) from the Northern to Southern end. The Tanglin Gate is prominent, facing Holland Road. There is also notably the grand entrance located at the South.

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The ginger garden had its inception during 1859, being a major centre for research into both local and introduced plants including gingers. The two key directors, H.N.Ridley and R.E. Holttum, spent time studying plants in Southeast Asia, describing and publishing about significant ginger species, making it a standard for the work area.

Gingers are crucial to tropical flora. They thrive in warm and wet and humid climates in the equatorial zone. However a number of species also thrive in monsoonal portions of Africa and Asia.

The Torch Ginger is an iconic ornamental located all over the tropics. Its origins remain unknown, and its showy, waxy-looking inflorescence, of which colour ranging from pure white to striking red, has become inspiration for the garden logo. This ginger is locally known as Kantan. The young flower buds and tender internals integrated in the leafy shoot are utilized in cooking, as a spice or vegetable in Asian dishes, while the ripe fruit can be consumed raw or turned into candy. It also has a plethora medicinal properties.

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At the Evolution Garden, dynamic plant growth over the years is displayed. The 1.5 hectare display area informs visitors on the beginning of life on this Earth as well as the earliest plant species. This garden visually displays how plants have evolved through the ages, developing into the modern ones we know today.

It acts like a huge diorama of life on Earth.

It is interesting to note that besides towering prehistoric plants, this portion of the park also contains Ammonite fossils integrated in stone, for public viewing. There are also traces of tiger and Homo sepian footprints on the ground.

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This shot of the sundial utilizes vertical symmetry.

The Sundial was designed and sculptedby Ursula Holttum, the wife of former assistant director of the gardens Eric Holttum in 1929. The sundial is situated on a four-sided pedestal, and each side depicts a different carved figure. Two figures represent Father Time and Death, while the identities of a robed woman and a turbaned male holding a candle or lanterns still remain unknown. It is intriguingly inscribed with the statement that “What thou seekest is but a shadow”.

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The octagonal gazebo known as the Bandstand was erected in 1930 and retained its original form as the years passed. The Bandstand site was initially just a small hill standing at 33 m above sea level and was the highest point at the Tanglin Core site. This hill was levelled off around 1860s to serve as the spot for regimental bands to perform surrounded by mesmerizing terraced flower beds and palms.Although no longer used for music performances, it is a an iconic wedding photo spot and an notable landmark of the Gardens.

One of the significant landscape features the Bandstand posses today is the circle of Yellow Rain Trees (Samanea saman) surrounding it. The Rain Tree usually dawns light green foliage, but due to a infectious mutation, some trees produced yellow leaves and some of these plants have been re-produced via cloning. The Yellow Rain Trees have been planted here for the enjoyment and appreciation of visitors.

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There are over 1,500 species and 3,000 hybrids on display, making these gorgeous blooms definitely a sight to behold at the National Orchid Garden.

Located in the heart of Singapore Botanic Gardens

is the National Orchid Garden, a spectacular floral showcase

of tropical orchids amidst a fine profusion of lush

tropical greenery.

At the entrance sits a cascading fountain with an iconic

pair of Crane sculptures at the pinacle. The fountain

is displayed against a majestic backdrop of breathtaking

trees and palms, luxuriant shrubs and a myriad of

colourful orchids.

This 3-hectare display garden of bedazzling blooms and

intricate landscape offers a splendid group of plants, boasting their unique

significance and their historical association with

Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Here are the locations in the broad garden which I feel are story worthy:

Tropical Montane Orchidetum

The tropical Montane Orchidetum simulates the immersive experience of ascending through a tropical montane forest, proudluy displaying a diversity of orchids and other plants (e.g. bromeliads, gingers, tropical rhododendrons, gesneriads (and magnolias) from the rich low to high-elevation montane forest. Individual display houses within the Orchidetum had been expanded beyond

original scale, increasing by almost threefold the combined display area.

Tan Hoon Siang Mist House

This enhanced Tan Hoon Siang Mist House mimics a paleotropical garden at 650m to 1,000m in altitude. Its display area has enlarged from 350m² to 760m², and features a plethora of unique, uncommon or award-winning hybrids and species from the speciality breeding stock of orchids from the National Orchid Garden’s personal collection. Some examples of orchids that are featured are Phalaenopsis, Vandaceous hybrids and Dendrobiums. There will also be hybrids of the rare Lady’s Slipper orchid (Paphiopedilum). Named after Tan Hoon Siang, a successful businessman and descendant of Tan Tock Seng. An orchid enthusiast, Tan Hoon Siang was also a philanthropist. One of the orchids he bred was the Papilionanda Tan Chay Yan (previously known as Vanda Tan Chay Yan), which was exceptionally awarded a First Class Certificate during the Chelsea Flower Show in 1954.

Golden shower arches

The "Golden Shower Arches" are located within the National Orchid Garden at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. These arches are constructed from the "Golden Shower Orchid" (Oncidium Goldiana). The orchids are arranged in a creative manner that creates a "shower of gold" effect, and they are also nicknamed as "Dancing Lady Orchids" because of the way their blooms resemble dancing ladies wearing beautiful dresses. The National Orchid Garden is a hot spot within the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and the Golden Shower Arches are a particularly eye-catching and photographed attraction.

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Possible picture story flow [1st Ideation]

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Possible picture story flow [1st Ideation]

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Referencing what Ms Sherlyn has suggested:

1. Low angle shot of Botanic Gardens gate using slow shutter speed with civilians on the move.

2. Botanic Gardens gate with symmetry (possible use the photo I had taken which was liked by Ms Sherlyn)

3. Entering Botanic gardens (convey the effect of transiting into a new realm) [Can show a bit of pavement which is not into the garden yet]

4. A mesmerizing shot of a lake/park field (Wide angle shot, low angle)

5. Swan Lake statue of flying swans (Horizontal symmetry, Mise On Scéne)

6. Lily pad patterns (Circular motif, repetition) / Flower (Layering and foreground interest, possible incorporating rule of thirds)

7. Serenity

8. A lonely figure sitting on a bench facing a pond.(Deep dimensional space and rule of thirds)

9. Sky shot with silhouette of man (Visual weight, Silhouette)

10. Arch of golden shower with man in center, in wonder. (Repetition and pattern, symmetry and leading lines)

11. Vines crawling up wall/building and able to see city view (Juxtaposition, Dutch tilt, hard light)

12. Flower on a road / Flower integrated in industrial setting (Juxtaposition, foreground interest, wide angle shot)

OR

11. Flower integrated with industrial landscape (Juxtaposition, foreground interest,wide angle shot)

12. Botanic gardens + Cityscape (if possible)

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Possible flowers I might want to capture and their symbolism

Fragipani: Purity, devotion and love. On Balsinese culture it symbolizes purity and untainted heart. Fragipanis are often included in religious prayers and rituals, in Balinese, Hinduism and Buhddism culture.

Vanda Ms Joaqim Orchid: Singapore's national flower. It represents multiculturalism, resilience and uniqueness. It is an hybrid Orchid, representing Singapore's ability to overcome challeneges and its forward thinking-nature. The Orchid's ability to thrive and survive amongst Singapore's extreme weather conditions represents the nation's adaptability and resilience. This flower was discovered by an American horticulturalist, and the flower symbolizes the harmonious coexistence of different cultures within Singapore.

Yellow orchid: Yellow orchids in general symbolizes friendship, joy, new beginnings and appreciation.

Orchids in general: Symbolizes the search for truth, the courage to be different and the ability to appreciate the beauty of life.

Lotus: Symbolizes purity, enlightenment and refinement. It is often associated with renewal, transformation and spiritual awakening. Growing from muddy waters, it represents overcoming obstacles and adversity in the journey of self-discovery, to transform into a pristine bloom.

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This stage was set up as a partnership with Shaw Foundation. A $1.5 million fund was set aside to revamp the stage itself. Since 1990, this has been a favorable spot for talented individuals to showcase local talents to visitors. in 20005, the stage was revamped by the funds to accommodate a greater plethora of performances. Its name is derived from the appreciation of this valuable partnership, and now boasts a bigger stage area, enhanced sound system, stage lighting and back-of-house facilities. It also serves as a civic sculpture, inspired by the mesmerizing view of Palm Valley. The structure is composed from two overlapping forms resembling that of flower petals growing from a stem, referencing the organic form of flowers and leaves. The larger petal serves as a stage shelter, while the smaller one at the rear serves as a charging station and support services. The ribbed texture evokes the venation of flowers and leaves.

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Prompt to AI (Chat GPT):

Hey chat , I have a thematic story on Botanic gardens in Singapore. What creative photos can you come up with for my 12 frame story, using pattern, shapes and repetiton to convey serenity and reflection in the garden? I plan to incorporate flowers to represent meanings of the subsequent frames as well. To give you an example of how the story structure work for thematic story 1. Hook / Opening (Frames 1–2): Begin with strong, contrasting visuals of the urban environment:- crowded, concrete, fast-paced. This sets the stage and draws the viewer in with tension or dissonance. 2. Transition (Crossing the threshold) (Frames 3–4): Introduce the Botanic Gardens as a threshold:- a shift from chaos to calm. These frames should visually suggest a passage or movement into a different space, almost like entering a sanctuary. 3. Exploration / Rising Action (Frames 5–7): Focus on the key visual elements—symmetry, patterns, rhythm, and shapes in nature. Show moments of stillness, interaction with light, and details that evoke serenity. 4. Story Questions (Frames 8–9): Include at least two photos that raise subtle questions—e.g., a lone figure looking into space, or an empty bench facing a reflective pond. These moments invite viewers to pause and wonder: Who comes here? What are they seeking or escaping from? What does this quiet mean to them? 5. Climax (Frame 10): This is your emotional peak—perhaps a wide, awe-inspiring landscape, or a moment where nature fully envelops the viewer. It should feel like a release or moment of clarity. 6. Resolution / Conclusion (Frames 11–12): End with a frame or two that blend city and nature—suggesting harmony, coexistence, or a return to the urban world, changed by the experience. The story closes with a sense of peace or reflection.

To give you an example of how the story structure work for thematic story

1. Hook / Opening (Frames 1–2):

Begin with strong, contrasting visuals of the urban environment:- crowded, concrete, fast-paced. This sets the stage and draws the viewer in with tension or dissonance.

2. Transition (Crossing the threshold) (Frames 3–4):

Introduce the Botanic Gardens as a threshold:- a shift from chaos to calm. These frames should visually suggest a passage or movement into a different space, almost like entering a sanctuary.

3. Exploration / Rising Action (Frames 5–7):

Focus on the key visual elements—symmetry, patterns, rhythm, and shapes in nature. Show moments of stillness, interaction with light, and details that evoke serenity.

4. Story Questions (Frames 8–9):

Include at least two photos that raise subtle questions—e.g., a lone figure looking into space, or an empty bench facing a reflective pond. These moments invite viewers to pause and wonder:

Who comes here?

What are they seeking or escaping from?

What does this quiet mean to them?

5. Climax (Frame 10):

This is your emotional peak—perhaps a wide, awe-inspiring landscape, or a moment where nature fully envelops the viewer. It should feel like a release or moment of clarity.

6. Resolution / Conclusion (Frames 11–12):

End with a frame or two that blend city and nature—suggesting harmony, coexistence, or a return to the urban world, changed by the experience. The story closes with a sense of peace or reflection.

Reference: you can watch a video on how Wes Anderson uses symmetry in his framing and editing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-XoLPmZZl4

ChatGPT said:

This sounds like a fantastic thematic project! I love your intention of blending patterns, shapes, and repetition with the serene atmosphere of the Botanic Gardens in Singapore. Here’s a creative photo concept plan for your 12-frame story, with an emphasis on serenity, reflection, and flowers as symbols. I’ll structure it based on your outline, suggesting composition ideas and visual metaphors for each frame, while maintaining rhythmic visual storytelling.

🌸 12-Frame Thematic Storyboard for Singapore Botanic Gardens

1. Hook / Opening (Frames 1–2): Urban Contrast

Frame 1: A tight, high-angle shot of the crowded Orchard Road or CBD area with towering buildings forming sharp lines and repeating windows—an overwhelming geometric pattern. Desaturated colors, lots of hard edges.

Frame 2: A stark contrast—a congested MRT train station or road junction, capturing the repetitive flow of people or vehicles. Think harsh lighting and motion blur.

2. Transition / Threshold (Frames 3–4): Entering the Garden

Frame 3: An arched garden gate or a tree-lined pathway in the Botanic Gardens. Use symmetry—trees forming a natural tunnel, with dappled light on the path, inviting the viewer in. This is your threshold moment.

Frame 4: A close-up of a delicate flower (like an orchid), with petals repeating in a soft radial pattern. This close detail contrasts with the urban chaos and suggests calm. It could symbolize “new beginnings.”

3. Exploration / Rising Action (Frames 5–7): Patterns in Nature

Frame 5: Lotus leaves or lily pads on Symphony Lake or Swan Lake, arranged in a natural, repeating pattern. Their rounded forms contrast with the previous urban grid. A gentle ripple on water introduces motion and tranquility.

Frame 6: A shot of a row of trees—such as the Rain Trees with their expansive canopies, casting shadows in a rhythmic pattern. You could capture dappled light and shadows for visual depth.

Frame 7: An abstract close-up of ferns, palm fronds, or orchids, using a macro lens to focus on spirals or fractal patterns. This frame invites introspection and wonder at natural design.

4. Story Questions (Frames 8–9): Invitation to Reflect

Frame 8: A lone figure (maybe silhouetted) seated on a bench facing a reflective pond or gazing into the canopy of trees. This raises the question of solitude and purpose.

Frame 9: An empty stone bench beneath an ancient Tembusu tree, dappled in soft light. Shadows and the empty space suggest memory or absence. What stories does this place hold?

5. Climax (Frame 10): Moment of Awe

Frame 10: A wide, immersive landscape of the Gardens at sunset or golden hour. Frame it with leading lines—perhaps the Bandstand, a clearing surrounded by lush foliage, glowing with light filtering through. This is your peak moment of clarity and serenity.

6. Resolution / Conclusion (Frames 11–12): Coexistence

Frame 11: A gentle juxtaposition of modernity and nature—for example, framing Marina Bay Sands or a distant skyscraper through an opening in the trees. This suggests a return to the city, but with a changed perspective.

Frame 12: A final, intimate detail—a fallen petal on a stone path, or a leaf floating on water. Use negative space and soft focus. This leaves viewers with a quiet, reflective ending.

🌿 Symbolic Flower Integration

Consider choosing specific flowers in key frames to symbolize different emotional beats:

Orchid (Frame 4) – Elegance, resilience, and new beginnings.

Lotus (Frame 5) – Serenity, enlightenment, and inner peace.

Frangipani or Jasmine (Frame 12) – Transience, reflection, and quiet departure.

📷 Photography Tips

Symmetry & Patterns: Use Wes Anderson-style centering and mirrored compositions where appropriate, especially in Frames 3, 5, and 7.

Color Palette: Gradually transition from urban greys to the vibrant, saturated greens and floral tones of the garden.

Repetition: Capture repeating elements—petals, leaves, trees, benches—to create a sense of rhythm and peace.

Depth & Layers: Use foreground elements (e.g., flowers, leaves) to frame middle and background layers, enhancing depth.

Would you like me to:

🔸 Sketch a rough visual storyboard for you?

🔸 Or suggest camera angles, lenses, and time of day for each shot?

🔸 Or create a list of flower meanings to integrate more symbolism into each frame?

Let me know how I can help further refine your vision! 🌿📸

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I can consider a down angle, wide angle shot of this area.

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Photos I taken which I may include in my visual story

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Photos I taken which I may include in my visual story

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Majority of these photos were liked by Ms Sherlyn, as she saw potential in them.

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I realized that AI was beneficial in my previous fictional story but in the case of a thematic story, it was more important that I understood how other's portray their shots, what techniques they used, and how these effectively convey the tone, mood and emotion that they want.

Hence most of my photo ideation process came from creating boards of visuals and merging similar shots I wish to see in my story together.

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Key factors to factor in for my visual story

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Key factors to factor in for my visual story

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My photographs should portray symmetry, repetition, pattern as well as shape. These motifs help to establish a sense of serenity and harmony, conveying aesthetic balance within my design, giving off the feeling that nature spaces are beautiful spaces to unwind and escape the hectic city life.

Any photographs regarding the external urban city life should look messy, hectic and dull as compared to nature's vibrant spaces.

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These magnificent yellow orchids known as Oncidium, is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity, as well as happiness. its generosity of fluttering yellow blooms and light dancing posture symbolizes carefree happiness, liveliness and hidden love. it is issued to enhance festive atmospheres as well as lighthearted emotions.

Personal note: These fake Orchids are used to substitute real ones, as my final shot requires a flower of symbolic meaning and foreground interest. These yellow orchids serve as a way for me to express how it is important to always carry a little bit of nature with us wherever we go in this hectic metropolis we call home. These yellow orchids could possibly communicate the bright happiness that nature has truly brought to us city dwellers, amongst the constantly advancing and evolving technological landscape of Singapore.

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1.Who is the story about? This 9/12 frame story visually depicts an escapade of serenity and wonder in Singapore, Botanic gardens. Visuals encapsulate why Singaporeans and foreigners adore the garden so much.

2. What is happening? Stressed out citizens and adventurous tourists often flock to this UNESCO heritage site, in hopes to, be captivated by its serenity and peace, transporting city dwellers to an enchanting escapade.

3. When does this event take place? In modern-day present Singapore, where industries are forever revolutionizing and technology is driving our nation forward.

4. Where does this event take place? At botanic gardens, Singapore's first UNESCO heritage site.

5. Why is this story important? This story promotes our national treasure, Botanic Gardens. It serves as a space or harmony, counter-balancing the hectic city life, bustling streets and towering office buildings. It invites viewers to reflect on how nature coexists with urbanity, and how such spaces are vital for well-being of our citizens in a modern metropolis.

6. How does this story unfold or resolve? The audience is taken on an enchanting journey through the mesmerizing escapade, transiting from urban to nature. Eventually, when leaving the park, audiences can reflect on the importance of nature for us Singaporeans, and that we should embrace the harmony and life balance it has provided for us.

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1. Story concept: What if busy city dwellers are taken into a visual journey to the awe-inspiring Botanic Gardens in Singapore?

2. Story premise: Follows my 5W+1H above

3. Will visitors be able to unwind and reflect in nature?

4. Central theme: Serenity and escapade

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Visual moodboard focusing on flower shots

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Visual moodboard focusing on flower shots

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This is the link to my dream journal which reeives weekly updates.

https://padlet.com/250293h1/leroy-s-dream-and-experiential-journal-b7al4hhhy6l6zfsw

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Challenges I might face (Brainstorming before heading back to the venue)

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Challenges I might face (Brainstorming before heading back to the venue)

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1. Orchid Garden is a paid venue.

2. I can only research on Orchid Garden and cannot expect anything, as I have not seen anything there in person by myself for a long time.

3. Traveling to Botanic Gardens again does take some time.

4. The weather forecast will always be unpredictable. Anything could happen

anytime.

5. Photography is referred to as painting with light. However, lighting may vary depending on the day I went to the garden.

6. Botanic Garden might be slightly congested with tourists, making some photos challenging to take.

Laying out these challenges help me to forsee and prevent any potential challenges so as to enable a smooth re-shooting journey.

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Short description of each scene (context, emotion, action)

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Short description of each scene (context, emotion, action)

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In chronological order:

1. In modern day, there lies a gargantuan gate, marking the entrance of the one and only park for conserving endangered species. Its flooring consists of unified symmetrical patterns, giving off a harmonious effect.

2. One day, as the park ranger was letting yet another emotionally grueling day pass by, a large reddish-brown orb smashed down onto the stone flooring before him, cracking open to reveal a mystical watch that was shaped like his beloved pet swan he lost a while back.

3. Instantly, after wearing the watch he was transported back in time. Before he could save his swan and prevent fate from unfolding, he had been noticed by a furious tribal intruder clenching a spear, ready to initiate combat. Sensing that he was in danger, the watched flashed his catchphrase "More time". He instantly slammed on the button.

4. To his horror, his pet swan had been frozen in time in the midst of taking flight. He felt contradicted, knowing his strong desire to have his swan all to himself forever, but not like this.

5. His watch flashed with only a single word on the interface. "Fuse". he knew what he had to do. Making his way to the heart of the land, he murmured "Let time flow through me for now, and not for me any longer." as he grew metaphorically in an upright manner, fusing with the heart of time and transforming into a towering clocktower. Time was able to move on and flow, all because he chose to stop.

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When I entered the venue, Botanic Gardens, it was hilarious to discover that many visual representations in my head did not turn out the same in the photos I took. This is as per normal for me, knowing that ambition often means a mere illusion only at times. Hence I had to be adaptable, constantly questioning myself "What is a better way I can frame this according to my expectations?"

Although I would say half of my visual expectations were scrapped, it was enchanting how nature lead me to generate new ideas and new visuals for my story. It was almost as if, to take visual readers through what I wish to convey in my story, I had to personally experience it myself.

But does life not work this way? We often get so tensed up and bothered about the preparation process and when it is time for execution, things are bound to change. Nature had shown me that, nature had shown me that all stress clearly depletes away in such a serene magical wonderland. I was so enchanted by the intricate details that nature preserves which often goes unnoticed by hectic individuals like us always on the move, that I was able to let go of any expectations I had for myself, and truly convey nature in a way I could never have imagined through the lens.

Paying to get into Orchid Garden was absolutely the best decision I had made for this project. The exotic species of plants and flowers they accommodated was an eye opener. I had only roamed the free areas previously, hence I thought I had covered everything, which did not seem exceptionally unique to me. However, in Orchid Garden, especially the mist house area, had truly take me on a magical mesmerizing journey, allowing me to open my eyes on the dazzling world of nature, from observing intriguing patterns, to zooming down on the finest details like flower internal patterns and parts.

With immense creativity, I realised nature pictures do not always have to be as they seem! By zooming in and focusing only on parts of a plant, we can elevate the visual story to a whole new level. Some scenarios I captured did not even look like a flower at first glance for example!

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1. The world transits from the establishing shot(hectic city) into the serene garden. Readers are first taken on a tour through the garden, enjoying its serenity and calmness, before realising that people (possibly including the viewer) actually have come here to unwind and relax. As the darkness in people's mind fades, they hare glad to leave the garden, knowing that nature has helped them unwind.

2. Viewers are taken into the garden from the hectic city, transiting into a fantasy wonderland. The magic happens when people are able to remove their worries and leave it with the garden, churning out happy, bright citizens in a stressful city as they leave the garden. At the end, the magic of nature that they are blessed with stays, and as a nation we must learn how to incorporate nature together with our cityscape, understanding how crucial these spaces refresh us and give us a new perspective of life we never usually notice.

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Use of :

Patterns: Done

Shapes: Done

Symmetry: Done

Photos that capture nature

Serenity: Done

Liveliness: Done

Mesmerizing: Done

Space for reflection: Done

Space for unwinding: Done

What is this for?: To capture the enchanting natural gifts in Botanic Gardens

Who is this for?: Stressful citizens who seek a new perspective of life through nature. The visuals take them on a visual journey through our country' UNESCO gem, encapsulating its magic and wonders which hide inside the towering cityscapes that surround the garden.

What emotion do I want to convey?: A sense of serenity, harmony and whimsical magic, which contrasts with dull, boring monotonous city life.

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Article 1: Using landscapes to tell stories

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Article 1: Using landscapes to tell stories

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How to Tell a Story in Landscape Photography

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It is the story that makes a photo special, and it is one of the base requirements for fine art photography. But it is also that area where landscape photographers seem to struggle most. In my latest video on YouTube, I show why storytelling is one of the most important things in landscape photography or even generally in photography. You can nail the focus and the exposure, you can use a 100-megapixel camera and the most expensive lens on the market. But your image is worthless when it doesn’t say anything. A story is a foundation for getting emotion in the viewers.

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Article 2: How to tell meaningful stories using nature

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Article 2: How to tell meaningful stories using nature

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The following has been excerpted from Expressive Nature Photography: Design, Composition, and Color in Outdoor Imagery, in which professional photographer Brenda Tharp provides tips and techniques that'll help any photographer create attractive photos that have meaning and can evoke emotion.
The best photographs tell a story rather than merely recording the scene. If a picture is worth a thousand words, how do you tell a good story, photographically? It's not that easy to do, and many images fail to ignite the interest of the viewer because they lack a strong point of view, are poorly composed or somehow don't express what the photographer found interesting. In other words, they fail to convey the story.

Many years ago I took a few specialized photo workshops, because for a brief time, I was intending to go down the path of photojournalism as my career. Those classes turned out to be very useful, as I learned how to think in terms of "the story." I had to create a series of images, as well as find a way to tell a story with just one image. Who would've guessed that this would help me in nature photography?

Although, as photographers, we don't employ the exact "who, what, when, where and why" concept that I learned in school for writing stories, we need to ask the same questions when creating a narrative image. A photograph can contain the who (subject), what (the action), where (sense of place), when (time of day or season) and even a why. As a photographer, it's your job to determine what the story might be and find a way to present it in as compelling a way as possible. If you use this same thought process as writers do, you can create a more complete narrative in your composition.

Find the story in the landscape

Even a landscape picture tells a story. Begin by first figuring out what inspires you in the location. What makes the location unique? Try to establish what you want to express in the photograph. Then, look for a point of view that brings out your vision in the strongest way. Use any visual clues that help to express the story:

Is there a process of nature, or some detail that'll express the story strongly?

What elements don't help the story that I may need to exclude?

And is it the big picture, a small one, or a detail that tells the story better?

If the story isn't obvious, it should at least cause the viewer to question the image. For example, in the lead photo of this chapter, the story is about the polished rock. With its unusual shape, the rock stands out, and the image is a compelling landscape composition, but if you don't know geology, you won't get the story that's presented here right off. But you will ask yourself, why's that piece of rock smooth and others around it rough? What's going on here that makes this piece stand out? The photo may inspire you to search for the answer to these questions.

Capture the telltale moments

In a storytelling photograph, any gesture or action is an important element that can enhance the story being told. Sometimes, the action is the story, with the rest of the scene supporting it. Not every photograph you make has to have action, though; many nature photographs simply celebrate the passive beauty that nature offers up to us. But in a narrative image, where you're trying to tell us something more than "isn't this a pretty place," gesture and/or action can enhance the story and make a big impact.

If there's no animal or bird or exploding volcano to create action, look for other things that can imply gesture. The blurred water in a stream can be considered gesture. Dark clouds caught in the act of swirling overhead, rainbows and the splash on a rock from a little wave are all gestures that bring your stories to life.

Find the action

In photographs where animals are involved, there can be a key moment or gesture that becomes the main storyline. Getting the timing right to capture the moment when a whale breaches or a bird catches a fish is essential to telling the story.

It's important to look for clues that tell the viewer something about the animal's behaviour or how it interacts with its environment. The way zebras neck, for example, tell us that they're very social animals. Whales lunge-feeding tell us how these giants eat in the ocean, and a jackal making off with a piece of a zebra tells us not only what jackals eat, but how they provide for one another.

[su_pullquote align="right"]It's important to look for clues that tell the viewer something about the animal's behaviour or how it interacts with its environment.[/su_pullquote]

Animals experience fight-or-flight situations, run, play and engage in other activities that are amazing to watch and to photograph. These animal stories aren't unlike those of the human condition: The animals eat and sleep, and many express a bond and show nurturing to which we respond emotionally.

Portraits of animals, or what I like to call "trophy headshots," don't express stories. They're simply a study of a wonderful animal or bird. These do tell us about the subjects, in the sense of their features-such as the long bill on a honeycreeper that allows it access to the deep parts of a flower, or the markings on a butterfly wing that make it look like a huge eye to avoid predation.

But even in a headshot, you may find gesture. It may be the direct contact of the wolf's eyes, staring right through you; or, if the animal barks or yawns, you have gesture and you've managed to photograph the moment of that gesture.

Gesture and moments of action simply add more expressive qualities to the picture. Look for those: Is there a moment that'll express a story strongly?

Moments of nature aren't just about the actions of animals or birds or humans. Lightning, rainbows, glaciers calving, sun rays striking the land through openings in the clouds-these are all moments of nature expressing itself, and special moments to experience and photograph.

"RELATED READ" "SELFIE" PHENOMENON: Photos have become a creation of the self rather than an extension of the self"

Brenda Tharp has been a successful landscape, travel and fine art photographer for more than 30 years. She's a popular workshop instructor and international tour leader, and she lectures regularly at photo conferences across the U.S. You can learn more about Brenda and her workshops on her website, www.brendatharp.com.

images: Brenda Tharp

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How to Capture Nature Photos That'll Tell a Story

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Professional photographer Brenda Tharp explains how you can, even as an amateur, tell a story with your photos of landscapes, animals and people.

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65 Amazing Photo Series Inspired by the Earth - Selected by the Editors of LensCulture | LensCulture

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The wonders and calamities of nature and life on Earth seem as endless as the cosmos themselves — Here are 65 amazing photo series that draw their inspiration from the beauty of nature, the cycles of life, changing weather and environments, and much more

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I crafted a few iterations of my story as such, to figure out what was the best combination of photos to convey Botanic Garden's serenity.

Link to the iterations: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1mj7eSafIQlKJG7QXvBHD31uiCIid7-5LPWRo1t5ELQY/edit?usp=sharing

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Article 4: Understanding conceptual photography

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Article 4: Understanding conceptual photography

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Conceptual photography focuses on a common theme or concept rather than a full-fledged storyline.

After reading this article, I have identified a few thing:

Concept: Serenity of nature

How: Use of symmetry, pattern, repetition and shapes

Urban: Show off a more monotonous and less vibrant and interesting vibe.

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The School of Photography - Courses, Tutorials & Books

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Conceptual Photography Explained: Examples, Tips and an Idea Generator! — The School of Photography - Courses, Tutorials & Books

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Has a photograph ever made you feel something deeper than its visual interpretation? If the answer is yes, then you were probably looking at ‘conceptual photography’. It’s a genre of photography where creativity enables images to go beyond just looking good to convey ideas, emotions, and stories. I

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The sculpture, "Flight of Swans," is a popular tourist attraction, situated at the garden's heart. It depicts swans taking flight and was meticulously sculpted by Mr. Eng Siak Loy. The sculpture is made of bronze and was installed in 2006. The lake itself is a key attraction in the Gardens and is considered as the oldest ornamental water feature in Singapore.

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This article helped me to establish the difference between photo essay and photo story, understanding my story direction as a thematic, non-fictional, conceptual photo essay. Photo essays allow more leeway for expressions rather than following a rigid story flow.

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How to Create a Photo Essay in 9 Steps (with Examples)

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Gather up a handful of images that seem to go together, and voila! It’s a photo essay, right? Well… no. Though, this is a common misconception. In reality, a photo essay is much more thoughtful and structured than that. When you take the time to craft one, you’re using skills from all facets of our craft – from composi

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This compiles all the black and white photos that I have taken, and I have compiled it to sum it up, and remind myself to use it sparingly. I should not incorporate more than 2 of these inside my visual essay, hence this serve as a checklist to reference to.

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Open your eyes to reveal hidden nature: Scenes where I expose things not typically visible to the human eye, or things not shown to us by nature. This could be conceptualized by leaves covering a subject, or something buried in between nature.

Serenity: This can be done by using soft light, clear stagnant lakes as well as vast blue sky. I plan to incorporate these elements which provoke the idea of space for rejuvenation, growth and peace.

Harmony: Could play with balance, patterns and repetition that have a cohesive theme.

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I created a draft document where I was able to compile most of my well-taken photographs for this ICA 01, to reference and ideate what to fill in when there are story gaps in my visual story.

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2 June 2025

Be excited when presenting. For photography:

-Colors and staging tell story.

-We can use linkage to connect story (Start with an element, end with the same element but maybe something changed. (eg. for time loop)

-Use symbolism (eg. candle height to tell time)

-Not ordinary backgrounds create a new experience for viewers.

-Think: When do I get out of story world?

-Use consistent color (Use color correction if needed)

-Visual consistency (eg.Subject direction or accessory)

-At end, put phone model.

-Answer your story question: Why do people visit Botanic

Ways to open up story

-Close up to wide shot

-Wide shot to close up

-Conflict: Build up the climax by setting up obstacles

-Answer your story question

For captions, can be narrative or like poem.

EXTREME CLOSE UP and close up (Add that)

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Asking Chat GPT for assistance for AI storyboard visualisation

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Asking Chat GPT for assistance for AI storyboard visualisation

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Context: I felt slightly lost in my visual story which did not seem connected, hence I decided to gain Chat GPT's ideas on this matter.

Hey Chat.  I'm making a 12 frame visual story that is thematic and conceptual.  I'm using the idea of moving from urban to nature to co existence at Botanic Gardens Singapore.  What are some ideas you can come up with for the frames?  Include at least 2 photos that pose story question.

That sounds like a fascinating project! A 12-frame visual story that transitions from urban life to coexistence with nature in the Singapore Botanic Gardens could have a lot of depth and thematic resonance. Here’s a conceptual structure with ideas for each frame, including two that are designed to pose story questions and engage the viewer.

Visual Story Arc: Urban – Transition – Coexistence

🌆 Urban Space (Frames 1-4)

Frame 1: A stark cityscape with high-rise buildings, reflecting glass, and busy roads. Perhaps include a bird in flight to hint at transition.

Frame 2: A close-up of concrete textures—walls, pavements, graffiti—emphasizing human imprint.

Frame 3: A photo of a foot or hand (human element) touching metal or glass. A questioning photo.

Frame 4: A transition shot where architecture begins to merge with plant forms (green walls, rooftop gardens).

🌱 Nature’s Reclamation (Frames 5-8)

Frame 5: A path leading into the Botanic Gardens, with dense foliage. Perhaps the path seems to “invite” the viewer into another world.

Frame 6: Close-up of a plant sprouting through a crack in stone or concrete—poses a story question: What will outlast human architecture?

Frame 7: A reflection in water showing trees and sky, juxtaposed with floating leaves and subtle human shapes.

Frame 8: Interplay of shadows—tree branches casting patterns on man-made structures (benches, railings).

🌿 Coexistence (Frames 9-12)

Frame 9: A human figure (silhouette or blurred) seated quietly among dense greenery—meditative, connected.

Frame 10: A hand touching a leaf or branch, conveying intimacy.

Frame 11: A question frame: a wide-angle shot of people walking through a grand natural archway, asking: Are we guests or guardians of this space?

Frame 12: A harmonious coexistence shot—flora and human-made elements balanced (e.g., a lotus pond with a bench nearby and a person reading).

🔍 Additional Suggestions

You can experiment with lighting shifts: from harsh city lights (cool tones) to natural light (warm tones) to the dappled sunlight of the Gardens.

Use reflections and silhouettes to symbolize transformation.

Include textures that shift from hard (concrete) to soft (leaves, petals).

The two story question frames (Frames 3 and 11) can use minimalism or visual tension to provoke thought.

Would you like me to:

✅ Sketch quick thumbnails for these frames?

✅ Suggest color palettes and visual styles (e.g., minimalist, surreal, realistic)?

✅ Provide quotes or text captions to accompany key frames?

Let me know which direction inspires you most! 🌿✨

Me: could you do the first and second?

Here’s a visual storyboard with a progression from urban hard lines to soft, natural shapes. The shifting color palette and organic forms echo the journey from human-dominated space to natural harmony in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. (Image attached above)

Would you like me to:

✅ Suggest specific text captions for these frames?

✅ Create color palettes and mood boards to complement this storyboard?

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Asking Chat GPT:

Me: Hey chat, I am making a 12 frame visual essay that covers the theme of nature in Botanic gardens. The pictures transition from urban to nature to showing nature's magic. The photo series then transits to showing coexistence between urban and nature eventually nearing the last frames. However I have a few missing slots because I am not sure what I could add that creates a cohesive theme along these 12 frames. What do you suggest?

Chat GPT: Thanks for sharing your concept and the image preview—your visual essay already shows a thoughtful narrative arc! You’ve got a clear structure moving from urban → immersion in nature → nature’s beauty → urban-nature harmony. Based on the images and your described sequence, here’s how I suggest filling the gaps to complete a 12-frame cohesive story:

✅ Existing Visual Phases in Your Essay:

1. Urban Gateway: Metal gates and clean pavement design (frames 1–2)

2. Entry into Nature: Pathways, arches, trees (frames 3–4)

3. Nature's Beauty: Scenic pond, sculpture, vibrant flowers (frames 5–7)

4. Nature’s Magic: Close-up of exotic flora (frames 8–9)

5. Urban-Nature Coexistence: Open lawn near a structure, flower with buildings (frames 10–11)

🎯 Suggested Additions (To Reach 12 Frames):

🔲 Frame Idea 1: Transition Moment

Shot suggestion: A winding path or bridge that feels like a threshold between city and garden.
Purpose: Create a smoother link from the hard urban edges (gates) to full greenery.

🔲 Frame Idea 2: Wildlife in Nature

Shot suggestion: A bird, butterfly, or squirrel among trees or near water.
Purpose: Emphasizes living magic of the space—adds a dynamic, organic moment.

🔲 Frame Idea 3: Human Interaction with Nature

Shot suggestion: People walking, painting, doing tai chi, or a child reaching toward a plant.
Purpose: Show the connection between humans and nature, supporting the coexistence theme.

💡 Optional Enhancements (if you have room or swap ideas):

Rain or Dew on Leaves (symbol of fragility or renewal)

Nighttime Garden Lighting (urban touches embracing nature even at night)

Reflections in Water (symbolic of blending elements, adds visual poetry)

Would you like help creating a specific order with the frames you have and these suggestions? I can map out the full 12-frame structure.

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Feedback from Chat GPT:

Me : Hey chat, I came up with this set of 12 frames for a non-fictional story. I cant seem to find a theme that sums up this visual story. What do you think?

Chat GPT:Your 12-frame visual essay is beautifully composed — it moves with intention and has strong visual rhythm. Based on what’s presented, the underlying story is about the transformation of space and self through nature, particularly:

🌱 Theme Suggestion: "Thresholds of Nature: A Journey from City to Sanctuary"

This theme captures how the urban environment gradually gives way to a lush, immersive world, highlighting not only spatial transition but also a shift in perception, feeling, and relationship with nature. You’re showing:

🔄 Narrative Arc & Breakdown:

1. Urban Origin (Frames 1–2)

Concrete cityscape ➝ Formal garden gates

Theme: Man-made order, rigidity, beginning of transition.

2. Entry into Nature (Frames 3–4)

Close-up of ornate garden gate ➝ Walking path lined with trees

Theme: Moving toward openness, invitation into the green world.

3. Immersion and Serenity (Frames 5–6)

Archway overlooking lake ➝ Swan and sculpture in reflective water

Theme: Stillness, harmony, aesthetic and emotional calm.

4. Nature’s Intimacy (Frames 7–8)

Framed garden view ➝ Close-up orchid

Theme: Nature begins to speak softly, richly, personally.

5. Wonders of the Wild (Frames 9–10)

Tropical fruit/flower close-up ➝ Pathway of lush green arches

Theme: Magic, vibrancy, discovery — nature’s abundance and design.

6. Human-Nature Coexistence (Frames 11–12)

Man in glasshouse ➝ Outdoor garden and urban building with orchid

Theme: Reconnection, symbiosis — not escape from the city, but coexistence with nature.

🎯 Alternative Title Ideas:

"In Bloom: Nature’s Path from Concrete to Canopy"

"City to Sanctuary: Walking Into the Wild"

"Where the Garden Grows: Finding Nature in the Urban Fabric"

"Urban Eden: A Visual Meditation on Nature’s Return"

Let me know if you’d like a caption or subtitle idea for each frame to tie this narrative more clearly, or if you want to explore deeper symbolic angles!

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Me:Hey chat, when you saw my 12 frame photographs, do you honestly think it has a strong theme or does it seemed like it has story gaps? If so, what could I change to strengthen the story theme?

Great question—and thank you for inviting honest feedback.

🧭 Honest Assessment of Your 12-Frame Series

Your photo sequence absolutely has a clear narrative intention, and you’ve done an excellent job establishing progression from urban to natural and ending with urban-nature coexistence. That said, yes, there are a few story gaps and visual redundancies that, if addressed, could tighten the theme and give your essay more emotional momentum.

🔍 What’s Working Well (Keep These!)

Frames 1–3: Strong beginning. The move from city street ➝ gate ➝ garden entrance is visually and narratively logical.

Frames 4–6: Beautiful immersion into the Botanic Gardens, with diverse compositions (arch, lake, sculpture).

Frames 9–10: Close-up flora and tunnel of foliage feel like a magical climax — very effective.

🕳️ Where Gaps or Repetition Occur

1. Frame 7 (view through slats)

This image feels slightly visually disjointed from the nature-rich, poetic flow of the others. The framing device (slats) is quite dark and doesn’t add much to the emotional arc.
✅ Fix: Replace with a moment of life—maybe a bird, insect, or person engaging with nature—to carry more narrative or emotional weight.

2. Frames 8–9 (both macro floral shots)

These are visually strong but feel too similar in subject and framing. Having two close-ups back to back causes a stall in the story's pacing.
✅ Fix: Swap one out for a mid-range shot of wildlife (e.g. a butterfly, lizard, or bird), or a human interaction like a gardener or visitor. This brings life and action to the theme of "coexistence."

3. Frame 11 (glasshouse interior)

This one’s gorgeous, but it reads as ambiguous in the flow. Is it about human interaction? Technology supporting nature?
✅ Fix or clarify: Consider reframing with a clearer human-nature interaction, or place it immediately before the final outdoor coexistence shot so the message is clearer.

💪 Ways to Strengthen the Story:

1. Include a human moment – A person smelling a flower, resting under a tree, or playing with a child. This humanizes the message.

2. Show a wildlife moment – A heron on the path, bees on a flower, or a butterfly in motion to emphasize that nature isn’t static.

3. Consider bookending symmetry – Start in the city, end with city + nature coexisting (which you already do!), but reaffirm it with a strong closing image that feels like a conclusion.

🧩 Revised Narrative Option (if you swap two frames):

1. Cityscape

2. Garden gate

3. Floral gate detail + walkers

4. Archway into garden

5. Lake with sculpture

6. [NEW: Wildlife or active nature shot]

7. Tunnel of foliage

8. Orchid close-up

9. [REPLACE second flower shot with human-nature interaction]

10. Glasshouse interior

11. Outdoor performance lawn

12. Flower against urban building (coexistence)

Would you like help selecting or editing a photo to fill one of those gaps? I can guide that process too.

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I wanted to visualize and compare if I was better at visually conveying my previous fictional story or the thematic story, hence I decided to create these deck of slides for visualization. I also requested for some feedback from Ms Sherlyn, to understand how I should move forward.

The feedback goes as such:

Reformatting Ms Sherlyn's words: Out of all the photo stories, slide number 4 has the most compelling and resonating photos.

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Comments from Ms Sherlyn after my first story draft

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Comments from Ms Sherlyn after my first story draft

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Comments from Ms Sherlyn: Not all the photos seem to have a connection. The silhouetted figure is nice and poses story questions but it does not seem to fit in this case. The lion and smiley face sticker are out of place and do not seem to have meaning in this story context.

I could consider adding animals to display the wonders of nature, such as a bee, water ripples etc.

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More ideation with AI to enhance possible theme

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More ideation with AI to enhance possible theme

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Possible theme of my photoshoot: A slow pace of life in nature

I decided to ask Chat GPT for some advice on this matter.

Me: How do I show a slow pace of life in nature with photography

Chat GPT: To capture a slow pace of life in nature through photographs, consider these ideas:

Composition and Technique

1. *Soft focus or shallow depth of field*: Blur distractions, emphasizing serene elements.

2. *Long exposure*: Capture mist, water, or clouds in motion, conveying tranquility.

3. *Natural light*: Utilize golden hour, dawn, or dusk light to evoke peaceful ambiance.

Subject Matter

1. *Landscapes*: Vast, serene vistas like mountains, forests, or coastlines.

2. *Water scenes*: Calm lakes, gentle streams, or peaceful ocean shores.

3. *Flora and fauna*: Close-ups of blooming flowers, gentle animals, or serene insects.

Storytelling

1. *Capture moments of stillness*: Emphasize quiet, peaceful moments in nature.

2. *Show seasonal changes*: Document nature's cycles, highlighting growth, decay, or renewal.

3. *Incorporate subtle movement*: Capture gentle movements, like leaves rustling or birds flying.

Mood and Atmosphere

1. *Muted colors*: Use soft, muted tones to evoke serenity and calmness.

2. *Misty or foggy conditions*: Capture nature's mystique, adding depth and atmosphere.

3. *Quiet, contemplative scenes*: Emphasize peaceful, reflective moments in nature.

By incorporating these elements, your photographs can effectively convey the slow pace of life in nature.

Me: How do I convey this in a setting of Botanic Gardens Singapore? Provide me with scenario shots this time. Type it out.

Chat GPT: Here are some scenario shots to convey a slow pace of life in Botanic Gardens, Singapore:

Scenario Shots

1. *Dawn at the lake*: Capture the misty morning atmosphere, with reflections of trees and flowers on the lake's calm surface.

2. *Walking paths at sunrise*: Photograph the empty, winding paths, with soft morning light casting long shadows.

3. *Close-up of blooming orchids*: Focus on the intricate details of orchids, highlighting their beauty and serenity.

4. *Genting Highlands' cool mist*: If visiting the Botanic Gardens' cooler areas, capture the mist rolling in, adding mystery to the scenery.

5. *Reflections in the lake*: Photograph the reflection of trees, flowers, or sculptures in the lake's calm waters, creating a sense of symmetry and peace.

6. *Visitor relaxing on a bench*: Capture a person sitting on a bench, surrounded by lush greenery, conveying a sense of tranquility.

7. *Morning light on the grass*: Photograph the dew-kissed grass, with morning light casting a warm glow.

8. *Water feature*: Capture the gentle flow of water, creating a soothing atmosphere.

Tips

1. *Golden hour*: Visit during the golden hour (dawn or dusk) for warm, soft light.

2. *Slow shutter speed*: Use a slow shutter speed to capture the gentle movement of water or leaves.

3. *Pay attention to details*: Focus on the intricate details of flowers, leaves, or sculptures to convey serenity.

These scenario shots and tips can help you capture the peaceful atmosphere of Botanic Gardens, Singapore.

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Asking AI (Chat GPT) for feedback on my photo arrangement

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Asking AI (Chat GPT) for feedback on my photo arrangement

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I was pretty happy with this base layout of photo sequences that I made, hence I wanted to hear Chat GPT's opinion on this matter.

ChatGPT

You said:

Hey Chat, I created this 12 frame photo story that is about slow pace of life in Botanic Gardens Singapore. Do you think it looks connected and thematic? If not what should I do? I also wish to know, what is an interesting way I can present this and narrate it during my presentation to my class. Thank you.

ChatGPT said:

Thank you for sharing your 12-frame photo story! You've titled it "The Slow Paced of Life in Nature", set in Singapore Botanic Gardens, which is a strong and poetic concept. Here's my feedback and suggestions on both visual coherence and presentation strategy:

✅ What Works Well

Theme Alignment: The transition from a busy urban environment (first photo) to tranquil, lush green nature scenes effectively captures the "slow-paced life" theme.

Color Progression: The photos gradually shift from grayscale to full color and vibrancy, symbolizing slowing down and reconnecting with nature.

Subject Matter: Inclusion of paths, arches, greenery, water, flowers, and people enjoying nature supports the narrative of calm and introspection.

Conceptual Layer: The shot with the watch subtly symbolizes time, reinforcing your theme.

🔄 What Could Be Improved

Text Overlap: The text “12 frame visual essay...” is obscured by oversized text underneath ("one breath at a time"?). Clean up the layout to avoid visual clutter.

Sequence Refinement:

The final few frames feel a bit less connected visually (especially the one with a watch and the tunnel). Make sure the transitions tell a clear narrative.

Consider a soft arc: Urban → Entering nature → Deep immersion → Reflection → Emerging changed.

Consistency:

Keep a consistent framing style (e.g., avoid jarring angles or lighting shifts unless it's intentional for storytelling).

Possibly start and end with human presence to frame the journey (intro and reflection).

🎤 Presentation Ideas (Engaging and Thematic)

💡 Narrative Style: A Personal Journey

Frame your narration as a personal walk through the Botanic Gardens:

“On a busy weekday, I step out of the concrete jungle, my mind racing... but with each step into the Gardens, the noise begins to fade. The rhythm slows.”

Describe each photo as a moment of sensory and emotional shift:

Frame 1: “The hum of cars and gray streets.”

Frame 3: “An invitation to step away — an arch opens into green calm.”

Frame 6: “Stillness. A bench under shade. I sit.”

Frame 9: “I notice the details. A flower blooming in silence.”

Frame 10: “I check the time... it doesn’t matter anymore.”

Frame 12: “I walk out — not faster, but fuller.”

📽️ Interactive Option: Live Narration or Audio-Visual

Show the photo series in a timed slideshow.

Narrate live or record a voice-over with natural soundscapes (birds chirping, water trickling, footsteps).

Or turn it into a video essay with slow fade-ins and calming music.

🎭 Metaphor-Driven Style

Use a metaphor like “nature as a breathing space”:

“Each frame is a breath. Inhale — step away. Exhale — release. Nature teaches the pace we forgot.”

Final Touches

Add a clean title slide and possibly a closing frame with a quote (e.g., from Thoreau or a local poet).

Ensure your visuals are in high resolution.

Practice your pacing; slow narration mirrors your theme.

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1. What worked well for me: I was quickly able to achieve a desirable outcome for each image prompt. I suspect how I managed to achieve this is through including all my plethora of keywords, as well as extra descriptive detail if needed. For example "Fusing completely with the watch, no human features, POV shot, swan shaped bracelet and so on. Something that also worked well for me was that AI was able to maintain style consistency, which was crucial. How I managed to achieve this was using words such as "produce a sketch" where I realized that if these keywords and requirements are not being inputted, the AI would then generate a close-to-real life image, which was not the art style I was looking for in this case. Another thing that worked well for me when I tried not-sketching approaches is that AI can understand color inputs and accurately specifically color objects I tell them to.

2. Something that did not work well for me was that AI took slightly some time to generate images due to high traffic in popular sites such as Chat GPT. This created a challenge for me as it slowed down and exacerbated my efficiency on generating desireable images. Another challenge I faced was the mind-boggling credit or limit system that various AI software imposed such as Chat GPT and Dall E. This led to AI image generating being slightly restricted, as there was a paywall preventing me from experimenting with unlimited creativity for ideas. For example, when I dabbled in with Dall E, I was quickly restricted by a daunting paywall, which hindered my AI generation process, as a consistent style for the generated images would allow a more cohesive appearace, which could only be done through prompting the same software consistently throughout. Additionally, AI might not understand our prompts clearly at times and think in alignment with us. For example, I mentally envisioned a scene where the park ranger was about to slam on the "More time" button on the watch he was wearing, but when I keyed in the prompt with the assumption of the watch being on his wrist as any human would have. However to my surprise, AI generated an image with the watch being in front of the hand and the hand about to hit the button. Some AI such as Adobe Firefly were also slightly challenging, as not all prompts were understood. Sometimes when I prompt "Produce a sketch", the AI would generate a cartoon drawing.

Eventually, I settled on Chat GPT as my go-to software, as I was looking for sketch style frames to visually execute my story ideas. Chat GPT was able to understand the prompt "Generate a sketch", and although it ran by a daily limit system,it was one of the softwares which I could generate ideas for free, and when a daily limit of generation was reached, it even convenienced me, letting me know what time the limit would be reset, allowing me to efficiently work with AI.

What surprised me was that AI systems assess based on keywords. Initially, I had thought that you prompt it like how you would talk to a person, dishing out ideas and visions and generating an outcome. However after watching the video, I discovered that it is the chronological order of our information and the keywords we input that trigger the responses from AI itself. It was also surprising to note that different AI softwares have different art styles just like human beings. Although they all share the same internet space as their database, each AI software is differently trained with different art styles. It was also fascinating to note that different AI softwares offer different approaches, whether it is the credit system, paywalls or some like MetaAI enable unlimited creation.

Through the process of understanding AI, I gained numerous valuable insights. Firstly I learnt that to work with AI, we need to understand how to format our prompts via the various resources provided online. Only with the right format, can we generate satisfactory outcomes as we manipulate the AI generative system to our needs. Secondly, I learnt that prompting AI takes patience. As close to human experience as they might seem, we still need to be empathetic and understand that AI takes numerous attempts to churn out a desirable image. AI is also 'busy' at times, and high traffic can slow down generative processes. Hence dealing with AI truly takes patience. I also learnt that AI might not be able to accurately express our ideas at one go, hence sometimes I like to reformat my prompts or think of stronger keywords to use, in order to generate the satisfactory outcome. Lastly, I concluded that AI can and should only be used for quick sketches and visualizations as it is unable to truly express emotions through its images, but can mock up a rough draft of it.

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Consulting AI on how to enhance my story presentation

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Consulting AI on how to enhance my story presentation

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Me: I had an idea of presenting as a employee from Botanic Gardens from the 'special forces' team taking people through my visual story. How can I turn a visual story like this into an engaging 3 minute presentation?

Chat GPT: That’s a **brilliant and creative idea** — presenting as a **“Special Forces Agent from the Botanic Gardens”** is unexpected, playful, and can make your 3-minute presentation truly memorable. Here’s how you can build this idea into a structured, engaging delivery:

---

## 🌿🎖️ **Presentation Concept: “Operation Slow Down”**

You’re not just giving a talk — you’re on a **mission briefing**. Your goal? To help overstimulated, overworked city dwellers *rediscover peace* — one frame at a time.

---

## 🕒 **3-Minute Structure:**

### 🧢 **1. Opening (0:00–0:45)** — *Briefing Commences*

**Tone**: Commanding but lighthearted

**Slide 1 shows your title**

> “Good \[morning/afternoon], I’m Agent \[Name], part of the elite *Special Forces: Nature Division*, stationed at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

> Our mission? Simple.

> **Operation Slow Down.**

> Every day, urban dwellers fall victim to stress, speed, and screen addiction. Our job is to rescue them — through nature.”

---

### 🌿 **2. Middle (0:45–2:30)** — *Mission Log: 12 Frames*

**Tone**: Cinematic storytelling + personal insights

Use the 12 frames as your **“intel visuals”** (treat each image as field data)

Guide them like this:

> “Frame 1 — *Surveillance footage.* The city: fast, cold, breathless.”

> “Frame 3 — *Transition point.* The gateway into the Gardens. Notice the symmetry? That’s intentional: nature reintroducing order to chaos.”

> “Frame 5 — *Water body detected.* Here, agents observe reflection therapy. Highly effective in calming restless minds.”

> “Frame 7 — *Subject seated on a bench.* Therapy in progress.”

> “Frame 9 — *Close-up scan: flora detail.* Subject now noticing micro-beauty. Heart rate dropping.”

> “Frame 10 — *Time-check.* Ironically, once in nature... time starts to lose importance.”

> “Frame 12 — *Exit scan.* Subject restored. Slower pace, softer gaze.”

You can even throw in:

> “Agent Tip: Always carry a snack and mosquito repellent. Nature’s peaceful, but it has its quirks.”

---

### 🌳 **3. Closing (2:30–3:00)** — *Mission Debrief*

**Tone**: Reflective, inspiring

> “Mission complete.

> As an undercover agent of slowness, I’ve seen firsthand how nature changes people — one leaf, one pause, one breath at a time.

> So next time your brain’s spinning at 100km/h...

> report to base.

> **The Gardens await.**

> Over and out.”

(Bonus: salute, or hand out "Agent of Nature" cards to classmates for fun.)

---

## 🎯 Tips for Engagement

* **Use a clicker** to advance slides like it’s part of your mission gear.

* **Dress the part**: even just a green shirt, cap, or a badge makes it believable.

* **Pace your voice**: Start brisk (city life), slow down progressively (nature).

* End with a brief moment of **silence** (5 seconds). Let the mood settle in. Very powerful.

---

If you’d like, I can draft a short sample script with your 12 frames plugged in for flow. Would you like me to do that next?

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Asking AI's feedback on the 12 frame visual story's aestheitcs

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Asking AI's feedback on the 12 frame visual story's aestheitcs

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Me: From the photo story, do you think it is just the layout and arrangement that is the problem, or is it the photos taken that is not as good?

Chat GPT: Great question — and it shows you're thinking critically about both **form** (layout) and **content** (photos).

After examining your photo story, here’s a balanced evaluation:

---

## 🧩 1. **Layout & Arrangement Issues** (Yes, needs improvement)

This is **definitely** a part of the problem — perhaps the *main* one.

### Problems:

* **Text Overlap**: The large overlay text (maybe “One breath at a time”?) overlaps the title and images, making it hard to read and visually distracting.

* **No Clear Flow**: The images are presented in two rows, but the narrative flow isn’t immediately obvious. Left to right? Top to bottom? It’s unclear.

* **Spacing**: The spacing between some frames is inconsistent. It gives a cluttered feeling rather than a slow, calm mood.

### Fix:

* Use a **single horizontal line or grid** with clearly numbered frames.

* Remove unnecessary text, or place it subtly below/above the frame.

* Consider using **white borders** or soft shadows around each photo for separation and elegance.

---

## 📸 2. **Photo Quality & Thematic Fit** (Mostly good, with room to improve)

Your **individual photos are mostly strong**, but some **inconsistencies** affect the overall impact.

### Strengths:

* Many shots have **beautiful lighting**, **vivid nature**, and convey a calm atmosphere.

* The **watch photo** is symbolic — it adds a conceptual layer.

* The **paths, arches, flowers**, and **lone figures** support the "slow pace" theme well.

### Minor Issues:

* A couple of images (e.g., the tunnel/silhouette and the final one with the stone arch) feel a bit **out of rhythm** with the rest. They introduce a slight tension or ambiguity instead of calm.

* There is some **inconsistency in style** — e.g., varying sharpness, color grading, and framing — which can make the series feel less cohesive.

### Suggestions:

* Consider **replacing 1–2 weaker or less thematic images** with ones that better show calmness, stillness, or mindfulness (e.g., someone reading on the grass, a bird resting, morning dew, a close-up of a tree trunk).

* Use **consistent lighting or filter/editing style** to bring visual harmony.

* Keep the framing gentle — avoid high-contrast shadows or jarring angles unless they have clear meaning.

---

## ✅ Summary

| Aspect | Verdict | Suggestions |

| ------------------ | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------ |

| **Layout** | Needs revision | Simplify, declutter, make flow clear |

| **Image Quality** | Generally good | Tweak a few for consistency & calm tone |

| **Narrative Flow** | Present, but weak | Rearrange for a more obvious emotional arc |

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Would you like me to mock up a suggested **new arrangement order** based on your current 12 photos and theme? That can help clarify how to make the flow stronger.

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Photos for reference that have strong story questions and juxtaposition

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Photos for reference that have strong story questions and juxtaposition

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https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/dec/26/a-lighter-side-of-life-picture-essay