Finding Sunburst Effect During Photo Tour
RICKY GUI . 7 MINUTES READING TIME . UPDATED 10 NOV 2025
The sunburst or starburst effect in photography is a visual phenomenon where a bright light source, such as the sun, appears to have star-like rays radiating from it in a photograph. It's created by diffraction, light bending as it passes through the narrow openings (aperture blades) of a camera lens. To achieve this effect, photographers use a small aperture (high f-number like f/16), aim at a small, bright light source.
Capturing a sunburst effect instantly makes your photos stand out from the rest. In sunny (depends on weather) tropical Singapore, our private photography tour’s professional photographer acts as your second pair of eyes, spotting what you might miss. We want you return home with a collection of striking images — far beyond the usual tourist point-and-shoot snapshots.
For those joining the tour with a mobile phone. Unfortunately it doesn't allow to capture such an effect.
Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck
I caught sight of the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck reflecting a bright glare of light— a must-visit spot for any tourist in Singapore. This particular shot was taken from where I stood, 1.22 km away using a 50mm fixed lens. The metal grill in front of me did pose an obstruction, but instead of fighting it, I instinctively use it creatively as a foreground element. The gap between the grills naturally leads the viewer’s eyes toward the sunburst effect. After I am done with the scene, I tried searching for other angles, but as luck would have it, the sun may slipped behind the clouds and never reappeared.
Life is like that isn’t it, if you missed the opportunity, it may never come back.
This is not part of the Marina Bay Photography Private Tour route, you can consider a customize private tour by email us for arrangement, catering to your needs, we are able to explore more places and off the beaten tourists route. Be prepared to take a train or bus to save time. We do the navigation while you enjoy your shooting.
50mm, f/22, 1/400, ISO 640, Sunny weather
One Shenton
I stumbled upon a beautiful light source while shooting from an elevated height. Just to share — my private tours aren’t just about street-level photography. With years of local knowledge, we go above the streets too, capturing scenes from fresh perspectives. At One Shenton, a private residential tower, I found not just one, but three stunning bright lights reflecting off the building facade. I experimented with variations, and this frame quickly became one of my favorites.
I would’ve loved to stay longer, but time wasn’t on my side. That’s the thrill of light chasing — when the weather falls in your favor, the magic happens.
This shot was taken using a 70-200mm lens.
200mm, f/22, 1/800, ISO 640, Sunny weather
UOB Plaza
The beauty of hiring a local photographer as your guide is their insider knowledge — they know exactly when and where to catch special light moments that most visitors miss. Take the UOB Plaza, for example — a striking late-modernist skyscraper in Singapore’s financial district. At certain times of the day, when the sun is bright and unobstructed by clouds, a brilliant glare reflects off its glass façade, creating a stunning visual highlight. Capturing that fleeting reflection can truly make your shot stand out from the rest.
If you enjoy architecture photography, hiring Ricky as your guide gives you the advantage of spotting these moments faster — without the stress of navigating the city alone.
17mm, f/8, 1/125, ISO 125, Sunny weather
Marina Bay Sands Private Photography Tour
Marina Bay Sands is definitely one of the must-book private photography tours in Singapore. Our professional photographer will guide you to elevated spots for unique picture opportunities. For example, this shot was taken some distance away from Marina Bay Sands, capturing a beautiful starburst effect after 5 PM.
On selected days. Our P.M. tour runs from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM — that’s 3.5 hours, some guests have commented that even 3.5 hours isn’t enough, as there’s just so much to see and capture. No worries you can book time extension up to 2hrs prior. We also offer tripod rental for night shoot if you need one.
For this particular shot, the cloud partially blocked the sun. If it hadn’t, the starburst effect might have been even stronger, and the entire façade would have been bathed in golden light — a truly stunning sight! Of course, we are always at the mercy of Mother Nature. That’s part of the adventure, and it’s why I’ll definitely return another day to chase the next source of perfect light.
200mm, f/16, 1/400, ISO 800, Cloudy weather
Singapore photograph tours
Join our private photography tour with an open mind. While you may enjoy the shots I’ve captured and want to replicate them — which is awesome — sometimes the weather may not be in our favor. That’s part of the adventure. Whether it’s sunny, overcast, cloudy, or even wet weather, each condition presents unique picture opportunities. With the right mindset and a positive outlook, every journey becomes a rewarding experience.
Our private tours of Chinatown, Marina Bay Sands, and Little India–Kampong Glam are priced at just S$380 for a 3.5-hour journey. For customized tours, please note that transportation costs are not included, though we occasionally take a bus or train to save time. Rest assured, our guides know the streets inside out, so you can focus on your photography without worrying about navigating or pulling out Google Maps.
👉 Ready to capture Singapore through a photographer’s eye? Book your tour today and bring home images you’ll treasure for years to come.
Here I am holding a coconut at Little India
What are the available tours in Singapore?
Customized Private Photography Tour (Day / Night / Both)
Explore your way with a personalized photography tour designed around your interests and schedule. Choose from 6, 8, or 10-hour sessions, and decide whether you’d like to shoot during the day, at night, or both.
Simply mention your preferred duration and start time in your email. We’ll discuss your photography goals, plan your route, and confirm the appointment before booking.
📷 Tour Rates:
6 hours — $650
8 hours — $865
10 hours — $1080
Little India to Kampong Glam Private Photography Tour
📍 Meeting point: Little India MRT station, exit C
🕒 Duration: 3.5 hours
A.M. session: 09:00–12:30 hrs
P.M. session: 17:00–20:30 hrs (Late afternoon to night)
💰 Price: SGD $380
👉 Book your Singapore Photography Tour
Marina Bay Private Photography Tour
📍 Meeting point: Bayfront MRT station, beside 7-Eleven
🕒 Duration: 3.5 hours
A.M. session: 09:00–12:30 hrs
P.M. session: 17:00–20:30 hrs (Late afternoon to night)
💰 Price: SGD $380
👉 Book your Singapore Photography Tour
Chinatown Private Photography Tour
📍 Meeting point: Outram Park MRT, exit 4
🕒 Duration: 3.5 hours
A.M. session: 09:00–12:30 hrs
P.M. session: 17:00–20:30 hrs (Late afternoon to night)
💰 Price: SGD $380
👉 Click here to book your Singapore Photography Tour
Quarry Hiking & Exploration Private Photography Tour (Day)
📍 Meeting point: Hillview MRT, after gantry
🕒 Duration: 3.5 hours
💰 Price: SGD $380
👉 Please email for booking.
All tours does not include transportation and food.
