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Exploring the Photogenic Green Spaces of Singapore

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 05:13:20 +0000

There’s a smell in the air once you land at Changi Airport, for me, it represents the blend of humidity and tropical landscapes. It smells ‘green‘, I guess, and I’m always so excited to see the lush foliage along the ECP into the city. For photographers visiting Singapore, the green spaces and environments are worth exploring in addition to the key sites, especially early in the morning before that heat takes hold. From elevated forest walks and tropical gardens to indoor waterfalls and UNESCO-listed parklands, nature isn’t confined to the outskirts, it’s woven into the city’s identity. In most of the green spaces noted in this guide, architecture and nature exist in harmony, making each location ideal for landscape lovers, and photographers who enjoy incorporating a sprinkle of history and culture too. Cloud Forest – A Walk Through the Clouds Stepping inside the Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay feels like entering another world. A towering indoor waterfall tumbles through a lush landscape of orchids, ferns and moss-covered cliffs, while elevated walkways wind through the mist, offering constantly changing perspectives. It’s a fascinating place to photograph, with shifting light, drifting mist and layers of tropical planting creating new compositions...

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The Intersection of Creativity and Wellbeing: Finding Presence Through Nature, Creativity and Sound

Lisa Michele Burns — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 08:31:04 +0000

Creativity has become an increasingly visible part of the wellbeing conversation. by Lisa Michele Burns Alongside yoga retreats, forest bathing and guided meditation, a growing number of travellers are seeking experiences centred around photography, painting, writing and other creative pursuits. While these retreats often promise new skills, they also offer something less tangible: an opportunity to slow down and experience a destination differently. Over the past two decades, photography has quietly transformed the way I travel. What began as a way to document remarkable places gradually became a reason to spend longer within them, and of course, my career. Instead of moving quickly between viewpoints, I found myself arriving before sunrise, returning to the same location across several days and paying closer attention to details that might otherwise pass unnoticed. One morning in Kyoto, I arrived at a forest temple expecting to photograph a collection of tanuki no okimono statues. Instead, I spent the first twenty minutes simply listening to the sound of summer, with cicadas trumpeting their vibrations across the canopy while the sound of distant temple bells and trickling streams drifted across the valley. By the time I reached for my camera, the photograph almost felt incidental. What...

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Light, Nature and Design: A Visual Hotel Review of PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore

Lisa Michele Burns — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 07:23:59 +0000

Where Architecture and Nature Meet There are very few hotels where I find myself reaching for my camera before I’ve even checked in. Stepping into the soaring atrium of PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, my attention was immediately drawn upwards as I walked toward reception after my flight from Brisbane. Sunlight streamed through the vast sky-lit roof, filtering through layers of lush greenery and sculptural timber forms, creating an ever-changing display of light, shadow and texture. It wasn’t simply impressive architecture; it felt alive, especially because the sound of songbirds created an enchanting echo. Throughout my stay, I found myself taking a photo each time I crossed the atrium, curious to see how the space had transformed. Morning light revealed soft highlights across the foliage, while the midday to afternoon sun cast dramatic patterns that shifted across the walkways and timber structures. Even after returning from photographing around Singapore, the hotel itself continued to inspire. As Singapore’s first Garden-in-a-Hotel, the property blends contemporary luxury with biophilic design, creating a sanctuary that feels remarkably calm despite sitting in the heart of the city. Home to more than 2,400 plants representing over 60 species beneath one of Southeast Asia’s largest skylit hotel atriums,...

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Behind the Lens: Hokkaido Drift Ice Swimming

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 05:16:57 +0000

Some people say their happy place is lying by a resort pool with a cocktail, mine is floating amongst icebergs like a puffer fish. The location doesn’t bother me too much; I’d be just as happy among the 50ft icebergs off the coast of Greenland, as I would be doing a cold plunge in Antarctica; however, if you’ve been reading The Wandering Lens for a while, you’ll know one of my favourite countries is Japan. And this February, I had the chance to combine my love for Japan, AND icebergs. Every winter, drift ice travels from Siberia to the shores of Eastern Hokkaido across the Sea of Okhotsk. While its arrival is completely dependent on tides, wind, and temperature, you can usually assume that by mid-February, you can whip on a dry suit and get amongst it. Now, before you squeeze a dry suit into your luggage and venture north, due to the strong currents and ever-shifting drift ice, it is recommended to only do this experience with trained guides. It’s all in the name actually, drift ice, known to swirl, drift, and travel quite large distances each day…and you don’t want to get stuck in below-freezing water for very...

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Photographing the Steller’s Sea Eagle in Eastern Hokkaido

Lisa Michele Burns — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:45:48 +0000

Winter Wildlife Photography Experience in Japan These feathered friends, endemic to the Kamchatka Peninsula, Sea of Okhotsk, and other parts of Siberia in Russia, are the very reason I’ve had Eastern Hokkaido on my wish list for many years. On par with drift ice, a fascinating environmental process I’ve tracked and wanted to photograph since I saw a poster in Sapporo about it, way back in 2000. Luckily, the two combine to form one of the most photogenic experiences you can have outdoors, especially if you’re a fan of icy wonders and wildlife like me. The Steller’s Sea Eagle is one of the biggest draw cards for wildlife photographers, with their immense wingspan of up to 2.5m (8ft), striking yellow beaks, and dramatic fishing behaviour, presenting an action-packed experience to witness these beauties in the wild. While you can get lucky and see the eagles amongst the drift ice along Hokkaido’s northern coastline in winter, Rausu offers the chance to see them up close, with trained captains knowing where to find them to ensure you’re capturing images as the warm glow of sunrise illuminates the scene. *Just to note, the conditions will determine if boats depart or not. If seas...

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A Photographer’s Guide to Winter in Eastern Hokkaido

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:11:50 +0000

Exploring the Wildlife and Natural Wonders of Eastern Hokkaido For photographers seeking quiet landscapes and wildlife opportunities, there’s a different pace to winter in Eastern Hokkaido, Beyond the ski fields and busier resorts of the western side of Japan’s northern island, the landscape opens into something far more spacious. Frozen lakes sit beneath low winter light, steam rises where geothermal activity meets the cold air, and wildlife moves quietly through snow-covered terrain. It’s not a destination built around a single landmark or viewpoint. Instead, the appeal lies in the variety within a relatively compact region. Forest, coastline, volcanic activity, mountains and wetlands all sit within a few hours of each other, each offering a distinct photographic approach and adventure. On top of the landscapes, you have the wildlife that inhabits them. From the elusive snow fairies Shima-enaga, to foxes, eagles, swans, bears, and deer. The region delivers continual surprises, with the chance to slow down, explore quietly, and photograph amongst some of the most diverse scenery you’ll find in Japan. This guide focuses on key locations and experiences well-suited to winter photography, drawing on my personal adventures. From lakes shaped by geothermal activity to coastal drift ice and wildlife encounters,...

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The Creative Benefits of Solo Travel for Photographers

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:00:29 +0000

Why Solo Travel Can Transform Your Photography (and How It Changes the Way You See a Place) There’s something different about travelling alone with a camera. Without meaning to offend everyone I’ve ever travelled with, solo travel is, as far as I’m concerned, the best way to immerse yourself in the experience of travel, while documenting the adventure and learning about your creative approach, and, let’s be honest, yourself too. When travelling solo, you learn how to deal with whatever comes your way, which in turn leads to feeling more confident, capable, and creative because you’re in control of the journey unfolding. As a map geek, I love planning routes, finding locations, and researching places to stay, I know this can feel quite overwhelming for others who may be new to solo travel, but after a few trips, even short ones at first, you’ll see the freedom it unlocks. Without the pace of a group, or the quiet pressure of keeping up with someone else’s plans, the experience of travelling begins to shift in subtle but noticeable ways. You move slower, not because you have to, but because you can. You notice more. You pause when something catches your eye,...

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Beyond the Bamboo Grove: Photographing the Quieter Side of Arashiyama

Lisa Michele Burns — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 06:08:59 +0000

A Photographer’s Guide to Arashiyama, Japan Arashiyama is one of Kyoto’s most photographed areas, and for many visitors, it begins and ends with a short walk through the Bamboo Grove. It’s an iconic scene, tall green stalks arching overhead and light filtering through the dense forest, but it’s also one of the most crowded stretches of pavement in the city, if not all of Japan. I’ve visited Arashiyama twelve times, yes twelve, Kyoto is one of my favourite cities, and each time I expect my favourite spots in Arashiyama to be suddenly overwhelmed by crowds, but to my surprise, they’re still not, despite the Bamboo Grove mere minutes away, seeing thousands of tourists packed like sardines along the path. Every time I go to write this guide, I hesitate because I don’t want the quieter places spoiled; however, I noticed on my most recent visit that new cafes and stores are starting to open up along the route I walk, and it would be nice to see them get a little more love and foot traffic. Plus, one of the temples in this guide now has a new ticket machine, so I’m assuming it’s gaining in popularity already, particularly in...

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Travel Photography for Beginners: Where to Start (Without Feeling Overwhelmed)

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 06:00:05 +0000

Photographing your Travels – A Quick Guide to Getting Started Starting to focus on photographing your travels can feel exciting and intimidating in equal measure. There is so much advice available, so many images to compare yourself to, and an endless list of things you could learn. It is no surprise that many beginners feel unsure where to begin. The good news is that while settings knowledge, quality gear and creative onfidence are eventually something you’ll develop or acquire, you don’t need it when starting out…although a camera of any kind is helpful for obvious reasons! Your photography journey should start with curiosity, observation, and giving yourself permission to learn as you go. It’s about enjoying the experiences you’re having, just as much as the images you’re capturing. This guide is not about doing everything at once. It is about finding a calm, creative way to begin. You don’t need to know everything before you begin One of the biggest misconceptions about travel or landscape photography is that you need a solid technical foundation before you can take meaningful photos. In reality, learning too much too soon often leads to overwhelm and hesitation. It is completely fine to begin without...

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The Travel Photography Club – A Global Creative Community

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 04:58:45 +0000

A creative home for travel and landscape photographers The Travel Photography Club is a global community for photographers who are drawn to travel, outdoor adventures, and meaningful creative exploration, created as an extension of The Wandering Lens. It’s a place to connect with fellow photographers from around the world, share ideas and experiences, and stay inspired, whether photography is a quiet personal practice or a central part of your creative life. Welcoming photographers of all levels, from beginners to professionals, the club offers a supportive space to grow, learn, and feel connected to a like-minded community. Why the club exists Travel and landscape photography can take many forms, for some, it’s a central part of everyday life, and for others, something that we return to during travels, big adventures, or moments of inspiration. The Travel Photography Club exists to keep that creative spark alive between journeys. It’s a place to stay inspired by fellow photographers, share ideas, and feel connected to a global community that understands the joy of planning future travels, revisiting favourite places through images, and seeing the world through different perspectives. Whether you’re actively travelling, dreaming up your next trip, or photographing closer to home, the...

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Photographing Puma in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 12:33:39 +0000

Day of Adventure with Kali Travels in Patagonia As my alarm went off bright and early, I opened the curtains of my room at Remota Lodge to see the distant peaks of Torres del Paine National Park slowly waking up. This region, known for its explorer-ready landscapes, weather and sculpted peaks, is also home to one of South America’s most elusive inhabitants: the puma. Having visited Torres del Paine before, I’d explored these valleys, lakes, and trails for two weeks without ever seeing a Puma. The thought that they were there, quietly watching from the shadows, always added a certain thrill to every hike and photograph, and I admit to getting a little faster in my strides once darkness hit on my hike down from Mirador de las Torres. This time, however, things were different. As part of the Adventure Travel World Summit, I joined Kali Travel and Adventure for a full-day excursion, one that promised not only the chance to witness the park’s wildlife but to do so alongside conservation-minded guides and trackers who know the land and likely movements of these majestic big cats. The drive out was filled with anticipation, and a few little naps, before I...

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Parque Futangue: A Valdivian Rainforest Retreat

Lisa Michele Burns — Sun, 09 Nov 2025 09:10:54 +0000

Where Stillness Meets Ancient Wilderness A Visual Hotel Review – Luxury Adventure Retreat in Chile Deep within Chile’s Los Ríos Region, Futangue Hotel & Spa sits quietly within a private nature reserve at the edge of the Valdivian rainforest, near Lake Ranco and framed by the Andes. The landscape feels untouched, where rainfall lingers in the air, ancient trees wear moss like cloaks, and rivers echo the mountains’ quiet power. Arriving here feels like entering another world. The tree-lined road gives way to a lodge whose timber, stone, and glass façades reflect the same calm stillness that surrounds it. From my first step inside, despite being incredibly weary after flying direct from Australia, I sensed this would be more than a stay, it was a chance to become part of the rhythm of the landscape…after a decent sleep. Waking early on my first morning, birdsong joined in a chorus with rain on the roof, a sound that echoed the environment we’d be soon out exploring, with Laguna Pichi first on the itinerary for a wander in the Valdivian Rainforest. Beyond the comforts lies adventure, and the hotel sits within a 34,000-acre private reserve with more than 100 km of trails,...

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