The Ramadan festive bazaar at Jalan Masjid India winds down at around 3 in the morning. Traders prepare for a brief nap in their makeshift bedrooms, road sweepers emerge from nowhere while others converge at nearby tea stalls. I ventured there with the new Olympus Pen E-P3 paired with my favourite street lens, the new m.Zuiko 12mm (24 eq) f2.0 prime…

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 800, f2, 1/60 sec

Wayang Kanvas. Around 3:00 am, the tarps are drawn down and the silhouettes  presented a fascinating shadow play.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 1600, f2, 1/50 sec

Uncle Bob (right) kept reminding me his chicken is skinless, grease-free and therefore healthy. Quite tasty actually.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 200, f2, 1/80 sec

Long Time No Tea. I was touched that the famous tea makers came out to hug me. I was a regular there during the ’11 LA’ heydays. The party godown was across the river.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 500, f2, 1/60 sec

The Manny. The f 2.0 lens is great for subject isolation. Not overly shallow but still sufficiently bright for handheld night photography.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 500, f2, 1/60 sec

Ali’s Sticks. To prevent himself from keeling over, the steam-stick seller rely on a can of Tongkat Ali-spiked energy tea.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 1600, f2, 1/50 sec

Back Street Boy. Some pulled down the tarps to sleep, others dance around the rubbish pile. I like this guy’s enthusiasm, even at 3 am.

Olympus Pen E-P3, ISO 1600, f2, 1/40 sec

Smooth As Lace. A pillar ad on the front of a lace shop befits the tranquillity of the hour.

All pictures photographed with the Olympus Pen E-P3 by & © TV Smith

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