Tripping the light fantastic

WITH an estimated 60 million photos being uploaded on Instagram every day, the lines between professional and amateur photography may sometimes feel like they're blurring.

But a visit to the Singapore International Photography Festival opening on Friday at Prinsep Street and various museums should put those lines firmly back in view - as well as dispel any notion you might have once entertained that your camera phone photos can rival professional work.

The world of contemporary photography is sprawling and fractious, with many professional photographers challenging the traditional rules and roles of photography. On display at the festival are a broad range of styles, strategies and conceits, all testament to how rich and complex the art has become.