Few things in Singapore are as photogenic as a getai stage on a humid seventh-month night: sequinned costumes, neon backdrops, booming Hokkien songs and an audience of aunties and uncles on plastic chairs. It is no surprise that getai photography is a favourite of street and event photographers during the Hungry Ghost Festival.
But getai is not just a concert. These live stage shows are staged as part of the seventh-month festivities, and in the traditional understanding they entertain spirits as well as the living. Shooting them well means getting to grips with tricky stage lighting and with etiquette that you will not find at an ordinary gig. This guide covers both.
Understand Where You Are Before You Shoot
Getai shows are usually organised by temples, merchant associations or community groups, and are held in open fields, car parks or tents in the heartlands. Entry is typically free and open to the public. Next to the stage you will often find an altar, offerings and joss sticks, and the event may be tied to prayers or an auction dinner happening nearby.
If you want a fuller picture of the music and its history, our guide to Chinese opera and getai shows in Singapore covers the culture. For photography, the key point is simple: you are a guest at a religious and community event, and the people around you are not props.
The Front Row Rule and Other Etiquette
The best-known custom is the empty front row. At many getai shows, the first row of seats is left vacant, as it is traditionally reserved for the spirits who are the guests of honour. It is tempting to plonk yourself there for an unobstructed angle. Please do not.
Other points to keep in mind:
- Do not sit on or move reserved chairs, even if they look unused. Ask an organiser where you may stand.
- Do not block the audience. Regulars come early for good seats. Stand at the sides or the back, and crouch if you move along the aisle.
- Leave the altar and offerings alone. Do not touch, move or step over offerings, and do not use the altar table as a camera rest.
- Keep the noise down. Turn off focus beeps and fake shutter sounds on phones.
- Dress modestly and move quietly, as you would at any festival event.
Flash, Lights and Not Becoming the Show
Flash is the fastest way to annoy everyone at once. It ruins the stage lighting in your own photo, distracts performers mid-song and blinds audience members whose eyes have adjusted to the dark. Turn it off, including on your phone, and disable the focus-assist lamp if your camera has one.
The same goes for video lights, ring lights and anything that glows. If you are vlogging, keep any light pointed away from the stage and the seats, or skip it altogether.
Asking Performers and Audience for Consent
Performers on stage expect to be watched, and photographing a public performance from the audience area is generally accepted. Things change once you get closer.
- Backstage and dressing areas: always ask an organiser and the performer first. Many singers change and do make-up in small tents beside the stage. These are private spaces even if the flap is open.
- Portraits off stage: if you would like a portrait of a singer between sets, ask politely, show them the photo, and accept a “no” gracefully.
- Audience members: a wide shot of the crowd is usually fine, but a close-up of a specific elderly person, a child or someone praying is different. Ask, or keep them unidentifiable.
- Publishing: if you plan to use photos commercially, or in a way that features a recognisable person prominently, get explicit permission. This is general guidance, not legal advice, so check the platform’s rules and seek advice for commercial use.
A friendly nod, a smile and a quick question in English, Mandarin or a little Hokkien will open far more doors than a long lens from a distance.
Camera Settings for Low-Light Getai Stages
Getai stages are tricky: dark surroundings, brightly lit performers, LED screens and coloured spotlights that change every few seconds. Here is a starting point you can adjust.
| Setting | Suggested approach | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Aperture priority or manual | Gives you control in fast-changing light |
| Aperture | As wide as your lens allows, such as f/1.8 to f/2.8 | Lets in more light and blurs the busy background |
| Shutter speed | About 1/200s or faster for dancing, 1/125s for still singers | Freezes movement and sequins |
| ISO | Auto ISO with a sensible upper limit | Keeps shutter speed up without constant fiddling |
| Metering | Spot or highlight-weighted metering on the performer | Stops bright costumes and faces from blowing out |
| White balance | Auto, then fine-tune in editing, or shoot RAW | Coloured stage lights confuse auto settings |
A few more tips:
- Expose for the face. Dark surroundings trick the camera into overexposing the singer. Dial in negative exposure compensation if faces look washed out.
- Shoot RAW if your camera allows, so you can recover highlights and correct the colour cast from red and magenta lights.
- Use burst mode for expressive moments, then pick the frame where the mouth and eyes look best.
- Watch the LED screen. Large LED backdrops can show banding at some shutter speeds. Try adjusting shutter speed slightly if you see stripes.
- On a phone, use night or pro mode, lock exposure by tapping the performer’s face, and brace your elbows against your body.
Composition Ideas That Tell the Whole Story
The best getai photo sets show more than sequins. Think about the night as a whole.
- The stage in context: a wide shot showing the stage, the empty front row and the audience behind tells the story in one frame.
- Details: costume embroidery, a microphone wrapped in tinsel, a fan held by a singer.
- The audience: uncles with fans, a grandmother clapping along, kids running in the aisles. Keep consent in mind.
- The setting: the stage glowing against HDB blocks, smoke from joss sticks drifting through spotlights.
- Before and after: set-up in the afternoon and the crew dismantling at the end of the night can be just as interesting.
Many of these ideas overlap with broader festival photography, which we cover in photographing Singapore festivals respectfully.
Practical Kit and Comfort
- A fast prime lens (such as a 35mm or 50mm) or a bright zoom.
- Spare batteries, as long exposures and screens drain power.
- A small towel or lens cloth, as humidity can fog lenses when you step out of an air-conditioned car.
- Insect repellent, water and a small fan for those hot, still evenings.
- No tripod in crowded areas, as it creates a tripping hazard. A monopod at the side is less obtrusive if allowed.
Sharing Your Getai Photos
When you post, caption with care. Explain what getai is, credit the organising temple or association if you know it, and avoid framing the event as “spooky” or “weird”. Many performers welcome tags and shares, so if you took a portrait with permission, offer to send them a copy.
Done well, getai photography preserves a living tradition that many people worry is fading. Shoot it with the same respect you would want for your own family’s celebrations.
Explore more: Getting Into Getai and Hokkien Music in Singapore
Further reading: How to Photograph Thaipusam Respectfully in Singapore · Is It Legal to Photograph Strangers in Public in Singapore?