Archivist’s foreword (with special thanks to photographer Ronni Pinsler)
With more than 16,000 photographs in the collection of the National Archives of Singapore (NAS), the Ronni Pinsler Collection is possibly among the largest in the NAS holdings. Sheer number aside, what piqued my immense interest in his photographs was how this Singapore-born photographer by passion (with British parents of Romanian descent) had woven himself into the intricate lives and scenes of Singapore and captured the multifaceted local sights of yesteryear (1970s – 1990s). Besides street scenes and trades from the past, Mr Pinsler’s deep fascination with Chinese festivities also stood out in his works.
While we have both black and white photographs, as well as coloured photographs in the Ronni Pinsler Collection, Mr Pinsler shared that his preference was always coloured film, but on occasions when he ran out of coloured film, he had no choice but to use black and white film.
Being a photographer in yesteryear was certainly not as fuss-free as today. Back in the 1970s where there was no convenience such as taking photographs using a mobile phone, coloured film was expensive. A roll of 36 frame film cost approximately S$14 and had to be sent to Australia or the USA for processing. The processing time typically took a fortnight, before Mr Pinsler could get to see his works. Black and white film, on the other hand, was a fraction of the price of coloured film, costing about S$5-6 per roll, which he kept some rolls in his camera bag as emergency standbys.
I had the honour of co-curating this article with Mr Pinsler, who had generously shared with us his favourite picks and memories of each individual photograph.
Presenting to you, the Photographer’s Picks by Ronni Pinsler, where photograph descriptions were done in first-person narrative, recounted by the photographer himself.
To find out more about his life and works, do also check out the BiblioAsia article (Jul-Sep 2025) “A Tale of Two Cities – Singapore through the Lens of P.S. Teo and Ronni Pinsler” .
Click to return to the main page or visit the Archives Online to check out more of the records we have in the Archives!
Special thanks to Ronni Pinsler for having generously shared his perspectives and insights with the NAS over email interviews between February - May 2025.
The Photographer's Picks - by Ronni Pinsler
Meet the man behind the lens - Ronni Pinsler (left, holding a fan)
I was the producer of the film “Entertaining the Gods” made for a German television production in 1982. The setting of this photograph was along Singapore River area, with warehouses in the background.
[Archivist’s note: This is the only photograph among the 10 picks that was not taken by Ronni Pinsler. It was the movie director Bernd Fisherauer who captured this scene with Mr Pinsler’s camera.]
Date: c.1980s
Media Number: 19990007453 - 063
Reflections - where old meets new (traditional cargo boat juxtaposed by a block of flats)
This was a photograph taken from Ord Bridge along Clarke Quay, on a late afternoon in 1985. Rippling effect on the still water was seen as a cargo boat moved into the picture. A mirror-like effect was created through the reflection of a block of flats on the opposite bank that was cast upon the Singapore River. I found this scene to be an evocative one, of a time when boats commonly plied the iconic river.
Date: c.1985
Media Number: 19990007094 - 088
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Reflections - once upon a river
Another photograph featuring reflections on the river – taken in 1988. With a focus on shophouses, it was an apt contrast to the earlier image (featuring flats). This too, is an evocative scene to me, as I was a frequent visitor to the “Leng Hiang Tua” 龍玄坛 temple (background) and the area around. The red banner on display was part of the birthday celebration of deity Ne Zha San Tai Zi (The Third Prince).
Date: 1988
Media Number: 19990007092 - 099
The photographer's favourite haunt
Still at Clarke Quay, c.1980s. With three photographs featuring the Clarke Quay area that made it to ‘the photographer’s picks’, there’s no doubt this was my favourite haunt as a photographer. I simply enjoyed wandering the area. For this composition of an opera stage with boats in the foreground, I particularly like the blend of colours from boats to buildings, which brought nostalgia to those who knew the area prior to its restoration.
Date: c.1980s
Media Number: 20090000104 - 0316
A trade of yesteryear
A trishaw rider dressed in a traditional pair of blue China shorts, a knotted button top and a straw hat sitting on his trishaw at Telok Ayer Street in 1978. He gamely posed for me with his best smile, which I found to be very genuine.
He had probably found it amusing that I’d be interested to photograph him.
Date: 1978
Media Number: 19990007097 - 043
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A pricky affair
My visit to a durian stall in front of the century-old Goh Chor Tua Pek Kong temple at Balestier Road, c.1980. The durian sellers and customers had fun watching me approach the stall, and they encouraged me to try the fruit, thinking that the thought-to-be foreigner would find the smell offensive. They were astounded when I selected the best durian by sniffing for the fragrance and looking at the stem, and were delighted when I decided to consume two durians on the spot.
Date: c.1980
Media Number: 19990007467 - 082
Colourful movements
Youths performing the ‘Five Camps Generals’ (五營將軍) dance during a street procession through Telok Ayer Street in 1981. Such a performance was more commonly seen in c.1980s-1990s. I like this photograph because of the movement that could be felt. I had wished there could be the sound track to accompany this lively dance!
Date: 01/04/1981
Media Number: 19990008790 - 0091
Chillaxing behind the scenes
Actress from a Teochew opera backstage sucking on lollipop, and stopped reading her newspaper to present a bright smile to the photographer, c.1980s. I so enjoyed climbing those rickety ladders to visit various troupes at the backstages, and did that so often that the actors and musicians were familiar with me and were always welcoming and friendly.
Date: c.1980s
Media Number: 20090000104 - 0291
Of people and posters, in black and white
At a street opera show along Solomon Street c.1980s, featuring audience with a range of different emotions. Some engrossed in the show; some noticed the photographer. The wall posters also made an interesting contrast.
Date: c.1980s
Media Number: 20090000103 - 0103
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Love was in the air
A wedding at Maghain Aboth Synagogue. This photograph was selected to showcase a diversity of my works and my interest in a diversity of communities. To me, this is a perfect framing, with my right hand fully stretched up, to get the downward-looking angle.
Date: c.1978
Media Number: 19990007455 - 089