Photographer shoots 1 hour JB CNY fireworks from Bukit Batok home in S'pore

During the Chinese New Year period, a Singaporean photographer captured from his home window in Bukit Batok, a fireworks display in Johor Bahru (JB) that went on for more than an hour.

The man, Wong Liang Piow, posted pictures of the stunning sight in the "Cloudspotting & Skyspotting Singapore" Facebook group.

He had taken the shots from the 18th floor of his condominium in Bukit Batok.

"Thanks to our JB neighbours for such a glorious night view close to midnight," Wong wrote in his post.

Fireworks lasted more than 1 hour

Wong, an avid photographer who has captured shots of sunsets, lightning strikes and supermoons over the years, told Mothership that a friend told him to look out for fireworks in JB on Feb. 5.

It turned out to be a timely reminder.

The fireworks started close to midnight on Feb. 5, and lasted till about 1am on Feb. 6.

Wong shot the ensuing pyrotechnics display from his home window using two OM System cameras.

He kept at it till about 12:30am, till he got the shots he wanted.

"It was amazing this year, and a lot more than I expected," said Wong.

As to how he managed to capture the panoramic display, Wong explained that his cameras were able to computationally stack multiple shots into a single photo.

Wong added that it was crucial he took the shots from a very high floor with an unblocked view.

To Wong, the fireworks that night were even more impressive than what he saw on the eve of CNY.

"Or perhaps it was misty that day," he mused.

Started shooting JB CNY fireworks 3 years ago

Wong said he started the habit of shooting the CNY fireworks from JB about three years ago.

On his 2024 photo, Wong commented that the display seemed to span "many kilometres".

Usually, Wong would hunt for spots in Singapore to get better shots of the fireworks, but this year, he and his friends forgot about it.

Wong added that some of his other friends even went into JB to "chase" the fireworks on Feb. 5.

Big celebration for CNY day 9

One of them, Simon Lim, told Mothership that the fireworks display was for the "Bai Tian Gong" (Jade Emperor's birthday) celebrations typically held on the ninth day of Chinese New Year.

One of Lim's friends had booked a room on the 23rd floor of a JB apartment so they could get better shots.

Lim said the fireworks started from 8pm, before the main event kicked off around midnight.

"At midnight, the skies above JB lit up with hundreds of fireworks and the popping sounds of firecrackers. This went on for more than an hour," Lim wrote in a Facebook post.

"What a sight!"

Top image courtesy of Wong Liang Piow