Photography

Photography Competitions/Contests

There are still a few photography competitions/contests in August 2025 and beyond. Here are the ones that I am working on in August 2025.

HDB x PSS Photo Competition 

Housing Development Board (HDB) and Photographic Society of Singapore (PSS) has a photo competition with the theme “Heartland Stories: I Love My Home & Community”. If you are into heartland Singapore living and stories, do visit PSS website and check it out.

I would be heading out to different HDB heartlands neighbourhoods, capturing moments, daily living, everyday spaces, architecture, urban landscapes together with my SG60 visual storytelling personal project, curating and submitting for the HDB x PSS photo competition that ends on 17th August 2025.

Experience More with Capture SG60 by RSP & HONOR

HONOR recently launched a foldable smartphone, HONOR Magic V5, and this is Singapore’s SG60 birthday year, HONOR is celebrating this milestone by inviting the public to photograph Singapore’s city architectural journey, from iconic landmarks to everyday spaces. 

This photography competition is jointly organised by HONOR and RSP Architects Planners & Engineers. If you are keen to know more and participate ,visit  https://rsp.design/capturesg60/ and find out more information and details.

Exhibitions 

NUSPS Montage 2025 Seminar in August 2025

The NUSPS Montage 2025 Seminar is taking place on 23rd August 2025, there are talks by professionals, photo exhibition and prize presentation. If you are keen to find out more about NUSPS Montage 2025 Seminar, visit their website https://nusps.org.sg/ for more information and details.

1st National Photography Art Exhibition (NPAE) 2025 in October 2025

I am waiting for more information and details on the 1st National Photography Art Exhibition (NPAE) 2025 that is taking place in October 2025. Keep a lookout for their event!

Visual Storytelling / Content Creation

National Day Parade (NDP) 2025 / SG60 Celebrations in Heartlands

This year is SG60, there are various different types of events, activities and happenings taking place across Singapore, from NDP 2025 to SG60 celebrations in the heartlands. I am planning my SG60 visual storytelling works over this period, within my time and resources constrains. 

SG60 Visual Storytelling Personal Project 

From 1st August 2025 to 10th August 2025, I will be focusing on SG60 themes for that week as National Day Parade 2025 celebrations on 9th August 2025, and SG60 heartland celebrations on 10th August 2025. 

It’s going to be challenging which events to attend, due to time constraints and potential clash of schedules. As I build up, accumulating my SG60 works towards my final SG60 visual storytelling personal project, I hope to have a wide range of SG60 themes, events and memories to curate from, that would go into my finalised project. 

Heritage, Culture, Arts and Performing Arts Sector

I am getting more immersed into the above sectors of heritage, culture, arts and performing arts, photographing, documenting, next up would be writing my visual stories and experiences. From traditional performing arts, to contemporary arts, whenever I am photographing their artworks or performances, it’s also a form of therapy for me. 

There are some discussions on doing more, collaborating with other like-minded heritage advocates in other fields. If this do get moving and gain traction, I would share more details. Meanwhile, keep a lookout for more visual stories of my heritage, culture, arts and performing arts sector.

Getting Ready for Migratory Bird Season from September 2025 onwards 

Come September 2025, I would be getting ready for migratory bird season, there might be some early migratory birds arriving in Singapore. Time to combine my nature, outdoors and birding photography adventures, planning to add more bird photography into my collections, especially those that I have yet to photograph. 

Planning, Changing and Strategising

The second quarter of 2025 wasn’t easy for many of us, the economy is slow and weak, businesses, deals and works are affected, making it very difficult and challenging for those in the various industries. 

Inking up new partnership with a modern new age, all-rounder marketing/digital agency, discussions are ongoing, once it gets more finalised, I would share more updates. In this current difficult and challenging world economy, with even more turbulent times ahead, we all have to adapt and change (constantly and regularly). 

SG60 – Let’s Go Make It Special!

Singapore SG60 birthday celebrations are going into full swing in August 2025, let’s go all make it special, unique and unforgettable!

The post Photography / Visual Storytelling / Content Creation Themes and Plans for August 2025 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Inspired by 1987 National Day Theme song “We Are Singapore”

Inspired by the lyrics of the beloved 1987 National Day Theme song “We Are Singapore”, 2025 SG60 celebrations programmes are thematically curated to honour the people, values and stories that have shaped Singapore over the years.

Chung May Khuen, Director of the National Museum of Singapore, said, “The National Museum has long been a space where Singapore’s history and identity are explored, celebrated and reimagined. This SG60, it is especially meaningful for us to welcome visitors to join us in reliving the stories and values that form our identity as Singaporeans. Inspired by the song “We Are Singapore”, which speaks to our spirit of determination and immense pride in the country we’ve built together, our largest National Day celebrations aim to honour our shared past and invite the community to participate in shaping the stories we continue to tell.” 

Telling the Singapore Story through Light and Bricks in the lead-up to National Day 2025

Singapore’s SG60 celebrations at NMS are starting in July 2025 with two eye-catching activities telling the Singapore story through light and bricks in the lead-up to National Day 2025.

Canvas of Light: Our Nation’s Journey 

The crowd favourite National Day Light-Up will finally make a return on NMS facade from 18th July to 9th August 2025 with Canvas of Light: Our Nation’s Journey. This year’s iconic projection offers a refreshed visual experience with stunning light art, and in a tribute to Singapore’s resilience and unity, visitors can watch Singapore’s story unfold across NMS historic building facade through a captivating dance of light and colour.

Canva of Light: Our Nation’s Journey

• Time: Daily | 7:30pm – 12am
• Location: Front Lawn, Level 1
• Price: Free of charge

Stories of Singapore: Building Our Heritage, Brick by Brick

LEGO fans in Singapore rejoice! You CANNOT miss this! You MUST visit Stories of Singapore: Building Our Heritage, Brick by Brick, showcase at the Stamford Gallery, celebrating Singapore’s community creativity and national heritage through play. 

Inspired by the Flows of People section in the NMS commemorative SG60 exhibition, Once Upon a Tide: Singapore’s Journey from Settlement to Global City, this showcase brings Singapore’s satires to life through a mix of building bricks and innovative digital installations and experiences.

Stories of Singapore: Building Our Heritage, Brick by Brick is presented in collaboration with The LEGO Group. Immerse yourself into this large-scale diorama of iconic Singaporean elements, intricate LEGO builds of Singaporean’s favourite local food, and LEGO artworks by students of the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) that depict historical and modern scenes inspired by our iconic Singapore River.

Whether you are a young or young at heart LEGO fan, I reckon you will love this Stories of Singapore: Building Our Heritage, Brick by Brick! It’s truly Uniquely Singaporean stories that many of us here can relate with, take your time to observe the Uniquely Singaporean characteristics, history, heritage, culture and modern anime/mecha/toys world! 

Singapore’s Biggest LEGO Mural

When you visit Stories of Singapore: Building Our Heritage, Brick by Brick, you can contribute to a one-of-a-kind LEGO mural that aims to set a new Singapore Book of Records title for Singapore’s Biggest LEGO Mural ever created in the country. Visitors are invited to play a part of this record-breaking moment by completing the final section of the mural, with each added brick being a tribute to Singapore’s enduring community spirit, creativity and national pride.

Digital River Stories

Inspired by the creations in the Stories of Singapore showcase, visitors are invited to actively participate in Digital River Stories, an engaging digital experience designed in partnership with MID Pro Group to foster creativity. Using their personal mobile devices, visitors can unleash their artistic talents through a digital colouring activity and share their hopes and desires for the future of Singapore. Once completed, these artworks can be seamlessly submitted to a dynamic digital wall, where they will come to life and join a vibrant and ever-evolving interactive background.

Play with LEGO at LEGO Play Box 

For the young builders, you can engage in free play to create items inspired by the exhibition. 

Mini LEGO Orchid Workshop

When you are visiting Stories of Singapore: Building Our Heritage, Brick by Brick, drop by during the following days and time slots to craft your very own LEGO orchard to bring home a moment of your visit!

Saturdays and Sundays, 19th – 20th July | 26th – 27th July | 2nd – 3rd August |

• Time: 2pm – 5pm
• Saturday 9th August 
• Time: 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 5pm
• Note: Materials for each slot are limited, on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Stories of Singapore: Building Our Heritage, Brick by Brick

• Time: Daily: 10am – 7pm
• Location: Stamford Gallery, Level 1
• Price: Free of charge. Entry may be restricted when the gallery is at capacity.

Grand Finale Celebration on 9th August 2025

4 levels of National Day Celebrations – each representing a line from NDP 1987 theme song, We Are Singapore.

Basement Level – There was a time when people said that Singapore won’t make it…

Visitors can participate in hands-on experiences that pay homage to Singapore’s maritime past, centred around Singapore’s early history as the capital of the Straits Settlements.

National Day Colour Competition 2025

• Time: 10am – 1pm
• Location: Gallery Theatre, Basement Level
• Price: Free of charge (subject to a refundable deposit of $10 per child)

Interactive Storytelling: The River Road

• Time: 3pm – 3:45pm & 4:30pm – 5:15pm
• Location: Gallery Theatre, Basement Level
• Price: $12 per adult-child pair (incl. GST)

Create & Float: Make Your Own Boat

• Time: 10am – 11am (priority slot for people with disabilities) | 11am – 12pm & 1pm – 5pm (for public)
• Location: Canyon: Basement Level
• Price: Free of charge

Level 1 – This is my country, this is my flag…

Visitors are invited to celebrate elements that make us uniquely Singaporean, with activities that spotlight cultural keystones such as our beloved Singlish dialects and the iconic kopi and kaya toast Singapore breakfast ritual.

Waves of Wisdom: A Human Library Experience

• Time: 10am – 12pm & 2pm – 4pm 
• Location: Reunion, Level 1
• Price: $5 per pax (including GST), includes pastry set from Cafe Brera (consisting of 1 pastry and 1 beverage)

Heritage in a Cup: The Art of Kopi and Kaya

• Time: 10am – 12pm 
• Location: The Salon, Level 1
• Price: $32 per pax of $60 per pair

Can Draw Anot?

• Time: 3pm – 4pm
• Location: The Salon, Level 1
• Price: Free of charge

Mirror, Mirror: Interactive Photo Booth

• Time: 10am – 5:30pm 
• Location: Longer Concourse, Level 1
• Price: Free of charge 

Writings on the Wall

• Time: 10am – 7pm
• Location: LED Wall, Level 1
• Price: Free of charge 

Our Singapore, Our Canvas – A Community Artwork

• Time: 10am – 12pm & 3pm – 5pm
• Location: Front Lawn, Level 1
• Price: Free of charge

Percussion performance by Green Drumming

• Time: 5pm – 5:15pm (arrive by 4:50pm) 
• Location: Front Lawn, Level 1
• Price: Free of charge

Live Telecast of NDP

• Time: 5:30pm – 8:30pm (sit by 5:15pm) 
• Location: Front Lawn, Level 1
• Price: Free of charge

Level 2 and 3 – We Are Singapore, Singaporeans…

Designed to highlight pivotal moments in Singapore’s path to independence, visitors can look forward to a heritage hunt showcasing the museum’s artefacts, batik activities featuring beloved icons, and more.

The Hunt @ MNS

• Time: 10am – 12:30pm & 1:30pm – 6pm (final registration at 5pm, and redemption counter closes at 6pm)
• Location: Glass Atrium (near the Donor Wall), Level 2
• Price: Free of charge

Reach Out for the Stars: Craft Activity

• Time: 10am – 11pm (priority slot for people with disabilities) | 11am – 12pm & 1pm – 5:30pm (for public)
• Location: The Platform, Level 2
• Price: Free of charge

Drop-in Batik Activity

• Time: 10am – 11pm (priority slot for people with disabilities) | 11am – 12pm & 1pm – 5:30pm (for public)
• Location: Glass Atrium (near the Glass Rotunda), Level 2
• Price: Free of charge

Hats off to SG! Craft Station

• Time: 10am – 11pm (priority slot for people with disabilities) | 11am – 12pm & 1pm – 5:30pm (for public)
• Location: Outside Explore Room, Level 3
• Price: Free of charge

Watch NDP 2025 live on the National Museum of Singapore front lawn

At the end of the day, as you and your family are wrapping your festivities at the National Museum of Singapore, families are invited to gather on the National Museum’s Front Lawn for a relaxing picnic under the stars for a live screening of the National Day Parade 2025 from 5:30pm onwards. 

Admission details and More Information

Admission to Stories of Singapore: Building Our Heritage, Brick by Brick showcase is free of charge. 

On 9th August 2025, all visitors can enjoy free admission to the National Museum of Singapore. Admission will include entry to the National Museum’s latest installation, Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time, housed in the iconic Shaw Foundation Glass Rotunda – the first of the National Museum’s permanent galleries that will reopen on 8th August 2025. 

Visitors can also visit the Singapore History Gallery before its closure on 17th November 2025, with its last day open to the public on 16th November.

For more information, please visit the National Museum of Singapore Facebook and Instagram pages. 

Come on down to the National Museum of Singapore and celebrate SG60 National Day Celebrations!

An exciting line-up of SG60 National Day 2025 Celebrations awaits you and your family, loved ones and friends at the National Museum of Singapore! Come on down and have a great SG60 National Day Celebrations at the National Museum of Singapore! 

The post Exciting line-up of SG60 National Day Celebrations awaits you at the National Museum of Singapore! appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Photography

Photography Competitions/Contests

Entering into the month of July 2025, there are a few ongoing photography competitions/contests,  I am planning to join and see whether they might bring me!

NUSPS Montage 2025

The last day for submission is 6th July 2025 with the theme, “Singapore in Focus 2025: Past, Present, and Future”. If you are keen to enter this photography competition, do visit NUSPS and check it out.

HDB x PSS Photo Competition 

Housing Development Board (HDB) and Photographic Society of Singapore (PSS) has a photo competition with the theme “Heartland Stories: I Love My Home & Community”. If you are into heartland Singapore living and stories, do visit PSS website and check it out.

Tamron Singapore 

Tamron Singapore is also running a photography contest with the theme, “City Night Lights”, it runs from 15th June to 31st July 2025. If you are keen to enter this photography contest, do check it out.

Canon PhotoMarathon 2025

I have registered for Canon PhotoMarathon 2025, taking place on Saturday 19th July 2025, a photography competition that I have been participating for a number of years. More than just a photography competition to test yourself and the chance to win attractive prizes, this is also a time for photography friends to gather and catch up!

If you are keen to know more about Canon PhotoMarathon 2025, visit their website and check it out! I have also shared my stories on participating in Canon PhotoMarathon over the years here on my TGH Photography and Travel website!

Visual Storytelling / Content Creation 

SG60 Theme + NDP 2025 Rehearsals 

Counting down to 9th August 2025, Singapore’s 60th birthday (SG60) National Day Parade (NDP) 2025 celebrations, there would be regular rehearsals on Saturdays leading up to NDP 2025, for us to head down to Marina Bay Area, for RSAF air display, and photographing fireworks. 

Leveraging on the various photography competitions/contests taking place in 2025, together with NDP 2025 rehearsals and from my photography archives, I am building up towards my SG60 personal photography project. 

Beyond digital 

As I working on my personal SG60 photography/visual storytelling project, a photography zine is on the cards, I am also exploring other creative outputs beyond digital, such as postcards, photo prints of different sizes etc.

Learning from creative artists from other creative genres

With all the ongoing festivities and celebrations, from SG60 to other arts, culture and heritage events, I am also learning from creative artists from other creative genres. All these do help to open up my vision and approaches, on my creativity and how I can possibly apply them in my visual storytelling in both personal and professional capacity. 

Re-exploring NFTs and Digital Arts 

MakersPlace closed

With MakersPlace closing their Marketplace, I have to transfer my NFTs that I previously minted with them to my MetaMask personal wallet. Meanwhile I am looking at Marketplaces to list my NFTs for sale.

Although I entered this space a few years back, I didn’t invest a lot of time here due to resources management and not knowing too sure where digital arts/NFTs would lead me to. With this inevitable transfer of my NFTs, I am taking this opportunity to re-explore NFTs and Digital Arts space again. 

Packed July 2025 schedule

Leading up to Singapore SG60 celebrations on 9th August 2025, July 2025 is going to be packed and lined up with many different events and activities. While Q2 has been a difficult and slow period, the leisure and personal segments of my visual storytelling, photography and content creation helps me to navigate some of the stressful and pressurising times.

The post Photography / Visual Storytelling / Content Creation Themes and Plans for July 2025 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

My NAPE 2025 Journey

I am hugely honoured and very happy to be a part of NAPE 2025, I have a photography artwork selected to be showcased along with other talented local Singapore photographers and their amazing photography works. This is my short visual story of my maiden journey in NAPE 2025.

My Maiden Submission for Ngee Ann Photographic Exhibition 

While I have heard of Ngee Ann Photographic Exhibition, and visited a few editions previously, I didn’t thought about entering in my earlier photography years, as I wasn’t too confident, still learning and gaining my photography experiences.

Over the years, as I gained a lot more experiences in my photography, I also started to enter more and various photography contests and competitions. When I saw this year’s 30th NAPE 2025 Call For Entries, I am thinking deep inside me, why not go for it?

Making the decision to proceed, Year 2025 became my maiden submission and entry for Ngee Ann Photographic Exhibition. 

Theme: Open

The theme for 20th NAPE 2025 is “Open”, while this theme is indeed very open and wide for interpretation, the organisers recommended themes related to SG60 or The Ngee Ann Kongsi’s 180th anniversary. 

Digging through my archives of photographs taken in 2024, I shortlisted a few potential photography works of mine for submission to NAPE 2025, before deciding on my final two photographs for submission.

Just like the theme “Open”, I entered with an open mind, eyes and heart, let’s see where NAPE 2025 brings me.  

From shortlisted to NAPE 2025 opening 

Around the end of April 2025, I received an email informing that one of my submissions has been shortlisted for NAPE 2025. At that moment, I was jumping with joy (inside me)! Thereafter, I had to follow the next few steps/instructions for getting my selected photography artwork ready, printed and delivered for NAPE 2025.

Once that were completed, it’s patiently waiting for 14th June 2025 to arrive, attending the NAPE 2025 opening ceremony, viewing my photography artwork titled, “Of Red and White Celebrations at GBTB Lighting Up Marina Bay Singapore” on display, together with fellow local Singapore photographers works at NAPE 2025.

30th NAPE 2025 Opening Ceremony & Opening Day

The 30th NAPE 2025 Opening Ceremony took place on 14th June 2025, a day of local Singapore photography community gathering together. It was great to catch up with fellow photography friends, chatting over everything photography related. 

After the formal speeches and presenting Ngee Ann Photographer of the Year 2025 award to Mr Lim Leong Kiat, NAPE 2025 was officially declared opened with the ribbon cutting ceremony! After that, guests and attendees began to visit NAPE 2025 exhibition, finding out where their photography artwork is displayed before walking around and checking out all the amazing photography works on display at NAPE 2025. Also a heartfelt congratulations to all participants of NAPE 2025! Great job and well done to all!

A big thank you to my friends who came down to NAPE 2025 Opening, I truly appreciate the support. I would like to invite you to come on down to LASALLE College of the Arts and visit 30th NAPE 2025!

Later in the afternoon, I attended the NAPE 2025 Opening Special Talk by Mr Lim Leong Kiat, on “Through the Lens: The Art of Travel Photography”, listening to his interesting and informative travel photography sharing. As a travel photographer myself, Mr Lim’s choice of digital MF cameras for his travel photography is of great interest to me, should I hop on the digital MF cameras? 

Thank you Ngee Ann Kongsi!

Being able to participate in NAPE 2025 is a humbling experience, also a huge honour for me, the recognition, for my photography artwork to be selected from over 1,020 entries, from more than 570 photographers that participated in NAPE 2025.

The feelings and euphoria when your photography artwork is printed, framed and displayed in a photography exhibition, at the 30th NAPE 2025, the jubilation and immense pride, this is priceless and very memorable!

I would like to sincerely thank Ngee Ann Kongsi for selecting my photograph and the opportunity to be one of the photography works on display at the 20th Ngee Ann Photographic Exhibition 2025.

20th Ngee Ann Photographic Exhibition 2025 Information

• Date: 14th to 24th June 2025
• Time: 12pm to 7pm Daily (Closed on Sundays)

Venue: LASALLE College of the Arts

• Flexible Performance Space
• Brother Joseph McNally Gallery
• Praxis Space
• Project Space

Address: 1 McNally Street Singapore 187940

The post The 20th Ngee Ann Photographic Exhibition (NAPE) 2025 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Chinese Opera Festival 2025

Chinese Opera Festival 2025 will take over five weekends from 21st June to 26th July 2025, featuring five local Chinese opera troupes, each performing on a select Saturday in a different dialect. 

These are the following active Chinese opera troupes, dedicated to keeping Singapore’s local Chinese landscape alive.

Chinese Opera Studio (Teochew) – The Mistake of Justice Bao

Date: 21st June

Time: 7pm

https://www.facebook.com/chineseoperastudiogroup/ 

Chinese Opera Ensemble (Hainanese) – The Peacocks Flying Southeast

Date: 5th July 

Time: 7pm

https://www.facebook.com/coe0217/ 

OperaWorks (Singapore) (Cantonese) – The Betrothal Sword of Love

Date: 12th July

Time: 7pm

• https://operaworkssingapore.org/
• https://www.facebook.com/OperaWorks.Singapore/ 
• https://www.instagram.com/operaworks.singapore/ 
• https://www.youtube.com/c/OperaWorksSingapore 

Tian Yun Beijing Opera Society (Peking) – Mei Yu Pei

Date: 19th July

Time: 7pm

• https://www.tianyun.sg/ 
• https://www.facebook.com/tianyunsg 
• https://www.instagram.com/tianyun_sg/ 

Tang Renaissance (Yue) – Marshal Lim Bo Seng

Date: 26th July

Time: 7pm

• https://www.tangrenaissance.org/ 
• https://www.facebook.com/tangrenaissance 
• https://www.instagram.com/tangrenaissance 
• https://www.youtube.com/@tangrenaissance440 

A significant collaboration between SCCC and NAC that brings quality performances to more audiences from all walks of life to celebrate the diversity and rich cultural heritage of Chinese opera in Singapore. Chinese Opera Festival 2025 is a gathering of five distinct opera traditions on a single stage, presents an exciting opportunity for more people to watch their performances, experience Chinese Opera, and to appreciate the importance of rich cultural heritage and to preserve it. 

At the same time, Chinese Opera Festival also helps to promote and provide vital support for local Chinese opera groups to develop their capabilities, embark on artistic growth, and cultivate a paying audience. There will be bilingual sub-titles provided for all performances, ensuring accessibility for all audiences. 

According to Mr Alvin Tan, Chief Executive of SCCC, “Through the festival, we hope to support local Chinese opera groups by providing a safe creative space for them to showcase their works and capabilities without having to worry about venue rental, funding, ticket sales, marketing etc. In doing so, we hope to safeguard and showcase a traditional artform which is rich in Chinese history and culture; attract new and hopefully younger audiences; and contribute to its long-term sustainability.” 

Low Eng Teong, Chief Executive Officer of NAC, said, “The traditional arts are a vital part of Singapore’s arts landscape as they reflect, shape and strengthen our cultural identity. NAC is proud to partner with the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre on the inaugural Chinese Opera Festival. Through this initiative, audiences from all walks of life can come together to discover, connect with the arts and experience the richness and heritage of Chinese Opera in Singapore.” 

Chinese Opera Festival 2025 Fringe Activities 

There are a series of carefully curated Chinese Opera Festival 2025 fringe activities that will accompany the performances at SCCC, in line with the goal of expanding arts touch points for audience participation and engagement. 

These include interactive Chinese opera movement workshops designed for participants of all ages, and insightful practitioner talks featuring respected artists. Participants can expect to hear from experienced Chinese opera artists including Cultural Medallion recipient Joanna Wong and Stewards of Intangible Cultural Heritage Award and Young Artist Award recipient Cai Bixia.

The Art in Every Gesture: Discovering Movement in Chinese Opera

• Dates: 5th & 19th July
• Time: 4pm to 5pm
• Venue: SCCC Recital Studio, Level 6

Behind the Painted Faces: Voices of Chinese Opera Today

• Dates: 21st June (Su Zhang Kai) | 12th July (Cai Bixia) | 26th July (Joanna Wong)
• Time: 4pm to 5pm
• Venue: SCCC Recital Studio, Level 6

Chinese Opera Roving Exhibition

• Dates: 4th June to 26th July
• Time: 9am to 10m
• Venue: SCCC, Level 7 Foyer

Troupe leader of OperaWorks (Singapore), Ms Winsome Chan, said: “It is our honour to collaborate with SCCC and NAC, and to participate in this year’s Chinese Opera Festival. We hope that our audience would enjoy our performance of Cantonese opera The Betrothal Sword of Love, and we also hope to reach out to and attract new audiences to the festival.” 

Vice-President and Artistic Director of Tian Yun Beijing Opera Society, Ms Lim Mei Lian, added: “Being the inaugural Chinese Opera Festival in Singapore, we hope that the initiative does not stop here but will continue to stay true to its objectives and forge ahead with perseverance.” 

Personal Thoughts and Views from a documentary visual storyteller  

At the media preview, we got to know more about Chinese Opera Festival 2025 objectives from Mr Alvin Tan, CEO SCCC opening remarks. We also got to view snippets of the Chinese opera troupes performing at the upcoming Chinese Opera Festival 2025. 

This was an enriching cultural heritage experience for me, a sector that I didn’t manage to cover as much over my years of documenting and photographing history, heritage, culture and conservation sectors in Singapore. 

Through this inaugural Chinese Opera Festival 2025, I hope that I can do more, learn, experience, and appreciate this rich Chinese cultural heritage, and where I can play my small part for this sector, as a documentary visual storyteller in history, heritage, culture and conservation sectors.

Chinese Opera Festival 2025 Information (Ticketing Prices and Promotions)

Chinese Opera Festival 2025

• Dates: 21st June to 26th July 2025
• Venue: SCCC Auditorium, Level 9
• Standard Ticket Price: $30 (available on SISTIC)

Chinese Opera Festival 2025 tickers are available on SISTIC at $30 with a special five-show bundle at $120. Early bird discount of 30% off tickets at $21 are available from 4th till 10th June 2025.

To register for onsite fringe activities, please visit SISTIC. 

For more information on Chinese Opera Festival 2025, please visit Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) website: https://singaporeccc.org.sg/ 

The post SCCC and NAC Collaborate to Debut Chinese Opera Festival 2025 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

20th Ngee Ann Photographic Exhibition (NAPE) 2025

The Ngee Ann Photography Exhibition (NAPE) is one of Singapore’s biggest photography exhibitions since its inauguration in 2005, with the aim to promote local photography art. This 20th NAPE celebrates 60 years of national building, 180 years of The Ngee Ann Kongsi and inspiring photographic arts for generations. 

• Dates: 14 – 24 June 2025
• Venue: LASALLE College of the Arts, Flexible Performance Space, Brother Joseph McNally Gallery, Praxis Space, Project Space (1 McNally Street, Singapore 187940) 

For more information, please visit 

https://thengeeannkongsi.com.sg/en/eventslist/the-20th-ngee-ann-photographic-exhibition-2025/

Start of NDP 2025 rehearsals

Leading up to Singapore’s 60th SG60 National Day Parade (NDP) birthday celebration on 9th August 2025, that means the start of NDP 2025 rehearsals in June. Back for fireworks and NDP 2025 action at Marina Bay!

Photography Competitions

Two more photography competitions for me to consider entering in the month of June 2025, it’s to  put myself to the test, also enjoying myself and having the fun back in my photography while entering photography competitors.

Epson PANO Awards 2025

The 16th Epson International Pano Awards is here, I am considering to enter this photography completion, this would be my first attempt if I do enter this Epson PANO Awards 2025.

Montage 2025 by NUSPS – Singapore in Focus 2025: Past, Present, and Future

URL: https://nusps.org.sg/montage/2025-2/ 

A fitting theme for Singapore’s SG60 celebrations in 2025, fitting nicely into my SG60 personal photography project theme. I am going to enter this competition, that would also be building up towards my SG60 personal photography project. 

#TTOT Travel Talk on Twitter is taking a SLOW TRAVEL break

In case you missed it, #TTOT Travel Talk on Twitter is taking a SLOW TRAVEL break with the last TTOT travel community chat taking place on Tuesday 27 May 2025.

I am grateful and thankful for the travel friendships and networks built from the #TTOT Travel Chat on Twitter community, the local travel knowledge sharing, travel tips, travel trends and updates, they are so invaluable. 

Keep travelling and keep in touch! Thank you #TTOT Travel Talk on Twitter community of travellers with your passion, travel sharing and adventure spirit!

Personal SG60 Photography Project Updates

I am still working on my personal SG60 photography project, a work-in-progress, leveraging on the photography competitions that I recently entered, along with upcoming ones, to add on to my pool of current and archival visual storytelling that I would help and inspire me with my curation, layout and creative direction of my personal SG60 photography project. 

It’s been some years since I last published a zine or a photo book. This year 2025 SG60 theme would be a perfect fit to come back into producing and publishing photography zines again. Stay tuned and keep a lookout!

Exploring new opportunities 

It’s not a rosy situation out there, a weak and slow economy, lesser businesses and deals out there, cut in budgets, very challenging times ahead. 

Exploring new opportunities and opportunities, hopefully there would be a new light at the end of the tunnel, a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow when the storm clears. 

The post Photography / Visual Storytelling / Content Creation Themes for June 2025 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

• Part 1: Impressions
• Part 2: Amalgamate 
• Part 3: Awakenings 

Let me bring you into “Intersections”, this immersive, intriguing and uniquely experiential amalgamated performing arts adventure, through my visual storytelling and photographs.

Part 1: Impressions

Walking through the entrance, entering into the multi-purpose hall at SCCC, there was a short introduction by the ushers/chaperones. 

What were my initial impressions? 

This nine photo collage is the stage where “Intersections” come together in a ever shifting nine-grid formation, also known as “九宫格”, where audience can get themselves immersed with and interact with the different multi-sensory arts genres on offer, crossing boundaries that you might never think it’s possible with those different performing arts genres.

My initial impressions were, heh this “九宫格”, it’s really unique and different, a very interesting approach to present and amalgamate different performing arts genres together! 

Nine-Grid Arts Formation

1) Music: Rhythmic Flow

2) Wayang Kulit: Dancing Puppets

3) Drama: The vicissitudes of Singapore River

4) Peranakan Fashion: Splendid Elegance 

5) Installation Art: Whispers from the Woods | Dance: Awakenings

6) Opera: Dreams in Harmony

7) Calligraphy: Dancing Figure

8) Photography: Shadow and Dance

9) Multimedia: The Everchanging Land Beneath 

Part 2: Amalgamate

That’s where the artists inside the “九宫格” make their way behind, and the audience proceed to sit down, waiting for the second part of the performance to begin. Next up, the various artists amalgamate together through brilliant choreography and artistic storytelling, each having its own chapter and arts/drama/creative journey to tell the world. 

The flow of artists performances might seem chaotic at first, yet it’s also structured and planned. Everyone of us would be probably be intrigued and engrossed in different artists at work and performing. Personally for me, I was intrigued by Calligraphy: Dancing Figure (maybe because that’s the only art category that I passed in school), Photography: Shadow and Dance, as a photographer and visual storyteller myself, I am like the photographer capturing moments of a dance performance. Multimedia: The Everchanging Land Beneath, the moving and ever-changing multi-media lighting artwork with invoking dance performances, give me the light and direction to chase after them, hoping to capture a priceless moment in modern multi-media world. 

Part 3: Awakenings 

A massive grand finale dance performance, in a sea of red, inviting you to be immersed with them together in heart and soul, awakening to tell yourself and others that we need to be conscious, we also need to let go, so that we make important changes in our life, and we can rise again as we face the ongoing challenges around us and the world today. 

Personal Thoughts and Views

At the end of the this wonderful and engaging performance “Intersections”, I did have a number of feelings, thoughts, emotions and views. Hearing the heartfelt stories, sharing from Artistic Director Cao Shiji from Dance Ensemble Singapore, hearing warmest congratulations across the board by the audience, everyone of us knew deep in our hearts, we had witnessed and experienced something really special and unique.

“Intersections” by Dance Ensemble Singapore – Engaging, immersive, uniquely contemporary yet strong and grounded in their own traditional roots of each of their respective performing arts discipline. 

Showcasing cross promotion, cooperation, alliance and partnership with different arts and culture. It’s like a big family of practicing artists of various genres with immense love and passion for the arts, coming together under one roof, for a common purpose, to bring performing arts onto another level.

To some people who might be more critical and picky, they might feel too many different artistic genres combing together, too messy or “rojak” in our local lingo. Personally for me, I find this approach refreshing, an eye-opener, that somehow connects the audiences hearts, minds and souls, together in this amalgamated artistic approach. 

A key and unique aspect of “Intersections” is inviting the audience to interact, immerse and engage, something missing in many arts and cultural performances (in my personal humble opinion). 

As a photographer, visual storyteller myself, this is inspiring, how I can work further and better, with artists, creatives from other artistic genres.

One of the best performing arts that I ever attended and experienced till date, “Intersections” is a multi-sensory arts and performances installations exploring the connections between dance and other arts forms such as Music, Wayang Kulit, Drama, Peranakan Fashion, Performing Arts Installations, Opera, Calligraphy, Photography and Multimedia art, putting their deepest love and passion for their arts and craft into this amazing performance. 

I had an amazing artistic journey and experiences, and I am pretty sure the rest of the audience that day shared the same sentiments too (and also the audiences watching your performances on 16, 17 and 18 May 2025).

Thank you Dance Ensemble Singapore for this mind-blowing artistic performance, “Intersections”, the meanings and stories behind each special parts.

• Impressions: How we (the audience) view/feel and engage various performing arts genres coming together that seem not likely or possible in the first place. 
• Amalgamate: How you all bring them all together for a common goal to share and showcase performing arts 
• Awakenings: How we can let go of ourselves (especially for those non-arts practitioners) to view, feel, enjoy and learn about traditional and contemporary performing arts in today’s modern technology driven society.

More photographs on Intersections by Dance Ensemble Singapore at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Cultural Extravaganza can be viewed here in this Flickr photo album. 

Thank you very much, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and Dance Ensemble Singapore, for the invitation to the full-dress rehearsal of “Intersections”.

The post Intersections by Dance Ensemble Singapore at SCCC Cultural Extravaganza 2025 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

My Wildlife Photography (birds/otters/animals) Explorations in Singapore

That’s no doubt that Singapore has a very small land size, yet we have our fair share of nature and green areas, sometimes not too far away from our neighbourhoods. My wildlife photography (birds/otters/animals) explorations in Singapore brings me outdoors, nature and photography therapy, all coming together.

Whenever I visit outdoor areas in Singapore, nature parks, beaches, gardens, nature reserves, while I would usually photograph more birds, I do keep a lookout for other wildlife in Singapore, otters being one of them that I keep a lookout for whenever I am outdoors with my wildlife photography gear. 

Otters Sightings in Singapore

I still recalled ten years or more back, we don’t get to spot many otters in Singapore, it was quite exciting to spot them in our nature areas and waterways. When I first photographed them at Lorong Halus, Marina Barrage/Marina Reservoir, that was really exciting!

Slowly and gradually over time, the otters in Singapore had expanded their numbers and presences at many more locations in Singapore. I managed to spot and photographed them at many more different locations in Singapore over time.

• Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
• West Coast Park, Sungei Ulu Pandan Kechil, Sungei Ulu Pandan, Pandan Reservoir 
• Pasir Ris Park
• Jurong Lake Garden 
• Labrador Park / Berlayer Creek
• Bishan-AMK Park
• East Coast Park
• Singapore River, Kallang River, Marina Bay/Marina Reservoir/Marina Barrage/Marina East Drive (Gardens By The Bay & Gardens By The Bay East)

From solo otter, a pair of them, small family size to big family of otters, I have managed to photograph them. However, I have yet to photograph those very young otters (just born or a few months old), I hope to spot and photograph young otters one day when I am in the outdoors and nature areas of Singapore.

There are a number of different otter family groups in Singapore residing at various locations in Singapore. I have photographed a number of them, maybe a few more otter families and also new otter families that started their new tribe in recent years. 

My Nature/Bird/Wildlife Photography in Singapore

For my nature/bird/wildlife photography in Singapore, I upload them into my Flickr photography collections, doing my part to share photos (with OtterCity) and help spread the message of nature and wildlife conservation and protection, this is also a great form of outdoors and photography therapy for me too. 

• Bird/Wildlife Photography in Singapore – https://www.flickr.com/photos/tangenghui/collections/72157632742488230/ 
• Otter Sightings in Singapore – https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBs6an 

While otters have their fair share of being in the media limelight in Singapore, I sincerely hope that otters can co-exist well (along with other wildlife species) with human beings here in Singapore, a City In Nature.

The post World Otter Day – 28 May 2025 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Looking back at my previous years coverage on World Migratory Bird Day – WMBD 2021, WMBD 2023 (May 13th), WMBD 2023 (October 14th), WMBD 2024 (11th May) and WMBD 2024 (12th October). My birding journey has seen some great adventures visiting various nature reserves, parks and coastal areas for my birding photography, curating and uploading them into my Flickr photography collection – Bird/Wildlife Photography in Singapore. 

WMBD 2025 Theme – Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities & Communities

Singapore, while a very small country by land size, they are a hub for migratory birds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and Central Asian Flyway, making it a major migratory bird hub/stopover destination. Singapore now can play a bigger and wider international role in the migratory birds journey with those 2 major flyways, a transit hub for migratory birds. 

Singapore is part of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, migratory birds making a pitstop in Singapore, giving bird photographers here in Singapore many opportunities to photograph them in action, the diversity and beauty of those migratory bird species. 

Recent research findings over the past few years have also indicated that Singapore’s status as a major migratory bird hub has grown in stature, Singapore now has become the intersection of 2 major flyways, adding the Central Asian-Indian Flyway to the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

For more information on Singapore has a hub for migratory birds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and Central Asian Flyway, please check out the following articles below:

• NParks article – Feathered Global Ambassadors: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nparksbuzz/issue-42-vol-3-2019/conservation/feathered-global-ambassadors 
• Mothership article – New study shows Singapore is a pitstop for migratory birds from 2 major flyways: https://mothership.sg/2020/12/migratory-bird-central-asian-flyway-singapore/ 
• Nature Portfolio Scientific Reports: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-77897-z 
• Straits Times article on 1st April 2024 – New Initiative to protect migratory birds and habitats: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/new-initiative-to-protect-migratory-birds-and-habitats

Visiting the various nature reserves, parks and coastal areas in Singapore for my birding photography, we can see Singapore playing their small part in creating bird-friendly cities & communities, through the protection, conservation and preservation of nature areas, parks, green belt connectors.

Flickr Photography Collection – Bird/Wildlife Photography in Singapore

I am working to curate and upload more birding photography in Singapore, showcasing the importance of Singapore as a bird hub for migratory birds. Although I haven’t reach the level of photographing all the bird species listed in Singapore by Birds of Singapore website by Bird Society of Singapore, I would still be actively visiting nature reserves, parks, coastal areas for bird photography (local and migratory) in Singapore.

Here’s a view of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Kranji Coastal Nature Park from the other end of Kranji industrial estate TimMac @ Kranji, not too far from the upcoming Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat Nature Park that is slated to open in 2028.

Also a photograph of the peregrine falcon, an uncommon migrant and rare visitor, perching on the ledge of an industrial building at TimMac @ Kranji.

Looking back at my migratory bird season from around October 2024 to March/April 2025, this was a very fruitful birding adventure (both local and migratory), and I hope to continue on this momentum when the new migratory bird season begins around September/October 2025 in Singapore.

With the rising bird photography community in Singapore, I hope that we can help to raise the awareness, publicity, knowledge and learning about birds, wildlife, nature, conservation and preservation of nature reserves, parks, and coastal areas in Singapore.

The post World Migratory Bird Day 2025 (10th May) appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Awards 2025

The Guest-of-Honour at the SCCC CE 2025 Opening Ceremony, Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Culture, Community and Youth & Trade and Industry, graced the event, applauded SCCC’s continuous efforts in promoting Singapore’s unique local Chinese arts and culture. 

SMS Low presented SCCCA (Individual) to Mr Quek Ling Kiong, Principal Conductor of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO), and SCCCA (Organisation) to Siaw-Tao Chinese Seal Carving, Calligraphy & Painting Society. 

Mr Quek was recognised for his visionary leadership in shaping SCO’s distinctive Singaporean voice and bringing Chinese Orchestral music to new audiences. As for Siaw-Tao, they were honoured for their dedication to preserving the traditional Chinese art forms of seal carving, calligraphy, and painting, and also for the consistent efforts in showcasing these traditional Chinese art forms both locally and internationally.

Nominations for next year’s SCCCA 2026 are now open, with the awards conferment of SCCCA 2025. Members of the public can nominate deserving candidates for SCCCA 2026 from now till 30 September 2025, 5pm. 

For more information on SCCCA, category criteria (Individual and Organisation), please visit SCCA website: https://singaporeccc.org.sg/SCCCA/ 

SCCC Cultural Extravaganza 2025 Kicks Off with a Big Bang!

After the Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Awards 2025 ceremony, representatives from local Chinese arts and cultural community, were treated to CE 2025 opening show comprising snippets from some of CE 2025 performances from the following: 

Home Kitchen by Nine Years Theatre 

LOVE Across Time: No Expiry Date! By LOVE 972

Intersections by Dance Ensemble Singapore (DES)

Nine Years Theatre and Mdm Yan Choong Lian, founder of DES, were both recipients of SCCCA 2024!  

SCCC Cultural Extravaganza 2025

This year’s SCCC CE is going to be exciting, featuring a dynamic mix of veteran and emerging practitioners and performing arts groups. They bring together traditional and contemporary artistic and cultural expressions that reflect the evolution of Singapore Chinese arts and culture. 

SCCC CE 2025 features a range of programmes that showcases the vibrancy and distinctiveness of local Chinese arts and culture. There are a mix of ticketed paid events, as well as free arts and cultural programmes at SCCC’s concourse of the first time – making local Chinese cultural offerings more accessible to parents and children. 

SCCC CE 2025 returns from 9 May 2025 to 7 June 2025, this is SCCC annual flagship event celebrating SINGAPO人 Arts. Visit https://singaporen.sg/experience/ce/events for the list of SCCC CE 2025 events lineup!

Spread the word about SCCC Cultural Extravaganza 2025 to your family, loved ones and friends! Let’s celebrate and discover more about SINGAPO人 Arts!

Follow Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) on their social media:

Website: www.singaporeccc.org.sg 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/singaporechineseculturalcentre 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/singaporechineseculturalcentre 

Wechat ID: sccc_sg 

The post SCCC Cultural Extravaganza 2025 returns from 9 May to 7 June! appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.