On 17th April 2024, the first day of CQ Streetfest at CQ @ Clarke Quay, I managed to catch two of the world-renowned street performing artists in action, Pancho Libre from Mexico and Richard Garaghty from Italy. They were talented, amazing and got the crowd at CQ @ Clarke Quay to participate and be a part of their performance too! Some of the children watching CQ Streetfest had great fun, just look at their enthusiasm and energy, with eyes wide opened, fascinated and excited as they watched the artists performed. When Pancho and Richard invited to be a part of their performances, you can see the children enjoying themselves a lot!

Here are some photos of Pancho Libre and Richard Garaghty in action at CQ Streetfest at CQ @ Clarke Quay.

Pancho Libre (Mexico)

Richard Garaghty (Italy)

I hope to catch the rest of the CQ Streetfest performing artists in action over the weekend, they are 

• Japan’s artist Akira, who is going to showcase a triple act of painting, dancing and DJing
• UK artists Rob Roy Collins stunning the crowd with his daring escapology feats, escaping from cuffs and chains
• Australia’s Satya Bella making hula hoop history with one of the most difficult moves ever performed – the hula-hooping and cyr-wheeling both at the same time
• Singapore’s delene Chua-Adams, from Adedance Hoop and Silk Aerialists with their graceful manoeuvres defying gravity, displaying remarkable agility and strength. 

45 amazing and mesmerising performances over 5 days from 17 to 21 April 2024, come on down to CQ @ Clarke Quay this coming weekend, enjoy and immerse yourself into the electrifying performances and family-friendly entertainment by world-renowned street performing artists all over the world. 

CQ Streetfest 2024 at CQ @ Clarke Quay

• Dates: 17 to 21 April 2024
• Time: Wednesday & Thursday 6:30pm – 10:30pm | Friday 6pm – 10:30pm | Saturday & Sunday: 12:30pm – 10:30pm
• Location: Fountain Spring, CQ @ Clarke Quay

For more information on CQ Streetfest at Clarke Quay, festival schedule and featured artists, please visit https://www.capitaland.com/sg/malls/clarkequay/en/CQ-StreetFest2024.html 

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Following the creative works of Yew Chong

My first time meeting Yew Chong was at the Substation in 2021, visiting his exhibition Stories from Yesteryear with Belinda Tan. I shared my story, “Nostalgia and Beautiful Stories from Yesteryear”, that was my first article coverage on Yew Chong. Another event that I met Yew Chong again was at the Malay Heritage Centre in 2022, it’s about “Some fowl play exploration and a security cat at Malay Heritage Centre”, of chickens and a cute chubby cat.

Since 2021, I followed Yew Chong’s Instagram and updates on his paintings around Chinatown, Little India, Everton Road, Kampong Glam and Sentosa, just some of the locations where Yew Chong’s artworks can be found. 

In July 2021, Yew Chong shared in his social media post on his dream to create a long canvas painting. Starting in August 2021, Yew Chong began to work on his first panel, a journey that would take 1.5 years, giving rise to 27 scenes on panels. With regular updates on his Instagram account, his followers/supporters were all very excited in this particular artistic journey that we can only had some glimpses/sneak peaks from his Instagram account. 

When Yew Chong came to his final panel, he decided to give his followers/supporters a real life glimpse on his massive painting project, via a live painting.

Live painting at Tiong Bahru CC in January 2023

The first real life glimpse into Yew Chong’s massive painting project was partially revealed to his followers and supporters when he held a live painting at Tiong Bahru CC in January 2023. When I saw the panels that Yew Chong was painting on, I was in awe of what could be the final layout of paintings could be like. 

At that point in time, I was really looking forward to view the entire set of panel paintings joined together, wondering how it would look like. 

Art of Joy Book Launch at Tiong Bahru CC 

Prior to the official opening of “I Paint my Singapore” exhibition, Yew Chong had a book launch, the “Art of Joy” Book launch at Tiong Bahru CC on 18th November 2023. I didn’t pre-order his book, therefore I was lucky to get a copy of his book on the launch day! Of course, I managed to get his “Art of Joy” book autographed by the artist himself, when the crowds left and we were one of the last few supporters that stayed behind.

Yew Chong’s immense and heartwarming support can be seen from the crowds present for his book launch, whether to collect their pre-order book, or buying it during the book launch event, and staying behind to listen to the great visual artist himself sharing his stories and journeys, and an interactive, heartwarming and fun fireside chat with those attending the book launch event.

Also a special shout out to this very lovely and friendly big family, Faith and Charles, and their five children at the book launch event. The passion, commitment, support and appreciation of arts, heritage and culture, can be seen and felt from their support of Yew Chong in their journeys together. If you purchase the book “Art of Joy”, you can read more in-depth about this amazing family, they were interviewed and mentioned inside the book.

Finally, it’s coming to life “I Paint my Singapore – Familiar Scenes of Home by Yip Yew Chong!

Following Yew Chong’s progress on his Instagram over the years, and being up close to his live painting at Tiong Bahru CC in January 2023, I was eagerly awaiting for his exhibition to come to life! It took me a few visits (3 till date when this article was published) to “I Paint my Singapore” exhibition to fully absorb, immerse and recall my own familiar memories of home that are depicted inside Yew Chong’s paintings. 

A total of 27 scenes, 60m of intriguing, detailed, nostalgic and heartwarming painting artworks of Yew Chong’s memories and scenes of home familiar to him coming together. Looking at his visuals on Instagram will no do him and yourself any justice, you have to view in person, up close and personal.

Deep inside me, I can relate to many of the many different memories, sceneries, how life was like  in Singapore back in the 80s and 90s for me (I am in that not that old nor that young category). As for those who are in their 50s and above, all these scenes will definitely trigger and invoke an even greater sense of nostalgia and memories for those generations. 

Some nostalgic memories coming back to me

• Pulau Tekong 
• Marsiling 
• Heartland (Hawker Centre)
• Heartland (Town Centre) 
• McDonald’s at Liat Towers
• National Library (Red Bricks) at Stamford Road
• Corner mamak shop 
• Dove and Pelican playground
• Old National Stadium 

Live Painting by Yew Chong

Yew Chong is doing a live painting during this “I Paint my Singapore” exhibition, I dropped by and visited again on the first scheduled day, 12th December 2023, taking a glimpse into what he is going to paint next. Here is the start of his scheduled live painting, I am planning to drop by again next week after my lunch appointment in the town area. 

Take a look below at Yew Chong’s live painting at this exhibition, can you see which part of Singapore is he drawing and painting on this new panel? Stay tuned and follow his updates as he works towards the completion.

An icon, an inspiration, A very humble, down to earth and friendly visual artist 

From that time in 2021 when I first met Yew Chong at the Substation, followed his Instagram on his painting adventures till date, I get to know an icon, an inspiration, he is also a very humble, down to earth and friendly visual artist. 

No matter how busy he is, he would try his best to interact and chat with his supporters/followers. Whenever I visited him painting his artworks, I always managed to get a short chat and catch up with him, asking him about the paintings, the significance, history, stories behind them. My visual storytelling and photography workflow are that I am mostly behind, concentrating on the subject/person that I am photographing, I am seldom seen in the photographs. Yew Chong was really good at taking selfies with his group of supporters and followers, his warm and friendly interactions. 

There was one occasion in Chinatown when I was photographing and watching him paint the Clog Maker & Kitchenware Shop, he said to me, “I haven’t taken a selfie with you” and we proceed to take a selfie together. That gesture to me, meant a lot because I am usually the one photographing and not being photographed. That also showed a lot about Yew Chong as a person, he is down to earth nature, humble and friendly, and now you know why he attracts such a diverse range of loyal supporters/followers from young children to the elderly folks.  

If you like to know more about Yew Chong, his journeys and his visual artist journey, I highly recommend you to purchase his book “Art of Joy”, together with the “I Paint my Singapore” picture spread book. I bought both and I was honoured to get both autographed by him! Heh, since I got both books autographed, I definitely had to get my photograph taken with Yew Chong! 

Reading “Art of Joy”, and through the various interactions with Yew Chong over the time leading up to this exhibition, I got to understand more in-depth on his paintings, why and how he chose to paint in such an artistic direction. 

Inside the book “Art of Joy”, Yew Chong shared about the criticisms that he received, from his artistic directions and approach to painting the scenes. Inevitably, no matter how good a person in his/her creative talents, they are definitely going to get some flak, coming from my very own personal experiences as a photographer/visual storyteller. For Yew Chong to receive such levels and diverse criticisms, that would only meant he’s onto and doing something great.

“My art is to invoke emotions and draw out their own memories”, words by Yew Chong, from his book “Art of Joy”, Chapter 11 – A Long, Long Canvas. You can write in the most beautiful and eloquent words, yet you can’t beat the most heartwarming emotions, connections and interactions that the person have in his or her heart-to-heart connections with the paintings. This form of artwork painting that is a combination of imagination from reality, yet so surreal and realistic at times, like a time machine visual storytelling journey that Singaporeans of young and old can embark on. A brilliant mix of reality and imagination, a creative artist in an international class of his own.

I reckon a number of Yew Chong’s supporters/followers/visitors shed a tear inside them as they reminisce their good old days (some might say so) from the deep inside heart-to-heart connections with Yew Chong’s “I Paint my Singapore” exhibition. 

Not going to lie, I did shed a tear deep inside me, as some of my childhood and young adult days invoked quite a lot of emotions and memories as I observed each and every panel on display, rediscovering myself again into those decades that were long gone. 

Yew Chong shared, “I paint for ordinary men in the street – Singaporeans” in his book “Art of Joy”. In my personal humble opinion, I strongly feel that Yew Chong’s “I Paint my Singapore” has united and bonded generations of Singaporeans from young to old, together with their hearts and souls through common memories, sceneries and living, a new era of passing down stories from the past/current generation to the future generations of Singapore, even in the form of imagination from reality. All these make it priceless, and beyond some of our wildest imaginations.

Thank you very much Yew Chong, for painting our Singapore for all of us Singaporeans!  

“I Paint my Singapore” – Familiar Scenes of Home by Yip Yew Chong 

• Venue: Raffles City Convention Centre Level 4 Bencoolen Foyer
• Exhibition Dates: 30th November 2023 to 1st January 2024
• Opening Hours: 10am to 8pm Daily
• Free Entry

Scheduled Live Painting 

• Dates: 12, 13, 19, 20 and 26 December 2023
• Time: 1pm to 5pm

Books by Yip Yew Chong

Art of Joy – Narrative Book by authored by Woon Tai Ho

Available at 

• Bookstores: Kinokuniya (Singapore & KL), Popular, WHSmith Airport, Epigram Bookstore, NUS Coop, Book Bar
• Online: World Scientific Publishing, Kino, Epigram, Lazada, Amazon.SG 

I Paint my Singapore – Familiar Scenes of Home (Picture Spread Book) 

Available at

• Bookstores: Kinokuniya, Popular, City Book Room, Tango Mango, Book Bar, National Gallery
• Online: Kino, Epigram, Booksmart, Amazon.SG 

Website: https://yipyc.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yipyewchong 

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Photographer/Creative profile questions

1) Can you give us a short introduction on yourself and your creative fields of expertise?

Hello, my name is Agan Harahap. Photographer and artist based in Jogja, Indonesia. My base artistic expertise is photography and digital manipulation. And recently I’m using AI for my latest artworks.

2) What is the inspiration and the stories behind your creative work?

I always get my inspiration from my timeline in social media. Mostly is about politic, religion and history. I offer some silly solution for many problems that appear in society.

3) Do you have a piece of creative artwork or photograph that means a lot to you? Can you share more about this artwork?

The artwork that means a lot for me is my series ‘Mardijker Photo Studio’. I’m talking about nation identity and cultural originality and it’s connections with our society today.

4) Can you share about your journey as a creative/artist? What were some of the challenges, difficulties and setbacks that you faced in your creative journey? 

Well, it’s start in early 2000s at the beginning of digital transitions from manual. When suddenly we can almost create anything with digital software. At that time I already work as a photographer in music magazine. And I always challenged my self to dig more about other possibilities with digital photography. Asking my self is photography still can believed as a medium that can represent the reality. 

5) I read that you started off as an illustrator and digital imaging artist, what are the stories behind these experiences and how did you transition to photography?

As a graphic designer student, I have also learn photography. At that time, I don’t like photography because its expensive and don’t make sense to me. Because at that time I think photography is only for the people who cannot make a proper drawing or painting to express their ideas. And photography is their solution to cover up their inability to make art. Hahaha. But I have to pass the photography test in my study. So I learn how to manipulate photo with digital software. And I pass the test with success. And after graduate, I worked as a freelance illustrator and then become a digital imaging artist in some photography company before I become photographer in Trax Magazine. A music based magazine in Jakarta from 2006 – 2012. 

Generative AI Interview Questions

6) A topic of intense discussion currently is Artificial Intelligence (AI), what are your personal views and thoughts on AI? What is the potential positive and negative impact on the creative industry?

Based on my experienced in early 2000s when digital suddenly takeover many part in creative industry, So for me this is the new era when we have to preparing our self to this new kind of technology. For me, the main impact is the people’s way of thinking and behavior about things will change. And it will become a problem for people who cannot adapt their selves to this AI. So, like it or not, after more than 2 years we stayed at home because of covid, now suddenly we have to face this kind of technology and we have to adapt and adjust our self with it.

7) Do you think Generative AI can actually help us creatives, artists and photographers in ways that we may not see due to our personal bias or blind spots? Or do you think the onslaught of Generative AI will be detrimental for creatives? 

Before AI can help us in creativity, we first have to adapt and adjust ourself. Because at first, we have to positioning ourself between this new technology and our personal and social interest. For me, it’s quite similar like digital photography at the beginning, at the first we may think ‘Oh, with this tools, we don’t need dark room process anymore and we can save more time to create photography. But in the reality, there are many other problems arise due to this digital technology. Like for example, people start to questioning the reality behind photography ect. And after social media era, there is much more problems. We can see the rapid change in many aspects of our live. And that’s exactly will going to happen in our society with this AI technology.

Generative AI will be detrimental for creatives? It’s depend on how you adapt yourself. 

8) Which segments of the creative and arts industry would be most impacted by Generative AI? Artists? Photographers? Filmmakers?

All.

9) Is Generative AI is going to take away the livelihood of the art and creative industries? What are your personal thoughts and views on this point?

At the beginning, the answer is yes. But along with that, the emergence of AI technology, it will open up many new opportunities that may have never been thought of.

10) How do you envision the future for creatives in a new digital and social media world, powered by AI?

Hahaha I can’t imagine it yet. But I believe, sooner or later this AI will change people’s mindset and behavior.

Thank you Agan!  

I would like to say a big thank you to Agan Harahap for putting aside his precious time and agreeing to be interviewed for my article! From a fellow photographer/visual storyteller myself to another fellow photographer/visual storyteller, it’s always an interesting, enriching and enlightening experience to hear about creative/artist/photographer different perspectives, ideas and views, on photography and creative industries, their stories and journeys. 

Agan’s views and perspectives on generative AI would be part of my ongoing TGH Technology AI research/learning series, with an upcoming special article coverage on the impacts of AI on photography and creative industries that would be published on my TGH Photography and Travel portal/blog. 

This special interview with Agan also marks the start of my new personal project series that I mentioned earlier in my earlier article “Reflecting H1 2023 & Q2 2023 (Photography and Travel)”, on interviewing and featuring creatives from various disciplines.

When you visit Singapore, let’s catch up and have a chat over coffee over everything and anything about photography!

Have you visit Living Pictures – Photography in Southeast Asia exhibition?

Have you visit Living Pictures – Photography in Southeast Asia exhibition? If you haven’t visit this amazing photography exhibition, you have to plan a visit to National Gallery Singapore and check out this exhibition! 

The exhibition size, magnitude, and diversity of photography works on display, some 300 of them would blow you away, ranging from colonial archival images, studio portraits, and documentary photography to photo albums, social media photos and modern photography in both offline and online formats.

Living Pictures – Photography in Southeast Asia at National Gallery Singapore

Date and Time 

• 2nd December 2022 to 20th August 2023
• 10am to 7pm daily

Location 

• City Hall Wing, Level 3, Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery 

Admission Fees: (General Admission)

• Free for Singaporeans and PRs

Standard

• $20 
• Non-Singaporeans/PRs aged 13 to 59

Concession

• $15 
• Non-Singaporeans/PRs seniors (aged 65 & above) and children (aged 7 to 12)
• Overseas students and teachers

*I would like to thank National Gallery Singapore and Ogilvy for liaising and facilitating the interview with Agan Harahap.*  

The post A Special Visual Storyteller/Creative Artist Interview with Agan Harahap appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

TGH Photography x Canon EOS R50 Exploration 

Marking my first National Photography Month celebration, I would be showcasing some photos shot with the Canon EOS R50 that I am reviewing inside this article, published inside my maiden National Photography Month celebratory article. 

The #Canon #EOSR50 was recently launched in February 2023, a new compact and lightweight APS-C mirrorless #camera. Although the EOS R50 is an entry level camera, it is packed with fun, creative tools and automated features, allowing users to create fun and high-quality vlogs, as well as fun and nice photographs.

This Canon EOS R50 is your ideal daily camera companion, lightweight and compact with its kit lens setup, delivering both quality photographs and vlogs, and most importantly bringing you fun and enjoyment. 

You can now move into a new realm of fun and enjoyment  in both photography and vlogging with the Canon EOS R50.

Suggestions to Celebrate National Photography Month

Here are some suggestions to celebrate National Photography Month that I reckon would allow you to explore and have fun with your photography adventures during this National Photography Month and beyond.

Go out explore your neighbourhood with your camera

How well do you know your local neighbourhood? It’s time to explore and rediscover your neighbourhood, you might have been missing out some gems that you might not have realised it.

Go for a photo walk with your photography friends or join a photo walk outing

A photo walk with your photography friends can be a fun group outing with liked minded photography friends. Or you can join a photo walk outing and make new photography friends! 

Take a photo of your favourite pet (dog/cat)

Alright, you have watching cute and adorable dog or cat photos and videos on social media, you also love your pet dog/cat, take many photos of your favourite pet! For me, I have my cute and adorable neighbourhood community cats to photograph and enjoy my time with them!

Visit a photography exhibition, as well as arts, history, heritage and culture exhibition 

When was the last time you visited a photography exhibition, or an arts, history, heritage and culture exhibition at the museum? Check out your local museums exhibition listings or discover where local creative artists are showcasing their artworks, support fellow local artists too!

Embark on a new personal photography project

Do you have a personal photography project on your mind but you are hesitant and afraid to take the first step? What interests you or something that is precious and close to you, that you would like to document them via your photographs and stories?

We all have the fear and anxiety before we embark on a new photography project. Why not take this National Photography Month to break this chain of fear and embark on your new personal photography project? 

Publish a photo book or a photography zine 

Have you ever completed personal photography projects, or a series of photographs that you really like, and wanted to publish your own photo book from your collection of works? Are you hesitant and afraid to take the first step? I published my first photo book, a black and white Hokkaido landscapes photo book in 2015, I hope my story would inspire you to take the first step to print your photography works, and your first photo book. 

From a photo book, I went on to publish smaller photography works through the form of a photography zine. At that point in time, I was hesitant and afraid too. Slowly and surely, I overcame them, published two photography zines, first zine is “TGH Photography Zine Vol 1: SG55 Special Edition”, and my second zine is “TGH Photography Therapy Zine and Playbook”. 

If you like, they are available for purchase as physical copy and/or digital copy on the MagCloud platform!

Read a photography book (photography tips, photo book, visual stories, photoblogs)

There are a lot of photography books providing photography skills, knowledge and tips, there are also photo books of various photography genres and interest. National Geographic magazine visual stories and photographs have been one of my early key influences and motivation to enter photography, and they are the foundation to how I pursue my visual storytelling, as well as the art and craft of photography, that can be read on my TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog. 

Support your photographer friends

If you have photographer friends who are providing commercial/professional photography services, support them, recommend/refer contacts/business to them. As for those serious enthusiast photographers or those just starting out, encourage them and support them in their photography journeys! 

Enjoy and have fun taking photographs!

Whether you are a photographer with decades of professional experience, serious enthusiast or just starting off on your photography adventure, National Photography Month gives each and everyone of us photographers to celebrate our love, passion, dedication and flair for photography.  

Time to head out and enjoy having fun taking photographs with your camera! Happy National Photography Month! 

Oh, for all fellow Star Wars fans out there, it’s the month of May! You know the drill! May The 4th Be With You (May The Force Be With You)!

* A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R50 Explorer Series Production *

The post Celebrating National Photography Month in May 2023 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

As a photographer myself, in both personal and professional capacity, I use Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. In my portfolio suite of services along with my photography services, as a content creator, visual storyteller, travel writer and digital marketer journey, I have also added vlogging, producing zines and photo books, as well as some design stuff with my photography works, I am beginning to explore other Adobe Creative Suite software: Premiere Rush and Adobe Express, maybe Adobe InDesign down the road, if I embark on bigger visual storytelling book projects.

Adobe MAX 2022 – Breakthrough Innovations and Upgrades 

During Adobe MAX 2022, Adobe made several announcements and updates, delivering breakthrough innovations and upgrades across its creative and digital solutions. Here are a summary of updates from Adobe Max 2022:

• Adobe Advances 3D, Immersive and Metaverse Experiences with New Products
• Adobe AI Innovation Maximises Creative Power and Precision for Creative Cloud and Adobe Express Users
• Adobe Introduces New Collaboration Capabilities in Creative Cloud and Document Cloud
• Adobe Unveils Powerful New Collaboration and AI Capabilities in Photoshop 
• New Adobe Express Innovations Make Content Creation Easy, Fun and More Productive 

The topics that I would be sharing more about from Adobe MAX 2022 would be on Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, and Adobe Express. 

Powerful New Collaboration and AI Capabilities in Photoshop

New innovations in Photoshop are going to make the world’s most advanced image editing software even smarter, more collaborative and easier to use across surfaces. The Share for Review (beta) enables users to conveniently collaborate on projects without leaving Photoshop, and new features make editing images in a browser more powerful. 

On your flagship desktop Photoshop app, breakthrough features powered by Adobe Sensei AI are added including selection improvements that enhance the accuracy and quality of selections, and a one-click Delete and Fill tool to remove and replace objects in images with a single action.

A quick summary of new AI features launched in Adobe’s suite of Creative software and digital solutions:

Adobe Photoshop

• Selection improvements 
• One-Click Delete and Fill
• Photo Restoration Neural Filter (beta)
• Remove Background
• Masking and Brushing

Adobe Lightroom

• Masking Selection
• Select Objects
• Adaptive Presets
• Content-Aware Remove

Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects

• Premier Pro Auto Colour
• After Effects Scene Edit Detection

Adobe Substance

• Adobe Substance 3D AI-Enhanced Materials

The new version of Photoshop introduces Share for Review, supporting collaborative work from anywhere, critical for creative workflows in today’s increasingly digital economy. This enables convenient collaboration between creators and stakeholders. 

Adobe Express – Innovations Make Content Creation Easy, Fun and More Productive

The template-based web and mobile tool for creators to easily make, edit and share standout content from anywhere and anytime, the Adobe Express has also received the latest innovations and updates.

Everyone from students to small business owners to marketers, and creative professionals, can create a logo, build a social media campaign, design a flyer or banner and make a standout school project. 

Many Adobe Express customers can also use Creative Cloud applications or work with designers who do. The workflows can now streamline with Adobe Creative Cloud applications through Adobe Creative Cloud Libraries. 

New features are frequently being rolled out, Adobe Express creators will soon enjoy expanded video editing powers with a new mixed-media editor, Generative AI capabilities to help generate unique fonts, images and new backgrounds, and new opportunities to collaborate with other creators across other Adobe Creative Cloud apps, delivering greater productivity. 

A quick summary of recently added innovations in Adobe Express include:

• Quick Actions
• AI-Driven Template Recommendations
• Content Scheduler 
• Multi-Page Capabilities 
• Advanced Search Discovery and Recommendations

Adobe Express has new partnerships, they are teaming up with Wix, a global leader in helping creators and businesses create, manage and grow their business, to explore opportunities to bring the best of Adobe Express and the Wix platform to both user bases. 

Adobe has also teamed up with Meta on Express Your Brand, enabling small businesses to grow their online presence using Adobe Express. Adobe Express is also partnering with leading platforms, to accelerate creative and digital literacy skills for students of all ages.

Adobe Express for Education for students and teachers in the classroom, with its new AI-powered features are going to make it easy to design stunning presentations, create attention-grabbing web pages, make captivating video presentations, flyers, flashcards and more. 

Adobe is also harnessing its creative and technological strengths with a new global offering, Adobe Express for Nonprofits. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) – A New Future in Creativity and Content Creation, Helpful or Fearful? 

Whether you are a creative in photographer, filmmaker, artist, designer, the Adobe Creative Suite of software and digital solutions, will definitely play many crucial roles. The rise of AI innovation in Adobe’s suite of software and digital solutions, can be helpful in our creative’s digital and creative workflow, doing the smaller tasks and allowing us creatives to concentrate on what we do best, unleashing our creativity and bringing it to life.

I am looking forward to utilising Adobe Express further in time to come, I didn’t get to know more about this relatively new application or even use it, the new additional features are great for content creators to explore, create and showcase with their photographs, videos and design work. 

As a photographer and visual storyteller, my main creative tools/software are Adobe Lightroom, followed by Adobe Photoshop. From a holistic digital experience and services provision perspective, I have started to work on videos/vlogs a few years back, I am also expanding on publishing zines and books in the near future. 

My next creative tools/software that I would look more closely into, would be Premiere Rush (before I decide to go Premiere Pro) and InDesign.  

Adobe Creativity + Adobe Digital Experience

For business organisations, your creative and beautiful photographs, videos, design, artworks are ready for your business sales, marketing, branding, publicity and promotion workflow. Do you know that you are able to combine your Adobe Creativity with Adobe Digital Experience for your businesses? 

Have a read about this article “Adobe Research Reveals: Time to Get Personal” during my recent attendance at Adobe Experience Makers event.

For more information on Adobe MAX 2022

If you like to know more in-depth about the breakthrough innovations and upgrades that were announced during Adobe MAX 2022, visit Adobe MAX website and Adobe Creative Cloud YouTube channel to check them out.

* Information and pictures courtesy of Adobe and WE Communications *

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Malay Heritage Centre x Very Small Exhibition support World Mental Health Day

My maiden encounter with Very Small Exhibition was at Malay Heritage Centre in October 2021 – Malay Heritage Centre x Very Small Exhibition support World Mental Health Day. 

The topic on mental health is an area that I am concerned about, having been through some difficult times placing a strain on my mental and emotional health.

Bring LOVE Everywhere by Very Small Exhibition

This was the trial run done by artist Wei in November 2021, to Bring LOVE Everywhere by Very Small Exhibition around Singapore at a later date in January 2022. I was literally and physically chasing “Love” at East Coast Park, had a great time doing light painting with the LOVE artwork. 

Very Momentary Exhibition 2.9 @ 312A Clementi Avenue 4

There have been a number of Very Momentary Exhibitions produced by artist Wei prior to this edition 2.9. This took place in my neighbourhood Clementi, my first Very Momentary Exhibition, starting from the 40th floor, walking downwards. 

When you looked across from adjacent blocks or from afar, the whole 40 staircase column that was brightly lighted up with rainbow illumination artwork, it sure looked amazing!

Bring LOVE Everywhere in Singapore 

Very Small Exhibition announced in December 2021 that they were going to Bring LOVE Everywhere in Singapore in January 2022. I published and shared about their big project over 6 nights.

After looking at their route map and plans, I decided to drop by and support them when they reached my neighbourhood. 

On the 5th Night (27th January 2022), they started off from Clementi (Firefly Park) in the evening. I decided to drop by and support, had a chat with artist Wei, accompanying them on a short walk with bringing LOVE to Singapore Polytechnic before I said goodbye to them!

On the 6th Night (28th January 2022), I went down to Merlion Park where the LOVE artwork would be at. I was there for the Very Momentary Exhibition @ Merlion Park! The Merlion Park and Jubilee Bridge were illuminated with rainbow colours. It looked really amazing and it was definitely very memorable. 

Two nights of Bring LOVE Everywhere in Singapore, it was a great experience to participate in short segments of its entire big adventure.

Very Small Exhibition x Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel

The most recent one was in February 2022 – Very Small Exhibition x Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel present River of Life. The facade of Grand Copthorne Waterfront facing the Singapore River was lighted up, the changing rainbow light illuminations flowing into a River of Life. 

Supporting Local Artists

In my earlier articles that I published, Round up Jan 2022 and my Yearly Theme 2022 (Photography and Travel), I mentioned about doing personal projects, helping out, supporting and working with fellow local artists from other creative fields in this Year 2022. 

I would try my best, supporting, giving them a shout out, helping out, collaborating and partnering in whatever ways possible. 

Since I met Very Small Exhibition in October 2021, I started following, supporting them, as well as “chasing” Bring LOVE Everywhere on that memorable nights at East Coast Park, Clementi and Merlion Park.

I haven’t fully sit down to curate and share more photographs of Very Small Exhibition and Bring LOVE Everywhere into an album on Flickr. I am planning to do it, sometime down the road. Do keep a lookout!

Do support local artists and creatives in Singapore if you can! Follow Very Small Exhibition and Bring LOVE Everywhere on their social media platforms!

Very Small Exhibition

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verysmallexhibition/ 

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/verysmallexhibition 

Bring LOVE Everywhere

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bringloveeverywhere/ 

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/bringloveeverywhere 

Website: http://www.bringloveeverywhere.com/ 

The rainbow illumination light artwork installations and Bring LOVE Everywhere don’t just mesmerise me visually, the theme of spreading love resonates a deep chord inside me, spreading light, love and compassion to people around us, especially in such trying and difficult times over the past two years (and still counting) due to the ongoing global pandemic. 

Let’s spread more bright colourful lights to shine and light up the journeys that we are embarking on, let’s also spread more love and compassion to those around us, Pay-It-Forward and Pass-It-On, making a difference and impact to people around us.

The post How I Met/Follow/Support Very Small Exhibition & Bring LOVE Everywhere appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Malay Heritage Centre x Very Small Exhibition support World Mental Health Day

My maiden encounter with Very Small Exhibition light artworks was at the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) in October 2021. MHC has collaborated with VSE to light up the facade of its main building in different hues of blue in support of World Mental Health Day on 10th October, while MHC’s annex buildings are lighted up with the art collective’s signature neon colour lights.

Malay Heritage Centre x Very Small Exhibition support World Mental Health Day

https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photojournalism/malay-heritage-centre-x-very-small-exhibition-support-world-mental-health-day

Bring LOVE Everywhere by Very Small Exhibition

After my maiden encounter with VSE at MHC, I got more interested in their colourful artworks and roaming exhibitions. I was alerted to this Bring LOVE Everywhere movement by Very Small Exhibition by Belinda. Artist Wei was on a trial walk to bring his interactive light artwork/exhibition Bring LOVE Everywhere from Mountbatten to Changi Village via East Coast Park and Changi Coastal Route.

Belinda and myself decided to head down to East Coast Park White Jetty to catch Bring LOVE Everywhere in action, pushing from Mountbatten to East Coast Park for his first pit-stop. We had a fun time doing light painting with the colourful LOVE artworks. 

From our conversation with artist Wei at that time, this was part of his much bigger LOVE walk project with this Bring LOVE Everywhere artwork around Singapore. This is something that I would be sharing more in the later paragraphs below. 

Bring Love Everywhere by Very Small Exhibition article: 

https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photojournalism/bring-love-everywhere-by-very-small-exhibition 

Very Small Exhibition presents Very Momentary Exhibition 2.9 

Prior to Bring LOVE Everywhere major announcement, Very Small Exhibition presents Very Momentary Exhibition 2.9. 

On 20th November 2021, from 7pm to 10pm at Block 312A Clementi Ave 4, Very Small Exhibition presents Very Momentary Exhibition 2.9. This 40 storey block stairway was lighted up beautifully, a shining beacon of colourful light artworks that can be viewed from far. 

I live in the extended Clementi neighbourhood sector, it’s not far at all from my home and I decided to visit and support Very Momentary Exhibition 2.9. Belinda joined me that day, there were also other supporters of VSE there too, some were following him along the stairway, others were watching his Very Momentary Exhibition 2.9 from below or from the nearby buildings beside 312A Clementi Avenue 4. 

Belinda and myself also followed along artist Wei as he was producing his colourful artworks from the top floor to the middle level of the block before heading down to capture the full colourful spectrum of the Very Momentary Exhibition 2.9 across the block.

That was my first hands experience of how his light artworks had captured our eyes, heart, mind and soul in our heartlands neighbourhood. This was like a beautiful rainbow in the night, a beacon of hope and love shining for us.

Bring LOVE Everywhere around Singapore

Coming soon in January 2022, VSE is taking its Bring LOVE Everywhere around Singapore! From 23rd January 2022 to 28th January 2022, VSE would go on a round island Singapore walk with  its Bring LOVE Everywhere interactive artwork. Check out the map on Bring LOVE Everywhere Instagram account for more details on the route. 

They would arrive at the Clementi region on the 5th night (27th January 2022). Since this is my neighbourhood, I would make time to go down and support. Having went down to support artist Wei’s trial walk at East Coast Park, I am looking forward to seeing this interactive artwork again! 

Support Bring LOVE Everywhere on Kickstarter

Very Small Exhibition has launched a Kickstarter campaign seeking funds to offset some of their costs to make this project and bring it to the people in the heartlands. If you are able to do so and would like to lend a helping hand, you can support them financially via crowdfunding on Kickstarter. 

Bring LOVE Everywhere Kickstarter project page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bringloveeverywhere/bring-love-everywhere 

Very Small Exhibition/Bring LOVE Everywhere Social media

For more information and updates on Very Small Exhibition and Bring LOVE Everywhere, please visit their social media links below:

Very Small Exhibition Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/verysmallexhibition 

Very Small Exhibition Instagram https://www.instagram.com/verysmallexhibition/ 

Bring LOVE Everywhere Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/bringloveeverywhere/ 

Bring LOVE Everywhere Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bringloveeverywhere/ 

Pay-It-Forward and Pass-It-On

As a photographer myself, I would like to support creative artists from other creative disciplines whenever possible. From my days of covering i Light Marina Bay and Singapore Night Festival, I met a few local creative artists, some are modern contemporary artists while some are more of traditional artists. 

Being an artist or in the creative fields can be pretty tough, this ongoing global pandemic situation makes it even tougher for them. As a photographer that sometimes overlaps into the creative and artistic side of things, I am able to relate to this.

Therefore, I would do my best to Pay-It-Forward and Pass-It-On, to help other creative artists from other disciplines whenever possible.

The ongoing global pandemic has severely disrupted our daily life and work, as well as our mental, emotional and financial well-being. In this unprecedented global crisis, we can all do with more love, kindness, compassion, solidarity and unity as we strive to get out of this crisis and return back to a more normal life before this pandemic. 

Through creative arts movement such as Bring LOVE Everywhere by Very Small Exhibition, let’s help to spread love and care around us, in our society and around the world. 

The post Bring LOVE Everywhere in Singapore appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

First and foremost

Before you are able to use the Xencelabs Pen Tablet, you need to install drivers software onto your computer. On the software installation, you can download drivers from Xencelabs website,  install the drivers first. Next up, you need to plug in the bluetooth dongle into usb port, followed by connecting the Xencelabs devices, finally connect the Xencelabs application to the Pen Tablet. 

Once the software and drivers are installed, you are good to go with your creativity adventures with Xencelabs Tablet Medium. Just launch the application on laptop/desktop, followed by switching on the pen tablet and quick keys.

Pen Tablet Medium

This Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium is a well thought out ergonomic design tablet, it has good built quality, minimalist and sleek. It’s also compact in size, portable and lightweight.

Upon launching your preferred creative software application, you can start working on your creative workflow and processes. The dimensions of the Pen Tablet Medium are 320.5 (W) x 232.5 (H) x 8mm (D), I feel that this suits my workflow, not too big on your work desk and you have sufficient space (active area size is 262.4mm x 147.4mm) on the tablet to do your creative work. 

Pens

There are two pens, the Xencelabs 3 Button Pen and Xencelabs Thin Pen. For the 3 Button Pen, it features three programmable buttons with eraser, it feels slighter thicker in width. Some of you might prefer this pen for its feel, grip and 3 programmable buttons configuration.

For the Thin Pen, it’s more of a classic/traditional tool for those who prefer something natural and familiar in the hand. It’s slightly thinner, it has two well buttons that are programmable with eraser. 

You have choices, you can switch around the two pens, best of both worlds when you are into your creative workflow. Each pen has its own feel and characteristics, it’s not fair to say the 3 Button Pen is better than the Thin Pen, I reckon you might end up taking turns to use both Pens at different stages of your workflow. 

Quick Keys

The Quick Keys is an interesting device accompanying the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium setup. It’s really compact in size, portable, lightweight, with a OLED display and physical dial with a button on top of the dial. 

Personally, I feel that most creatives would really like the dial and button function in your creative workflow. It just feels so much easier and better to control edits/changes via a dial than using a mouse.

Creatives can create shortcuts per application and group sets of related functions together. How you would like to configure the shortcuts would be based on your workflow settings and processes that you prefer and are comfortable with.

Thoughts and Views

Here are some key thoughts and views from my Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium review experiences

1. Pen Tablet is the gadget that photographers/creators would be more familiar with in editing their works.
2. Option of 3-Button Pen and Thin Pen, whichever pen and workflow that suits your liking 
3. Easy to use and fits into the editing workflow much easier 
4. For the Quick Keys, I really like the dial and button function. However, the OLED display is a bit of a mixed feelings for me, I would prefer physical button sliders over OLED display or a hybrid combination of physical sliders with OLED display
5. One key factor in my opinion is to first customise and tweak the Pen Tablet Medium, the pens and quick keys setup to your workflow settings and processes that you prefer and are comfortable with

Overall, the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium is handy, portable and lightweight for you to carry around. This would allow you to work remotely, in a cafe, in your office or at your home office. 

For creatives, whether you are a photographer, designer, artist, illustrator, draughtsman or architect, having a tablet and a pen setup comes in very handy and useful when you are doing creative work in your respective field. For fellow photographers, it gives you a more accurate and precise editing in your photography editing workflow. 

There are different options to choose from, if you prefer the Xencelabs Pen Tablet setup only, they have two sizes Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium and Pen Tablet Small. For those who prefer the full package, the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium Bundle with Quick Keys is the setup that you would be looking for.

For more information, please visit Xencelabs website. 

* I would like to thank XenceLabs for the opportunity to review the XenceLabs Pen Tablet Medium. *

The post Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium Review appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

This is an initiative led by STPI – Creative Workshop and Gallery, supported by the National Arts Council, it’s also the anchor event of the Singapore Art Week. This third edition has both physical and online showcase with two offerings, S.E.A. Focus Digital and S.E.A. Focus Curated. A new integrated experience for local and international audiences to encounter and deepen their appreciation of Southeast Asian art. 

Project director of S.E.A. Focus and executive director of STPI Emi Eu says: “In such a critical time, I am truly grateful that we have been able to organise the third edition of S.E.A. Focus in this meaningful hybrid format. The knowledge that audiences, artists and other stakeholders on a global level are able to experience and appreciate the digital and in-person offerings brings me great joy and encouragement. This dynamic showcase would not have been possible without the collaborative spirit of the participating galleries and artists, as well as the dedication and commitment of my team; I owe a great debt of gratitude to them. We will continue to work hard on realising the project in its entirety.”

For those in Singapore, you can visit S.E.A. Focus 2021 for an in-person contemporary art experiences including hyper-horizon, the physical exhibition of the S.E.A. Focus Curated. It’s held at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, there is curated selection of artworks as a seamless exhibition experience unlike the typical art fair presentation with segregated booths.

During the media preview, we had a short tour of some of the curated contemporary artworks on display, the stories behind the artists’ works, meanings and thoughts behind it. Although I wasn’t able to throughly view, absorb and learnt more about each artists’ artworks, there were some that caught my attention, trigged and provoked my thoughts on various issues and matters. 

Last year 2020 had been a very difficult time for the whole world as we were battling (and we are still continuing the battle against it this year 2021) the global pandemic. Not only were our livelihoods affected, our mental and emotional well-being were also affected. Even though not many of us are artistically talented in painting, sculpting etc, we can connect with the arts through our eyes, heart, mind and soul, whether it is in its contemporary art or traditional form. 

If you are in living and based in Singapore, I would encourage you to visit S.E.A. Focus 2021 at Tanjong Pagar Distripark and immerse yourself into the world of contemporary art by talented artists from Southeast Asia. 

Allow the contemporary artworks masterpieces to engage you in person when you are viewing them, through thoughts and conversation on arts, history, heritage, culture and society issues.

Let art takes over, immerse yourself and engage with the contemporary arts scene at S.E.A. Focus 2021. 

For more information and details on S.E.A Focus 2021, please visit their website and social media pages below:

Dates: 22nd January 2021 to 31st January 2021

Opening hours: 1pm to 8pm

Website: https://seafocus.sg/ 

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SEAFocusSG/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seafocus/ 

YouTube: S.E.A. Focus

Artsy: https://www.artsy.net/sea-focus 

The post S.E.A. Focus 2021 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Hypebeast@Uni is featuring original prints by leading visual proponents Takashi Murakami, Chiho Aoshima, Steven Harrington, Shen Jingdong and up-and-coming Dutch doodle artist Stijn Valentijn, the contemporary art will be for sale while diners eat – with 10 percent of all income going to the Children’s Society of Singapore.

A collaboration between Pop art gallery simpleArte by iCare.4u and specialist sea urchin restaurant Uni Gallery at The Plaza on Beach Road, offering diners an opportunity to tap into the “hypebeast” movement with a series of collectible pop prints showcasing some of thew world’s best-known contemporary artists. 

For those who love Japanese food and especially sea urchin, you have to check out Uni Gallery by OosterBay. It’s a sashimi restaurant for its exquisite focus on sea urchin dishes. Uni Gallery with its specialist take on Japanese cuisine makes it an obvious choice and location to showcase the extraordinary artworks by world-known artists. 

As for simpleArte, they are at the forefront bringing pop art to Singapore. “Hypebeast” is a movement based on street fashion that has proven to be a powerful force in contemporary culture. 

“This collaboration provides a platform in which popular art, street culture and food can align and be accessible to the general public,” said Jason Ong, owner of Uni Gallery. “It’s also helping to provide support to children in need.” 

“Hypebeast@Uni will offer diners the chance to experience modern street art first-hand as simpleArte brings an artistic perspective to the movement often characterized by high priced sneakers and urban streetwear,“ said Glen Tay, curator at simpleArte. 

“You can buy a ‘Hypebeast’ t-shirt, get the insanely priced sneakers … and now you can also own a piece of iconic, limited-edition print from the same movement,” said Tay. “‘Hypebeast’ is the most contemporary of all street culture right now, and our artists are among the frontrunners.”

Featured artists like Takashi Murakami have been lauded around the world for their work – his most expensive piece to date sold for US$13,500,000 at Sotheby’s New York auction in 2008. Steven Harrington is the leader of a contemporary Californian psychedelic-pop aesthetic, while Chiho Aoshima has worked with legendary Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake. Shen Jingdong is a leading contemporary artist in China while Stijn Valentijn describes himself as ‘a part time student of neuro sciences and full time visual artist’.

“We support modern culture in all its forms, and given that the art is so fresh and contemporary, we felt it was a great chance to connect our food with this movement. “We are bringing the best of the world’s artists from the ‘hypebeast’ movement right to your table,” said Ong of Uni Gallery. 

The art pieces will be displayed in the main dining area and private dining rooms at Uni Gallery. They will be refreshed every time a sale is made, guests can look forward to new limited editions in a series of four shows. This inaugural showcase will feature iconic artworks pieces by the featured artists Takashi Murakami, Chiho Aoshima, Steven Harrington, Shen Jingdong and up-and-coming Dutch doodle artist Stijn Valentijn.

At the media event, we had an exclusive media-only interaction with Dutch artist Stijn Valentijn via Zoom. This was a very interesting, interactive and fun experience as we learnt and understood more from the artist himself via Zoom on his artworks, inspirations and styles.

Hypebeast@Uni would definitely interest contemporary arts and pop culture lovers in Singapore. With an awesome pairing of delicious Japanese food and drinks, all these makes up a lovely and wonderful combination of arts, food and pop culture coming together. This would make a great outing and gathering for fellow friends who are also into arts, food and pop culture. Do check out Hypebeast@Uni, enjoy and have a fun evening of contemporary arts and pop culture enjoyment along with delicious Japanese food and drinks!

Oh yes, for those are fans of Old Master Q, it’s in the next instalment coming soon in April! Hypebeast@Uni forms part of an ongoing series for 2021, don’t miss it!

For more information on Hypebeast@Uni

Uni Gallery 

Address: 7500A Beach Rd, B1-310 The Plaza, Singapore 199591 

Tel: 9838 8209

Website: www.unigallery.sg 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unigallerysg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unigallerysg/

Enquiries: enquiry@oosterbay.com

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday

Lunch : 11.30am to 2.45pm (last order)

Dinner : 6pm to 10pm(last order)

Drinks : Till 10:30 pm

simpleArte by iCare.4U (Gallery) 

Address: 237 Pandan Loop, Westech Building  Unit 04-06, Singapore 128424

Website: http://www.simplearte.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplearteasia/

Contact: glen@abouticare.com

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