Photography

Photography Competitions/Contests

The last few photography competitions leading up to the end of 2025. Here are the ones that I am working on in November 2025 till December 2025 

Concrete in Life 2526

A global photography competition that I found out last year or so, I would be joining and participating in Concrete in Life 2526. While I am not really an architectural photographer, I regularly take cityscapes and travel photography, where concrete plays an important role in the building of a country and society, from roads, bridges, to the homes in the cities that we live in. 

Sony World Photography Awards 2025

A worldwide photography contest that I have been regularly participating in over the years. I am in the process of curating and selecting my photographs for submission to Sony World Photography Awards 2025 in December 2025 before the closing date. If you are keen to participate in Sony World Photography Awards 2025, do check them out!

Civic District in Focus 2025

I recently joined a night photography event, Civic District in Focus 2025 by Arts House Group. It was more of a fun photo night walk, exploring Civic District in a new light, views and perspectives, even though I had been photographing events and heritage buildings in the Civic District over past two decades. 

There is a photography contest, it’s a public voting contest and winners stand a chance to win Fujifilm X Half Cameras. I am excited to share my 4 photography entires featuring:

• The Arts House at The Old Parliament 
• Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall
• Asian Civilisations Museum 
• National Gallery Singapore

Please show some love and support for my entires! Vote here -> https://artshousegroup.sg/civic-district/cvd-in-focus-2025/voting?searchName=GengHui 

Thank you for your support! 

Exhibitions 

1st National Photography Art Exhibition (NPAE) 2025 9th to 12th October 2025

The 1st National Photography Art Exhibition (NPAE) 2025 was held from 9th to 12th October 2025 at The Art Space SG. I have a photograph selected for display at NPAE 2025, it’s a great honour and I would like to thank the panel for selecting my photograph to be part of 1st National Photography Art Exhibition celebrating SG60.

Visual Storytelling / Content Creation

Still Working on my SG60 Visual Storytelling Personal Project 

I am still working on my SG60 visual storytelling personal project, consolidation of my photos shot in 2025 as part of SG60, curation of photographs shot over the decades for consideration that would be selected for SG60 my personal project.

Given my current progress, the constraints on hand, I am most likely to start on my SG60 visual storytelling project after the year 2025 has ended.

Travel Photography and Content Creation

It’s time to finally give myself a short overseas travel break, and to finally revive my travel photography and content creation. I don’t have to necessarily do long distance travel, a short and mid haul travel would be just perfect. 

Started Migratory Bird Photography Season Q3 2025 to Q1 2026

Although my migratory bird photography season started a bit earlier in September 2025, I have gradually picked up my pace, planning more visits to different locations, from nature reserves, parks, park connector networks/rivers and coastlines in the coming months. 

I would also continue to keep a lookout for other wildlife in Singapore too during my photo walks, looking forward to adding more birding and wildlife photography to my Bird/Wildlife Photography in Singapore collection on Flickr.

Heritage, Culture, Arts, Performing Arts and Creative Sectors

While I am continuing to work on curating and uploading more photos into my Flickr photography collections and writing my visual stories here on my TGH Photography and Travel website, I am looking at potential areas to work on, partnerships and collaborations, and hopefully commissioned/long term projects with artists, creatives and organisations in the arts, performing arts, heritage and culture sectors. 

There is Secrets Behind the Artisan event organised by Chinatown Heritage Centre, uncovering the untold stories, history, heritage, culture, traditions, and passions behind highly skilled and experienced artisans in Singapore. I attended 2 of them, it was really enjoyable, learned so much more about our intangible cultural heritage, catching up with fellow friends in the history, heritage, culture and preservation sectors. 

Of Other Thoughts and Views

SG60 photography competitions and exhibitions journey till date 

This year 2025 has been significant in its own way for Singapore and also for us photographers here, there were a number of SG60 theme photography competitions and exhibitions. I participated in a number of those photography competitions and exhibitions, here’s a quick round up till date.

I didn’t win any prizes for those SG60 photography competitions (till date for this year 2025), I have 2 photographs selected for exhibition, 20th Ngee Ann Photographic Exhibition and 1st National Photography Art Exhibition, I have a photograph printed on display, shortlisted for the top 20 entries in the NUSPS Montage 2025 photography competition. 

Although I didn’t win any prizes, with two photographs selected, printed and exhibited at two exhibitions, I am absolutely delighted, it’s an honour, a humbling experience, adding on to my list of photography achievements.

A Gentle Reminder to Everyone

I shared about AikBeng’s quotes inside this CNA Insider video, “There is beauty in imperfection”, “Don’t judge people”, “We Shouldn’t Compare”

A gentle reminder to everyone with those quotes, it hit me deep, time to stop chasing perfection, and be mindful of the comparisons and judgements that we faced on social media and what we might face from people from all walks of life.

Time to unleash my visual storytelling and creativity as I continue to work towards the finishing line of my final sprint to end of Year 2025.

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REMIX: SINGAPO人 Youth Takeover 2025

Taking place from 17th October to 26th October 2025, REMIX: SINGAPO人 Youth Takeover 2025 festival will activate unconventional spaces within the SCCC building for visitors to explore and discover local Chinese arts and culture in new and surprising ways.

Here are some key highlights of REMIX: SINGAPO人 Youth Takeover that you might be interested in!

Party Ground @ SCCC

One of the key highlights of REMIX 2025 is Party Ground @ SCCC! There are two weekend sober parties where the festival takes over the SCCC Concourse in a dynamic mash-up of live music, craft activities, street art, delicious eats, dance performances and battles, and more!

She’s in the Third Stall (Ticketed)

Another key highlight will be an immersive theatre experience that transforms SCCC’s toilet into a site of mystery. She’s in the Third Stall will invite you to take on the role of a special agent and navigate ghostly myths, memories, and unspoken struggles of modern youth within the unconventional confines of a toilet. 

Say It Again: The Dialect Comeback Escape Room

As part of SCCC’s ongoing efforts to involve youths in co-creation of festival offerings, SCCC has collaborated with Ngee Ann Polytechnic students and The Escape Artist to design and present a dialect escape room adventure. 

Songs you Sing: Free Karaoke + The Record Shop of Memories

Karaoke fans rejoice, there will be a free karaoke zone available at SCCC’s Roof Garden for you to sing your favourite songs, record a Mandarin song cover, as well as customise and bring home unique mini CD-album keychain bag charms.

Spray and Paint Graffiti Workshop (Ticketed)

Want to discover and unleash your creativity using scary painting? Join Singapore street artist, ANTZ for a graffiti workshop at REMIX: SINGAPO人 Youth Takeover 2025! 

charc+r The Great IP invasion! (Ticketed)

Fans of cute plushies, stickers, collectibles, you would be keen! A new festival is landing at SCCC during REMIX: SINGAPO人 Youth Takeover 2025! A curated artist market, talks, and a showcase floor overrun by indie character IPs. 

charc+r celebrates original indie character IPs and the creators behind them. Time to celebrate creative artists and their amazing cute artistic works and collectibles (and fill up your space with their visually, culturally, creatively art works and collectibles). 

RE-MIX The Dance 2025

The much anticipated annual street dance competition, RE-MIX The Dance 2025, will return to REMIX: SINGAPO人 Youth Takeover. Dancers and dance crews will battle it out in a Mandarin-inspired showdown. For RE-MIX The Dance 2025, the competition will include an “instrument blind box” twist that will test the dancers and dance groups’ creativity and skills. 

Introductory Dance Workshops

There will be a series of introductory dance workshops conducted, covering dance forms such as Jazz, Lindy Hop, Swing, Salsa, Bachata and Latin Dance. Workshop participants will also be taught basic moves as they groove to Mandarin and dialect songs in a unique East-meets-West format. 

According to Alvin Tan, CEO of SCCC: “Through this year’s REMIX and its programmes, we hope not only to provide a platform for diverse young artists and arts groups to showcase their talents and works, we also hope to provide spaces for youths to explore local Chinese culture with their friends and express themselves creatively. In doing so, we hope to show youths that encounters with Chinese culture can be fun, and to strengthen their interest in Singapore Chinese arts and culture.”

REMIX: SINGAPO人 Youth Takeover 2025 Information

REMIX: SINGAPO人 Youth Takeover 2025 is open to the public, offering a range of both free and ticketed programmes. For the full list of REMIX: SINGAPO人 Youth Takeover 2025 programmes, ticketing and registration details, please visit https://singaporen.sg/remix. 

(Note: Eligible Singapore Citizens can use their SG Culture Pass credits to offset ticket costs for eligible REMIX: SINGAPO人 Youth Takeover 2025 programmes)

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Currents of Care (2025) at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre

Currents of Care has two coloured rainbows spanning across Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) glass entrance, welcoming visitors with its artistic flow and layout. The rainbow in blue hues adopts the colour of World Mental Health Day, the other rainbow represents SCCC corporate colours. 

When you visit SCCC, observe how the rainbows intertwine (it does look like a Chinese knot from far), the lines flowing representing the rhythms of life, the growth and changes, of life’s ups and downs, gently reminding all of us that through family, friends, companionship and community, we can find our strengths and healings.

Currents of Care is commissioned by SCCC in support of World Mental Health Day, hoping to raise public awareness of the importance of mental health, signalling SCCC’s support for mental health and well-being.  

Currents of Care artwork installation is by a talented Singapore creative artist Lee Wei Lieh of Very Small Exhibition, whose works have been showcased at i-Light Singapore, Singapore F1 Night Race, and Singapore Art Week. Coincidentally, I first got to know artist Wei in 2021, also on the subject of World Mental Health Day, at Malay Heritage Centre x Very Small Exhibition support World Mental Health Day.

Thereafter, I have been following, supporting and documenting artist Wei’s colourful and diverse artworks, inside this collection on Flickr over the years from 2021 till date. Documenting and photographing artist Wei’s artworks over the years is more than a form of photography therapy, it opens up my creativity and approaches to art and creative stuff, and knowing more creative artists from different genres. 

Here are some visual stories of artist Wei applying the finishing touches to his Currents of Care artwork at SCCC for World Mental Health Day 2025. 

Mental Health Matters

The society has gradually opened up more in recent years (since the COVID-19 pandemic), on the subject of mental health issues and awareness. While this topic might still be taboo, it’s getting more needed attention, awareness, better learning and understanding. 

Take this World Mental Health Day (and beyond), start reaching out to someone, whether it’s your family, relatives, loved ones, or friends, check with them, say a simple “Hello”, “Thinking of You”. These simple kind words might just be exactly what they need to hear. It’s as simple and sometimes the bravest thing for everyone of us that we can do is to let someone know that they are not alone. 

Show your concern, be there for them in person, actively listen without judgement, respond effectively by creating a safe space for them, be empathetic and focus on them.

There were periods when my mental health wasn’t in a good shape (during the pandemic period). The words that you received from your family and friends can help you out.

Mental Health Matters, we can all play a part to raise awareness and mobilise our own small efforts to reach out and check with our family, relatives and friends. 

The post World Mental Health Day 2025 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Photography

Photography Competitions/Contests

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

Alan Photo Competition – Catch the Moment

Alan Photo Singapore announced a photo completion titled, “Catch the Moment”, inviting photographers to show a side of Singapore that most people never notice. That sounds like a pretty nice theme to participate in, showcasing many different sights and views of Singapore that most people never notice.

The competition period is from 1 – 30 September 2025, if you are keen to participate or find out more information, you can check out Alan Photo social media pages. I am going to enter and see how it goes for me.

Exhibitions 

NUSPS Montage 2025 Seminar – Not a winner | A Photograph on Display

The NUSPS Montage 2025 Seminar took place on 23rd August 2025, I attended the Montage 2025 seminar, listening to talks by professionals, photo exhibition and prize presentation.

The winning entries for NUSPS Montage 2025 were on display at Montage 2025 Seminar, together with the other top entries for this photo competition. Although I didn’t win any prizes at Montage 2025 photo competition, I did have a photograph printed on display at NUSPS Montage 2025 Seminar. 

Overall, a small consolation and recognition, this was also a good experience for me participating in Montage 2025 photo competition, a great NUSPS Montage 2025 seminar lineup of speakers, and last but not least, catching up with friends from Canon Singapore and photographer friends from various photography groups in Singapore, friends from the former Canon EOS World community, KOMMUNITY, and SG Storm Trackers.  

More personal insights and thoughts from NUSPS Montage 2025 photo competition and Montage 2025 seminar can be found in my article.

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

I am still 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

Working towards my SG60 Visual Storytelling Personal Project 

I am working towards and closer to my SG60 visual storytelling personal project, writing down more ideas and inspirations. There are two ideas/plans in my mind as follows below:

1) Notebook A5 size

My first idea/plan to get an existing notebook A5 size, curating my 60 photographs to mark SG60 celebrations, this would more handicraft and hands on making a zine style photo book. Not likely to be in mass production, more of on a request/order basis for friends and supporters, whether based in Singapore or overseas.

2) Photography Zine with design and layout 

The second would be designed with layout for printing and sale on ad-hoc basis or in bulk printing, along the A5 notebook size. This would allow me to have a discussion with publishers or photography printing houses, and also place my photography zine in their library.

Ready for Migratory Bird Photography Season Q3 2025 to Q1 2026

The early migratory birds have started arriving in Singapore, some are earlier than expected. I am ready for migratory bird photography season starting in September 2025 leading up to Q1 2026. Making plans to visit various nature reserves and parks for migratory bird photography, as well as nature, landscape, creating travel articles and my own nature and outdoors therapy with my photography. 

Looking forward to add more birding and wildlife photography to my Bird/Wildlife Photography in Singapore collection on Flickr.

Heritage, Culture, Arts, Performing Arts and Creative Sectors

A fruitful month of August 2025 in the heritage, culture, arts and performing arts sector. At this moment, they are more of a personal visual storytelling and documentation. I do hope there would be some of renumeration/commissioned work would materialise down the road with some of those heritage, culture, arts and performing arts sector.

Discussions on doing more, collaborating with other like-minded heritage, culture and arts advocates in other fields are still ongoing. When it starts to gain more traction, I would share more details. Meanwhile, keep a lookout for more visual stories of my heritage, culture, arts and performing arts sector.

The State of the Heritage, Culture, Arts, Performing Arts and Creative Sectors in Singapore

In August 2025, The Projector suddenly announced its closure, sending shock waves, disappointments, a wake up call and a reality check for arts, culture, creatives, filmmakers, photographers, media production and those working in related industries. 

From the costs of running a business in Singapore (let alone a business in the arts, creatives, cultural industry), changing media landscape, the types of entertainment and media we are consuming in today’s climate. Too many “things” that distract us, from toys to online streaming, what is our state of the arts, creative and culture sectors in Singapore?

Are we doing enough, or do we have to lose it before we start to appreciate, is it too late and too little? While I am not most immersed into independent films, their influence and impacts on the arts, culture and creatives have an impact on developing my creative aspects in my visual storytelling and writing.

Personally, it can be difficult to prioritise which areas of arts, creative and culture sectors that we want to be interested in and be a part of. Once we put our time and money into a few of them, others might get neglected, and when another bites the dust, we also feel the disappointment that we haven’t done enough to spend some time and our monetary support there.

There are also arts, culture and creative sectors that are getting the support and attendance. It’s such a mixed bag on two ends of the spectrum, some have it better, how many are struggling? How many more of those “another one bites the dust” before we wake up and support our local arts, creative, and culture sectors in Singapore better, with our time and wallet?

Of Many Thoughts and Views

Experiencing two different sides of the stories in the heritage, culture, arts, performing arts and creative sectors, I have many thoughts and views, I might write it down more personal and in-depth.

Reflecting deeply, where and how I could adapt, the delicate balance between revenue from photography work to personal visual storytelling and documentation? Where and how I can help and support each other in the heritage, culture, arts, performing arts and creative sectors in Singapore? 

Many thoughts and views to ponder deeply, planning, changing and strategising ahead.

The post Photography / Visual Storytelling / Content Creation Themes and Plans for September 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”.

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“Back to School”

This year’s theme “Back to School”, it will transform SCCC into a school canteen with food and drinks stalls and fun activities to celebrate every student’s favourite school period – Recess time! Visitors can also look forward to exhibitions, workshops with local influencers (KOLs), games and dance performances. 

Cardboard Classroom – One key highlight

One of the key key highlight of REMIX: SINGAPO人 Youth Takeover is the Cardboard Classroom exhibition by local cardboard sculpture artist, Bartholomew T, in collaboration with students from Singapore Polytechnic. This whimsical recreation of a classroom features giant cardboard sculptures such as a 3-metre tall Graduation Bear, a 4-metre long Paper Aeroplane and an Eraser See-Saw, creating multiple photo spots for visitors. Each sculpture also incorporates touches of local Chinese elements such as childhood songs and idioms. In addition, the exhibition encourages youths to pen their thoughts and express their hopes for a cleaner and greener planet.

According to Mr Alvin Tan, CEO of SCCC: “With REMIX: SINGAPO人Youth Takeover, we hope to provide an opportunity for youths to experience and enjoy Singapore Chinese culture while offering them a platform to showcase their diverse talents. In doing so, we hope that youths who participate in our festival will enjoy themselves, connect with their peers, build a sense of community, and be sufficiently motivated to want to be part of our local Chinese arts and culture scene.”

Other Highlights of REMIX: SINGAPO人 Youth Takeover

Other highlights of REMIX: SINGAPO人 Youth Takeover include the the much-anticipated annual street dance competition RE MIX The Dance 2K24 where individual youths will battle to live Chinese drums and showcase their moves while groups are encouraged to draw inspiration from Chinese heritage and culture in their dance showcase.

Keep a lookout for giveaways from 18th to 20th October 2024 onsite, more details will be announced on SCCC social media platforms. 

Information on REMIX: SINGAPO人 Youth Takeover

• Dates: 18th to 27th October 2024
• Venue: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre
• Website: https://singaporen.sg/remix 

* Information and pictures courtesy of Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre *

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