We went from CB, to leaving CB, entering into phase 1, 2 and 3, before returning back to P2HA and P3HA. That was followed by the four stages re-opening road map moving towards a covid resilient nation, starting off with preparation stage, transition stage A, transition stage B and finally covid resilient nation. 

Photography by Ryan Cheng

We are like rocking to and fro, swinging in and out. Where are we heading, why does it seem like 1 step forward and 2 steps backward? As we brace ourselves for the inevitable rise in local cases when we embark on the journey to cautiously and slowly open up. For many of us, we keep to the rules and regulations, playing our part. Yet we still return back to tightened measures and restrictions again when new measures and restrictions were announced on Friday 24th September evening, that would start on Monday 27th September till 24th October 2021. 

I am running out of words to describe my frustrations and feelings. We are back to a heightened alert level yet we are not calling it a heightened alert. Small and medium sized businesses are still suffering from this ongoing pandemic situation while trying to survive and return back to some normalcy. Yet another round of those new measures and restrictions are going to have another round of financial, emotional and mental health impacts on us again.

When can we see light at the end of the tunnel? When can we see the end of this global pandemic situation? When can we move from pandemic to endemic? When can we get our life back to the pre-covid time even though it won’t be the same as before?

This ongoing journey battling the global pandemic over the past 1.5 years (and still counting) have made us mentally and emotionally very fatigued, not to mention the stress and pressure from the financial impacts of running a small business. 

Sometimes we see the light at the end of the tunnel, sometimes it feels like it’s getting dim and flickering at times. Although it can be very discouraging and disappointing at times, we have to keep on moving and striving forward.  

There are many a times, people can’t see, feel or even understand what I am going through, the amount of stress, pressure, emotional and mental fatigue, not just from the battling this ongoing global pandemic, there are also business operations and personal matters deep inside the heart, mind and soul that can’t be said openly and publicly. 

Photography by Ryan Cheng

While I was in a much worse mental and emotional stage back in May and June 2021 as compared to this current point in time, I will continue to pick myself up and continue moving forward, one step at a time, towards the light at the end of the tunnel. 

The post When can we see the light at the end of the tunnel? appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Last year during the circuit breaker period, I didn’t go out to photograph the life and situation as I wasn’t commissioned to shoot or I am not the press photographers going out to do their jobs, delivering photographs to the media and print outlets. For Phase 2 Heightened Alert, we are still allowed to have movement if necessary, it’s not like circuit breaker whereby we had to stay at home and don’t go out unless it’s necessary. 

Therefore, I am going to document my local neighbourhood surroundings during this Phase 2 Heightened Alert period on my own, as well as from other parts of Singapore should I be outside or having appointments for discussions. 

I would share on my Instagram stories along the way during this period, you can keep a lookout for them. As for those photographs, I would decide at a later date how I would want to curate and share some of those photographs that I took during Phase 2 Heightened Alert in Singapore. 

Here are some photographs from my new personal documentary photography project on Phase 2 Heightened Alert in Singapore. 

The battle against this global pandemic COVID-19 is far from over. Every country around the world is facing their own battles against it. The various mutations arising from the COVID-19 made the world situation more difficult and tricky to handle.

Phase 2 Heightened Alert is supposed to end on 13th June 2021, let us all play do our part, don’t let our guard down and we can exit this heightened alert on that day in June!

The post Phase 2 Heightened Alert in Singapore starts on 16th May 2021 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

As I looked back in time on my stories that I wrote, “Start of Circuit Breaker in Singapore – 7th April 2020” and “Begun the Circuit Breaker has in Singapore”, there were so much things happening and taking place during that time when we entered into Circuit Breaker mode. It was a very difficult and stressful time for everyone of us here in Singapore. 

I didn’t take many photographs outside during that period due to the circuit breaker. Most of the photos were shot at home or from my window looking out and around my neighbourhood. I was reviewing the Canon EOS M6 Mark II during that Circuit Breaker period.

What do you remember from your circuit breaker period in Singapore? Here were some of the photographs that I took during the Circuit Breaker in Singapore that started on 7th April 2020. 

We are not out of the woods yet in our fight against COVID-19, not just in Singapore, around the whole world too. While the situation here in Singapore has improved over this one year time frame from 7th April 2020 to 7th April 2021, we cannot let our guard down against our battle against this ongoing global pandemic. 

One last message, we DO NOT WANT another Circuit Breaker! Everyone of us here must play our part and continue our fight against COVID-19. Slowly, we can get back to a more normal lifestyle again soon. 

The post Do you remember 7th April 2020 – Circuit Breaker in Singapore? appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Picturing the Pandemic: A Visual Record of COVID-19 in Singapore is the first major exhibition of year by the National Museum of Singapore. This exhibition was made possible by the museum’s rapid response to documenting the stories and experiences of people in Singapore during the pandemic’s early phases, how the people in Singapore came together through their responses and live through this crisis. 

With a collection of 272 photographs. a short film and 16 donated artefacts on display at this exhibition, visitors will get a glimpse into the diverse lives of fellow residents, as they adapt to a “new normal” that we know today, working and caring for one another in this pandemic. All these experiences through the eyes and lens of the photographers, filmmakers, curators as well as from the subjects themselves, lending a voice to the lesser-known stories from this pandemic. This also offers a glimpse into the social bonds, tenacity and resilience across the diverse communities in Singapore.

The National Museum of Singapore has an ongoing Collecting Contemporary Singapore initiative that seeks to collaborate with the public to collect personal stories and objects that capture shared moments in Singapore’s recent history for the future generations of Singapore. This exhibition is part of this initiative and it’s a result of National Museum of Singapore’s rapid response to document and collect materials related to Singapore’s experience of this pandemic. 

A Visual Record of COVID-19 in Singapore

The diverse works of five photographers – Bob Lee, Edwin Koo, How Hwee Young, Brian Teo and Zakaria Zainal, as well as a short film produced by filmmakers Dave Lim and Adar Ng, are showcased at this exhibition. This exhibition has five themes – A Day in the Life, Essential Workers, New Ways of Living, Making Visible and The Spaces Between Us. The photography works are up close and personal of people living in Singapore, from the young to the old, from migrant workers to professionals working in the essential services sector. When you view and observe the photographs on display at the exhibition, you can see how members of the public welcomed the photographers and filmmakers into their lives, providing an honest look at how they responded to and coped with this pandemic.

When you enter into the exhibition gallery, keep a lookout for the following and the stories behind them:

Zakaria Zainal’s – Deliver and Keeping the Faith

How Hwee Young’s – Para-athlete and Singapore General Hospital and Spaces

Edwin Koo’s – Community Healthcare 

Bob Lee’s – Angels of Mercy and Unsung Heroes

Brian Teo’s – Safe Distancing Ambassadors and Schools’ Responses to COVID-19

Before you leave the exhibition, remember to check out the display of 16 pandemic-related objects, contributed by members of the public and organisations as part of the museum’s Collecting Contemporary Singapore initiative. 

As the global pandemic COVID-19 is still ongoing and continue to be evolving, the National Museum of Singapore welcomes members of the public to contribute objects and stories, particularly their unique face mask creations or innovative and creative responses to the pandemic. You can learn more about the National Museum’s Collecting Contemporary Singapore: Documenting COVID-19 in Singapore initiative here. This public call is jointly held with the National Library Board, is open for submissions until 30th June 2021.

I highly recommend everyone to visit Picturing the Pandemic: A Visual Record of COVID-19 in Singapore. This global pandemic is not over, we are still not out of the woods yet. This exhibition will be an excellent reminder to all of us here in Singapore not to be complacent, feeling lazy or feeling fatigued from the ongoing battle against this global pandemic. 

When you visit the exhibition viewing the photographs and short films on what took place in Singapore in 2020 when we were battling this global pandemic (and we are still battling it at this point in time), this is a reminder to all of us, if we let our guard down against this global pandemic, we may have to enter into another circuit breaker. Let’s face it, none of us here wants another circuit breaker. 

Picturing the Pandemic: A Visual Record of COVID-19 exhibition information and details

Location: Exhibition Gallery, National Museum of Singapore

Exhibition Dates: 27th February to 29th August 2021

Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 7pm

Admission: Free for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents

For more information, please visit https://go.gov.sg/picturingthepandemic for the latest updates on the exhibition

The post Picturing the Pandemic: A Visual Record of COVID-19 in Singapore appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

On my technology, business and personal portal/blog, I published an article on “Singtel Celebrates Singapore Majulah Spirit with National Day film tribute”, titled “This is the year”, this film acknowledges the pressures and strains that the pandemic has placed on Singapore society, yet this film also pays tribute to the tireless Majulah spirit that is pushing Singaporeans through this storm to emerge stronger.

I was encouraged by this National Day film tribute by Singtel that I decided to Pay It Forward and Pass It On here on my photography and travel portal/blog, through photographs from my own circuit breaker period to National Day Parade 2020 rehearsal photographs, saluting our healthcare and frontline heroes.

Celebrate Singapore Majulah Spirit this National Day 2020, let’s all be #SGUnited together in this battle against the global pandemic Covid-19, let’s celebrate our Majulah spirit and continue our unity during this unprecedented times and turbulent challenges ahead as we countdown towards National Day 2020 on 9th August.

Do share this Majulah spirit National Day film tribute “This is the year”, by Singtel with your family, loved ones, relatives and friends, Pass It On and Pay It Forward.

As a #SGUnited nation with #OurHeartforSG, we can be #TogetherStrongerSG through solidarity and unity, overcoming and navigating our way out of this turbulent crisis.

The post Celebrate Singapore Majulah Spirit this National Day 2020 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

For fellow photography industry professionals, we can resume our photography business and please observe all the authorities rules and regulations in the running of your photography business operations. Professional Photographers Association (Singapore) [PPAS] has a resource page for photography production in Singapore during COVID-19, photographers, please read this throughly before starting to operate your photography business in Phase 2 post circuit breaker in Singapore.

How we conduct and operate businesses, our working environments, leisure spaces etc are going through a massive change, we are going into a new normal, not just for Singapore, the whole world is going through this as well. The whole world is moving into a new era of a new form of normal, changes to both work and leisure are inevitable.

I would like to urge the people of Singapore not to rush out, swarm the shopping malls and dining venues, and totally forget about safety measures and personal hygiene. Please remember to practice safety social distancing, practice good personal hygiene, no big group gatherings yet.

We are still some time away from a vaccine being available for COVID-19, let’s not let our guard down, the fight against this pandemic is still ongoing. Yes, we would love our life to return back to normal pre-COVID19, that is not possible, we will enter into a new age of normal instead in this new decade.

Moving forward in Phase 2, the world economy is facing a very challenging and difficult time ahead. It has been a very tough time and it’s not going to get easier, I am taking steps to rebuild  my photography business during this economic crisis and pandemic.

It’s a long road to recovery ahead, we all need to be united together in this recovery journey and define our new era.

A special TGH Photography x Canon EOS M6 Mark II Explorer Series Production. Photos were shot with Canon EOS M6 Mark II, check out my review article!

For more information and articles links relating to Phase 2 post circuit breaker, check out the articles below

• https://www.gov.sg/article/moving-into-phase-2-what-activities-can-resume
• https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19
• https://covid.gobusiness.gov.sg/
• https://www.mti.gov.sg/Newsroom/Updates-on-COVID-19
• https://safedistparks.nparks.gov.sg/
• https://www.spaceout.gov.sg/

The post 19th June 2020! Phase 2 Post Circuit Breaker is here! appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Goodbye Circuit Breaker

A gorgeous sunset brightens up the evening skyline on Monday 1st June 2020 as Singapore waved goodbye to the last evening of the Circuit Breaker period. There was a rainbow across the horizon from my apartment kitchen window. In other parts of Singapore, some spotted a double rainbow!

The rainbow was a beautiful moment for all of us here, circuit breaker wasn’t an easy period for everyone of us here. The light at the end of the rainbow ushers into a new post-circuit breaker period of three-phased approach to resume our normal life and activities in a safe and controlled manner.

Hello Phase 1 Post-Circuit Breaker

On the morning of 2nd June 2020, it was a clear and beautiful day, clear blue sky and nice clouds, hot and humid nevertheless. This is the welcome we receive today to welcome our exit from circuit breaker and moving into Phase 1 Safe Re-opening of the post-circuit breaker period.

When can I resume my commercial photography business?

From the current guidelines set by the Singapore Government, the photography industry are not allowed to resume their business operations in Phase 1. Therefore, we are keeping our fingers crossed to resume in Phase 2.

My sole proprietorship photography business had been severely impacted along with many other businesses in Singapore and worldwide too. As we exit circuit breaker, planning and strategising the next few steps to resume photography business activities and businesses.

When can I travel for my travel photography stories adventures again?

The world travel and tourism industries are hit even harder and worse than some of the other industries. Nobody can give an exact timeline on when the recovery would start, keeping our fingers crossed on the Covid-19 vaccine be ready and available and the world travel and tourism can start their route to recovery before the pre Covid-19 days (although it would not be the same as before).

What’s next for my photography and travel portal/blog?

The Covid-19 and circuit breaker has affected my both my professional and even leisure photography. There were times whereby I was “stuck and lost”, from the pressure, stress and anxieties of running a photography business.

Thus there were less content being created and published here. As we move from Phase 1 to Phase 2, I am working hard to bring back my personal photography coverage stories again along with the official launch of my first photo zine after a successful trial on self-publishing and self-printing my trial/pre-launch photo zine.

The photographs were shot with the Canon EOS M6 Mark II camera, I am wrapping up the review and I would be returning it back soon. Stay tuned for my review article!

For more in-depth personal thoughts, views, feelings and emotions on a personal note, they can be found in my personal and technology portal/blog article here.

The post Goodbye Circuit Breaker, Hello Phase 1 Post-Circuit Breaker appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Join professional photographers every week for the live webinars, who will take you through a myriad of photography methods such as food photography, wedding photography, wildlife photography and even an introduction to astrophotography! Viewers can also tune in to Canon’s Light to Ink Online Masterclasses, where Content Creator Jimmy Chan will impart his knowledge in the field to viewers in a 4-part series.

Whether you are just starting off your photography learning, enthusiast hobbyist photographer, experienced photographer or professional/commercial photographer, learning new skills and knowledge is a lifelong journey, apply this philosophy to your photography journey. Through Canon Singapore live webinars and light to ink online masterclass, you as a photographer can learn new skills and knowledge to improve and widen your photography skills, knowledge and experience.

* Information and pictures courtesy of Canon Singapore and Ogilvy *

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From now till 1 June 2020, consumers may place orders directly via the website where they can enjoy a wider variety by selecting items from up to three participating F&B brands in one single checkout. Some of the F&B favourites include Ippudo, Makai Poke, Japan Rail Café, Crave and Pura Brasa. Free delivery island-wide applies for orders with a minimum spend of $50. The list of participating brands will be updated regularly.

Sharing some food selections from some of the F&B brands at Guoco Tower

Ippudo

Pura Brasa

Ah Lock

Indochili

Yu Tang Clan

This is an initiative by GuocoLand to support their F&B tenants during this very difficult Circuit Breaker period in Singapore. All sales go to their merchants (F&B tenants) and the delivery costs are fully subsided by GuocoLand. Through this initiative, GuocoLand is helping their F&B tenants to alleviate their labour constraints through managing the consolidation and verification of the orders, as well as the food delivery arrangements with the chosen logistics operator, at no cost to them.

Let’s all support our local food businesses in Singapore during this very difficult period with #SavefnbSG !! Let’s all #SGUnited #SGTogether against #CircuitBreaker period in Singapore. As a fellow foodie and as a photographer running my own sole-proprietor business, I personally can relate to the stress and pressure that small and medium enterprises are facing right now. The time is now to try and help each other to survive if you are able to do so.

Everyone of us can help each other in a small way or another, let’s all Pay It Forward and Pass It On, helping the F&B industry in Singapore.

* Information courtesy of GuocoLand and Living Word Communications, pictures courtesy of respective F&B owners *

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My journey and friendship with The Quarters started back in 2014 when I knew them via their iconic durian creme brûlée at a heritage festival event food village. They are a local fusion food haven, had an unforgettable modern communal dining “The Quarters Experience”, delicious chargrilled cuisine and two iconic burgers, The Real Nasi Lemak Burger and The Real McCoy – Salted Egg Burger.    

Check out The Quarters Take Away Menu below during this Circuit Breaker period

Let’s all support our local food businesses in Singapore during this very difficult period with #SavefnbSG !! Let’s all #SGUnited #SGTogether against #CircuitBreaker period in Singapore. As a fellow foodie and as a photographer running my own sole-proprietor business, I personally can relate to the stress and pressure that small and medium enterprises are facing right now. The time is now to try and help each other to survive if you are able to do so.

Everyone of us can help each other in a small way or another, let’s all Pay It Forward and Pass It On, The Quarters take away menu that you can order during this circuit breaker period. When the circuit breaker is lifted, I encourage you to visit them at Icon Village and have a cosy meal there!

* Menu picture courtesy of The Quarters *

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