The beginning of the Dover Forest transformation 

In October 2022, there were news releases/coverage on the upcoming development of Dover Forest on Straits Times (ST) and Channel News Asia (CNA) news. There would be around 3,000 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats to be built in the eastern half of Dover Forest. This project was launched in November 2023, groundwork has now begun with boards coming up, fencing up around the Dover Forest West in January 2023, the beginning of Dover Forest transformation has begun.

Dover Forest West will soon be cleared for its upcoming BTO flats development, it’s the beginning of the Dover Forest transformation. 

Exploring Dover Forest with the Canon EOS R10

Before I went I went on a guided tour led by Chua Chin Tat to explore Dover Forest in October 2022 with the Canon EOS R10 that I had for review at the time. I was continuing on from my earlier documentation of Dover Forest with the Canon EOS R7 camera in August 2022. 

Chin Tat had been a strong advocate to preserve, protect, conserve and document Dover Forest. When I went for the guided tour led by Chin Tat, I learnt more about the history, nature and wildlife of Dover Forest. This may not be a big green space, however it has grown and transformed into a green space for wildlife, it’s also a green belt in our heavily built-up urban landscapes. 

Inside Dover Forest, we can spot former remnants of a kampung (a.k.a. village) that used to be there. In the very near future, they will be gone forever from our physical environment, maybe we can view them in a digital environment. 

If you take into consideration that Dover Forest is a secondary forest, that is not too big land size, tucked in between some pretty heavy built-up urban housing, schools and transport nodes. The forest, the tall trees, canopy, and wildlife residing in Dover Forest, is quite rich and diverse. 

Here’s a bird’s eye view of Dover Forest, some folks have commented that this looks like Central Park in New York City. What would this view be like when the BTO project is completed?  

Dover Forest Exploration and Documentation Collection

More photographs of my Dover Forest exploration and documentation collection can be found inside my Flickr album – Dover Forest/Clementi Nature Trail. 

In the coming years as part of Dover Forest transformed into a public housing estate, I would continue to document and update the changes of both public housing landscape (Dover Forest West) and the other remaining green belt (Dover Forest East) and the Clementi Nature Trail. 

Balancing a country’s growth and national development versus protecting and preserving green nature spaces in Singapore can be a very delicate and tricky situation for people on both sides of development/growth and preservation/conservation. 

Just another of my ongoing small and humble efforts to photograph and document old places and changing/disappearing landscapes in Singapore with my visual stories, photographs and videos. My humble Dover Forest exploration and documentation collection, I hope my works can play a small role and contribution, and I would continue to photograph and document, whenever I am able to.

If you like to know and understand more about Dover Forest, please visit https://doverforest.sg that is created and maintained by Chua Chin Tat. 

* A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R10 Explorer Series Production * 

The post Dover Forest – An Exploration and Documentation appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

The Old Jurong KTM Railway Line stretched from Jurong Industrial Estate to Teban Gardens, connecting to Faber Drive, then Clementi/Sunset Way via the iconic railway bridge across Sungei Ulu Pandan, into Maju Forest, followed by the railway tunnel below Clementi Road, connecting across to Clementi Forest and eventually connecting with the Old KTM Railway Line near Old Bukit Timah KTM Railway Station that travels from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands via Bukit Timah.

While the Old Jurong KTM Railway Line has less publicity and limelight since this route was a train freight transport route and not a passenger transport route, this sector stopped its train services in the late 80s, this area had been quiet since then, till the Old KTM Railway Line land area was returned back to Singapore in 2011 and they returned back into the limelight.

Jurong Town Hall Road Park Connector

A new Jurong Town Hall Road Park Connector Network (PCN) would connect Jurong Lake Gardens to Old Jurong Line Nature Trail along Jurong Town Hall Road. Based on the map provided by NParks in the CNA and ST news article, Jurong Town Hall Road PCN connects to the start point of the Old Jurong Line Nature Trail at the junction of Jurong Town Hall Road and Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), part of the original Old KTM Jurong Railway Line route. 

Old Jurong Line Nature Trail

This segment is probably one of my earliest photography documentation that I started on green spaces, history, heritage and old places in Singapore. With the Canon EOS R7 that I was reviewing, I continued on photographing and documenting with this new Canon APS-C mirrorless camera, bringing it out for my exploration projects.

From the railway bridge at Sungei Ulu Pandan along AYE, the former Old KTM Jurong Railway line travels along Faber Drive towards Clementi Avenue 6 and Clementi Avenue 4, connecting to the Old Jurong Line railway bridge towards Sunset Way, continuing on towards the Maju Forest via another small old railway bridge, followed by the Old KTM Jurong Railway Line Train Tunnel below Clementi Road, connecting across to Clementi Forest and eventually connecting to the Rail Corridor.

I would be very interested to see how this Old Jurong Line Nature Trail would eventually turns out when it’s completed. Based on the map provided by NParks in the CNA and ST news article, the route follows along the original former Old KTM Jurong Line that runs through private and public housing estates. 

The Sungei Ulu Pandan PCN runs parallel along the Old Jurong Line Nature Trail, they would fit in nicely together with the upcoming Old Jurong Line Nature Trail. I would continue to document and provide updates whenever I am able to.

Clementi Forest Nature Trail / Dover Forest 

The Clementi Forest is part of the Green Corridor sector, the Dover Forest sector is closely connected to the Green Corridor due to its location and connectivity. They were also in the news together with the Old Jurong Line Nature Trail announcement by NParks in years 2021 and 2022. The Clementi Forest Stream was also in the media limelight recently with nature surveys being conducted.

The Dover Forest sector that forms part of the Clementi Forest Nature Trail via the Ulu Pandan Park Connector, linking up with the new nature park in Ulu Pandan West. Also in the news, a segment of the Dover Forest would be used for public housing project. This sector has also generated significant interest in recent years. 

I would be writing more about the Clementi Forest Nature Trail and Dover Forest sectors in another article that I documented and photographed using the Canon EOS R7 camera.

Photography Collection

Over the years of photographing the Green Corridor/Rail Corridor and Old KTM Jurong Line, I have a collection of photo albums on Flickr, titled “The Green Corridor”. I have also decided to reorganise my previous, recent and upcoming documentation photos into a new consolidated photo album titled, “Old Jurong Line Nature Trail”

Continuing My Ongoing Documentation

I would still be continuing my ongoing documentation of the upcoming Old Jurong Line Nature Trail, Clementi Forest Nature Trail and the Green Corridor. Do keep a lookout for my articles and photographs that I would be sharing down the road, updates, developments and changes as the Old Jurong Line Nature Trail and Clementi Forest Nature Trail undergo changes to become a part of Singapore’s park extensive PCN.

Singapore’s park connector networks (PCN) is a hugely underrated project by our Singapore Government, connecting our various nature parks, rivers, parks, green areas in a network that can be easily accessible by walking, cycling, running and public transport. The PCN network would be on my list of travel, landscapes, nature and wildlife photography and sharing in my future articles. 

 A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R7 Explorer Series Production

Official news sources: 

July 2021 – NParks announces the Old Jurong Line Nature Trail as part of the 18km green recreational network within the new Clementi Nature Corridor

https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nparks-corporate/news/2021/7/nparks-announces-the-old-jurong-line-nature-trail-as-part-of-the-18-km-green-recreational-network-within-the-new-clementi-nature-corridor 

August 2022 – Clementi Forest Nature Trail to be enhanced, public helps with nature survey  

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/clementi-forest-nature-trail-to-be-enhanced-public-helps-with-nature-survey

The post Exploration of Old Jurong Line Nature Trail with Canon EOS R7 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Photography by Ryan Cheng

From April 2021 to August 2021

A quick recap, I celebrated a milestone “Celebrating 15 years of TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog” in April 2021. Things was looking quite alright at that time but life doesn’t go as planned many times. 

Phase 2 Heightened Alert (P2HA) came into effect in May 2021, I got into some wrong end of some personal situations, I spiralled down, got stuck in a rut, depressed, I asked myself on the topics of “Fate and Time”. A few friends came forward and pulled me out from my rut.

During my recovery journey, there was an “Blessing or Omen?”, followed by me “Reflecting H1 2021 and New Themes for Photography and Travel in H2 2021”. Another round of P2HA was implemented again in July 2021, it definitely was very tough and challenging on us mentally, emotionally and financially. 

Most recently, I wrote a personal tribute to my former DSG Scoutmaster who recently passed on, this would give you insights into my humble beginnings decades back, that’s where I started my love for outdoors, travel and exploration. 

Photography business

Operating and running a small business (such as my own sole proprietorship photography business) during this global pandemic is one of the toughest life/society/economy lessons that you can ever have in running a small business of any kind.

This was a period of pivoting, adapting, adopting, changing, making strategic and directional changes. Beyond just photography services, I am in the midst of developing and expanding my TGH Digital Studio, into Digital Marketing, Content Creation, Social Media Marketing and Videography services. 

Photography by Isaac Ong

I am curating and updating my new portraiture photography portfolio for my TGH Photography website, adding pet photography and zen / therapy landscapes portfolio too!

On the topic of collaborations and partnerships, there are ongoing discussions, stay tuned!

Zines/Books Updates

Ever since I published my first official zine TGH Photography Zine Vol 1. – SG55 Special Edition in December 2020, I really wanted to publish more photography and travel related zines on a regular basis. This proved to be quite challenging, from my project and time management perspectives.

I have three ongoing work-in-progress zines/books

• Meow Mixed Media
• 15 years milestone zine/book
• Photography therapy + playbook

There was an initial plan to publish a photo book based on one of my personal documentary projects that would be partially funded through my application for funding from organisations. Looking at my current situation and timeline, I am most likely going to postpone this to next year 2021, concentrating on my current work-in-progress zines/books.

Travel and Tourism

We haven’t been able to travel since the global pandemic hit the whole world in 2020. I reckon many of us are feeling the urge to travel out and away, we have been “stuck” in our home country for a period of time, wishing that we are back to the pre-COVID19 days when we can travel freely and easily.

I wrote an earlier article on, “When we restart tourism?”. Initially, I was a bit optimistic that we might be able to travel soon in Q3 or Q4 2021. However, during that time when I published my article, there were quite a fair bit of world developments in the global pandemic situation, the Delta variant is a lot more tricky to handle than the whole world initially thought it was able to do so. 

After following and reading news, updates and views from various industry sources, I am holding back my optimism, choosing to be more cautious and prudent. While countries are currently working towards opening up their tourism industries in selected areas/regions, I have to plan and consider carefully before making any travel decision, there might not be any travel for me in 2021, it might just be early 2022 instead.

I am also enlightened by fellow TTOT (Travel Talk on Twitter) co-host Sonja’s words and advice on traveling during this pandemic. Let’s see how the world travel and tourism situation develops in the next few months.

Meanwhile, I am establishing new networks, partnerships and collaborations in the travel and tourism sectors. When the suitable time arises, I would share more details and updates in this area. 

Digital Arts and NFT

I have been talking about this topic on digital arts and NFTs for a period of time. This is still a very new area for me to enter into, I haven’t fully embark into this arena yet. I am still researching on which NFT marketplace is more suitable for my photography works, how to go about minting my digital artworks. 

This is an area that I am currently working on, I hope to share more updates soon when it is appropriate to do so. 

Personal Documentary Photography Projects

Whenever I am not doing commercial photography, I have my own personal documentary photography projects, some I have already embarked on, so it’s a continuation in a way. There are also some new personal projects that I am going to embark on. 

Here’s a list of my ongoing personal documentary photography projects:

• Photography therapy / Nature therapy / Shinrin-Yoku 
• Old Jurong Line Nature Trail 
• Clementi Nature Trail
• Dover Forest 
• Old Place/landmarks/neighbourhoods that are going to disappear 

Keep a lookout for them in my upcoming articles!

Printer Review + Printing photos as gifts

I am reviewing Canon’s PIXMA G670 photo printer, I would be taking this opportunity to print curated 4R and A4 photography prints for a small group of people who had helped me during the past few months, especially during the period when I was stuck in a rut, they were the ones who lent their helping hands and emotional support, they pulled me out from the bottom and walked with me in my recovery journey. 

Oh yes, do keep a lookout for my PIXMA G670 photo printer review!

Canon lenses rebalancing in progress

Canon L lenses are superb lenses, I have been using some lenses for a period of time. For those who have been following my Canon explorer stories since the start of my TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog, you would know how long I have been using some of my Canon L lenses.

I was contemplating some changes and upgrades since last year, I finally made a decision in the first quarter of 2021 to do a “rebalancing” my Canon lenses setup. It took me a while to get my lenses and accessories sold as well getting in my new lenses.

Out

• EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
• EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Mk I
• EF 300mm f/2.8L
• Extender 1.4x TC
• Extender 2.0x TC

In

• EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Mk II (used)
• EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM (used)

Coming soon (Hopefully!)

• Sigma 150-600mm (used) 

New (used) f-stop gear Satori-EXP camera backpack + wardrobe revamp 

Over the years, I learnt the world (and ropes) of buying and selling used goods especially in the photography market. I found a used f-stop gear Satori-EXP camera backpack at a very good price on Carousell, adding it to my photography bags setup (A rebalancing of my photography bags is coming soon too!). Even though it’s a very used camera backpack, I still like it a lot! I was inspired to make some changes to my wildlife/outdoors photographer/explorer setup with a wardrobe revamp, I do need to replace some of my older apparel due to wear and tear over time.

These are my new additions/changes in my wardrobe revamp

• New trekking/wildlife exploration cargo pants (for my commercial photography wear as well)
• New buff/bandana 
• New Merrell hiking boots
• A long sleeve outdoor/trekking black colour shirt from my wardrobe
• Selecting another jungle hat from my collection 

Therefore, I am commissioning a new photographer profile shoot, new wildlife/outdoors photographer/explorer profile photographs are coming soon! 

Videography and Filmmaking Updates

In case you missed it, I do have a YouTube channel, please do support and follow! I haven’t been updating my videography and filmmaking channel. Maintaining photography and videography/filmmaking concurrently was much tougher than I expected. 

Videography/Filmmaking is an area that I have identified to be lacking in, a skill to learn, improve and as a form of creative production to complement my photography and content creation. I am working on some new video/short film projects:

• Photography therapy / nature therapy / Shinrin-Yoku project with therapeutic music composed by a very talented musician, composer, photographer and technology writer Chester Tan. 
• A new profile video with my revamped outdoors/wildlife photographer/explorer wardrobe. 

Last but not least

Last but not least, thank you for taking the time to read till the end of my photography, travel and updates 17th August 2021. This time round, it’s probably a lot more lengthy than my previous updates! Our reading and attention time span has drastically reduced in this modern social media driven environment. 

I really appreciate the support and encouragement that you have shown for my photography, content creation and writing works over the years, walking with me as I explored, sharing the different worlds and stories through my photographs and stories.

The post Photography, Travel, Updates 17th August 2021 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.