Why use a Yearly Theme? How to Choose a Yearly Theme?

I am inspired by Fernando Gros “How to choose a Yearly Theme”, this is my 7th year writing and announcing a Yearly Theme (since 2020), an approach that I personally feel that it’s more forward looking for a new future, a new era of working, thinking and how we connect as an individual, as a collective, society and the world. It’s not that goal settings or setting resolutions are no longer popular or useful, they still have a purpose and it still works for some people or industries.

Recap of previous Yearly Themes

Before I announce my Yearly Theme 2026 for my photography, travel, creative and heritage, let me bring you back in time, looking at my previous Yearly Themes through a recap below:

• Yearly Theme 2020: Striving to Excel 
• Yearly Theme 2021: Recovery and Rejuvenation 
• Yearly Theme 2022: Onward 
• Yearly Theme 2023: Explore
• Yearly Theme 2024: Ignite
• Yearly Theme 2025: Create

Yearly Theme 2026 (Photography | Travel | Creative | Heritage) – “Reframe”

Now, announcing my Yearly Theme 2026 (Photography | Travel | Creative | Heritage) – “Reframe”.

Why “Reframe”?

First and foremost, my TGH Photography and Travel portal/blog is celebrating 20 years of visual storytelling in April 2026 (this website started on 10 April 2006). Secondly, my TGH Photography business is entering into its 10th year in January 2026 (photography business started in January 2017).

I chose this theme “Reframe”, something that I can relate closely to, celebrating two milestones in 2026 for my photography, visual storytelling and content creation, reflecting on my past two decades, my journeys, ups and downs, achievements, growth and development. 

Thereafter, looking ahead into future, how can I improve, change and adapt my forms of visual storytelling and content creation in a ever changing digital era of social media and AI, as well as, how can I place my visual stories collection into a new frame or a different frame, that I would like to share more with my clients, followers and supporters.  

How am I going to “Reframe” my visual storytelling in 2026?

Photography / Heritage / Creative

Be more personal and heart-warming visual stories in heritage, culture and arts

Through gaining more experiences, interactions and connections in 2025 with fellow creatives, artists, visual storytellers, and subject matter experts from other genres, I learned a lot from them through their inspirations, creative and artistic works. 

In 2026, I hope that I am able to create good opportunities for cross/interdisciplinary content creation, collaborations and possible special projects, continuing to produce more heart-warming visual stories in heritage, culture and arts.

I also feel it’s time to revisit and re-explore my personal photography further and deeper from my usual styles and approaches of my visual storytelling. That’s where “Reframe” theme comes into play, it might just open a new genre or direction for me.

Publishing 20 years of visual storytelling selected works/projects into zines 

One of my planned celebrations for my 20 years of visual storytelling is to produce different zines from my 20 years archives of visual stories and photography. It’s time to bring some of my heritage documentation projects to life, into a physical print.

Travel

At the start of this year 2026, I would not go into any travel plans or destinations that I would want to go. I would love to break the duck and finally go on overseas holiday adventures, restarting my travel writing and travel photography. 

On the local travel side of things back home in Singapore, with this “Reframe” theme, I would look at different sectors or areas of interests to share more unique and interesting travel stories in Singapore for both locals and overseas travellers visiting Singapore. 

Thank you for your support and encouragement! 

To my family, relatives, friends, followers and supporters who supported me through my visual storytelling, photography, technology writing, social media marketing, especially those that make the effort to read, not assuming thinking you know everything about me, or my business model operations, and making the effort to know more and understand, without judgement or putting me down, I sincerely thank you for your support and encouragement!

Year 2026 will have new and different levels of stress, pressure and challenges. I will adapt and “Reframe” my mind, heart and soul, change and adapt accordingly when different situations arise.

The post Yearly Theme 2026 (Photography | Travel | Creative | Heritage) appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Why SG55 Edition?

The decision to choose the theme “SG55 Edition” came from SingapoRediscovers – Explore your own backyard, a S$45 million tourism campaign getting locals to explore Singapore. This was like a continuation of what I had been regularly doing, photographing, documenting and sharing local Singapore destinations and locations that are off from the tourist trail over the past decade. I sincerely hope that this small bite size zine/guide would be a good handy local travel guide for my friends who would be visiting Singapore when the Covid-19 situation is under control and international leisure travel is allowed again.  

Another step up to my printing experience levels 

Printing photographs, photo books and zines have been a great learning and fun experience for my photography journeys in both personal and professional aspects. From mini photo prints with Canon Mini Photo Printer to A3 photography prints with Canon PIXMA Pro-10 photo printer, publishing my own photo book of my Hokkaido 2014 travel photography adventure. Printing my TGH Photography Zine Vol 1 – SG55 Special Edition is another step up for me in my printing experience levels. 

Writing and Creativity 

Creating, publishing and printing my zine has expanded and extended my writing and blogging from the internet/social media world to the print world. When I first started my photography blog in April 2006, I never expect myself to reach this level of writing, creativity and printing zines and photo books. 

Learning new skills, knowledge and self-improvement never stops, no matter what level of professional expertise or life experience that I am currently at right now. This is what self-learning and self-improvement over the years had brought me to the stage I am in today. From a humble photography blog, to a photography and travel portal/blog, a commercial photography business setup, a writer and publisher. 

Printing using MagCloud Platform

I was introduced to MagCloud a few years ago by fellow photographer Callan Tham, his photography zines were published by them (I was inspired by Callan’s zines!) and I had an idea of the quality and printing capabilities of MagCloud platform. I would like to explore more formats options from MagCloud beyond the Digest format that I am using it for publishing my photography and travel zine. 

For fellow photographers and creatives, please visit and check out MagCloud platform! 

Do support my zine works!

Visit my TGH Photography Zine Vol 1 – SG55 Edition on MagCloud and check it out!  

Year 2020 has been a very difficult year for the whole world, some industries have been hit harder than the rest. Photography industry is one of them, earnings had taken a hit, the journey ahead is still choppy and challenging to navigate. 

TGH Photography Zine Vol 1: SG55 Special Edition

By GengHui Tan in TGH Photography Zine Collection

12 pages

Diversification and adapting new business strategies are on the way, writing, publishing and printing zines is one of the avenues. Do support my zine works! 

Special Thanks

There are a few people that  I would like to thank: 

1) Fernando Gros and Craig Atkinson for inspiring me with their zines publications, their own unique art and creative directions.

2) Isaac Ong for helping me in the proof reading and editing my content write up. 

My TGH Photography Zine Vol 1 – SG55 Edition is the first of my upcoming zine projects that I have been planning for, with a few special themes/projects planned. My zines is also a mini book prototype for the bigger projects that I have embarked on, establishing the foundations for my future book prints.

Printing a zine has been a wonderful and learning journey, giving my photography, documenting and writing a platform to showcase them in a physical print form to hold, read, treasure and share. 

A special TGH Photography Explorer Series Production with Canon EOS 1DX Mark II, EOS RP and EOS R6 cameras.

The post Launch of TGH Photography Zine Vol 1 – SG55 Special Edition appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

How did the Canon PIXMA TS6370 printer came about?

Here’s the story behind it, there was an opportunity to review the Canon PIXMA TS6370 printer recently, I decided to test out the capabilities and functionalities of this printer, publishing my trial/pre-launch photo zine, in 3 different sizes, namely A4, digest and small booklet since the PIXMA TS6370 can do duplex printing! A more comprehensive review of the Canon PIXMA TS6370 printer can be read inside this article.

Why do I want to start my own photo zine?

It probably started with hanging out with fellow photographer friends, regardless of their genre or specialisation, our love for photography away from commercial works, we are into the artistic, creative, personal and tangible aspects of photography through prints, photo books and zines.

Who are the fellow photographers and creatives that influenced in my creative zine journey? Some of them are Fernando Gros, Callan Tham, Craig Atkinson, AikBeng Chia, just to name a few that have influenced and inspired me with their photo zines and photo books.

When the photo zines were published, I was happy yet relived at the same time, I finally shook off those personal expectations on my shoulders (and procrastination too!). I am now working on a regular photo zine series to be published every quarter, do keep a lookout for my updates and announcement on my first official photo zine, coming soon! On the other hand, I might work on special theme photo zines along my photography journey, it can be from my own personal projects or from new ideas and inspirations.

Although my pre-launch/trial photo zine is not perfect, I am glad that the Canon printers such as the PIXMA TS6370 printer can do duplex printing, for those who wish to DIY, publish and print your own zines at home, it’s going to be much easier and more convenient.

There is always room for improvement, a work-in-progress, constantly learning, improving and expanding my holistic photography portfolio, on both personal and commercial basis.

Future/Upcoming plans for my photo zines

My photo zine, is a mix of both personal, artistic, creative, marketing and publicity showcase of my photography works and writing. There is a commercial aspect to my photo zine as well, although this is not the first and foremost priority, it’s more of covering part of my operating and printing costs.

I currently have an online printer and bookshop platform in mind, it’s MagCloud, introduced by Callan. This is a platform whereby I can upload my photo zine, for both printing and for sale for readers to purchase a physical and pdf copy of my photo zine. I am also considering owning a PIXMA printer such as the TS6370 whereby I can print ad-hoc photo zines when the need arises or print my own photo zines and sell it on my own website.

Coming up next would be my first official photo zine publication, stay tuned and I would share more information and stories behind it!

The post My Trial/Pre-Launch Photo Zine appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.