Targus 15” Newport Backpack – Stylish, Compact and Practical Backpack 

First and foremost, you might think, heh that’s a very stylish backpack, it looks kind of small in size though, can it really fit all my daily stuff that I bring out to my office, school or my daily lifestyle? 

Don’t worry at all, look at how I placed my daily items such as a 1.1L water bottle, Apple MacBook Air, Apple iPad Air, notebook, pencil case and other personal items into the Targus 15” Newport Backpack. You can place your Targus 15” Newport Backpack on top of your luggage handle when you are traveling out for business trips or for a leisure holiday. 

The Targus 15” Newport Backpack is ideal for working professionals who are on the move, stylish, compact and practical backpack. 

What’s the story behind Hpility SG with two Targus Newport Collection backpacks?

Hpility SG has a Targus Newport collection backpack too! He chose the Newport Convertible Tote/Backpack, an interesting hybrid design between a tote bag and backpack. I reckon this design would appeal to those who likes to use it a tote bag for different occasions and converting it into a backpack when the need arises. 

There are a total of 6 new range of Targus Newport collection products including backpacks, sleeves and tote bags. There is something for you to choose from, whether you are a working professional or you are using it for your own personal daily use bag.

Do visit Targus website and check out the full range of Targus Newport Collection! 

The Targus Newport starts from SGD$69 and they are available at the following fine retailers:

Retail: Harvey Norman, Popular Bookstore, Challenger, Tangs Vivo

Online: Krisshop, Shopee, Lazada, Zalora, Hachi Tech 

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Where it all began

It all began in 2006 when I wanted to start a photography blog. During that era, having a blog was not only something that I wanted to do for myself, I wanted to produce and publish visual stories, just like a National Geographic Magazine photographer and journalist (I grew up reading National Geographic Magazine and kind of follow their visual storytelling style). 

At that juncture in time, it was kind of cool to own a blog, social media had not really “exploded” into the scene at that time. I started on blogspot platform before migrating to my own domain name and hosting, setting up my own brand name/domain name, my own frontal space. Huge credits to Jack who helped me to setup my photography blog at that time, as well as Brian who helped me with IT technical support over all those years. 

As the years progressed, it transformed and grown from a small and humble photography blog into my TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog of today, covering my visual stories, travel adventures, documentation works, photography topics, cameras, lenses and accessories review,  sports, wildlife, hospitality and food adventures. 

15 years adventure – Many ups and downs

My 15 years adventure writing and publishing visual stories wasn’t exactly a smooth and stable journey, it was full of ups and downs, from reaching the heights of recognition in 2015, to the lows from setbacks and departure of loved ones/close folks from 2016 to 2017. 

When you are in the creative sector, there will definitely be scrutiny and criticism, my website was deemed messy and not suitable to be a photography portfolio website. I reflected on it, established a separate photography portfolio website, thus allowing this to continue its visual storytelling journeys as a portal/blog and supplementing my photography portfolio website. 

There were others who questioned the value and relevance of my photography and travel portal/blog in today’s social media trends and usage. One even created their own blog after questioning my website, that is probably a compliment to what I have accomplished for my website over the past 15 years.

I learnt and grow old together with my website, visual storytelling, gaining more photography skills and knowledge, producing and publishing photography prints, photo books and zines.  

Revamp and Rebrand

Revamp and rebrand, the time is now to introduce TGH Digital Studio, comprising of my TGH Photography business, my TGH Photography and Travel portal/blog, my TGH Technology and Business portal/blog and working closely with my partnerships and collaborations. 

Photographer | Visual Storyteller | Content Creator | Technology Writer | Digital Artist 

I started TGH Photography as a sole proprietorship business in 2017. It was a very difficult start for me as I learnt the hard truths and brutal realities of running and managing a business, let alone a business in the creative industry. 

The amount of emotional and mental stress took a toll on me as I was also hurting from the loss of my loved one/closed ones during the period 2016 to 2017. Not many knew about it, I don’t talk much about it, the world we live in, sometimes just judge you by dollars and cents.  

During this short period of time from 2017 till date, I also learnt that providing standalone photography services is not going to be sufficient in this fast moving social media and internet driven world that we are living in. I started to learn videography/filmmaking from scratch, having photography knowledge and skills does shorten my learning cycle. This is still an ongoing learning  process, I have so much more to learn, improve and add on new skills and knowledge, adding to my expanded scope of professional services.

Just when I thought things would get a bit more stable, the world was hit by the global pandemic COVID-19 in 2020. In a nutshell, this global pandemic threw everything out of the window. This was almost like back to square one, back to ground zero. This was like a reset switch – Adapting, adopting, changing and re-strategising. During that circuit breaker period, the acceleration to adapt, adopt, change, strategic changes and directional changes was fast. 

Although I started solo in my photography business, I am glad that I now have a small team! I have Isaac helping me in photography/videography/video editing/editor and JingYi for creative design/digital artworks/illustrator/layout artist/.

Partnerships and Collaborations

I have been partnering and collaborating with other friends/content creators/photographers over the years. Some have been ongoing for a while, some are new on board.

Hpility SG

One of my first partnerships and collaborations (we started off in 2017) that I worked with in a few areas, from photography, videography and digital marketing. 

Easy Travel Recipes

Easy Travel Recipes is my travel and food partnership and collaboration. We are still discussing on how to expand and combine our strengths and resources in the travel and food segments moving forward.  

3 Blind Mice

This is a foodie consultancy, photography, videography, food tasting/cooking media production and regular feasting partnership and collaboration, founded and established after our foodie trip to Vietnam in 2018 by Chef Keith Crackling Roast, Chef Jude and myself.   

Meow Mixed Media Production

A mixed media photography and digital artwork collaboration co-founded by Isaac, JingYi and myself, borne from a passion of photography, cute cats and digital artworks combining together. 

More details and information would be shared when I make an announcement and share more information and details on what we are doing.

CryptoIKI

I am entering into the digital arts space with CryptoIKI, exploring the world of NFT and see how I am able to bring my photography works and mixed media artworks into this space. Keep a lookout as I explore and share my digital artist journey here. 

Upcoming projects/works

I have embarked on a number of different personal projects over the years, from documentary photography, publishing photography book and zines, photography prints. For this 15th year milestone year, I have embarked on a few personal projects. 

Books/Zines

Currently, there are three books/zines being planned on my timeline. 

1. Mixed media photography and digital artwork collaboration zine with Meow Mixed Media Production

Coming soon, I would keep it under wraps for now! Stay tuned and keep a lookout for our official announcement! 

2. A zine to celebrate my 15 years milestone (2006 to 2021)

I am still working on my zine, I have yet to decide whether i am going for a photo book magazine style approach showcasing a selection of photographs shot from 2006 to 2021, or short visual stories of key events with photographs from each year.

3. Publishing a book from one of my heritage and cultural personal works/documentations 

I have been documenting and photographing history, heritage and cultural fields/interests over the past 15 years. This would be an ideal time to bring one of my personal heritage projects that I documented to the next level, publish into a book and bring it to life in both physical print and electronic book format.  

A few other artwork projects with Meow Mixed Media Production are in the planning/discussion stages. We are a very new creative start-up collaboration, when the time is right, I would make the announcement with the team members and share with everyone on my website.

15 years milestone, what’s next? 

I will continue to produce more higher standards visual content stories with my photography and videography for my photography and travel portal/blog. When the global pandemic COVID-19 is under control, I hope to resume my international travel adventures coverage.

Life is an adventure, it will never be smooth sailing. Who knows where my visual storytelling with my photographs and videos can bring me to, beyond greater heights or faraway destinations?

Last but not least

I would like to thank my family, relatives, loved ones, old friends, supporters, followers and readers for following, reading and supporting my TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog over the past 15 years. I really appreciate the support and encouragement that you gave me over all these years. 

To all the various brands and agencies that I worked with, thank you very much for believing and trusting in me to work together, helping me to grow and expand over the past 15 years. 

Last but not least, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for reading this lengthy story of how I started my humble photography blog in 2006 over a 15 years (not out and still going strong) time frame in 2021, marking its milestone celebration of my TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog. 

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Thoughts and views

When I was doing my photography themes and product placements with the Sonnenglas Solar Lantern, I felt that it would be a really nice decoration as well working as a lamp for your home/office/F&B business. They can really light up your garden, balcony or outdoor dining areas!

One key message for me is about spreading the word on sustainability and ecological friendly design product. 

The mini lantern is compact, lightweight and portable, you can bring it for a holiday overseas, as a torchlight, as a travel accessory for your travel photography. While the classic lantern would be very suitable for your home, office, cafes, restaurants etc. 

The Sonnenglas Solar Lantern has a rating of 120mW, light output 19lm and light colour temperature of 4,000 Kelvin. With an operating time up to 12 hours if fully charged, this would be very handy when the night is long. You can either charge it outside in direct sunlight or alternatively charge it via the micro-USB port. 

Let There Be Light by Sonnenglas x TGH Photography x Canon EOS RP Explorer Stories

I personally like the story and purpose behind the Sonnenglas Solar Lantern. From a sustainability, Pay-It-Forward and photographer perspective, I had a few inspirations to bring the message behind Sonnenglas Solar Lantern across through my various photography themes, giving future owners on how they can make a difference with their Sonnenglas Solar Lantern. 

Home decoration ideas 

Sudio Elva x Sonnenglas x Star Wars Lego 

Jabra Evolve2 85 x Sonnenglas x Star Wars Lego 

Shining a light on the old railway track / railway tunnel 

Outdoor BBQ + Dining @ Chef Keith’s Home 

Evening blue hour  

Sonnenglas x Time   

Sonnenglas x Blessings 

Pricing and Availability 

If you like to purchase the Sonnenglas Solar Lantern, they are now available on Amazon Singapore.

Sonnenglas Solar Lantern Classic (1000ml) – S$59.90 

Sonnenglas Solar Lantern Mini (250ml) – S$52.90 

For more information on Sonnenglas Solar Lantern, please visit their website. 

Pay It Forward and Pass It On with Sonnenglas 

First and foremost, I would like to thank Hpility SG for linking and recommending me to Sonnenglas. Do also visit his website and check out his article “Create a romantic atmosphere with Premium Sonnenglas Solar LED Lantern”. A big thanks to Hpility SG for the kind loan of his Sonnenglas Solar Lantern Mini (250ml) for my photoshoot. 

I would like to thank Winnie and Rose from South Africa, the two ladies that made the Sonnenglas Solar Lanterns that I photographed inside my article. May the passion from the rainbow nation shines across the world!  

At my friend Chef Keith’s home having an outdoor BBQ and dining gathering, his daughters Jasmine and Caitlyn liked the Sonnenglas Solar Lantern. An inspiration came into my mind, to Pay-It-Forward and Pass-It-On to the younger generation, for them to spread the word on sustainability and impacting peoples’ life.

More photographs of my Sonnenglas Solar Lantern photography adventures can be viewed inside this Flickr photo album! 

Let There Be Light with Sonnenglas Solar Lantern, the time is now to bring up the awareness on sustainability and be eco-friendly, for Planet Earth, for our future generation and beyond.

Last but not least, thank you Sonnenglas for the Sonnenglas Solar Lantern review opportunity.

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

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Check out my Sudio Fem wireless earphones photo shoot below!

The above photographs were shot with my Canon EOS-1DX Mark II camera!

For a technical and audiophile review of the Sudio Fem true wireless earphones, do visit my Sudio Fem review article on my technology and business portal/blog!

If you are keen to purchase the Sudio Fem true wireless earphones from Sudio website! Visit Studio website and happy shopping! – https://www.sudio.com/sg/

15% discount code: tangenghui

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Together with Victor, June, Iris, Uncle CE and myself, along with John, our EOS World Community Manager and Ron from Canon Imaging Academy of Canon Singapore, we had a fun morning photo walk, helping out the group guides in the photo walk, starting off from Old Bibik’s Peranakan Kitchen. The Peranakan Project Photo Walk was organised by Marine Parade Cluster, whereby my friend Jude is also active inside the Marine Parade Cluster.

Group photo courtesy of John

For those who love delicious Peranakan cuisine, do visit Old Bibik’s Peranakan Kitchen, we had a delicious brunch before starting off on our photo walk. Before starting the guided photo walk, participants had the opportunity to do food photography shoot with the Peranakan dishes setup on the table.

A big group photograph was taken outside Old Bibik’s Peranakan Kitchen before the start of The Peranakan Project, a photo walk exploring and learning about Peranakan history, heritage and culture in the Joo Chiat district. We visited some of the iconic landmarks in Joo Chiat district, the colourful Peranakan Houses along Koon Seng Road, Katong Houses along 150 East Coast Road, Katong Antique House, Kim Choo Kueh Chang before finishing the photo walk at Joo Chiat Community Club. Our group made pit stops at some of the back alleys of Joo Chiat district where there were interactive stations for participants to join in and have fun.

As one of the photo guides and helpers, I didn’t take as many photographs as I would like, since I had to help to keep a lookout for my group’s participants, therefore I took photos of the participants and behind the scenes photos instead. I had previously explored Joo Chiat district on a number of occasions, just a few weeks back prior to the Peranakan Project photo walk, I planned a video and photo shoot for Hpility SG Vivo Smartphone project in this vicinity.

Personally for me, the visit to Katong Antique House was very memorable, a remarkable private museum that has a long and rich history and heritage packed inside there. I hope to visit them again to learn more about in-depth about Peranakan history, heritage and culture. Kim Choo Kueh Chang was also great, participants got the opportunity to taste some of the nonya delights, absolutely authentic and delicious.

A photo walk, would never be a real photo walk until you started chatting with participants, photo guides and helpers on camera gears, the debates and discussions between photographers whether they are enthusiasts or professional photographers. I brought my Canon EOS RP full-frame mirrorless camera out for the Peranakan Project photo walk, attracted some fanfare attention from fellow Canon photographers as well photographers using other camera brands. We did have some interesting chats and debates among us at the Joo Chiat Community Centre! Nevertheless, the lightweight Canon EOS RP makes it very ideal for street photography and travel photography too!

Thanks to Marine Parade Cluster for organising The Peranakan Project photo walk, it was fun to help out in a small way back to the community and heritage sector.

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Back home in Singapore, I was introduced to Katong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market organised by The Retro Factory (maybe Q4 2016 or Q1 2017?) and I made new friends who are part of the community there! I also covered and published articles on The Katong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market, that is held on the second weekend of the month, do note it down on your calendar! Whenever I visit Katong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market, I always look around for “new arrivals”, look what I got from one of my visits!

Over a period of time, chatting and hanging out with like-minded retro, vintage and lifestyle flea market friends at Katong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market, I got to know about Carpmael Street Bazaar. The Carpmael Street Bazaar by The Retro Factory is Singapore’s First Antique Centre Concept Bazaar with Individual Collectors coming together to present Retro, Vintage & Antique Treasures to the vintage, retro, heritage, conservation and preservation enthusiasts in Singapore.

Here’s a sneak preview of Carpmael Street Bazaar, they are opening very soon in the month of March 2019! An Antique Centre Atelier by Vintage Flea Market by The Retro Factory.

Carpmael Street Bazaar Sneak Preview from Hpility SG on Vimeo.

This is produced by Hong Peng from Hpility SG, a joint production with me playing a very minor part in this short film video! Shot on Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera with RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens, this new camera from Canon  is ideal for producing short films and videos!

If you are a vintage, retro, heritage, conservation and preservation enthusiast/supporter in Singapore, I encourage you to visit them and check them out! Do follow Carpmael Street Bazaar and Vintage Flea Market by The Retro Factory for the latest updates!

Carpmael Street Bazzar

Address: 75 Carpmael Road Singapore 429812

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

Vintage Flea Market by The Retro Factory

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

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

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First and foremost, let me start on the business aspect for my photography:

1. Slow and small growth, not exponential, in this current economic climate, it’s still pretty difficult on the ground level.
2. Photography business portfolio is expanding, need to upload and showcase more diversification when the opportunity arises.
3. A partial travel familiarisation trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand during end January to early February 2018, a golden opportunity to add on to my travel portfolio and hopefully gain more traction for future travel opportunites in the near future.
4. Phootgraphy and travel blog/website is back working again, my content still needs repairing and tweaking, this would take some time. At the same time, I am looking at making changes and improvements to my blog/website. A change of template is coming soon!
5. Not chasing “numbers” anymore, I am chasing quality content over other benchmarks.
6. Photography business can be cyclical, I must always be prepared, continue my marketing, content creation, awareness, engagements, collaborations, slow and steady growth is my motto.
7. During Q1 2018, there had been hits and misses, all these are part of running any business and life. Learn from the life lessons and carry on moving forward.
8. Always learning and improving my photography knowledge and skills, constant reminder to myself.
9. Avoiding negative people and those people who “put me down” in my life, whether in business or personal life.
10. Partnerships and collabroations: The foundations had been laid and built since last year, looking to grow and expand this segment even bigger, wider and further. Check out Hpility SG, The Epiphany Duplet and also Love At Second Sight project.
11. During the most recent UQ alumni networking event in Singapore, I had the opportunity to catch up with my alumni seniors who holds management/executive level positions in their organisations, it was humbling to chat with them, listening to their advice on the difficulities in running a business (no matter how big or small). They were encouraging and helpful to share their work experiences, invaluable and priceless to me.

Next, let me share and reflect on my personal aspect of my photography:

1. Less time for leisure/personal photography: when I am not doing commerical/work photography, majority of time were spent on planning, marketing, pitching, discussion, content creation etc etc
2. Spend quality time on quality personal projects: Returning to my inner most photography self, taking on photography works/projects close to my heart.
3. Commit to fewer organisations: Some organisations don’t deserve my precious time and photography. It’s time to reduce my commitment to just a few organisations.
4. Not chasing “numbers” anymore, I am chasing quality content over other benchmarks.
5. Always learning and improving my photography knowledge and skills, constant reminder to myself.
6. Avoiding negative people and those people who “put me down” in my life, whether in business or personal life.

As Q1 2018 draws to a close, Q2 2018 opens, I am currently reading this book “The Little Book of Ikigai: The Essential Japanese way to finding your purpose in Life”. 生き甲斐 a.k.a Ikigai, has been my guiding principles for my photography, in both personal and business aspects.

Here are the 5 pillars of Ikigai (I brought this book along when I traveled to Chiang Mai, Thailand)

That’s me, reading “The Little Book of Ikigai” in Chiang Mai, Thailand; Peps Goh took this photo.

My journey continues, a big thank you from the bottom of my heart to those who have followed and supported this journey of mine that I embarked on. It has been very very tough and difficult journey, no words can describe it. There were times when a small pat in the back, or even pulling me up when I am down, small achievements and recognition lifted me up and kept me striving onward.

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