First and foremost, to my friends, networks, brands, agencies in the photography, travel, heritage, creative and arts industry, I promise to clear my backlogs that I promised earlier in November and December 2023. I was kind of fatigued while juggling on a few different fronts and concurrently preparing for year 2024. 

I would be sharing about my year 2023 in review for my photography (business and personal), travel, creative sectors in arts and writing, heritage sectors in history, heritage, conservation and preservation segments. Next up would be my yearly theme for 2024 for my photography, travel creative and heritage sectors, a different method and approach that I have been using for a few years, something different and away from the usual goals and objectives setting approach.

The year 2024 is paved with economic uncertainties and challenges, geo-political tensions across different regions around the world is worrying with potential pitfalls and spillovers in both political and business areas. This year 2024 might be more challenging for some of us, it might give us new opportunities for us as well. 

In 2024, I look forward to more in-depth, lively and interesting discussions, interviews and networking sessions with photographers, filmmakers, the folks from the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, brands and organisations that I am working with, as well as content creators and artists.

Wishing my family, friends, and followers, Happy New Year 2024! 

The post Happy New Year 2024! appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Festival Director David Chew said, “We look forward to transforming the BBB precinct into a celebration of Singapore’s history as an international port city, through vivid experiences, memorable performances and immersive activities rooted in the rich stories of trade and exchange at BBB, but also celebrating the home it is to the communities and their respective historical sites of worship in the precinct today. Many may not be aware that BBB has been featured quite prominently through Singapore’s 700 years as a port city, and we hope to pay homage to the vital role it played through SNF’s programmes, while encouraging everyone to explore the iconic cultural institutions and museums across the precinct. In the spirit of exchange, this is the first time that we will be having a presenting sponsor and we are excited to have Samsung onboard, alongside our many festival partners and stakeholders, who will be further enlivening the festival with their invaluable contributions.”

Highlight Act: Time is a Black Circle by Dawn Ng

SNF 2023 highlight act is “Time is a Black Circle” by local artist Dawn Ng. If you are from the older generation, roller skating would be part of your growing up life and leisure activities! Relive the nostalgic good old live disco scene of the BBB precinct, groove, jive and skate back to the good old days! 

Purchase your ticket here: https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/92020 

Presenting Sponsor: Samsung

Samsung is the Presenting Sponsor for SNF 2023, they will be activating experiences to showcase stories on the evolution of culture and innovation, with a light projection mapping on the facade of the National Museum of Singapore at the centre of this SNF 2023 x Samsung partnership. 

Ronnie Ng, Head of Mobile Experience, Samsung Electronics Singapore, said, “As Presenting Sponsor for this year’s SNF, we are delighted to deliver an iconic experience for visitors and Galaxy fans. Just like how Singapore has evolved to become a global port city where communities meet, collaborate and innovate, Samsung is a global brand that has continuously innovated to deliver new technologies that bring people together. Our foldables are one example of how we’ve flipped the narrative on mobile technologies, enabling consumers to use their smartphones flexibly which complements their lifestyle. With that in mind, we are excited to showcase the limitless possibilities of our devices that will enable users to create moments of connections that journals the rich stories told during the festival, and even beyond.”

Do not miss out on the SNF 2023 x Samsung partnership, the key highlights are as follows:  

SNF 2023 x Samsung Key Highlights

Samsung fans, as well as those exploring the world of Samsung, head down to the Main Festival Village @ SMU Campus Green. Visit Galaxy Studio @ SMU Green for a flipping great time with its Galaxy Studio pop-up to SMU Green. Enter into the Galaxy Studio @ SMU Green, check out Samsung latest Galaxy Z Flip5 and its amazing FlexCam! Remember to take a selfie with the Galaxy Z Flip5!

Do also check out the new Galaxy Z Fold5, Galaxy Tab S9 Series and Galaxy Watch6 Series! If you are looking for SNF 2023 exclusives, you can discover them at Galaxy Studio @ SMU Green! Check out the unique CASETiFY covers designed by participating artists and other local brand collars inside there!

First, let me take a selfie! 

For those who love taking selfies, you have to do this! Take a pic with the Galaxy Z Flip5 made available at the 4 locations and stand a chance to win amazing prizes!

1. A Stone’s Throw (Away) at National Museum of Singapore, Banyan Tree
2. Rimbun at Farquhar Garden, Canning Rise
3. Preserving Paradise at Armenian Street, beside the Bible House 
4. “Flowing Water Road” Shrine at Raffles City

Post the photo on Instagram, tag @samsungsg and @sgnightfest with #JoinTheFlipSide, #withGalaxy and #SGNightFest!

For more information, visit https://www.samsung.com/sg/event/jointheflipside 

Light Projection Mappings at SNF 2023

One of the favourites at SNF 2023, light project mappings on the facades of our buildings have always been an iconic feature. For the light projection mappings at SNF 2023, head down to the National Museum of Singapore and CHIJMES!

National Museum of Singapore

700 Years – Presented by Samsung 

CHIJMES

Birth in Bloom 

Evolution of Bras Basah Entertainment Scene

Port(al) City

Night Lights at SNF 2023

The collection of Night Lights artworks at SNF is another key highlight of SNF. Remember to take the SNF 2023 event brochure/map when you are walking around the Bras Basah Bugis precinct exploring Night Lights at SNF 2023. I would leave it to you, come on down, explore, learn about the artist and their artworks, and interact with the Night Lights artworks where possible!

#SGNIGHTFEST 

GIFFFEST III: IMPERFECT COMPILATION

A Stone’s Throw (Away)

“Flowing Water Road” Shrine

Preserving Paradise 

Rimbun

SeaScape Symphony 

GIFFEST III: IMPERFECT

X O X (two kisses and a hug)

A Global Bugis Phinisi

Florescence 

The Island at the End

Roving Performances

There would be roving performances too! Keep a lookout for “We’ll weather the weather, whatever the weather until we cannot” by Sweet Tooth!

Dates:

• 18th & 19th August
• 25th & 26th August

Time:

• 7:30pm to 7:50pm
• 8:30pm to 8:50pm
• 9:30pm to 9:50pm

SNF 2023 Information

Singapore Night Festival (SNF) 2023 is taking place at Bras Basah Bugis Precinct from 18th to 26th August 2023. Entry to the festival is free, some programmes are ticketed. 

For more information and updates on SNF 2023, web app, or to book tickets please visit https://www.nightfestival.gov.sg/

Follow #sgnightfest on social media

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sgnightfest 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sgnightfest/ 
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sg.nightfest 

Do follow Bras Basah Bugis too!

• Website https://www.nhb.gov.sg/brasbasahbugis/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brasbasahbugis/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brasbasahbugis/ 

More photographs from my Singapore Night Festival 2023 can be viewed inside this album on Flickr!

* A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R6 Mark II Explorer Series Production *

The post Singapore Night Festival 2023 (18 to 26 August) appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

i Light Singapore 2023 Theme – A New Wave

i Light Singapore 2023, presented by DBS, theme for this year is A New Wave. Using light not not just as a wave that expands and radiates energy in all directions. it’s also a language, a form of communication that give rise to a range of emotions. 

i Light Singapore 2023 will explore the colour “Blue”, when you explore the various artworks on display around Marina Bay. The Blue colour wavelength is strong in the Force that brings you cool tones, vibes and different states of emotion – of calm and serenity. 

Light artworks on display at i Light Singapore 2023

I visited all of the 14 light artworks on display at i Light Singapore 2023. If you like to know more about the particular artist, the inspiration behind their artwork, you can visit i Light Singapore website to find out more or you can read more about them at the information booths at each artwork location.

Glacier Dreams

Tree Man

Blumiwave

Moooooootion 

< To be updated accordingly!>

Symphony 1

Block Party

the things left unsaid 

Light Anemones

Resonances 

Trumpet Flowers 

Aquatics

Bleached 

Show III

Prism

i Light Singapore photography and exploration tips 

• You might want to bring your tripod along for long exposure shots composition of the artworks, the choice is yours
• Bring a few lenses – wide angle zoom and a mid telephoto zoom lenses would give you different views and perspectives when engaging and photographing the artworks 
• Catch the light artwork projection on the ArtScience Museum during the evening blue hour time, that gives you a different background colour and feel 
• Wear comfortable shoes (You would be walking quite a fair bit)
• Wear comfortable clothes (It can be pretty hot and humid at times)
• Bring a water bottle and remember to hydrate
• Split up your i Light Singapore visit over a few nights, maybe one visit on a weekend, the other visit can be on a weekday

Ignite Your Spark on your DBS Journey at i Light Singapore 2023 

DBS makes a return as the presenting sponsor of i Light Singapore 2023, Asia’s leading sustainable light festival, part of DBS ongoing efforts in and around the Marina Bay area to give back to the community, including the recent launch of a multi-year partnership with Esplanade to provide more experiences for people to visit, discover, enjoy and express themselves. 

DBS invites i Light Singapore 2023 festival goers to “Ignite Your Spark”, to bring out the best in themselves and to Pay-It-Forward to help shape a better, brighter world. There would be fun games designed around themes of self-care, sustainable living, being future-ready, all relatable themes of today. There are also instagrammmable visual installations, including artwork that will be recycled later and be given a new lease of life, and stage performances by local talents who shine through despite their disabilities, among other experiences.Pay I

Ignite Your Spark on your DBS passport journey at i Light Singapore 2023, you can easily access just by scanning a QR code with your smartphone. An interactive journey begins for you whereby you would be challenged to collect 4 digital stamps on your DBS Passport, by participating in various experiences at Blumiwave and within the DBS Zone.

Blumiwave at Mist Walk is an artwork that aims to raise awareness of blue energy, an alternative renewable energy source that is harnessed from the sea and river waters. Created by local artists from DP Design, the “crashing” waves of Blumiwave are made of a carefully weaved fabric of safety nets and scaffolding from salvaged from construction sites. 

All plastics used in the construction of Blumiwave will recycled by Magorium after this festival is over. Magorium is a social enterprise supported by DBS Foundation, they convert plastic waste into sustainable construction called “NEWBitumen”, which can be used to pave eco-roads. “NEWBitumen” was also used in paving the driveway of DBS Newton Green, Singapore’s 1st Zero building by a bank.

[ Information courtesy of DBS Media Centre ]

GastroBeats

The Festival Village of i Light Singapore, GastroBeats is a month long celebration of eating good good, listening to good music and having good fun, bringing the community together and showcasing local culture diversity. 

For more information on GastroBeats, please visit https://gastrobeats.com.sg/  

DBS Zone at GastroBeats 

Check out the key highlights at DBS Zone at GastroBeats where many exciting activities await the i Light Singapore 2023 festival goers!

• Find Your Spark
• Eco Row and Glow
• Money Matchmaker
• Made for Travel
• POSB Money Smarts

Also look out for 

• Live performances by the community every Friday and Saturday
• Transform food waste into animal feed and fertilisers by Ento Industries (a business for impact supported by DBS Foundation) 
• Explore sustainable fashion at DBS Zone by Fashion Pulpit (a social enterprise) 

For more information on DBS participation at i Light Singapore 2023 and GastroBeats 2023, please visit https://www.dbs.com/live-more-by-the-bay/ilight-singapore.html

My i Light journeys over the years

Going back in time, here are my i Light journeys over the years that I visited, photographed and documented over the years. 

i Light Marina Bay

• i Light Marina Bay 2010 (article | photos)
• i Light Marina Bay 2012 (article 1 | article 2 | photos)
• i Light Marina Bay 2014 (article 1 | article 2 | photos)
• i Light Marina Bay 2016 (article | photos)
• i Light Marina Bay 2017 (article | photos)

i Light Singapore

• i Light Singapore 2019 (photos)
• i Light Singapore 2022 (photos)
• i Light Singapore 2023 (article | photos)

I would get back into my archives for 2019 and 2022, curating photos from the 2019 and 2022 i Light Singapore editions and upload them into my i Light Singapore / i Light Marina Bay collection on Flickr.

Visiting and photographing i Light (Singapore / Marina Bay) journeys since 2010 had been an interesting visual storytelling journey for me with my camera, capturing the growth, changes, not just in Marina Bay Singapore, on the areas of sustainability and recycling and artworks depicting those key areas that the world is looking at, and having a stronger and more urgent emphasis in this current climate.

I hope that i Light Singapore 2023 can Ignite Your Spark on A New Wave inside you in the areas of sustainability, sustainable living and habits in our daily life and work.  

* A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R6 Mark II Explorer Series Production *

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Well well, how did I started following and supporting Very Small Exhibition? My first encounter  with them was at Malay Heritage Centre in October 2021 – Malay Heritage Centre x Very Small Exhibition support World Mental Health Day, thereafter I began my adventure following and supporting Very Small Exhibition.

If you would like to know more about my journey with Very Small Exhibition, I wrote it down my story here on “How I Met/Follow/Support Very Small Exhibition & Bring LOVE Everywhere”. 

From 1st to 31st March 2022, come on down to Paya Lebar Quarter and check out Very Small Exhibition new exhibition and a 4m long wall collage of Instagram photos celebrating 1 year of Very Momentary Exhibition.

Paya Lebar Quarter x Very Small Exhibition 

Rainbow illumiNation – Celebrating 1 year of Very Momentary Exhibition 

Dates: 1st to 31st March 2022

Location: PLQ Parkside (new exhibition) and PLQ Mall Level 2 (4m long wall collage of Instagram photos)

With friends Belinda and CK, we went down on the exhibition’s opening day, continuing our support for artist Wei and Very Small Exhibition light art installations transformation of public spaces into rainbow spectrum, and finally taking a group photo with artist Wei! Thereafter, we explored the new exhibition at PLQ Parkside, doing light painting long exposure photography with the Very Momentary Exhibition rainbow illumination artworks, with me doing most of the light painting artworks action while Belinda and CK took photos on their cameras.   

Congratulations to artist Wei of Very Small Exhibition on this milestone, celebrating 1 year of Very Momentary Exhibition! Thank you for featuring some of my photos of Very Small Exhibition and Bring LOVE Everywhere on your 4m long wall photos collage! It’s been my honour, a pleasure, to see my photographs printed and be a part of this photo collage, a part of the 1st year of Very Momentary Exhibition.

May Very Small Exhibition continues to bring bright, colourful rainbow illumination, light art installations, spreading joy, love and a beacon of light for the whole world!

 *** A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R3 Explorer Series Production ***

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I welcome New Year 2022 in a very different way, no fireworks just photographing commercial ships berthed off the coast of East Coast Park firing their flares into the sky when the time strikes 12 midnight with photography friends Belinda, CK and William. Although I didn’t get my money shot of a lightning strike hitting the Straits of Singapore along with the flares, my 3 other friends got their money shot! 

In case you missed it, here’s my Reflecting 2021 (Photography and Travel) and also my Reflecting 2021 (Technology, Business and Personal) on my other portal/blog. Today marks the start of a brand new year, a new hope and a fresh new beginning.   

I am taking a rest during this New Year long weekend break, consolidate and prepare myself for a new year ahead. I would be sharing my yearly theme soon, along with some of my plans, thoughts and views for this year 2022. 

Happy New Year 2002! Stay safe and healthy as we continue battling this ongoing global pandemic! Let’s spread love, kindness, compassion to the people around us, our society and around the world!

The post Happy New Year 2022! appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Prior to this “bring LOVE everywhere” test walk 2 on 6th November 2021, I recently visited Malay Heritage Centre recently to photograph an earlier light artworks by VSE on display. Malay Heritage Centre had collaborated with Very Small Exhibition to light up the facade of its main building in different hues of blue in support of World Mental Health Day on 10th October 2021, while Malay Heritage Centre’s annex buildings were lighted up with the art collective’s signature neon colour lights.

After photographing a beautiful sunset at East Coast Park, Belinda and myself waited for Very Small Exhibition to arrive at East Coast Park White Jetty. From a distance, you can’t miss the bright and colourful 4 letter words “LOVE” making its way into the East Coast Park heartlands. 

This marked the start of an hour of interaction with the LOVE light artwork, doing light painting around the LOVE artwork, bringing them into a new dimension and realm, with supporters coming down to pen their love messages on the LOVE sticker and pasting them on the LOVE light artwork. 

Those moments were bright and colourful, spreading love, and asking ourselves, what is love, what does it mean to you, what are the messages that you would like to write down and send to your family, loved ones, relatives and friends? It was a quiet moment for me, and for some of us too, as we reflect on LOVE, its importance, relevance and how we can spread the message of LOVE, especially during this past close to two years (and counting) of great difficulties to our daily living and work due to the ongoing global pandemic. Many of us suffered in many different ways or another, some more than others. How can LOVE plays a part to help people in whatever ways possible during this great difficulty period that has affected us mentally, emotionally and financially? 

During a quiet moment inside me, I was immersed in creating the light painting while Belinda was photographing my light painting artworks, my heart was thinking about this topic too. As I was penning down my message for “bring LOVE everywhere”, I asked myself:

Q:What is Love? 

A: Love is of Fate and Time.

Love is of Fate and Time, I wrote and published a photo story article “Fate and Time” back in June 2021, my article title and the story inside speaks for itself, my heartfelt answer to the question above. That period of time, coupled with other situations happening concurrently, was a very down period. For those who wish to know what could have happened, this paragraph would shed more light.     

While Belinda and myself were at East Coast Park White Jetty, we got to know supporters who were also waiting for Very Small Exhibition “bring LOVE everywhere”. Nice to meet cheryllovescake and dototo13! They joined us in our light painting photography shoot too! We connected via Instagram later, after Very Small Exhibition continued with their journey along East Coast Park. 

Through Belinda and cheryllovescake sharing on their Instagram posts and stories, their sharing of love messages as well as from classic love songs, they are heartwarming, positive and encouraging, something that is very much needed during this time for many of us out there facing our own unique challenges and difficulties, in our ongoing battle against this global pandemic. Love can give us great hope, warmth and confidence, love can also hurt us and affect us. 

Spinning out some love ballads from my Spotify, these classic LOVE rock ballads pop into my mind, “All You Need is Love” by Beatles, “More Than Words” by Extreme, “Love is not the Way” by Saigon Kick and one of my favourite songs by Queen “Love Of My Life”. Not forgetting, “温柔”, ”擁抱“, “心中無別人” from another of my favourite rock bands 五月天!   

Do support local artists whenever possible, Pay-It-Forward and Pass-It-On, spread the word for them, giving them more publicity and awareness. I would give them a shout out, cover their stories and artworks as and when I am able to do so. Throughout the years writing and publishing photo stories here on my TGH Photography and Travel portal/blog, I met a number of creative, talented and passionate local artists through various events such as i Light Singapore and Singapore Night Festival. 

In January 2022, Very Small Exhibition is challenging themselves to their limit, bringing LOVE one round around Singapore in 6 consecutive nights. Let’s all help to spread some LOVE, warmth and friendship together with Very Small Exhibition. 

Very Small Exhibition

Website: www.verysmallexhibition.com 

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verysmallexhibition 

What is Love? Love is everywhere, it’s around us, from our family, loved ones or friends, sometimes we just lost it because we are too close deep inside that we don’t realise it. Love, however, sometimes it’s about fate and time as well. 

No matter what level and stage of Love you are at right now, that’s something we can all do together for a common good, let’s bring LOVE everywhere and unite together stronger, closer, care and help one another as we are still battling this global pandemic situation, a common goal as we seek the light at the end of the tunnel filled with love, joy and a return to a more normal life.

Let’s #BringLoveEverywhere!

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