TikTok

My entry into TikTok is a story on procrastination because I don’t really know how to leverage or differentiate TikTok platform and how this would fit into my social media/content creation setup. More insights can be read here on my TGH Technology and Business portal/blog article, where I wrote from a social media and digital marketing perspective.

TikTok would give me a new dimension in my visual storytelling through vertical videos format, together with YouTube. Here is my first TikTok video announcing my maiden launch on TikTok platform – TGH Photography and Travel Visual Storyteller and Explorer Series Production on TikTok, shot with the Canon EOS R50.

@genghuitan Welcome to my TGH #Photography and #Travel #visualstoryteller and #Explorer Series Production on #TikTok! I More stories, photos and short videos coming soon! Shot with #Canon #EOSR50 by @DGN Studios SG. #CreateWithCanonSG #CanonBeautyStyle #CanonSG #videography #foryou #fyp #traveller #写真撮ってもいいですか #摄影师 #wesandersoninspired #TikTokSG #Singapore ♬ original sound – GengHui

TikTok is unique in its own sense, style, character and following. They are more of an entertainment platform than a social media platform, even though they are a form of social media. Therefore, hopping onto TikTok would require a new and different set of social media strategies and direction.

A new content creator + visual storytelling approach and journey 

There are always be some points in our ongoing photography and creative journey that we have to refresh and rebuild (at some junctures too) the tools of our trade, that would allow us to adapt and meet the demands of a new era of living, digital world, social media and media consumption.

From a purist photographer, diversifying out into a content creator + digital agency/studio setup (TGH Digital Studio), complementing my TGH Photography business. All these didn’t happen overnight, they took a few years, the change wasn’t easy, it’s still ongoing amidst an ever-changing media consumption, digital transformation, social media and technological (cue Generative AI) landscapes.

While photography and visual storytelling remains my core and strengths, the diversification and addition of video, vlogging and TikTok would enhance and reinforce how I want to tell my stories in both photos and videos. 

Therefore, a new camera for the new future, for the hybrid content creator and visual storyteller has come into play, a favourite iconic camera that I used to associate/brand myself will have to leave. That story would be for another time, another place, in time to come, that fellow photographers would be to relate and resonate. 

A candle light lighting up another, passing the fire and spark to start a new content creation and visual storytelling journey ahead. 

The time is now, a new era has dawned. 

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

The post Launch of two new journeys in Content Creation and Visual Storytelling appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

For Mums who love creative expression

Introducing the Canon EOS R50, for mums who love creative expression, it’s the perfect camera for vloggers and content creators. This camera has 4K 30p (6K oversampled) video recording and Full HD 120p capabilities, giving mums plenty of creative room to express themselves together with their family and loved ones.

The EOS iTR AF X and Dual Pixel CMOS AF II make focusing for photos and videos a breeze. With burst shooting up to 15 frames per second and a 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, mums would find capture stunning images with ease. 

The camera is compact and lightweight, making it the perfect companion for your vlogging adventures. With features like Close-up Mode, Coordinate Control IS, Streaming Ready, Native Vertical Recording, and Aspect Marker, mums would have all the tools that they need to create amazing content.

The Hybrid Auto Mode and Focus Breathing Correction further simplify the process, allowing you to focus on your creativity. The HDR PQ, Panning Guide, and Digital Teleconverter ensure that your images are of the highest quality. Upgrade to the Canon EOS R50 today and move into a new realm of creativity!

Do head over and check out my Celebrating National Photography Month in May 2023 article on photos shot with the Canon EOS R50 and some handy photography tips for mums to enjoy a creative expression and fun time with the Canon EOS R50!

Key Features

• Approx. 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• 4K 30p (6K oversampled) & FHD 120p
• Lightweight and compact design (approx. 375g)
• Available in white or black

Pricing & Availability:

• S$979 (Body only), S$1,139 (Body with RF-S18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM)
• S$1,509 (Body with RF-S18-45mm F/4.5-6.3 IS STM & RF-S55-210mm F/5-7.1 IS STM)

Available at Canon authorised dealers.

For mums who love celebrating the important moments in life

When mums have a creative expression and fun time with the Canon EOS R50, they would want to share it more with their family and loved ones beyond the social media and digital space. Let’s introduce to mums, the Canon Selphy Square QX10 photo printer – the perfect way to print and preserve your memories on the go!

This lightweight, compact and portable palm-sized photo printer comes in trendy colours, it’s stylish and highly functional. Thanks to its dye-sublimation technology, your photos will be printed in high quality with up to 256 gradations/dot, and will last up to 100 years. Furthermore, the square sticker prints are dirt-proof and water-resistant, making them perfect for scrapbooking or sharing with friends and family. 

Key features:

• Dirt-proof and water-resistant square sticker prints
• Built-in rechargeable battery
• Specialized coating on the XS-20L paper protects against splashes, spills, and fading, ensuring your prints last up to 100 years
• Available in pink, white or black

Pricing & Availability:

S$228 (SELPHY QX10 Bundle which includes XS—20L Square Photo Paper)

Available at Canon authorised dealers.

* Information and pictures courtesy of Canon Singapore and Gloo *

The post Canon Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2023 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

TGH Photography x Canon EOS R50 Exploration 

Marking my first National Photography Month celebration, I would be showcasing some photos shot with the Canon EOS R50 that I am reviewing inside this article, published inside my maiden National Photography Month celebratory article. 

The #Canon #EOSR50 was recently launched in February 2023, a new compact and lightweight APS-C mirrorless #camera. Although the EOS R50 is an entry level camera, it is packed with fun, creative tools and automated features, allowing users to create fun and high-quality vlogs, as well as fun and nice photographs.

This Canon EOS R50 is your ideal daily camera companion, lightweight and compact with its kit lens setup, delivering both quality photographs and vlogs, and most importantly bringing you fun and enjoyment. 

You can now move into a new realm of fun and enjoyment  in both photography and vlogging with the Canon EOS R50.

Suggestions to Celebrate National Photography Month

Here are some suggestions to celebrate National Photography Month that I reckon would allow you to explore and have fun with your photography adventures during this National Photography Month and beyond.

Go out explore your neighbourhood with your camera

How well do you know your local neighbourhood? It’s time to explore and rediscover your neighbourhood, you might have been missing out some gems that you might not have realised it.

Go for a photo walk with your photography friends or join a photo walk outing

A photo walk with your photography friends can be a fun group outing with liked minded photography friends. Or you can join a photo walk outing and make new photography friends! 

Take a photo of your favourite pet (dog/cat)

Alright, you have watching cute and adorable dog or cat photos and videos on social media, you also love your pet dog/cat, take many photos of your favourite pet! For me, I have my cute and adorable neighbourhood community cats to photograph and enjoy my time with them!

Visit a photography exhibition, as well as arts, history, heritage and culture exhibition 

When was the last time you visited a photography exhibition, or an arts, history, heritage and culture exhibition at the museum? Check out your local museums exhibition listings or discover where local creative artists are showcasing their artworks, support fellow local artists too!

Embark on a new personal photography project

Do you have a personal photography project on your mind but you are hesitant and afraid to take the first step? What interests you or something that is precious and close to you, that you would like to document them via your photographs and stories?

We all have the fear and anxiety before we embark on a new photography project. Why not take this National Photography Month to break this chain of fear and embark on your new personal photography project? 

Publish a photo book or a photography zine 

Have you ever completed personal photography projects, or a series of photographs that you really like, and wanted to publish your own photo book from your collection of works? Are you hesitant and afraid to take the first step? I published my first photo book, a black and white Hokkaido landscapes photo book in 2015, I hope my story would inspire you to take the first step to print your photography works, and your first photo book. 

From a photo book, I went on to publish smaller photography works through the form of a photography zine. At that point in time, I was hesitant and afraid too. Slowly and surely, I overcame them, published two photography zines, first zine is “TGH Photography Zine Vol 1: SG55 Special Edition”, and my second zine is “TGH Photography Therapy Zine and Playbook”. 

If you like, they are available for purchase as physical copy and/or digital copy on the MagCloud platform!

Read a photography book (photography tips, photo book, visual stories, photoblogs)

There are a lot of photography books providing photography skills, knowledge and tips, there are also photo books of various photography genres and interest. National Geographic magazine visual stories and photographs have been one of my early key influences and motivation to enter photography, and they are the foundation to how I pursue my visual storytelling, as well as the art and craft of photography, that can be read on my TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog. 

Support your photographer friends

If you have photographer friends who are providing commercial/professional photography services, support them, recommend/refer contacts/business to them. As for those serious enthusiast photographers or those just starting out, encourage them and support them in their photography journeys! 

Enjoy and have fun taking photographs!

Whether you are a photographer with decades of professional experience, serious enthusiast or just starting off on your photography adventure, National Photography Month gives each and everyone of us photographers to celebrate our love, passion, dedication and flair for photography.  

Time to head out and enjoy having fun taking photographs with your camera! Happy National Photography Month! 

Oh, for all fellow Star Wars fans out there, it’s the month of May! You know the drill! May The 4th Be With You (May The Force Be With You)!

* A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R50 Explorer Series Production *

The post Celebrating National Photography Month in May 2023 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Whether you are a travel wanderlust, an explorer, a history and heritage lover, or a geek/nerd in transportation networks via land, sea or air travel modes, or a fascination for space and beyond, AROUND THE WORLD at Alliance Française De Singapour will definitely interest you to hop onboard a journey AROUND THE WORLD!

Pack your bags, it’s time to embark on a journey AROUND THE WORLD at Alliance Française De Singapour! Following protagonist Phileas Fogg’s challenge in the novel, you are now going to transcend through time and space, traveling around the world via air, land, sea or space.

Arrival at the Itinerary Office 

Upon arrival at the Itinerary Office, you will be greeted and invited to write your your thoughts and feelings as you prepare to embark on this highly immersive, interesting and engaging journey AROUND THE WORLD. 

The Alliance Française De Singapour AROUND THE WORLD travelers notebook/passport to France is your companion guide. When I returned home after visiting this amazing exhibition that brought out the travel visual storyteller (and wanderlust) in me, I took out my travel writing kit/ink stamps and travel accessories, and began my journey AROUND THE WORLD. 

When I started writing down my travel adventures journey AROUND THE WORLD, it brought back memories of “The Little Prince”, an exhibition that I visited some years back in 2018, held at the former Singapore Philatelic Museum.  Somehow, this kind of connects the dot together in my exploration journey AROUND THE WORLD.

There is no hard and fast rule on where and how you want to start your AROUND THE WORLD journey at Alliance Française De Singapour. You can start with air travel that you might be most familiar and comfortable with, or you might prefer to go on a historical and heritage approach from the Industrial Revolution, to the boom of world travel and tourism and beyond.

Around the World By Land

Discover France’s intercity TGV, an acronym for Train à Grande Vitesse. Duly named ‘high-speed train’, he holds the world record for speed and is constantly pushing the limits of high-speed rail technology globally. TGV M (“M” for modular), the newest generation of high-speed trains is also presented, providing a forward-looking lens into the future of higher energy saving and more cost-efficient modes of land travel.

Did you spot Singapore’s MRT train inside this land transportation segment? What is the relationship between our Singapore MRT and French transportation? I would leave it for you to visit and discover the answer for yourself! 

Around the World By Sea

Long before flying around the world becomes a common form of transportation, sea travel leads the way for movement and travels around the world. In this fascinating world of French sea transportation, check out a model of of the SS France, celebrating the epitome of French excellence, recalling how the longest Trans-Atlantic liner at the time, a record held for 42 years, charmed sea passengers in the 1960s with her luxury, beauty and grace, up till her very last journey in 1974.

Around the World By Air

Some of the most iconic aircrafts that have played a significant role in shaping modern air travel. Before you vote for the Airbus A380, check out the world’s first supersonic passenger-carrying airplane, Air France’s Concorde, which still holds the record for some fastest commercial flight journeys today, embodying French art de vivre at its finest. Guests are encouraged to reminisce the craft in its glory days through Concorde’s original menu, tableware or beauty pouch on display.

By the way, do you recall or still have the Singapore $20 note that has the image of the iconic Concorde soaring above Changi Airport? Do you remember when the Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 make headlines arriving into Singapore Changi Airport? 

While I may not have flown on the Concorde, I did at least flown once on the Airbus A380 from Singapore to Shanghai! Next travel wanderlust goal is to fly on the Airbus A350 to a faraway destination!

Around the World by Space 

The human race dreamt and wrote about traveling to space in the earlier centuries, today it’s a reality. Let’s take a journey beyond Earth and into vast expanse of space. 

Have a first-hand experience by entering into an immersive experience of space travel through a Virtual Reality experience, ‘Dans la peau de Thomas Pesquet’, literally in the shoes of Thomas Pesquet, allows them to explore space like never before, with the French European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut, famous for spending six months in the International Space Station.

Next stop: Space travel? 

A Chance to win an Air France flight ticket!

As you completed your journey AROUND THE WORLD at Alliance Française De Singapour, has your travel wanderlust might probably be invoked and awakened deep inside you. How would you like a chance to win a trip to Paris? 

Every visitor to the AROUND THE WORLD exhibition will also stand the chance to win an Air France Singapore-Paris flight ticket. How do you participate? Visitors just simply need to submit their entry ticket and complete a quiz about the exhibition. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, explore, and win at AROUND THE WORLD!

Fabian Forni, Executive Director of Alliance Française de Singapour, said, “We are truly honoured to present this important exhibition inviting you to discover all the French innovations that have revolutionised the way we travel on land, by sea, and in the air or space, from the record-breaking ones to those that will allow us to better preserve our planet.”

Series of Activities during the MOVE! Programme 

That’s more than just this captivating and mesmerising AROUND THE WORLD exhibition, there are also a series of dynamic, fun and enriching activities hosted by Alliance Française De Singapour throughout the duration of the MOVE! Programme, their tenth French Excellence Programme. You are invited to explore the past, present and future of French transportation, along with a series of talks, film screenings, workshops and activities for kids.

Film Screenings

The French action thriller film, “The Wolf’s Call”, which stars Omar Sy from Netflix acclaimed TV series Lupin and award-winning biopic on Jacques-Yves Cousteau, ‘The Odyssey’. Families with young children can look forward to a family-friendly selection of films which includes the film adaptation of Jules Verne’s timeless masterpiece, ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, as well as a chuck glider making workshop and engaging storytelling sessions in the Alliance Française library to immerse themselves in the exciting world of aviation.

Workshops

For wine lovers, there will be an immersive wine tasting workshop, hosted the multi-Michelin starred French restaurant, Les Amis, as a nod to the role of Michelin in French transportation, led by Mr. Hervé Pennequin, who ranked third in the 2004 Sommelier World Championship. 

Guests who wish to dive deeper into the future of transportation can attend a talk by Professor Jean-Marie Tarascon from the Collège de France, who will be speaking on the theme “Transportation Tomorrow”.

Alliance Française de Singapour would like to thank its sponsors – the Embassy of France in Singapore, Alstom and Perrier, and its partners – Airbus, Air France, Decathlon, Institut Français, La Vingt-Cinquième Heure, Les Amis, Michelin, Nanyang Polytechnic, Petrossian, RATP Dev – for helping to bring MOVE! to life.

AROUND THE WORLD Exhibition 

Venue: La galerie, Alliance Française De Singapour 

Address: 1 Sarkies Road Singapore 258130

Dates: 27th April to 15th July 2023

Gallery opening hours

Monday: closed

Tuesday to Friday: 1:00pm to 7:30pm

Saturday: 9am to 5:30pm

Admission: Free

For more information about Alliance Française De Singapour and information on booking tickets, please visit https://alliancefrancaise.org.sg/move#/ 

Alliance Française De Singapour 

• Website: https://alliancefrancaise.org.sg 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllianceFrancaiseSingapore 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afsingapour/ 
• LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/school/alliance-fran-aise-de-singapour/ 

* A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R50 Explorer Series Production *

The post Alliance Française De Singapour Invites you on a journey AROUND THE WORLD appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Invest In Our Planet | What Will You Do?

We need to continue what we have been doing all this time, invest in our planet. If we don’t we will lose our only home on planet Mother Earth. Therefore, what will you do? What have you done? How do I make the change and be the change for the future of Mother Earth?

My 5 recommendations to celebrate Earth Day

Explore your neighbourhood parks near your home

Go for a nature walk and explore Singapore’s flora and fauna

Take photographs of your environment, horizon and surroundings 

Share your stories and experiences 

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Every day is Earth Day

Every day is Earth Day, let us not just take only one day a year to mark Earth Day. Here is a list of 52 actions and tips invest in our planet whereby you can make a difference by Earth Day Organisation. 

For our everyday living, it’s important for everyone of us on Earth to consider how our daily living habits impact our planet Earth that we call home. do check out 5 sustainable living tips from Bosch cleaning experts.

What are the Southeast Asia region consumer and investor interests towards green financing and investments? Have a read on Earth Day 2023 “Invest in Our Planet” Survey Insights by Milieu Insight.

We can all make a difference

We all must play a part, no matter how big or small. I would continue to play my small role here on Earth, sharing my visual storytelling in the great outdoors, travel, nature and wildlife, combining them with my technology news coverage on ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) and sustainability on my TGH Technology and Business website. 

The world is facing an even greater climate and environmental challenges and crisis. From how we work and live, the change and difference that make an impact to Mother Earth, start with each and every one of us living on this planet. 

Exploring with the Canon EOS R50

The #Canon #EOSR50 was recently launched in February 2023, a new compact and lightweight APS-C mirrorless #camera. Although the EOS R50 is an entry level camera, it is packed with fun, creative tools and automated features, allowing users to create fun and high-quality vlogs, as well as fun and nice photographs.

I am currently reviewing this latest compact and lightweight camera, exploring with the Canon EOS R50 together with my visual storytelling.

This Canon EOS R50 is your ideal daily camera companion, lightweight and compact with its kit lens setup, delivering both quality photographs and vlogs, and most importantly bringing you fun and enjoyment.

* A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R50 Explorer Series Production *

The post Earth Day 2023 – Invest In Our Planet appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Who is Yui Ozaki? 

Yui Ozaki is a Prague-based Japanese artist, her artworks express her playful and curious personality.

Yui-san loves to explore gender, sexuality and comedy through her artworks and in the form of various mediums. Her colourful visual artworks contain and deliver hidden meanings, allowing her to express her artistic vision and challenging the societal norms in the world of art. 

Yui-san uses her superpower humour to raise awareness about gender stereotypes, breaking down barriers to create a timeless and uninhibited connection with her audience of all ages. Her artworks serve as a form of commentary on the taboos that we see and feel in society today. She hopes to inspire people through her artworks to let it go, the inhibitions holding them back and embracing the inner creativity, inner playfulness, bringing out the fun and joy trapped inside them.

Through her contemporary and colourful artworks, she strives to spark meaningful conversations with her audience, encouraging viewers to question the status quo. 

Explore, Interact, Discover and Engage with Your Inner “Chin-Chin” World

The world we live in, the human race and we human beings have our own set of stereotypes, thinking, biases and mentality, from gender, culture to societal. How much do we know ourselves the biases that we have inside our heart, mind and soul without us really knowing or understanding the meanings behind it?

Through the contemporary art medium platform, this is the time for you to explore. We can learn and unlearn about our stereotypes, thinking and biases. Probably in everyone of us, we all have our own inner “Chin-Chin” world, that we may not have known or realised. Would you like to explore, interact and discover your inner “Chin-Chin” world? Once done, how would you like to engage with your inner “Chin-Chin” world?

Touch the cute piece of artwork hanging in the gallery, unzip it and discover for yourself, what is the message for you inside that artwork? 

When you enter into 7879 Gallery and Clayworks, you can’t miss this tall and big colourful rainbow artwork on the right side of the entrance. This is a hallmark of artist Wei from Very Small Exhibition, whose Bring LOVE Everywhere artwork attracted heartwarming support and fanfare (Check out my story on how I met/follow/support Very Small Exhibition and Bring LOVE Everywhere). 

Artists Yui and Wei combined their artistic talents and strengths together, to produce this iconic artwork symbol, bright, colourful, friendly and huggable. 

While you are reading the write-ups on the various contemporary artworks on display, I would like you to engage and interact with them. What are some of the societal thinking, biases, mentality and challenges in relation to gender and its stereotypes? 

How do you feel about the issues, the stereotypes and biases that are entrenched inside us? How can we take the steps to change for the better of ourselves, the society and the world?

Breaking through our own biases and stereotypes

Whether you are viewing Chin-Chin ちんちん – Yui Ozaki 2023 Art Exhibition in person at the gallery, or on social media platforms, when you are viewing the artworks for the very first time, there will be something that comes into your mind immediately, you know it yourself and I would let you decide for yourself how you want to describe your thoughts and experiences. 

We all have our own stereotypes and biases entrenched deeply inside us. We need to break through our own biases and stereotypes. Therefore when you are viewing Yui-san thought provoking artworks, tell yourself to put aside those stereotypes and biases inside you, approach the artworks deeper and further into the stories behind them, understanding and discovering the issues that the society is still facing today.

From gender issues, inequality and challenges, societal expectations on arts, work, how we live, the world might have changed and transformed over the centuries. The world is still far from perfect, each one of us still can play our part to be the change, to make the change, break the barriers, stereotypes, biases and mentality.

In a modern digital world swamped with internet and social media consumption, arts and culture could be one of our key elements that the world needs as we navigate into a new future.

I met Artist Yui Ozaki!

I met artist Yui-san at the official opening event, she was very friendly, more than willing to share about her stories, thoughts, feelings and experiences on what goes on behind her various artworks on display. 

Thanks to Wei and Gary from House of VSE, it was a great experience chatting with creative artists from other creative genres across from my photography and visual storytelling.

Personally, I appreciate exchanges with artists from other creative disciplines, as maybe some day, I might be inspired to embark on my own cross/inter-disciplinary artwork production along with my photography and visual storytelling.

Chin-Chin ちんちん – Yui Ozaki 2023 ART EXHIBITION

Exhibition Details

• Dates: 7th April to 2nd May 2023
• Hours: 1pm to 8pm (Closed on Mondays)
• Venue: 105 Desker Road #01-01

“Chin-Chin” is brought to you by House of VSE and 7879 Gallery and Clayworks. Yui Ozaki is represented by House of VSE, if you have any enquiries, please contact House of VSE.

* A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R50 Explorer Series Production *

The post Explore and Discover Your Inner “Chin-Chin” World appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.