NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC STORE SINGAPORE

What excites me about this post isn’t so much the discovery of the National Geographic Store but the events leading up to its discovery and more. The store is located on Level 1 of VivoCity shopping and is the only second one of its kind after London. My family and I had just spent the morning at Sentosa followed by lunch at Marche Restaurant and on our way to the Canon showroom, I stopped in mid drizzle to help a couple take a photo of them against the base of the giant iconic Christmas tree. Before we parted ways, I spared a moment to introduce myself and gave them my card (something I do not normally have on me while holidaying). Upon realizing that I was a photographer, we clicked right away and I could see the excitement in their eyes when they suggested that I must check out the photo exhibition in the gallery at the Nat Geo store which happened to be the last day too. ( The first reaction I had was, “National Geographic store in Singapore?” Well, just in case you’re a bit skeptical, here are photos from the store … taken with permission from store General Manager T C Koh including the gallery exhibits where photography was prohibited. Great news for ardent fans of NG no doubt—finally all NG merchandise in one hot spot!

Every which way you look, the Nat Geo Store is a large shop where NG merchandise are sold. But what isn’t obvious is that the store also welcomes private and corporate events to be held right inside the NG floor space. The photo exhibition is one such event where the stores theme lends a great hand simply by virtue of NG marque. By that, Nat Geo’s expansive global coverage and network makes it the perfect platform and venue to hold an event. Interested parties can contact Mr T C Goh for more information.

IN PURSUIT OF HAPPY SANITY

What is Sanity without Happiness?

Don’t let someone become a priority in your life,
When you are just an option in their life …
Relationships work best when they are balanced.

Never explain yourself to anyone,
Because the person who likes you doesn’t need it,
And the person who dislikes you won’t believe it

When you keep saying you are busy, Then you are never free.
When you keep saying you have no time, Then you will never have time.
When you keep sating that you will do it tomorrow, Then tomorrow will never come.

When we wake up this morning, we have two simple choices.
Go back to sleep and dream, or wake up and chase those dreams.
Choice is yours…

We make them cry who care for us,
We cry for those who never care for us
And we care for those who will never cry for us
This is the truth of life, it’s strange but true
Once u realize this, it’s never too late to change

Don’t make promises when you are in joy
Don’t reply when you are sad
Don’t take decisions when u are angry
Think twice, Act wise

Time is like a river, You cannot touch the same water twice
Because the flow that has passed will never pass again
Enjoy every moment of life

[ If you know who the author is, please let me know so I can credit him/her accordingly.
It takes a wise and seasoned individual to produce something this insightful and meaningful. ]

ON A HIATUS

Psst! Just a whisper to let you know I won’t be posting here for a while until I’ve cleared the massive backlog of recent wedding, commercial and event shoots. Occasionally, freelancing takes its toll and you discover you’re all alone because when it comes to artistic rendering, it’s a personal business—and no one can lend a helping hand. Instead, you can find some of my recent work at JAN SHIM PHOTOGRAPHY on Facebook or FOLLOW ME on Twitter for the oh-so-occasional updates.

The “GA” motif spells GAP in full not Giorgio Armani
Photo by Gavin at Lexus shoot in Jerudong, Brunei Darussalam

FOREST VOICES BY NOAH JACKSON

So I put my supposed blog-posting hiatus on hold for a good cause—to promote Noah Jackson’s art and his commitment to environmental conservation efforts through photography. I believe great photography inspires and changes lives in a positive and meaningful way and I’m privileged to have met the artist whose efforts I can identify in a small way with the PENAN greeting cards. Many thanks to Hans Dols of Panaga Natural History Society for the invite!

…. the money raised from your greeting cards has enabled us to get a Dell desktop for the three Penan girls we sponsored for `Diploma In Nursing’. They have to share one for their course work and we are trying to get another one for them. Thank you. — Violette Tan

Related posts: Lowest Hill to Big Hearts | Plight of the Penan | Green Speaker holds Lectures

Other great  photographers I’ve met in Brunei include Kris Boutillier and Don Gurewitz (2)

Noah Jackson, man on a mission at Panaga Club Teratai Room

Forest Voices provides tools and training for sensitive forest and agriculture communities, documenting  knowledge and management through photography, video and participatory methods. This gives communities a voice to create a future that reconciles differences and maintains hope and health to keep forests, farms and communities thriving. — Noah Jackson | Hope in Light

Early guests checking out Noah's fine art pieces

Noah Jackson reads out a testimony from an associate

An opportunity to own Noah's art pieces for a small fee, guests pick out their personal favourites

Photography enthusiast Leytzher Muro picks out 'The Elephant's Eye' while checking out more of Noah's work. He attended Louis Pang's Shoot Like A Pro workshop at the Empire Hotel earlier this year.

A picture of me and a guest captured by Gavin while Noah sets up his laptop for the presentation

About Forest Voices
Forest Voices is a new environmental NGO with a mission to document the ecological knowledge of communities living within and adjacent to primary forests. Our core team includes Noah Jackson, Photographer cum Forest Community Researcher; Lesly Leon Lee, Videographer and Visual Storyteller; and Mohala Santharamohana, Writer cum Projects Coordinator. Using participatory research methods and building trust, Forest Voices documents activities such as gathering and harvesting wild foods, and collecting plants and seedlings, to emphasize the value of the forest environments to the communities who use them. By respecting their local expertise on forest management, we provide a vehicle for communities to share their understanding of forest environments. In light of development and diminishing natural resources in Malaysia, Forest Voices is helping to document knowledge that will lead to a more sustainable use of the world resources.

DE-LIGHTING YOU ALWAYS

Canon’s marketing slogan DELIGHTING YOU ALWAYS comes in all shapes and sizes and the interpretation of its meaning is often anything but in the literal sense. How’s how I see it a little differently. “De-” denotes removal or reversal so De-lighting means removal of light which means no Speedlite flash is needed. Because its high ISO performance is so brilliantly (pun intended) implemented, Canon “reverse” engineered light into your pictures without use of flash. Hence “Delighting You Always” remains true to its slogan!