Over Penang by David ST Loh

Over Penang by David ST Loh

When it comes to books about Penang, I have seen too many by too many people, but when I saw Over Penang by David ST Loh, I was still blown away!

Every day, thousands of people arrive in Penang. Even from a fleeting encounter, many would fall in love with this curious, unique place, and would desire to make it their home.

I was born in Penang, and I have spent my whole life here. Yet Penang continues to intrique me. There is so much to see and so much to discover. For close to forty years now, I have been satisfying that curiosity which has grown from a passion into a full-time job.

All this while, I was only able to capture Penang largely from the ground level. After all, I was pretty much earth bound. I do wonder, how awesome it would be to see those places from the sky. And one day, I finally did.

In a place where everybody knows everybody, it's still surprising that it took me a while to know David ST Loh. The first time I met him, he was assigned to photograph me for a news article. That's how I was introduced to his work, and from then onwards, I began to learn more and more about him. That he was a photojournalist and subsequently an editor at Reuters. That his images have graced books and global newspapers, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Financial Times and more. Gradually, I became friends with David and his lovely wife Rebecca.

Is that a crop circle, or the Guillemard Reservoir? Neither. It's Curtis Crest treetop walk at The Habitat Penang.

I first got to know David's book Over Penang about the same time that I got to know him. To be honest, I only heard about the book in passing, and was not really paying much attention. After all, so many people have written books about Penang, so what else can there be. Then I saw Over Penang and was fully impressed.

Over Penang is a breathtakingly beautiful approach in showcasing my hometown. As its name suggests, the book offers us an aerial view of Penang, both the island and the mainland, and all places in between. The shots are mostly taken using the drone, but they reflect a rigorous discipline, often to be up and ready before the sun rises, or to still be out and about long after it sets. And, since it involves flying an identified aerial object, the work has to be carried out mindfully, away from the path of aircrafts.

Over Penang gives me a whole new perspective to the place I call home. It shows me the Penang I have known so well, from angles I have never been able to shoot. Of course, the moment I saw those pictures, I recognise where they were taken, and what they are. But I couldn't get those shots, or even if I could, I am sure I would not be able to capture them as brilliantly as David did.

The beauty of Penang in geometric shapes, as captured by David ST Loh in Tasek Gelugor.

Over Penang was launched on 1 July, 2019, and was immediately snapped up like hot cakes. As I peruse it for Penang Travel Tips' Book Reviews, I learn that I am holding one of the last copies of the initial print run. But not to worry, this book is not going out of print. Not for the moment, as the publishers are already preparing a fresh print run, and people who want it should be able to acquire a copy - or copies.

If you are a visitor seeking a souvenir that is representative of Penang, or a resident looking for the perfect gift for someone, I can't think of a better book to showcase Penang from the air as well as Over Penang.

And that's not just my opinion. The Chief Minister of Penang, the most honourable Chow Kon Yeow, is using it as a gift to visitors. Well, if it's good enough for Mr Chow, it should be good enough for anybody who loves Penang.

To see more of this wonderful book, dive right in and get yourself a copy today.

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Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow experiencing drone photography with guidance from David ST Loh

Media coverage for Over Penang

Solo Photography Exhibitions by David ST Loh

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