SET A RECORD ON NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE, VIETNAMESE PHOTOGRAPHER, SPEAK PROUDLY: “IT’S MY PLEASURE WHEN MY PHOTOS INSPIRE VIEWERS AND BRING VIETNAM TO THE WORLD”
As the first Vietnamese photographer to have photos published in National Geographic magazine and the collaborator of National Geographic, Tran Tuan Viet always wants to take naturalism but impressive images that can show a beautiful Vietnam to international friends. The photos will be the beautiful pieces of Vietnam that they haven’t ever seen before.
Looking back on your 13 years as a photographer, what motivates you to maintain this only passion?
“For me, maintaining a passion for photography is not difficult at all. Initially, it was just a hobby. Instead of travelling like everyone else, I travel to take photos. However, photography has been my only passion for so long. Apart from it, I have no other pleasures.
I know a saying “Jack of all trades and master of none”. So, I decided just to pursue my only passion. I want to understand thoroughly and deeply about photography, my only dream. Putting my wholehearted energy into photography, I spent all my time on the road. I take a rest and eat food whenever I need.
I think that I am practising photography. Photography as my experience capsule, It helps me find a lot of feeling. It makes me find myself. All of what I photographed are the brushstrokes in my journey to exploring everything in life.” said Trần Tuấn Việt.
The children are playing with old motorbike tires on the dunes near Mui Ne beach, a coastal town in Binh Thuan province. Children all over the world like this simple game. Children all over the world like this simple game.
A portrait of a farmer in Tay Ninh, he is weaving a basket at leisure time after the harvest period.
“Rớ chồ” is a traditional profession of fishermen in Cua Dai, Quang Nam province. This conventional job is popular in the dry season from January to July of the lunar calendar. After casting the net and using a fishing light attractor for several hours, the fishermen paddle the boat below the net and make small holes to collect seafood. A shift usually starts from the night before to the next morning. If they are lucky, they can earn about 200,000VNĐ (8,6$) for a working night.
At the begging of taking up photography, what was your goal?
Tran Tuan Viet shares, “Anyone who is the starters in photography wants their photos known by many people. And then, the next consequences of their interest create valuable things. It was so me at first. I considered photography as a hobby. At first, I just set small, simple goals of having some photos as gifts for photography lovers. These gifts are like recognition of everyone to cherish my efforts. But later, my dream grew bigger.
I think that I achieve success very soon (after only a year of taking up photography) because I spent a lot of effort over the past five years. After I had reached my goals one by one, I strived for the bigger targets. I want to find the best version of me. What I mean is, I always do what I want to do.”
What most important in pursuing photography do you think?
He says “For me, the most important thing is what the picture can tell us. I want my images can show viewers the story of my process to make creations. Luckily, I have my signature photos that make my feature, which is what I want.
Recently, I have no longer set goals to satisfy myself. I don’t want to strive for fame, prizes, or money as everyone else. I try to make my photos meaningful, to bing my country to the world. This goal is so different.”
Many people think photography career sounds very romantic. What do you think about this idea?
“I think that’s right. Except for those who take pictures for the money and fame, those who pursue photography must have their feeling for the photos. They can put the beauty soul into their work. Without emotion, art cannot be complete. A beautiful photo may be eyes-catching but easily forgettable; however, the inspirational images will last long.
Photographers are usually very artistic, and they love beauty. I also have such a personality; I only love beauty. Though I cannot earn much money, I still chose to do what I want.” says the photographer.
Van Dinh duck has long been a famous dish of Vietnam. Duck raising is a hundred-year traditional work in Van Dinh, a commune southwest of Hanoi. The ducks surround the farmer whenever he feeds them.
When you get some unexpected things, how do you handle?
I come to photography with the desire for good things and beautiful aesthetic images. Usually, those with success will have haters, but I don’t care because I know that I want to go farther and towards the aesthetic. Therefore, whatever happens, everything will be ok.
I also got a lot of gossips, mostly since National Geographic magazine published my pictures. I got much more backbiting when National Geographic offered me to be their collaborator in the community photos project. I think that inviting a Vietnamese photographer to cooperate with a world-famous magazine will make many people feel strange and suspicious.
However, I have never provoked war or revenge against anyone. I always put aside the negative things and go forwards. I have very few friends. They are all good friends and willing to express their views, tell the truth to defend me against any problems outside.
Why do you choose the theme of the worker’s simple life to run through your photos?
“Because that is the closest thing to me.”, he said. He continued “I think everyone wants to return to the roots and find the nostalgic values because they create a lot of emotions. And my childhood associated with the villages in Ha Tinh, so I feel so moved when I reach closer and closer to the simple life.
By accident, everyday life in Vietnam is very fascinating and draw the attention of international friends. I think people around the word will warmly welcome such Vietnamese things.”.
Can you share your thinking about the image of a Vietnam in the present time?
“I think it is good to show the beauty of Vietnam to boots tourism. Therefore I shot and showcased images of modern iconic like Cầu Vàng (the Golden Bridge). Also, I suppose that people prefer the core values of Vietnam with a thousand years of civilization.
What I am pursuing is the core, the soul of our country. No matter how life changes, Vietnamese people celebrate the Tet, wear Ao dai and cherish traditional cultural heritages. I believe that international friends, when coming to Vietnam, also want to experience those things.” He insisted
Why did you choose to keep going with the storytelling genre, a new photography genre in Vietnam?
He explained, “I have experienced many genres in photography, then found it the most suitable because it helps me find my purpose: taking photos to tell about Vietnam country and people.
I always want to make different things from others. I want to experience new things that very few people want to do. And the way I am following is also a trend in international photography. I feel that there comes a time when people will realize the values of storytelling in Vietnam.”
What factors determine the value of an image?
Mr Tuan stated, “Honestly, we don’t have any standard to evaluate an image. Some people believe that valuable photos must win the prize. But I don’t think so. I believe that the shot which draws people’s attention and receives the warm welcome from everyone will be worthwhile. He emphasised that a photographer’s career would be judged by their work and their dedication, not only their awards.
Someone called you “a photographer with a mission to bring Vietnam to the world”, what do you think about this?
“I am always proud of my photos I shot,” he said. And added “When I share them on Instagram and then receive a lot of complimentary messages from viewers: “Your photos are my motivation. They inspire me a lot to take pictures to come to Vietnam.”
Through my photos, international friends know how beautiful Vietnam is at present. They will found the inspiration and the urge to visit our country whereby people will understand about Vietnamese identity and culture.”
The fishermen pushed the basket boat out to sea on the coast of Binh Thuan
A group of female workers is making a large blue net at a sewing factory in Bac Lieu province, South Vietnam.
Have you ever lost interest in photography? How did you do then?
He said, “About a year ago, I participated as a judge for a big photo contest in Vietnam. As juries, we have technical and artistic criteria to evaluate the photo. However, the organizers had edited the winning photo for media purposes without any words to the judges, nor any reaction to defend the judges against the criticism.”
“After that time, I was very stressed because of the ad hominem from many people. Since then, I rarely shoot and share photos.” He confided. And add, “By May 2019, I got better when Google offered me to join the photo project for the Google Arts & Culture platform.
Participating in that project is the chance to complete my goal, bringing pictures of Vietnamese culture and art to the world so that all people can access and learn about Vietnamese culture and history. I had felt better and overcome the stressful times when I could pursue my passion and could contribute my photos to a large corporation in the top 3 of the world at that time.”
You have travelled to many places to be able to capture the beautiful moments of life. So, where do you impress the most in Vietnam?
“It’s Hanoi.” said photographer Tran Tuan Viet. And added, “The city has a lot of material for artists to compose. It was no coincidence that in the psst the sages chose Hanoi as a capital. In this 1000-year-old city, we can capture a lot of photographic materials: landscapes, daily life, streets. Here is such an artistic land that there are many things for me to pursue all my life.”
What destinations that you propose to travel to in 2020?
“They’re Hanoi, Ha Long (Quang Ninh), Hue, Hoi An and Da Lat, Binh Thuan – Ninh Thuan.
These places have the most striking and distinctive scenes of Vietnam. There are roads of Binh Thuan – Ninh Thuan, Ha Long, and Da Lat for the natural landscape sightseeing. Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An are the must-go destination.” he suggested.
When spring comes and sea levels lower, green mosses begin their new short life on the Co Thach rocky beach in Binh Thuan province, is located on the coast of South Central Vietnam. The moss life cycle here is only two months, from early January to the end of February. These two months are also the best time for visitors and photographers come to find composing inspiration.
Can you suggest some tips to shoot attractive virtual living photos on social media?
“Virtual living photos and my photo are two different categories. However, there are also common points between them. We need to have the proper arrangement and background with enough light to shoot attractive photos.”
How do you find new perspectives and create images that make an unforgettable impression on viewers?
When I approach a topic, I try to explore it from many aspects and then choose a single outcome. With over 130 years of photography history, every theme has all been photographed by seniors on numerous occasions. Therefore, only by conveying new issues in an old theme will my photos be different. For example, maybe I’m the first Vietnamese to use a drone (flying camera) to take pictures of everyday life.”
What motivated you to explore beauty?
“It’s feelings. Feelings can make me put the work away and spend all my time on a long trip. It is my motivation and creates my spontaneous journeys. I start with feelings, and then I explore the idea for my stories in many places.”
How do you convey emotions and stories in a photo?
He shared, “There are no such things as secret keys. The stories and emotions in each picture are what I want to tell viewers.
Photography is a visual art. Many people say that it takes them 2 to 3 seconds to settle emotion when they look at the photo. If a picture is eye-catching and has good visual effects, it will impress viewers and make them curious about the stories behind. I am pursuing a storytelling genre,
so I want to take pictures that motivate people to explore the picture origin. Normally, I will research the story first and then explore the information under the photography aspect. I will create a connection between the photo and the story.”
What is your plan in 2020?
“In September 2020, I am going to participate in the Xposure International Photography Festival in the United Arab Emirates. “My Vietnam” is an album that I have chosen to exhibit at the festival. The album has photos on the topic of Vietnam – country and people, and I will mainly focus on the subject of culture and tradition.
There will be many world-famous photographers. I want to take this occasion to show them a Vietnam they have never seen. I am very honoured to be the first Vietnamese photographer to participate in the festival. I will make the world better understand Vietnam through the photos and stories in my album.
Currently, I have over 45 images posted on many National Geographic platforms. I plan to publish a photo book or open a small exhibition named “Stories of Vietnam on National Geographic” soon. The display is going to summarize my 5-year journey to join National Geographic.
Also, I wish to take and retell the normal life pictures and the humanistic photos of my country.”
By Toquoc.vn – photos: CafeF