Photographers in Da Nang, over recent years, have not only breathed the life into their artworks but they have also contributed to spreading humannity values to our community.

Photographers ‘hunting’ for photos of the red-shanked douc langurs on the Son Tra peninsula. Photo: Bui Thanh Lang

In favourable weather conditions, every day, about 15 photographers are present on the peninsula to capture the most stunning possible images of colourful blossoms and red-shanked douc langurs, which are dubbed as the site’s ‘iconic landmarks’.

Lensman Bui Thanh Lang, who boasts rich experience in photography, said he and his peers grasp how many herds of wide monkeys, especially the estimated number of douc langurs living on the peninsula.

Initially, photographers may take photos to satisfy their photographic passion, gradually they fall in love with every branch, grass, and each species living on the Son Tra Peninsula, a way dedicated to preserving and protecting the ecological environment here.

In the perspectives of locally renowned photographer Nguyen Quang, not only is a photo artistic but it also showcases the ability to convey a highly meaningful message.

“Promoting beautiful images of nature and people of Da Nang through our artworks is also clearly shows how much we love this city and wish to spread that positive energy to more people”, said Quang.

Quang’s photo entitled ‘In the Mist’, capturing the image of the Gold Bridge, won the C Prize in the Outstanding Photography contest held by the Viet Nam Association of Photographic Artists in 2020.

Photographer Huynh Anh, Chairman of the Han River Photography Club, said he and other members had unforgettable trips to the shocking remnants following a deadly disaster in remote mountainous Tra Leng Commune, Nam Tra My District, Quang Nam Province October, 2020.

A collection of photos taken by dedicated photographers was born then, vividly and authentically depicting the haunting images of dangerous roads leading to the landslide scene, everything buried in the mud, faces of grief and loss, and rescue missions racing against time.

In their point of views, taking photos of such disasters may not sit well with everyone, but these photos serve a lot of purpose.

For some, they are a reminder of an experience they do not want to go through again. For others, disaster photos can be used to get support and relief for the victims and survivors. Newspapers and other printed publications use disaster photos to show people about the depth of calamity and devastation.

Each news photo represents a chance to maintain public awareness of how the victims get through the incident, and what we do to support them and prevent such similar event in the coming time.

Noticeably, last year, the club members actively competed at municipal photo contests such as ‘Da Nang on the front line against COVID-19’, ‘Da Nang’s Biodiversity’, and GoSeeDo tourism photo contest themed ‘Da Nang, a city of seasons’.

“The biggest success, in my opinion, is that the Da Nang photographers convey good values of life, thereby contributing to creating a diverse picture for the city's culture and arts”, Than Nguyen, Chairman of the municipal Artistic Photography Association said.

The Da Nang Artistic Photography Association’s members reaped a total of 73 awards at municipal and naitonal –level photo contests last year.

Reporting by NGOC HA – Translating by A.T