Besides basic technical knowledge, there are no limitations or constraints when it comes to photos. The photographer take photos with emotions, patience, creativity and passion invested and nurtured throughout the journey of holding a camera.

Moments of the moss season at Nam O rapids through the camera angle of author Mai Quang Hien.

Photography is interesting life experience

The cited statement is the mindset of photographer Pham Dang Khiem about the journey of holding a camera. He was once observed working on the pitch at the Hoa Xuan Stadium during a fierce match in the V-League National Football Championship or attentively watching a herd of red-shanked douc langurs foraging for food on the Son Tra Peninsula, and at other times, taking photos of the sunset over a river near his home in Dien Ban Town, Quang Nam Province or the beauty of Hoi An ancient town after a storm.

The multi-themed photos he posted on social network or presented in competitions and exhibitions have their own quality with a new perspective. As Vice Chairman of the Da Nang Photography Club, a member of the Da Nang Art Photography Association, few people know that Pham Dang Khiem's photography journey can be considered late compared to many other photographers. Starting in 2017 as a construction engineer, he practiced photography to capture images of architectural works and projects.

Through the process of learning eagerness and his passion for photography, he gradually got better at it and started reaping high rewards. These included second prizes in the ASEAN regional photo contest ‘White pollution impacts on marine ecosystems’ and the Artistic Creation Contest of Protecting the Ozone Layer, gold and silver medals, along with many consolation prizes in international photo competitions.

Also a member of the Da Nang Artistic Photography Association of Da Nang city and winner of many awards, Mr. Mai Quang Hien, an officer of the Hai Chau District Culture and Information Department, is a familiar photographer at many political, cultural and tourism events.

Through Mr. Hien's camera angle, Hai Chau village communal house festival, APEC Sculpture Garden Park, Nam O mossy rapids, Han River, or the musical water fountain show at March 29 Square were vividly captured with vibrant colours embedded in a simple but impressive layout.

The naturalness and gentleness in the content and composition of photos from Mr. Hien's perspective is the result of his journey with photography for nearly ten years. “That period of time fostered in me the habit of taking photos and the awareness of preserving the things I see in life. From then on, I had to carry a camera wherever I went and developed a passion for photography," Mr. Hien said.

From passion, emotions and camera angles, the cited photographers wish to promote the beauty of life through the language of photography.

Playground of emotions and creativity

Photography is an art and also a hobby. Besides basic knowledge such as technical specifications, composition, camera operations and lens types, photography has no limits or constraints. In other words, this is the playground of emotions and creativity. People who love photography jokingly call this passion "jumping into the lime hole", implying that once you get into it, it's hard to get out. In that passion, there is a lot of investment in skills, equipment and time. As for equipment, many photographers spend tens, hundreds of millions or more to have satisfactory equipment. Not only cameras, many people buy flycams and waterproof cameras...

Skills and equipment are necessary factors, but the "sufficient" condition for a photo enthusiast is probably investment of time. Mr. Huynh Van Truyen, popularly known as Kim Lien and many photography artists constantly present at many events. They were present to take photos at the Avalokiteśvara Festival in Da Nang, UIM F1H2O World Motorboat Race in Binh Dinh Province, and usually at Hoi An and Ba Na.

Mr. Hien said: “Da Nang, especially the banks of the Han River, whether sunny or rainy, still reminds me of a familiar feeling. The pace of life changes every day, today is different from tomorrow, I simply want to have time to take photos, want those images to be preserved in their best form”.

It was surprised that a group of photographers camping overnight on the top of Thien Phuc Duc Hill just to hunt clouds and capture the moment of mist and clouds floating in the sky of the mountain town of Da Lat at dawn. Nguyen Duc Hieu, a young photographer, famous for many travel photo series spanning the country, said: "It's an investment and patience in terms of time and emotions. Lets’ be patient to wait for beautiful moments, have emotions to comfortably capture and preserve those moments."

Reporting by LAM VIEN, THUY TRANG - Translating by A.THU