The Journalistic Moment of 2024 A Creative Mirror of Reality

(NB&CL) The changes in the appearance of Vietnamese press photography are the result of the tireless dedication of a generation of photographers, journalists with qualities, abilities, dedication and creativity. Accompanying the journey of "a photo is worth a thousand words", the "Press Moments" Photo Award organized by the Journalists & Public Opinion Newspaper has now entered its 6th year and continues to be a prestigious meeting place for the press, a place to honor the courage, dedication and ability to capture moments of those holding the camera.

Capture the image of a rising Vietnam

“Press Moments” enters its 6th year in the journey to build a prestigious photo award brand, a quality competition, with a reputation in the photography industry in general and press photography in particular.

This year's competition received thousands of high-quality, influential and touching press photos, showing that the life of press photography is extremely vibrant.

One of the goals that the Organizing Committee of the Press Moments Photo Contest aims for is to create a large, open and creative playground for press photographers, so that participating authors have the opportunity to hone their skills, enhance their qualifications and improve and innovate their thinking about press photography in the integration period.

With a larger goal, “Press Moments” aims to become a place to gather and honor works and photographers - they are witnesses of reality, truly portraying the image of people and the country, deeply reflecting the breath of life in a vivid and creative way without being affected by language barriers.

In the 6th Press Moments Awards, the Organizing Committee accepts works published in newspapers from January 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. During that more than a year, many important events have taken place, leaving a strong mark and social impact. That is the material for journalists to capture with their lenses the image of a Vietnam that is rising, striving to affirm its role in the international arena.

“Racing” on the 500kV line 3 construction site is a work that was highly appreciated by the Jury Council in this year's season. Author Huy Hung - Vietnam News Agency said that in 2024, the 500kV Quang Trach - Pho Noi line project - a key national project, directed by the Government to be implemented in a short time, will take place in many localities from the Central region to the North.

“Recognizing the importance of the project and the working spirit of the units; “only discuss work, no backtracking”, I have continuously followed the project progress, providing full, vivid and rich information about the construction work. Since the beginning of 2024, I have made dozens of business trips to all localities where the project passes through. Together with “3 shifts, 4 teams”, “overcoming the sun, overcoming the rain”, “working during the day is not enough, taking advantage of working at night” to make photo reports to convey to readers”, reporter Huy Hung shared.

Journalist Huy Hung during his work on a series of photo reports on the 500kV line 3 project.

According to author Huy Hung, the biggest challenge in the work is that the project takes place in many localities (9 provinces), so he has to carefully research and understand the industry to choose the appropriate time and space to work. Another difficulty is the terrain, in many places he has to walk for many hours in the harsh weather of the Central region during the hot days of July.

Despite the difficulties and challenges, author Huy Hung always feels honored and proud to accompany and convey realistic and vivid photos of a special project, promoting the total strength of the entire political system with a huge volume, constructed in a "lightning-fast" time, creating a "circuit 3 mark" and a miracle of the electricity industry.

“The electricians from provinces and cities across the country who came to support the construction of circuit 3 are the characters that left the deepest impression on me. More than 15,000 workers and engineers from all over the country worked from dawn to late at night. Under the scorching heat of the summer in the Central region, the workers still worked tirelessly from early morning to late at night. After just over 6 months, the entire project successfully “reached the finish line”… That was the united efforts of the entire political system - of the workers, of the people who passed through the project, the government, the youth union, the army, the police…”, photojournalist Huy Hung emotionally shared.

Dive in to find valuable moments

As the name of the award suggests, valuable photos are those that capture the most authentic, emotional, and meaningful moments of the event.

To capture such a valuable moment, many factors are required, including the photographer’s talent and sensitivity to current events. These have been recognized in some of the works honored in the previous 5 seasons. The awarded works have left an impression on viewers with their authenticity and artistic value. The distinctive element of the award is the journalistic nature and social impact that excellent photographic works bring.

In 2024, Typhoon Yagi hit the North, leaving behind many tragic consequences. One of the shocking events was the bridge collapse in Phong Chau - Phu Tho. Reporter Thanh Dat - Nhan Dan Newspaper, upon receiving the information, immediately arrived at the scene.

Work: “Hero” saves people from the flood in the Phong Chau bridge collapse: I didn’t have time to think much!” Author: Thanh Dat – Son Bach - Nhan Dan Newspaper

“Witnessing the horrifying scene of a large bridge collapsed under the floodwaters, I was truly shocked. After only 5 seconds of shock, with the instinct of a photojournalist, I started to record images of the scene, along with the searching moments of soldiers or the bewildered eyes of the victims' families looking for their loved ones,” Thanh Dat shared.

Author Thanh Dat said that at that time, many newspapers also exploited that angle, he had to try to find another slice, another story, a humane story in the midst of disaster. "Luckily, I found Mr. Ngo Van Khanh (born in 1998, residing in Zone 5, Huong Non, Tam Nong) - the person who bravely rowed the boat into the middle of the flood to save and the work "The Hero" saves people in the midst of the flood in the Phong Chau bridge collapse: I didn't have time to think much! was born in such circumstances" , Thanh Dat said.

Photojournalist Thanh Dat shared that while working during Typhoon Yagi, he met many colleagues, and without being told, they rushed into the most dangerous scene to capture the most authentic images, recording the heartbreaking and touching stories of the storm to convey to readers. “No one complained of fear, no one complained of fatigue – the reporters were brave and dedicated,” said author Thanh Dat.

The value of photojournalism lies in its ability to contain thousands, even tens of thousands of words in a single moment. Whether or not that value can be exploited depends on the courage, dedication and ability to capture the moment of the photographer.

And this year's "Press Moments" was very successful when receiving works with serious investment, meticulousness, technical mastery, creativity, not afraid of difficulties and hardships to capture outstanding moments in all aspects of political, economic, cultural - social, scientific - technical, sports life... and current events of the country on all working paths...

Hoa Giang

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/khoanh-khac-bao-chi-nam-2024-tam-guong-soi-cua-hien-thuc-mot-cach-sang-tao-post323227.html