Viewing 50 symbols of Ho Chi Minh City through the lens of Cao Ky Nhan

TP.HCM - Ảnh 1. — Thieng Lieng Island Hamlet, Thanh An Commune, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: CAO KY NHAN

The photo series of 50 symbols of Ho Chi Minh City by photographer Cao Ky Nhan has received attention from the online community in the past few days. He took the photo series as "ordered" by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism.

New perspective on Ho Chi Minh City

Photographer Cao Ky Nhan told Tuoi Tre Online that it took him about two months to complete this photo series. However, the process of taking the photos was not very smooth due to the weather, many locations where photography was prohibited, and the time it took to get permission to fly the flycam.

However, this is a photo series that marks an important milestone in his photography career. 50 icons of Ho Chi Minh City is not only a photo project but also an opportunity for him to contribute to preserving images of the development of Ho Chi Minh City - a dynamic, rich in identity and constantly developing city.

Cao Ky Nhan said: "Taking the photo series is a challenge that helps me perfect my travel photography skills, documentaries and tell stories through images in the most authentic way."

The locations and events in the photo series are all familiar, a difficult problem for Cao Ky Nhan.

He said that in photography, finding a new angle is not difficult, but finding differences in familiar angles is the big challenge.

Because famous landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City are photographed by many photographers, the photo angles become familiar to many people.

"I refresh familiar shooting angles in many ways such as changing the shooting position, choosing different lighting angles, experimenting with different lens focal lengths or shooting equipment.

I also take advantage of everything present around the shooting location with the desire to create new angles, so that viewers feel more excited" - Cao Ky Nhan shared.

TP.HCM - Ảnh 2. — Cu Chi rice paper craft village

The shooting locations in Can Gio and Cu Chi took Cao Ky Nhan the most time due to the geographical distance. But there are some shooting locations right in the center of Ho Chi Minh City that also "eat" a lot of his time, such as Ben Thanh Market and On Lang Assembly Hall.

Cao Ky Nhan said: "It took me three mornings to fly the flycam at Ben Thanh market because the weather was not favorable. Two mornings and one evening I took pictures of the front of the market to catch the empty front.

Two afternoons I took pictures of the trading scene inside the market. As for On Lang Assembly Hall, the front was blocked by traders, so I went at different times of the day but still couldn't get a satisfactory angle."

This photo series includes a picture of bread. At first, Cao Ky Nhan thought that bread would be the easiest to photograph. But when he started taking pictures, many problems arose. Finding a bakery with a nice decoration was not difficult, but asking the owner to take pictures was not easy.

I always try to create something new in each photo to avoid the feeling of repetition. This is shown through the smallest elements such as: light, shadow... I take photos at different times of the day to create a different feeling."

Cao Ky Nhan

TP.HCM - Ảnh 3. — Metro Line No. 1, Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: CAO KY NHAN

TP.HCM - Ảnh 4. — Thu Ngu Flagpole - Photo: CAO KY NHAN

TP.HCM - Ảnh 5. — Ba Son Bridge - Photo: CAO KY NHAN

Every picture tells a story

The photo series of 50 symbols of Ho Chi Minh City not only captures moments of famous landmarks but also tells a long story about the development of Ho Chi Minh City.

"Each photo is a piece in the panorama of Ho Chi Minh City - a city that is constantly changing, from the past to the present. Through this photo series, I want to convey a message of respect and recognition of history and culture, but at the same time reflect the strong and dynamic development of Ho Chi Minh City" - Cao Ky Nhan confided.

Cao Ky Nhan explained why many photos have few or no people appearing: "That was my intention.

Because when mentioning Ho Chi Minh City, everyone thinks of scenes of crowded vehicles, unchangeable time frames. I want to show everyone another side of Ho Chi Minh City, which still has many places, many time frames that are very gentle and peaceful.

Hopefully the photo series of 50 symbols of Ho Chi Minh City will help everyone find suitable peaceful and relaxing corners. On the other hand, taking photos of places with impressive architecture when there are few people will honor the architectural beauty of the building."

Cao Ky Nhan is from Phu Yen but he has been attached to Ho Chi Minh City for 25 years and this place has become an inseparable part of his life.

"Ho Chi Minh City is not only my second hometown but also the place that witnessed my growth and development. I have deep love and respect for Ho Chi Minh City - a city that is constantly changing. The photo series is like a gift from me to express my gratitude to Ho Chi Minh City," Cao Ky Nhan confided.