Photographer Nguyen Minh Quang: Homeland & beautiful moments

Photographer Nguyen Minh Quang: Homeland & beautiful moments

Photographer Nguyen Minh Quang has been involved in photography for a long time, but it was not until 2016 that he truly embarked on a professional creative path and gradually asserted himself. Most recently, he won a high prize at the Artistic Photography Contest “50 Years of Binh Dinh - Land and People” with the photo series “Quy Nhon Port City” (first prize) and “Green Future Lesson” (second prize). On this occasion, we had a conversation with him.

Photographer Nguyen Minh Quang. Photo: NVCC

* What is a memorable memory in your journey as a photographer?

- I was born and raised in the countryside. The sounds and landscapes of the countryside nourish my soul, so when I had the means, in 2013 I bought my first camera and immediately captured the beautiful moments of my hometown. At first, I only took photos for fun, but later I became more and more passionate. By 2016, thanks to the encouragement of my fellow hobbyists, I was bolder to create more and submit photos to professional art photography competitions.

The first photo that made an impression and also the one that left the most memories for me was Sea Flowers in a Storm, taken at Hon Yen - Phu Yen in 2018. This is the moment when Hon Yen coral appeared in the middle of a thunderstorm, an impressive scene. This work was exhibited at the national level in 2018, appeared in Heritage Vietnam Heritage Journey 2018 and entered the Top 100 Nature Australia in 2021.

* In 2023, you won third prize in the art photography contest "Binh Dinh - Colors" with the work "Night by the ancient tower", can you share about this photo?

- “Night by the ancient tower” is a work of photography of the Milky Way, belonging to the genre of astrophotography, taking pictures at night with the sky full of stars, nebulae or the Milky Way. I really love this genre, but in Binh Dinh, very few people pursue it. I also really like the genre of landscape photography, especially seascape photography, especially in the moss season or when the waves hit the shore in the rough sea season. I have many seascape works such as “Dawn on Bai Trung” (national exhibition 2020), “Bai Trung in moss season”, “Dawn on Eo Gio”...

I am fortunate to have traveled to many places domestically and internationally, but my hometown Binh Dinh always makes me feel overwhelmed with emotions. Every time I leave behind a little bit of the beauty of my hometown, I feel like I am re-energized.

* Recently, it seems like you've invested a lot in photo collections and series, for example the photo collection Quy Nhon Port City...

- Quy Nhon Port is one of the top 5 ports in Vietnam, playing an important role in trade with the Central Highlands and the Mekong sub-region. With the desire to honor the development of my homeland, I dedicate

It took 2 years to complete the photo series “Quy Nhon Port City”. This work requires a lot of time and effort, sometimes returning without taking any photos because the ship has not entered the port or the weather is not favorable. But if you want to be creative, you have to do that. It is a great pleasure that this photo series was recognized in the art photography contest “50 years of Binh Dinh - Land and People”.

Photo collection of Quy Nhon port city by photographer Nguyen Minh Quang.

But single photos still have their own interesting features. The work “Green Future Lesson” is an example. The Party and the State are investing heavily in science and technology, aiming for a green economy and a circular economy. More importantly, the future of the country depends on the young generation today. I chose to take the photo at the International Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Education to better reflect this message.

* His photos taken with flycam appear more and more…

- I started taking photos with flycam in 2019. This is a modern technology that helps photographers have unique perspectives that old-style cameras cannot achieve. However, controlling a flycam is not simple, requiring a lot of time to learn and practice. The risk of taking photos with a flycam is very high, anyone who plays with flycam has encountered problems, at least damage, at worst losing the device. However, I am still passionate because flycam helps me record special perspectives of my hometown's landscape.

*What are your plans for your upcoming photography activities?

- I wish to have the opportunity to take photos in all provinces and cities of Vietnam. In addition, I also want to do more difficult topics, reflecting the lives of workers, technological development, as well as the changes of Binh Dinh over time. My big wish is to organize a solo exhibition to tell my photography journey. I hope I will be able to do that in the near future!

* Thank you for this conversation!

Photographer Nguyen Minh Quang (born in 1978, from Cat Chanh, Phu Cat) currently lives and works in Quy Nhon City, is a member of the Association of Photographic Artists (Binh Dinh Literature and Arts Association); member of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists.

He has many photos exhibited at regional, national and international photo festivals and won many awards: Encouragement Prize at the Southern Central and Central Highlands Regional Art Photography Festival in 2020; Third Prize in the "Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh - Ideal Destination" contest in 2022; First Prize in the "Hoai Nhon - New Destination of Binh Dinh" Photo Contest in 2023...

NGO PHONG (Implementation)

Source: https://baobinhdinh.vn/viewer.aspx?macm=18&macmp=18&mabb=343493