Practicing running since 2018, Mr. Tran Le Tuan turned to running photography in 2022 and became known to many people.
Those who love running and challenges will not hesitate to set a goal to conquer a half marathon or a full marathon depending on their physical strength. However, for Mr. Tuan, the path to connecting with running is very different.
Admitting that he is not healthy enough to conquer long-distance achievements, the runner born in 1971 is still willing to carry a camera set weighing more than 3 kg and run after the athletes to bring back beautiful photos.
Mr. Tran Le Tuan ran and carried a camera at Tien Phong Marathon Lai Chau 2023. Photo: Tien Phong Marathon
"I love exercise. Since 2010, I have been cycling along the suburban roads of Hanoi. But the roads are increasingly crowded and dangerous. In 2018, I switched to running. Up to now, I have participated in many races, the longest being the half marathon. I am also passionate about photography. Before, I took photos freely and spontaneously. But in 2022, when the running races flourished, I switched to taking photos of runners, mainly in the Hoan Kiem Lake area," said Mr. Tuan.
Every Saturday morning, Mr. Tuan brings his equipment to Hoan Kiem Lake to take photos of runners with the hope of contributing to turning the weekly long-run of the Chay365 group into a cultural feature of the capital. At first, he was not used to it and needed guidance from those who went before him, including Mr. Xuan Do - a famous running photographer. Gradually, taking photos of amateur running has become an indispensable habit that, according to Mr. Tuan, every time he goes on a business trip and cannot attend, he feels missed.
Taking many photos also helps Mr. Tuan accumulate experience in this special job. Instead of pressing the shutter continuously, he believes that a good running photographer needs to know how to capture the athlete's rhythm. He often counts their steps and then adjusts the moment of their stride or kick to gain momentum. Thanks to that secret, Mr. Tuan has had beautiful photos of Vietnam's top runners.
A photo of Mr. Tuan taking of an amateur runner in Hanoi. Photo: Moon Media
"The concept of beauty in running is not the same as normal photography. My models are not pretty, but when they run, they look miserable. But that is what I really like. Runners often exude energy and determination. When it comes to running posture, professional athletes are very beautiful. I have taken photos of Nguyen Thi Oanh, Pham Thi Hong Le... They look like galloping horses, very beautiful. But I also like the moments that exude the will of amateur runners," he shared.
Tuan’s main occupation is an aircraft engineer, working in the aviation industry. Despite his busy work schedule and family commitments, he always tries to find time to pursue his passion for photography. He feels lucky to have the support of his wife, who also runs.
To date, Mr. Tuan has brought equipment worth more than 100 million VND to many races. There have been times when he had to work in the rain and fog, but according to him, the biggest challenge for running photography is at night races.
"Imagine that I have to set up a small studio and find a way to trap the athletes in a well-lit area. But when athletes compete, they don't care where the photographer is. So, I often predict the areas they will run to and find a good moment. After shooting many competitions, I learned how to estimate the time when elite athletes start to separate to take photos. But this also depends on luck. For example, athletes in the front group often have a car leading the way. I have arranged everything but when I get blocked by a car, I am helpless. Up to now, I think taking photos of running at night is still a big challenge that no photographer in Vietnam has conquered," he said.
Anh Tuan took photos of athletes at Vietnam Trail Marathon 2024. Photo: NVCC
Anh Tuan revealed that to get good photos, he often had to carry his camera and run after the athletes. "Imagine it's like running an interval but having to carry a 3kg weight," he said. According to him, the joy of a running photographer is when he gets home to get the photos, sends them to the athletes and gets them to thank him or post them on social networking sites.
Thanks to running, Tuan has made many new friends and is widely known in the Northern running community. Last year, he established a studio called Moon Media to post his works, and since then, people in the running community have called him Tuan Moon. He said that he takes running photos purely out of passion and has no intention of doing business or collecting money from athletes.
Although he considers himself a cautious person, there have been times when Mr. Tuan has encountered problems while working. "At the end of January, I first took photos of the Vietnam Trail Marathon in Moc Chau. Initially, I took photos in the Mu Nau plum garden area, planning to stay there from 7:30 to 8:30. But the beautiful scenery kept me there for too long. I wandered around and when I got to Hang Tau, I missed all the athletes participating in the 70km. When I returned, I was very regretful," he said.
In 2024, Mr. Tuan hopes to have more opportunities to work in the Southern races. The Hanoi photographer aims to participate in trail races in the Central Highlands such as Da Lat and Ta Nang. According to him, these races are not as challenging as the Vietnam Trail Marathon or Vietnam Mountain Marathon, but have very beautiful terrain and will give him new experiences on the path of running photography.
Quynh Chi
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