From a single photograph
In a small house on Van Cao Street (Gia Vien Ward), Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thanh (68 years old) carefully opened an old wooden box. Inside, nestled among carefully wrapped cloths, was a faded black-and-white wedding photograph.
She recounted, "This photo was taken in 1979 at a photo studio on Tam Bac Street. I've only ever had one like this in my whole life. That day, I was wearing a white ao dai borrowed from my cousin, with a fake flower pinned to my chest and a pristine white embroidered veil on my head. Back then, my husband and I only ever took one photo together."
In Ms. Thanh's time, wedding photography was rare. There was no color film, no post-production editing, just an old Soviet camera and a pre-printed backdrop. Ms. Thanh recounted that back then, a wedding photo was as precious as gold. The bride and groom stood solemnly, looking straight ahead, their faces expressionless. "No one dared to laugh loudly for fear of blurring the photo or closing their eyes," Ms. Thanh said.
Photographer and journalist Vu Dung, who has spent a lot of time in wedding photography, recalls: “In the old days, brides did their own makeup for wedding photos. The groom's and bride's attire was simple, mainly a white ao dai or a newly made floral dress. Many even wore military uniforms. We only had flash, and we had to carefully adjust the lighting. After shooting, we developed the film and waited a whole week for the photos. Because it was a film camera and we had to develop the photos, wedding photography required the artist to be very careful and meticulous in every detail, unlike digital photography today.”
Wedding photos in the 1960s and 70s weren't about showing off or looking beautiful, but rather a memento, a keepsake to record a momentous event in a person's life. The photos, though small, were carefully preserved. Wedding photos back then were small, fitting in the palm of your hand. Those who could afford it would frame them and display them in a cabinet or hang them in the bedroom…
...to many styles
Over the years, wedding photography technology has changed. Now, wedding photography studios are more numerous, offering a wider range of services, from outfits and accessories to more modern cameras. Couples no longer just shoot in studios; they can also go on outdoor shoots, taking photos in beautiful scenic spots, landmarks, historical sites, or locations associated with their love story…
Ms. Bui Thi Tuyet, owner of TuArt Wedding studio in Le Thanh Nghi ward, shared: “Every year we shoot hundreds of wedding photo sets. Customers now don't just want photos for the sake of having them; they also want to tell their love story. Some couples choose a vintage style, others prefer outdoor shoots, and some even hire a whole film crew to create a video telling their love story like a short film.”
Technology and digital techniques have transformed wedding photography into a creative product, where every detail is meticulously calculated, from lighting and composition to color and emotion. Post-production editing using software, combined with drone filming and lighting effects, makes modern wedding photos vastly different from those of the past.
Ms. Pham Ngoc Huyen, a young bride from Ngo Quyen ward, shared: “We chose to have our wedding photos taken on Cat Ba Island, which is considered a green gem in the Gulf of Tonkin. Getting married is a very important and meaningful event, so this time we decided to invest heavily. Before going to shoot and film the video, we and the team surveyed the location beforehand, brainstormed ideas, planned the itinerary, and selected filming locations according to our preferences. Although the cost of such an elaborate and faraway photoshoot is higher, we accepted the investment because it's a major event in everyone's life.”
The biggest difference compared to the past is the spirit of personalization. Wedding photos now are not just "for keeping" but also "for sharing," "to express personality." Many couples post their wedding albums on social media, choosing humorous, rustic styles or recreating their love story through each frame. Some couples prefer nostalgic, rustic photos, so they might choose to have their wedding photos taken in rice fields or familiar places where they used to go on dates. It's clear that the change in wedding photography isn't just a technological advancement, but also reflects social shifts and aesthetic thinking across generations. From simply "preserving images," wedding photos are now a way for people to express their feelings, personality, and life perspectives.
Wedding photos, across generations, remain an indispensable part of Vietnamese people's spiritual lives. From simple black-and-white photos in wooden frames to elaborate art albums, they all share a common thread: love and the aspiration for happiness.
HAI MINHSource: https://baohaiphong.vn/chup-anh-cuoi-xua-va-nay-527453.html
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