Photographer Do Tuan - Storyteller through the lens

Photographer Do Tuan in a moment of work.

Genetics for photography

Photographer Do Tuan was born in 1949 in Hung Yen , but he grew up and has been attached to Thai Nguyen since the 1950s. As a child of a family of artists (both his father and grandfather were photographers), he showed his love for art early on and became proficient in using a camera. From simple black and white photos to emotional works of art later on, he gradually became a representative face in the photography community in the Viet Bac region with a realistic, simple style, rich in emotional depth.

When he was an auto repairman, Secretary of the Youth Union of the No. 10 Automobile Transport Company, until he became a propaganda officer of the Provincial Youth Union and Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department of the Provincial Labor Federation, he was always known as the "photographer" of the unit. After office hours, he carried his camera and wandered around villages, factories, and enterprises in and outside the province to record the simple rhythm of everyday life.

No passion takes as much time and money as photography - NSNA Do Tuan humorously said, in the past, when I took pictures with film cameras, I "burned" an unknown amount of money to invest in machines, then developed and washed, making my wife and children impatient. At first, my wife also complained, other people's husbands spend their days off with their families, wives and children, but he, every day he has free time, goes out with his friends to "hunt" for photos. However, knowing my personality, later she took care of all the family matters so that I could live with my passion.

Portrait of photographer Do Tuan - the "storyteller" with the lens.

Photography was not only a passion for him, but also a side job that helped him support his family during difficult years. When his first photos were published in newspapers and paid royalties, he was moved to keep them as precious gifts. In 2008, when he retired, he officially devoted all his time to photography. A long journey filled with many emotions and impressions.

With his contributions to the field of photography, in 1999, he was officially admitted to the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists. As Vice President and then President of the Thai Nguyen Photography Association, he regularly organizes collective creations and shares experiences with the younger generation. At the same time, he acts as a bridge between local artists and major art playgrounds. Not only inspiring about the profession, he also inspires love for his homeland through each photo.

Telling beautiful stories through the lens

“Photography is the way I listen and tell about the beautiful things of my homeland and country.” - Artist Do Tuan shared.

I sat and looked at the photos taken by artist Do Tuan and was satisfied. The special feature of his works lies in his ability to capture the simple beauty of everyday life. He captured the workers with all respect and care. In his frames, everyday moments become visual memories, imbued with humanity.

Promoting his strengths in portrait photography, he has delved into capturing the close-up moments of workers in steel furnaces, farmers in golden fields, and the passage of time on the face of an old woman in the village. The photos not only record images but also tell a story, a short film that preserves cultural values ​​and memories.

Portrait of a steel worker by Do Tuan.

The outstanding feature of the works of artist Do Tuan is the clear presence of people in the midst of the homeland landscape. It is the smile of a female worker during a break, the image of a farmer in the middle of the harvest season, or the eyes of a child in a remote village, the diligent hands of a farmer on a Thai tea hill... In the pictures, I also see behind him the person, quiet but profound. Not noisy, not ostentatious, his images always create a sense of peace, like a whisper telling a story.

“For me, photography doesn't need to be technically sophisticated or have a beautiful angle, but what's important is capturing the moment that moves me the most!” artist Do Tuan confided.

That philosophy of photography has led him to follow the direction of storytelling photography, reflecting the deep connection between people and the living environment during his 40 years of holding the camera. Living such a moving life, his artistic photographic works help viewers love their homeland from the simplest things. He gently evokes interest in indigenous culture through images, becoming a "memory preserver" with light.

40 years of holding the camera "Going through time"

And when all the photo stories were filled in his memory, he decided to open a big conversation - not only for himself, but for all those who have passed through, lived, and loved the homeland of Vietnam. On May 18, NSNA Do Tuan plans to organize an exhibition "Going through time" with over 50 photos from his life as a photographer, including many photos taken in Thai Nguyen.

The countryside of Tra land through the perspective of photographer Do Tuan.

These works were selected by him from thousands of photos depicting the rustic beauty of his homeland, country, and people with each frame full of emotion. This is an opportunity for the provincial art community to look back on his journey of many years of silent creation, and also a way for him to express his love and gratitude to his homeland, Tra, where his passion and artistic soul are nurtured.

Having met him many times, I was surprised that despite his old age, he still remembers exactly every frame and every shooting situation.

He enthusiastically introduced to me: This is a Mong girl in Vo Nhai. I will always remember her smiling eyes but hiding something very distant. And this is in Thai Hai village - where I captured the sacred moment when people performed the new rice offering ceremony. That is the tea hill in Hoang Nong, Tan Linh (Dai Tu). This picture is of a steel worker at TISCO. I captured these diligent coal-carrying trucks at Phan Me coal mine. And here is a very impressive image of a girl in Bac Kan , despite her disability, she still skillfully weaves fans to earn a living. I also really like this beautiful scene on Ba Be lake...

Photographer Do Tuan's favorite photo of the new rice festival of the Tay ethnic group in Thai Hai stilt house village (Thai Nguyen city).

Listening to him, I understood that the pictures were not only stored in his hard drive but also in the heart of a person passionate about preserving memories with light.

His works have been exhibited and won many prestigious awards in and outside the province. But for him, the greatest award is when a viewer stops for a long time in front of his photos - and sees themselves in them. He said, "I am proud that I am so rich because I own thousands of images of the country and its beautiful, lovely, memorable people."

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/tieu-diem/202505/nghe-si-nhiep-anh-do-tuan-nguoi-ke-chuyen-qua-ong-kinh-9321379/