Photo exhibition "Fragrance and colors of three regions"

Since the country's reunification, along with the merger of the three provinces of Quang Binh , Quang Tri, and Thua Thien Hue into Binh Tri Thien province, the artists of the three provinces were initially gathered together. Photography developed with the participation of artists Dinh Lien, Ho Si So, Vo Viet Duc, Nguyen Khoa Loi, etc. In May 1978, the Fine Arts and Photography Association was officially established. Photographer Vo Van Ky, a member of the Vietnam Fine Arts and Photography Association, participated in the Association's Secretariat and was also a member of the Executive Committee of the Binh Tri Thien Literature and Arts Association, term I. After the congress in 2000, the Photography Association officially became the Thua Thien Hue Photography Association. By 2025, when Thua Thien Hue became a city directly under the Central Government, the association was named the Hue City Photography Association.

Looking back on the journey since the reunification, photography has gone through three stages. Those were the post-war days, when the ancient capital of Hue, as an important cultural center of Vietnam, began to rebuild and develop. The economy was difficult, photographic equipment was outdated, and raw materials such as film and photo paper were scarce, but photographers persisted, creating works rich in documentary and artistic value. They were passionate about beautiful moments of light and followed the news. Photography was associated with the media, the photographer was also a journalist, a collaborator of newspapers, and the media departments of various departments...

In 1986, the renovation policy was like a new wind, creating more favorable conditions for artistic activities, including photography in Hue . The subjects of photographers were expanded, the works were inclined towards natural landscapes, cultural heritage, people and festival events. The complex of Hue Monuments and unique festivals became the main source of inspiration during this period. The art of photography in the ancient capital developed to a climax with the following names, such as the artists: Pham Ba Thinh, Le Quang Hoang, Dang Van Tran, Pham Van Ty... with a display of achievements, certificates of merit, medals of all kinds from the Central to the international level along with new photography organizations: Hue City Photography Club, Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists in Hue...

The development of digital technology is a new breeze that is enthusiastically welcomed by the photography community of the ancient capital. The art of photography with modern equipment and advanced image processing techniques is updated. Along with the development of modern equipment is the flourishing working environment in the area. Hue has more and more big events, which is an opportunity for photographers to hunt for open works. Unique moments, modern stage "film sets", rich and varied festival and art programs are opportunities for photographers to promote Hue culture to people and tourists at home and abroad.

A generation of talented young artists, such as artists Truong Vung, Ngo Thanh Minh, Van Dinh Huy, etc., appeared. Continuously held photo exhibitions created an environment for artists of the ancient capital to exchange and learn. The association promoted its role in helping members reach out to larger playgrounds. Along with local playgrounds, there were Vietnamese and international art photography competitions and exhibitions. This was a period that marked the remarkable development of photography of the ancient capital.

In recent years, the development of technology has somewhat affected the activities of the Photography Association members, but more than ever, it has gathered people who truly love the art of light. Their works are more carefully crafted, free from “everyday life” and meet the high demand for preserving and promoting cultural, historical and natural landscape values. The photographers do their job well with works that capture moments through the lens. The photographic works act as a living archive, recording the changes of Hue over time, while introducing the image of a dreamy Hue with its heritage and natural beauty to international friends.

Artist Pham Van Ty, former Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, former President of the Thua Thien Hue Photography Association (now Hue City) confided: "Photography has made a great contribution to preserving and developing the culture of the land through the stages and still maintains this position in the digital transformation stage; it is a means of conveying messages quickly and effectively, with high interactivity".

Pham Phuoc Chau

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/nhung-nguoi-luu-giu-van-hoa-hue-bang-hinh-anh-153128.html