'Passion is different from service'

(Baonghean) - An An Nguyen (real name Nguyen Van An) was born in Hung Tay (Hung Nguyen). Currently, An is a final year student of the Faculty of Industrial Design at Hanoi Open University, and is the author of many surreal photo collections loved by young people... Nghe An Newspaper had an interesting conversation with An An.

A surreal photo of himself by An. Photo provided by the character

“There are things to look forward to”

-What brought you to photography?

I went to Hanoi to start a new living environment, where there was not much to rely on, not being protected or pampered. In the new environment, at first I isolated myself, had no friends, did not meet anyone, always hid in a dark room. Feeling lonely, unbalanced. But then I realized, loneliness was more frightening than the world I was facing. I found a way out for myself, adapting to the living environment. It was a camera. I define it as something supernatural, not like painting, not like writing, just a second of pressing the shutter will have a moment that you will never see again, or it is like a poem, an essay that you do not waste paper and pen.

- Your first photographic work?

- Talking about my first work, I probably wouldn't dare look back, when I was just learning how to use the computer and didn't know anything about photoshop. It looked really pathetic! There are things that should be looked forward rather than back, right?!

“A tailor for ao dai does not necessarily make good suits or trousers.”

- Have you ever studied photography anywhere or from anyone?

- I learned everything by myself, from using cameras and photo editing tools, I researched and explored on my own, without relying on anyone. It's true that when you walk alone without anyone to guide you, when success comes, it's happier than anything.

- Why is An "addicted" to surreal photography?

- Surrealism is a genre that originates from symbolism, placing the absurd above reason. This tendency helps people free themselves from social “shackles”, expressing their inner self and natural thinking, not constrained by logic, reasoning... In general, it is fiction (laughs).

I have taken many genres, I am confident that I can do it and even do quite well in the genres of photography I have taken: weddings, newborns, maternity photos, but passion is something completely different from service. I am passionate about surreal photography because it has always been a trend to free people from the world without being chained or constrained, expressing the inner self and human thinking in the most comfortable way. It is not constrained by issues of right and wrong, logic, reasoning... It is the best way to evoke strong feelings for the subject you want to express.

- An's photos have been well received by the online community. But according to some sources, An has never participated in any photography contest. Can An give readers an explanation?

- Actually, I once participated in a contest organized by Canon, but I didn't get anything. And I just considered it an experience to see where I was. As you can see, a tailor for ao dai does not necessarily sew a good suit or trousers, a construction worker can build a high-rise building well but cannot build a temple well, a barber can cut men's hair well but not necessarily women's hair well... Those are things that can happen very normally.

Message through surreal photo series: "Don't turn into stone, your soul is always frozen". Photo provided by the character

- What is passion for photography bringing to An?

- A lot! If you say what photography brings me, it is exactly like that. Spiritually, it makes life more interesting for me, because it has passion and inspiration or expresses what I want to say but am bad at writing. I am more respected by many people, and economically, it really helps me a lot. I have better relationships and get to meet and work with famous, successful people that not everyone can meet.

- Nghe An in general and Vinh city in particular are developing strongly in all aspects, photography is one of them. Does An intend to return to her hometown to start a career?

- I am about to graduate; currently there are some branded studios in Hanoi and Vinh city or other districts inviting me to cooperate. But I am wondering, with my nature, if I enter that environment, will I be able to fully develop my abilities or work effectively, and partly for profit. It is a new century, not just living for passion is enough (laughs).

- Thanks An for these interesting shares!

Thien Thien

(Perform)