'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 photograph 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, no one to protect, no one to pamper. In the new environment, at first I isolated myself, no friends, no one to meet, always hiding in a dark room. Feeling lonely, unbalanced. But then I realized, loneliness is 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 one 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, back when I was just learning 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 looking 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 the camera 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 "crazy" about surreal photography?

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

I have taken many types of photos, I am confident that I can do it and even do quite well in the types of photos I have taken: wedding photos, newborn photos, maternity photos, but passion is something completely different from service. I am passionate about surreal photography because it has always been a tendency 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 competitions. Can An explain to readers?

- 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 who makes ao dai is not necessarily good at sewing suits or trousers, a builder can build high-rise buildings well but cannot build temples well, a barber who cuts men's hair is good but not necessarily good at women's hair... Those are things that can happen very normally.

Message through surreal photos: "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 because it has passion and inspiration or expresses what I want to say but I am poor at writing. I am more respected by many people, and financially, it really helps me a lot. I have better relationships and get to meet and work with famous and 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 his 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).

- Thank you An for these interesting shares!

Thien Thien

(Perform)