Hao Nhien: 'I have many emotions when taking nude photos'

The photographer said that without inspiration from the model, he would have found it difficult to take a series of photos at the first nude exhibition in Vietnam.

- How long did it take you to introduce the exhibition "Artifacts" to the audience?

- I have been saving everything for seven years, now I have the chance and luck to organize an exhibition.I had no trouble getting the license, the procedures were completed in a short time, the difficulty lay in how creative I was. The hardest part was the first few years of coming up with the idea. In addition, there was the issue of funding. Friends supported a little and the rest came from my own pocket. When everything was ripe, the work went more smoothly.

-Previously, many photographers had difficulty obtaining permits to organize nude photo and painting exhibitions. What was your situation?

- I walked behind and they walked in front. Many photographersadvise me on how to choose photos to have the possibility of being licensed. There are photos that I like but have to be removed from the photo series. The full version is very bold, not just like in the exhibition. We have filtered to get the series of photos introduced to the public this time.

I was very happy, joyful and relieved when the opening event opened. This was a big milestone in my life, which may never happen again. After this exhibition, I stopped taking nude photos to pursue other fields, collaborating with colleagues on new projects.

Photographer Hao Nhien was born in 1975 in Saigon.

-What is the meaning of the name "Artifact"?

- Artifacts are pieces and cuts of light combined into a whole. Through the 50 photos in the exhibition, I want to find harmony. The photo series has a picture of a wrinkled hand, I want to show the connection through that hand. It is the connection between the model, the photographer, the viewer, the connection between light and lines. If the viewer finds it beautiful, it means there is a connection, I don't want anything more than that.

I used black as the main color in the photo series, first of all because this is the color I have liked since I was a child. Black has something mysterious and romantic. Looking at a black photo, you will wonder what lies behind that darkness. Even I, the photographer, feel that way when I look at the photo.

I am a dancer so my shooting style is influenced by the stage. I like the softness and gentleness of the dancers.

- What is your criteria for choosing models?

-I work based on inspiration. For example, one day, I am inspired by a certain curve, and I happen to meet a model that fits my idea, and I will invite them to collaborate. I know many models so it is not difficult to invite them. We collaborate happily.

When working together, inspiration is important to me. Without emotion, I cannot take pictures. In front of the beauty of women, as a man, of course I have many emotions. I am single so I do not have many problems from my family.

I alsoI did not have much difficulty photographing models because I had clearly explained my wishes to them before working. All models signed their consent before working, although their faces were not visible in the exhibition photos.

- What was your most unforgettable memory while taking the photo series?

-There are images that appear in my head, I take pictures over and over again but they never come out the way I want. There are models who regularly work with me, they also have to do it over and over again because they cannot express the idea correctly. The work is hard, not easy. There are ideas that take up to three months to achieve my expectations.

* Saigon people attend the first nude photo exhibition in Vietnam

- What advice do you have for young photographers, especially those who want to take nude photos?

- Having passion without trying is just an illusion. If you are passionate, try to explore it, but it is difficult to do it alone. You need advice and interaction from many people. The experience of those who have gone before is extremely important.

* Some photos displayed at the exhibition "Artifacts"

According to VNE