Visionary artist Phạm Tuấn Ngọc. Photo courtesy of the artist

Phạm Tuấn Ngọc, a visionary artist and photographer in HCM City, is renowned among photography enthusiasts at home and abroad. His artworks have been showcased at numerous exhibitions and featured across various media platforms.

Ngọc holds the record for creating the largest hand-printed black and white photo in Việt Nam. Additionally, he is the founder of Noirfoto Darkroom-Studio-Gallery, recognised as a leader in organising art exhibitions that bring together photography aficionados.

Việt Nam News interviewed Ngọc about his journey into photography, Noirfoto's coming plans, and strategy for enhancing the quality of photography.

Inner Sanctum: Would you please introduce yourself and your journey into the art of photography?

My love for photography blossomed at a young age. In first grade, when my grandmother asked me what gift I wanted from her business trip abroad, my response was clear: a camera.

However, it was during my study for a master's in Europe in 2008 that my passion for photography truly flourished.

To cover expenses during my time abroad, I delivered sushi on a motorcycle, an experience that may not seem joyful to many but was a source of genuine happiness for me.

Riding through the streets of Paris on my motorcycle provided me with a unique perspective of the poetic city.

This experience culminated in a collection of black and white photos of Paris, which was showcased at my inaugural solo exhibition - 9 (Neuf) - Paris in Black & White in HCM City and Hà Nội in 2019. Subsequently, I published an art photo book titled Paris 9.

Following the 9 (Neuf) - Paris in Black & White exhibition, I gained recognition for personally hand-printing an entire collection of black and white photos, acclaimed for their quality being equivalent to preserved artwork in museums.

Also in 2019, two photographers had a collection of black and white photos on a very special theme, the SOS Children's Village in Việt Nam. They sought the help of top hand printers in the US to complete the collection and only one piece remained unfinished.

They, however, did not have enough time to send the negative version to the US. They came to me with a task to hand-print their collection with dimensions, quality, and finishing equivalent to the largest and top photo printing company in the US - Griffin Editions.

Luckily, I was able to do it. This event unexpectedly made me the record holder of the largest hand-printed black and white photo in Việt Nam.

The journey continued as I delved into experimenting with techniques such as lumen printing, resulting in the "Chloris" exhibition, the first collection in Việt Nam created using this method. Exploring cyanotype printing on silk gave rise to the collections Five Elements and Eternal Flow.

Throughout my journey, I have received strong support from Noirfoto - the organisation I founded in 2017 upon recognising a significant unmet need in the art community.

One of Noirfoto's core missions from the beginning has been to support artist development. Through the "Artist Nurturing Programme", we select artists, provide them with theoretical knowledge, elevate their practical skills, showcase their works in group exhibitions, and ultimately organise solo exhibitions for them.

Inner Sanctum: Photography in Việt Nam has in recent years seen a surge in both the number of photographers and the audience. In your opinion, what is the reason for this trend and how can it evolve in terms of quality?

With higher living standards in recent years many individuals could afford time and resources to pursue hobbies, with photography emerging as a prevalent choice.

The ubiquity of smartphones equipped with advanced imaging technology, coupled with the popularity of social media platforms, has inundated us with imagery. A common observation, however, reveals a lack of innovative perspectives and stagnation in the quality of photography despite the increase in quantity.

To propel the field forward in terms of quality, proactive educational initiatives focused on fostering expertise should be prioritised to augment critical thinking and creativity among photography enthusiasts serious about their work.

Engaging in contemporary competitions tailored to the intimate photography community can offer participants an accurate gauge of their skills and talents.

Ngọc and one of his photos. His love for photography blossomed at a young age and flourished when he had a chance to stay in the EU. Photo courtesy from the artist

Inner Sanctum: Noirfoto has established itself as a prominent figure in organising successful art exhibitions. What strategy does Noirfoto employ in selecting artists for exhibitions, and who is the target audience that Noirfoto seeks to engage with through its art exhibition services?

Noirfoto's artist selection criteria hinge primarily on the quality of the artwork, alongside an assessment of the artists' commitment, professionalism, finances, attitude, and determination in pursuing expertise. These considerations collectively inform decisions regarding exhibition participation.

While this forms the foundation of our strategy, the current cultural landscape in Việt Nam presents challenges in fully executing these criteria concerning expertise and professionalism. Moving forward, we aim to expand the pool of talented artists to align with these standards. The target audience Noirfoto aims to engage with includes individuals possessing artwork that they aspire to exhibit.

Ngọc and some children at a training session at Noirfoto which he founded to support artist development. Photo courtesy from the artist

Inner Sanctum: In your opinion, what criteria does an art exhibition need to meet in order to be considered successful?

Success in the context of an art exhibition varies among stakeholders.

For artists, success may be gauged by public recognition, reputation, and acknowledgement of their talent and proficiency. Organisers may define success by audience engagement, artwork sales, and positive media coverage.

Viewers often perceive the success of an art exhibition through the lens of a well-curated space, captivating artworks, and emotionally evocative experiences.

While stakeholders may have divergent measures of success, Noirfoto believes that high-quality artwork professionally displayed, coupled with effective public outreach to collectors and the media, leave an enduringly positive impression on all parties involved.

Despite encountering objective and subjective challenges since its inception, Noirfoto is resolute in its commitment to progress and anticipates continued growth in its activities, focusing on exhibitions, artistic endeavours, and artist support.

A photo by Ngọc whose artworks have been showcased at numerous exhibitions and featured across various media platforms. Photo courtesy of the artist

Inner Sanctum: As a seasoned photographer, what advice do you have for aspiring photography enthusiasts aiming for success?

The realm of photography presents an expansive and whimsical landscape, best explored by diving deep into its depths to truly appreciate its magnitude. To achieve success in photography, aspiring enthusiasts can embark on two principal factors: commercial and artistic.

The commercial factor necessitates a dedicated focus, continuous skill refinement, and the development of expertise through engagement with agencies, brands, and partners such as studios and equipment rental agencies, and the establishment of a personal branding strategy.

Conversely, aspiring photographers choosing the artistic path should cultivate depth and sensitivity, enrich their life experiences, and nurture a distinct perspective of the photography world to hone their direction, material choices, and techniques. VNS