Photographer Duong Minh Long: "Human heritage like Trinh Cong Son needs to be exhibited."

"The King of Documentary Photography" Duong Minh Long

Few people know that at the age of 13, photographer Duong Minh Long mortgaged his family's household registration and rice ration book to buy his first camera, worth 50 old dong. To this day, he has a vast career, having photographed over 1700 figures from various art forms across Vietnam. He has taken over 9000 photos of musician Trinh Cong Son alone.

Sharing with reporters, the photographer confided that he had met and been close to musician Trịnh Công Sơn since his 30s. From a lover of Trịnh Công Sơn's music and an admirer, photographer Dương Minh Long became a close friend and brother. Over 11 years of pursuing him and 4 years living in the same house with Trịnh Công Sơn, he captured and preserved many precious images of this talented late musician.

Duong Minh Long said that when photographing Trinh Cong Son, he didn't stage or arrange anything. He simply asked Trinh Cong Son to stand in a certain position and respected the musician's poses and expressions. He took the photos with a journalistic spirit, so the images were preserved naturally and have high documentary value. Behind each photograph lies a story about the late musician.

"HUMAN HERITAGE" ALSO NEEDS TO BE EXHIBITED

Duong Minh Long shared that he has photographed many different subjects, including natural and cultural heritage sites across all three regions of Vietnam. He is particularly attached to Ha Long Bay, Hue, and Hoi An – UNESCO-recognized heritage sites. “But there is another value that we have the right to be proud of: human heritage,” he emphasized.

He hopes that "human heritage" will be known to more people. The photographer has photographed over 1700 individuals from various fields in Vietnam: culture and arts, theater and film, science and technology, etc. Prominent among them is the musician Trịnh Công Sơn – whom he was fortunate enough to meet in the 1990s. He has been close to and accompanied this talented man, preserving rare everyday moments of this renowned late musician.

Through various information channels, fans flocked to the exhibition to "reconnect" with Trinh Cong Son through photographs. The majority were older people who loved and admired the musician. However, many young people, including students, also visited and carefully observed the pictures. The photographer said he was quite surprised to see how well the exhibition was received by young people.

Many viewers were captivated by glimpses into the everyday life of the late musician Trịnh Công Sơn. These included images of him chatting with musician Văn Cao, playing the piano with pianist Đặng Thái Sơn, and interacting with the famous band Boney M, film director Trần Hùng Anh, actor Tony Leung, and many other well-known figures.

"This is our first meeting," but will there be a second time?

Reporter: "This time you've only released 35 photos out of over 9000 that you've taken. Will there be any more exhibitions in the future?"

Photographer: "Absolutely. If we meet again after the first time, there will definitely be a second time!" he affirmed.

The photographer confided that, after 33 years of preserving the photos, 22 years since musician Trịnh Công Sơn passed away, no exhibition had ever been held. “The exhibition ‘Trịnh Công Sơn – Meeting Again for the First Time’ was organized so that I could have the opportunity to meet him again…,” the photographer said emotionally, “and also an opportunity for the public to reconnect with the talented late musician.”

Speaking to reporters, Duong Minh Long said that for various reasons he hasn't been able to organize many exhibitions. He plans to release a six-volume book series on Trinh Cong Son this year: Trinh Cong Son with Van Cao, Trinh Cong Son with Trinh Vinh Trinh, Trinh Cong Son with Friends, Trinh Cong Son with Khanh Ly, Trinh Cong Son with Hong Nhung, and Trinh Cong Son with Trinh Cong Son.

In addition, he will simultaneously release books about famous landmarks in Vietnam, the photographer revealed.

Bi Le