With over 3,000 entries, the 30 best photos were selected for display at the exhibition, through a rigorous selection by the Jury, the Professional Council and public votes. Each frame contains both aesthetic value and stories about people, emotions and creative journeys full of personality.
More than 3,000 entries, 30 best photos were selected to display at the exhibition.
When black and white photography is the language of sophistication
Since its first edition in 2020, Noirfotocontest has made its mark in the Vietnamese photography community by remaining faithful to a difficult path: handmade black and white photography. The beauty of black and white photos lies not in the vibrant colors but in the subtle tones, rustic textures and emotional depth.
"Black and white photography always requires photographers to have deeper observations, more sensitivity to light, shape and composition. And it is the elaborate manual printing process, from choosing paper, mixing chemicals, adjusting light... that makes each photo a unique, unrepeatable work of art," shared photographer Ha Manh Thang - one of the judges of Noirfotocontest2024.
Black and white photography always requires the photographer to have deeper observation, more sensitivity to light, shape and composition.
"CONNECT" – Blurring the line between film and digital
The special highlight of Noirfotocontest2024 is that for the first time Noirfoto successfully tested the technique of manually projecting images from digital files. A bold but inspiring step, opening up a new approach for modern photography artists.
This is a true “connection” – between digital technology and traditional craftsmanship, between the speed of the digital age and the meticulousness and slowness of the darkroom. Sharing with reporters, Noirfoto representatives said that they do not consider film and digital as two opposing schools, but want to erase that boundary, so that artists have more space for creative freedom.
This is the first time Noirfoto has successfully tested the technique of manually projecting images from digital files.
Also from this spirit, the theme "CONNECTION" of this year's exhibition becomes a manifesto for the expansion of artistic boundaries - where photography is no longer limited to technique but becomes a connecting material between the past and the present, between artists and the public.
The exhibition "CONNECT" is held at Toong Co-working Space - a special partner accompanying Noirfoto on the journey of spreading the value of handmade art in the modern city.
Exhibition space
"Hand-projected photography is itself a symphony of creativity, where technique blends with the photographer's ingenuity. The subtle tones, rich textures and moving depth of hand-projected photography provide an irreplaceable visual experience," said CEO Duong Do, founder of Toong Co-working Space - Venue Sponsor for the "CONNECT" Exhibition.
A sustainable art ecosystem requires many links.
Looking more broadly, artist Ha Manh Thang believes that Noirfoto is playing the role of an important link, adding young and potential photographers to the flow of contemporary Vietnamese art.
Nocturne
However, he also frankly admitted: “To develop artistic photography, especially handmade photography, we cannot rely on individual efforts. We need more exhibition spaces, a system of documents, books, professional printing and developing rooms, and a large enough network of collectors and customers to nurture the passion of artists."
And above all, the most important thing – according to him – is still "nurturing a community that loves and understands photography, so that each work is not only viewed, but also lives in the spiritual life of many people".
Generations of Wanderlust
The Boundary with the Gods
"Connect" - so that art does not stand still
Looking back at Noirfotocontest2024 and the "CONNECT" Exhibition, it is easy to see a consistent spirit: art does not stand still in the past, nor is it completely immersed in technology. Instead, with patience, perfectionism and a desire to connect, Noirfoto is gradually building a sustainable artistic foundation - where beauty is made by hand, with love, and with time.
Perhaps, that "connecting" journey, though quiet, is strong enough to move anyone who appreciates the kindness and delicacy in each frame.
