Compared to color photos, black and white photos help viewers focus on the composition of the photo, each line, detail, light, emotion and especially the story of the photo. If counting from the time photographers took the first color photo in 1861 by Thomas Sutton, then until now, the vitality and influence of black and white photos are still irreplaceable.
Black and white photos are created entirely by hand, requiring high technical skills, aesthetics, and emotions of the photographer.
There is a very good saying that helps to visualize the characteristics and beauty of black and white photos, which roughly means, “if color creates light in painting, then light and darkness create color in black and white photos”. That is because black and white photos are created entirely by hand, requiring a high level of technique, aesthetics, and emotion from the person who projects the photo in the strict “secret room” of the darkroom.
By “experiencing the darkroom with the artist”, the public will be able to answer the following questions: “What makes the Darkroom so attractive? What is the standard of a black and white photograph? What makes handmade photography represent the highest level of photography, similar to haute couture in the fashion industry or fine dining in the culinary field?”.
The first feeling when entering the "Dark Room" anyone will have an unforgettable experience.
According to Pham Tuan Ngoc, the first feeling when entering the "Dark Room" that anyone will have an unforgettable experience is the uniqueness - almost a "ritual" that only exists in this room.
The “ritual” begins with the preparation of equipment, tools and chemicals to prepare for a photo exposure session. Next, the step of assessing the quality of the negative, because in cases where it is necessary to “restore” the negative if it is scratched or moldy, blowing dust off the negative, adjusting the negative, and then starting to “measure the light”. All of this is to prepare for the moment of “exposure” and most especially, the moment when the image and “sparkling colors” slowly appear on the white paper when it is immersed in the chemical tray.
The “ritual” begins with the preparation of equipment, tools and chemicals to get ready for a photo session.
It is not surprising that many people have described “the moment when a black and white photo is created in the darkroom” as a magical, explosive, sublime, and captivating moment that “can be repeated over and over again without getting bored” - because for them, that is the moment when all the waiting and effort in terms of time, money, effort, meticulousness to the point of seriousness are shown in the frame in an indescribable joy. The appeal of black and white photos is also due to the beauty created in the moment of formality and ecstasy of the “double shot”: the emotions and depth of thought of the master of the “first shot” using the camera and the technical standards and emotions, imagination of the master of projecting the photo to become the “second shot” in the darkroom…
Artist Pham Tuan Ngoc further explained: “Compared to color photos, manual photos are limited to only two colors, black and white, and the color reproduction is entirely by light and dark, and completely by hand. A successfully illuminated black and white photo balances the light and dark in the frame, reproducing all the materials so that the viewer can touch everything with the naked eye; not only that, it also captures the moment and imagines the emotions of the scene right at the moment the photographer clicks the first shot...".
Here, the public also discovered for the first time the 7-step "ritual" compared to the 3-4 step standard of traditional photography.
A special point, with the series of darkroom experience workshops with Pham Tuan Ngoc, the public also gets to explore for the first time the 7-step "ritual" compared to the standard 3-4 steps of traditional photography.
According to Pham Tuan Ngoc, in addition to his personal experience as a practitioner of manual photography, the “7-step process in the darkroom” is the summary and learning during his studies abroad, according to international conservation/museum processing standards. That is, the step of fixing the image twice, the step of removing the fixative, the step of selenium tone and the long washing process, changing the water many times to ensure the durability of both the image and the paper, without yellowing or turning into a mirror after many years.
Sharing about his personal journey of cultivating and discovering the journey of projecting photos in the darkroom as an independent art practice, Pham Tuan Ngoc believes that "it is all to serve the true art of craftsmanship. Projecting photos is not simply about technique, it is truly an independent practice of the artist's personal creativity, with a lot of emotions and sublimation like the headshot when pressing the shutter".
"Therefore, the highest standard for a black and white photo, in my opinion, is that the photographer should create it directly in a darkroom, or have it illuminated by a professional photographer," he shared.
Photography is not simply about technique, it is truly an independent practice of individual artist creativity.
Pham Tuan Ngoc believes that “Dark Room” is an art space completely separate from the hustle and bustle of life. Everything in the dark room happens sequentially and repeatedly, but full of improvisation. Imagine, it is a blend of instrumental jazz music with the sound of flowing water. In addition to high concentration, the person practicing photo projection will have a “mindfulness” experience in enjoying and serving this craft.
In response to the question “Black and white photography is no longer popular, while it costs a lot of money and time, how can artists nurture their passion to maintain the best darkroom standards in Vietnam today?”, Pham Tuan Ngoc humorously answered with another rhetorical question “what is difficult and painful to do is happy, right?” and then corrected it with an affirmation “that is because the sublimation of beauty can only be created in the darkroom. Besides, practicing photo projection allows me to experiment with the art of manual photo printing on many other materials such as sun printing, silk printing, stone printing… very diverse, variable and full of experiences in creative labor, that is my own artistic spirit”.
Because of this convergence of quintessence, handmade art photography works are considered unique creations and are increasingly valuable.
Standing in front of a black and white handmade photograph, the public not only converses with emotions, thoughts, and aesthetics, but also witnesses the result of the interaction and intersection of the “double shot” of the photographer and the person who exposed the image. Because of this convergence of quintessence, handmade art photographic works are considered unique and increasingly valuable.
Many people also shared that the explosion of digital technology has forced them to constantly receive too much information and images of documentary or entertainment nature, to the point that their brains are almost in a state of overload. When experiencing “The Dark Room”, the result is moments of slow, private living, enjoying the process of creating quiet but sparkling handmade beauty in the “The Dark Room”.
Noirfoto started with just visual artist/photographer Pham Tuan Ngoc in a darkroom that he developed and perfected himself.
About artist Pham Tuan Ngoc
Pham Tuan Ngoc (phamtuanngoc.com) - An artist who brings "Magic" to his works - born in 1982 in Hanoi, currently living and working in Vietnam, is a visual artist, a handmade photo printing expert and an art educator.
He is known as a record holder in the field of visual arts with many “firsts” and “biggests” in Vietnam. In 2019, Pham Tuan Ngoc set a record for the largest black and white photo projection in Vietnam with a quality equivalent to the largest and leading manual photo printing house in the US called Griffin Editions. In 2023, Ngoc introduced to the public the Chloris Collection with works on the theme of immortality and rebirth made with lumen printing technique for the first time in Vietnam. Also in 2023, Ngoc introduced cyanotype works on silk, also the first time in Vietnam with a record size. Ngoc's entire practice has one thing in common: “Magic” - the moment when materials interact with chemicals and other elements before becoming creations of overwhelming beauty.
Ngoc's practice is based on a belief in the artistic, historical, conservation, scientific and cultural value of handmade photography, the value of fine technical craftsmanship and accumulated knowledge, especially in the digital age.
Possessing profound expertise in art photography and extensive experience in practicing various materials, Ngoc is regularly invited to teach or be a speaker for talks, workshops, portfolio reviews, etc. at leading art schools and centers in Vietnam.
In 20217, Ngoc founded Noirfoto Darkroom-Gallery-Studio - the first professional darkroom in Vietnam, where he focuses on researching and honing the techniques of creating images and prints in the early stages of photography history. Passionate about the art of manual photographic printing, Ngoc pursues perfection in practicing these techniques, as the intersection of art, craft, science and history.
