The art photograph contest of the first- 2009 Vietnam National Rice Festival

Unique, quality

The launching and time for receipt of photographs is less than 2 months, thanks to the unique and strange content, the contest attracts more than 860 pictures of the nationwide amateur and professional photographers.

On November 10, The organization Board of the art photograph contest of Vietnam rice – within the first- 2009 Vietnam National Rice Festival gave marks to contesting pictures. There area more than 860 art pictures of more than 170 photographers of the national provinces and cities. Before there are many contests of narrow topics, however, the rice topic is the first one. Hence, the contest attracts the attention and investment of the nationwide amateur and professional photographers. It can be shown that via the art lens, artists have drawn lively and diversified pictures, leading the viewers to an immense space throughout the country’s regions. In spite of the narrow topic, the unique art work has been made by various looks and performances of un-similar art capacities. Many photographers are very excited to come to Hau Giang to see per judging round of the Art Council. The most interest is not the prize, it is that the artists can see various performing style from a very similar topic which deems to go into everyone’s heart. Mr. Le Huu Nghia, a branch of An Giang photographers’ Association says sincerely: “ I have just taken part in photography recently. I am unhesitating to join in this topic because I want to see how my colleagues, predecessors present their photography. I deem to be dizzy by the beautiful photographs with strange and unique thoughts. These pictures have rather fully shown the wet rice civilization in some respects. I have learned much from here while I perform my works, from lay out, light to thought, performing the works”

In spite of the restrict of “Vietnam Rice” topic, A complete performing demand is not simple. If being carefully analysed, this is an open topic. Photographers can take a great deal of pictures with such various topics as growing, shelling, harvesting, plucking rice off the ears, threshing, working the soil, trading and exporting, processing, applying science and technology in production, multiplication…, to products made from rice. The contesting pictures have shown at least 13 subjects, highlighted the unique features of Vietnam rice paddy fields, expressed the change process in peasants’ awareness from manual farming to applying the technical-scientific advance in production. Photographers have shown their creative art thoughts. Beautiful angles recorded at the precious moment, by artists’ clever hands a new atmosphere deems to be blown, a vitality is given to the picture, rice paddy fields become poetic, paddy grain looks more yellow, seed corn looks more sparkling. According to Photographer, Nguyen Manh Sinh, member of the art Council, if the photographers are given more time, they have conditions enough to prepare a deeper topic and make more subjects related to products from seed corn, The pictures shall be more excellent and the process of formation and development of Vietnam rice shall be completely summarized.

Any contest must be ends and the Art Council shall choose the best one. The picture “Hat Ngoc- The Gem” of Duy Bang (Long An) who passed all the others to receive this honour. This is a simple picture but an unique one. A special description of a callous hand cossetting snow white seed corns has highlighted per valuable detail in the hand of the peasant who has made the gem for the life. This is a simple picture but an impressive one because it shows the most specific characteristic on content, arrangement, art form and good eyes of the artist who has made the unique thing from the most simplicity. The picture is absolutely consented by the Art Council and worthfully for the best prize. This works along with the others have contributed a lively picture. The Photographer, Dong Duc Thanh, Chairman of the Art Council gave his comments: “After the contest, we have got a beautiful and unique picture collection. It should be admitted that the topic is not easy but it is very interesting for those who used to be a photographer. Especially, there are many photographers who take part in the contest are professional photographers through their pictures. This makes the contest a real one”. The contest is closed. The most beautiful works have had their owners and in the coming days they shall meet each other in the exhibition to enjoy the best pictures from the contest with a similar topic but it is attractive and highly persuasive.

After a day of judging, the Art Council found out the best works. According to the Art Council’s evaluation, most of pictures meet standard because the participation of the professional photographers. The picture “ Hat Ngoc- the Gem ) of Duy Bang ( Long An) won the first prize. There are two second prizes, 4 third prizes and 10 consolation prizes.

Vinh Tra