The photo “Chuan bi ra khoi”, one of Pham Van Chai works

He started to work at the famous photographer Tran Duc Cau’s store as an apprentice over 50 years ago. Thanks to his ability, Chai was assigned to develop photos in the dark room and he experienced many skills in how to develop a beautiful photo.

Working here, Chai always took a similar photo when seeing any beautiful photos brought to the store. He, thus, now owns many unique photos of Quy Nhon as well as Binh Dinh in the old days. Many of them were selected to be published in a photo book entitled Quy Nhon – past and present.

He has travelled to many places and taken many photos, but his works have mainly been published on newspapers. Chai is one of photographers pioneering in art photography in Binh Dinh. He soon proved his forte with various photos of local natural sceneries.

“I love my hometown’s landscapes, particularly the simple beauty in rural areas,” Chai said. “I thus make every effort to convey different views of their beauty through my photos.”

He is now 75 but he was much admired for his style in work. “I’m not as healthy as you thought because I have a heart disease,” he said. “Whenever I go out to take photos, my friends have to pick me up by motorbikes as I don’t dare to drive alone.”

Chai has continuously won many prizes since his photo “Nhip song” (the rhythm of life) was awarded the first prize in a contest held by Photography Magazine in 2000.

As for local photo contests, he is always one of photographers winning many awards, including the first prizes for “Nhung anh sao dem” (night stars), “Tinh ta mai mai” (our forever love), “Luu luyen dat vo” (Be attached to the land of martial arts), and “Gop to tam” (collecting silk) and other second and third prizes.

His achievements prove his great “inner” strength for work as there are many local photographers keeping “silent” for years after winning several prizes.

Chai’s photo “Suong som” (early dew) also won a gold medal at the International Society of Photographers’ contest in France last year.

“Do you have any secrets to win such prizes,” I asked. Chai said he almost takes photos every day; thus, he always has some photos to join any contests. “I join the photo contest to share my work with people, not to compete for prizes,” he added.

He is sometimes employed to take photos by many provincial bodies and companies. The No.47 Construction JSC once employed him to take photos of their buildings nationwide during two weeks and he took it as an opportunity to take more beautiful photos.

At present, Chai is nurturing a plan to take a photo of rain. What is showed on his face proves that he will continue his journey for art creativeness forever.

• Hoai Thu