Photojournalism has always had always been of paramount importance: as the old saying goes “A picture is worth a thousand words”, photos can deliver news in an immediate and lively manner. In Focus series by Matca will highlight outstanding photo stories in the past month, so our readers can keep up with the news and learn about building a visual story. This is also to express our gratitude to professionals working around the clock to keep the flame of photojournalism alive.
Besides outstanding issues including heat reaching a record high, the court case of beauty queen Phuong Nga and high school graduation exam, below are 5 photo stories of June with a different perspective and approach.
A simple wish for June 1st: Go to school – Kenh14
An intriguing approach of Kenh14 reporters on an old tale: the dream of poor children on Children’s day. Here the kids themselves narrate with their drawings the story of a simple yet challenging dream.
Scraping A Living On An Ore Dump – Tuoi Tre News
Reporter Nguyen Khanh once again proves himself a sensitive and proactive photographer when approaching a difficult topic. He has followed H’mong children who mine antimony ore in a dump in Ha Giang to earn a living despite fatal jeopardy. Not only are the captures of the ore impressive, the series also reveals novel perspectives on the hardship these young laborers have to endure through details such as a holed glove or a sleeping child in daylight after work.
“Down by the sea” – VnExpress International
The series by Thanh Nguyen does not entail a solid character or issue. He tells scattered stories on shore, on boat and off shore after 5 years traveling and documenting along 3000 kilometer of Vietnamese coastline.
The serenity and intimacy of the project demonstrate each person’s relationship with the ocean, be it the portrait of a working fisherman, a mermaid performer at an aquarium or an employee at the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center. Down by the Sea partly shows Thanh’s great affection towards the ocean, perhaps stemming from his upbringing in a marine city.
Buffalo Crossing Rivers – Zing News
An interesting finding from photojournalist Pham Truong in Ha Tinh. The buffalos not only assist farmers to plough and rake on the fields, but also serve as ‘canoes’ to carry harvest across Ngan Sau river since there is no bridge. “Crossing the river in that way is too dangerous; sometimes both are washed away and even drown if not rescued in time. But without a bridge, there is no other way,” farmer Le Nhat Hop admits. A 200-meter reach suddenly becomes hustling with a herd of buffalos, one after another carrying farmers and harvest.
Bui Vien walking street before D-day – Zing News
A piece of news well illustrated by Zing reporters. Bui Vien street, a tourist attraction in Sai Gon is being renovated with new light systems, new pavement and extended road to become walking street starting this July 15th. The reportage depicts the rapid working process of construction workers, while at the same time portrays the negative impacts on daily lives of nearby citizens.
