Table of contents
Danny Bach, also known as Bạch Nam Hải, is a Vietnamese photographer who specializes in documentary and portrait photography. He is also the director of Hoa Ta Company and a master printer at the Vietnam Giclée Lab (VG-Lab). It all began with his love for capturing family memories through images, but Danny soon embarked on a serious path in photography. Since then, he has been exploring and engaging with the vast world of photography.
From passion to career path
Danny Bach’s passion for photography began when he was in secondary school, sparked by his curiosity about cameras. He viewed them as finely crafted and intricate devices, with every detail beautiful and precise. Initially, he used photography to capture memories of family and friends, but soon delved deeper into the functions of the camera, studying photography theory on his own. From point-and-shoot film cameras to later digital models, he gradually experimented with new techniques and discoveries.
Initially considering photography as just one of many youthful pastimes, Danny Bach never expected his love for it to grow into such a strong passion. From this passion, he made the bold decision to pursue it as a serious career path. In 2013, while studying Business Management at RMIT University in Australia, he applied to transfer to the Photo Imaging program of the same university. This course provided him with not only in-depth knowledge, but also practical experience covering everything from taking photos to producing images of the highest possible quality.
During his studies, Danny Bach pointed out three photographers who had the greatest influence on him: Elliott Erwitt, Alex Webb, and Michael Coyne (whom he had the opportunity to interview). Danny was inspired by their work and gained new ideas and motivation from studying their photography. He also highlighted that what he learned from these photographers extended beyond their technical skills; it was their energy, warmth, and positive way of thinking and communicating with others that truly resonated with him.
Inspiration from ancient Southeast Asian calligraphy, painting, and philosophy
In 2017, he returned to Vietnam and opened the Vietnam Giclée Lab. The lab is now certified by two world-renowned paper companies, Hahnemühle and Ilford. To maintain operations in this new and niche market, he established the brand Dong A Danh Hoa to reproduce ancient Southeast Asian calligraphy and paintings. During the process of selecting paintings for introduction, he embarked on a learning journey about the painters and their works, as well as the philosophical and academic content of Eastern art. Furthermore, he reviewed the ups and downs of life and different schools of thought.
From there, Danny Bach believed that pursuing one’s beliefs requires experiencing many ups and downs and facing challenges, regardless of the era or profession. He suggested that individuals in the same field should respect their profession, each other, and persevere to succeed. Regarding ancient beauty that has persisted for hundreds or even thousands of years and still impresses future generations, he believed that what is important is not only the external appearance but also the deep philosophical influence of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism within the personal heart and knowledge.
The subject of humanity is endless
Danny Bach has always pursued one topic throughout his career in photography: humanity. Previously, he had even established a principle that every photo he took must include a human being. However, he gradually realized that the human element can exist even in places where they are not physically present. This insight prompted him to search for the presence of humans in objects created by their hands. For Danny, humans are an infinite source of inspiration.
Being away from his homeland for several years gave him a fresh perspective on the place where he grew up. It seems that only through the eyes of a stranger did he truly appreciate the wonders of Vietnam. Inspired by this realization, Bach Nam Hai created the photo series “The Vietnam I Want to Keep”: a project that lasted more than nine years, during which he took photos in his spare time. This allowed him to observe Vietnam in greater detail and on a wider scale.
The inspiration for him came from nothing other than the Vietnamese people, society, and culture. He believed that this project had no end, and as long as he had the means, he would continue it. Vietnam’s richness and complexity make life there a vast topic that cannot be fully explored within a single lifetime.
The life cycle of documentary images is determined by their objectivity
Danny Bach specializes in documentary photography. He believes that a skilled documentary photographer should have control over their emotions in order to maintain objectivity in their storytelling. Danny argues that if a photo reveals an obvious viewpoint or intention from the photographer, it loses its value as a documentary piece. It becomes no different from an advertisement, except that the message conveyed in the photo is about the photographer’s idea rather than a product.
In fact, everyone’s ideas always change throughout their lives, so imposing a message only limits the lifespan of the work to the duration of that idea before it is replaced. To extend the work’s lifespan, objectivity is a crucial factor. This way, each person can approach and interpret the message in their own way, rather than being confined to a single perspective imposed by the photographer.
In order to highlight the objectivity in photography, current documentary photography awards require photographers to not interfere with the story’s development. Danny Bach argues that the term “not influencing the story” is quite broad, as a photographer’s mere presence canimpact how subjects react and behave. As a result, photographers must take great care from the very beginning to ensure that their presence does not alter the course of the story. Similarly, editors must exercise restraint to ensure the integrity of the photograph.
Furthermore, the depth of ideas infused into a work is immeasurable. The author must learn to navigate through intuition, digging deeper into each layer over the years. The more they dig, the more vitality the work possesses without any stopping point.
There is no absolute truth in photography
As a documentary photographer, the element of “truth” in a captured image is something that makes Danny Bach ponder. He believes that the “truth” is uncertain. The actual “truth” can only be observed by heaven and earth, whereas each individual’s “truth” is self-observed and interpreted differently.
Therefore, Danny Bach argues that the truth in a photograph is the truth that has passed through the lens of the photographer. The photographer chooses the frame and the moment to capture, which creates a perspective that may be related but not directly connected to the “absolute truth”. This perspective represents only a part of the truth and depends on the photographer’s ability to dig deep and reveal multiple aspects of it. Therefore, the “absolute truth” cannot exist in a photograph.
Harmonize with the digital age
Danny Bach’s current job doesn’t allow him much time to take photos, but it provides a platform for him to meet and connect with contemporary photographers and artists. Through these conversations, he learns about their creative processes and execution. This enables him to still have space to think about photography. He has discovered that there are many talented people out there who work tirelessly, each producing works with unique characteristics that demonstrate the richness and depth of the photography industry he is working in.
Danny Bach expressed his gratitude towards the digital age, as it enabled him to easily access photography. During the early days of his photography journey, the digital age had a significant impact on him by allowing him to learn on his own and explore a field that was not always easy to approach. He sees technological advancement as an unstoppable historical wave that no one can resist and thus chooses to harmonize with it by compromising and finding ways to adapt.
Indeed, digital technology has made it easier for viewers to access artworks, whether they are paintings or photographs. Nonetheless, technology also has its drawbacks, and it’s important to observe its direction, anticipate risks and opportunities, and make the most of its benefits instead of rejecting it.
Desire to enhance people's perception of photography
At the Hoa Ta Show exhibition, Danny Bach presented three works: “Joss Paper Figures,” “Temple Ground,” and “Ben Thanh Market: West Entrance.” Each photo captured a different moment and location, reflecting the diverse aspects of Vietnamese life. “Joss Paper Figures” was particularly noteworthy as it marked Hai’s first participation in a Hau Dong ceremony for the worship of Mother Goddesses. During the event, he captured a stunning portrait of the joss paper figures, which appeared both cute and majestic.
In “Temple Ground,” Danny Bach shares that he has visited Tram Pagoda many times and is always struck by its sacred and peaceful atmosphere. However, the photo was taken during a crowded festival, so the atmosphere was somewhat less chilly. As the afternoon sunlight gradually faded, it illuminated the courtyard where people gathered to eat and celebrate, creating a stunning display of colors. Danny was amazed by this vibrant scenery and decided to capture it in his photograph.
The ‘Ben Thanh Market: West Entrance’ photo is part of a series being taken by Danny Bach, which began before the Covid outbreak and is still ongoing. With a keen interest in capturing images of markets throughout the country, he always starts by photographing the market whenever he visits a new place. Despite having taken numerous photos of markets in Saigon, he was particularly impressed with Ben Thanh Market. This image not only showcases the architecture of the historic building but also reflects the impact of the Covid pandemic on people’s lives.
Through his works, Danny Bach hopes that viewers will feel the emotions hidden within. He believes that the perception of photography will change towards a more positive, profound, and comprehensive direction. It is essential for the audience to fully appreciate the exhibition’s content rather than focusing solely on technical aspects.
—
Writer: Liên Võ for Hoa Ta
Editor: BB Trương
Hoa Ta interview video with Danny Bach
Purchase the artist's prints via our online store
