January 14 : 2026
Tran Khanh
Every once in a while, you encounter a photograph that instantly tells you the creator didn’t simply take the image but bore silent witness to something nearly spiritual, allowing us the rare privilege of seeing something intimate through their eyes.
by Lily Fierman
Image: Future, Present, and Past
Q:
Can you please tell us more about creating your winning image, “Future, Present, and Past”?
A:
This image was created during a trip to Sapa, Vietnam, where I explored the landscapes and experienced the daily life of the Red Dao people. I spent time learning about their culture, specifically their manual fabric dyeing and weaving crafts, as well as their unique rituals.
I hope viewers see that heritage is not just history; it is a living practice.
Q:
How did you come to witness this moment in Sapa, and what drew you to photograph it?
A:
I was strongly impressed by the visual textures of their life: the rough, indigo-stained skin of the elderly women—evidence of years of dyeing fabric—contrasted with the vibrant red headscarves seen in daily life. This striking visual history drew me to capture their story.
Q:
What did you understand about the Red Dao wedding traditions before making this image, and what did you learn through the experience?
A:
I learned about the profound significance of the traditional wedding hat. Its brilliant red color is not merely decorative; it symbolizes luck and happiness. More importantly, it holds a spiritual meaning of warding off evil spirits to protect the bride—a tradition inherited through countless generations of Red Dao people.
Q:
The presence of three generations is central to this image- how did that dynamic shape the way you approached the photograph?
A:
The concept of "Inheritance and Continuity" was my guiding star. I framed the shot to visualize a seamless flow of energy between three generations: the Past, the Present, and the Future. It is a visual representation of heritage passed down—not through words, but through presence in daily life and rituals maintained across generations.
Q:
The color red carries deep significance in this ritual- how did you work with color to honor its symbolic meaning of luck and heritage?
A:
Given that red represents luck, happiness, and spiritual protection against evil, I processed the color to be the focal point. I enhanced the vibrancy and depth of the red tones to highlight the spiritual strength and the warmth of the heritage amidst the rugged mountain context.
Q:
How did you navigate photographing such a private, meaningful moment while maintaining respect and trust?
A:
Respect was established by genuinely engaging with their craft. By observing their dyeing process and asking about their daily lives with sincerity, I became a guest rather than an intruder, allowing the moment to remain natural.
Q:
What role did patience or permission play in allowing this image to unfold naturally?
A:
Patience allowed me to capture the "flow of energy" mentioned earlier. I waited for the precise moment where the connection between the grandmother, mother, and daughter aligned perfectly, showing the silent transfer of tradition.
Q:
How do you hope this photograph contributes to a broader understanding of cultural continuity and shared human experience?
A:
I hope viewers see that heritage is not just history; it is a living practice. The image aims to show that despite cultural differences, the desire to protect and pass down the best values to the next generation is a universal human experience.
ARTIST
Tran Khanh
Location:
Vietnam
