The wife and relatives of a veteran nude photographer consider the artist’s work a source of immense pride for both their family and themselves.

>> Naked ambition in Vietnam

A photo of seasoned nude photographer Duong Quoc Dinh’s wife baring her upper body hangs prominently at the forefront of the couple’s living room. 

The family’s relatives see nothing risqué in the piece.  In fact, the international prize-winning photo is an immense source of family pride.

The famous piece centers on the youthful curves of a younger Mong Ha, Dinh’s wife, as she poses against the backdrop of a gold picture frame and gloomy landscape.

Though 13 years has passed since the photo was taken, 50-year-old Ha cherishes the piece for retaining her youthful beauty.

Dinh doesn’t shy away from the use of family as artistic subjects.  As Tuoi Tre (Youth) reporters browsed his collection the famed photographer proudly pointed out several nude photos portraying the curves and youth of other relatives, including his wife’s niece.

“We consider the art part of our family’s tradition,” Dinh explained.

Ha later shared her faithfulness in her husband’s career, declaring she has no doubts in the transparency of his work. 

The couple first met in elementary school.  Later, Ha sought out Dinh’s artistic prowess for help with painting nude figures on her ao dai (traditional long gown).

It wasn’t long until the two fell in love and tied the knot.

Ha is wholehearted supporter of her husband’s career, often working as an assistant on his photo shoots.

“He always demonstrates intense concentration and dedication at each photo shoot. I really don’t see any cause for jealousy or concern over a possible affair between him and the models,” she stressed.

A nude photo by Duong Quoc Dinh

Decades-long career

Dinh’s artistic portfolio is comprised of 11 models.  After graduating from university, he began earning a living by painting women, thou the income was always meager.

In 2003, Dinh turned to photography to as a way to expand his creative skills set while earning extra cash.

“Photos are more practical and more easily appreciated. It took me only a few days to master the art,” Dinh shared.

Dinh began his foray into professional photographer by offering commercial photo services.  He later made the switch to entirely nude photography.

“Photography is the means through which I put my knowledge, intuition, and observation into practice and create new situations.” 

The photographer generally seeks models who fit his artistic intentions and match his demanding physique and facial requirements.

“I always talk to the models about nude photography before signing agreements so that I can make sure they truly appreciate the art,” Dinh noted.

“The most rewarding part of the job is the final product which the models can then use for personal purposes,” he said, adding that he is the legal copyright holder of all his photos.     

Dinh also shared that nude art was natural to him and buds from his childhood passion of portraying the female form.

The obsession lingered well into his adulthood and upon graduation from the art school. 

“When I began nude photography, I was bewitched by the grace of young women and began seeking my own path.”

The alluring charm of a girl washing her hair is accentuated in a photo by Duong Quoc Dinh.

The seasoned artist has also begun attempts at entering new forms of photography.  Most recently, he’s taken to ‘line art’ – a technique which creates an image that consists of distinct straight or curved lines placed against a plain background with no gradations in shade or hue in order to represent two-dimensional or three-dimensional objects.

The photos are then printed onto canvas and given elegant, acrylic brush strokes to add an extra layer of texture and hue.

The ‘line art’ pieces are of great appeal to art buffs and typically sell at high prices.

“I struggled to make ends meet with my paintings, nude photos and other odd jobs throughout my career,” the artist shared.

 “Thanks to the ‘line art’ technique I use on my pool of nude photos, I was able to afford to build my house in only six months,” he added.

The house, nestled in an alley in Bien Hoa City, the heart of Dong Nai Province, approximately 30km from Ho Chi Minh City, teems with the artist’s work.

“Dinh employs good technique in his nude works to create striking effects and unique details,” praised Vu Quoc Khanh, President of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists.