OLD TOWN
It had been a long time since we last published an article. This period allowed us to evolve significantly, particularly through the creation of our home studio. It also opened the door to deep introspection, helping us better understand who we are and the philosophy that shapes our artistic approach.
Narrative vs Commercial
Constantly navigating between narrative-driven work and commercial projects, we have refined our vision and now distinguish two kinds of artists: those who seek to reflect a deeper truth, and those who primarily serve broad validation.
Ideally, both can coexist, in proportions adapted to each project. We are drawn to works that explore ambiguous, complex, and sometimes polarizing themes. These are, in our view, the creations that allow the unconscious to surface — and through that process, reveal the world’s subtle and ambiguous beauty.
Legibility as a Medium, Authenticity as a Source
As we began to master artificial lighting, one truth became clear: the authenticity of a moment relies on a few fundamental principles. Light must be designed for the space, not imposed on the subject; otherwise, the scene immediately loses its accuracy and drifts toward spectacle.
What makes a portrait feel alive is not the perfection of a face, but the vulnerability that reveals the duality of being — its strength as well as its fragility.
The imperfections of skin or grain add an organic dimension to an image, often lost in over-retouched visuals that become flat and neutral, especially on digital media.
Rather than showing everything, we aim to reduce the scene to what is strictly necessary, allowing the viewer space to breathe and to reach their own conclusions.
What Is the Purpose of Our Personal Projects?
The purpose of our personal projects is to better understand our identity and to build a solid technical foundation, so we can share our inner world with sincerity.
Repeating existing formulas is essential for learning and understanding, but there comes a moment when a part of oneself must be revealed with the highest possible honesty — in order to create something authentic, and therefore difficult to replace.
To capture this authenticity, Vietnam — and Hoi An in particular — proves to be an ideal setting. The chaos and patina of its buildings, shaped by climate and time, offer a unique visual texture. It is one of the most evocative cities for those drawn to an organic aesthetic, far from perfect symmetry and pristine walls.
Rather than seeking immediate legibility, we want our images to create a subtle ambiguity, inviting the viewer to explore and question what lies beneath the surface.
Conclusion
Old Town is прежде an exploration — of identity, of light, and of how to reveal an inner world with sincerity. Each portrait and each moment captured in Hoi An reflects this pursuit of authenticity, balancing technical control with vulnerability, legibility with human complexity.
We hope these images speak for themselves, offering a glimpse into a universe where imperfection and duality become strengths, and where art — far from spectacle — reveals the quiet truth of lived experience.
