Photography News Issue 61

Photography News | Issue 61 | photographynews.co.uk

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honoured to receive one, along with a pipe and a basket, to showcase their culture in my museum. The remaining 11 white costumes are kept by the Ro Mam as ‘treasures’, knowing that no one makes them any more.” Inspired by photographers including Sebastião Salgado and Steve McCurry, Réhahn’s approach means that he often spends days or weeks with tribes he’s photographing, or strikes up relationships and makes repeat visits. Photographs of a young girl from the Cham tribe has become a favourite with Réhahn’s fans. “I spent three days with An Phuoc, a little Cham girl with amazing blue eyes,” Réhahn says. “At first, her family wasn’t keen for me to take pictures but we spoke about their culture and I was invited to stay for lunch. They were happy to talk about their traditions and to share stories with me. On the second day, I came back and proposed to help this family and the girls. Sapa, An Phuoc’s older sister, wanted to be a photographer, so I bought her a camera. They’re now in my Giving Back project because the picture of An Phuoc is one of my bestselling photos. I bought a cow for the family and bikes for the girls. I visit them three times a year and I also invited them to stay in my house in Hoi An twice last year.” Spending time with the people he photographs is key to achieving such striking, original photos, Réhahn suggests. “The secret of a great portrait is a great interaction. I spend time with people and always try to know them before, to make them feel comfortable and to gain their trust. I’m a people person and it really helps to love your subject. In Cuba, I’ll smoke a cigar with the person before shooting. In a remote ethnic village of Vietnam, I’ll drink tea or eat fruit with the chief of the village. “A great portrait is the one that you’ll always remember,” he continues. “Each human being is unique and every detail counts. In my photography collection, I’ve got photos of a Vietnamese girl with blue eyes, an old lady with indigo dye on her hands, some old men with long beards… We often hear that eyes are windows of the soul, and I believe that’s true. Eyes really can tell a story.” Technical considerations are also key to making sure his portraits make an impression. “Large pieces of equipment, including lighting, would block people from acting naturally and I wouldn’t be able to get so much emotion, so I avoid that. I always use natural light and try to move the subject. If I shoot around midday, I’ll always try to bring the person to the doorway of their house to get the light fromoutside and a dark background. The result will be almost like a shoot in a studio, but without flash. “I rarelyusemore thanISO1000, so if I shoot inside, I’ll ask my subject to sit near a window and it makes a really contrasty photograph.”

Réhahn works according to a Giving Back philosophy. He previously gave a rowing boat to Madam Xong, who featured on the cover of his first book, and has also given people he’s photographed cows, bikes, cameras and other items to improve their lives. He has helped to provide education for several children, as well as paying for medical bills or house repairs for other subjects. He has also used sales from his galleries to fund the construction of a new museum for the Co Tu ethnic group in rural Tay Giang district, close to the Laos border, with whomhe has a close relationship. “As a travel photographer, I wouldn’t be where I am without these people, so it feels

fair for me to give something back,” Réhahn explains. “I have a special relationship with many of my subjects. They become like a family and we meet every year. I don’t believe it necessary to transform every photo into a commercial transaction. Most of all, it’s about establishing a convivial and respectful relationship with the person we are photographing, so that the latter doesn’t feel like an object. Of course, if we make money from a picture then the subject deserves to get paid, but if it’s a travel photograph, a smile or a few words exchanged are often enough to make themomentwith someonewarm-hearted and sincere.”

The secret of a great portrait is a great interaction. I spend time with people and always try to know them

Find out more

For more on Réhahn’s photography, his Precious Heritage project, Giving Back and other projects, his museums or for prints of his work, visit rehahnphotographer.com. Réhahn’s books, including Vietnam: Mosaic of Contrasts (Vol 1 and 2) and The Collection: 10 years of photography , are also available from his website. You can also follow him on Facebook (facebook.com/ Rehahn.Photography/) and Instagram (instagram.com/ rehahn_photography/)

Images Réhahn has been travelling around Vietnam, meeting and photographing the tribes for the last seven years, and the project is still ongoing.