Exploring the rustic beauty of Vietnam, particularly its countryside, is an experience that leaves one speechless and filled with wonder. The untouched beauty, the simplicity of life, and the humble people make the journey all the more special. This blog post tells a unique story of an encounter with an elderly man at a temple in the countryside outside Hanoi. The day started like any other, with the sun casting a warm glow over the verdant Vietnamese landscape. Weaving my way through the narrow village paths, I found myself at an ancient temple, nestled amidst lush greenery. The temple had an aura of wisdom, the silent walls echoing tales untold. But it was the temple elder who caught my fascination.His face was a labyrinth of lines, each marking years of experience and stories untold. His eyes held a depth so profound that they seemed to reflect the trials and tribulations of the world. Yet, they sparkled with a youthful glint, reflecting a spirit unbroken by time. I couldn't resist but ask if I could capture his essence, his story, through a portrait.He agreed, and with a warm smile, pulled out a chair from the corner of the temple courtyard. There was a certain dignity and grace in his every move. He sat down, his posture erect, displaying an unspoken strength. I adjusted my lens, focusing on his worn-out but radiant face. And then, with a click, I captured the moment.The black and white image lent an old-world charm to the portrait. The lack of colors did not drain the life out of the picture. Instead, it brought out the stark contrasts of his life, the light, and shadows playing beautifully, creating a symphony of emotions.The image was perfect, a story in itself, reflecting an intriguing blend of simplicity and complexity, of peaceful acceptance and quiet resilience. Yet, just as swiftly as he had appeared, the elder left, disappearing into the temple's shadows, leaving behind a chair, an image, and a memory that would last a lifetime.Vietnam is not just a place, it's a feeling. It's the silence of the temples, the wisdom in the eyes of the elders, and the stories untold. It's the beauty of the countryside, the humility of the people, and the strength of the human spirit. And this experience, this encounter with the temple elder, was a beautiful reminder of that.

An Unforgettable Encounter: A Portrait of an Elder in the Vietnamese Countryside

The breath-taking allure of Spain, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes, is anything but monochromatic. Yet, through the lens of black and white fine art, it takes on an austere and hauntingly beautiful dimension that is deeply evocative. Specifically, the city of Cordoba, nestled in the southern part of the country, offers a unique perspective into this narrative. One particular scene that stands out is the street scene against white washed walls. It's a simple, almost stark setting. The walls, devoid of any vibrant colors, speak volumes about the city's history and tradition. The absence of color, rather than diminishing the beauty of the scene, amplifies the elements that often go unnoticed. The texture of the walls, the play of light and shadow, and the architectural details - all come to the forefront in this monochrome setting.Waiting for the streets to empty before capturing this scene was a conscious decision. The absence of human figures further emphasizes the feeling of solitude, almost as if the city itself is in a state of quiet contemplation. The empty streets, the silent walls, and the soft glow of the streetlights - together they tell a story of a city whose beauty lies in its simplicity and serenity.The city of Cordoba, in black and white fine art, is a testament to Spain's ability to mesmerize, even without the riot of colors it is often associated with. The white washed walls, standing tall and proud, are a symbol of Cordoba's resilience and timeless charm. They are the silent spectators of history, bearing witness to the passage of time.The next time you find yourself in Spain, take a moment to step away from the hustle and bustle, and lose yourself in the empty streets of Cordoba. Let the white washed walls guide you through the city's history and culture. And remember, sometimes, the most profound stories are told not in a burst of colors, but in the stark contrast of black and white.

The Solitude of Cordoba: A Journey Through Spain's Black and White Fine Art Streets

1 minute trailer for "StandUp" followed by the full movie "The Morning News".

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Winner Rhode Island International Film Festival. Nominee Celtic Media TV/Film Festival - Swansea . 
Selected for Academy rated festivals at PALM SPRINGS, NEW ORLEANS, CLEVELAND, RHODE ISLAND. 
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Also selected for the following International Film Festivals: ReelHeART (Toronto), Belfast, Fort Myers(Florida), Puerto Rico, Fastnet(Cork), San Jose, Marbella, International Human Rights-Barcelona/New York/Paris, Lima(Peru). Family Voices-National Conference-Ireland.
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A boy who wants to be a StandUp comedian. His father finds his recording of his Standup routine. Dad decides to step into his son's shoes. Totally the wrong decision.
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&ldquo;Truly remarkable, hard to take but in the end something magnificent&rdquo; Darryl MacDonald CEO Palm Springs FF.
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&ldquo;Exceptional and Brave&rdquo; George Marshall CEO Rhode Island FF
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&ldquo;Deserves to be seen by everyone&rdquo; Helen Wells CEO Fastnet Cork FF.
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"STANDUP had audience tweeting they were in tears" Clint Bowie Chief Programmer New Orleans FF.
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Philip McTaggart (whose young son took his life) is the founder of PIPS, he spent a lot of time explaining matters to me. He founded PIPS to support families after suicides and also to educate the public about the warning signs of suicide.
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STANDUP is aimed at getting people talking. Philip introduced me to many families and their stories are the essence of STANDUP. Philip told me at our first meeting that his wife in despair told him "you know there is more than one way to kill yourself". His wife was upset at how his son's death was affecting him.
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So often I was going to give up trying to make the film, I am a stills photographer but I remembered the people who had told me their stories, reliving the horror of suicide and to have asked them to do that and then do nothing was not an option.
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STANDUP at their national conference -they so want people to try to understand them and to help.
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Two weeks after we finished shooting, the main news reported the suicide of a father, his son had taken his life the previous month.

StandUp (Trailer 60 secs) + The Morning News (6min.)

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Louis started photography at 10 years old when his father gave him an old 120 roll film camera. His films were developed in exchange for various odd jobs around the family home.
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Later with a young family he focused more on video than stills but a solo photographic tour of the Atlas mountains in Morocco rekindled his enthusiasm for photography and he joined a local camera club. Within a year his set of 15 images won a Distinction from the Photographic Alliance of GB (one of only 3 awarded that year).
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In 2006 he turned professional and won first place in the BIPP NI Photographer of the Year plus 4 other awards for individual images. The following year he won the coveted Peter Grugeon Award at the UK Professional Photographers' Annual Awards. His panel of 20 Fine Art images beating nominees from the UK, Ireland and around the world in the fields of Portraiture, Commercial, Advertising, Public Relations, Science and Wedding Photography. The next year he set a new UK record winning 13 awards for images at the "British Professional Photography Awards" in recognition of "Outstanding Achievement for Originality and Technical Excellence". 
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Louis's Award Winning Images show a sensitivity that is rarely seen around Europe. The quality of lighting, and posing with creativity is second to none. He sees photographs before they happen and that is the mark of a rare talent.
RAY LOWE FBIPP FMPA FRPS (President)
Louis has been selected for the prestigious Royal Ulster Academy of Arts Annual Exhibition, Belfast. 
His first solo exhibition "The Northern Family I" was N. Ireland's largest ever outdoor exhibition (30 giant photographs) at the Kings Hall Complex in Belfast. The photographs of the farming community were taken over a period of 2 years. The exhibition was hosted and supported by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society together with Northern Ireland Arts &amp; Business organisation.
His second major exhibition 'The Northern Family II' was at the Linenhall Library in central Belfast. The images were about school days/childhood and was staged throughout all the floors of the building. The photography was initially over an intense 6 week period and continued for a further 7 years. This is possibly the most in depth project about a school ever undertaken. The many thousands of photographs record the daily activities of the staff and children (from the nursery section through to the final year) but also the atmosphere and emotions of school life and indeed childhood itself.
Backstage &ndash; The Movie. Louis took 1700+ of those school images and created a 75 minute movie which followed the school day with brief interruptions for the school&rsquo;s annual fair, sports day, school trips and their end of year musical. The film&rsquo;s 28 sections include sounds, interviews and music from the school. The teachers are the unsung heroes.
Following the sold out Premiere of Backstage which was attended by NI Screen Louis was invited to join a film training course with the possibility to make a film. 
Louis&rsquo;s first short film The Morning News (written and directed by him) won several international awards including an award presented in Sydney by the Minister of Arts. The Morning News dealt with the love of an elderly man for his wife at the end of her life. The soundtrack was most generously provided by BBC News.
His next drama Call Me Son, written and directed by Louis, again won awards and was broadcast on Irish national TV. It was produced by his company My Neighbour Films and portrayed the life of a young boy in foster care who is continually being moved from foster home to foster home. &ldquo;Ugly by the Sugarbabes&rdquo; very kindly authorised their song to be used in the film. Irish singer songwriter Juliet Turner recorded a song specially for the film.
His third drama StandUp was also produced by My Neighbour Films. It was again written and directed by Louis, it also won international awards. It was his most ambitious film with a cast and crew of nearly 50. The film dealt with the aftermath of suicide and how its contagion can infect and destroy a family. The soundtrack is a standup comedy performance by the son.
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 &ldquo;Truly remarkable, hard to take but in the end something magnificent&rdquo; 
 Darryl MacDonald CEO Palm Springs Film Festival.

Background/ Career

Belfast

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