DECISION MAKING
I chose to discard the second theme from my options for the following reasons:
The theme is still vague and lacks potential for deeper development.
It requires combining various research methods, including qualitative and quantitative.
It is prone to subjective judgments, as the content and results depend on human emotions, behaviors, and memories, which are difficult to control and synthesize consistently.
I am not particularly interested in this theme due to personal lack of knowledge and limited research materials when restricting the research area to Vietnamese Family.
However, I have a great passion for topics related to family relationships, so I might transform this theme into a smaller scope for a secondary project.
ACTION PLAN
Personal Thoughts
Identified Gaps & Future Direction
Potential Research Questions
Research Method
Theme 1: Translating Fashion Design into Photography in Vietnam
This theme gives me the chance to deeply research and develop my career as a fashion photographer in the future. After this project, I will have a deeper understanding of the Vietnamese fashion industry and create high-quality photo collections to strengthen my portfolio.
There is a lack of specific research on the current state of Vietnam's fashion industry, which is still small and underdeveloped.
No case studies or breakdowns exist on fashion brands' visual production campaigns in Vietnam from an aesthetic or marketing effectiveness perspective.
Q1: How is the development of Vietnamese Fashion? Q2: How is the contemporary context of Vietnamese Fashion Design today? Q3: How Fashion brands in Vietnam apply Fashion Photography in their Marketing Campaigns? Q4: What are some successful application of Fashion Photography in Vietnam in Advertising and Marketing Q5: How is the future of Vietnamese Fashion Photography/Photographers
Secondary Research (20-30%), Primary Research (70-80%), mostly focus on Qualitative Method
Theme 3: Finding my inner-self with Yoga & Meditation
This theme allows me to explore Yoga, a lifestyle that helps me improve both physically and mentally, and better understand myself, thus unlocking hidden potential and pushing the limits of my creativity.
There is a noticeable lack of in-depth case studies on mindfulness and healing practices rooted in yoga.
There's also an absence of compelling examples or connections that tie the world of art to the lifestyle of yoga.
Q1: What are cases of successful entrepreneurs who are Yogis? Q2: What is the relationship between Art and Yoga? Q3: Are there any artists who find Yoga helpful with art practicing? Q4: Are there any Photography Projects developed based on Yoga or Meditation? Q5: How is the Yoga today situation in Vietnam?
Secondary Research (60-70%), Primary Research (30-40%), mostly focus on Quantitative Method
2025 Brief: In the Beginning
The start of something new can be an exciting prospect and documenting the point in time or space at which something begins has been a popular theme for photography projects throughout time.
For this year's brief, we're asking students to show through a series of five to 10 images the first part or earliest stage of something. Be it following a new life, sharing the start of someone's day, following the preparations and beginning of a particular occasion or celebration, or revealing the promise of new technology, the story, approach and photographic style can be in any genre.
Your images can be taken on any device, shot in any style - be black & white or colour - and approached from any angle you feel is best. While creative responses are encouraged, photographers must stick to the brief.
SECONDARY PROJECT
Why I choose this theme?
The desire to search for my inner self, to answer the question: "Who am I?”
I always ask myself how my inner self began and what factors have shaped me into the person I am today. Although the concept of "inner self" still feels vague to me, I am certain that who I am today is thanks to my parents' upbringing.
A photography project dedicated to expressing gratitude to my parents for raising me.
I am always grateful to my parents for raising me to who I am today. Since becoming a professional photographer, I haven't had the chance to take a proper photo series of them. Therefore, I want to consider this photo series as a gift for my parents.
Experimenting with new Photography genres, fueled by endless inspiration from family love.
Misha Taylor shooting Rogier Bosschaart & Son Nuri
Theme Brainstorming
Upcoming Plan & Research
Identify specific angles I want to develop in this project, develop a proper storyline
Set-up a working file with detailed deadlines for each tasks, as the deadline for the competition is 29/11
Creating a mood board & visual research for this theme, using mostly primary research with qualitative method by collecting information from my parents
This project will capture the love my parents had for each other before I was born, expressed through a series of portrait, still-life, and pre-wedding photography.
Bui Duy - Mark of Devotions
PRODUCTION MEETING
The purpose of this production meeting is to gradually reach a conclusion about the theme for the FMP (Final Major Project) and to gather feedback from the lecturers for further development
Result & Thought Process
After three weeks of self-reflection, brainstorming, and research, I am leaning towards theme 1 for my FMP. However, the lecturers have observed that my research topic is too general and lacks a strong narrative or human element. The research questions mostly focus on the sales and marketing aspect, rather than being a fully artistic project. Additionally, by setting the outcome as a fashion photo shoot—the area where I feel most confident—it might prevent me from pushing myself beyond my comfort zone.
The lecturers have pointed out that theme 2 inherently holds the most potential, with rich storytelling and human elements to explore. I feel like I'm someone who is afraid of making mistakes, failing, and having to change or do things differently from what I'm used to. Being familiar with short-term commercial projects, where I think from the outcome and already know what the final product will be without needing much research, has limited my willingness to try new things when brainstorming ideas for the FMP.
>> I am open to receiving feedback from the lecturers, which has given me an objective perspective on my current situation and a clearer understanding of the FMP. Because of this, I’ve considered revisiting the theme I discarded, combining it with theme 1, and refining it to make it more suitable.