Season 5

Ten enthusiastic aspiring photographers travel to beautiful Vietnam. Rice fields, buffaloes, fascinating cities, train rides, and stunning nature serve as the photogenic backdrop this time. The photographers are split into two groups of five, who will meet later in the series. New this year is the addition of creating a travel photo album, which will count towards the final assessment of the finale. This makes it an important assignment that must be closely monitored and carefully executed to make a good impression and increase the chances of success. The first five photographers start in the country's largest city: Ho Chi Minh City. Who among them has the most photographic talent? During various photoshoots, the candidates get to know not only the country but also each other and their cameras increasingly well. Photographer William Rutten is their coach and jury member, and he is assisted by Vietnamese documentary photographer Maika Elan.

It is time for the second group of five photographers to capture the city of Ho Chi Minh through their lenses. In this bustling metropolis of millions, they take to the streets in search of moments of stillness amidst the omnipresent hustle and bustle. A new addition this year is the assignment to create a travel photo album, which will count towards the final assessment of the finale. This task forms an important part of the competition and requires meticulous follow-up and careful execution. A well-executed photo album can not only leave a strong impression but also significantly increase the chances of a successful outcome. Coffee plays a prominent role in the daily lives of the Vietnamese, and the most striking, creative, and sometimes extravagant coffee shops are popping up everywhere. The photographers' senses are put to the test as they attempt to capture this unique atmosphere and contrasts as strikingly as possible.

The photographers continue their journey to enchanting Hoi An, a picturesque town nestled like a jewel amidst vast rice fields. The ochre-yellow facades gleam in the sunlight, forming a beautiful backdrop for their creative work. At the lively market, they focus on an abstract photoshoot, employing a macro lens to capture the smallest details. Hoi An is known worldwide for its colorful lanterns, which envelop the city in a magical light at dusk. In collaboration with a model in traditional costume, the photographers work on an image centering on these iconic lanterns, aiming to capture the city's unique atmosphere and culture.

In Hoi An, where time seems to stand still, the photographers are tasked with creating a black-and-white photo that could just as easily have been taken sixty years ago. Furthermore, they are required to produce a cover for a ‘Vietnamese’ magazine of each other, using an outfit they brought themselves. Everything seems to fall into place seamlessly, until they learn how they are supposed to pose.

The photographers make their way to an ancient temple complex, rich in history and architectural splendor. In this impressive setting, they serve as an audience for the traditional Cham dancers. The dancers each select their own photographer, after which they collectively create an image in which dance, expression, and location seamlessly merge. Furthermore, the photographers are tasked with shifting the perspective and capturing the world from a top-down angle. This means they must reach for the heights to achieve a unique visual composition.

The photographers have found their temporary home base in the bustling capital, Hanoi. Here lies the remarkable phenomenon of ‘Train Street,’ a narrow street where trains thunder past the houses just a few meters away. Daily life literally unfolds on and around the tracks: residents cook, chat, and relax while the train passes at fixed times. This unique combination of urban life and rail traffic makes it a fascinating location for reportage photography. In addition to this extraordinary street scene, the group also delves into the rich and colorful world of Vietnamese opera, where centuries-old traditions and expressive art forms come together.

The consequences of the Vietnam War are still felt daily. In a remarkable village, photographers capture poignant images of residents who, as a result of exposure to chemicals, still struggle with physical and mental challenges. These encounters leave a deep impression on the photographers. Additionally, they immerse themselves in Vietnamese traditions, ranging from street barbers and playing shuttlecock to experiencing karaoke. This results in unexpected and revealing portraits.

In the vibrant heart of Hanoi, photographers venture out at dusk, armed with cameras and a keen eye for detail. Using long shutter speeds and inventive filters, they attempt to capture the city's turbulent energy, as if it were a surreal fever dream. Vietnam, known worldwide as one of the largest coffee producers, also plays a prominent role in noodle production. During their journey, the photographers visit a unique village where the craft of noodle making brings the community together and daily life revolves entirely around this traditional delicacy.

The four remaining photographers continue their journey to breathtaking Ninh Binh, a region known for its vast rice fields and imposing limestone formations. They traverse the picturesque landscape by train on their way to their next creative challenge: creating an inspiring triptych that captures the essence of this journey. In addition to capturing the beauty from the land, the photographers also take to the water to explore the area from a different perspective. In doing so, they receive valuable pointers and techniques from none other than Bas Meelker, one of the most renowned landscape photographers in the Netherlands. The tension is rising: which photographers will manage to impress with their work and qualify for the coveted semi-final?

The semi-final is bursting with tension and demands the utmost in creativity and daring from the photographers. In the breathtaking setting of an immense temple complex, they create an impressive diptych around a theme familiar to us all: Instagram versus reality. Here, illusions are juxtaposed with raw reality, with images that both enchant and confront. As if that weren't enough, the photographers also meet the proud symbol of Vietnam: the majestic water buffalo. This powerful and iconic encounter yields images that not only capture the essence of the country but are also decisive in determining which two talents secure a coveted spot in the final.

In the final, the last two photographers are presented with three challenging assignments. Under the critical eye of the jury in the Netherlands, and in the presence of the entire travel party, it will be determined who will be crowned the winner of this season. The finalists begin their day by capturing the sunrise, climb a mountaintop to create a unique and personal self-portrait, and create impressive images in collaboration with true heroines: warriors from bygone centuries. These assignments constitute the ultimate test of their creativity, technical skills, and artistic vision.