Tag: Van Ditthavong

FFAP Art for Auction

For those of you who did not get a chance to bid, it’s not too late to bid on these works of art for charity!

Contact fundraising@againstthegrainproductions.com if you are interested in making a bid! Proceeds go to benefit ATG’s supported orphanages, outreach programs and the Artistic Scholarship Fund!

 

"Green" by Jin-Ya Huang

 

"Cowboys and Indians" by Jin-Ya Huang

 

"Seaside Vacation" by Jin-Ya Huang

 

"Bird Chandelier" by Van Ditthavong

 

"Yay, Water!" by Budi Tjoenawan

 

"Here Kitty" by Budi Tjoenawan

 

"Whee Kite" by Budi Tjoenawan

 

"If Life Deals You Lemons" (paper cut-out art) by Julene Harrison

 

Photo by Alex Lim

 

Photo by Alex Lim

 

Photo by Alex Lim

 

"OCD" by Monika Hoang

 

"Narcissistic" by Monika Hoang

 

"Alzheimer's" by Monika Hoang

Going Against the Grain: Van Ditthavong

ATG speaks with Van Ditthavong, an award-winning editorial and commercial photographer, about how he got his start in photography and how it has changed his views of the world. A political refugee born in Vientiane, Laos, Van was separated from his parents for years before being reunited with them in the U.S. when he was four. He grew up outside of Washington, D.C., lived most of his adult life in Boston and New York, studying photography at the Fashion Institute of Technology and the International Center of Photography in New York City.

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Full Name: Van Ditthavong

Current Residence: Dallas, TX

What inspired you to go into photography?

I started late in photography. I bought my first camera when I was 25 years-old and my pictures looked horrible. I became obsessed about trying to improve. I just think photography is a good medium to express ideas and learn about people.

What has been some of the biggest challenges you have faced?

Like any discipline, I think the toughest part is trying to find your voice or vision. In order to do that you really have to find out what type of photography you like to do (portraits, travel, food, products..) and then make lots of mistakes. Eventually, the way you see the world comes out of your photographs.
What has been your favorite part about photography?

I like all parts of photography. Being a professional photographer, I like the process, meeting clients and their expectations, meeting interesting people and taking their portraits, playing with light and always trying to get better and experimenting.

What is the most important lesson/advice you would give?

Find something you are passionate about and then use a medium (photography, writing, film, painting, etc…) to explore that something.

Check out Van and other featured photographers at Cocktails for a Cause!

OPERATION BABYLIFT Dallas Premiere Tickets on Sale Now!

Tickets for the Dallas Premiere of Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam at the inaugural filmAsiafest can now be purchased online at the Crow Collection of Asian Art website!

The film will screen at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 25th at the Dallas Museum Art. Stay after for the Q&A with filmmaker Tammy Nguyen Lee and adoptee Jared Rehberg.

But don’t forget about Cocktails for a Cause!

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After the screening, head over to the Dallas Center for Architecture (just across the highway) for Cocktails for a Cause charity event, benefiting ATG Against The Grain Productions’ charity outreach initiatives and orphanages in Vietnam. Join us for tasty sips, yummy desserts, musical entertainment by Jared Rehberg and Mina Chang, DJ stylings by DJ Prada G and chances to win awesome raffle prizes. The event features a special one-night-only exhibit of work for auction by Asian American photographers from all over the U.S, including:

Advance reservations are required – $10 (screening guests), $20 (Regular) and $25 (At the door). Space is limited. Go now to the ATG website to donate and reserve your place!