MMT Photo Challenge: Learning Through Photography

The MMT Photo Challenge is an academic activity organized by the Multimedia Communication program under the Faculty of Information Technology, aiming at first-year students enrolled in the Photography course. The competition provides students with opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in practice, while developing observational skills, visual storytelling abilities, and confidence in presenting creative works.

The Final Round - A Space for Academic Exchange and Creativity

After a period of creation and selection, the Final Round of the MMT Photo Challenge was held in a professional and inspiring academic atmosphere. Students submitted photographic works in required categories including portrait, daily life, and landscape photography.

A distinctive feature of the final round was that students not only exhibited their works but also presented and explained their photographs, sharing ideas, technical choices, creative processes, and the stories behind each image in front of the judging panel and their peers. This activity played an important role in enhancing students’ presentation skills, critical thinking, and professional confidence in creative communication fields.

The judging panel consisted of faculty members: Mr. Dang Thi, Mr. Cao Tuan, Mr. Vo Son, and Mr. Si Truong. With their academic expertise and practical experience, the judges provided constructive feedback that helped students identify strengths, areas for improvement, and future development directions.

Award-Winning Works and Creative Highlights

Following a fair and thorough evaluation process, the judging panel selected outstanding works that demonstrated both technical competence and creative thinking.

First Prize - Han Huu Thai Bao
Han Huu Thai Bao’s submission stood out for its strong narrative approach to photography. In portrait photography, close-up framing, central composition, and natural light were combined with black-and-white processing to emphasize facial expressions and emotional depth. The daily life photographs captured authentic moments of local people in Dong Nai, with careful attention to composition, lighting, and spatial depth. The landscape photograph employed symmetrical composition and water reflections, creating a calm and balanced visual experience.

Second Prize - Tran Doan Kim Ngoc
Tran Doan Kim Ngoc focused on composition, lighting, and decisive moments throughout the shooting process. Natural light was prioritized, with harmonious framing and minimal post-processing to preserve authenticity. The use of wide apertures to create depth, combined with flexible shutter speeds and appropriate ISO settings, demonstrated a solid understanding of photographic techniques and practical application.

Third Prize - Chau Quoc Thai
Chau Quoc Thai’s work emphasized emotional expression and meaningful messages in photography. Through the competition, the student recognized that a strong photograph requires not only correct technique but also emotional depth and a clear narrative. The award reflects the student’s serious learning attitude and passion for visual storytelling.

Third Prize - Dang Quang Tien
Dang Quang Tien impressed the judges with the ability to apply diverse photographic techniques. In portrait photography, the rule of thirds, window-side lighting, and black-and-white treatment were used to enhance emotional impact. The landscape photograph applied panorama techniques to convey the grandeur of natural scenery, while the daily life photograph utilized motion blur to highlight movement and the story behind everyday moments.

Encouragement Prize - Le Nguyen Tam Nhu
Le Nguyen Tam Nhu’s submission focused on composition and camera angles. In portrait photography, central composition was combined with the rule of thirds and eye-level perspectives to emphasize the subject. For daily life and landscape photography, open compositions, layered spatial arrangements, and wide angles were used to create depth while maintaining a natural visual tone.

Educational Value and Future Orientation

The MMT Photo Challenge is not only a creative competition but also an applied learning activity that helps students strengthen professional skills, creative thinking, and confidence in presenting their work. Through the competition, students gradually develop personal styles and gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between technique and emotion in photography.

The competition reflects the practice-oriented training approach of the Multimedia Communication program at Lac Hong University, contributing to the development of students’ professional competencies in media and creative industries.