Het Perfecte Plaatje Op Reis

Ten enthusiastic aspiring photographers travel to beautiful Vietnam. Rice fields, buffaloes, fascinating cities, train rides, and stunning nature form the photogenic backdrop this time. The photographers are split into two groups of five, who will meet later in the series. 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 judge, 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 City 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. Coffee plays a prominent role in the daily lives of the Vietnamese, and the most striking, creative, and sometimes extravagant coffee shops pop 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.