The Quiet Moment on the Red River: Szu Yu Huang’s Gold Award in Documentary & People Photography – Environmental
In the fleeting interplay of light, movement, and everyday life, photographer Szu Yu Huang uncovers moments that quietly reveal the human experience. Her work Miss Hanoi, honored with the Gold Award in the Documentary & People Photography – Environmental category at the Best Photography Awards UK 2025 Autumn Season, was born from one such moment of instinct and intuition.
While traveling in Vietnam, Szu Yu Huang looked out toward the Red River from her hotel in Hanoi and witnessed a solitary woman gliding across the water—an image both striking and serene. Drawn to the scene’s natural tension and beauty, she reached for her camera almost without thinking. The result is a photograph marked by contrasts: the vivid tones of the woman’s clothing against the muted water, the calm of the early morning set against the city’s energy, and the grace of her movement juxtaposed with the polluted river beneath her.
Unburdened by a predefined concept, Miss Hanoi embraces spontaneity and authenticity. Szu Yu Huang hopes that, rather than steering the viewer’s interpretation, the image invites personal reflection—allowing individual memories, emotions, or stories to emerge naturally as one lingers with the photograph.
Q: Could you share the background and setting of this award-winning photo?
Szu Yu Huang: ''This photograph was taken during my travels in Vietnam. While staying in Hanoi, I gazed out toward the Red River from my hotel and saw a woman moving quietly across the water. The scene was captivating, and I felt compelled to document it with my camera.''
Q: Is there a particular detail in this photo that you especially love?
Szu Yu Huang: ''I’m especially drawn to the contrast in colors between the woman’s clothing and the water. I also love the juxtaposition in the scene—the quiet morning against the busy city, and the elegance of her movement set against the harsh reality of the polluted river.''
Q: Did you have any specific inspiration or artistic concept in mind during the creation?
Szu Yu Huang: ''There was no pre-planned concept behind this shot. I acted instinctively, grabbing my camera and trying to frame the composition as thoughtfully as possible before the moment disappeared.''
Q: What do you hope viewers will feel or reflect upon when they see this photo?
Szu Yu Huang: ''I prefer not to dictate what viewers should feel. My hope is that the photo captures their attention, and that as they spend time with it, it sparks personal memories or thoughts unique to each person.''
