Born in 1951, Nick Ut is renowned for his iconic photograph "The Terror of War", which was taken during the Vietnam War. He made history in 1973 as the youngest-ever recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography. Starting his career as a war photographer at the age of 16 and rising to fame in his twenties, Nick became a legend in the field of photojournalism.
From November 13 to 23, Nick, along with three world-renowned photojournalists, was invited by GDToday to visit six cities in Guangdong, capturing the province's landscapes and people with their cameras.
On November 21, Nick and his friends arrived in Zhongshan City, Guangdong. As the birthplace of Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of modern China, Zhongshan is famous for its rich history, cultural heritage, and rapid economic development.
During the one-day trip, Nick was impressed by the city's tranquility and beauty, as well as the warmth and hospitality of its people. "Zhongshan is so beautiful! Amazing," said Nick. "I really see the beauty everywhere. I want to come back here again."
This year marks the 58th year of Nick's career in photography. After concluding over a decade of recording war, Nick now enjoys a peaceful life. In Zhongshan, he followed the team to chase the sunrise and wander through the market, always eager to pay for delicious fruits and snacks for everyone on the team. "I saw too many tragedies before. I wish the photo (The Terror of War) would never have to be taken again. Nobody likes war. We all want a peaceful life," added Nick. "I love China so much. And I love taking pictures in China. I really enjoy it."
Having worked as a photojournalist for decades, Nick still has a deep love for photography. "I'm still a journalist. Photographing is my life and my job," Nick said with a big smile. "Somebody said, 'Nicky, you are retired, what are you doing?' I'm not retired yet. Nicky never retires." Despite having received countless awards in the field of photojournalism, Nick remains humble and considerate. He is generous in sharing his experience and insights with young photographers. "Now, people shoot too fast. I've seen young photographers shoot hundreds and hundreds of photos. I want them to know not to shoot too much. Choose somebody or something you want to report. That's all your picture. It's bad for young photographers to take a hundred pictures of one person," said Nick.
Reporter | Li Muzi
Videographer | Qin Shaolong
Video Editor | Qin Shaolong
Editor | Nan, James, Shen He
