Capturing Korea

The images are a striking collection captured by photographers from all corners of the country.

They depict a Korea as it is seen from a non-Korean`s eyes: Some are beautiful countryside landscapes, like Mario Taradan`s image of Hallasan, Jeju Island. Then there is a melancholic image of a homeless man slurping soup in a Seoul alleyway from Peter Schurmann. A particularly arresting image is Eric Reichbaum`s decrepit-looking capture of old dancers.

Tomasz Roszkowski is one of 25 photographers whose images will be on display on Sept. 26 at Gallery Ohoo, in Hongdae, Seoul. All have been Photo Challenge winners over the last year.

Roszkowski came to Korea two years ago and said he was inspired by The Korea Herald`s Photo Challenge. He went to the City Hall ice rink, camera and tripod in tow, in search of a winning image for the "Christmas in Korea" competition. When he noticed an old figure-skating ajoshi dressed as Santa Claus, he thought he had found a winner. He shot from a distance, then moved in closer for the kill.



"Moments later, he approached me, still on his skates and still dressed like Santa, and demanded that I delete the photo. I said no, and he pulled a knife out and grabbed my arm. I broke free and ran away, with him chasing me on skates and me screaming.

"As terrified as I was and yelling for help, nobody could understand me, and all they saw was a lanky foreigner running away being chased by an ajoshi Santa on skates," said Roszkowski.

The lesson the photographer learned is an important one. Even though it`s more difficult to approach your subject confidently, in the end, that confidence and openness leads to better photographs - and fewer knife fights. And sometimes it doesn`t hurt to ask permission, especially when your subject is an armed Santa.

The Photo Challenge is a weekly competition. The concept is simple: If you think you`ve captured a good image, then upload it on the Seoul Photo Club`s Flickr website. Every week the group`s leader, Aaron Raisey, selects a winner. The winning photographer is given a 50,000 won gift certificate for Hyosung Camera, a t-shirt from Babo Shirts (the competition`s three sponsors, along with Expat Living) and the image is printed in the Herald`s Expat Living section.

The Seoul Photo Club plays an important role in community building among expats and Koreans, say its members. But more than that, it`s a group that allows photographers to share their work and receive constructive criticism.

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"The Seoul Photo Club is an opportunity for a wide variety of Koreans and expats to work together to improve their photography skills and explore Korea," Roszkowski said. "Definitely more of a photography club than a social club, the Flickr group focuses on constructive and useful critique of photos and thematic challenges that give members the opportunity to really think about and redefine the way they view Korea."

The group consists of about 400 expat and Korean photographers.

Raisey took over the group about a year ago after founder David Smeaton left Korea.

He said a reason the group has become so popular is the transportability of photography as a hobby. "Unlike many hobbies, it is one that doesn`t suffer from being transplanted from one country to the next - you can do it almost wherever you are, and can also be participated in fully online given the right community."

These combine to enable people from every cultural background and in any remote location in Korea to easily pursue photography, share ideas and offer critiques, he added. "The Seoul Photo Club acts like a bridge between photography enthusiasts wherever they are in Korea."

The photographers, whose professions span from language instructors to engineers and designers said they loved shooting in Korea for different reasons.

Another of the photographers in the exhibition is Dave Heidloff. "I really appreciate the juxtapositions that exist throughout the country. Everyday in Seoul we walk by modern urban elements while on the sidewalk in front of us, an ajuma is preparing and selling garlic the same way it was done centuries ago," he said.

"Korea has so much character compared to other countries that I often find myself trying so many different techniques to best capture that character."

Another aspect the photographers talk about is Korea`s uniqueness - more so from the perspective of non-Koreans, which adds another element to their prints.

Nicolette Oliver said it`s easy to take advantage of the beauty of everyday subjects, but as a foreigner, the Korean way of life is so different that seemingly simple items are new and interesting from their of point of view. "Food, flowers, insects, transportation, weddings, clothing, dance ... you name it, it`s done differently in Korea than anywhere else in the world, and foreigners can appreciate the uniqueness," she said.

There are several advantages to being a photographer in a foreign land.

Raisey said he sees things without the blinkers of culture and habit. Things that seem mundane to a local seem very unusual or interesting to him.

Asked how he as a foreigner can see Korea in a unique way, Roszkowski said: "I don`t work 18 hours a day, so I can actually see it."

The opening for the exhibition, "This is Korea," will be held on Sept. 26 from 5-7 p.m. To Get to Gallery Ohoo, go to Hongik Station (Line 2, Exit 4); go straight until you get to Family Mart; take a left; hang a right at the street across from Bar Bentley then go straight until you see Ohoo on your left. The exhibition will be on until mid-October. Seoul Photo Club`s website is www.flickr.com/groups/seoulphotoclub

(mattlamers@heraldm.com)



By Matthew Lamers





Where`s your favorite place to shoot?







-- My favorite areas to shoot have evolved as my understanding of Korea has. Initially, I enjoyed shooting in markets like Namdaemun, then Insadong/Jongno, and most recently, areas like Guro-gu where the Korea as a nation in transition, eager to shed its past, is most evident. Tomasz Roszkowski





-- I`m not too concerned about where I shoot; I will still find things to take photos of. My favorite places though -- well I like Gyeongju a lot, I think it`s a fascinating place to visit. I like the big urban centers of Busan and Seoul a lot as well, and particularly enjoy taking photos of these places at night. I think last year one of my favorite shoots was the Lotus lantern festival, for which I`m grateful to The Korea Herald who arranged a press pass for me that day. Simon Bond



-- Back alleys. A good example would be the alleys and side streets around Insadong. Insadong is very popular of course, but few people step off that beaten track and enter the little byways and alleys just a stones-throw from the tourist bustle. One of the very best images to come out of the Seoul Photo Club this year was taken in exactly that area -- within sight of the main street. Back alleys are always interesting. You can often encounter interesting characters and see stuff that most foreigners don`t. Aaron Raisey





-- I love shooting around the food markets of Shinnae-dong and the base of Boramsan. There is a secluded and serene Buddhist temple at the base of Boramsan that has some incredibly well maintained gardens as well as a couple hundred somewhat creepy statues of Buddha. Dave Heidloff





-- For traditional architecture, I enjoy Gyeongbukgong and the Temple of Heaven near the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul. However, pictures around the small village of Anjung-eup, where I`ve lived for the past year, is ripe with photo opportunities. Nicolette Oliver