Thursday, September 27, 2012

Photo For the Day: Home From the Harvest

In a previous post titled, "Pool and Trail", I wrote that fisherfolks from the fishing villages located on the coasts of South Korea use a special sled to travel the mudflats during low tide.  "Home From the Harvest" shows a fisherman returning to the home shore after collecting seafood from one of the farms that is exposed during the low tide.

Home From the Harvest
© 2011 Mark Eaton

This photograph was composed one late autumn afternoon in October 2011.  The harvesters easily communicate with one another despite the distances since voices carry well along the flats.  They often sing and joke one with another.  It is not uncommon for harvesters to ham it up for those who are photographing them while at work.

"Home From the Harvest" is a part of an article that was written about my longitudinal study of Suncheon Bay.  The is found at the Groove Magazine website here.

If I were a videographer, I would be able to share the poignant scenes of how the younger sledders far out pace the older sledders whose struggle to reach the shores before night fall is obvious.



Sunday, September 23, 2012

Three Venues in South Korea During the 2012 Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk

October 13th, 2012 is when Scott Kelby's 5th annual worldwide photo walk will be held.  Mr. Kelby has put the worldwide web to excellent use by working hard to make this event a truly global event.  

Photographers in South Korea are getting involved in this event, too.  According to the Scott Kelby website, there are expected to be three different photo walks in South Korea on Saturday, October 13th.  All three walks will be led by foreign residents in South Korea.  Though I conducted a search using the Korean language, no results appeared that would indicate any photo walks being led by Korean citizens at this time.  If any of my readers know differently, please contact me so that I can spread the word.

First, Ilze Louw is leading a walk in Seoul.  See some of here photography on her photo blog here.  The information Ilze provides on her photo walk page states that her walk will begin at 9:45 a.m. in 탑골공원.  Those who wish to join Ilze Louw's photo walk, and to learn more details about it, can visit her walk page here.

Second, Jason Teale is leading his photo walk in Ulsan.  This past August 2012, I featured Jason and his amazing work in an article on this blog that can be read here.  Those who wish to participate in Jason's walk can sign-up on his walk page here.

Third, Joe Wabe is leading his first photo walk in Gwangju-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea.  He invited me to be a jurist at his event.  Joe Wabe is the founder of Art Elemento, which is an art magazine based in Gwangju.  His photography is very well done.  In fact, just yesterday afternoon I sat with Joe, his delightful and talented daughter, and another friend at his booth at the art auction held on the art walk in Gwangju where he sold 20 of his photographs.  Those who wish to participate in Joe's photo walk can learn more information here.

To learn more about this Scott Kelby project visit Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk.  There is still time to join the walk of your choice.





Friday, September 21, 2012

Getting Close to the Subject

Only recently I became aware of Veejay Villafranca, who is a noted and respected photographer from the Philippines.  His photography and biography is found here.

Mr. Villafranca has the ability to get close to his subjects of interest.  The youthful gang members, those displaced by global warming and the weather, the religious faithful, migrants, and so many others present an emotional and powerful presence in a photograph that creates a bond with a viewer.  One can imagine and feel the pain, the fear, the determination, and the everyday grind, because of the intimacy that is developed by getting close to the subject.

Even those images that have a larger view, there is a point in the photograph that draws a viewer in to establish sympathy and a relationship with a subject.  The images are strong and emotional.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Photo for the Day - Pool and Trail

I prefer the working side of Suncheon Bay (순천 만) to the orchestrated tourist side of the bay.  In my view, the fishing areas and the fishing villages located on the bay, or in the bay itself, provides the most interesting photographic compositions.

The tidal flow is extreme in South Korea as can be seen in Pool and Trail.  The low tide allows fisherfolks and harvesters to travel the mudflats using a special sled to gather whatever seafood is being cultivated.  The man made pools that generously dot the shoreline serves different purposes, and if one happens to have any sea creatures left behind as the tide recedes, then that is all the better.


Pool and Trail
© 2011 Mark Eaton
...

Yes, limited editions of the photograph above, and many other of my photographs, is available to print.



Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Opportunities to Focus, to Share, to Expand the Work

It is an irony in this modern age that a photographer or an artist labors in relative obscurity.  The overwhelming number of people who use the internet to promote this, that, and the other is difficult to grasp.

I consider myself very fortunate to have a very nice following from using different social networking systems and from belonging to professional organizations.  Some day in the future I will devote some time to share my experiences using the different platforms to share work.

I will share at this time, however, an opportunity presented by Conscientious for a photographer to participate in its Conscientious Portfolio Competition 2012 event.  Rather than paraphrasing inadequately, I suggest visiting the competition page to read what is needed to submit work for consideration:  CPC 2012.

Conscientious is a site I visit regularly, because of its thoughtful and considered approach to the subject of photography.  The home page can be accessed here.

 


Monday, September 17, 2012

Photo For the Day - Observation Post

I don't imagine many people will be out and about today in South Korea thanks to Typhoon Sanba.  The wind and the rain brought back memories of our trip to the Philippines, and the many photographic opportunities presented by that beautiful land.

Observation Post was taken at Pristine Beach in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, the Philippines.


Observation Post
© 2012 Mark Eaton





Monday, September 10, 2012

The Emotional Impact of Contemporary Photography

It is rare that I am moved to tears, especially early on a Monday morning of a new work week; however, that is just what happened when I saw an article posted by Dylan Goldby on his blog.  Anyone who knows me even just a little will appreciate how I view family, and the older one gets...well, nature gives and takes.

Dylan's post is about giving.  Specifically, this is a photographic series of an adoption in Seoul, South Korea.  Take a look here.

Contemporary photography with an emotional impact; I like that.  



Sunday, September 9, 2012

Jason Teale is the Walk Leader in Ulsan

No, this isn't just any stroll in the park.  Jason Teale, as I mentioned in my featured article about the photographer here, is the Walk Leader in Ulsan, South Korea, as a part of Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photo Walk to be held on Saturday, October 13, 2012.

Those who wish to participate in the photo walk led by Jason can join by registering here.  It will be a great learning experience, and it will be fun during that time in autumn.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Simon Bond: Traveler and Photographer

Originally from the United Kingdom, the photographer Simon Bond is currently traveling in Asia with his wife.  Their home happens to be wherever they are at the moment during their travels, but that isn't surprising in light of Simon's belief that a person can truly learn and know the self when placed in challenging situations.

Simon's photography has been published in books, newspapers, and magazines. Presently, he submits a lot of his work to travel magazines.  At the time of this blog posting, Simon has released his photography book, Simple Scene, Sensational Shot in the United Kingdom.  This book will be available in the United States on September 15.  I have a link at the end of this article for those who will want to purchase a copy at the Amazon site. 

Simon knew his way around a camera when he was young; however when he traveled abroad, particularly while in Asia, his passion for photography grew.  A quiet man of intelligence, his imagination coupled with his broad intellect produces photographs that, while minimal, have an urban feel that can tell a story to a viewer.






Simon is keenly aware that he can and does create photographs that moves a person emotionally, and causes a person to think without being told what to think.  







I have had the good fortune to have seen Simon's work in exhibition as well as on his handy electronic gadget that displays images so well (the fact that I once allowed the gadget to slip out of its protective case and onto Simon's plate of food during dinner once is a story best left for some other time.  I am happy to report, however, that the potatoes and the device were just fine).  To the point, there isn't much he cannot do photographically.  According to Simon, his biggest improvement has been understanding how to use external lighting.  He has a nifty portable lighting set that he can set up and break down in minutes.  

Regardless his use of external lighting and/or his use of natural light, he knows how to use light, he knows how to use a certain filter when a specific light is present, and he knows how to process an image.  Yet, he is always learning and improving his skills, and revisiting skills and techniques learned in the past.  Photography is a vast subject that doesn't allow for complacency, and he is willing to experiment intelligently.





What sets Simon apart from the myriad of photographers who also travel the world is his use of glass spheres.  True, other photographers use spheres; however, Simon understands a bit about optics and the physics of light.  His sphere images do not tire a viewer's eyes, and the subject holds a lot of interest.


I asked Simon how he travels with his spheres, what precautions he takes to protect them from damage while traveling, and if he has encountered any problems with immigration officials because of the spheres.  His own words are best used:

"It’s true the spheres come with me to most places, and these days I usually keep them in my larger backpack that goes in the checked-in luggage if I fly. They do need protecting from scratches, so I put them inside an old sock, and then inside a smaller bag. In the past I tried traveling with them in my hand luggage, and customs wouldn’t let me through with them; they thought I could use them as a weapon! It’s true you could hurt someone if you took a swing at them with the ball inside a sock, but then you could also use a camera body as an offensive weapon in much the same way if you wished to, not to mention buying a glass bottle of alcohol in duty free and once on the plane smashing the bottle to use it as a knife. I have no intention of testing out the theories on flaws in airport security of course, but I do find it interesting that where profit plays a hand (selling glass bottles inside the airport) customer safety is secondary.

As you can tell I was not best pleased at the insinuation that my spheres could be weapons, and then spent the rest of the time at the airport analyzing the hypocrisy of it. The general reaction I get when I use the spheres though is curiosity and wonder, I’ve often found that it’s a good way of breaking the ice with people as they’re curious about what I’m using these spheres for. In this way it can be possible to open doors with people in official positions, so I guess I win some and lose some."






As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, Simple Scene, Sensational Shot has already been released in the United Kingdom.  This photography book has details and information about how photography skills can be gained and improved through practical experience.  The book will be available in the United States on September 15, 2012.  Copies of Simon's book can be ordered through Amazon:  Simple Scene, Sensational Shot.

This is Simon Bond's website:  Simon Bond Photography


Sunday, September 2, 2012

Ryan Libre and Documentary Arts Asia

The documentary photographer Ryan Libre, whose personal website can be accessed via this link, established Documentary Arts Asia not all that long ago in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Ryan Libre is a visionary, and he saw the need to reach out and to teach others how to document Asian issues and life with photography, and with film.  Surrounding himself with a strong and committed group, Mr. Libre has established several programs to benefit documentary artists.  As a photographer who enjoys exhibiting my own work, I am impressed with the monthly DAA exhibitions at its gallery in Chiang Mai.  The residency program and the workshop program is noteworthy as well. 

For the serious photographer and for those committed to creating documentary films, the Documentary Arts Asia website contains much information regarding how to learn and/or how to improve documentary skills.  The DAA site is here.