Crowning Achievement -- Photo for the Day

It isn't often the skies over South Korea are so blue these days.  There are a number of reasons for this, but I will leave that for another day.  I found this gem at a rest stop located somewhere between Gwangyang and Suncheon.

Crowning Achievement

© Mark Eaton

The Boats of Suncheon Bay

The Boats of Suncheon Bay is part of my longitudinal study of Suncheon Bay and those who work the bay.  This particular facet of the study shows some of the various vessels used in the seafood industry in Suncheon Bay.

The photograph below is one example of the contents of the study.  This image was composed when Typhoon Meari made its presence known in June, 2011.

Separate Functions

© Mark Eaton

To view The Boats of Suncheon Bay please visit my website here.  To access the project photographs at my website, just click on the image on the left side of the page.  Thank you for taking the time to take a look at the study.

Perigee

The photographing of a natural event or phenomenon is an exercise in preparation, patience, alertness, and timing.  Often times it is time spent out of the city, time spent with friends and/or family, and time spent drinking coffee...or something stronger, rather than time spent successfully taking an image.

Perigee was composed at Waon Beach near Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea in June 2013.

 Perigee

© Mark Eaton

There is no certainty except for the certainty of fate -- Only in our own minds do we believe we are in control, and that persuades us to embrace any unreality.  And in that same mindset we permit others to control.

A Wonderful Dream - Photo for the Day

Spend the day on the beach, eat dinner at a local restaurant, make some new friends at the cafe, and then swim back to the boat to have a good sleep.  That is my idea of a wonderful dream.

Near to Shore

© Mark Eaton

I composed this piece at Haeundae Beach in Busan in South Korea.

The Old Woman From Across the Way

I call her 소주 할머니, because she operated a 소주 방 directly across from our home on the side street.  Grandmother has a perpetual bow that so many women of her generation have; a bow not from being courteous, but from years of toil squatting, stooping, bending, and sitting that forever prevents any chance of standing physically upright.  However, sitting on a floor looks perfectly natural.

Some of the inebriated patrons caused some problems over time, which required police intervention now and again.  Some posed direct threats against my family at times as we merely entered or exited our family property, or as we worked in our then open flower garden.

A few weeks ago I noticed the weekends were quiet in our neighborhood.  I didn't see wives dragging their husbands out of the place from across the street, nor did I hear the usual arguments and fighting so prevalent during the weekends.  It was quiet and peaceful.

My wife happened to chat with the grandmother several days ago, and she learned that grandmother had to close down her business.  One of her regulars took offense at her asking the man to pay his tab, and he thought it a good idea to pay her physically.  Her injuries required surgery to repair.  The regular was arrested at the time of the incident; I call him the "final customer."  Grandmother is no longer capable of running a business and requires help from relatives.  She has vacated the property.

Grandmother was doing the best she could with what she had.  I asked my wife to see if grandmother needed help with meals or a chore or two, which surprised my wife.  One day I will have my "final customer" -- I hope it's an amicable occurrence.  Violence...too much violence.

  빈

© Mark Eaton

Though used in the past by patrons to sit outside on a summer night, this chair will remain empty, because it was dumped on a trash heap.  The symbolism is stark, if not sad.

Abstract Study - Photo for the Day

The photo for the day is an abstract study.

Paths

© Mark Eaton

The Tracks of Time -- Photo for the Day

What existence have I except for that which I have dreamt?  What reality have I except for that which I have hoped?  What time have I except for that which I have conceptualized? 

Mankind claims time is merely an illusion, because it was created by mankind itself.  As if man intimately knows the bounds of the universe...

Time is measured?  No, it is experienced.  One after the other.  One on top of another.  Not to be understood, but to be experienced.

The Tracks of Time

© 2013 Mark Eaton

Endings and Beginnings

Endings and Beginnings is more about the work of photographing the subjects in the moment rather than about the work in the dry darkroom. Specifically, this project begins the use of manipulated glass, filters, and materials during photo sessions. It is a transitional process that marks the end of the photographic status quo.

The following two photographs are included in the project:

 Living Proof

© 2013 Mark Eaton

Dormant for the Time Being

© 2013 Mark Eaton

Endings and Beginnings -- A New Project to be Released

Later this month I will upload a new project onto my website.  The project will be called Endings and Beginnings.  This is one photograph that will be included in the project:

The End

© Mark Eaton

I will post an announcement after the project is released.  Thank you for your patience and consideration.

보성 녹차밭 - A Winter's View

Our family visited 보성 녹차밭 on the first day of 2013.  It was snowing during our drive to the plantation and upon our arrival.  It was nice since there were very few people there.  And it was beautiful, because everything was covered with snow.

Here are some abstract photographs from our adventure:

Beacon

© 2013 Mark Eaton

녹차밭

© 2013 Mark Eaton

Snow Covered Tea

© 2013 Mark Eaton

녹차밭 2

© 2013 Mark Eaton

...

On a personal note, I will be scarce for the next several weeks for personal reasons.  My family is focused on the upcoming wedding hall ceremony for our middle daughter and her husband.  Additionally, I am directing a significant portion of my time learning how to speak Korean.  I will post more about the latter if I am satisfied with the results.  My wife is all smiles so far, and that is a good indicator.

I am in the process of writing a feature article about the photographer Tomas Eriksson, and that will be published sometime in the near future.  I believe everyone will like his views and his fine art photography.

I appreciate the kind messages and notes I receive.  Thank you.

The Horizon is the Photo for the Day

As the Northern Hemisphere slowly tilts its way to the winter solstice, cold weather has arrived in so many areas already.  It snowed it Suncheon very early this morning, and I had to pour hot water on my gate handle so I could exit our property.

At that moment I was reminded of our most recent visit to the Philippines - the only ice around were the cubes to keep the drinks cool. 

Horizon

© 2012 Mark Eaton