Korean Photography Blog

I got this idea from “Digital Pro Talk” an excellent blog by renowned wedding photographer David Ziser. He gave a list of the top mistakes that new wedding photographers make when they first start out. It got me thinking about photographers in Korea and what mistakes we all make when we arrive here.

1. Not knowing how their gear works (This was first on David’s list too)
This one irks me to no end. A lot of people pick up a camera and hope that it will magically make beautiful photos by itself. Well, maybe some do, but mine doesn’t. You have to know your camera inside and out. That means that you have to read the manual a few times, to find out how to adjust all of your settings and what each little knob does. Then maybe do some reading on how to effectively use it.

2. Disrespect of places of worship
A lot of the Buddha statues are made of shiny gold and many of them have devout worshipers praying in front of them. This makes every photographer think “National Geographic!” However, this act is just not appreciated and greatly disrespectful. We don’t like it when groups of people follow us around, why would they like it if we are trying to snap a photo while they are praying? Temples are interesting, but shoot with respect.

3. Lack of Korean
This one is a challenge for most but a necessary one, learn to speak the language. Even if it is just basic phrases like “May I take your picture?” This just shows that you are trying to learn their culture and communicates that you are a friendly person. It also gives them the opportunity to refuse if they don’t want their picture taken. Not everyone wants to end up on your facebook account.

4. Being a Douche
Sometimes a little website or something inflates peoples egos. Sometimes we are really trying hard to get the best shot to send home. Sometimes it may not goes exactly as planned, but that is not a good excuse to use for being a jack-ass. Attitude plays a big part of things here. Sometimes people are going to want to check out what you are doing, sometimes people are going to want to watch you. It is just part of the job, be a nice guy (or gal).

This also goes for the semi-but-not-quite-pro-wanna-be’s too. I have seen a few people yell at Koreans during high time at Bulguksa for getting in the way of their shot. That just goes with the territory at a popular cultural/tourist site. Just be patient and calm. Nothing is worse that those who are trying to be the “premiere arteest” as Ziser calls them, and just being a douche. Then well all get that label and it makes it harder to get good shots.

5. Not knowing When or How to Shoot
I have often said that there is a difference between photographers and people who simply take photos. Photographers are the guys (or gals) who get up at 5 am to catch a sunrise or plan their day around their shooting schedule, so that they are in the right place at the right time. I remember shooting the cherry blossoms at Bulguksa with a few photographers. I also remember getting up at 4 am to get to Gyeongju before the crowds arrived.

Often times I see two very common mistakes from new photographers. The first is shots taken at high noon, with harsh light and flat colours. Sometimes this is hard to avoid, especially if you are on a tour. Other times it just means getting up earlier or staying out later. The second is shooting in the black of night. Often the best shots of a city come when the sun has just gone down. This means that it is dark but there is still colour in the sky. Scott Kelby at Kelbytraining.com has some great tutorials and an awesome series of books to teaching you everything on how to get the best shots.

6. Shooting Without a Tripod
I know that it is a pain in the ass to set up and get ready when you see a great shot and you just want to capture it right away. Just calm down. Most conditions, you may get away without it, but why take that chance? With the wide range of tripods out there, pick up a light one that is easy to carry around with you. Crisp sharp shots are always better than blurry ones.

If you are worried about “size” I carry around a Manfroto 482 wherever I go. It is about the size of an external hard-drive (in its pouch) and can hold my 30D with a 12-24 wide angle lens and battery pack. It also has a decent ball-head. It can extend up about 30cm and it works great for those restaurant shots where you still can’t believe you meal is still alive.

7. Paying More Attention to their Camera and Not their Lens
Some people buy the best camera they can find. They spend thousands of dollars of the latest and greatest DSLR on the market and then stick on the cheapest lens they can buy with little money that they have left over. What a waste. More often than not, a good mid-range camera and good glass (lens) with get you amazing shots. With the market the way it is, the bottom to mid-range DSLRs are 10x what they were, even a few years ago. The constant is the glass attached to them. If you invest in a set of good lenses, then you will see an improvement in the quality of you images.

Not convinced? Many times I see sporting events where the “team photographer” or the “premier arteest” has a 300mm f/5 lens or something. Not a dedicated sports lens(a fast lens around f/2.8 and a minimum of 200mm). Or I will see someone trying to take portraits with a standard wide angle lens. While you may get some alright shots, you won’t get nearly the quality that you would buying the proper lens for the job.

I know that having a “big lens” means your friends with their iPhones or point-and-shoots will take their shots at you for “compensating” and what not, but if you are serious about it, once they see your photos they will probably shut up. Also note, that I was once that dude with the 300mm f/5… big mistake.

I will have more on this topic tomorrow.

*** I will also be out on the 28th of February shooting the Ji-bul-nori festival along the Taehwa River in Ulsan. If you want to meet up, leave your details in the comment section below or shoot me an email at jt@jasonteale.com