Last week I had the chance to participate in my very first photowalk. A dozen photographers from around southern South Korea got together and crawled all over Ulsan's Daewangam Park looking for the perfect shot. I spent three hours climbing on rocks, pointing my camera, and getting to know some of Korea's finest photographer ex-pat's. The walk was led by Jason Teale, a talented photographer who runs a blog he calls The Sajin. He's an amazing photographer who does some great work out of Ulsan. I've done some internet snooping on the rest of the people present and it's safe to say that South Korea is well stocked with talented ex-pat photogs. Peter DeMarco, Keith Homan, Scott Rotzoll, Vincent Carvalho, and a handful of others are all creating some inspiring work.
If you're in Ulsan and looking for a place to escape the lights and smoke and bent metal of the chemical plants, Daewangam Park is a great escape. Despite the fact that the view north is mostly of Hyundai cranes and shipping containers, the park manages to offer up some beautiful rock formations and a couple of great views of the East Sea. It's a place for families and young couples looking for some fresh air and a clear view. There are plenty of places to sit and think, plenty of rocks to climb on, and most importantly, lots of places to take selfies. As always, here's 10 pictures and some foolish comments.
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| If you've followed my blog at all, you'll know my photographs rarely have people in them. I'm working on remedying that, and being surrounded by a dozen other photographers pointing cameras at everything gave me the confidence to include some strangers in these frames. I'm ashamed to admit how long I followed this woman in Hanbok around the park waiting for the perfect shot. I can't say I ever got it, but I like this one. |
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| Outside the entrance to the park is a giant dragon that doubles as a jungle gym and a slide. It's probably smart to have something for all the kids to climb on that isn't slippery rocks that run into a violent sea. |
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| Couples all over the park. It was very windy though and there were some unhappy dates. |
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| One of my fellow photographers takes a shot. |
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| Korean traditional Hanbok is a rare sight out in public. Unless it's a holiday or there's a wedding within about a hundred feet, you don't really see it. This woman was with her family and she was the only one wearing hers. |
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| The park also doubles as home to a functioning lighthouse. As the sun set, the light came on and swirled out around the park. |
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| There's a bridge connecting the mainland to a set of smaller rocks just off the coast. The bridge was technically closed and under construction, but this stopped no one from just stepping over the tape and crossing the bridge. |
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| If you don't take at least a dozen pictures of yourself, you weren't there. |
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| A couple of great smiles. Or what passes for a smile. |
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| And of course, no outcropping of rock or concrete is complete without at least one fisherman standing alone, casting his rod into the waters of the East Sea. |
The photowalk was a great way to get off the couch and get inspired to take some pictures. I've got another post coming up, this one in color and showing off more of the natural features of the park. It's a beautiful place and a great stop if you're in Ulsan.
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