The Other Korea Photo

Photographer’s Note

There are two major religions in Korea, Buddhist and Christian, and the split is maybe 55/45. Very little of Korea, the architecture, the people (other than their dress) and the culture is in any way western yet the cities and countryside is dotted with the spires of Christian churches.

This shot presented itself during my Sunday walk around the city and the ominous weather just made it all click. I thought that the traditional roof in the FG with the European style steeples made a shot that captured this side of Korea.

MHZ, delic, rjb874, Zelanda, gunbud, pablominto, WepWaWet, nivaldo, Cretense, ryno, bakes888, john_c has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

MHZ (60) 2007-07-22 4:19

It's a nice view, the note is usefull too, however I think it's a little too dark, and it needs some more contrast.

Keep it up and it'll be great next time :d

[2] +

delic (6735) 2007-07-22 5:59

Hi Greg,
This is one of those photos that carries a wealth of information. The church tower, houses and big apartment blocks provide interesting contrast. The pov is definitely excellent. I agree that the colors could be enhanced but such aesthetic concerns do not detract from the value of the image. Regards,
Hakan

[2]

jonathan_hart (22570) 2007-07-23 1:33

hello Greg
i think it's a good photo even if Mohammed said something interesting, I tried to add gammas (2) and contrast (2) with photofiltre and the result is very good,
the POV is nice and with that framing is making a good composition,
the cables disturb the view but not so much and they are here !
good POV once again ;)
regards
jo
..

[2] +

Zelanda (5692) 2007-07-23 4:03

Hola Greg,
Buena toma de fiferentes estilos arquitectónicos, muy interesante.
Buen trabajo.
Saludos cordiales
Ros

gunbud (27787) 2007-07-23 21:16

Hi Greg,
Wonderful example of east meeting west. The European style Christian church makes a striking contrast to the Far Eastern pagoda style in the foreground.
Regards, tom

pablominto (40488) 2007-07-24 3:31

Hello Greg,
I'm surprised to read as much as 45% are Christians!
Composition is interesting as it contains many contrasting elements...
Good colours and details, pity for the cables but they are hard to avoid in those parts of the world!
Greetings,
Pablo -

WepWaWet (3955) 2007-07-24 13:13

Hello Greg,
Very nice colors and perfect details. POV and framing is very good. Your note is usefull too.
Regards,
Seref

erdna (5348) 2007-07-26 8:47

I can see the terrific contrast between the structures. This would have been an excellent shot if you were blessed with a good sun to give it more highlights.

Thank you for your coments on my photo, "Temple of Horus". I appreciate it. I am late in responding as I was out of town the past week.

Andre'

nivaldo (13029) 2007-07-26 17:58

A very interesting comparison between the two Koreas... Every country has its different contrasts... In Brazil, where I live, I also see two Brazil"S"...
India, Mexico,China...maybe, too.
That´s the world and the people! Diferences and contrasts, too.
Greetings from Recife, Nivaldo

lancehannah (1307) 2007-07-27 13:16

Hi Greg,
Another expression of different social standing which you can see almost everywhere in this world.One must be lucky to be born on the " other side " of the world.Remembers me to a song of phil
collins....Think twice...it´s just another day for you and me in paradise...Great shot,Greg!
Saludos from Spain,Lance

Cretense (55812) 2007-07-28 1:34

Hi Greg!

Change of "nickname"? What's it gonna be next? "Japangreg"? Just joking, my dear friend! This is a great architecture detail. Your composition is very good and shows very well two diferent faces of Korea. Nice colours, too! Congratulations!

Hercules

capthaddock (28640) 2007-07-28 11:49

Hi Greg - not pretty, but not meant to be, at first I was going to complain about the cables, but then I though they fit with the messy roofs, interesting architectural mix, I like the dark sky, that blurry piece in the lower left corner needs to go though.

ryno (4592) 2007-07-30 4:52

Hi Greg, this is an interesting shot. I like your juxtaposition of the church steeple, old roof and modern buildings here. The telephone wires are a little bothersome, but even so, it's a great photo.
Regards,
Ryno

bakes888 (18137) 2007-08-02 0:38

Hi Greg. Nice photo. Lovely contrast and beautiful timing. I love the composition it’s just a shame about all the power cables stretching across the sky, I guess it adds reality to the shot though. Nice work and thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

john_c (24635) 2007-08-02 9:44

Hi Greg,
The moody sky and backlighting really give this scene some extra punch. I might have been tempted to smudge out the main horizontal wire, but on the other hand this depicts the scene exactly as it was, which is important givent he contexta and subject matter. I like the way the yellow tarp in the foreground gives the scene an extra hue to enhance. Well captured.
John

pboehringer (770) 2007-08-04 15:00

Greg, there are two elements in your shot. Not only the quite obvious christian side comes out here, but also the disparaty between the rich and poor, although latter seems a little bit hidden with your composition avoiding the lower portion of the building with the cloth covered roof. Right?
Anyway, the church is a surprising element. Thanks for teaching me about this unknown element in korean society/ culture.
Regards, Peter

bracasha75 (22009) 2007-08-05 5:37

Hello Greg
Exellent dark sky behind this lovely tower in Daegu
TFS
Cheers,Braca

ekinokswest (2974) 2007-08-05 16:57

Greg
first with your title I was of the opinion you were comparing between the poor and the rich districts. I still believe it is partially true . The sky looks so unique here, maybe peculiar to Korea, which I believe is lucky in terms of water resources because it rains heavily and this sky is stormy. very influencing nice capture

cam (8880) 2007-08-11 17:07

Hi Greg
3 architectural style in this picture...
even here,electricity cables are in the way of the photograph.
Good compo, and note as they are showing a different side of Korea,not necessarily its most beautiful.
Have a good WE
Charles

Angshu (33585) 2007-09-15 22:09

Hello Greg
I would say this is an interesting composition from the way we see the contrasts in styles of buildings. The church spire, typically English style rises just behind the Korean (Buddhist) style roofs & behind these are the modern highrises. Surprised to see the tarpaulins in FG. A bit darkish in my opinion, but enough has been said about it already. An interesting post for sure!
Regards
Angshu