Thoughts on gear

August 30, 2016

Probably the brand new Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is the hot potato that everyone is talking these days. And I've seen so many disappointed voices, especially from videographers. I understand that 5D Mark II was a deal breaker for them and they are so hoped that the fourth iteration would be somewhat close to Sony A7rII or A7sII.

I am not a videographer. So I don't care much about the video side of functions on this camera. I always wished they should release two models and one for more photographers oriented and the other one for more videographers oriented. So person like me can choose more photo dedicated 5D and probably okay with HD 30p is good enough or even no video function at all.

Canon has their cinema line of cameras and they might not want to interrupt its sales from other side of lines. But blaming on Canon being safe play and the amount of new stuff they bring to our table is not enough are over judged in my opinion. 5D Mark IV will be a solid and powerful tool for many photographers and videographers.

Sony too often releases new cameras and none of them seem to me well cooked. RX 1R II is without 5 AXIS IBIS. And it is way more expensive than what people were hoping for. They sure is up on their sensor technology. But they still didn't figure it out how to make their cameras to be not overheated or good battery life. I believe second generation A7 cameras are amazingly good. But still to me it is not good enough me to jump from my canon 5D Mark III to their side. I wish A7RII was bigger and bigger grip and better battery life. And wish it has a touch screen. Also hope the IBIS is better than what they are selling for(of course it is still better than none and it is useful when it comes to low shutter speeds). And recent complaints about their pro services are also my concern. If it is less than $1,000, I might cope with that. But it is my working tool and when it has issues then I want the company to take care of it as much as it worth.

5D Mark IV will be always bigger than the A7s. And heavier. Maybe the video functions are not as good as Sonys. But I am still not ready to jump on to Sony. I still like my 5D. It is reliable. It feels like a tank and feels good on my hands too. The lenses I own are pretty good, so I don't need any adapters to use(except EOS M3). I still think prefer Canon's AF is way more than the Sony's. That is why I might move on to 5D Mark IV instead of the Sony Alphas. Can't wait until I try the brand new 5D Mark IV with my own hands.

Shy Brothers on a Caster-oil farm, Gujarat, India by Junho Kim

Don't Bro Me

August 30, 2016

One thing I still don't get used to hear from people is the word "Bro". Often, too often boys in Delhi call me bro. I always felt that I am not their bro. And I wanted to tell them if I get to know you a bit more and so I would like to become your friend then I don't mind to hear it from them. But it is not my choice. I still hear it all the time.

There was a young boy who used to called me "Hey Bro" all the time. He was nineteen that time. For him to call me Bro is very ridiculous. Cause I am almost his father's age and of course I didn't know him that much. I even asked him to not use the word and simply call my name. But it never happened. We are disconnected for almost more than two years now. I don't miss him calling me a bro. But I do wonder he either became a Bollywood actor or not(He said that was his dream).

To think of that kind of friendly word is not only that. There is a word "Man" and "Buddy". I do feel that even if you don't use that word, I get it you and I are men. I don't want to criticise it too much. It is just a friendly way of talking. But in some way, I do feel that it is over used and it supposed to make everyone close but not that close(at least for me, some what shallow felling, like a bro hug) and more of shallow relationships(I get to hear the words in my gym everyday.

Maybe I am too shy(not really) or too conservative on this matter. But when I look at my close friends, they never use that word "Bro". We don't need the word. We already know each other well and our name is good enough to call each other. Even we often say "Love" to each other from our true friendships.

I still don't know what made them to use the word so often and so easy. Probably I'd never know. Cause I will never use the word. But someday I might ask them. "Bro, Buddy, Man and Bhaiya", why? Also I might suggest them that they could use it after we get to know better for this uptight Korean guy. But how about we introduce ourselves and share names and call our proud names so that we don't need to label bro(god knows how many bros they have in every places) for each other. So please don't bro me.

Dilip

April 24, 2014

When I'm in love, I see those admirably beautiful and lovely eyes. Of course I see them time to time through my friends' eyes around my life too. And I know I want to see them all the time. This time I saw a bit different kind of twinkly eyes on my trip to Rampur, Utta Pradesh, India.

Dilip. He's just 8 years old this year. As we all did, he also was excited to go to school. When going to school wasn't an option for his town people, it must have been just a dream of some sort of mirage on a desert that will never gonna be happen in their life. But now it is possible and he actually goes to school. Well, not all the time.

The reality. Not the good kind. He has to face and realize that even he is in one room with his classmates together, he can't be same as them. Because he is untouchable, low Caste, often he sit all the way back in the row and had to clean school toilets when his teacher force him to do. Then his classmates told him that he can't play with them.

The opportunity to learn is there. But yet tons of issues are there them to face every day. If you are strong enough by yourself and determine, then you may can finish your education by the end of whatever. But the theory is just ideal. In real life that is rare. I am not sure how long Dilip will be going to school. Is he gonna quit? Is he gonna be dropout? Never know.

But I hope he would finish it all the way. He didn't go to the school the day I visited his school. That's why he got shy and tried to runaway from me and my colleague. But he was still a bight kid with those big sparkly eyes. I know he would go and learn more. That is all I can believe. I still can trace his starry eyes and shy hands that are holding his school books. Even I spoke Hindi zero, his eyes and smile told me thousands of stories to my lens. I'll be missing you, Dilip.

First Spring

February 22, 2014

Never thought Delhi would have a Spring time. It's not just clearly we can see. But when you see some details, there are many changes among the higher temperature. I was surprised at some of trees at Deer Park actually changes and grew new leaves. It's not just some cool Indian youngsters wearing lighter cloths and being more fashionable. The sun is warmer and the air is fresher besides a guy's wide open shirts that shows his chest hair.

Picnicking crowds are another scene proofs. And I realized that more young couples are there for their love and smooching in the park. And there was me. carrying the camera and trying to catch some Spring moment. It was pleasant and nice. All of a sudden I was so happy that I have this park near home. So that I can be serene and peaceful from the chaotic roads. All the deers are my favorite. But today I was so lucky that a Peacock opened his feathers to his disable love mate. That was Fantastic. My steps were lighter than before cause I was thinking that I can see more often now and then.

Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L Test shots

February 5, 2014

Finally I got my glass on my hand and tested it. So far it seems so amazing.

Invitation

January 13, 2014

Having a small party with friends is such a joy. I get excited when I prepare those parties. Through living in my 8 years of abroad life, I became quite a cook. I only used to cook Korean dishes. But now my cooking spectum is expended to other cuisines. Anyone would know the feeling as same as I do when guests are having a great time with your foods and hosting. And that is all about the small parties.

I thought I am well prepared by now. I've thrown many dinner parties and afternoon tea parties. I was so happy finally got friendly with oven to bake sweets. So I was so ready that my stuff came to India and settle down in my own apartment. Cause I can do those parties again. So far it had been great. Good people and good times with them. But some way I have yet to learn more how to throw a party.

I have some Indian friends before I came to India. I met them in Shanghai and we are still keeping in touch each others. I thought I knew how to serve dinner for them. But real India, the India that I am living is a lot more diverse than my thought. My excited hands were chopping onions and hot chillies. And making pancakes on two stoves. Then I start to grill 'Sam-gyob-sal' (means Pork belly) on a grill pan. As the guests came to my home, everyone was happy and excited about the house and the smell of home cooking.

How stupid I am. I didn't realized that there are vegetarians and India is a sort of headquarter of vegetarians. Of course there are vegetable dishes I made. But the appetizer soup was Kimchi Pork soup. I spent almost half of day to make the broth to be rich and the meat and Kimchi to be softened. So two of the guests could not eat the soup. One was a vegetarian and the other doesn't eat pork. Big sweat on my forehead invisibly. I just assumed that no beef is the safe choice for Indians. Luckily there were some vegetable dishes on the table and we had a great time, honestly.

So I thought once was a small mistake by my ignorance and it would not happen again for next time. My mistake starts from I assume I got this one. I made a perfect one this time. I've seen her eating meat. So I'm fine today. But unfortunately she only eats chicken. No pork, no beef or fish. Here I am. I blew it again.

Then last weekend, I invited some friends(different small group). I've had them before and I thought I am 100% sure I am safe on this time. They are all Indian Americans and They were here before. I made Korean rice cake soup. This is a tradition for Korean people eat on a New Year day morning. I made vegetarian broth and separated toppings like chopped scallions, thin strips of pan fried eggs, chopped Kimchi and soy sauce based grilled beef. and 2/3 of pancakes were vegetarian as well. Now I got this for sure. I was convinced that I made it perfect this time. I asked lightly to one girl that had pork at my table last time. "You are okay with beef, right?" Of course she doesn't eat beef. So none of them eat beef. I blew it again. Well the main course was easily vegetarian so everyone had their gigantic dishes. But I'm not yet there to be a perfect host.

It's always good to check check the preferences. What they don't eat from allergies to customs and traditions. If I ever only lived in Korea, I'd never learn these stuff. Yet there are too many things to learn. All of a sudden I thought of a small story from Aesop's fables. A fox and a crane invites each others and they quite didn't get the concept of welcoming their guest to a dinner table. How did I miss that. I guess I am learning these little by little by my own mistakes.

I think I'm ready now. Simple rule! Ask them first. And jump in to cooking. Who knows I prepared vegetarian meals and someone might say I don't eat mushrooms and I put mushrooms in every dishes. Knock on wood. I'll do my best.

Please live, Punita

September 27, 2013

There are many moments that let us down in our lives. We live through conquering those afflictions barely. "Sweet after bitter". It's not the most persuasive words when we are in the middle of difficulties. But we all may agree that we grow up through the process of it. However, what if there is no any hope or we can't do anything about it. Then how are we suppose to live our lives?

In Karmalahang, India, Punita's life was like that. Her husband is one of the rapist of the bus rape in Delhi. After he got arrested, not even a penny came into her house. Bihar is well known for it's poverty in India. And Karmalahang is a small town in Bihar. Twenty four year old Punita married to Akshay and with two year old son living in this town without electricity and many convenient things we live with. She is still too young to be face this kind of tragedy. And no one knows what is going to be in her future.

In this region, when women marry to men, They can not go out nor work outside for years without men's guidance. And they have to follow the in-law's rule strictly. Also showing their face to neighbors is prohibited. Well obeying of discipline is such an honor of the house. If someone kills their family member due to a dishonor of their family seems often fine considerably in this country(Although a murder is still a murder and must go to jail. But the murderer might say that do it again proudly) There are not much of opportunity for women to learn enough at school. Most of them have to quit in the middle for many reasons. And the reality is that they have to get marry in early age and sacrifice their entire life for the marriage.

The rapist and murderer husband got death sentence more than a week ago. There is a zero chance that he can come back to her arms ever again. From his horrific crime, the victim, a young girl's life and future is gone and ruined her family's life. And that rose many candles to tribute the broken soul. Sinner's wife, Punita shrugged her back in front of her deep dark future. She can not go back to her parents house. Their situation is not much different than her in-law's. They live their life day by day and indigence is a normal thing and often many farmers kill themselves, because of hunger and poorness. The money that her husband sent was for her son's medicines and for their life. But it's no longer coming in. Even if she run away to somewhere, what can she do? The world out there is not friendly for her and not many options for her to survive with her son. She hung her head down after she said that there are no hopes and I may kill myself and that might be the only way.

Punita's mother was weeping sadly. She said it's all her fault and she must have some bad karma. She cried out loud and that's why Punita can't live happy life. Her face was covered with tears and the sari that cover her head was wet with tears. Her town people were consoled her with love. But what words can comfort her? It's every mother's hearts that feel pain like torn heart.

Do we know what it is like to live a life without hope? An orphan boy who became a sensational opera singer through selling gums in his horrible life is not gonna happen in this small town. Everywhere around is rough rice fields that seems endless and she can't drive, no money, no education. What can twenty four year old woman do and where can she go? Her tears, her mother's tears were spearing my heart.

I couldn't raise my head in front of their heart aching life and all women's life in this world. I felt so shameful that our mothers, sister and daughters have to live in this cruel machismo world. Someone might say It's almost better now. But do men understand completely what's like to live as a woman? Then that'd be a lie(especially in Asia I'm from). There was the time people say that daughters don't need to go to school and had to go to work in the factories(still there are countries like that). Every sons need to go to colleges. That was our mothers and that was our women. I want to send a big applause to our women.

Punita's drooping shoulders and long sighs were filled my heart heavily while I was passing by a narrow country road. I want to encourage her and tell her that conquer this hurdles. But those words don't have any power for her tragedy. We all found comfort at home after a long day work. But there's no such a place for Punita. The place she is living is full of in-laws family and she has to live without her husband in it. Devi. Indian word, means Goddess. Most of Indian women get this sir name after they get married. But their lives are no near close to Goddess like. I really wish only men who treats their women like Goddess are deserve to have their Goddess wives. There are many hands trying to reach to help Punita after the story came out to the newspaper. Such thankful hands, warm hearts. She will be happy, definitely for a while. When this helping hands are gone, her life will hashing her everyday again. Living with those tradition and custom that doesn't fit for the current life will put her future in a lock and she'll drops her head again towards to her uncertain tomorrow.

Please live, Punita. If you can't, then live for your son at least. We all pray for you. One thing sure is that you are gonna get strong after you go over this hardship. Then you'll realize that you are much stronger than you think. Live. Please live, Punita. Show your strength to those things that made you suffer. Flower of India, jewel of India, Punitas of India, live. Please live, don't give up.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324665604579081240828710138.html?mod=WSJINDIA_hpp_LEFTTopStories

Lost translation

September 20, 2013

If I have some ability, I wish that is I can speak all different languages. I was surrounded by a small town people and they were so nice and sweet. Especially kids were wonderful. They all seemed loved me and followed me. Probably they were so interested in my camera but not brave enough to ask a photo. When I have a chance to take them, either they runaway or get those shy and uncomfortable smiles.

There was a very quiet kid. He was very nice to me. He offered me a chair to sit when I was standing while two other reporters were interviewing people. There was a moment that he asked me something and I totally didn't know what to say to him. Cause I couldn't understand his words. All I could say was "Sorry, I can't speak Hindi." I'm so regretted myself I didn't even try hard enough to make some more conversation and gave it up. My English is useless in here. No one speaks English. Rushing work and have to catch up my flight back in Rachi which means another 4 or 5 hours driving from here. That was my excuse and lack of my enthusiasm to getting to know him was hidden all the way back side of my head.

Regrets are useless. beautiful farm fields are passing through my sight quickly and my mind was full of imaginations of what the boy was talking. There's no record of his words and it can never be remembered or translated. So I just interpreted myself in my own ways.

Where are you from? Are you a photographer? I wish I have a camera like that. Can we be friends? Do you like Indian foods? What is it like your hometown? Thanks for coming to our town. Thanks for the photos ...

I'm from Korea and yes, I'm a photographer. Someday you'll have a better one than mine. I do love Indian food. I wish I had time for sharing food with you. My hometown is far away from here it's hard to say in small words. Though it's a good place and my friend and family lives there. So sorry I was helpless and. Even though I didn't understand your word, it was a beautiful conversation with you. I'll try to send you these pictures to you. hope you like them. Thanks for letting me get to know you. When can I see you again? I can probably teach you photos...

Ciabatta bread

June 13, 2013

I have tried many sweet stuff and I was lucky that everything came out well indeed. But one thing I never tried was breads. I don't know why. Maybe the fact that I have to add yeast made me freak out a little bit.

Thanks for Chef John from Foodwishes.com. Whenever I feel I need to learn a new recipe, he gave me so many good things. This time I tried Ciabatta bread. And I realized that baking bread isn't that difficult. Here are the process and the result.

Ingredients: All purpose flower 4 cups, yeast 1/4 ts, salt 1/2 ts, warm water 2 cups, extra flowers.

Mix all the contents well and cover the bowl then rest it for 18 hours in room temperature

Place the dough on a baking mat and add flours and make a shape

Put some olive oil on the surface of the pan and add flours or corn mill.

Place the dough on the pan and add flours on the top of the dough

215'C preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes.

Let's try it when it's still hot. With Olive oil or butter, your choice.

Mom's dish

June 3, 2013

"Why don't you do the dishes?", " Pack your lunch yourself. Foods are in the kitchen.", "Could you prepare dinner for me?" These were my not favorite moments when I was a child. I totally didn't wanna reveal myself in our kitchen and doing the dishes to my friends. But who would've thought that my mom's favors became my initial manure for my late twenties as a single man's life in a tiny studio apartment. It had been my grudge for her. But now it is my appreciation. Whenever I miss Korean food, I can at least mimic her taste. I know it is not the same. but I can fumble for the memories with full of thankfulness.

A sizzling chicken dish for tonight is a catalyzer for mixing my thoughts. My cooking isn't so bad. All of my friends have tolerance that they eat as much as they can when I cook for them. I cook for myself tonight. But I should invite them soon and throw dinner for them. It's not as good as my mom's. For my friends, for myself and for the appreciation to my mom

I want my sun back

May 31, 2013

Literally my May sun is disappeared. My bedroom window which is tilted along the roof line shows every details of rain drops these days. This was taken last week and it made me how much I miss sun. Weather in May is always whimsical. Morning sun doesn't guarantee the day's weather at all and your umbrella is not going to be used when you brought it out with you cause you saw rain drops in the morning.

People here never carries umbrellas. They wear rain hoodie jackets. No one would know how much of rain will be there and don't wanna carry their umbrellas. So I learned from them and ignore rain all the time. But this weather brings me down. Especially we had such a long winter last year and barely had spring yet. So I took a lot of sunny days photos to cheer myself whenever I have a chance. And here they are.

Sunset

May 21, 2013

I almost missed this beautiful sky. It's been a while I took this kind of scene. It's usually in the winter time. Cause the sun falls early and rises late. So the winter time is perfect for shooting sunrises and sunsets. Glad I didn't miss it. It's always too short moment. That's why I had to run to my room and pick up my cameras (I enjoy shots from Canon 5D Mark III and at the same time with my Fuji X100)

Below images are from Canon 5D Mark III

And rest of them are from Fuji X100

Late afternoon sun

May 17, 2013

I was on my way to home from my workout and the day's sun was golden. I felt I needed my camera. So I went up to my room and took my camera to the park. Even it was short time, I was be able to enjoy how the sun was beautiful. This is one of the things that I like. Very golden color of sun lays on a meadow and it shines leaves and people's smile. The empty kids park was so poetic. I was standing there for some times. Then I realized that I gotta do this more often.

3rd

May 13, 2013

Time went so fast. It had been already three years since I moved to Prague. First I thought "Is really going to be my home?" Now I feel it is my home. There are still some frames I didn't hang on the wall and Kitchen window glass is not yet replaced(wind slam the window and broke the glass). Well, that's my home incomplete and perfect home. I should've celebrate this day and totally forgot about it. So at least this way I want to remember the day I came to Prague and the life I had here. Thanks Prague.

Beautiful hands

May 11, 2013

Many years ago, one of my friend said that our hands shows our class. So we have to take care of our hands to be looking good. I didn't thought about it much at that time. But it never left my thoughts. It was in fact led me into deeper thinking more and more.

Sure pretty hands are good to look at and even good to touch. But I highly disagree with him that hands has many classes. It sounded like he doesn't want to be look like low class. I wonder what was his real class was. Hands are important for all of us and we use them for many reasons. It shows who you are and what you do.

My grandmother was a farmer. She was working in the field all day long and that made her hands tough and dark. I still remember her hand weren't soft or pretty. But those hands made amazing rice and vegetables. When I was sick, she even rubbed my belly to make me calm and get better(Korean old custom). I wonder what was her class and what would my friend say about her hands. Many years ago when I was an animator, my hand was in bad shape and suffering. Because I was drawing animation characters all day long. But I was good at my job and that meant everything. No one was saying I was low class cause I had an ugly hand.

There are thousands of jobs out there and most of them are working very hard. I'm sure there is a carpenter who has pretty hand and always take good care of them afterwards. But in my thought, carpenter's hard working hands are very beautiful. So as my grandmother's hands. We should think of what we do with our hands before think of what our hands look like. I rather be genuine about what I do than what my hands look like. Fisher mans hands aren't gonna be any pretty. But from those hands we can eat fishes(We all know somebody has to catch them).

My hands are not the prettiest one in the world. It has so many scars from cooking and doing some of my paper cutting projects. But I like them. Those scars are permanent and it will be ugly as always. But I love them. I was doing what I love and it made me by now. I'm sure still my friend must have good looking hands after so many times of manicures. But I don't envy his. And I don't feel bad he is no longer friends with me. I certainly don't wanna be friends with someone thinks hands have classes.