How I got into photography

<Photograph by Eddie Adams. February 1st 1968 in Saigon>

<Nikon D700, ISO4000, F/4.5, 1/60sec>

A number of people has asked me. "What got you into photography?" 


Two photos above can basically sum it up.


Top one is probably recognized by tens of millions of people if not more. An iconic image which arguably fueled the anti vietnam-war movement in the states. I saw this photo when I was in high school. I was browsing through some coffee table book on photojournalism, which consisted of lots of images that I had never experienced before. Most of them were on the brutal reality around the world. Out of all those images, this one struck me the most. There was really no judgement on the photo at that time. It was just a pure shock to the brain and such intense stimulus never went away and stayed in my subconscious.


Second one is my dad's camera. I still remember how excited he was when he first got it more than two decades ago. Due to his busy work, he never got to really use it much. Years after he passed away, I took the camera out and started playing with it to see if I can learn how to use it. But drawback of film camera is you can't see what you take right away and by the time they are developed, you kinda forget what the setting was. And I was brave (and stupid) enough to use it at my sister's graduation and nothing came out. So my journey started. Bought my first dslr, took a class, and never stopped taking picture since. This camera is not working at the moment but I want to get it fixed one day start taking films again.

New Year Resolution

<Nikon D80, ISO1000, F/1.4, 1/40sec>

One of my new year resolutions for 2012 is to stop smoking until 8/31/2012. When I mentioned this to a few of my friends, most of the responses was it was the weirdest resolution they've heard. 


I started smoking since I was in 3rd year in middle school in Korea. Holy S... That's 21 years ago. Still remember the first inhale very clearly. One evening after school, walking down a back alley, offered by a friend, trying to man up, I was acting as if I had done it many times before. Without releasing any into the air, I actually inhaled all of it. Well, I ended up puking quietly later that evening. Why quietly? Didn't want my parents to find out.


Since then, I was never a heavy smoker. Sporadically I even stopped smoking for a prolonged period as long as 3 years. But throughout all these years, I never committed to quitting for good. I will rather take a break from it here and there. As much as I whine when I go hiking at mission peak, I still very much enjoy smoking.


So what's my solution? In 2011, I stopped smoking from Jan to Jun. This year it's from Jan to Aug. Next year Jan to Oct. In 2014, it will be from Jan to Dec. Then hopefully it will be perpetual from there. Another reason why the world can't end this year. =P


For all the ones out there going cold turkey, I admire your determination and support you 100%. Good luck to everyone and myself!