Been traveling to quite a number of places with my camera gears, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia just to name a few, but one of the most camera friendly city that I came across is Seoul, Korea.What make I said that, "camera friendly city", you might asked, well some of the factors that need to be considered are: You can take photo of almost anything easily without getting those strangely looks from other people, especially the locals, (as long as you are within the photographers' ethics); You can take, lugged around your camera gears without being afraid of it being "taken away", (as long as you don't wander off the off-beaten tracks), You won't feel awkward shooting photo with your huge SLR, as most of the people are using one! There are many camera shops around, new and used, compact and SLRs, digital and film; There are so many photo opportunities, even just by seating in one corner! + many other factors.O
One of the photographers, viewing the day's shot from his professional Canon EOS 1D body.
Just look at the photographers, having a classic film SLR for each of them.
A yuppie sharing the pros and cons of his Nikon DSLR.
There are even loads of woman photographers around, shooting with their DSLR, I guess woman prefer huge DSLR rather than those smaller compact point and shoot camera, or is just a hype nowadays?
Just look at those huge, long lens, see, I told you, one will not feel awkward tagging along their huge SLR for a walkabout in Seoul, but do know your limit and ethics. :)
Just some random photos of various public phone booths in Seoul.
The simple tin-can on the wall type of thingy.
These are just simple glass walled phone booth, yet practical, complete with stainless steel bench, good idea, so that, people will talk more.
Pedestrians passing by the red phone booths at the vicinity of Seoul Museum of History.
A phone booth is also a good place to meet up, why call on the phone when you can just meet up?Speaking of phone, remind me some of The Simpsons' quote:Homer: "... Operator! Give me the number for 911!"Chief Wiggum: Uh, no, you got the wrong number. This is 9-1…2.Moe: Yeah, Moe's Tavern, Moe speaking. Bart: Is Jacques there? Moe: Who? Bart: Jacques, last name Strap. Moe: Uh, hold on. [to everyone in the bar] Uh, Jacques...Strap...Hey guys I'm looking for a "Jock strap". [laughs from all] Oh... wait a minute...Jock strap?!... It's you isn't it, ya cowardly little runt? When I get a hold of you, I'm gonna gut you like a fish and drink your blood!Bart: Is Mister Freely there? Moe: Who? Bart: Freely, first initials I. P. Moe: Hold on, I'll check. Uh, is I. P. Freely here? Hey, everybody! "I pee freely"! [the customers laugh] Wait a minute... Listen to me you lousy bum. When I get a hold of you, you're dead. I swear I'm gonna slice your heart in half! Homer: You'll get that punk someday, Moe. Moe: I don't know. He's tough to catch. He keeps changing his name.
The "Really Big Wheel", a.k.a Ferris Wheel is almost everywhere nowadays.There's that one in London, then in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur also have one, Manchester also have one, and some other wheel in various part of the world.Yet, not they wanted to re-invent the wheel, but there is a newly erected wheel in Brisbane.
The 60m high wheel was erected to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the World Expo 88 and 150th Anniversary of the State of Queensland (1859-2009 Celebrations).
It was painted white because if it was to be painted blue, it will be the same colour as the sky, and nobody can see it, helicopter pilot might miss it and birds will just fly straight to it! (No, not really, I just made this one up).
There are about 42 capsules so the wheel, and the ride is about quarter of an hour long, or in simple term, it lasted about fifteen minutes.
Moving away from the sadness of the prison, here are some interesting signages and graffiti in the city.
First, is this cute bunnies, pink bunny and blue bunny, painted over an electrical distribution box.
Then, found hiding in a same complimenting brightly coloured garbage bins is this girl in bikini, also painted over the electrical box.
And this is really something, some sort of reminder, sheeps in suits, or is it really fox in a "sheep's clothing?Just like an "ethical hacker", these are some of the "ethical graffiti", conveying some sort of hidden message in every art.
1. Despite having no photo, some do still read this post, thanks.2. Mass Media plays an important roles in our daily life nowadays, that we can not escape from encountering them even for a day, unless you are living in those remote area, then that is another story, but otherwise, you will not be reading this.3. Because of this, people, especially those "marketing people" will try to promote their product via radios, TV, newspapers and magazine, etc.4. But what I found annoying is the type of advert that I have to listen/watch everytime I wanted to listen/watch a good program,( I know the TVs/Radios need the advert and well I don't mind those good ones.)5. What I'm trying to stress about is some of our local adverts on the radios, did you realise that, most of adverts are all about LOANS! KAIN (Clothes)! BUFFET! STUPID CRAZY RIDICULOUS MIDNITE BACK TO SCHOOL, BACK TO UTANG SALE! (Which I think the "ridiculous" one is those who bought and paid $10 for a $5 item which they don't really need), and what does it all show you? orang kitani kuat berutang? kuat membali kain? kuat makan? Dunno, pikir tah sendiri.6. When you look at the adverts of other countries, you won't find 90% of their adverts of such product, but instead, adverts about coffee, tea, detergent, holidays, medicine, perfumes, watches, toys and such.7. "Dad, you still remember your promise?" " What promise?" "You promised me to buy me a spanking new-girl-in-Gadong-grabbing-attention sports car once I entered Uni" "But you have already got a car, and it is still in good working condition?!" "Yea, true but you did mentioned I could get a new one" " Well ok, go and find some resonable price one" "Oh yea, dad, I just remembered this financial institution is having some sort of a garbage eh a garage sale, where you can just trade in the old one with a "new" second-hand one" I bet for those local radio listeners, you are very familiar with the above adverts (obviousl it was in malay, and I just exaggerate a 'lil), but yeap, my point is that, are we trying to promote a community for spending, loan community, people who just care about their wants instead of their needs?8. Furthermore, the quality of some of the adverts, are ridiculous and annoying, I know those advert makers would say, " but it did attracts your attention and you remember it".9. Well yeah it did, but it is just because we have no choice, in other countries, if a production house, produce a rubbish adverts, no one would ever come back to you, producing something rubbish, annoying and no meaning is totally different from those meaningful, heart touching adverts/ promo. (Good neighbouring example is the TM and Petronas ads esp. during the festive seasons)10. Can we make something which is meaningful? Something that can touch you "there"? or at least make a good quality ads/promo, as for those who have parabola, Indonesia have thousand of creative ads, go study.
11. Just something I wanted to share, did you know how the guys in NISSAN promote their new flagship super car i.e. GT-R? Well, Mr Ghosn, the President/CEO of NISSAN called his office worldwide to discuss about their marketing strategy of the new GT-R, and he specifically said no promo in Mag, TV or the likes, so one of the guy from Nissan UK made a suggestion of promoting it via Manga (anime) and GT3 or in the layman terms, video games & comics! Brilliant!
