Stick 30 Koreans in a room...

schmoo · October 4, 2010

A couple of weekends ago my mother's family had a big family reunion. She's one of seven and the last time all of them had been in the same place at the same time was decades ago. It was a pretty moving event. I am not much of a people shooter but you can't just sit back and let it happen without a few shots!

I'm about as American as you can get and this is only the second time I have ever worn the traditional dress. Not practical, but they are really beautiful, particularly seeing the exquisite detailing on some of them. The amount of care the women take in unpacking and ironing them before getting dressed is incredible.

Anyway, this was the first time I've really shot extensively with my new 16-35 II. It's a great lens, although it's always tempting to be at the wide end and stepping close, resulting in some nasty distortion around the edges.

And maybe next year I'll remember to bring my flash.

Thanks for looking!

dlplumer · October 4, 2010

Great post Schmoo. It is always fascinating to get a glimpse into culture.

D:D

schmoo · October 4, 2010

dlplumer wrote: »

Great post Schmoo. It is always fascinating to get a glimpse into culture.D:D

Thanks, Dan! It's a shock to me too in lots of ways. To find out I have not only relatives, but lots of them at 30 has been a serious crash course in identity.

My grandmother was turning 90 (Korean 91) and it was also choosuk, or the Korean Thanksgiving. We were all supposed to get dressed up and do the bow-to-your-elders-and-worship-your-ancestors but we actually never made it that far.

anonymouscuban · October 4, 2010

This is so cool Steph. We have very close Korean friends and I love their wonderful traditions. Actually, we are going over this weekend for their two girls' birthdays. They call me "uncle salad". The oldest, Katie, couldn't say my name Alex correctly... she would say "Salad". It stuck and they've called me it ever since.

Andy · October 4, 2010

beautiful

schmoo · October 4, 2010

anonymouscuban wrote: »

This is so cool Steph. We have very close Korean friends and I love their wonderful traditions. Actually, we are going over this weekend for their two girls' birthdays. They call me "uncle salad". The oldest, Katie, couldn't say my name Alex correctly... she would say "Salad". It stuck and they've called me it ever since.

Haha that is a great story, and so cute!

schmoo · October 4, 2010

Andy wrote: »

beautiful

Thanks, I ended up not running out of CF cards, too!

Sam · October 4, 2010

Nice post Schmoo...............

Sam

schmoo · October 4, 2010

Sam wrote: »

Nice post Schmoo...............

Sam

Thanks Sam. We missed ya on Saturday!

Llywellyn · October 4, 2010

Oh, I love this glimpse into your family and culture. Beautiful captures! I especially love the one of the gentleman kissing the woman's cheek. Her expression is a little bit impish and so sweet!

Qarik · October 4, 2010

very cool!

schmoo · October 4, 2010

Llywellyn wrote: »

Oh, I love this glimpse into your family and culture. Beautiful captures! I especially love the one of the gentleman kissing the woman's cheek. Her expression is a little bit impish and so sweet!

Thanks, Kerry! That's my mom and one of my uncles, her youngest brother. They are both so silly

Icebear · October 4, 2010

I really enjoyed this. So far out of your "usual" genre.

aktse · October 4, 2010

Thank you so much letting us sneak a small peak into your wonderful family. It's amazing to see the love and gentle beauty in moments like this.

Agnieszka · October 4, 2010

Very nice photos! But 'ya know ... one photo is missing

Any pics of you in the pretty dress?

clap

VayCayMom · October 4, 2010

That was really something !!Thank you for sharing that with us, I loved it, LOVED the clothing!! And the descriptions. You are lucky to have such a wonderful family and you can tell how much you loved the entire reunion!

kdog · October 4, 2010

Great stuff, Schmoo. It's awesome to preserve such a beautiful culture.

schmoo · October 4, 2010

Agnieszka wrote: »

Very nice photos! But 'ya know ... one photo is missing Any pics of you in the pretty dress? clap

Heh there is one pic of me up already there but here's one my husband took of me in my hanbok:

(I look like I'm about 5 years old)

My aunt was tactful in saying she "Wasn't sure about the colors." Apparently I have no skill in choosing traditional color combinations!

Agnieszka · October 4, 2010

Ohhh, I guess I didn't recognize you because of the hair. This is SUCH an adorable photo, haha! Love it!!

And I actually really like the colors you chose.

met · October 4, 2010

I thoroughly enjoyed this set!

Jazmyn76 · October 5, 2010

Chiming in agreement- I really enjoyed it as well! I love catching glimpses in to the lives of others, and especially being witness to special tender moments and memories as they're unfolding. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Qarik · October 5, 2010

schmoo wrote: »

Heh there is one pic of me up already there but here's one my husband took of me in my hanbok:

(I look like I'm about 5 years old)

My aunt was tactful in saying she "Wasn't sure about the colors." Apparently I have no skill in choosing traditional color combinations!

okay this is throwing me for loop haha..you are about as modern as girl can get,..seeing you in hanbok..I can't even recognize you! You look very nice btw!

schmoo · October 5, 2010

Qarik wrote: »

okay this is throwing me for loop haha..you are about as modern as girl can get,..seeing you in hanbok..I can't even recognize you! You look very nice btw!

Note the expression there? Heheh actually it's not too bad. The nicest part is being able to eat a really salty meal without being uncomfortable.

But yeah I wouldn't exactly pull the hanbok out of the closet on a Wednesday night!

ivar · October 5, 2010

schmoo wrote: »

I am not much of a people shooter ...

You keep saying this, yet you keep proving yourself wrong...

Okay, so, your photos: yummm!

These are so nice individually but they are also really nice as a series; Technically (nice consistent wb & processing) but also since you got a lot of different shots from that day with your family.

I like your new watermark, btw

reyvee61 · October 5, 2010

Wow, I have to say ...the beauty and diversity of cultures are incredible and kudos to you for not letting an event like this go undocumented.....
Simply beautiful captures!
You are a fantastic people shooter btw......

r3t1awr3yd · October 6, 2010

My korean half says these are great pictures

I love the hanboks!!

schmoo · October 6, 2010

Thanks guys! Hey Wally is that your left or your right half?

One thing I am learning is that no matter what happens at your event, it's important to process shots where people are smiling.

r3t1awr3yd · October 6, 2010

schmoo wrote: »

Thanks guys! Hey Wally is that your left or your right half?

One thing I am learning is that no matter what happens at your event, it's important to process shots where people are smiling.

Well it's not the black half lol.

Definitely keep shooting the smiles though. YOu're pretty darn good at it.

divamum · October 8, 2010

Add my voice to the chorus - WONDERFUL! The shots are fantastic just as shots, but far more important is the wonderful story they tell. Fabulous work and it looks like it was an amazing family event!

kris10jo · October 8, 2010

I think you're definitely a people shooter! What a great set of photos. Hope you all enjoyed a wonderful choosuk!

Stick 30 Koreans in a room...

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