Today the world is as globalized as it could be - - yet we struggle to find meaning in our daily existence.

30 November 2012

Mamiya M645

My great friend and brother was kind enough to send me his Mamiya M645 from Japan to use, instead of it collecting dust around his apartment. One of the first things I noticed was that using a medium format film camera, such as the 645, exponentially slowed down my film game. Furthermore, without a metering system, I had to whip out my iPhone every time I wanted to take a shot. Sometimes, I would visualize a frame, pull out my iPhone, turn all the dials to their correct position, then simply not take the photograph. It's weird. I felt as if there was no justification for wasting a frame. As a street photographer, it's even harder to capture moments that are fleeting with such a rugged camera. Furthermore, the format (length by width), while not completely square-shaped, yet comparable to an enlarged 35mm size, was still difficult to get used to right off the bat. It is also noticeably much more heavier than my M6. On top of that, I'm not a big fan of carrying around too much gear. I'd rather devote all my attention to one camera. To each his or her own, I suppose.

The first thing I did was find a waist-level finder. Luckily, I found one after visiting a few shops around Chungmuro. As I peered into the waist-level finder, it was as if I had entered another world. Words could not explain how I felt at that exact moment, but it seemed almost fantastical. Like an illusion, I was sent to an altered universe, paralleling my surrounding reality, but distant and intangible. Like a story that could not be understood by all, but only to those that have peered through it's mysterious glass.

Or something like that.

I never thought it would take me this long to expose 16 frames. But as they say, "slow and steady wins the race."
Thanks Keny for letting me borrow the camera! (You can check out his work here: http://haserad.com/)

Camera: Mamiya 645
Roll: Kodak Portra 400

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m645r1-1 If you've ever roamed around Chungmuro, this should be a familiar face. He actually had/has an M3 that the man himself, Henri Cartier-Bresson used back in the day. I actually contemplated selling my M6 that day. I'm glad that I didn't. Too bad this portrait came out of focus.

m645r1-2 Some random tourists asking for directions. I hope it doesn't take me too long to get adjusted to the 645 framing.

m645r1-7 Dang, missed the focus here too! This was along the Cheonggyecheon during the Lantern Festival.

m645r1-3 Sometimes you just have to stand in one place and wait.

m645r1-4 This certainly looked a lot cooler in person. I wasn't sure what I was framing here, lol.

m645r1-5 As this is a busy intersection, I had to wait a while to make sure no cars would enter the frame. I'm glad this turned out alright. Gyeongbukgung Palace.

m645r1-8 I think I metered this frame incorrectly. Or, the lens is not as sharp as I expected at infinity. Please advise!

m645r1-10 By far one of my favorite frames from this set. I love how the oof background isn't too wild.

m645r1-12 I met a Hong-Kong couple as I was leaving Samcheongdong. They were kind enough to let me take their photograph. Good thing I got his email!

m645r1-6 Then I bumped into Miyoshi at Myeongdong. She's always so fashionable.


I need new photographing locations.
Please help!



pax

05 November 2012

King of Criterium 2012

Push, pull. Push, pull.

After the first few laps, my legs find that correct balance and cadence. It always takes a few kilometers to get the legs warmed up. Push, pull. Push, pull. My grasp is firm. Focus. The night is clear, but the road is still busy with taxis, and busses are still shuttling people to wherever destination. Push, pull. Push, pull. The sweat drips down my face. Good thing I've got my translucent sunglasses on. I don't even bother wiping any of it off. Push, pull. Push, pull. Check the speedometer. Alright, 38 km/hr. Let's see if we can go faster. Push, pull. Push, pull. The cleat straps are restricting the blood flow to my feet. They are numb. Keep going. I shoulda bought the Ergo 3s. Push, pull. Push, pull. My neck is sore. I put my head down slightly to release the tension. Push, pull. Push, pull. Only a few more kilometers to go. Everyone else starts to pedal faster. Fuck. I gotta keep up, or else I'll get left behind. Push, pull. Push, pull. As I turn past the fourth corner, I yell out to my teammates who are spectating. HOW MANY LAPS LEFT? Last lap, I hear. I'm still in the back of the pack. Push, pull. Push, pull. The first corner has a slight grade and incoming traffic. It is inevitable that everyone slows down here. However, past the second corner, a downhill straight shot awaits for about 1 km. Push, pull. Push, pull. I remember it's the last lap. Everyone bombs the downhill. Here we go. I don't even risk looking down at my speedometer. Push, pull. Push, pull. Halfway down the street, Jong-goo, one of my teammates, whose in the front of the pack, takes off. Shit!. But I hesitate, and can't keep up with him. Push, pull. Push, pull. Before the third corner, there is another uphill where inevitably everyone has no choice but to slow down again. This is it. I pass a few racers. I see Bud in front. Push, pull. Push, pull. The fourth and final corner is meters away. I turn the corner tight, and feel as though I'm going to tip over. But the momentum keeps me going. Push, pull. Push, pull. The final stretch. I see someone in front of me. Inhale. I take the outside lane, barely avoiding collision with an incoming taxi. Fuck. I see someone else. I keep pedaling, but only manage to get as close as his rear wheel before we cross the finish line inches apart. The adrenaline is still flowing through my body.

I came in 5th that night. But I learned a lot about myself, and where I need to improve upon. Next time, I'm going to get 1st.

1# KING OF CRITERIUM from LIVETEAM312 on Vimeo.



pax

15 August 2012

Recent Adventures

A few months ago, I went to the Incheon Velodrome to watch fixie riders from all over Korea participate in the King of Track II events. While Track Cycling has been around since 1870, it has been a fascinating new revelation for me. Realistically, the chances of me even qualifying for the Olympics is about 1 in a million. In the mean time, I'll do my best to be the King of the South Korean Track. Which means that I'll have to ride everyday (minus rainy days), and get my top speed around, say.. 50 km/hr at least. While the Elimination Races (Miss and Out, aka. Devil Take the Most Hindmost) seem more exciting, they do require more endurance from the racer, and I think my leg's are geared more for the Sprint Races (Keirin, ケイリン) where the racers ride 4 laps around the velodrome behind a pacer, then sprint the final 2 laps to complete the race. I'm just glad that there are such events possible for amateur riders. Perhaps, this is why I am having such a difficult time leaving. Frankly, I love everything about this country; from the insanely hot summers, to the equally insanely cold winters, and the beautiful seasonal changes in between. Everyday no matter how seemingly routine it may seen, isn't. Maybe it's hard to leave that comfortability that took years to balance. All I know, is that when the time is right, Seoul will let me go.

Now if only I took as many photographs as I biked. To be fair, having an iPhone has made it possible for me to take more photos on the road. At a fraction of the size and weight of my first digital camera, Nikon's D40, the iPhone's 8 mega pixels hasn't disappointed. Trust me it's just not as pleasant trying to pedal fast with a heavy film camera weighing down on your back. In any case, you can find my stuff on Instagram (id: pdhlee). Feel free to follow if you're at all interested in my life here in Seoul. It's hard for me to believe that I held out for so long! I guess you either keep up with the times, or get left behind.

And she doesn't stop for anybody.

On that note, I can't believe it's already mid-August. Summer is almost over, and Autumn will be ready to show her colors soon. I hope to get a few more rolls in before the Winter storms through. Oh, and I recently tested out a roll on my friend's Contax T2. While it was one of the most user-friendly film cameras I have ever used, I found that the Carl Zeiss T* Sonnar 38mm glass wasn't as sharp as my Voigtlander Nokton 35mm lens. Perhaps, I'm just not fond of carrying extra gear, and would rather just carry one body, one lens.

Anyway, here are the results!
enjoi~

Camera: Leica M6, Contax T2
Roll: Fujifilm Superia 400

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000007 My Cinelli x MashSF Histogram w/ Mavic Ellipse wheel set

000009

000013 Cinelli x MashSF on racks

000014 Cinelli for Hers

000012 That's a mean looking pitbull

000016 Representing Circle Bike, my LBS.

000021 I'll be sitting here with a helmet on come October!

000022

000024 I've been seeing more and more tattoo's in Korean these days.

000025 Nina, the Tattoo Artist

000033 Some of these girls probably bike faster than me!

000026 Since this wasn't a professional event, a human pacer was used.

000030 She also had Avatar height.

000031 That bank was steeeeeeeep!




Start Contax T2


We went on a bike trip to Ganghwa Island (강화도) a few weeks ago, and James let me borrow his Contax T2, about half an hour into the trip I realized (in the 95 degree weather) that it was simply too hot and heavy for me to carry around the camera, albeit being lighter than my M6.

t2r1-16 On route to the island.

t2r1-13

t2r1-9 The scenery was nice and green from the rice fields.

t2r1-10 At this point, we had ridden maybe 20 km, but I was already dead tired. We ended up biking ~85 km that day. It was also one of the hottest days of the summer, definitely over 95 degrees. I must have burned over 5000 kcal.

Not even being closed to finishing the roll, I met up with James to shoot some street.
Here's what happened.

t2r1-vert1 The Mysterious Umbrella Girl, and the J.W.T.Mann

t2r1-4

t2r1-7

t2r1-15 You're right man, Life is the Game.

t2r1-14 She had a beautiful smile.

t2r1-21 Sweet Skyline dude.

t2r1-30 I know it's dangerous, but I just wanna try once!

t2r1-22 I'd be tired too if I had to wear that suit in 90 degree weather.

t2r1-31 The sun was blazing.

t2r1-32 You think they planned that?

t2r1-28 GPOY




Random: Do you believe in Destiny?




pax | previously : [ Cali '11: 8. Before I crossed the Pacific Once More ]

23 May 2012

Cali '11: 8. Before I crossed the Pacific once more.

With the advent of my tumblr, I've definitely neglected my blog quite a bit. It could be that there are more people that are on tumblr these days, but I truly find that it's more convenient for a photo-blog. Also, studying for GRE's, work, and biking has taken precedence over updating this blog. I'll do my best to continue updating, but no guarantees. Follow at your own risk!

While back home (can't believe it's been over 4 months now), I've had the pleasure of shooting with my friend Jeff's Pentax 67. It's always enjoyable looking through different viewfinders, especially one that is medium format. While 35mm is my preference, I do see the value in shooting medium format, so when the time is right I will try my hand and eye in that. Until then, these will have to do.

These definitely make me miss home.
enjoi

Camera: Leica M6, Pentax 67
Roll: Kodak Ektar 100, Kodak Portra 400 push+1, Kodak Portra 400 (120 film)






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m6r22-vert1 Such a dope house. Rock climbing wall + art wall.
  m6r22-16Chipotle & my favorite bw film, Trix 400.

m6r22-17 I love how the M6 soaks up all the light.

m6r22-20 Yoon, I wonder what he looks like these days.
  m6r22-21Jeff aka 12fv.
  m6r22-25I think this one was shot at 1/8 hence the blur.
  m6r22-27Keny and Jeff.






= Begin Pentax 67 =

p67-1 Q, currently living it up in Saigon, Vietnam.
  p67-2Kunal, about to cook us up something!
  p67-3An epic tale with pinoy sensation, Ray Ricafort.
  p67-4Pensive Keny, pondering his next move in Settlers.
  p67-5Q, sleeping like a baby.
  p67-6Hannah, such an amazing soul.
  p67-7Vertical shot of Alex, don't remember what was so funny!
  p67-8When you hear Jeff laugh, you can never erase it from your memory. Consider this his neutral expression.
  p67-9The light shining through the glass onto the wall was beautiful.






= End Pentax 67 =

m6r23-3 Learn to Travel, Travel to Learn. Truth.
  m6r23-4Roadtrip Nation HQ.
  m6r23-1Hannah with her cool iPhone case from Korea.
  m6r23-2GREAT company, GREAT people, GREAT friends. 

Thank you all. I wouldn't be where I am with you guys and HJ!




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