Chang Lee

Today, Conor and I interviewed Chang Lee at his show on the lower East side. He began in South Korea wanting to become a demolitionist. Through a series of events, Mr Lee ended up on the New York Times. He has won two pulitzer prizes to-date.

It was hard to take half decent photos because I wanted to listen to what he was saying. Mr Lee is probably one of my most influential photographers. He was almost strangely human and reserved, kind of like the alter ego of a superhero before running off to the next mission. You can see some of his work on the New York Times website, including slideshows on Afghanistan, China, and North Korea.




Some journalists carry guns in war zones, but Mr Lee is strongly against this. He said carrying guns not only puts you at danger, but also those who do not; a terrorist may assume all journalists have guns and use indiscriminate deadly force.


Mr Lee recalls the second Twin Tower collapsing during September 11, 2001.


Mr Romero sketching.

Mark

Mark takes photos too.



He's not going to like that photo.

These are my friends David and Charles Puelz. They're from Texas.





Katherine doesn't like guns.

Obama

A week ago, the election for the next President was held, in case you haven't heard. It was a big deal at Wesleyan University because of how Liberal-dominated of a school it is. Right after Barack Obama was announced the president elect, there was a frenzy outside with people screaming, dancing, and singing. After his speech, I checked out where all the noise was coming from and it turned out to be a huge mass of (probably) inebriated Wesleyan students celebrating. You read of important, historical events all your life, and it was something different to be in the middle of one.

September 29, 2008

Sunrise

I was waiting throughout the weeks for the sun to rise in my line of sight. There are benefits to being up at 5 am.

Father Hal Weidner

I had to take a portrait of Father Hal Weidner for the Wesleyan Argus. He is the new Catholic Chaplain at Wesleyan. Father Weidner grew up in Hawaii, but moved around a lot because his father was a Marine. The article, written by Jae Aron, can be found here.

The Studio

I visited Mr. Romero's studio today. A lot of press photographers have hobbies on the side. Mr. Romero is an artist. He primarily paints, but he also likes to make collage-type pieces. His studio is filled with "junk" he found and things people gave him, as well as an amazing assortment of photographs and drawings. It's the type of place where you can look around for hours, constantly finding new, interesting things to investigate.





Mr. Romero.





On the left, one of Mr. Romero's friends in the building. He's a master carpenter. He was talking about when he went to a leper colony. "...And you don't take cameras there," he told me. "Not because they're not allowed, but it's just something you don't take photos of."



My dad, Won.

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Well, I've maxed out my flickr account for the month. So, I'll see you in September.

Christian Retreat

Last week, I went on a Christian Retreat for four days and three nights. Though I'm not religious, my friends needed a bass player, so I filled in. Retreats are composed of singing, sermons, games, and just having fun. It's a big deal in the Christian circle because it's often where one "meets God" and takes one's religion to a higher level. To anyone not religious, it all probably seems strange or even scary; all of these people are regular guys and girls but when it comes to worshipping God and Jesus, they're very passionate.



This is the youth pastor, Sam Oh giving a sermon.



A retreat staff member.



Students sometimes need a person to talk to, and the youth pastors are always open to it.



The worship usually gets intense towards the end of the night. Here, several students are praying for each other while the band continues praising.



Two students praying for a girl whom they may or may not know personally.



Some fall to the floor while worshipping, screaming out their prayer.



On the last night of the retreat, after worship, there was a camp fire.



Several students embrace for silent prayer. Many kids at these retreats feel like family, united under a common faith, devotion, and struggle.

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Until next time, good night.

Praise

I went to a church in White Plains where my friends were performing at a Christian "Praise Night." Whenever I go to their church, I'm impressed by the community that's formed. There are probably internal conflicts, as there are in any community, but the members have a genuinely warm, family-like dynamic. It's a shift in atmosphere for me because though I'm not religious at all, I've been moving through different church communities my whole life.

Before White Plains, though, was the City:





I've been distant with Christianity since the end of high school. It is strange being around the religion so much while questioning many aspects of it.





I'm going to be playing the bass for my church during a retreat this week, so expect photos from that soon.

Windows

I projected the image of my bedroom windows (below) onto a white piece of paper using a 50mm Pentax.



Now that I've done that, I'm bored again.

Nothing Special

Two of the Early Morning Starbucks Boys.


Everyone is faceless

Sunday Morning

Didn't really get to sleep last night, so Conor and I went to Starbucks at around 8 am. And then it was off to church for me.


A man entertaining/being entertained by his baby.


Johnny with his guitar.


My mom, Kyung, left, listening to the pastor's wife, surrounded by the church.

Woo Assignment

I had the honor of joining Stuart on an exciting thrill ride of an adventure. We went to a little league game in Henry Hudson Memorial Park where the Riverdale team got whipped. It wasn't the greatest assignment but I got to see Stuart in action for the first time as well as continuing to brush up on my photography.


The man, the legend, Stuart Peterson.


The Riverdale coach, pitcher, and catcher deliberate during their crushing game. I tried to get a bigger kid on the opposing team in on the photo, as if he's a bully. I don't know if it worked.