Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Watch on YouTube
A few months ago, a new subscriber wrote in to ask if we had any stories or photography from South Korea, and we realized we had surprisingly little in our archives. Just a few days later, Trope Publishing reached out to introduce us to the work of James Choi in one of their new releases, “Seoul Days & Nights.” The timing couldn’t have been better.
James was born in South Korea, but he came to the U.S. with his parents when he was a young child. He didn’t go back for 46 years. And when he finally made the trip home, everything about the city was completely different, modern and thriving economically. But somehow, for James it still felt the same. Through his street photography, James captured that feeling, the feeling of a place that has been a part of him for his entire life, even from afar. He explained what street photography in Seoul is like today, and why simply being present is one of the most valuable creative skills any photographer can develop.
Interestingly, James is not primarily a street photographer. He’s an independent filmmaker. As a young man, he shifted gears from pursuing a career in politics to pursuing a career in filmmaking because he realized just how powerful a film can be. A film that makes a real impact on people can change the world too, he believes.
Naturally, we wondered what can street photographers learn from an independent filmmaker? Quite a lot, it turns out. We talk about how his background in cinema has shaped the way he photographs the street, and how photography, in turn, has influenced the way he now makes films. One thing I loved about James’ approach to making art, be it stills or films, is that he has fully embraced simplicity, despite the challenges that come with that. He argues that limitations aren’t obstacles to creativity. They’re often what make it possible. Whether it’s working with a single camera and lens or making films on a micro-budget, stripping away excess has allowed him to create more work and, ultimately, become better at his craft.
Another important idea that James shared was his belief that authentic art requires vulnerability. After years in Hollywood thinking about audiences, trends, and commercial success, James found his most meaningful work only after he began looking inward and making the kind of stories that felt honest to him. It’s a lesson worth pondering no matter what kind of art you make.
James’ Film Recommendations for Street Photographers
James had the privilege of studying under two great filmmakers: Abbas Kiarostami and Apichatpong Weerasethakul. Both men are heavily influenced by photography. They had a huge impact on James by revealing what cinema can be in its minimalist form. He says, “Any of their works will have a tremendous influence for photographers in terms of [showing them] what’s possible.”
The Book “Seoul Day & Nights”
Fun fact! James shot the photographs he contributed to “Seoul Day & Nights” with a Ricoh GR III. Grab a copy of this fantastic book here.