Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Aelric]

I'm a bit of an amateur photographer and really enjoy working on old style film and darkroom print making. Unfortunately, it's a digital world now and while I know how to play on photoshop, I would love to get my hands wet in developer again. Since I've been here, I've check a few of the colleges and had the guy at the Olympus store in Seomyeon look around himself, but to no avail. I've pondered making my bathroom into a makeshift darkroom, however, considering the cost of that and the fact that shipping the equipment back home eventually would probably destroy my savings for what is really just a hobby.

So, I ask any photographers if they know of anywhere in Busan or nearby where I could rent time in a darkroom.

[Surfer Rosa]

Not to hijack, but do you know of any photography courses (in English) in Busan?

[Aelric]

I'm afraid not. BNU apparently used to have a darkroom and now has a D.I.S. (Digital Imaging Studio), so I imagine that they must offer some courses, however it may be more technical how to and photojournalism courses than creative expression artistic courses. Plus, I doubt they are in English. Seoul probably would offer something at one of the universities up there, but I wouldn't know for sure.

In the end, the how to is easy enough to learn on your own. What classes offer are feedback and facilities. If you have an DSLR and a computer with photoshop, you can teach yourself all you need on the technical level. If you have specific questions about anything, you can PM me and I'll help if I can, but bear in mind, I'm an amateur myself.

[thrylos]

I had similar problems when I was looking around a few years ago. I found out that most unis, even, have one or two enlargers for something like 10,000 students to use. (Yes, it's an exaggeration, but...) That is why I ended up buying my own equipment, and luckily, I had a small extra room that I converted pretty easily. (Black cloth draped on walls, used foam to lightproof door/window cracks...)

I know you said you don't want one, but I have a full B/W darkroom/developing set that I hardly use anymore. I could be tempted to sell...Price negotiable...

Blackbag, two-roll devoloping tank, bulk film loader, Japanese (LPL) B/W enlarger w/Rodenstock lens and various Ilford filters (which for the life of me, I STILL can't use properly), interchangeable brown/red safelight, 11x14 trays, beakers, thermometers, contact sheet thingamajigy...etc, including various sized papers and chemicals.

PM me if you're interested.

[Surfer Rosa]

Are there any photo clubs in Busan?

I'd love to get together with others and talk camera stuff and go site-seeing and take some shots. I'm fairly novice but am trying to learn as much as I can right now. We had photo clubs in my hometown so, just curious about Busan.

[Panda]

[Aelric]

If there isn't one, I wouldn't mind a gathering of like minds to talk shop with myself. Any other takers? Hell, maybe even some impromtu assignments to keep us in practice and critique.

[Aelric]

BOOYA!!! I may have found one near Busan Station. It's called Art Bank. My co-teacher dialed them today and got the instructions on how to get there, I'll be checking it out tomorrow and I'll let you know the skinny.

[pattycakes]

So whats the deal with the art bank, is there really an available darkroom???? Fill us in!!

[Aelric]

From what I saw, it's a tiny darkroom shoved in the back of a art hagwon. They let me look but I was unable to negotiate with the staff. Using my co-teacher to translate by cellphone, she said that the school only took children and that the darkroom was getting decommissioned. This was news compared to what was said to my co the day before, so I imagine they didn't want the west to learn the advanced secrets of film still photography.

Since then I've come to stop lamenting the death of film. When I go home I'll get my hands wet again, but here seems to be a lost cause.

The other idea I had, of starting a little group to give critiques to each other still stands as an open invitation for anyone wanting to keep their skills sharp while they are here. So far there is me and me, so we have a few openings for new members. PM if interested.