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kermo
Joined: 01 Sep 2004
Location: Eating eggs, with a comb, out of a shoe.
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 Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 8:03 pm Post subject: Budding Photographer Seeks Work Experience in Korea |
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My younger sister is currently in Canada, has a diploma in photography, and is looking to put her skills to work. She's looking for an internship, or any sort of chance to work in a journalism setting. She's applying all over the world, but I'm interested in whether there are opportunities for her here in Korea.
Of course, she could apply to the Korean Herald/Chosun Ilbo directly, but I thought it might be smart to see if anyone has some helpful connections.
She's got a website and a flickr account for those looking for a sample. Here are a couple shots, for a start:
A new Queen is crowned at the Sunflower Festival in Anola, Manitoba
"Big Daddy Corleone" puts the hurt on "Billy Blaze" during a local wrestling match in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Any direction you could give us would be excellent! |
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jinju
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Theres no work in Korea. None. I have a pro photog friend who is leaving Korea because theres no work. Nothing. Korea simply has no interesting stories to cover. What will she cover? Unless she has a long term project in mind specifically about Korea, what will she do here? |
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kermo
Joined: 01 Sep 2004
Location: Eating eggs, with a comb, out of a shoe.
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't know anything about journalism, but I find it hard to believe that there are "no interesting stories." There might not be a lot going on as far as the international/political scene, but there are two newspapers that cater to English-speakers, and the criteria for "interesting" is totally different for that crowd. For example, the Korean Herald ran two stories about miniskirts, a year apart, and used the *same freakin' picture!* Clearly they could use some help, especially from someone with a fresh eye who's willing to work for peanuts. |
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jinju
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:29 pm Post subject: |
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| And neither has a staff photographer as far as I know. If they do they are Koreans. Open up the KT or KH. Infact I have the KT in my office. Most shots are from Yonhap. From talking to my friend, its really tough to work in Korea because Korean publications wont hire foreigners or give them any work really. But good luck if she tries. Why come to Koea for newspaper work anyway? Its a dead end market. As I said, if she has some lon term personal project in mind that is Korea related then yeah, otherwise there are far better countries to go to. |
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jinju
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:35 pm Post subject: |
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| kermo wrote: |
| I don't know anything about journalism, but I find it hard to believe that there are "no interesting stories." There might not be a lot going on as far as the international/political scene, but there are two newspapers that cater to English-speakers, and the criteria for "interesting" is totally different for that crowd. For example, the Korean Herald ran two stories about miniskirts, a year apart, and used the *same freakin' picture!* Clearly they could use some help, especially from someone with a fresh eye who's willing to work for peanuts. |
Would your sister want to work on stories about miniskirts? Seriously, cmon. Id rather stay amateur and pursue my personal vision an interests than work on stories about miniskirts, adopting pets, or whatever the hell those two papers do as their big exclusives. But if she comes to Korea Id like tomeet her. Infact the serious photographers from Daves should actually get together sometime and talk/shoot together. Your sister is quite good. |
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kermo
Joined: 01 Sep 2004
Location: Eating eggs, with a comb, out of a shoe.
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:41 pm Post subject: |
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Aw, thanks.
She's applying all over the place, not just Korea. She knows a fair bit about journalism (studied that at King's College in Canada) but wants to pursue photojournalism. Specifically, she's looking for newspaper experience, and I'm sorry to hear that Korea doesn't offer much because I'd love to have her over here.
As for miniskirts and pets, I don't see any shame in shooting that kind of thing. I think a photographer can bring humour and life into any story, no matter how mundane.
It sucks that there aren't any expat magazines extant at the moment, because that would be a great opportunity.
Can you explain what Yonhap is? |
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jinju
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Yonhap is a Korean news agency. They sell photos to papers. Maybe she could try with them? But Im not sure, Im certainly no expert on how to find a photo gig thats why Im still a teacher. However my friend who has bene published in Nat geo among other publications is leaving Korea because there are no real jobs here in the field. The Korean photogs dominate and its tough for a foreigner. |
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jinju
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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| kermo wrote: |
As for miniskirts and pets, I don't see any shame in shooting that kind of thing. I think a photographer can bring humour and life into any story, no matter how mundane.
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Yes but.... wouldnt she rather do something better? Sure theres no shame in flipping burgers but wouldnt you prefer something better? |
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periwinkle
Joined: 08 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:52 pm Post subject: |
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| There's a former poster on dave's (Cedar) who did a lot of stock photography, if my memory serves me correctly. Not sure what happened to her. |
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jinju
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Stock photography is basically like a warehouse of photos where people can buy your shot if they need it. Its not something to put on your resume really. Just because you do stock doesnt mean the photo is getting published often. |
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Junior
Joined: 18 Nov 2005
Location: the eye
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="kermo"]
| Quote: |
| I don't know anything about journalism, but I find it hard to believe that there are "no interesting stories." |
There are plenty of interesting stories, but most of them are taboo in Korea. To be successful here she'd have to speak Korean fluently and do investigative work, and publish stuff in the foreign media.
| Quote: |
| someone with a fresh eye who's willing to work for peanuts. |
Everyone wants to be a journalist. And they all are willing to work for peanuts. And only a tiny few end up with regular paid jobs. And only a few of those paid jobs are actually interesting and well paid.
Every newspaper from here to New york has an office with 2 or 3 people working there for free, "to build up their portfolios". sometimes editors get the most of their news from such willing yet unpaid contributors.
If she really wants to make it, what she needs is:
a) A passionate interest in something, which she then photographs.
b) To work freelance. Editors are crying out for good copy. Good stories and good pictures- all the time. If you can become a reliable source of either, then you can start making your own niche. It requires a lot of effort, but I know some people who did it.
I was a journo once- but I just preferred to be free from deadlines and do my own thing. |
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periwinkle
Joined: 08 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:14 pm Post subject: |
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| jinju wrote: |
| Stock photography is basically like a warehouse of photos where people can buy your shot if they need it. Its not something to put on your resume really. Just because you do stock doesnt mean the photo is getting published often. |
It's still work, though. Good way to build up a portfolio. |
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jinju
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:17 pm Post subject: |
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| periwinkle wrote: |
| jinju wrote: |
| Stock photography is basically like a warehouse of photos where people can buy your shot if they need it. Its not something to put on your resume really. Just because you do stock doesnt mean the photo is getting published often. |
It's still work, though. Good way to build up a portfolio. |
Its "work". Nothing great, especially as the kind of photos popular in stock photography are not exactly pulitzer prize winning material. If its a portfolio you are building up, do something different with an eye on content and meaning not how marketable it will be in stock photography. |
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jinju
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Junior wrote: |
I was a journo once- but I just preferred to be free from deadlines and do my own thing. |
What are you doing now Junior? I have my own pet project but if you are looking to collaborate.... |
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indytrucks
Joined: 09 Apr 2003
Location: The Shelf
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:38 pm Post subject: |
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| kermo wrote: |
| It sucks that there aren't any expat magazines extant at the moment, because that would be a great opportunity. |
What a great idea. I wish I had more free time ... I'd try to organize something with committed and like-minded folk. Then again, look at what happened to Seoul Classified ... |
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