Aug, 29 field notes

In the middle of two typhoons, I visited the elder couple, one of the subjects in my study. I marked the first shooting after she thoroughly investigated me; checking my SSN, address, phone number. etc. It was a little offensive to me while I think this society can't trust who they are. This elderly couple has lived here for decades. Its house is close to the skyscraper believed to be the richest resident area in Busan. They live with government's financial supports, plus some financial gains for renting out some part of their houses.

Park posed for a picture. Her husband is ready to go to bed. He lights a mosquito coil up before making a bed.

Aug, 27 field notes

I wasn't able to visit the elderly women's home today due to the very strong typhoon. I just want to show the contrast between the home and the backdrop showing the skyscraper. This is just a snapshot taken by my point & shoot camera with a poor quality.

Aug, 25th field notes

Before I visited, I called the family to make sure that I'm supposed to visit his home on Sunday, He seems busy. The time I called him around 08:30 pm on Saturday night, he was in the middle of his work. We talked a little after 9pm. But, because his boss asked him to work on Sunday, he wanted me to come next Sunday.

Aug, 24th field notes

After searching around, I finally met an elderly woman who allowed me to photograph her. Before that, I and my wife discussed why I failed to get someone for this project. Our mutual agreement rests on people's reluctance to open their private lives. On the top of that, I try to employ a different strategy whose my whole family members accompany with me when to visit. I believe this would make people relaxed, especially to women subject. We attribute our success to this approach. I will get it started from Monday.

Aug, 19 2012 field notes

Since I decided to find a new subject, I reviewed where I have visited so far to explore subjects I could work with. I failed to get them to understand what I will do for this project. They did neither seem to understand why I need to photograph them nor why I spend long time taking pictures of them despite a repeated well-explanation about it. I spent a couple of weeks identifying a new subject, but failed because part of my concerns and wonders if they apprehend my intention AND (extremely) bad/hot weather conditions which would prevent them from welcoming me to their places to talk about my plans.

Aug, 17 2012 field notes

I called one of the subject, a family whose a single father raises many kids. I asked him to see if I can visit his family and photograph them and he said OK on next Sunday, which is in Aug, 26. It has been four months since we talked last spring.

Aug, 12 2012 field notes

Aug, 12 2012 To identify a new subject who can replace an elderly man, I went to an apartment built nearly 40 years ago, one of the oldest apartments in Busan. It was located on the top of the hill overlooking a port and very old houses on the other side of the hill. I heard some tourists and photographers visited there possibly to witness the oldest building. Because of this reason, the residents almost kicked me out while I took a look at it. They maybe felt uncomfortable that strangers looked around their places. I also felt offensive about their behaviors. Anyway, I felt somewhat scared of the people, realizing it's not place I could photograph. But, I learned the underprivileged are everywhere in this city.

personal notes

The most powerful typhoon this year is approaching to Korean peninsular, reportedly affecting from today when it is a first day I'm supposed to photograph second subject.

before writing field note

Dear Committee If I need to write a field notes I missed so far, I can do it with my memories. After I received David's latest email about writing field notes, I contemplated what it looks like. I thought I had a glimpse of it when I was in journalism library of Mizzou. If I'm correct, field notes is about recording my activities I had. and, after I think about it well, it looks self-explanatory. anyway, like I say above, I can write field notes I missed with my past memory.

I'm in the middle of identifying a subject I could photograph. This week I'll travel to take pictures of a family, who is one of the subjects for this study. While I'm finding a subject, as I felt before, people are so scared, embarrassed and reluctant to be a subject for my study. I know this is what a photographer has faced. Even before I resume my work, I'm scared if I get it done on time.