Portfolio
Michael Arnold in Insadong, Seoul, South Korea. Actor, screenwriter, casting director, director. Holds the record in South Korea for the foreigner with the most film credits. Before he returned to Vancouver, Canada, the Korean government gave him an honorary citizenship for his cultural contributions.
Michael Arnold in Insadong, Seoul, South Korea. Before returning to Canada, Michael asked me to photograph him. The weather was sweltering hot, but Michael stayed cool in his suit.
Michael Arnold in Insadong, Seoul, South Korea. I first met Michael hoping to get some experience by editing scripts. Michael has worked for years in the Korean film industry as an actor and cast director. He let me into his skeleton film crew as a continuity supervisor. From there on, he taught me how to do sound and scout locations.
Michael Arnold in Insadong, Seoul, South Korea. When Michael asked me to be an assistant director on one of his short films, I jumped at the chance. I went to Korea to get some experience, but the opportunities I've been given were more than I expected.
Scott Lee near the Namdaemun market, Seoul, South Korea. One of the first pictures I took with my newly purchased Canon 5D Mark II. Scott worked as an extra on Pirates of the Caribbean 3, working alongside Chow Yun Fat and a host of other Asian pirates.
Someone on the cellphone in Gildong, Seoul, South Korea. Taken at a friend's house during a pancake party.
Jess in Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea. Jess is an aspiring model and university student. While others wait for their dreams to come true, Jess went out and searched for willing photographers who could help her get more exposure.
Jess in Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea. I came up with several ideas including this one incorporating two images of Jess in a pair of phone booths.
Jess in Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea. Jess' biggest concern about the day's shoot was making sure the photos focused on the model and not the fashion. I chose Hongdae because of its art culture and to bring out a bit of Jess' colorful and passionate character.
An actress on set in Sagajeong, Seoul, South Korea. For Michael's last film in South Korea, I worked on set as a photographer. The shots on this film were taken as promotional shots.
Jennifer Yun on set in Seollung, Seoul, South Korea. Jennifer is an aspiring actress hailing from Los Angeles. I took this one in between takes.
Jennifer Yun in Oksu, Seoul, South Korea. Jennifer needed photos to give her more exposure. I took this shot of her near the Han Gang River.
Jennifer Yun in Oksu, Seoul, South Korea. Jennifer worked as a teacher on the side while she looked for film work.
Jennifer Yun in Oksu, Seoul, South Korea. Jennifer's shoot was my first real chance at professional portrait work. Till then, most of photography was categorized as journalistic. She expected as much out of me as she did herself, and I went to work honing my processing abilities.
A little girl in Geumho, Seoul, South Korea. Going to a location on a film shoot, I saw this girl while going up a steep outdoor staircase.
A film crew staff member in Geumho, Seoul, South Korea. This one was taken as we scouted locations for a documentary about the sweeping changes happening in Seoul. Many of the stone houses in Geumho are being replaced by high rises.
Jason Glunt in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea. Jason is college friend of mine who left for South Korea to become a teacher. We met up several times to eat, drink, and tour the city.
Michael Lindberg on set in Seollung, Seoul, South Korea. Michael graduated from USC with a degree in film. The two Michaels collaborated on several short films including Gus's Turn which showed at the Daegu Film Festival.
Amy Brown near the Han Gang River. This shot was taken spur of the moment, and I could not duplicate it. As a budding photographer, this was one of the first shots I really liked.
Esna Yoon in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea. Esna made it to the producers' audition for American Idol. They agreed she had talent but could not let her pass because they did not know how to market her. Despite being a petite young woman, Esna has a booming soulful voice. She plans to continue finding other avenues to showcase her talent and performs on stage wherever she can.
Michael Arnold on set in Geumho, Seoul, South Korea. Michael's character is attacked and left bleeding on the floor.
Acrobats in Shanghai, China. Over and over, the crowd gasped as the acrobats continued to perform feat after feat. Amazing.
Acrobats in Shanghai, China. The acrobats climbed over each other, put a chair down, and performed a handstand. The amount of physical strength and mental focus -- humans are definitely capable of extraordinary things.
Acrobats in Shanghai, China. These acrobats performed a graceful routine involving rope and a juggling prop. I left the shutter open on this to capture the movement of the ladies.
Acrobats in Shanghai, China. After the routine ended, the girls posed on stage. It stands out to me because it was one of a few moments where there was hardly any movement on stage.
Jeff Moses onstage in Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea. Jeff is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of a punk band called Whatever That Means. This is from their second show at the Rocky Mountain Tavern.
Trash Moses onstage in Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea. Jeff's wife and bassist of Whatever That Means adjusts her mic.
A performer in Yeoksam, Seoul, South Korea. This shot is a part of my first series of stage shots. If I could only do one type of photography, I would choose stage photography. The dramatic lighting, the movement of performers -- it definitely lends itself to some great pictures.
A stage performer in Yeoksam, Seoul, South Korea. The shots in this series was taken at a church to benefit missions work.
A stage performer in Yeoksam, Seoul, South Korea. I chose black and white for this picture because of the way the performer comes out of the dark like a ray of light.
Rappers in Yeoksam, Seoul, South Korea. I learned several important lessons from this series. 1. Prime lenses are great lenses. 2. Natural flesh tones in artificial lighting can be processed by increasing the green and red curves. 3. Lower apertures save the day when there isn't enough light.
A row of vendors at the Jagalchi fish market, Pusan, South Korea. Pusan is a coastal city known for its seafood. About a hundred vendors line this particular row with a mountainside full of dense housing in the background.
Fish vendors at the Jalgachi fish market in Pusan, South Korea. About a hundred vendors lined a row selling seafood products of all kinds.
A crab vendor inside the Jagalchi fish market complex. A large department store-like structure is home to vendors selling seafood. Restaurants charge a fee to cook what you bought.
Boarding a cruise in Pusan, South Korea. Several tours go up and down the coastline near the southern tip of the country.
A field of lilium lancifolium in Gyeongju, South Korea. Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty, is filled with rolling fields and ancient monuments.
Cheomseongdae astronomy tower in Gyeongju, South Korea. The oldest observation tower in southeast Asia, Cheomseongdae was used by ancient astronomers during the Silla Dynasty.
Housing density in Geumho, Seoul, South Korea. Stone houses cover the mountainside of Geumho. These will all be replaced in the coming decade by giant highrises.
A fountain installation at the Olympic Park, Gangdong, Seoul, South Korea. The Olympic Park that surrounds the facilities used during the 199 Summer Olympics also hosts works from international artists.
Traffic in front of the Dongdaemun Gate, Seoul, South Korea. While most of the citizens drive cars, a heavy amount of traffic comes in the form of mopeds, scooters, and bikes.
A vase of flowers in Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, South Korea. Many ancient structures still stand in Seoul. Many of the gates and palaces attract millions of tourists every year.
A building at the Geyongukgung Palace, Seoul, South Korea. The city plans to finish renovating the buildings that were damaged during Japanese occupation. Gyeongbokgung is the most popular of the five Seoul palaces that were first built during the Joseon Dynasty.
Early morning cleanup in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea. On a Friday night, promotional posters cover the faces of the buildings on Gangnam's main street. Home to some of Korea's most famous clubs, the scene at Gangnam is busy as the fashionable and hip crowd the streets.
A tree near my one-room in Myeongil, Seoul, South Korea. Thjis picture was taken on a cold day in the spring. This photo was shot in color with little processing.
New buildings in Seoul, South Korea. In Seoul, people live vertically. Lawns are nonexistant -- those who can afford land live in small stone shelters. Seoul's modernization is sweeping and swift. It is considered to be one of the most technologically advanced cities in the world.
The Oksu subway station. This subway station is above ground level with a skeletal roof structure that curves with the tracks.
Birds in Seobbingo, Seoul, South Korea.
Two volunteers at Mallipo Beach, South Korea. Every volunteer was given a hazmat suit to protect them from the oil. These two had their names written on their backs.
Volunteers at Mallipo Beach, South Korea. An oil spill off the coast flooded the beach closing most of the shops that served seafood there. Hundreds of volunteers came to the beach to help clear away some of the oil.
An officer guards boots at Mallipo Beach, South Korea. Hazmat suits, boots, and lunch were provided by the Red Cross and the government.
A look at the Hiroshima A-Bomb Dome through the Memorial Cenotaph, Hiroshima, Japan. Many monuments were erected in Hiroshima to mark the importance of the first atomic bomb dropped on humans. The atmosphere near the monuments was solemn as people reflected on the importance of peace.
The A-Bomb Dome, Hiroshima, Japan. The building withstood the blast and has been marked as a cultural site.
Himeji Castle, Himeji, Japan. A giant wooden castle looms over the city of Himeji. The castle resembles an egret.
Palace buildings in Kyoto, Japan. Kyoto is filled with ancient style buildings in contrast to the highly advanced technological nature of Tokyo.
Gondolas in the canal city Zhouzhuang, China. About 30 minutes outside of Shanghai, Zhouzhuang is referred to as China's Venice.
Houses and a bridge in Zhouzhuang, China. Many tourist attractions can be found in Zhouzhuang including one of China's first post offices, museums, and a garden.
Main Street, Salinas, California. My hometown.
Lilim lancifolium.
Shadow is Justine's Russian Blue. This picture was taken when she was about three months old using an LED flashlight for effect.
Shadow hides in her bed. Taking pictures of Shadow is a feat -- she fears the camera and usually ends up attacking my lens.
Shadow gets ready to take a nap.
A flower in a pile of rubble.
The front end of a moped.
Graffiti in Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea.
