PHOTO CONFESSIONAL: Hyun Suk Kim
IF YOU WEREn’T A PHOTOGRAPHER, WHAT OTHER PROFESSION WOULD YOU PICK?
I’m a full-time homemaker, but I sometimes dream of becoming a creator if I get the chance. I love to imagine and come up with unique ideas, which I think would suit the creative profession well.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST CRUCIAL DECISION YOU HAVE MADE IN YOUR CAREER’s DEVELOPMENT?
I’m a bit embarrassed to say that I believe my journey (career) started the moment I bought my camera. Living in a foreign country where no one knows me, I faced some emotionally tough times. However, learning photography helped me fill that gap with positive feelings.
AT WHAT POINT DID YOU SEE YOURSELF AS A PHOTOGRAPHER ? WHAT MADE YOU FEEL THAT WAY?
When I realized I could express the images in my mind more freely and effectively through photography instead of words, I felt, even if awkwardly, that I had become a photographer.
HOW IMPORTANT IS RESEARCH IN YOUR WORK?
It varies by situation, but since I mainly focus on street photography, in-depth research isn't a key part of my work like it is in documentary projects. However, I do seek information in different ways depending on the project. For example, in my New York work, I choose locations based on the time of day, day of the week, or seasons. In Miami, I focused on the theme of settling into unfamiliar places, studying the local culture in advance and building my work through conversations with people on the streets.
IS THERE A PHOTOGRAPHER/ARTIST WHO IS A CONSTANT REFERENCE FOR YOU?
I like the movements of the characters in the films of the Dardenne brothers and Federico Fellini. I hope that in the photos I take, the attitude and perspective of my life are reflected, just like those characters.
WHAT WOULD YOU NOT WANT TO PHOTOGRAPH?
I try to avoid photographing vulnerable individuals or street performers as much as possible.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE, AND WHAT IMPORTANCE DO YOU GIVE TO TECHNIQUE?
Recently, I've been using the Ricoh GR3X. Until not long ago, I used an iPhone and a Leica D-Lux 5, and before I started focusing on street photography, I used a Canon 5D Mark III. As always, as long as a camera allows me to express what I want easily, that’s enough for me. I may not know much about the equipment, but when I want to try a new style, I make an effort to learn and explore quickly.
WHAT IS THE STARTING POINT OF YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
When I discover new charm in the ordinary and small things around me, I try to take action. To do this, it’s important to maintain a sense of curiosity and interest in others.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY WITH A # TAG ?
#walkingdownthestreet
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH REJECTION?
I’m grateful to everyone, whether they give permission or rejection. I work naturally with those who allow me, and if I encounter rejection, I simply continue on my way. There are many people in the world, and new things are always happening. However, it’s important not to lose kindness.
HOW DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SUCH SUCCESS?
I believe it's not right to discuss success since I’m not yet a professional photographer . However, I find joy in my constant curiosity and the ability to go out and take photos whenever I want. Recently, I’ve been experiencing this feeling quite often.
HOW DO YOU APPROACH STRANGERS IN YOUR PROJECTS OR TO INCLUDE IN YOUR PROJECTS?
Street photography is fundamentally about encounters with strangers, so curiosity about people is essential. When I notice someone who catches my eye as attractive or unique, I observe them slowly and start a small talk. If they have questions about me, I naturally share about my life, and when we establish a sense of connection, that's when I take pictures.
IS IT COMMON FOR YOU TO QUESTION YOURSELF OR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY?
The photographs I take reflect my way of life and my perspective on the world. Therefore, it is essential for me to continually question and reflect upon myself.
HOW DOES BEING A WOMAN SHAPE YOUR EXPERIENCE AND PERSPECTIVE AS A PHOTOGRAPHER? HOW HAS IT AFFECTED YOUR PROJECTS? AND YOUR APPROACH TO THE ART WORLD/ PHOTO-BOOK WORLD?.
As a photographer, I rarely categorize my work by gender. Instead, I find joy in observing, listening to, and documenting people's stories through my lens. Being a middle-aged Asian woman has its advantages in this process; I often feel invisible, which allows me to engage with subjects without arousing suspicion or discomfort. However, even before I recognized these issues, I have always been grateful to the many women artists who opened new paths and created communities to provide valuable opportunities.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A NEW PHOTOGRAPHER WHO IS JUST STARTING OUT?
I believe there isn't much difference between someone just starting out as a street photographer and someone with experience. You simply take your camera, go out into the streets, and keep walking. It’s important to have curiosity and interest in the world around you, and to view the same things from different perspectives.
ABOUT Hyun suk kim:
Hyun Suk Kim is a street photographer who grew up in South Korea and has lived as an unintentional wanderer around the world. She began her photography journey in Hong Kong and has since worked in New York, Busan, and currently Miami. She is preparing a project that connects these four cities to explore a new definition of hometown. She also aspires to challenge herself with photography in settings like performances and dance clubs in the future for fun.
