I took this photo in September, 2021 at Sosewon which is located in Damyang, Korea. Sosewon is a beautiful and small, private garden which was built by Mr. Yang Sanbo in the middle Choson Dynasty. This garden has been run and maintained by his descendants since then. The garden has two traditional Korean houses, little short waterway and a small pond and is surrounded by the bamboo forest.
I paid a visit to this garden 20 years ago for the first time but couldn’t take a picture of it because I had no camera at that time. Since then, 20 years has gone by and now I am able to take photos with my own cameras carried. Recalling the memory of this place 20 years ago, I visited this place this autumn.
There were people who seemed to be a family by the pond. And their reflections on the water got into my eyes. The image was so impressive that I couldn’t take my eyes off it. I held up my camera and began to take some of pictures. It was really instinct and reflexive behavior. Only the two of five persons were reflected on the water because of the shadows of trees like in my photo. It seemed to mean that what we see now may be not the whole and that loss and disappearance of valuable things may happen any time.
Recently, I have lost my wife. She had suffered from stomach cancer for 17 months and passed away last month. Now that she has gone and I can’t see my wife any more but this photo reminds me of her and the long time with her. Like the title just the two of us, we wish our love and relationships would be forever but, in reality, we all know that it is not possible. What I want to express by my photo is what it is.
What do you think are the TWO most impactful features that make your image a good photograph? Don’t be shy!
I think that the first thing that makes my image a good photograph is the image itself. And the other thing is that the image and its title is a very good match.
If you would be able to make this photo once again, what would be the ONE thing you would like to do better or different?
Well, if I would be able to make this photo once again, the one thing I would like to do better or different is to make the depth of focus deeper.
Kyoyoung Koo shared this photograph in the FRAMES Facebook Group.
Photographer
Kyoyoung Koo, Yongin City, South Korea
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Cynthia+Gladis
January 8, 2022 at 18:14
A very intriguing photo, I like the way it’s not obvious what is going on. Your story makes me appreciate this even more. Please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your wife.
Koyyoung Koo
January 12, 2022 at 16:13
Thank you so much, Cynthia
Gerry
March 10, 2022 at 17:05
I love this photo! It is both very interesting in and of itself and makes think of exploring with my own family. I am very sorry for your loss.