[Joseonhee's Frame] Between Non-Face-to-Face and Face-to-Face, Photography Lives On

From the left, works by Kyungil University first-year students Chaewoon Park, Daeho Son, Shinhye Lee, and Namho Heo (Provided by Joajoa Studio)

I am quite well-known as a harsh critic. A few years ago, on the program 'Challenge Supermodel Korea' and also on the show 'Sixteen,' I was known for my blunt remarks. Because of that, malicious comments still follow me around. As a mother of a son, I sometimes feel embarrassed and sorry, but I have no regrets about my words. At that time, I wanted to give them words that would be medicine, words that would help. Although it was harsh criticism, it was filled with sincere affection.

As an 11-year veteran professor, I am notorious for being a harsh critic even at school. When I first started teaching, my reputation caused the number of students registering for my class to exceed the capacity, requiring the class to be split. However, that situation did not last even two years. Because students had to shoot and bring in assignments every week, and despite their hard work and effort, what they received in class were harsh criticisms. The number of students dropped sharply, and my class became unpopular. Only a few determined students who were resolute about completing a polished work before graduation enrolled in my class. Still, I did not waver. I was certain that my harsh words would grease the wheels of their photographic lives. And after three years, the number of students began to increase again. Graduated seniors advised their juniors to take my class. They realized after graduating and entering the field that although it was tough, it became their lifeblood.

When I first started teaching, I made a resolution. Rather than becoming a popular professor, I wanted to be a teacher who would be a bitter medicine for those just starting their lives. I did not major in photography, nor do I have a master's or doctoral degree. What I could offer was my long experience in the field, allowing students to learn through their own experiences with assignments. I merely played the role of a compass, guiding them in the right direction. I assigned shooting tasks every week. Meeting in class to review each other's work and 'critique' each other, learning through one another?that was all I could do, and I believed that was true education. One plus one is not two. I wanted to say it could be three, one hundred, or infinite. I taught them to abandon the idea of becoming the next Jo Sunhee or the next someone else. Instead, they should look deeply into themselves and elevate their persona as photographers. That is what future photographers must do.

The era of fussing over photographic techniques or Rembrandt lighting is over. The authenticity of photography is important. However, being stuck in outdated ideas bound by that authenticity means one cannot survive as a photographer or artist in this era. How to visualize the ideas floating in their minds through the medium of photography, how to have students derive the method to visualize concepts themselves?that was the job of a professor, Jo Sunhee.

Then suddenly, the era of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) arrived, making face-to-face classes impossible. But I could not suddenly switch to theoretical classes that were just empty talk. There are many professors who can do that better than I can, and it was obvious that if I did that, it would lack sincerity. Fortunately, there was a system for online video conferencing, and I chose that method. In the first week, students developed concepts and presented shooting plans; in the second week, they presented their work and critiques. Although it was not as good as face-to-face classes, it proceeded about 90% similarly.

Although I had to stare at the computer for eight hours a day and talk until my mouth hurt, the reward was seeing the students’ progressive growth. However, how could I hold a mini exhibition at the end of the semester by printing students’ final works? I was troubled because omitting it due to COVID-19 would deprive students of a precious experience. But now, we must accept the COVID-19 situation as part of our lives, and our lives must continue. My students’ photographic lives will continue as well. Wearing masks, using hand sanitizer, and allowing only those who want to attend! So, we gathered in my studio and held a mini exhibition. Lower-grade students learned from seniors’ works about completeness, detail, and the ability to maintain consistent tone and manner across multiple images, while seniors were stimulated by the fresh ideas of juniors. It was a good time for all.

Our lives continue, so we can no longer avoid or shrink away. Changing our habits, being more cautious, and continuing to live diligently?that is what we must do. And I, too, will continue to live my life to the fullest, sometimes being scolded as a harsh critic with words filled with love. That is how I live.

Jo Sunhee, Professor, Department of Photography and Visual Media, Kyungil University

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.