The natural, beautiful scenery of South Korea is breathtaking. And photographer Seungyeol Shin has captured its essence.
Photographer Seungyeol Shin dreams of the day he can return to Jeju Island and see Hallasan, South Korea’s highest mountain, once more. He last visited in springtime, a season known on the island for its blooming azaleas, canola flowers, and cherry blossoms. Arriving by airplane, he hit the open road with a rental car.
While exploring the island, Shin was drawn off the beaten path to a secluded forest road, beyond the sights of bustling tourist crowds. Early one morning, before everyone else awoke, he walked for 40 minutes to reach this spot—and he was stunned to see that before him stretched layer upon layer of majestic cedar trees.
“It was such a surreal place,” the artist tells me. “Even now, as I look back at those photos, I can still sense the sounds, tranquility, and comfort of this place—if only a little bit.”
Discovering a Passion for Natural Beautiful Scenery
Shin has always felt a close affinity with nature, but it was a visit to the Suncheon Bay Wetland in Jeollanam-do, South Korea, that first deepened his commitment to exploring wild places.
This ecological park is a protected wetland. On hiking trails and across the water, rare birds make their home.
“The awe-inspiring view of the sunset from Yongsan College left me speechless, creating a lasting memory,” Shin says. “Since then, I have made it a habit to embark on scenic journeys during my holiday breaks, continuously seeking out new vistas.”
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Finding Inspiration Close to Home
Shin has traveled across South Korea in search of natural wonders, ranging from ancient forests to sprawling mountaintops.
He’s gone from coast to coast and felt the ocean winds across his face, and he’s seen the country’s diverse plant life up close.
He’s experienced each season and the changes it brings, though he has a soft spot for spring and fall.
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“I deeply appreciate the beauty of freshly sprouted, transparent green leaves in spring and the vibrant colors of autumn leaves,” the artist reflects.
While Shin’s adventures have taken him far and wide, he finds much of his inspiration in his own backyard. In Taehwa River Park, for instance, he’s found a natural oasis right in the city of Ulsan, where he lives.
In early mornings and late afternoons, before and after a busy workday, the artist can be found wandering through the lush meadows, fields, and woodlands.
“Fortunately, the river is near my house, so I often walk along its banks, capturing the enchanting scenery through my camera lens,” he reflects. “The park encircles the river and serves as a hub of activity from early morning until late night, attracting many people to exercise, take leisurely walks, and find moments of relaxation.”
Planning Ahead to Capture Photos of Places in South Korea
For nature photographers like Shin, timing is everything. He prefers the brief window of time just after sunrise and before sunset.
“When photographing a single subject or focusing on a specific part of a scene, I strive to utilize sunlight that illuminates the leaves, allowing for a sense of depth and a captivating interplay of reflected and transmitted light,” he explains.
“I prefer the soft and diffused light filtered through clouds rather than harsh sunlight.”
He also plans for seasonal blooms, tracking flowering times on social media and local news. If he’s taking a trip, he does extensive research on the best time to visit.
Jeju Island, for example, is beautiful all year round—but the best times for photography are spring and fall, as the island experiences typhoons and strong winds during summer and heavy snowfall come winter.
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Blending Landscape and Street Photography
Shin’s work often blurs the line between traditional landscape photography and environmental portraiture, highlighting the harmonious relationship between people and the natural world. Even in a metropolis like Ulsan, scenic beauty abounds.
His advice to emerging photographers: Look around you for inspiration. Every location has pockets of wild flora or fauna, and it’s just a matter of finding and embracing them.
The people you see in Shin’s landscape photographs aren’t models, and the moments he captures aren’t planned. They each boil down to a game of chance and serendipity.
Shin finds the perfect spot, and then waits until the right person (or people) enters the frame.
“This photo illustrates a perfect example of a moment where I patiently waited, hoping for someone to blend into the natural landscape seamlessly,” Shin explains. “I photographed the child and mother taking a stroll because of their graceful movement and the beauty of the landscape.”
Choosing the Right Gear
As he merges landscape and street photography, Shin prefers to keep his gear to a minimum and stay light on his feet. His go-to cameras include the Canon EOS 6D, 6D Mark III, and 5D Mark III.
He pairs those with prime lenses ranging from 35mm to 100mm. He doesn’t use long lenses, so he has to “zoom with his feet” and get close enough to capture all the details of every fleeting moment.
Shin uses a tripod sometimes, but only when necessary (traditional landscapes, for example).
“As I often find myself on the move, I capture photos in motion, occasionally pausing to seize the perfect opportunity in a beautiful location,” he explains.
“Instead of capturing the entire landscape, I prefer to focus on specific details. I enhance the chosen subject by widening the aperture, creating a remarkable sense of depth and space in the overall composition.”
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Longing for Jeju Island
Shin’s emotions and “inner world” guide his approach to photography. While people play a role in much of his work, there are some places that simply beg to be photographed on their own—as if untouched by the presence of humans.
That forest of cedars on Jeju Island was one of them.
“The quietness and comfort I experienced there was so profound that words could not adequately describe them,” he tells me. “This place brought a healing effect to my spirit. It’s a feeling that I deeply long to share with my beloved wife and child.”
He is already planning a visit with the family.
Be sure to check out Seungyeol Shin’s portfolio on Shutterstock for more of his landscape and portrait photography. Follow the artist on Instagram at @one1111 for updates.
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