Return of the Genius Photographer

“I’ll be creating a photo mosaic.”

As I explained the concept of the photograph I was going to make, everyone except Jinsoo tilted their heads in confusion.

“What’s a photo mosaic?”

Minsoo, who looked the youngest of the three, seemed unfamiliar with the term and asked for clarification.

“Think of it like a picture made of smaller pieces or a puzzle. When you put all the pieces together, it forms one large image.”

I added a further explanation for Minsoo, who still seemed puzzled.

“Each individual piece also has its own image. You could say that the picture looks different from afar and up close.”

The photo mosaic technique was first created by Neo-Pop artist Robert Silvers in 1995.

It wasn’t so much a photography technique as it was an art form that used computers and various images.

As such, it wasn’t a concept photographers were generally familiar with.

After all, photographers are always pursuing that one perfect image.

For them, the idea of an image made up of ordinary photos might feel like it contradicts their core values.

But that was exactly why I thought this technique would be something Jung Woong could never replicate.

From what I’d seen, Jung Woong had the mindset of a master craftsman, someone who poured everything into creating a single photograph.

To him, the idea of creating something from what he’d consider subpar photos would go against everything he stood for.

“So, what kind of photos do we need to take for this photo… thing?”

“You don’t need to overthink it. Just take plenty of photos of Jung Woong.”

I smiled as I answered Minsoo, who still seemed uncertain.

“However, I’d like your photos to reflect your thoughts about him.”

The mood in the room suddenly grew tense as the others furrowed their brows, deep in thought.

But if they couldn’t do at least this much, I would be in trouble.

Using the photo mosaic technique alone might be a creative approach, but I wasn’t sure it would be polished enough to display at an exhibition.

But I had no intention of settling for that. I would find a way to enhance the mosaic’s quality.

To do that, I needed to make sure that the individual pieces were of a high standard. That’s why the roles of the assistant photographers standing in front of me were so important.

“But have you discussed this with Jung Woong? I mean, we’d need to take photos of him.”

“Right. Are we really allowed to do this?”

Once I finished explaining, they voiced their concerns. It seemed they were worried about whether it would be disrespectful to take photos of him.

“You don’t need to worry about that,” I said confidently, trying to put them at ease.

“I’ll explain everything to him tomorrow.”

** * **

“Off to work early again today?”

“Good morning.”

“Heading straight to your studio?”

“No, I have some things to take care of at Jung Woong’s studio first.”

I greeted the receptionist, who welcomed me warmly as usual, and made my way toward Jung Woong’s studio.

The reason was simple—I needed to photograph Jung Woong as promised.

And as I’d mentioned to the assistants, I needed to get his permission as well.

Since the assistant photographers would be taking the photos for the overall structure of the mosaic, the image I was going to capture today would serve as the central piece.

“May I come in, Mr. Jung Woong?”

“Come in.”

I quickly arrived at his studio and knocked. His response came immediately.

“I’ve been expecting you.”

As I opened the door and stepped inside, he greeted me with a warm smile.

“Still haven’t changed your mind?”

“No. Today, I’ll be taking your photograph,” I met his gaze and confidently answered.

His eyes, filled with their usual intensity, bore into me. But today, no matter how impressive he was, to me, he was just a subject.

“Haha, after giving it some thought, I realized I’ve rarely had my photo taken in my entire life. I’m quite curious about what kind of picture you’ll capture.”

With a laugh, Jung Woong rose from his seat.

“So, how do you plan on shooting me? I’ll follow your lead.”

A photographer who had spent his life avoiding interviews and never being the subject of anyone else’s camera, Jung Woong now stood awkwardly before me, like an inexperienced model.

It was the first time I’d seen this kind of humanity from him.

For the first time, a slight crack appeared in the always-serious expression he usually wore.

I smiled gently at him and said, “We’ll shoot right here. Please make yourself comfortable.”

“Oh, is that so? Hmm, well, you could’ve told me earlier.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Jung Woong cleared his throat and sat back down in his seat.

I watched him closely, appreciating the moment.

His desk, worn by time, was covered with countless books.

Behind him were numerous photography tools, and photographs hung on the walls as if on display.

When I first entered this studio, it had felt cold and sterile.

But now, it seemed like the most impressive space, because it reflected the very essence of Jung Woong.

Is there anyone else who embodies the word “effort” more than him?

He’s a man who constantly produces results, building his life piece by piece.

That’s the image I had of him after all my research and watching him work.

The items filling his studio seemed to once again tell me who he really was.

There he sat, relaxed, looking at me from his chair.

I thought that just capturing him and his studio together would make a great picture, but I quickly shook off the thought.

The photo I was going to create would be similar to this studio, but the picture I needed to take right now was not of this space.

I started thinking about the photo mosaic I was planning to make.

It would be a kind of album, with each piece containing a fragment of Jung Woong, like a photo collection.

Just like this studio, the mosaic would make people think of Jung Woong simply by looking at it.

“Then let’s begin the shoot.”

As I announced the start of the shoot, Jung Woong, who had been waiting patiently, gave me a small nod.

I gripped my camera tightly with both hands.

A solemn atmosphere lingered in the studio.

The sharp gaze he directed at me was enough to create a commanding presence.

As if he was trying to analyze how I was photographing him, his piercing eyes locked onto mine, and I buried my face in the viewfinder.

In the rectangular frame, I captured both his studio and his figure.

But the only subject I was here to photograph was Jung Woong.

Nothing else was necessary.

Fixing my gaze on the view through the camera, I moved closer to Jung Woong.

Step by step.

Simpler.

Even simpler.

As I got closer, the studio slowly faded from the frame.

The photography equipment that had been visible behind him.

The bookshelves crammed with books and albums.

Even Jung Woong’s desk.

All of it disappeared from the frame.

Eventually, all that was left was his face and a portion of his upper body.

A bust of Jung Woong, stripped of all unnecessary elements.

Once the composition I had envisioned filled the frame, I pressed the shutter without hesitation.

Click!

His serious expression was perfectly captured in the rectangular frame.

A good start.

“I’ll ask for a range of expressions. Could you give me a smile?”

The tense atmosphere in the studio was turned on its head with just one click of the shutter.

It seemed that Jung Woong had quickly gotten used to being in front of the camera, as he began to follow my requests bit by bit.

Click!

A slight lift of the corners of his mouth.

Click!

A wide, beaming smile.

Click!

And back to a serious expression, staring right at me.

It was as if he was enjoying the shoot itself.

With his cooperation, I managed to capture as many of his emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure—as possible.

“I’ll be wrapping up now.”

“Were the pictures any good? It’s a shame I can’t check them without a monitor.”

When I signaled the end of the shoot, he gave me a light smile and spoke.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had such a nice experience. I don’t know if I was a good model, but it was fun.”

“Don’t worry. The pictures came out great.”

“That’s a relief. So, are you planning to submit one of these photos?”

Still unaware of my full plan, he asked me with curiosity, but I only smiled in response.

“Oh, and by the way, you mentioned before that as long as I wasn’t interrupting your work, I was free to take photos anytime. Is that still the case?”

“Hm? I thought we were done with the shoot?”

“There’s still a little more to do.”

“Is that so? As I said before, as long as it doesn’t disrupt my work, it’s fine by me. After all, why would a photographer mind being photographed?”

As I packed up my camera, I asked him. He tilted his head slightly, seemingly puzzled, but answered without much concern.

“Are you planning to follow me around with your camera?”

“No. I’ve actually got some people to help me.”

“Help?”

“Yes, the assistant photographers will be helping me capture your photos.”

“Hm… I really can’t figure out what it is you’re trying to do. But alright, do as you please.”

Though he gave me a suspicious look, he quickly lost interest.

It was as if he had decided to just observe what I was up to for now.

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

Leaving his curious expression behind, I exited his studio.

I had taken the photos I needed, and received his permission.

Now, all that was left was to wait.