Return of the Genius Photographer - Chapter 125

Be open-minded. Reject the obvious. Pursue ideas relentlessly. Solve complex problems with simple methods. Embrace failure, and learn from it.

Read. Write. Observe. Share. Speak. Experience. Record.

And if the worst happens, just do it.

― Excerpt from Philosophy and Methodology of Graphic Design by Yale Graphic Design Professor Susan Sellers. ―

Yale University, despite its conservative exterior, was known for its progressive academic culture.

While preserving the values of a traditional university, it encouraged limitless exploration in learning.

This ethos fostered an environment where students were encouraged to interact and seek diverse experiences.

Within this culture, students naturally chose courses across various disciplines, regardless of their major.

They immersed themselves in building a foundation in the humanities, developing social perspectives.

And honing artistic skills alongside scientific thinking.

For this reason, popular courses always drew crowds, regardless of the department.

In Yale’s art curriculum, the most popular course was undoubtedly Professor Ryan’s Discourse on Aesthetic Photography.

Professor Ryan, a renowned figure in the photography world, had a stellar reputation among students.

As a result, even early in the morning, the lecture hall was filled with the buzz of student chatter.

“Why did you take this class? I heard it’s really tough.”

“Seniors told me during orientation that you get a lot out of it. Isn’t that why you’re taking it too?”

“Aren’t you from the humanities department? Has the rumor spread that far?”

“It’s Professor Ryan we’re talking about. He’s famous. Really famous.”

“And he’s handsome…”

“Hey, are you taking the class just for his looks?”

“What’s wrong with that? It’s nice to have something nice to look at during class.”

“What kind of lecture do you think Professor Ryan will give?”

Students waiting for Professor Ryan’s lecture exchanged excited chatter, their anticipation palpable.

Just then.

“Kai, let’s go in.”

“Hey, I told you to call me Woojin.”

“But Kai just rolls off the tongue better.”

As Malcolm and Woojin entered the lecture hall, the noisy classroom fell silent for a moment.

Conversations stopped, and curious eyes turned toward Kai.

After BDD, the hottest topic among the freshmen was undoubtedly Kai.

Though not a household name, for young students dreaming of becoming photographers, Kai was an object of admiration.

Who wouldn’t be excited by the story of someone their age achieving remarkable success among professionals through sheer talent?

Kai’s story was undeniably captivating for aspiring photographers.

And now, Kai was attending the same school.

So, it was understandable that they looked at Woojin—no, Kai—with eyes full of curiosity.

But Woojin, at the center of all this attention, remained unfazed as he entered the lecture hall, scanning the room for an empty seat.

“Kai, it looks like we’re too late. There are hardly any seats left.”

“There are two seats here.”

“Oh, just two seats.”

As Malcolm followed Woojin and sat down beside him.

“Good to see you all.”

Professor Ryan entered the lecture hall right on time, greeting the students.

His hair neatly swept back, he wore a modest yet elegant gray suit.

With round metal-framed glasses, he exuded an aura of sophistication as he walked into the room.

He was the epitome of a gentleman.

His handsome, composed face, combined with his demeanor, effortlessly drew the attention of everyone in the room, regardless of gender.

His entrance instantly filled the previously noisy lecture hall with silence and tension.

Step, step—

Breaking the silence, Professor Ryan placed a book on the lectern and surveyed the students, who were now fully focused on him.

“It’s been over 10 years since I started teaching, but I’m just as nervous as you are for the first class.”

Professor Ryan was as skilled at handling students as he was at lecturing.

His simple joke eased the tension in the room.

“Before we begin, I personally love the act of writing things down, but for today’s class, focus on watching and listening.”

With that, the lecture began.

“You’ve mostly heard about the curriculum during orientation, but over the next year, you’ll be exploring photography with me.”

Professor Ryan turned off the lights in the lecture hall.

“To do that, you first need the ability to discern what makes a good photograph.”

He then turned on the large monitor in the hall, displaying two photos side by side.

“To identify a good photograph, you must have a keen eye.”

Professor Ryan pointed to the photos as he continued.

“This might sound obvious and simple at first, but developing the eye to recognize a good photograph is incredibly difficult.”

The photos he displayed were of the same child.

A street filled with trash and flying dust.

The boy, emaciated to the point where his bones were visible.

Dressed in rags, he stared directly at the camera.

The only difference was.

In one photo, the boy was frowning and crying, while in the other, he was smiling brightly, showing his teeth.

“So, the core of this class is to explore photography while also cultivating the ability and mindset to recognize beautiful photographs on your own.”

Professor Ryan continued, making eye contact with the students.

“The photos displayed here were taken in Sudan, Africa. As you can see, they depict a child suffering from famine.”

The students, now fully engaged, listened intently.

Seeing their focused expressions always brought him joy.

“Focus on what you see and feel.”

Professor Ryan asked the students.

“What’s the difference between these two photos? Which one do you think is the better photograph?”

Then, with a smile, he added.

“If you can identify the difference and explain why one is better, I’ll end the class right now.”

The lecture hall buzzed briefly before students began raising their hands to answer.

“Ah, when you answer, please state your name. I don’t know everyone yet.”

“I’m Miguel.”

The first to raise his hand was a man who looked South American.

“One is crying, and the other is smiling.”

Miguel stated the obvious.

His playful tone elicited small chuckles from the class.

“A good answer, but we’ll need a bit more explanation.”

Professor Ryan also smiled slightly as he continued.

“Here’s a hint: both photos were taken by Robert Layer, and one of them won a Pulitzer Prize.”

Silence fell over the lecture hall once more.

Now, everyone seemed to be seriously contemplating, staring intently at the photos.

It would probably take some time to figure out the correct answer.

As Professor Ryan watched the students with a satisfied expression.

“Anna April.”

A student raised her hand and spoke.

A woman with long, curly hair that shimmered with a bright brown hue.

Her name was Anna April.

“Yes, Miss April. What do you think?”

“I think the smiling photo won the Pulitzer Prize.”

Professor Ryan’s eyes sparkled.

“Why?”

“The smiling photo amplifies the tragic dilemma.”

Anna April slowly shared her thoughts in response to Professor Ryan’s question.

“The context of the photo is a child experiencing despair and pain due to starvation.”

Her clear voice naturally drew the attention of the other students.

“Anyone can imagine the child’s suffering in such a dire situation, but seeing the child smiling with an innocent face creates a stark contrast, making it feel even sadder and more painful.”

Professor Ryan nodded, looking at Anna with a pleased expression.

“Perhaps the photo that maximizes the impact of the situation won the Pulitzer Prize?”

“That’s a good answer.”

It finally clicked.

Anna April.

A student who nearly became a Yale Scholar this year, with a portfolio as impressive as Malcolm’s.

He remembered her particularly outstanding academic record.

Her enthusiastic participation in class was heartwarming to watch.

But.

‘Still, it’s a bit disappointing.’

Professor Ryan thought.

Anna’s answer was excellent, but it fell slightly short of the answer he was hoping for.

A photo that raises awareness about famine.

But the reason this photo won the Pulitzer Prize was entirely different.

He had hoped someone would catch that…

It’s fine.

After all, learning comes from recognizing what’s missing.

Anna’s answer was already exceptional among the students, so he should be satisfied with that.

It would be best to explain the missing part and wrap up the class.

Just as Professor Ryan was about to speak.

“Professor. It’s Nam Woojin.”

A familiar voice reached Professor Ryan’s ears.

There was still a student worth expecting.

“You’re here. What do you think?”

In response to Professor Ryan’s question, Woojin answered immediately.

“There’s another reason why that photo won the Pulitzer Prize.”

Could he really know that much?

Professor Ryan looked at Woojin with expectant eyes.

“Then what’s the reason it won the Pulitzer Prize?”

“Because that photo was staged.”

At Woojin’s shocking statement, surprised murmurs erupted from the students.

“What, really?”

“That photo was manipulated?”

“A staged photo won the Pulitzer Prize?”

“He said staged, not manipulated.”

“Isn’t staging the same as manipulating?”

“What kind of nonsense is this…?”

But Woojin, unfazed by the reactions, continued.

“The photo won the Pulitzer Prize in the early 2000s, a time when digital cameras were just becoming widespread and causing a stir.”

As Woojin spoke fluently, the students, initially puzzled, began to listen more attentively.

“The advancement of new technology greatly propelled the photography industry, but it also brought the downside of making manipulation incredibly easy.”

Woojin paused, as if waiting for the reactions, then delivered the most crucial point.

“As a result, the credibility of photojournalism was severely damaged.”

Does he really know everything?

Professor Ryan was inwardly impressed.

Woojin’s explanation aligned perfectly with what he had been about to say.

This remarkable student was explaining things to the audience with the skill of a seasoned professor.

“So, the photographer wanted to expose the crisis facing photojournalism through this photo.”

“But how can you tell that just by looking at the photo?”

At that moment, Anna April, who had spoken earlier, asked Woojin.

“Your explanation was good, but that’s something you’d only know if you understood the photographer’s intent and the story behind the Pulitzer Prize. Can you really tell just by looking at the photo?”

A valid question.

Professor Ryan nodded.

While Woojin’s explanation was flawless, it still slightly missed the essence of today’s lesson.

The class was about training to develop an eye for photography.

There was still one key point missing.

But there was no way Woojin wouldn’t know it.

“You can tell.”

“Huh?”

“Look at the photo again.”

The students turned their attention back to the photo.

The face of the impoverished child, unchanged.

“Look closely at the child’s feet.”