Return of the Genius Photographer - Chapter 98

“A good photograph must contain a good story.”

Kang San took the stage and began his lecture in front of a large audience.

“Just like when we read an engaging novel or a beautiful poem, a photograph is merely an image. But the emotions that a photograph evokes are no different from those of the former.”

As he spoke fluently in French, those seated nodded in agreement.

“Thus, a photographer should not view the world in fragments. They must be able to capture the stories hidden in fleeting moments.”

Given his generally reserved nature, I honestly hadn’t anticipated how he would conduct his lecture, but seeing him speak in front of the audience shattered that thought.

At moments like this, I couldn’t help but think how remarkable he was.

From the photographs he had taken to his attitude toward shooting and the content of his lecture, it was clear he was operating at a high level in the realm of photography.

I found myself listening intently to his lecture, just like the audience in the hall.

“That was Kang San, everyone!”

—Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!

How much time had passed?

As Kang San finished his lecture, the host grabbed the microphone and exclaimed, followed by thunderous applause echoing in the hall.

Though it was an outstanding lecture that left me wanting more, I quickly gathered my thoughts and approached Kang San.

I needed to inform him about our next schedule.

“Photograher Kang, I really enjoyed your lecture.”

At that moment, Kang San was coming down from the stage.

“I didn’t do it for you to hear.”

He seemed a bit embarrassed by the praise, responding teasingly.

“If you came as my assistant, you should focus on supporting me instead of eavesdropping on my lecture…”

“I actually came to tell you about our next schedule.”

I smiled and pulled out my notebook to explain the plans.

“First of all, the lectures will be held every other day, twice a day, for a week.”

“Ugh, a whole week of this? How busy can it get?”

Kang San sighed, seeming overwhelmed, then glanced at his watch as if something had come to mind and asked.

“By the way, did you hear anything about the exhibition?”

“I got a call just before the lecture. They said all the photos have been printed. They’ll proceed with the exhibition as soon as they provide the layout by today.”

“Today?”

“Yes. Is that possible for you?”

Even from my perspective, Kang San’s schedule seemed pretty tight.

Just giving one lecture was exhausting enough, and now, even though it was every other day, he would be doing this for a week.

Given his typically reserved nature, I imagined this would be even more challenging for him.

On top of that, he also needed to manage the exhibition, so he would probably be quite overwhelmed.

That meant I needed to be extra attentive.

“Let’s go now, then. We have time before the next lecture, so we should go and finalize the layout.”

After a moment of contemplation, Kang San made his decision, and we headed toward the exhibition hall.

***

“This photo should be placed at the very entrance of the booth.”

Kang San began arranging the photos at the exhibition hall, sharing his requirements with the organizers.

“I don’t think that photo should go there…”

Still, something felt off.

How the photos were arranged was a crucial aspect of the exhibition, and the pressure of time made him uneasy.

“Let’s think about that photo for a moment…”

At that moment,

“Photographer Kang, how about arranging the photos so they’re visible at a glance rather than focusing on their flow?”

“Hmm?”

Woojin addressed Kang San, who was deep in thought.

“I believe you’re currently considering the flow of the photos in the exhibition hall.”

Kang San nodded in agreement.

He was pondering how to arrange the photos so that visitors wouldn’t lose focus and could view them naturally. It was always a significant concern whenever he contemplated the layout for any exhibition.

“In my opinion, the flow isn’t that important for this exhibition.”

However, Woojin’s opinion contradicted that notion.

“Why?”

Kang San inquired, intrigued by Woojin’s perspective.

“This exhibition hall has a small U-shape, right?”

“True.”

“From the moment visitors enter, they can see most of the photos at a glance, so they won’t necessarily view them in order but will look at whatever catches their eye first.”

Kang San stroked his chin, finding Woojin’s argument compelling.

In fact, it seemed even better than Kang San had initially envisioned.

Kang San squinted his eyes and listened intently as Woojin continued.

“So, rather than emphasizing a natural flow, it would be better to highlight the intensity of the moment in the exhibition.”

“Go on.”

“Place the striking photos in the middle of the U-shape, where visitors can see them right as they enter.”

“That sounds good.”

Kang San even asked for his thoughts on the arrangement.

“What do you think about placing the photo here?”

“I think that would actually diminish its impact. It would be better to position it against the wall.”

The two of them appeared more like trusted colleagues than a mentor and mentee.

‘Impressive…’

Kang San thought as he observed Woojin’s focused expression while alternating between looking at the exhibition layout and his photos.

The way he treated it as his own concern was truly commendable.

This wasn’t the only instance.

From simple tasks like organizing supplies to coordinating lecture times, checking on photo submissions and printing quality, and managing the exhibition layout, Woojin had assisted Kang San perfectly since their arrival in Arles.

Kang San, aware of this, continued to be impressed by Woojin.

‘The more I look at him, the more I find myself drawn to him. To the point where I almost want to take him away from Jung Woong…’

If he had only assessed Woojin as an assistant, he wouldn’t have thought this way.

Kang San held Woojin in high regard as a photographer as well.

Especially after arriving in Arles, despite having his photo exhibited in a shabby alley where foot traffic was sparse, Woojin’s refusal to accept Kang San’s help reflected a level of confidence he admired.

That confidence was precisely the attitude a photographer should have.

He firmly believed that if given the opportunity, Woojin would achieve great success.

‘I hope this Arles event serves as that opportunity…’

After all, who would venture out of the bustling festival, past countless photographs, and into the outskirts of the city to view photos displayed in an alley?

Given the unlikelihood of the situation, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of worry.

“Photographer Kang, this photo would be best placed on the left wall.”

“Hmm? Yeah, that sounds good.”

In the end, it would still be a problem that the parties involved needed to resolve themselves.

Yet, Kang San quietly cheered for Woojin, encouraged by his bright demeanor.

***

The Arles International Photo Festival, a world-renowned photography event, was not just a gathering for photographers aiming for wealth and fame.

It was also an occasion for many industry professionals eager to see their shining talents.

Critics wanting to view the works of esteemed photographers and advertising agencies in search of photographers that matched their tastes.

Countless agencies and magazines looking to recruit photographers were present as well.

These individuals had come all the way to France to meet famous photographers and emerging talents brimming with dreams and skills.

Their expectations were not much different from those of the photographers themselves.

And this sentiment was echoed by World Travel magazine.

Whenever the global travel magazine rankings were tallied, World Travel invariably made an appearance. Due to the nature of travel magazines, they required various photographers traveling around the world.

Thus, they were most interested in photographers themselves, regardless of whether they were newcomers or established artists.

“Did you hear the lecture by photographer Kang San? I really liked it.”

“I liked it too. And I heard there’s going to be an exhibition soon, so I’m looking forward to it.”

“That’s right. Since Kang San is famous for traveling the world, he fits perfectly with our magazine…”

“David also exhibited photos at Arles this time, didn’t he?”

“David? Are you talking about David McCurry? I’ve been looking forward to seeing his work.”

The branch heads of World Travel, overseeing America, Asia, and Europe, gathered after a long time and engaged in lively discussions about the promising photographers.

It was rare for the branch heads to meet, and perhaps because it had been a while since they took a break from work, the atmosphere was cheerful.

As they exchanged stories, someone suddenly asked,

“By the way, I don’t see the Australian branch head.”

“Right? He definitely said he would come, but where could he be…?”

They thought everyone was present, but now they realized one person was missing.

They looked around, searching for him, when someone seemed to remember something.

“Oh, I remember! The Australian branch head went to look for a photographer he was seeking.”

“Who is it?”

“Who was it…? Something with a ‘K’…Kai?”

“It looks like it’s a ‘newcomer,’ but who knows if he’s even here?”

“Even if he is, it would take searching the whole street to find him. How would he manage that?”

There was a momentary curiosity about the Australian branch head going to search for photos, but they soon shifted their interest.

There were plenty of photographers here, and even the promising talents they hadn’t spoken of yet numbered a truckload.

“Do you know Alphonse Allen?”

“Oh, the one who received rave reviews for the street exhibition last time?”

“Yes. I heard he’s also giving a lecture starting tomorrow.”

The conversation eventually returned to its original topic.

For a while longer, they debated who this year’s Photographer of the Year might be.

The story about the Australian branch head searching for an unnamed photographer quickly faded from their minds.

***

“Kai, Kai, Kai…”

Walter, the Australian branch head of World Travel, wandered aimlessly, muttering the name of the photographer he was desperately searching for.

‘He must be at the Arles Photo Festival…’

Walter recalled the first time he saw Kai’s photographs.

A shocking image that instantly dispelled his feelings of fatigue and boredom.

Months had passed since then, but whenever he closed his eyes, the photo vividly came to mind.

Kai’s photograph left a deep impression on him.

He had never encountered such a photograph again.

Thus, it was only natural that Walter became interested in the photographer Kai.

Moreover, Kai was a mysterious figure shrouded in secrecy, known only by name and nationality.

Apart from an accidental submission to World Travel Australia, he had no other activities to be found.

Since coming to the Arles International Photo Festival, Walter had been eagerly anticipating meeting him.

He was sure that someone who took such photographs would show up at the festival.

‘Since he’s a newcomer, the chances are high that his photos would be displayed outdoors rather than in the exhibition hall or booth…’

However, contrary to Walter’s expectations, he searched for a long time and could not find any sign of Kai’s photographs.

‘Where could they be?’

If they weren’t on this street, then where could they possibly be?

Walter had spent nearly days roaming the city, searching for the photos, but to no avail.

‘Could it be that he dislikes being in the spotlight?’

A troubling thought crossed his mind.

Fatigued from walking around the city, Walter set down his bag and sat down on the roadside to rest.

‘It seems he hasn’t submitted any works this year…’

As the day began to darken, he figured he might as well stop looking.

Just then…

“Bonjour.”

A cute boy with bright blonde hair and blue eyes approached Walter and greeted him.

“Bonjour.”

With a pleased smile on his face, Walter greeted the boy, who silently pointed towards somewhere with his finger.

‘Huh? There’s nothing over there?’

Just as Walter turned his gaze to where the boy was pointing…

The boy suddenly snatched Walter’s bag and ran away.

“Damn it!”

Realizing the situation, Walter hurriedly chased after the boy.

“Don’t! My passport and wallet are in there!”

The small, nimble boy darted through the alleyways as he fled.

Walter desperately followed, turning corners, but…

“Haah…”

He ultimately lost him.

“Damn, I’ve got the worst luck…”

He had been robbed of all his belongings except for the phone he was holding.

He had come to find photographs, and yet this was what he had to endure…

After chasing for quite some time, he didn’t even know where he was anymore.

‘Where am I?’

Just then, as Walter sighed and looked up to regain his bearings,

“Uh?”

His pupils widened in surprise.

Deep within an alley he didn’t recognize.

There hung several photographs that illuminated the area.

“Oh my God…”

Seeing those photographs sent chills throughout his body.

The shock was so immense that he momentarily forgot he had just been robbed.

And in the corner of those photos, the name was written in small letters…