Return of the Genius Photographer

There is a term called cognitive dissonance.

It refers to the stress and confusion felt when holding two or more contradictory beliefs or thoughts simultaneously.

When people experience cognitive dissonance, they tend to believe sweet lies over uncomfortable truths.

Like the fox thinking, “Those grapes are probably sour.”

People tend to believe only what they want to believe.

The moment Woojin’s photograph was revealed.

Most of the people in the seminar room experienced cognitive dissonance.

The photo of Woojin they saw was truly sublime.

It was a picture of an elderly man guarding a precarious-looking house amidst grayish-white apartments.

Even to someone who knew nothing about photography, it was so outstanding that one could instantly recognize its quality.

In fact, because their eye for detail was less trained than that of the judges, the impact of the photo was even stronger.

Compared to the photos presented just before, it felt like seeing a winged horse among ordinary horses.

In a word, it was on a different level.

It was in that position only because the grand prize is the highest award.

If there had been an award higher than the grand prize, that photo would have surely won it.

But that’s why there was a cognitive dissonance.

Between the belief that it is nearly impossible for a high school student to take a photo that surpasses professionals and the fact that it was a perfect photo deserving of the grand prize.

People felt confused.

Therefore, the following steps were inevitable.

“Even high school students can participate in the professional category?”

Starting from trivial questions.

“I guess there wasn’t any specific restriction? Then why is there a youth category?”

Expressions of dissatisfaction.

“That’s ridiculous. How could a high school student take such a photo?”

And then denial.

“Is it really his own photo?”

It even led to doubting what they had seen.

Rather than the uncomfortable truth that Woojin took the photo,

They wanted to believe that the photo had been manipulated or that something was wrong.

Naturally, the applause that should have been heard was only faintly audible.

Instead, the murmuring of the crowd grew louder, creating a noisy situation.

If Woojin’s photo had been a little lower in standard.

Or if Woojin had been older or more famous.

Such a thing wouldn’t have happened.

Even the veteran host found himself in a state of confusion due to the unexpected situation of the people.

The judges were equally bewildered by people’s reactions.

“What, what is this…”

“Please ask them to calm down.”

As a judge, it was an unexpected situation.

Instead of welcoming the emergence of a genius, there were people denying it?

It was logically incomprehensible.

Because of that, wouldn’t harm be done to the prize winner who should rightfully be congratulated?

“If we don’t stop this, it might get worse.”

At the moment when Jung woong was about to grab the host’s microphone to speak.

―Beep!

Woojin took the microphone from the podium.

The seminar room momentarily fell silent due to the ear-piercing feedback.

“Ah, hello. I am Nam Woojin, the grand prize winner.”

In the stillness, Woojin’s explanation continued.

“First, this photo was taken in Gireum-dong, which is currently undergoing redevelopment.”

It was a situation where an inexperienced high school student might have been intimidated by the crowd’s criticism.

However, there was no sign of such fear in Woojin.

“The photo was taken a week before the submission deadline, around sunset, often referred to as the golden hour.”

In fact, Woojin even had a smile on his face, as if he was enjoying the situation.

“While pondering how to portray Seoul, I heard the news that the hillside neighborhoods were disappearing. That’s why I took the photo.”

Woojin’s calm response instantly quelled the heated public opinion.

And seeing this, Jung woong watched Woojin with a sparkle in his eyes.

In reality, allegations of manipulation are something photographers frequently encounter.

Especially in today’s digital world, where manipulation is very easy.

The distinction between editing and manipulation is ambiguous, making it a consistently controversial issue.

Although it was the first time he had seen this happen at an awards ceremony…

In any case, experienced photographers have their own ways of handling such controversies.

But Woojin’s composure was beyond that of even veteran photographers.

“Ho…”

It was then that Jung Woong began to have doubts about Woojin.

Was he really a high school student?

“He is truly a talent to be desired.”

It seemed that his friend Kang-sik felt the same way, sensing something unusual about Woojin.

Kang-sik had a greedy look, as if he wanted to devour Woojin.

It was the look he got when he saw a student he really wanted to teach.

“Yes, I feel the same way. He’s truly a talent I want.”

Jung Woong responded, agreeing with Kang-sik.

Then it was Kang-sik’s turn to be surprised.

“You? That’s surprising.”

For Kang-sik, who knew Jung Woong very well, this was an unexpected statement.

A perfectionist like him saying he desires someone?

He might as well believe the sun rises in the west.

Thinking lightly of Jung Woong’s words, Kang-sik playfully said to him,

“Then why not take him on as a disciple? Like I did.”

Knowing that in all of Jung Woong’s long career as a photographer,

He had never called anyone a disciple, Kang-sik’s comment was a joke.

But Jung Woong responded seriously.

“Yes… maybe now is the time.”

“What? Are you serious? What about all those assistants you have?”

Kang-sik asked in shock.

In fact, while Jung Woong never acknowledged anyone as a disciple,

It wasn’t that he didn’t have people learning from him and helping with his work.

Jung Woong just called them his assistants.

He never once called them disciples.

“They are just assistants I hired with money. What does that have to do with me taking on a disciple?”

“Of course, I know well what kind of relationship you have with them. But they might not think the same way.”

Kang-sik, who already had many disciples under him, gave this advice.

He was asking how Jung Woong would handle the complex issue of disciples.

But Jung Woong dismissed Kang-sik’s concern.

“Do you think I can’t distinguish that much? Don’t worry about it. Just listen to the winner’s speech.”

From Kang-sik’s experience, no matter how positively he tried to see it, Jung Woong seemed unable to make that ‘distinction.’

Kang-sik decided to give up thinking about it.

“Really, the older you get, the more stubborn you become. Fine then.”

A stubborn old man is impossible to dissuade.

Besides, this conversation was predicated on Woojin agreeing.

Of course, there would be no photographer who would refuse Jung Woong’s offer.

‘I wish he’d refuse and embarrass you…’

Kang-sik concluded his thoughts.

Though he had a small hope,

He didn’t think it would come true.

“…So in conclusion, I believe my photo owes its success to the subject. I was also quite lucky.”

As Woojin finished speaking, a loud round of applause filled the room.

A humble yet convincing speech.

Although Woojin’s speech had been prolonged due to the initial commotion, no one seemed to mind.

It meant that Woojin had completely captured the atmosphere of the room.

Even his final remark, which subtly mocked amateurs who complain that photography is all about luck and subject matter, was only understood by the judges and a few others.

Soft laughter could be heard from the judges’ panel.

“This concludes my acceptance speech.”

After collecting the prize and trophy, Woojin stepped down from the podium.

– Clap clap clap clap clap!

Another round of thunderous applause followed.

*

‘Phew… I didn’t expect to talk this much.’

I stepped down from the podium and sat down, taking off my sweat-soaked shirt.

It was hot due to the many lights on the stage.

Additionally, my throat was dry from speaking for so long.

‘Is it over now?’

The acceptance speech seemed to have ended well.

Those who had been hostile at the beginning either fell silent or, perhaps out of embarrassment, left the seminar room, leaving the awards ceremony relatively quiet.

The program was nearing its end.

With the atmosphere at its peak thanks to me,

The emcee, now composed, was about to conclude the ceremony.

“Wait, let me say one last thing.”

Photographer Jung Woong grabbed the microphone.

“There seemed to be a lot of dissatisfaction with the judging.”

Jung Woong looked at me steadily as he began.

What’s he doing?

“Frankly, except for the grand prize work, everything else was below par.”

Jung Woong then dropped a bombshell.

“There was no sign of any thought put into the theme. I hope you will reflect on yourselves before judging others’ works in the future.”

Jung Woong continued to look at me.

I could faintly see a smile on his lips.

“And I hope you understand that distrust in the winner is equivalent to criticizing the judges. This concludes the awards ceremony.”

And with that, he coolly ended the ceremony.

“Jung Woong, sir? …Ah, everyone, this concludes the awards ceremony. We look forward to your continued photographic endeavors.”

With those words, the judging came to an end.

“Woojin, is it all over?”

“Woojin, are you okay?”

Once the ceremony ended, my parents, who were next to me, kept asking about my condition with concern.

It seemed they were startled by the crowd’s reaction when I went up on the podium earlier.

Understandable, since anyone would be frightened seeing people being so hostile for the first time.

I was fine, though.

I was more worried about my parents being scared or hurt.

But then…

Who is that guy?

A man had been sending intense stares my way for a while.

Han Sang-hoon, was it?

He was the one who won the gold prize.

Ever since I went up on the podium, he had been looking at me intently, and even now, he hadn’t taken his eyes off me.

His gaze was so intense that I couldn’t even turn my head away.

I wondered if he disliked me winning the grand prize or if he couldn’t accept it.

But then, when the crowd was making a fuss earlier, he just stayed silent…

Should I approach him and ask why he’s staring?

But what if he’s a weirdo?

I decided to avoid him for now.

“Mom, Dad, was it boring waiting so long? Let’s go look at the photos now.”

With that, I left the seminar room and headed to the exhibition area with my parents.