Return of the Genius Photographer

-Click!

Since we decided to retake the photos from scratch, I lost track of time.

Despite the simple combinations resulting in over ten different outfits, thanks to being completely immersed in the shoot, we’re already on the final one.

“Adjust the angle so the clothes are more visible.”

After apologizing to me, So-hyun has diligently followed my instructions.

I moved the camera closer to her as she stood at a 45-degree angle.

It was an uncomfortably close distance for anyone who wasn’t a model. Nonetheless, I took a step closer.

One common misconception people have about photography is trying to capture everything in one shot.

Whether it’s a landscape photo with the desire to include the entire scenery or a portrait where they feel the need to capture the person from head to toe, people tend to think this way.

But that’s not necessary. Instead, focusing and enlarging the specific part you want to highlight produces a much better photo.

Considering the aspect ratio, professional photographers often take the entire scene, but then crop it during post-processing.

To take a good photo, you need to get as close to the subject as possible.

Closer, even closer…

As I adjusted the depth of field and took another step toward the subject, the hidden texture of the clothes emerged.

When I got so close that the model’s face was no longer in the camera frame, I confidently pressed the shutter.

‘Nice.’

I felt a thrilling sensation in my fingertips, coupled with an instinctive sense that a great photo had been taken.

Thus, today’s shoot came to an end.

* * *

“I’ll be heading out now.”

“Already?” Hyunwoo asked, surprised.

“Yes. It’s already quite late.”

I responded to Hyunwoo with a small laugh. It had been dark outside for quite some time.

If I wanted to take the last bus home, I needed to hurry.

“If I wasn’t busy today, I would have driven you…”

Hyunwoo spoke apologetically. Not that I minded.

“I’ll explain everything to the boss when she comes back. She’ll also give you today’s payment after reviewing the photos.”

Come to think of it, Minjung was nowhere to be seen. She must have gone somewhere.

I nodded and gathered my belongings. There wasn’t much to pack, really.

“See you next time.”

“Wait a moment!”

Just as I slung my empty bag over my shoulder and was about to head out, someone called me.

“Photographer, wait a second!”

It was So-hyun.

It seemed she had quickly changed her clothes and come out. But why?

Seeing my puzzled expression, she spoke awkwardly.

“Can I get your number?”

“Pardon?”

“I really enjoyed working with you today. If you ever need a model for another shoot, please contact me.”

She handed me her phone, her ears turning red with embarrassment.

‘Was I mistaken?’

Her initial impression seemed stronger, but her demeanor was so different now that I wondered if I had misunderstood her personality from the start.

“Sure, of course. Please feel free to contact me if you need a photographer as well.”

I readily gave her my number. On reflection, it was quite a good opportunity for me too.

For now, I found it difficult to actively seek out work without a camera, but that would soon change.

Once I get a camera, I plan to increase my workload.

It’s best to expand my network whenever I can. Networking is especially crucial in the photography industry.

“Thank you. I’ll definitely reach out if I have any opportunities.”

“Yes, me too.”

With that conversation, I left the building.

The evening air, after sunset, was pleasantly cool.

Woojin felt good, enjoying the fresh breeze and the unexpected gain.

*****

With Woojin gone and the shoot wrapped up, the studio was left in a cool, dim atmosphere as the lights were turned off.

Two people stood there, looking at the monitor with serious expressions.

“So, you want me to decide what to do with these photos?”

Breaking the silence after a long while of staring at the monitor, Minjung finally spoke.

“Yeah, that’s right, sis. I couldn’t decide which one is better.”

Hyunwoo nodded in agreement.

On the monitor, the screen was split into two halves. One half showed a photo where the model’s face was deliberately cut out, and the other half showed a full-body shot including the face.

To Hyunwoo, both photos were equally excellent, making it impossible for him to choose.

Unable to decide even after the shoot, Hyunwoo had eventually deferred the choice to his sister.

“They’re all really well taken photos.”

“Right? I knew you’d say that!”

Hyunwoo, who had been struggling before Minjung arrived, exclaimed in relief. He was glad to have someone who understood his dilemma.

Understanding Hyunwoo’s feelings, Minjung kept to herself that she thought the photos with the face cropped out looked much better.

“Hyunwoo, from now on, leave anything related to photography to Woojin.”

“Huh?”

But aside from holding back as a sister, she had something important to say as the CEO.

“Can you take photos like Woojin? No, right? Then, leave it to him. What you should focus on is how to make those photos sell the clothes better.”

Minjung’s philosophy had always been to give up on things you can’t do and focus all your efforts on what you can do.

To Minjung, Hyunwoo’s dilemma today was unnecessary.

“You’re a businessman. Don’t forget that.”

Minjung knew well what mindset a businessman should have.

“Got it, sis…”

“Alright, don’t take it the wrong way, just keep it in mind for next time.”

“Okay, but what are we going to do with the photos?”

Hyunwoo asked in a slightly dejected voice. Seeing this, Minjung smiled as she answered.

“We’re going to use all of them. It’d be a waste to discard such good photos. We’ll use the ones without the face for the product previews and the full-body ones for the detailed pages.”

Hyunwoo’s expression brightened as if he had found the right answer.

“I’ll take care of the rest, so please tidy up the office.”

“Got it. Thanks, sis!”

Cheered up, Hyunwoo replied energetically and quickly left the studio.

Though he still lacked a business mindset, his bright and resilient nature was one of Hyunwoo’s strengths.

After sending Hyunwoo out, Minjung looked at the photos again.

‘I should have been there…’

Minjung clicked her tongue inwardly.

Unfortunately, she had to leave due to an urgent matter after only helping with the shoot’s preparation.

The work dragged on, and by the time she returned, the shoot was over, and Woojin had already left.

Minjung had been eagerly anticipating Woojin’s shoot, so missing it was very disappointing.

Especially since the results exceeded her expectations…

Minjung looked at the photos once more.

‘He said he had to redo them in the middle.’

Although she had heard about the events of the shoot from Hyunwoo, she still couldn’t believe it.

To say he wasn’t satisfied with the photos and decided to reshoot everything…

Taking impressive photos requires extreme focus in each shot.

Even if the results weren’t satisfactory, the photographer would have maximized their concentration in that moment.

By the end of the shoot, they would have been exhausted. Starting over from scratch?

Such a feat required a dedication and pride akin to that of a master craftsman featured in documentaries.

Moreover, who could guarantee that better photos would result from reshooting?

Such a decision could only be made with immense confidence in one’s skills.

That kind of determination and pride was close to that of an artisan.

But the result was nearly artistic photos.

Although Hyunwoo didn’t seem to realize, the difference between the two photos was striking when viewed together.

Of course, both were undoubtedly well-taken photos, but especially the ones where the model’s face was deliberately excluded….

‘The texture of the clothes is vivid, and the colors seem to sparkle.’

Summer clothes, in particular, are notoriously difficult to capture well in photos.

Minjung knew this well, having taken all the mall’s photos herself before hiring Woojin.

The light texture of summer clothes contrasted sharply with their bright colors.

If you captured the texture well, the colors would fade.

If you captured the colors well, the texture would be lost.

No wonder it’s a season with a high return rate due to discrepancies from the actual product.

But as if to mock Minjung’s common sense, Woojin’s photos vividly captured both the colors and textures.

To someone who didn’t witness the shoot, the photos might seem so perfect that they’d suspect Photoshop editing…

‘And to think he didn’t include the face because it would distract from the clothes…’

Such unwavering confidence in his skills and bold attempts were not qualities of an ordinary photographer.

‘He’s a talent we must not lose.’

Minjung’s evaluation of Woojin rose even higher, despite already being at the top.

*****

It was an exceptionally hot day.

Everyone has those kinds of days, right?

Days when there’s an unusually large amount of work or when one feels especially fatigued from dealing with such tasks.

Simultaneously, the night air, which would typically feel refreshing, feels oppressively warm. Today was one of those days for Miyeong.

Returning home, she kicked off her stifling shoes.

“Ugh, I don’t want to work.”

Muttering this habitual wish, Miyeong retrieved a can of beer from the refrigerator. The coldness of the can seeped through her fingers.

“Well, I have to drink today.”

Unbuttoning her uncomfortable blouse, Minjung sat in a chair. Normally, upon returning home from work, she would head straight to bed due to exhaustion, but tonight was different.

Today was payday.

For an ordinary office worker like her, it was the one happy day of the month.

Deciding she should treat herself, she turned on her computer and began browsing.

“What should I buy today?”

Although she was too busy and lacked the mental energy to go out, the occasional shopping spree on payday was her only hobby.

Even if she bought outfits for outings, it wasn’t like she had many opportunities to wear them. It was probably a reflection of her desire to one day wear those pretty clothes and freely go somewhere.

“Huh? What’s this?”

As she leisurely scrolled through the web, her fingers suddenly stopped.

“3rd Street Market?”

It was a banner she hadn’t seen before. Normally, she wouldn’t even glance at ads, but her gaze lingered on the small clothing photo within the banner.

“That looks quite nice.”

As if entranced, she clicked on the banner. For a brief moment, a refreshing sea appeared before her eyes. More precisely, it was the large photo at the top of the homepage that gave her that feeling.

“It’s so beautiful…”

In the photo, a breezy dress was seen against a Mediterranean backdrop. It looked as if the moment of the dress fluttering in the Santorini wind had been captured perfectly. The clothes the model wore seemed to embody everything the photo represented.

It symbolized the dazzling and cool freedom she longed for.

“I have to buy this.”

Buying the clothes was instantaneous. Just like when she first entered the site, Miyeong seemed to be enchanted by Woojin’s photos as she made her purchase.

Like ships gathering at a brightly lit lighthouse from afar, Woojin’s photos started to draw more and more people.

Those entranced by his photos, like Miyeong, didn’t hesitate to purchase the clothes.

Every summer outfit, including the dresses, sold out completely within just five days of Woojin’s photos being posted on the 3rd Street Market website.

Even considering that the initial stock of new items wasn’t very large, the effect was undoubtedly significant.

While it couldn’t be claimed with certainty that it was solely because of Woojin’s photos, no one could deny that they were the primary influence.

Woojin’s photos had the power to persuade even those seeing them for the first time.

Although only a few people were aware of this fact now, it was clear that it would soon become widely known.