Foreign residents to exhibit photographic impressions of Ulsan, from dawn to dusk

British photographer Bexie Wright's photo of Ulsan at blue hour / Courtesy of Bexie Wright

British photographer Bexie Wright's photo of Ulsan at blue hour / Courtesy of Bexie Wright

By Jon Dunbar

Ulsan might not be Korea's most-visited destination, but the southeastern industrial city, Korea's eighth-largest, still has its own charms.

"Ulsan has long struggled with an image problem due to the presence of factories surrounding the city, but I believe it has a unique charm that many photographers — and tourists — overlook," said Jason Teale, a longtime Canadian resident of the metropolitan city of over 20 years. "Even the industrial areas can look striking in the right light. What really makes Ulsan stand out, though, is its diversity of landscapes and subjects. Whether you're interested in photographing mountains during the late fall, capturing long exposures of the ocean in the early morning, or exploring gritty alleys and street scenes, Ulsan has it all. There's such a variety of environments here, and that's what sets it apart for me."

Teale, who works as a photography instructor at the Ulsan Support Center for Foreign Residents, is organizing an exhibition to celebrate the end of the program's second year. Titled "A Special Day in Ulsan," it will bring the city into focus through the eyes and lenses of its foreign residents.

The photos of Teale and 11 of his students will be on display at the second-floor exhibition hall of the Ulsan Culture & Arts Center over the holiday season. The works will take visitors on a visual journey in the city from sunrise to nightfall.

Canadian photography instructor Jason Teale, left, poses with some of his students in front of the Ulsan Support Center for Foreign Residents before setting out to explore a local market, Oct. 12.  Courtesy of Jason Teale

Canadian photography instructor Jason Teale, left, poses with some of his students in front of the Ulsan Support Center for Foreign Residents before setting out to explore a local market, Oct. 12. Courtesy of Jason Teale

When Teale first met with the foreign residents support center, he said he pitched the idea of a photography class that would cover both the technical aspects of photography as well as introduce foreign residents to the city's most unique, beautiful and interesting locations.

This year, they visited popular spots like the Jangsaengpo Whale Village, took a photo walk using the Ulsan City Tour Bus to ride around Taehwa River National Garden and photographed the lanterns for Buddha's Birthday at Baekyong Temple.

He says the class has helped form a diverse and tight-knit community, spanning diverse age groups and backgrounds. Students come from a wide range of places, including Switzerland, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the U.S., Britain, Costa Rica and Greece. They include researchers and students from local universities, as well as a professor. It has also included engineers, homemakers and teachers, creating a wonderfully diverse mix of backgrounds.

Astria Hijriani and Sri Utami Purwaningati of Indonesia ask to take photos of Korean men playing 'baduk' at Seonam Lake Park during a photo walk, Sept. 7. Photo instructor Jason Teale reports, 'The old guys actually enjoyed the attention from what they said.' Courtesy of Jason Teale

Astria Hijriani and Sri Utami Purwaningati of Indonesia ask to take photos of Korean men playing "baduk" at Seonam Lake Park during a photo walk, Sept. 7. Photo instructor Jason Teale reports, "The old guys actually enjoyed the attention from what they said." Courtesy of Jason Teale

"This diversity really highlights something many people may not realize about Ulsan's foreign population. The city is home to a broad range of foreigners, from factory workers and foreign engineers to university students and researchers," Teale said.

"I've noticed that foreigners tend to approach Korea in a way that's distinct from how locals might see it. Foreigners in Korea often view the country through the lens of their own cultural backgrounds, focusing on what stands out based on their personal experiences. What seems ordinary to a Korean may appear unusual or noteworthy to a foreigner, and this difference shapes how people interpret and appreciate what's around them. In many ways, this cultural perspective adds richness to their experience, as they see Korea through a fresh set of eyes."

Astria Hijriani's photo of Ulsan in the fall, Nov. 24 / Courtesy of Astria Hijriani

Astria Hijriani's photo of Ulsan in the fall, Nov. 24 / Courtesy of Astria Hijriani

Teale added that he has gotten to know the students in his photo class very well after sharing meals, celebrating birthdays and building a strong sense of community.

When asked if any of their work particularly stands out, Teale demurred.

"I believe the entire group is exceptional, and each of them deserves equal recognition," he said. "They've all done an incredible job this year, and I genuinely can't single out any one student for their accomplishments. Each of them has put in the effort to improve their skills, and the growth I've seen over the past year has been truly remarkable. Some of the students started with little to no experience in photography, and now their work looks like that of seasoned professionals!"

Yanuar Ady Setiawan's photo shows a monk atop a mountain in Ulsan. Courtesy of Yanuar Ady Setiawan

Yanuar Ady Setiawan's photo shows a monk atop a mountain in Ulsan. Courtesy of Yanuar Ady Setiawan

With this exhibition, he also hopes visitors will gain insights into the city's rich cultural heritage.

"Ultimately, I believe the class — and the photos it produces — help showcase Ulsan in a way that highlights the city's beauty and charm, not only to the foreign residents but also to the wider public," Teale said. "It's a great way to spread the word about how wonderful Ulsan really is."

The exhibition runs from Dec. 24 to 30, with an opening ceremony on Dec. 28 starting at 2 p.m. The exhibition hall is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit usfr.or.kr for more information about the event and its venue and go to linktr.ee/JTEALEPhoto to see Jason Teale's work.

A poster for the exhibition of foreign photographers in Ulsan, titled 'A Special Day in Ulsan' / Courtesy of Ulsan Culture & Arts Center

A poster for the exhibition of foreign photographers in Ulsan, titled "A Special Day in Ulsan" / Courtesy of Ulsan Culture & Arts Center

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