The Palace Series

I've had the chance to visit three of Seoul's four ancient Joseon palaces (I think the fourth is still on fire) in three different seasons. The contrast makes for a nice little set of photographs.
All of these were taken with point and shoot digi cameras - an ancient but trustworthy Canon Powershot A70 (ye of 2,000 Cancun photos of yesteryear) and a cheap but effective only-in-the-light Fuji Finepix J10. For all those pocket-sized adventures.

Powershot A70, ISO 100, 5.4mm, F/5.6 @ 1/320 sec
Interior lake at Gyeongbuk Palace and Surak Mt (I think) In the background. I shot this late in the summer when the flowers had already started to turn, but I think the greens are still quite lush.

Powershot A70, ISO 100, 7.8mm, F/5.6 @ 1/80 sec
Palace ventilation system near the exterior wall. I have a feeling this isn't 700 years old, but you never know in Korea. Santa needs to slip in somehow.

Powershot A70, ISO 200, 6.6mm, F/5.6 @ 1/15 sec
Tomb of the Dragon Emperor... or not. That's all I've got. Urn or BBQ pit? You just don't know.

Powershot A70, ISO 100, 11.3mm, F/5.6 @ 1/640 sec

Gyeongbuk Palace main gate. One day I'll see the changing of the guards. And swing a mighty sword. Until then, this will suffice.

FinePix J10, ISO 100, 10.7mm, F/3.8 @ 1/220 sec

Deoksug Palace is the Joseon equivalent of the awkward guest house. You know, the place you send the drunk uncle on Christmas Eve after he ruins dinner by outing cousin Dane and pissing in the crisper.

FinePix J10, ISO 100, 7.6mm, F/3.1 @ 1/250 sec
Deoksug roof tiles. Authentic 1309 Jeoson Dynasty, or 1997 Home Depot DIY? We'll never know. Unless we check the receipt.

FinePix J10, ISO 100, 12.8mm, F/4.2 @ 1/280 sec

Flaming buckets without flame. Not as exciting as their deadly counterparts. Deoksugung doesn't have it all. Not these days.

FinePix J10, ISO 100, 6.2mm, F/2.8 @ 1/220 sec

He was intimidating for three minutes. Then we found out his beard was fake. It was like the time your dad ran down the Easter bunny with his truck, and you found out that he was filled with blood and guts and not Cadbury cream eggs. Dark days.

FinePix J10, ISO 100, 6.2mm, F/5.6 @ 1/200 sec

If you could choose one place to be memorialized, why not here? Or Arlington. Same dif.

FinePix J10, ISO 100, 9mm, F/3.4 @ 1/60 sec

Baby Steps. A bit of a rare moment in Korea - a solitary, reflective man who is not pushing, shoving or spitting his way through the throngs. A thing of beauty.

FinePix J10, ISO 100, 6.2mm, F/2.8 @ 1/150 sec

Changdeokgung's Secret Garden is likely more impressive in the spring or summer, but I like to take it in during the frozen moments. Little known fact - Wayne Gretzky skated here in 1988. True story.

FinePix J10, ISO 100, 6.2mm, F/5.6 @ 1/210 sec

Upwards, not backwards, forwards, not upwards, and always twirling, twirling towards freedom! Or something.

FinePix J10, ISO 100, 6.2mm, F/2.8 @ 1/340 sec

Changdeok Palace, interior gate. I went early in the morning on an overcast and frigid January morning and caught a few decent snaps through the grounds. I liked the fact that there were hardly any people and I was only pushed over twice. A new record for Seoul.