Life is like a fishing expedition, a thrilling and unpredictable adventure waiting to be fully experienced. For the October issue of The Granite Tower (GT), the Photography Department reporters cast their nets wide, capturing the essence of moments that truly hooked their hearts.
Jung Haine
When are we deceived? I thought about the deceptions, or rather, illusions that we may fall hook, line, and sinker for in our day-to-day lives – when we mistake one thing for another. When I wake up in the middle of the night and look around my bedroom thinking that the hat on the rack is a ghost, or the trees outside the window are a monster. But sometimes these illusions are voluntary; sometimes we want to make meaning out of what we see, to create beauty out of the lives we live. The clouds in the sky may resemble an animal you love, or the dream you had was a good omen. I thought of all these things and just how illusions are interpretations.
Son Jiho
In our daily lives, we often overlook the abundant details that surround us, searching far and wide for beauty when it is often right before our eyes. Sometimes, by simply pausing to focus and observe the everyday objects that populate our existence, we can uncover a unique and profound form of beauty. In a world where nature and human ingenuity coexist in seamless harmony, beauty is not a remote abstraction; rather, it forms an integral component of our immediate surroundings, accessible and attainable at any point in our lives. For this month’s photo essay, I captured the small details of objects or nature that hooked my attention, hoping to showcase how it is worthwhile for us to occasionally pause and savor the beauty that surrounds us.
Dang Tran Minh Son
From the bustling streets of Seoul, I was hooked by a captivating glimpse and soon found myself in a Buddhist temple. Surrounded by incense, statues, and ornate carvings, I sensed the hidden depths beneath these often-unnoticed religious symbols. The prayer beads on the podium echoed their devotees' soulful reflections, while the altar represented the profound act of giving and letting go. The age-worn sacred texts that I looked through, whispered ancient teachings of Buddha, whereas the ritual garments spoke of a commitment beyond materialism. Then lanterns, in their muted glow, guided me away from the shadow, and towards spiritual understanding. Standing as a testament to centuries of devotion and a journey to enlightenment, Buddhist temples can leave an indelible mark to visitors beyond just their aesthetic allure.
