Photogenic Seoul is the perfect place to get out with your camera
![A view of Seoul seen from Mount Namsan [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/6e93cb88-e37f-4a40-96b5-1135db6ec348.jpg)
A view of Seoul seen from Mount Namsan [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
I moved to Seoul in February 2022 to pursue a master’s degree at the Graduate School of International Studies at Yonsei University. As I rode from Incheon International Airport to downtown Seoul, I could see how developed the city was and how it still kept its traditional elements. Seoul seemed like a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
Photography has always been a way for me to express myself and preserve even the smallest moments in life. I love looking back at my travel photos and reminiscing on fond memories of my travel experiences. By looking at a photo, I can remember the smell and the scent of a location.

Alland Dharmawan
Based on my 10 years of experience in photography and as a contributing photographer to numerous publications, I want to share some of my go-to photography tips to help you make your Seoul snaps look a little better.
To make this as accessible as possible, all the photos I share in this article were shot with the native camera app on an iPhone 12 using the automatic settings.
Tip No. 1: Photography, as the name suggests, is all about light. Different lighting gives a photo a different mood. I love taking photos in the morning, before 10 a.m., and in the afternoon, from around 3 p.m. until sunset. During these hours, the light is less harsh than in the middle of the day.
![The sun sets at Gyeongbok Palace on a cool autumn afternoon. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/2cc9f8a4-6953-4947-a6e3-e27fa526f7b3.jpg)
The sun sets at Gyeongbok Palace on a cool autumn afternoon. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
Being creative with composition would make your photos look more interesting. Take as many photos as possible with different compositions. You can always choose your favorite later or crop the photo to try different compositions in post-processing.
![N-Seoul Tower, the second highest point in Seoul, seen from Bukchon Hanok Village [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/d1d83d40-4b9d-4d09-acf9-135553981f0a.jpg)
N-Seoul Tower, the second highest point in Seoul, seen from Bukchon Hanok Village [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
You can also experiment with colors by converting a photo to black and white. Black and white photos deliver different moods and help make your focal point stand out as the viewers are not distracted by the color of the surroundings. Black and white photos also help make a photo look more interesting when the lighting is flat, such as when it’s cloudy or raining, or when the focal point is not strong enough.
Take a look at these two photos of Cheonggyecheon. Converting the photo to black and white gives it a different feeling.
![Cheonggyecheon [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/fdf3d34b-88b2-4ab9-aefd-c7c67aa2cb64.jpg)
Cheonggyecheon [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
![Cheonggyecheon [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/1c943b60-53e9-4a75-a45c-0c1764126cd9.jpg)
Cheonggyecheon [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
![Birds fly above the statue of King Sejong the Great at Gwanghwamun Square. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/d1c6ef7a-f40f-4e9f-9899-b2dcd5720025.jpg)
Birds fly above the statue of King Sejong the Great at Gwanghwamun Square. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
![One rainy afternoon at Jongmyo Shrine [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/cad55542-48ab-482e-8b6c-d0d3478e8a6b.jpg)
One rainy afternoon at Jongmyo Shrine [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
The following are three of my favorite places to photograph in Seoul.
1. Seoul Forest
Seoul Forest in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul is the place I’ve visited the most in the city. It’s always mesmerizing to walk around the park and appreciate nature. You can see different kinds of flowers and trees, enjoy a nice walk along the lake and even go for a picnic.
Be sure to visit the tulip garden in April. It’s one of the most beautiful gardens I’ve ever seen!
![Seoul Forest’s tulip garden at night [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/6be29ad4-8852-4fc6-a09c-c489f6944ff0.jpg)
Seoul Forest’s tulip garden at night [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
![Afternoon sun rays shine through trees at Seoul Forest. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/4e74dd1d-9251-4f3b-9c01-63617d22ea3d.jpg)
Afternoon sun rays shine through trees at Seoul Forest. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
![A visitor enjoys a warm afternoon by the lake at Seoul Forest. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/76ef51d0-9345-4fe5-bac0-768e89a6a36b.jpg)
A visitor enjoys a warm afternoon by the lake at Seoul Forest. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
![A clear afternoon at Seoul Forest. Including reflections in a photo makes it more interesting. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/b39b06a1-5921-4f2f-aacc-3f966fb9e80a.jpg)
A clear afternoon at Seoul Forest. Including reflections in a photo makes it more interesting. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
The Gwanghwamun area in Jongno District, central Seoul includes Gwanghwamun Square, Gwanghwamun itself and the Gyeongbok Palace. It’s the heart of Seoul, where you can see how well the modern high-rise buildings, government offices and traditional elements of Korea blend in. A lot of tourists dress in hanbok and stroll around the area, making it feel like you're traveling back to the Joseon Dynasty era.
![Visitors, dressed in traditional Korean hanbok, look up at King Sejong the Great at Gwanghwamun Square. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/e9b56ad0-2a23-4500-8706-c3d3e8f2ab0e.jpg)
Visitors, dressed in traditional Korean hanbok, look up at King Sejong the Great at Gwanghwamun Square. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
![A couple dressed in hanbok stroll around Gyeongbokgung Palace. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/e90aac36-1a21-4d11-9bfc-1f60d4d5d9df.jpg)
A couple dressed in hanbok stroll around Gyeongbokgung Palace. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
![A policeman patrols Gwanghwamun Square on a sunny day. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/ed5bb115-7a66-4dec-a78b-85c6c8196480.jpg)
A policeman patrols Gwanghwamun Square on a sunny day. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
In the Joseon Dynasty, Jongmyo Shrine was used to worship kings and queens. I love strolling around the complex in Jongno District. My friend once took me here when it was raining. The mood was very serene and relaxing. If you want to enjoy a quiet and soothing afternoon in Seoul, you should definitely visit.
![Colorful buildings and gates at Jongmyo Shrine blend well with nature to create a nice view. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/7b767dfd-1f95-4eaf-9ccd-5686c85ce502.jpg)
Colorful buildings and gates at Jongmyo Shrine blend well with nature to create a nice view. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
![Visiting Jongmyo on a rainy day offers a serene and peaceful experience. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/40a04d48-4af4-4dc6-a06b-370736a40716.jpg)
Visiting Jongmyo on a rainy day offers a serene and peaceful experience. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
![A moldy tree at Jongmyo Shrine [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/6b1a33b5-0262-452e-ac05-caec7e6edc09.jpg)
A moldy tree at Jongmyo Shrine [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
![This kind of composition is called framing, where you use objects in a photo as a frame to lead the eyes of the viewers. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/d83a9cd0-6af0-446c-b947-0c53e76f8982.jpg)
This kind of composition is called framing, where you use objects in a photo as a frame to lead the eyes of the viewers. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
![Most buildings at Jongmyo Shrine are painted red, which makes a great contrast with the surrounding green scenery. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/03/03/eb77f5c8-859f-4157-90ea-b07a0f3a44d4.jpg)
Most buildings at Jongmyo Shrine are painted red, which makes a great contrast with the surrounding green scenery. [ALLAND DHARMAWAN]
BY STUDENT REPORTER ALLAND DHARMAWAN
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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