Field Notes

Day 1, Dec 9 — Arrived in Jeju City at dusk. Drove east toward Seongsan. The volcanic rock is darker than I expected, almost black where the sea reaches it. Set alarm for 5:15 AM.

Day 2, Dec 10 — First morning at the eastern shore. Fog so thick I could barely see the tripod legs. Shot two rolls before the sun burned through. The basalt tidal shelves have a geometry to them, like the island is showing its bones.

Day 3, Dec 11 — Jungmun coast. Found the driftwood field — dozens of bleached branches tangled in the rocks. The haenyeo divers were working offshore, surfacing in the mist like ghosts. I didn't photograph them. Some things belong to the moment only.

Day 4, Dec 12 — Yongmeori cliffs in the afternoon. The erosion here is violent, theatrical — layers of sandstone carved into impossible shapes. Switched to the 150mm to isolate the patterns. Wind was punishing. Lost a lens cap to the sea.

Day 5, Dec 13 — Final morning, Hamdeok beach. The calm after three days of wind. The water was silver, absolutely still at the edges. Shot the last roll slowly, one frame every few minutes, watching the fog arrive from the west. Packed the Hasselblad knowing this series was complete.