I visited Changdeokgung Palace on Sunday to take in the fall foliage of the Huwon Garden. Unfortunately, it hadn’t turned completely — it should be at its peak this weekend or so — but I did see for the first time the inner areas of the Huwon Garden, including the Gwallamjeong Pavilion and Ongnyucheon Stream.
For most of the afternoon, the sky was quite overcast, but it did have its moments.
This, of course, is the area of the Huwon Garden you can see on the general tour. Beautiful as always, of course, but the colors should be quite inspiring this weekend.
This is the lovely Gwallamjeong Pavilion, which you can see only on special tours of 50 persons each held three times a day (reservations required). Designed like an open fan, the pavilion presents what I think is one of the most charming views of the palace.
The pavilion is believed to have been built in the early 20th century.
The most inner part of the Huwon Garden is Ongnyucheon Stream, an artificial stream with a series of pavilions. There’s also a (very) small paddy where the king — as the leader of a primarily agriculture country — cultivated rice as a role model for his people.
NOTE: Been a bit busy lately. Will get back to a regular blogging schedule tonight or tomorrow.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Damn fine set indeed.
Robert, do you keep a photo log, with camera settings when you shoot? You are getting some interesting results. I realize now that I would have to study any new camera I might get even more because they have so many settings that affect the shot.
I like the water and pavilion shot.
Beautiful, dude. Just beautiful.
Elgin — well, this one, I shot on my D40x programmed thusly:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/users-guide/index.htm
using the Sigma wide angle.
I shot in RAW, and used Lightzone to bring out the colors, contrasts, etc. Obviously, I’m still learning.
I agree, nice pics. It was a stunning autumn day, but alas, I was to busy working to get out with my camera.
The Sigma is good for the wide angle shots though in some shots the distortion is a bit too much for my tastes. When I want to take a really wide shot, I’ll do a panorama by stitching together multiple shots into one. It’s very easy indeed in photoshop CS3 unless you have a lot of moving things, like people or vehicles, in your shot.
That technique with CS2 is ideal for most of your architecture shots, not so good for anything with a lot of movement though clouds are generally not a problem as long as you shoot quickly enough.
I thought the pictures were great – especially those lacking your fellow tourist. I have always liked the Secret Garden….there is something about it and the ancient tree at the end of the tour…..something that has somehow managed to persevere during the past century or so of turmoil and strife in Korea….I do, however, miss the commentary that you generally include with your pictures….not much with this posting…..
Robert
I thought the pictures were great – especially those lacking your fellow tourist.
Are you dissing Marmot’s wife?
that wide angle lens distortion gives me vertigo.
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