Photo Essay: Baekyang Temple

Since I got back to Korea six months ago, I have been very busy with work. I haven’t had many chances to go out with my camera. A few weeks back when my photographer friend asked me if I was interested to go to Baekyang Temple for a daytrip, I immediately said yes.

My love story with Baekyang Temple began in the fall of 2011 when I visited the place for the first time. It is not only the natural beauty but the sense of calm, the sense of serenity about the place which engrosses me. I have visited the temple many times, in every season. But fall is always special. All the vibrant reds and yellows from the autumn leaves add an extra layer of splendor to the whole place.

This year’s visit to Baekyang Temple was different not only because I was returning after a long break, but also because I had the company of two great friends, Joe Wabe and Lorryn Smit. We were there very early in the morning, when sunlight was just breaking through the mist and there were dew drops on the fallen leaves, on the blades of grass and on the spider webs. Although the autumn leaves were not at their peak color, it was still very beautiful. Every visit there gives me an opportunity to look at the same thing differently. My eyes start to search for more and more small things, fine details which I may have overlooked in the past.

By the afternoon there were a few thousand visitors there enjoying the beauty, taking their pictures with the colorful leaves, having picnics with family and friends. The total atmosphere was very festive, a celebration of the magnificence of nature. We finished our day with some pajeon and makkeoli before coming back to Gwangju.

I am waiting eagerly for my next visit. Hopefully, when all the leaves are gone and snow covers the whole area, winter will transform it into an equally beautiful, but totally different, dreamland.