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The final chapter of an epic photography journey

It came to soon. The final day of Samsung’s NX Traveller 2015. The culmination of a photography journey across the best sites in Korea hosted by Samsung and the Korea Tourism Organisation. For the 38 photo contest winners, mentors and photo experts tasked with capturing the essence of this majestic country it was the end of their adventure but the start of a new chapter of friendship and perspective on photography. Here’s what transpired on Day 6...

TEAM A LOCATIONS: Jeju Island - Seoul

Team A's Jeju jump! They were pretty happy on Jeju Island. Photo by Chee Boon Pin

Team A pretty happy to be at Hyeopjae Beach, Jeju Island on the last day. Photo by Kadek Arini

On the final day for Team A on Jeju Island their first stop was the Manjanggu Lava Tube, the largest of its kind in the world and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was damp and dark inside the 7.4-mile long cavernous void, which is home to stalactites and stalagmites, cave coral and 38 species of cave organisms, with the Jeju Cave Spider the most commonly seen.

This was by far their toughest photography test yet for the NX Travellers. Some of them began light painting to create abstract shapes by swirling their torches around the dark.

Next it was off to Geumneung Seogmulwon to see the intricately carved stone statues, known as Samda-do. The grey slabs of volcanic stone offset with the emerald green countryside provided an ideal canvas for the day’s theme of Nature & The Elements. There was still time for the photographers to pay homage to the sea once more at Hyeopjae Beach, where crystal clear waters kissed the white sand. Not a bad way to end the day on Jeju.

They then begrudgingly headed for the airport and their flight back to Seoul to meet up with Team B and share stories about their six days in the Land of The Morning Calm.

When the teams united later that day at the hotel, stories were shared and laughs were had in abundance. It was a special reunion with everyone wrapped up in the adrenaline of a photography trip and Korean experience that was summed up succinctly by Thai blogger Chutima “Mai” Treearayapong (instagram@w.d.w.g) when she said: “This was the best trip ever. I now have a second family. And they are all amazing.”

Team B locations: Haeudanae Beach, Busan - Daerungwon Tomb Complex, Gyeongju - Surmine Restaurant, Gyeongju – Seoul

Lens culture. From left- Singapore's Wu PeiQi, Malaysia's Stephanie Lim, Indonesia's Didi Kaspi Kasim and Singapore's Geetika Bisla and Carolyn Tan. Photo by Michael Sainsbury

Some team members' legs were too tired to stand. Photo by Mark Marcelino

Grey skies could not dull the palpable sense of solidarity after six days together on the Team B bus on the final day of the Samsung NX Traveller Korea trip as it wound its way back to Seoul.

There were a few pit stops on the way in heritage-listed Gyeongju, the Korean ancient capital, coming full circle with the history soaked Day 1 and a last opportunity to grab just a few more amazing shots with the Samsung NX cameras.

Throughout the trip the team has been wowed with demonstrations of the physical and emotional sides of Korean culture, through folk villages, old towns, paper-making, taekwondo and majestic coastal and highland vistas.

With the addition of some stunning scenic spots through the mountains, the much-talked about Damyang bamboo forest and onto the coast, the intrepid travellers were able to expand their photography ranges and what genres they really loved.

“I discovered I loved taking street scenes and people shots that tell a story, rather than landscapes,” Singapore’s Wu Peiqi (instagram@wupeiqi) explained.

Australia’s Jackie Brodin (instagram@yummystuffgoesh) said she is now “out of my comfort zone, which is food photography” and reserved special thanks for the team mentor Singapore’s Wilson Wong (instagram@wilzwong) who she said was a huge help with “his tips and tricks.”

Wilson Wong explained that it was “just the begining of a journey and everyone was using the Samsung NX equipment better than anyone could have hoped for.”

So it was appropriate that after six admittedly hectic but fun-filled days that the final lunch was held at Geongju’s bucolic Surime restaurant, a recreation of 600-year old Joseon dynasty Royal Cuisine. All this for the enjoyment of Samsung’s new kings and queens of photography, many of who voted it the best meal of the trip.

The best endings, of course, are only ever beginnings, which is a fair summary of how the people on the team felt about their improved photography skills and new perspectives - as well as wonderful new friendships – as the bus pulled into Seoul where the teams united for one final night to tell tales of their adventures.

Check out the awesome final day’s photos below from our teams.