According to Kim Eun-seo, her interest in these photo booths is partly due to this rising analog culture among young Koreans. In Korea, however, the younger generation is increasingly interested in a more analog culture and atmosphere, as they pursue film photography and instant self-photo booths. Gen Z, or people born between the mid-to-late 1990s to the early 2010s, are most likely immersed in digital culture and less familiar with analog photography. The photo booths also reflect Generation Z’s pursuit of a more “analog atmosphere” in contrast to their very digital lives. Kim Eun-seo, a senior at Korea University who finds herself taking at least one four-cut photo a week, comments that she participated in several social media trends regarding four-cut photos such as using the QR codes to upload digital versions and short video clips of photo sessions. In fact, taking four-cut photos is an easy way to hop on social media trends as there are numerous special poses and frames that come and go. "Photo booths are the optimal self-promotion tool for young people these days, who are constantly aware of how others view them and try to create their best image on social media,” said Jeong. Another reason for the popularity of instant photo booths is that they are a unique way to capture and express one’s individuality, especially on social media. Jeong Min-kyung, a student at Seoul National University, says that she enjoys taking four-cut photos because she “finds the professional camera equipment and printing service a very cost-effective way of permanently capturing youthful memories with friends.” “I take four-cut photos because it’s cheap and it prints your picture for you,” said Kim Ha-min, an Instagram influencer studying at Korea University. All of these booths offer natural photoshop features, special seasonal photo frames, unique photo props to enhance the experience and QR codes that provide a digital copy of the photos taken.Ī four-cut photo made at Insaeng-nae-cut Now, what are the specific reasons Koreans are so obsessed with taking these photos? One of the major reasons is that these photo booths provide a relatively cheap way to capture lasting memories with friends and loved ones. Although there are distinct features for each type of photo booth, there are some common characteristics. This analog manner of taking photos grew immensely popular with young Koreans, and numerous studios such as Photogray, Photoism, Harufilm, Selfix and more hopped on the photo strip trend, known in Korea as four-cut photos. This booth allowed people to take their own photos and print two copies of four small frames on a long vertical strip, similar to a bookmark, for only 4,000 won ($2.80). One of the popular photo booths - similar to a passport photo booth but much more fun - known as Life4Cut was launched in Korea in 2017. So what exactly are these photo booths and why are they so popular in Korea? Make a few friends in their teens or 20s, however, and prepare to be inundated with a never-ending stream of printed photo strips as you skim through their Instagram stories. Have a look at some of our images from the exhibition, below, and learn how to make some of the contraptionson the designers’ site.ĭon’t forget to follow Feeldesain on Twitter + Facebook + Pinterest to get all the latest updates.A Life4Cut studio on Apgujeong Rodeo street New arrivals in Korea might initially be surprised by the plethora of photo booths and self-portrait-studios on the streets. There were so many different interpretations of the selfie at the Photobooth 3.0 exhibition, and it really made us think about our obsession with mobile self portraits. If you switch places with someone else, you can even create an amusing merged image. We also enjoyed having a go with a part-mirror-part-scanner which photographs and displays whoever stands in front of it. Within the show, which was part of Fuorisalone, we came across various different implements including one which used a drill to make your selfie video spin, as well as mirrored surfaces allowing a 180 degree self portrait, and a number of simple-looking but interesting selfie-stick lookalikes which all served different purposes. By focusing on such a current trend as selfies, ÉCAL students managed to create an exhibit which was relevant to many visitors, and also super fun to explore. ÉCAL (École Cantonale d’Art de Lausanne) has previously brought us some interesting products, and we were equally impressed with their exhibition at Milan Design Week, which used interactive objects and installations to focus on the selfie craze.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |