Photo & Imaging Seoul has built a 24-year reputation for showcasing the very best in photography & imaging goods. This spring, over 650 booths will showcase everything from cutting-edge compact and DSLR cameras, to bags and newly-released camera accessories, printers, SD cards, editing software, and photo albums. Samsung, Canon, Nikon and Sony will all be on hand to display their new products.

In addition to the exhibition, five corresponding three-day events will provide visitors with hands-on activities and demonstrations for an unparalleled photo and imaging experience. Coinciding with the exhibition are the P&I Photo & Travel Exhibition, a New Media Wave section featuring new technologies and trends, the Smart Accessory Show, Optical Science themed workshops, and the art fair ‘Seoul Photo Show’.

Special zones at this years’ exhibition also include the P&I Photo Book Fair, DSLR Movie Zone, ‘Dream Camera’ Zone, and ‘My Photo’ Zone. Special seminars will discuss a variety of photography-related topics, including photography and smart phones, art and photography, and culture and lifestyle.

Exclusive Coex-organized biz-matching meetings between buyers and exhibitors will optimize trade opportunity at the event, with co-marketing alongside top European photography show PHOTOKINA, ensuring premium global exposure for participants,

To grab your free entry pass sign up here. The exhibition is open from 10am to 6pm (last entry is at 5pm). For more information visit the website or email Rhiannon Shepherd at rmshepherd@coex.co.kr.

Born in Chicago in 1946, Smith began gaining attention in the 1970′s with her poetic, rock-infused compositions. She formed a band in 1975 with whom she had performed with in numerous clubs in New York. She soon signed with Arista Records and had her debut album, ‘Horses’, was soon listed as one of the ‘World’s 100 Albums’.

Her string of live performances left a unique footprint in the music world and inspired hundreds of other artists. TIME magazine listed her as one of the ‘World’s 100 Most Influential People’ in 2011.

In June of 2012, she announced the release of her 11^th album, ‘Banga’, a reflection of her still remaining unique style sung in a storytelling manner. This album features Amy Winehouse in a classical ballad song, “This Is The Girl”, a Irish rock song, “Nine”, given to Patti as a birthday present from a close friend Johnny Depp, and twelve other songs that reflects Patti’s creativity in music.

The gig starts at 7pm. Tickets are KRW 110,000 (standing and seating). To reserve tickets get in touch with Justin at Private Curve (02-563-0595) or reserve through Interpark (ticket.interpark.com, 02-1544-1555).

The JeongNamJin Group Home is a place for children in need of care. The Group Home currently has 11 children from ages 3-18. Some are orphans; some have family but no one able to care for them; others were rescued from abuse and neglect.

Their goal is to give the children as normal a life as possible. This year marks the 3^rd annual Christmas Wishes Program for the children. Thanks to many of you out there, the program has been a huge success. With your help, they can have the same success again this year.

For information on how you can help out, please send an email to John Wurt at wurthjt@yahoo.com. You can also join the Group on Facebook at JeongnamJin Group Home for more details about the organization.

This is a really great initiative, and I was really happy to help out last year. It doesn’t take much to bring a little warmth and happiness into the hearts of these children. Please take a moment to consider.

Located at the foot of Mt. Inwang, Suseong-dong Valley has quite a story behind it. For starters, the valley is the source of the Cheonggycheon, the 5.8 kilometer stream that flows through Seoul.

The valley was also the subject of a painting by Jeong Sun, a renowned landscape artist during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), and one of Korea’s more respected painters.

But then rapid industrialization took over, and the verdant grounds were shielded from view. As part of the initial stage of the urban renewal policy of the Seoul Metropolitan Government to supply Western-style common houses in place of Korean-style homes, Ogin apartment complex in Seochon was completed in 1971.

The apartment blocks were all built in the valley of Mt. Inwang so that the water, bedrock and trees of the valley could almost pose as the veranda and gardens of the complex.

It’s good to see the area returning to its former setting. It makes for a nice weekend out. An added bonus is that you’re 10-15mins away from both Roasters and Club Espresso, two of the city’s finest coffee shops.

Getting there: Take subway Line 3 to Gyeongbokgung Station and get out Exit 3. Grab Village Bus (those green little cartoonish-looking ones) number 9 and take it all the way to the end.

♦ Red Bull makes its mark in Seoul: Air Force N Tower BASE Jump.
♦ Slowing down in Samjinae Village, a very beautiful part of South Jeolla Province.
♦ Absolutely incredible shot without the crutch of HDR.
♦ And this is a freaking stunning shot of Busan’s Haeundae I’Park complex.
♦ And anyone not familiar with Dylan’s work should head over to his blog.
♦ Frenchman Romain John has some stunning work worth checking out.
♦ And just when you thought SJ Kim’s couldn’t get any better, he nails this.