A photography book of the artist Park Joon, specializing in landscape photography. Titled America the Beautiful – An Outsider's Perspective: Limited Edition, the book showcases the breathtaking landscapes of America through an outsider's lens.
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL An Outsider’s Perspective
PARK JOON
PARK JOON
1 9 9 9 – 2 0 2 4
Completed studies at the School of Photographic Arts Center in New York, and went on to present 30 solo exhibitions internationally.
An Outsider’s Perspective
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
PARK JOON
1999
BLACK & WHITE FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY
2024
PHOTOGRAPHER
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL An Outsider’s Perspective
PARK JOON
When I was a child, America was a dream—a land of freedom, abundance, beauty, and untouchable nature.
나의 어린 시절, 미국은 자유와 풍요를 상징했고, 범접할 수 없이 아름다운 자연을 가까이할 수 있다는 로 망의 나라였습니다.
As a struggling immigrant, survival and adaptation drove me to embark on 38 cross-country trips, each spanning 8,000 to 10,000 miles from coast to coast. These were hard, lonely journeys. I camped in a tent or slept in my car, often unsure how I’d afford the next stop. This project, *America the Beautiful: An Outsider’s Perspective*, grew from my belief that landscape photography is one of the most honest forms of art. In a time when photos often blur the line between truth and fiction, the beauty of nature remains genuine and unchanging. That dream shifted dramatically when I arrived in New York in my twenties. It was a gray winter night, snow falling heavily from the sky. Back then, I didn’t fully understand what immigration would mean, but its harsh reality soon became clear. Adjusting to this new life was far from easy. I struggled deeply, even to the point of being hospitalized twice for my mental health. Yet, even in those dark times, nature became my refuge. It inspired me to become a photographer, capturing its beauty and strength. Through the lens, I found solace, battling the isolation and loneliness of not yet mastering the language. I came to realize that in this world, the freedom to experience nature is one of life’s most equal and universal gifts. But along the way, I documented America’s landscapes through the eyes and heart of a first-generation Korean American. This project is for future generations of Korean Americans—our children and grandchildren. My hope is that they will live boldly, embrace their experiences fully, and explore freely. I hope they will see themselves not as outsiders or minorities, but as proud and confident individuals, fully belonging to this land of opportunity.
25살이라는 젊은 나이에 이민을 결심 했고, 폭설이 내린 추운 겨울날, 뉴욕의 잿빛 밤하늘 아래에서 나의 이민 생활이 시작되었습니다. 그리고 ‘이민’이라는 처절한 삶의 의미를 깨닫게 되기까지는 그리 많은 시간 이 필요하지 않았습니다. 언어 소통의 부재와 다른 문화로 인한 고립감, 그리고 외로움으로 인해 정신병원을 들락거렸지만 생을 포 기할 수는 없었고, 세상에 존재하는 시스템 중 가장 공평한 것이 자연을 즐기는 자유라는 사실을 깨닫게 된 즈음, 이민으로 인한 결핍을 이겨내도록 도와준 자연을 기록하는 사진가로 재탄생하게 되었습니다. 사진이 만들어지는 과정은 가끔씩 진실하지 못한 장르가 분명 존재하기도 합니다. 그러나 그 혼돈 속에서 도 자연이 담긴 사진은 진실되다는 믿음과 확신을 가지고 AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL: AN OUTSIDER’S PERSPECTIVE 이라는 프로젝트를 시작했습니다. 생존과 적응이 필수였던 가난한 이민 생활 속에서, 미국의 동서를 38차례 왕복하며 8,000~10,000마일을 자가운전으로 횡단했습니다. 아무도 없는 한적한 시간에 가장 아름다운 자연을 담기 위해 텐트나 차박으로 숙식을 해결하며 기록한 사진 작업은 힘들고 외로우며 경제적으로도 어려운 일의 연장선이었습니다. 하지만 바쁘고 빈곤했던 KOREAN AMERICAN 1세대 사진가의 마음을 위로했던 미국의 자연을 기록하며, 우리의 미래 세대인 KOREAN AMERICAN 2~3세대는 더 이상 소수 (MINORITY) 가 아닌, 미국의 자연과 더불어 주류 (MAINSTREAM) 로서 당당히 살아가기를 소망합니다.
2
1
4
MONUMENT VALLEY ARIZONA
5
The closer we are to nature, the farther illness stays away. The farther we are from nature, the closer illness draws near.
자연과 가까울수록 병은 멀어지고, 자연과 멀어질수록 병은 가까워집니다.
PARK JOON
9
10
11
GRAND JUNCTION COLORADO
13
If I hadn’t been poor, would I have ever thought to open my heart and see the world’s beauty and value?
만약에 내가 가난하지 않았다면 아름답고 소중한 세상을, 마음을 열어놓고 바라볼 생각을 했을까?
PARK JOON
16
DEATH VALLEY CALIFORNIA
17
18
MOUNT RAINIER WASHINGTON
The Second Highest Peak in the Contiguous United States. 14,411 feet
19
22
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK MONTANA
23
24
Sometimes we become so accustomed to comfort that we fear challenge and adventure.
때로 우리는 편안한 것에 익숙해져서 도전과 모험을 두려워한다.
PARK JOON
26
MOUNT SHASTA CALIFORNIA
14,179 feet The Third Highest Peak in the Contiguous United States.
27
GRAND CANYON ARIZONA
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK MONTANA
29
30
SHIP ROCK NEW MEXICO
32
33
34
If there’s always a place to return to, what place would I ever fear?
언제든 돌아갈 곳이 있으니 어느 곳인들 두렵겠나?
PARK JOON
35
BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK SOUTH DAKOTA
38
WASHINGTON
MOUNT SHUKSAN
DEATH VALLEY CALIFORNIA
39
40
In the presence of nature, I learn humility.
자연 앞에서 겸손을 배운다.
PARK JOON
42
SOMEWHERE IN ARIZONA
45
46
47
예술활동의 본질은 무엇이라고 생각하나요?
저에게 예술활동의 본질은 타인과의 소통입니다. 낯선 나라에서 이민자로 살아가며, 고립감과 언어 소통의 부재를 스스로 극복 하기 위한 도구로 사진이라는 매체를 이용했습니다.
예술활동의 본질에 다가가기 위해 어떤 작업을 하시나요?
끊임없이 사고하고 행동합니다. 생존과 작업, 어느 것도 포기하지 않 습니다. 그래서 저는 대가가 될 수 없겠지만, 다만 존재할 뿐입니다.
작가님이 생각하는 미래, 어떤 세상이 도래하길 원하나요?
작가들이 배고프지 않은 세상이 오기를 소망합니다.
삶에 어떤 가치 또는 철학을 가지고 있나요?
저는 삶을 죽음으로 가기 위한 통로라고 생각합니다.
작가님을 바라보는 대중들에게 어떤 메시지를 전달하고 싶으신가요?
제 삶과 관계없이, 제가 절실하게 최선을 다해 만든 결과물을 즐겨주시기를 진심으로 소망합니다.
50
MOUNT WHITNEY CALIFORNIA 14,505 feet The Highest Peak in the Contiguous United States.
52
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK UTAH
53
54
BRYCE CANYON UTAH
57
58
ZION CANYON UTAH
60
MOUNT MCKINLEY (DENALI) ALASKA
20,310 feet The Highest Peak in the North America.
61
What do you think is the essence of artistic activity?
To me, the essence of artistic activity is communication with others. As an immigrant in a foreign country, I used photography as a tool to overcome the isolation and lack of linguistic connection on my own.
What do you do to approach the essence of artistic activity?
I constantly think and take action. I refuse to give up either survival or my work. Because of this, I may never become a master, but I exist, and that is enough.
What kind of future do you hope for?
I hope for a world where artists no longer have to endure hunger.
What values or philosophy guide your life?
I believe life is a passage that leads to death.
What message would you like to share with the audience observing your work?
Regardless of my own circumstances, I sincerely hope people can enjoy the results of my earnest and wholehearted efforts.
63
GLENN HIGHWAY ALASKA
66
After a 5,000 -mile journey, we finally arrived at Alaska’s Denali Highway. It was challenging and exhausting, but the vast wilderness of Alaska rewarded all our efforts. The thought of returning to our home in New York is dreadful enough to make me shudder, but still, I gather my strength once again.
5,000마일의 대장정 끝에 알래스카의 데날리 하이웨이에 도착했습니다.
힘들었고 고단했지만, 알래스카의 대자연은 우 리들의 모든 수고를 보상해 주었습니다. 뉴욕 집으로 돌아갈 생각에 다시 몸서리칠 만큼 끔찍하지만 그래도 다시 한번 힘을 내봅니다.
PARK JOON
67
THOMPSON PASS ALASKA
70
69
72
GUADALUPE NATIONAL PARK TEXAS
74
73
미국의 자연은 우리의 후손 (Korean American) 들이 살아가고 보존해야 할 그들의 소중한 자산입니다. America’s natural landscape is a precious asset that our descendants, the Korean Americans, must cherish and preserve for the future.
PARK JOON
76
저와 아내는 저희가 살고 있고 앞으로도 살아가야 할 제2의 고향, 미국의 가장 높은 산 들을 경험하고 기록해왔습니다. (Mount McKinley 6194m, Mount Whitney 4421m, Mount Rainier 4392m, Mount Shasta 4322m 등 ) 저는 산악인이 아니라 Summit에 오른 적은 없지 만, 멀리서 산을 바라보거나 둘레를 트레킹하며 삶의 희망과 앞으로 나아갈 힘을 얻습 니다. 그리고 자연이 베풀어주는 무한한 사랑을 가득 안고 돌아옵니다. My wife and I have experienced and documented the highest mountains in America, our second home where we live and will continue to live. (Mount McKinley 20,310 ft, Mount Whitney 14,505 ft, Mount Rainier 14,411 ft, Mount Shasta 14,179 ft, etc.) I am not a mountaineer, so I have never reached the summit, but by observing the mountains from afar or trekking around them, I find hope in life and the energy to move forward. I return with an abundance of the infinite love that nature so generously offers.
PARK JOON
ALASKA RANGE ALASKA
78
77
BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK SOUTH DAKOTA
81
82
84
ANZA-BORREGO DESERT CALIFORNIA
DEATH VALLEY CALIFORNIA
85
86
BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE FLORIDA
90
SELF—PORTRAIT
DEATH VALLEY CALIFORNIA
94
93
98
DEATH VALLEY CALIFORNIA
100
99
The desert night is breathtakingly beautiful.
사막의 밤은 미치도록 아름답다.
PARK JOON
101
NEW MEXICO SHIP ROCK
“That star is my star, That star is your star.”
“저 별은 나의 별, 저 별은 너의 별.”
ALABAMA HILLS CALIFORNIA
“두개의 작은 별”-윤형주님
103
104
CALIFORNIA HALF DOME YOSEMITE
DEVILS TOWER WYOMING
105
106
The boundary between life and death holds no meaning...
삶과 죽음의 경계가 의미 없음이 ...
PARK JOON
108
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY NORTH CAROLINA
111
112
나쁜 땅이라는 이름이 붙여진 Badlands National Park 는 이름만큼 나쁜 땅이 아닌 아름다움 으로 가득한 ‘ Beautifullands’ 입니다! Badlands National Park, despite its name, ‘Badlands,’ is far from being bad land. In fact, it’s a stunning place, more deserving of the name ‘Beautifullands’!
PARK JOON
113
BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK SOUTH DAKOTA
116
A life that is not rich in material things, but having a moment of peace while looking at the stars and the moon—doesn’t that count as a successful life?
물질이 풍부하지 못한 삶이지만 잠시라도 별과 달을 보며 평온해 하는 마음이 있으니 성공한 인생 아닌가?
PARK JOON
117
118
ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK CALIFORNIA
120
DEATH VALLEY CALIFORNIA
123
124
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL An Outsider’s Perspective
126
This single piece is the result of three attempts over the course of three years.
3년 동안 3번의 도전 끝에 저에게 남겨진 단 1장의 결과물입니다.
PARK JOON
127
NEW YORK
LONG ISLAND
SOMEWHERE IN CALIFORNIA
129
130
PALOUSE FALLS WASHINGTON
132
현대 사회에서 생존의 필수 요건은 경쟁이다. 자연에서는 타인과의 경쟁이 전혀 필요하지 않다! 자연에서 생존의 필수 요건은 자신과의 싸움이다. In today’s society, competition is essential for survival. In nature, there is no need for competition with others! The key to survival in nature is a battle with oneself.
PARK JOON
134
CANYONLANDS UTAH
135
136
138
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK WASHINGTON
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS TENNESSEE
142
141
CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK UTAH
144
The joyful act of contemplating nature is the greatest gift I have been given.
자연을 관조하는 행복한 행위는 나에게 주어진 가장 큰 선물이다.
PARK JOON
145
148
ALASKA VIEW FROM DENALI HIGHWAY
MONUMENT VALLEY ARIZONA
150
149
151
153
154
155
ANGEL OAK TREE SOUTH CAROLINA
157
158
TUNNEL VIEW IN YOSEMITE CALIFORNIA
159
VIEW FROM DENALI HIGHWAY ALASKA
161
162
HUMAN-TOUCHED
163
164
SOUTH DAKOTA
MOUNT RUSHMORE
CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL
SOUTH DAKOTA
165
166
SOMEWHERE IN NEBRAKSA
167
169
170
171
SOMEWHERE IN
MONTANA
173
174
SOMEWHERE IN MONTANA
175
176
177
178
180
COLFAX WASHINGTON
181
182
NEBRASKA
183
184
185
CAPE COD MASSACHUSETTS
187
188
TAOS NEW MEXICO
189
192
193
194
An unending journey of loneliness... The quiet seduction of nature... The bliss of a cozy bed... Returning home after endless wandering... The faces I yearn to see...
끝없는 고독의 여정 ... 은밀한 자연의 유혹 ... 편안한 침대의 달콤함 ... 오랜 방황 끝에 돌아온 집 ... 보고 싶은 사람들 ...
PARK JOON
195
PANORAMA
197
198
VIEW FROM ALABAMA HILLS: MOUNT WHITNEY LONE PINE CALIFORNIA
200
GRAND TETON WYOMING
202
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK TENNESSEE
204
VIEW FROM MOUNT RAINIER WASHINGTON
206
VIEW FROM MOUNT RAINIER WASHINGTON
208
SOMWHERE IN COLORADO COLORADO
210
TRONA PINNACLES CALIFORNIA
212
TRONA PINNACLES CALIFORNIA
214
GRAND TETON WYOMING
216
MONUMENT VALLEY ARIZONA
218
CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK UTAH
220
ALSTROM POINT UTAH
222
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK TEXAS
224
GLACIER POINT IN YOSEMITE CALIFORNIA
226
BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK SOUTH DAKOTA
228
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Paulina W Young
Hwang, Yonnee
Michelle Kim
Lee, Seung Woo
Kang, Hong Suk
Priest Hilary Won
HyeKyung Jehosheba Won
Kang, Jong Sook
Iris Moon
Charlie Hwang
Yang, Song Yi
Company Connect AI
YONNEE
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL An Outsider’s Perspective
PARK JOON
Copyright © 2025 PARK JOON for all images and text
Copyright © 2025 PAULINA W YOUNG for this edition
Photographed by PARK JOON Book Edited by PAULINA W YOUNG Book Designed by PAULINA W YOUNG · PARK JOON
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any forms or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any other storage and retrieval system without prior permission from PAULINA W YOUNG and PARK JOON.
https://www.parkjoonart.com
INDEX
006
108
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
ALABAMA HILLS, CALIFORNIA
007
109
MONUMENT VALLEY, ARIZONA
BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA
008
1 1 1
DEAD HORSE POINT STATE PARK, UTAH
SOMEWHERE IN, OREGON
014
1 15
HORSESHOE BEND, ARIZONA
BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA
016
1 1 7
DEVILS TOWER, WYOMING
BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA
018
118
DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
MOUNT RAINIER, WASHINGTON
024
121
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA
ANZA BORREGO STATE PARK, CALIFORNIA
026
124
MOUNT SHUKSAN, WASHINGTON
DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
033
126
DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
034
127
DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
GRAND FALLS, ARIZONA
035
134
SHIP ROCK, NEW MEXICO
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
042
136
GOBLIN VALLEY STATE PARK, UTAH
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
043
139
MOUNT WASHINGTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING
045
145
DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
049
153
GRAND TETON, WYOMING
SECOND BEACH, WASHINGTON
053
154
SOMEWHERE IN, ARIZONA
SOMEWHERE IN, CALIFORNIA
055
157
BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA
ANGEL OAK TREE, SOUTH CAROLINA
058
160
BRYCE CANYON, UTAH
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
064
161
DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
VIEW FROM DENALI HIGHWAY, ALASKA
067
163
VIEW FROM DENALI HIGHWAY, ALASKA
SOMEWHERE IN, TEXAS
069
169
SOMEWHERE IN, ALASKA
SOMEWHERE IN, ARIZONA
072
170
DENALI NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA
SOMEWHERE IN, CALIFORNIA
074
174
CAPITL REEF NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
SOMEWHERE IN, CALIFORNIA
076
1 7 7
DENALI NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA
COLFAX, WASHINGTON
079
178
DENALI NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA
COLFAX, WASHINGTON
082
182
BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA
SOMEWHERE IN, VIRGINIA
084
183
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING
SOMEWHERE IN, KANSAS
087
188
BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE, FLORIDA
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK
091
190
BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE, FLORIDA
TAOS, NEW MEXICO
093
193
DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
LOWER ANTELOPE CANYON, ARIZONA
095
194
DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
LOWER ANTELOPE CANYON, ARIZONA
100
195
DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
SOMEWHERE IN, CALIFORNIA
101
197
DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
GRAND TETON, WYOMING
LIMITED EDITION
/500
NEW YORK
Page 1 Page 2-3 Page 4-5 Page 6-7 Page 8-9 Page 10-11 Page 12-13 Page 14-15 Page 16-17 Page 18-19 Page 20-21 Page 22-23 Page 24-25 Page 26-27 Page 28-29 Page 30-31 Page 32-33 Page 34-35 Page 36-37 Page 38-39 Page 40-41 Page 42-43 Page 44-45 Page 46-47 Page 48-49 Page 50-51 Page 52-53 Page 54-55 Page 56-57 Page 58-59 Page 60-61 Page 62-63 Page 64-65 Page 66-67 Page 68-69 Page 70-71 Page 72-73 Page 74-75 Page 76-77 Page 78-79 Page 80-81 Page 82-83 Page 84-85 Page 86-87 Page 88-89 Page 90-91 Page 92-93 Page 94-95 Page 96-97 Page 98-99 Page 100-101 Page 102-103 Page 104-105 Page 106-107 Page 108-109 Page 110-111 Page 112-113 Page 114-115 Page 116-117 Page 118-119 Page 120-121 Page 122-123 Page 124-125 Page 126-127 Page 128-129 Page 130-131 Page 132-133 Page 134-135 Page 136-137 Page 138-139 Page 140-141 Page 142-143 Page 144-145 Page 146-147 Page 148-149 Page 150-151 Page 152-153 Page 154-155 Page 156-157 Page 158-159 Page 160-161 Page 162-163 Page 164-165 Page 166-167 Page 168-169 Page 170-171 Page 172-173 Page 174-175 Page 176-177 Page 178-179 Page 180-181 Page 182-183 Page 184-185 Page 186-187 Page 188-189 Page 190-191 Page 192-193 Page 194-195 Page 196-197 Page 198-199 Page 200-201 Page 202-203 Page 204-205 Page 206-207 Page 208-209 Page 210-211 Page 212-213 Page 214-215 Page 216-217 Page 218-219 Page 220-221 Page 222-223 Page 224-225 Page 226-227 Page 228-229 Page 230-231 Page 232-233 Page 234-235 Page 236-237 Page 238-239 Page 240-241 Page 242-243 Page 244-245 Page 246Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator