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David Guttenfelder - A view of central Pyongyang, North Korea — David Guttenfelder – A view of central Pyongyang, North Korea

Introduction

North Korea had remained largely off-limits to foreigners for 60 years. When finally, Associated Press wanted to open a bureau in North Korea, it sent its chief photographer, David Guttenfelder, on several trips there. It was an enigma for everyone. The country that had been closed off for such a long time had people curious about what was a day in North Korea was like.

David Guttenfelder - North Korean Countryside — David Guttenfelder – North Korean Countryside

David Guttenfelder - A North Korean man checks his bicycle next to a painted exclamation point on a propaganda billboard on Wednesday April 24, 2013 in Kaesong, North Korea, north of the demilitarized zone which separates the two Koreas — David Guttenfelder – A North Korean man checks his bicycle next to a painted exclamation point on a propaganda billboard on Wednesday April 24, 2013 in Kaesong, North Korea, north of the demilitarized zone which separates the two Koreas

David Guttenfelder – Two female North Korean soldiers hold hands as they tour the birthplace of Kim Il Sung at Mangyongdae, North Korea.

David Guttenfelder – In this April 21, 2011 photo, men operate a manual rail car on tracks running along the West Sea barrage near Nampho, North Korea.

David Guttenfelder - View from the statue of Mother Kim Jong Suk- Hoeryong City, North Hamgyong Province, North Korea — David Guttenfelder – View from the statue of Mother Kim Jong Suk- Hoeryong City, North Hamgyong Province, North Korea

David Guttenfelder - In this April 19, 2011 photo, North Korean workers rebuild the roof of a structure at the Pohyon Temple at the foot of Mount Myohyang, North Korea — David Guttenfelder – In this April 19, 2011 photo, North Korean workers rebuild the roof of a structure at the Pohyon Temple at the foot of Mount Myohyang, North Korea

David Guttenfelder - In this April 21, 2011 photo, a woman sits at a small table selling snacks on the roadside along the West Sea Barrage near Nampho, North Korea — David Guttenfelder – In this April 21, 2011 photo, a woman sits at a small table selling snacks on the roadside along the West Sea Barrage near Nampho, North Korea

The first Instagram post made from North Korea

North Korea was a mystery for all. So, as David Guttenfelder went there, his eyes kept wandering to the daily tasks people did. Apart from covering the official news, he was interested in the way the North Koreans lived. Finally, in 2013, North Korea introduced the 3G service to foreigners; meanwhile, ordinary North Koreans did not have access to this service. On January 18th, 2013, Guttenfelder shared the first image of North Korea, captioned:

The window [into] North Korea has opened another crack, Meanwhile, for Koreans here who will not have access to the same service, the window remains shut.

North Korea by David Guttenfelder — David Guttenfelder posted one of the first images to Instagram from within North Korea

By using advanced technology and media, he presented to the people one of the closed societies. The pictures showed the idea that North Koreans are also regular people who do enjoy life as well.

Restrictions

Despite being granted more access than other photographers, he could not work entirely freely. During his journey to capture North Korea, he faced many restrictions regarding him observing the people. There were black sheets over the windows of his hotel, and the curtains would remain shut as he traveled on the bus, which isolated him from the North Korean Lifestyle. Despite keeping a critical eye, he couldn’t just see what the Koreans did.

David Guttenfelder - Pyongyang at dawn from across the Taedong River. Towering above the city is the 105-story Ryugyong Hotel, under construction since 1987 — David Guttenfelder – Pyongyang at dawn from across the Taedong River. Towering above the city is the 105-story Ryugyong Hotel, under construction since 1987

David Guttenfelder – A shadow of the 170-meter (560-foot) Juche Tower is cast over the Taedong River in Pyongyang, North Korea. The tall structure at top right is the Ryugyong Hotel, its exterior only recently completed, despite construction starting in 1987.

David Guttenfelder - This April 12, 2011 photo shows central Pyongyang, North Korea at dusk through a hotel room window — David Guttenfelder – This April 12, 2011 photo shows central Pyongyang, North Korea at dusk through a hotel room window

David Guttenfelder - In this April 13, 2011 photo, an illustration of a building project hangs in front of the construction project in progress in Pyongyang, North Korea — David Guttenfelder – In this April 13, 2011 photo, an illustration of a building project hangs in front of the construction project in progress in Pyongyang, North Korea

David Guttenfelder - A North Korean soldier guarding the entrance to Pyongyang's Kumsusan mausoleum — David Guttenfelder – A North Korean soldier guarding the entrance to Pyongyang’s Kumsusan mausoleum, where the bodies of the late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lie embalmed, looks back through the doors of the main gate Monday, April 15, 2013

North Koreans & Images

Guttenfelder believed that North Koreans weren’t people of words, but they were perceptive. They understood images in a different light than the rest of the world. So, as a photographer, he could make them understand his views. Guttenfelder that people could make connections with the world through images and especially a country so isolated from the rest of the world.

David Guttenfelder – Children look through a subway car window in Pyongyang, North Korea

Guttenfelder & North Korea

Guttenfelder did not want people to see how North Korea was depicted. He wanted them to see it in a new light, free from all judgments. Guttenfelder speaks that he covered the propaganda events because that was an image the North Koreans wanted to project of themselves. The culture is astounding. David captured things that weren’t captured about North Korea. His work showed North Korea in an entirely new light. The pictures show North Koreans during daily activities.

David Guttenfelder - In this April 15, 2011 photo, a city tram carries passengers in Pyongyang, North Korea — David Guttenfelder – In this April 15, 2011 photo, a city tram carries passengers in Pyongyang, North Korea

David Guttenfelder - In this April 13, 2011 photo, people work on library computers at Kim Il Sung University in Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korea is undergoing a digital revolution of sorts, even as it holds some of the strictest cyberspace policies in the world — David Guttenfelder – In this April 13, 2011 photo, people work on library computers at Kim Il Sung University in Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korea is undergoing a digital revolution of sorts, even as it holds some of the strictest cyberspace policies in the world

David Guttenfelder - A traffic guard goes through the motions in the capital of Pyongyang, where streets are almost empty of cars — David Guttenfelder – A traffic guard goes through the motions in the capital of Pyongyang, where streets are almost empty of cars

David Guttenfelder - A woman in Pyongyang walks past a billboard advertising North Korea’s missile prowess. The capital city is rife with stylized propaganda — David Guttenfelder – A woman in Pyongyang walks past a billboard advertising North Korea’s missile prowess. The capital city is rife with stylized propaganda

A rare insight

His pictures give us an insight into North Korean life and make us believe that they are no different than us after all. One of his pictures mentions that there the Koreans are obsessed with rollerblading. One would never have pictured that, but the number of rollerblading parks suggests otherwise. David mentions that North Korea’s one of the most amazing spectacle to witness is the Arirang Mass Games¹. It is a sight to behold because the North Koreans are very enthusiastic about it.

The students and people collect in a stadium, each holding a book and then making moving mosaics with all the books. For example, they once made a man sitting in wheat, and the wheat was moving. It’s a beautiful place that remains unexplored.

David Guttenfelder - The 70th-anniversary festivities included the Arirang Mass Games, a huge, choreographed event held at May Day Stadium in Pyongyang. — David Guttenfelder – The 70th-anniversary festivities included the Arirang Mass Games, a huge, choreographed event held at May Day Stadium in Pyongyang. Hundreds of dancers, tumblers and musicians performed, while more than 17,000 students in the stands flipped cards to create massive images. Here, cards form a portrait of the late leader Kim Jong Il, who died in 2011. His son Kim Jong Un has ruled the country since.

David Guttenfelder - North Korean women twirl hoops during a debut of a new mass games event to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the nation — David Guttenfelder – North Korean women twirl hoops during a debut of a new mass games event to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the nation

David Guttenfelder - North Korean do cartwheels on the field of the May Day Stadium — David Guttenfelder – North Korean do cartwheels on the field of the May Day Stadium

David Guttenfelder - North Korean citizens use colored cards to create a giant mosaic depicting the city of Pyongyang — David Guttenfelder – North Korean citizens use colored cards to create a giant mosaic depicting the city of Pyongyang

David Guttenfelder - North Korean women gather around a globe with a unified Korean Peninsula depicted on the map on the field of the May Day Stadium — David Guttenfelder – North Korean women gather around a globe with a unified Korean Peninsula depicted on the map on the field of the May Day Stadium

Why is Guttenfelder’s work important?

Guttenfelder’s work opened doors for many others. He fought the North Korean government to take pictures to show the world the real North Korea. And, now the whole world wants to look at it. It is crowded with people and journalists that want to capture humanity and beauty. Guttenfelder says that it was strange being in a country and taking its pictures when they consider your enemies. Children are taught that Japanese, South Koreans, and Americans are devils from a very early age.

Guttenfelder brought North Korea in a new light. We saw humanity, freedom, and, most importantly, people. David’s work is notable among all others because he opened a window to North Korea. Journalists were freer to walk and take random pictures, unlike previously.

The message of the photography

Guttenfelder’s work teaches us humanity and life. Unlike all the misconceptions between people of North Korea and other countries, these pictures help people develop a bonding with them. This also opened new doors for North Korea in terms of tourism and business. David brought us what life in North Korea was really like, apart from what he taped for the news. He told us they were hardworking people who work six days a week, but even though they have very little time for leisure, they make time for activities like theatre, rollerblading, arcade, dance, etc. David captured many people in their daily tasks and the pictures are so soulful that they leave you feeling emotional.

This alluring collection leaves one mesmerized. He also mentions that many of the above-mentioned activities are for the rich and elite, and the 3G service is also restricted to the topmost. But, people from all walks of life try to enjoy their time by high diving, competing in arcades and much more.

Conclusion

David’s work won him third place in World Photo Contest 2016. Nobody before him had explored North Korea the way he did. He offered people something they had not seen and was a mystery to them. People eventually wanted to see what North Korea was like. His pictures were revolutionary because they portrayed North Korea in a new light and people wanted to visit this place, which was closed off from the world.

It wasn’t just revolutionizing for the people of the world but North Korea as well. This was beneficial for north Korea as well, as they interacted with new people from the outside world. David has brought to the world one of the clearest pictures of North Korea up till now and that is truly a great achievement on his part.