ERIC KIM

Never Deny Your Will to Photograph

Selfie in Kyoto with Nexus 6P and HDR+. Processed with VSCO with a6 preset
Selfie in Kyoto with Necus 6P and HDR+. Processed with VSCO with a6 preset

Dear friend,

Never deny your will to photograph.

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For example, you see a person, scene, or something that you want to photograph. Always listen to that gut feeling.

Sometimes this is what happens to us：

Oh, I think that is interesting… but I’ve already shot something similar to it before.

Or

I shouldn’t shoot that, if I upload it online everyone will think it’s boring, and not like it.

Shut up, brain.

Fluorescent light. Kyoto, 2017. Processed with VSCO with a6 preset
Fluorescent light. Kyoto, 2017. Processed with VSCO with a6 preset

Fuck that inner voice and self critic.

My suggestion：

Whenever you see something you want to photograph, JUST SHOOT IT.

You are the source of photographic innovation.

Slice of red light at sunset. Kyoto, 2017, from the balcony of our AirBnB. Nexus 6P. Processed with VSCO with a6 preset
Slice of red light at sunset. Kyoto, 2017, from the balcony of our AirBnB. Nexus 6P. Processed with VSCO with a6 preset

The problem with modern times is that we five too much power to our “rational” or “logical” minds. We no longer trust our gut, instincts, and intuition.

Steve Jobs made some of the biggest Apple innovations by following his gut and intuition. Zen philosophy tells us to embrace spontaneity, and follow our gut.

All great insights and innovations DO NOT come from a “committee” of people, sitting down, drawing pie charts, on innovation. No. Real innovation is following your gut, taking a risk, and putting yourself and creation out there.

You are a photographic genius.

Jennifer grey hair. Nexus 6P. Processed with VSCO with a6 preset
Jennifer hair. Nexus 6P. Processed with VSCO with a6 preset

So in photography, life, and art— always follow your gut and intuition.

There are limits to our human knowledge, rational mind, and logic.

Magenta and pastel pink sunset in Kyoto. Nexus 6P with HDR+. Processed with VSCO with preset
Magenta and pastel pink sunset in Kyoto. Nexus 6P with HDR+. Processed with VSCO with preset

Art, I think, comes from some mysterious inner-workings of our soul, that we will never truly know. Just like the human mind— the brain is NOT the source of all our intelligence and ego.

Night scene with Nexus 6P and HDR+. Processed with VSCO with f2 preset
Night scene with Nexus 6P and HDR+. Processed with VSCO with f2 preset

My theory: the “soul” or “mind” of an individual is HIGHLY EMBEDDED in our body. I’m most intelligent when I’m walking, so there must be some intelligence in my feet, legs, and the spirit of locomotion and movement.

  1. Therefore, to be a better and more creative and inspired photographer, WALK MORE. The more you walk, the more interesting things you will see. And the more you walk, the more creative you are.
  2. Don’t think too much before deciding whether to shoot something or not. JUST SHOOT IT, and then when you go home, decide whether to keep it or not.
  3. Have fun. Make photos everyday, and build up your visual muscles. You don’t want your eyes, visual perception, and creative spirit to become flabby and weak.
Kyoto building. Processed with VSCO with a6 preset
Kyoto building. Processed with VSCO with a6 preset

BE CREATIVE EVERYDAY,
ERIC

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