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Why Photograph People?
If you desire to make immortal photos, photograph people.
Download PDF: Why photograph people
Why I love to photograph people
Dear friend,
A simple thought I had today:
Why photograph anything besides people?
Which means:
Photos of people are always the most interesting.
What types of paintings last?
When I look at all this old-school Renaissance painting– the only ones that really last are the paintings of people.
For example, Mona Lisa. Sistine Chapel (full of people/angels).
The photographs that generally last are the ones of people as well. For example, the photos of Henri Cartier-Bresson which involve people. The portrait-photographs of Richard Avedon. The people in Diane Arbus‘ photos.
Everyone still likes to look at landscape photographs and paintings (they give us a sense of ease and relaxment), but I think the photos, paintings, and pictures people are truly interested and impressed of are of people– our fellow human beings.
There is nothing more fascinating than (another) human being
Why are human beings so interesting to other human beings?
To me it is simple:
We depended on other humans to survive and thrive.
Humans weren’t designed to appreciate or make art. Humans evolved certain faculties (sight, smell, movement) which have been “hijacked” in order for us to create and appreciate art.
The interesting thing about pictures, paintings, and photographs of people:
At least in the next 3,000 years– humans will still look (relatively) the same.
Humans will always admire and prize other human beings much more than anything else in the world.
No human would desire to be alive if they were the last person on planet Earth. All humans desire other humans.
No matter how many iPhones, Lamborghinis, Gucci Wallets, or gold-money you give another man– they would not care, if they had no other humans to appreciate these things with (or show off to).
Make humans your focus
Thus as a simple idea:
If you want to make photographs that will stand the test of time, focus on photographing humans.
Shoot street photos of people, photograph portraits, photograph fashion, photograph documentary projects, photograph other humans in any way.
Of course you can photograph other stuff. But if your desire is to make immortal and legendary photos,
Photograph people.
BE STRONG.
ERIC
Street Photography 101
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- Street Photography 101 Tutorial
- 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography
- How to Shoot Street Photography
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Street Photography Articles
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JUST SHOOT IT. HENRI NECK STRAP by ERIC KIM
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STREET NOTES.
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LEARN FROM THE MASTERS OF STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
Timeless wisdom from the masters of street photography.
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- CLEAN BACKGROUND
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Beginner Street Photography Articles
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Intermediate Street Photography Articles
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Advanced Street Photography Articles
Find deeper meaning in your street photography:
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Street Photography Tips & Technique
Learn how to shoot on the streets:
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Street Photography Guides
In-depth guides on street photography:
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The best equipment for street photography:
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Learn From the Masters of Street Photography
“He without a past has no future.”
Start here:
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The Masters of Photography
Classics never die:
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- Alec Soth
- Alex Webb
- Alexey Brodovitch
- Anders Petersen
- Andre Kertesz
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- Araki
- Blake Andrews
- Bruce Davidson
- Bruce Gilden
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- Fan Ho
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- Magnum Contact Sheets
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- Sebastião Salgado
- Shomei Tomatsu
- Stephen Shore
- The History of Street Photography
- Todd Hido
- Tony Ray-Jones
- Trent Parke
- Vivian Maier
- Walker Evans
- Weegee
- William Eggleston
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Free Downloads
Free Street Photography Books
Distilled information on street photography:
- STREET PHOTOGRAPHY MANUAL by ERIC KIM
- The Art of Street Photography
- 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography
- Street Photography Contact Sheets
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For more resources on photography, Start Here >