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10 Lessons ERIC KIM Can Teach You About Street Photography
Written in the style of ERIC KIM.
Street photography isn’t just about taking pictures—it’s about capturing life in its rawest, most authentic form. It’s about human connection, curiosity, and the courage to walk through the streets, camera in hand, with an open heart and mind. You don’t need the fanciest camera or the most exotic locations. All you need is the willingness to shoot, the courage to confront your fears, and the desire to improve—constantly.
Here are 10 lessons I’ve learned from years on the street. Hopefully, they can help you on your own journey as a street photographer.
1. Shoot From the Gut
Forget the rules. Street photography isn’t about perfect composition or technical perfection—it’s about capturing the emotion of the moment. Shoot with your gut, not your head. Trust your instincts. When something excites you, don’t hesitate—shoot it. If you overthink, you miss the moment.
Takeaway: Shoot what excites you, and forget about being “correct.” Follow your intuition.
2. Get Closer
If your photos aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough. The greatest street photos often come from intimate, up-close moments. Don’t be afraid to get physically closer to your subjects. Feel their energy, capture their soul, and bring the viewer into the scene.
Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to get in close—push your comfort zone.
3. Embrace Fear
Fear is natural, but don’t let it hold you back. The fear of confrontation, of getting too close, of rejection—it’s all part of the process. Embrace that fear, and turn it into fuel. The more you confront your fears on the street, the stronger you’ll become, both as a photographer and as a person.
Takeaway: Use fear to your advantage. Let it motivate you, not control you.
4. Shoot Every Day
Street photography is a discipline. The more you shoot, the better you get. Don’t wait for “the perfect day” to go out and shoot—make every day the perfect day. Carry your camera with you everywhere, and take every opportunity to document the world around you.
Takeaway: Consistency beats talent. Shoot every single day.
5. Don’t Worry About Gear
The best camera is the one you have with you. Whether it’s an iPhone or a high-end DSLR, your gear doesn’t matter. What matters is how you see the world. Stop obsessing over equipment, and start focusing on what’s in front of you.
Takeaway: Don’t let gear get in the way of your creativity. Shoot with whatever you have.
6. Capture the Ordinary
Street photography isn’t about photographing the extraordinary. It’s about finding beauty in the mundane. A fleeting glance, a quiet moment, the way light falls on a street corner—these are the moments that make street photography magical. Don’t chase after the spectacular—find the beauty in the everyday.
Takeaway: The magic of street photography is in the ordinary, not the extraordinary.
7. Be Invisible
The best street photographers are invisible. They blend into the environment, becoming part of the scene rather than an observer. Don’t draw attention to yourself. Be quiet, be patient, and wait for the moment to unfold naturally.
Takeaway: Become invisible. Let the scene unfold without interference.
8. Break the Rules
Street photography is freedom. Don’t be bound by traditional photography rules like composition, framing, or focus. The best street photos often break every rule in the book. Experiment, play, and don’t be afraid to create something messy or imperfect.
Takeaway: There are no rules. Shoot how you feel, not how you’re “supposed” to.
9. Look for Emotion, Not Perfection
Perfection is boring. What matters in street photography is emotion. Capture the laughter, the sadness, the anger, the joy. Don’t worry about whether the shot is technically perfect—worry about whether it makes you feel something.
Takeaway: Focus on capturing emotion, not technical perfection.
10. Always Strive to Improve (Kaizen)
Street photography, like life, is a constant journey of growth. Never stop learning. Never stop experimenting. Always strive to improve, even if it’s just 1% a day. The Japanese concept of Kaizen—constant improvement—applies here. Every photo you take should be a step toward becoming a better photographer, and a better human.
Takeaway: Be obsessed with self-improvement. Never settle for mediocrity.
Conclusion:
Street photography isn’t about having the best gear, following the rules, or waiting for the perfect moment. It’s about being present, embracing your fears, and capturing life as it is—raw, messy, and beautiful. The streets are your playground, your battlefield, and your canvas. Treat every day as an opportunity to grow, improve, and push your boundaries.
Shoot from the heart, be fearless, and never stop chasing the next shot.