Learn from the masters
All 100 lessons
Here is a summary of the “100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography” by Eric Kim, formatted into a numbered list:
- Fulfill your personal maximum.
- Get closer to your subjects.
- Shoot 25% more than you think you should.
- Shoot from the gut, not the brain.
- The “.7 Meter Challenge” – get comfortable shooting close.
- Let your photos “marinate” before reviewing.
- Don’t shoot from the hip, use your viewfinder.
- Influence the scene, don’t be afraid to interact with subjects.
- Avoid cropping to improve your composition.
- Focus on the edges of your frame.
- Emotionally detach yourself from your photos.
- Create context in your frame.
- Provoke your subjects.
- If you miss the decisive moment, ask your subject to repeat it.
- Don’t be a slave to your camera.
- Cure yourself of “G.A.S.” (Gear Acquisition Syndrome).
- Embrace “beginner’s mind.”
- Shoot how you feel.
- Limitations are freedom.
- Document your life.
- Shoot with a “stream-of-consciousness.”
- Shoot what it feels like, not just what it looks like.
- Embrace failure.
- Don’t overanalyze your photos.
- Focus on the process, not just the result.
- Your best photos might come from your worst days.
- Engage with your subjects.
- Seek inspiration from other forms of art.
- Keep your camera ready at all times.
- Find beauty in the mundane.
- Pay attention to light and shadows.
- Practice patience; wait for the right moment.
- Use your camera as a tool for storytelling.
- Be willing to take risks in your photography.
- Develop your unique style and voice.
- Learn from the masters, but make your own rules.
- Focus on emotions rather than technical perfection.
- Capture the essence of a scene, not just its appearance.
- Trust your instincts.
- Always be curious and explore new places.
- Look for contrasts in your scenes.
- Don’t be afraid to shoot in bad weather.
- Experiment with different perspectives and angles.
- Capture movement and energy in your photos.
- Look for symmetry and patterns.
- Use reflections creatively.
- Capture candid moments rather than posed ones.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Practice shooting in different lighting conditions.
- Observe people and their interactions.
- Develop a routine to get into the flow of shooting.
- Study your photos to understand what works and what doesn’t.
- Embrace imperfections in your photos.
- Experiment with different focal lengths.
- Focus on one project or theme at a time.
- Capture the culture and spirit of a place.
- Use photography as a way to connect with others.
- Look for humor in everyday life.
- Create a strong focal point in your photos.
- Use negative space to enhance your compositions.
- Capture the mood of a scene.
- Use lines and shapes to guide the viewer’s eye.
- Look for juxtapositions in your scenes.
- Be persistent; great shots often require patience.
- Focus on storytelling, not just aesthetics.
- Use layers to add depth to your photos.
- Capture the essence of a person, not just their appearance.
- Use color to convey emotion.
- Pay attention to details.
- Capture the energy of a city or place.
- Use light to create mood and atmosphere.
- Experiment with different shutter speeds.
- Develop your own creative process.
- Use shadows to add drama to your photos.
- Look for gestures and body language.
- Capture the contrast between old and new.
- Use your photos to ask questions, not just provide answers.
- Be open to serendipity.
- Look for repetition and rhythm in your scenes.
- Use photography as a way to understand the world.
- Capture the texture of a place.
- Use photography as a way to express yourself.
- Focus on capturing feelings rather than just scenes.
- Be patient and wait for the right moment.
- Use your photos to tell a story.
- Capture the beauty of the ordinary.
- Focus on capturing authentic moments.
- Use photography as a way to connect with people.
- Capture the spirit of a place or event.
- Be willing to experiment and try new things.
- Use light and shadow to create contrast.
- Capture the mood of a moment.
- Use your photos to provoke thought and emotion.
- Focus on capturing the essence of a scene.
- Use your camera as a tool for exploration.
- Capture the beauty of imperfection.
- Use photography as a way to learn about yourself.
- Capture the energy and vibrancy of a place.
- Use photography as a way to connect with the world.
- Keep shooting, keep learning, and never stop exploring.
This summarized list captures the essence of the lessons shared in the document. If you need more details or a specific explanation for any of the lessons, feel free to ask!
Summarize to Numbered List
Here is a summarized version of the “100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography” by Eric Kim:
- Fulfill your personal maximum.
- Get closer to your subjects.
- Shoot 25% more than you think you should.
- Shoot from the gut, not the brain.
- The “.7 Meter Challenge” – get comfortable shooting close.
- Let your photos “marinate” before reviewing.
- Don’t shoot from the hip, use your viewfinder.
- Influence the scene, don’t be afraid to interact with subjects.
- Avoid cropping to improve your composition.
- Focus on the edges of your frame.
For more details, you can view the full list here.