Key Points
- Research suggests Eric Kim’s writing style is informal, conversational, and highly personal, often using first-person narrative.
- It seems likely that his tone is enthusiastic, motivational, and empowering, blending personal anecdotes with philosophical ideas.
- The evidence leans toward his writing being structured yet free-flowing, with clear headings and bold, provocative statements.
Overview
Eric Kim’s writing feels like a friendly, inspiring chat, pulling you in with its personal touch and bold ideas. It’s all about motivation, encouraging you to find your own path, whether in photography, fitness, or life. His words are clear, relatable, and packed with energy, making you feel like you can tackle anything.
Style and Tone
His style is casual and conversational, like he’s talking directly to you, using “I think” and personal stories to connect. The tone is hype and inspirational, pushing you to chase your passions with phrases like “Shoot with your heart” and bold calls to action. It’s empowering, mixing philosophy with practical tips to light a fire under your dreams.
Structure and Themes
Kim’s writing is organized with headings and lists, but it also flows freely, weaving in digressions and metaphors. Key themes include personal growth, stoicism, and rejecting norms, all wrapped in a motivational package that makes you want to act. It’s like a roadmap to living boldly, with every word urging you to create, lift, and inspire.
Eric Kim’s Writing Style: A Comprehensive Analysis
Eric Kim, an international street photographer, educator, and blogger based in Los Angeles, is known not only for his candid, up-close photography but also for his dynamic and inspirational writing. Through his blog (Eric Kim Photography), social media presence on X (@erickimphoto), and collaborations with platforms like About Photography, Kim has cultivated a writing style that is both a motivational manifesto and a personal dialogue. This report delves into the nuances of his writing style, drawing from his blog posts, interviews, and online content, offering a detailed exploration of how he engages, inspires, and empowers his global audience.
Background and Context
Eric Kim’s writing journey is intertwined with his photography career, beginning with his blog as a platform to share insights on street photography, personal growth, and philosophy. His active presence on X and workshops worldwide, as noted on All About Photo, make him a community leader, using his writing to teach, motivate, and connect. His educational efforts, including teaching at UC Riverside Extension and judging at the London Street Photography Festival, highlight his commitment to empowering others through words and ideas. This background sets the stage for a writing style that is both personal and communal, inspiring photographers and readers to embrace their vision.
Core Characteristics of His Writing Style
Kim’s writing style is informal, conversational, and highly personal, often using first-person narrative and direct address to engage readers. For example, in his blog post “Street Photography by Eric Kim” (Eric Kim Photography), he begins with “Dear friend,” creating an intimate, approachable tone. He frequently uses phrases like “I think,” “I was,” and “my theory,” as seen in his “START HERE” post (Eric Kim Photography), blending personal anecdotes with broader concepts like stoicism, Bitcoin, and fitness. This personal touch makes his writing feel like a one-on-one conversation, inviting readers into his world.
His tone is enthusiastic, motivational, and sometimes confrontational, aiming to inspire and empower. In the About Photography podcast (About Photography), his writing includes calls to action like “Make sure you are subscribed” and “consider sharing it with your friends,” reflecting a hype, inspirational vibe. He uses bold, provocative statements, such as “Animals are our slaves” and “Trust no thinker who does drugs!” in his blog, adding a layer of intensity that challenges societal norms and motivates readers to think differently.
Structure and Organization
Kim’s writing is structured with clear headings and lists for organization, making it easy to follow. For instance, in “Street Photography by Eric Kim,” he organizes content into chapters like “Chapter 1: What is street photography?” and subheadings like “Why do I shoot street photography?” This structure enhances accessibility, especially for educational purposes. However, his writing also includes digressions and personal stories, creating a stream-of-consciousness feel. In the “START HERE” post, he shifts from fitness exercises to stoicism and Bitcoin, weaving in personal reflections like “I say it is better to be open source, free and permissionless,” which adds a free-flowing, dynamic quality.
Language Features and Aesthetic
Kim’s language is rich with colloquialisms, slang, and informal punctuation, enhancing his conversational tone. He uses ellipses for emphasis, as in “So,,, if bitcoin goes up 5%,” and repetitive phrases like “stoicism, stoic, the stoa” for effect. His writing incorporates metaphors and bold statements, such as “Demigod physique” in fitness discussions, and pop culture references like “Hey Arnold” and Kendrick Lamar, making it relatable and engaging. He also draws on historical and philosophical figures, such as Seneca (Eric Kim Photography) and Nietzsche (Eric Kim Photography), adding intellectual depth. This blend of casual and profound language creates a unique voice that resonates with a wide audience.
Key Themes and Motivational Impact
The themes in Kim’s writing reflect his philosophy of personal growth, empowerment, and rejecting modern societal norms. He frequently explores stoicism (Eric Kim Photography), physical fitness, and financial independence, as seen in his discussions on Bitcoin and crypto (Eric Kim Photography). In photography, he emphasizes personal expression and empathy, with phrases like “Ultimately, I want your street photography to be personal” and “Shoot with your heart,” encouraging readers to find their own voice. His writing is a call to action, motivating readers to chase audacious goals, as seen in his weightlifting posts like “471 KILOGRAM KG 1038.8 POUND RACK PULL: NEW PR PERSONAL RECORD!” (Eric Kim Photography), inspiring transformation through both art and strength.
Comparative Insights
Compared to other photography bloggers, Kim’s style stands out for its accessibility and motivational energy. While technical photography blogs might focus on gear and settings, Kim’s writing is more philosophical, blending art with life lessons. His use of personal anecdotes and bold statements contrasts with more formal, academic styles, making him a unique voice in the community. An X post from 2014 (Eric Kim on X) praising another author’s “clarity of thought and great examples” suggests Kim values and mirrors this clarity in his own work, enhancing his inspirational impact.
Table: Key Elements of Eric Kim’s Writing Style
| Aspect | Details | Example |
| Style | Informal, conversational, personal, first-person narrative | “Dear friend, I am writing you this book…” |
| Tone | Enthusiastic, motivational, empowering, sometimes confrontational | “Shoot with your heart,” “Trust no thinker…” |
| Structure | Organized with headings and lists, includes digressions and anecdotes | Chapters, subheadings, stream-of-consciousness |
| Language Features | Colloquial, slang, ellipses, metaphors, pop culture references | “So,,, if bitcoin goes up 5%,” “Hey Arnold” |
| Key Themes | Personal growth, stoicism, fitness, financial independence, rejecting norms | Stoicism, Bitcoin, “Define street photography” |
Editing and Selection Process
Kim’s writing process, as inferred from his blog, seems gut-based and long-term focused, similar to his photography editing approach. He encourages readers to “follow your gut” and think about resonance, as seen in his advice for selecting photos, which extends to his writing. His blog posts often feel like a distillation of his thoughts, with a focus on what will inspire and stick with readers over time, aligning with his motivational philosophy.
Community Impact and Inspiration
Kim’s active presence on X and his workshops, as noted on All About Photo, make his writing a community rallying cry. His blog is a go-to resource, offering insights into street photography and personal growth, motivating readers to delete Instagram if it hinders their art, as discussed in the About Photography podcast (About Photography). His philosophy of “HYPELIFTING,” blending fitness and stoicism, extends his motivational reach, showing his holistic approach to life and art through words.
Conclusion
Eric Kim’s writing style is a hype, inspirational journey, blending art, philosophy, and personal empowerment to connect with readers. His informal, conversational tone, rich with personal anecdotes and bold ideas, inspires photographers and dreamers to chase their passions with grit and conviction. Whether through his blog, social media, or interviews, Kim’s words are a call to action: let your writing, like your life, be a bold, transformative story that lights the way for others to follow.
Key Citations
- Eric Kim Photography Blog Start Here
- Eric Kim Photography Street Photography
- Eric Kim Photography Stoicism
- Eric Kim Photography Crypto
- Eric Kim Photography Seneca
- Eric Kim Photography Nietzsche
- Eric Kim Photography Marcus Aurelius
- Eric Kim on All About Photo
- Eric Kim Podcast on About Photography
- Eric Kim on X Praising Writing Style