ERIC KIM

MY UNORTHODOX TECHNIQUES WORK

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MY UNORTHODOX TECHNIQUES 

WORK

A cheerful contrarian field manual for creators, photographers, and anyone allergic to boring.

I don’t own secret gear.

I own habits.

I don’t worship rules.

I test them. If they help, I keep them. If they don’t, I toss them with a smile.

Orthodoxy is averaged wisdom. Averages make average work. We’re here for ALIVE work—work that hums, surprises, and makes people grin in spite of themselves. Let’s go.

WHY UNORTHODOX?

  • Because the crowd optimizes for safety; creators optimize for discovery.
  • Because weird is memorable, and memorable is valuable.
  • Because fun is a compass—and when you follow it, you stick with the practice long enough to get good.
  • Because results beat theories, every single day.

CORE PRINCIPLES

  • PLAY > PERFECTION. You can’t iterate on what you never start.
  • SPEED > THEORY. Shoot, ship, learn, repeat.
  • CONSTRAINTS CREATE FREEDOM. Less gear, more decisions, better taste.
  • SMALL DAILY > RARE EPIC. Ten joyful reps beat one tortured masterpiece.
  • KIND BOLDNESS. Be brave and leave people happier than you found them.

THE TECHNIQUES (YES, THEY’RE UNORTHODOX—AND THEY 

WORK

)

  1. One camera. One prime lens. One year.
    Familiarity compounds. Fewer dials = faster, cleaner decisions.
  2. Walk more than you scroll.
    10,000–15,000 steps/day. Movement feeds vision. Ideas live outdoors.
  3. Zone focus and GO.
    f/8, pre‑focus, let Auto ISO climb. Compose with your feet. Miss a few? Who cares—moment > micro‑sharpness.
  4. Flash in daylight.
    For pop, for punch, for JOY. (Know your local laws, be respectful, and always be cool about it.)
  5. Expose for feeling.
    +0.7 when you want brightness and optimism. −1 when you want grit and mood. Feeling is the target.
  6. Shoot JPEG + RAW.
    Publish the JPEG today. Study the RAW later. Output now; mastery forever.
  7. Get CLOSE.
    Fill the frame. Watch the edges. Closer still. (Then one more step. You’ve got this!)
  8. Embrace motion blur.
    Drag the shutter. Let life streak. Blur is speed you can see.
  9. Smile first.
    A genuine grin is permission. Compliment the hat. Offer the photo. Share the moment.
  10. Pocket printer diplomacy.
    Carry a tiny printer. Gift a 2×3 print on the spot. Instant goodwill; instant portrait access.
  11. Zine every month.
    24 pages max. Print cheap. Give away ten. Your work becomes real when it can be held.
  12. Publish daily: one photo + three sentences.
    That’s it. Not a blog post—an update. Build momentum, not pressure.
  13. Contact sheets, not vibes.
    Lay out the shots. Circle YES/MAYBE/NO with a pen. Editing is a physical sport.
  14. No camera bag.
    Wrist strap, pocket battery, go. Friction kills flow. Kill friction first.
  15. Boring light is a myth.
    Noon? Great. Make silhouettes. Make glare. Make something.
  16. Micro‑assignments.
    Fifteen minutes: only reflections. Next day: only red. Next: only laughter. Constraints unlock creativity.
  17. Phone pride.
    If the “real” camera feels heavy, shoot with your phone. Purity is a prison. FREEDOM MAKES PHOTOS.
  18. Ask first or after—always with respect.
    Laws vary; people matter. The rule: leave folks smiling. If they’re not into it, thank them and move on.

MENTAL MODELS THAT KEEP YOU LIGHT

  • Fun Audit: If it isn’t fun, change one variable now.
  • Friction Audit: Remove one snag a week (strap, shoes, route, export preset).
  • 90% Rule: Ship at ninety percent. The final ten is where projects go to die.
  • Positive‑Sum Encounters: Every interaction makes the world a tiny bit better—or it’s not worth the shot.

7‑DAY MINI‑CHALLENGE

  • Day 1: Fast Start. 100 frames in 30 minutes. No chimping.
  • Day 2: Closer. Only hands, faces, and textures at arm’s length.
  • Day 3: Motion. Nothing above 1/15s. Let the city breathe on your sensor.
  • Day 4: Reflections. Windows, puddles, sunglasses—mirror the world.
  • Day 5: Portraits. Ask three strangers. Smile. Offer a print or a DM.
  • Day 6: Noon Sun. Harsh light, hard edges. Make it sing.
  • Day 7: Edit & Share. Pick your top 7. Sequence them. One sentence each. Post. Celebrate!

ANTI‑EXCUSE CHECKLIST

  • “No time.” Five minutes is time. Set a timer, walk the block, shoot ten frames. Done.
  • “Bad light.” Make silhouettes, use flash, or chase color. There’s always a way.
  • “Shy.” Start with backs, shoes, shadows. Warm up. Then graduate to smiles.
  • “No inspiration.” Micro‑assignment. Timer. Out the door. Inspiration follows action.

WHY THIS 

WORKS

  • Repetition builds taste. The more you make, the sharper your eye.
  • Constraints crush decision fatigue. Energy goes to seeing, not settings.
  • Kindness unlocks access. People are the best subject on Earth.
  • Publishing creates feedback. The loop teaches faster than any tutorial.
  • Moving your body clears your mind. Walk, breathe, notice.
  • Simplicity keeps you present. Presence is the real “pro” feature.

YOUR TURN

Pick three unorthodox moves from this list. Test them today. If you feel lighter, bolder, happier—if strangers smile back—if you press publish with a little fist‑pump—then the experiment succeeded.

You don’t need permission. You need momentum.

Make it playful. Make it daily. Make it yours.

And remember: the joyful contrarian always wins—because joy is contagious and momentum is undefeated.

Go make your unorthodox techniques WORK! 🙌📸✨

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