Month: July 2013

  • On Travel and Street Photography

    On Travel and Street Photography

    Click to read more

    “You need a change of soul rather than a change of climate” – Seneca

    Over the last year or so I have been incredibly lucky to travel to over 15 cities internationally, and have met some of the most incredible people in my life.

    However as much I have been traveling, I have been longing to spend more time at home (or in one place).

    (more…)

  • How to Plan Your Own American Street Photography Road Trip

    How to Plan Your Own American Street Photography Road Trip

    In front of the Michigan Central Station in Detroit
    In front of the Michigan Central Station in Detroit

    The last week or so I have been on the road– moving from Michigan to California.

    Instead of just taking the easy route (flying) we decided to partake in an adventure– to travel the US by car.

    I wanted to write this article to share some of my personal experiences through this road trip– and hopefully it can give you some insight to plan your own road trip across America (while taking some photos too).

    (more…)

  • 3 Lessons I Learned Photographing a Blinged-out Boxing Promoter

    3 Lessons I Learned Photographing a Blinged-out Boxing Promoter

    Just uploaded a new GoPro POV video at Gallo Boxing. This time with Ty, a boxing promoter with great swag and bling.

    The story behind what happened is that initially I was photographing another boxer, and I was going to take some photos of him working the punching bag. Then I saw Ty on my way over, and was blown away with his outfit (his sunglasses, his patent-leather shoes, and the plethora of rings on his fingers).

    (more…)

  • 5 Ways to Improve Your Creativity in Street Photography

    5 Ways to Improve Your Creativity in Street Photography

    Click to read more

    Eric’s Note: This is a guest article by Kristian Leven, a wedding and street photographer based in London.

    Kristian: When I started photography six years ago, I didn’t have a problem going out and finding inspiration. Everything was so new and subsequently there seemed to be no end to the ideas I felt I could produce. Looking back, I can see that my work wasn’t particularly indistinguishable from many others – there was no depth, no originality.

    But I needed to get through certain stages to get to where I am today. At first I had no particular style, nor did I have any photographic ‘heroes’ to aspire to, but over time and with an accumulation of experience, I connected with capturing natural street scenes in an artistic way, and I translated that approach to my wedding photography, which I had begun three years ago.

    (more…)

  • The Thrill and Anticipation of Street Photography: Interview with Ola Billmont in Stockholm

    The Thrill and Anticipation of Street Photography: Interview with Ola Billmont in Stockholm

    Click to read more

    Eric’s Note: Ola Billmont is a street photographer based in Stockholm, Sweden. He is also one of the co-founders of CUP (Contemporary Urban Photography). Learn more about the founding of CUP (Contemporary Urban Photography in Stockholm), his work in film and digital, and how he approaches strangers on the street. 

    (more…)

  • Gallo Boxing GoPro POV: Volume #2 (Christian Bleha, Fighter with Tattoo)

    Gallo Boxing GoPro POV: Volume #2 (Christian Bleha, Fighter with Tattoo)

    Here is Volume 2 of my GoPro POV series at Gallo Boxing.

    I first saw Christian Bleha chilling after a long workout, dripping in sweat and puffing from exhaustion. I saw him from afar–and loved his tattoos. But I was a bit nervous to first approach him. However I knew I would regret not asking to take photos of him if I chickened out– so I swallowed a big gulp of air, and introduced myself to him and asked if I could take some photos.

    (more…)

  • Conquer Your Fears in Street Photography in San Diego, Istanbul, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tokyo, and Kyoto!

    Conquer Your Fears in Street Photography in San Diego, Istanbul, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tokyo, and Kyoto!

    eric teaching

    If you feel uninspired in your photography, want to conquer your fears, and meet other passionate street photographers— join me at one of my upcoming workshops below!

    This would be a great opportunity for you to step outside of your comfort zone, and even take a break from the day job to travel to an exotic location you have always wanted to visit! I am also so certain you will love the workshop that I offer a 100% money-back guarantee! 

    Street Photography Workshops 2013

    August 12-14th

    Istanbul – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop (feat. Charlie Kirk) – Info & Register

    August 16-18th

     Istanbul – Intermediate/Advanced Street Photography Workshop (feat. Charlie Kirk) - Info & Register

    * (There is a 50% discount available if you attend both Istanbul Workshops)

    October 17-20th

    San Francisco – Intro to Street Photography Workshop - Info & Register

    November 1-3rd (new date)

    Los Angeles – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop - Register intent

    November 8-10th

    Tokyo Introduction to Street Photography Workshop  – Info & Register (OPEN!)

    * (There is a 50% discount for each additional workshop you attend in Tokyo/Kyoto)

    November 15-17th

    Tokyo Intermediate/Advanced Street Photography Workshop – Info & Register (OPEN!)

    November 22-24th

    Kyoto Film Street Photography Workshop – Info & Register (OPEN!)

    You can see my past street photography workshops. 

    Stay Updated With My Future Workshops

    NYC Group Photo-1
    NYC Intro to Street Photography Workshop 2013 with Richard Bram
    If you want to stay updated with my future workshops, enter your email below:

  • Gallo Boxing GoPro POV: Volume #1 (Little Boxer)

    Gallo Boxing GoPro POV: Volume #1 (Little Boxer)

    For last month’s fiestamovement challenge, I learned boxing at Gallo Boxing in Lansing, Michigan.

    I have always been fascinated with boxing culture– both the sport and the culture behind it. I remember watching tons of Rocky movies growing up, and loved the skill, determination, and physical/mental endurance that boxers had to endure to become great fighters.

    After learning a few moves in boxing myself, I had about two weeks before heading back to California. So I took those two weeks to do a mini-documentary project on the boxers in the gym, with my GoPro Hero 3 strapped on top of my Ricoh GRD V.

    I wanted to make these GoPro videos to illustrate how I was able to build rapport with the fighters in the gym (including the very young in this video above) and how I photographed them (how I got them to move around, the angles I used, the use of flash/without flash, as well as how many photos I took).

    Shooting documentary-type work has always fascinated me– but I never had a project or location I felt passionate enough to photograph. Luckily enough, this project at Gallo Boxing was something that kept calling me back.

    (more…)

  • American Road Trip Itinerary 2013

    American Road Trip Itinerary 2013

    Click to read more

    I am excited to share our itinerary for our American Road Trip!  My girlfriend Cindy has spent the last 2 years in East Lansing, Michigan studying her Ph.D. in Vietnamese Colonial History– and has recently got accepted into UC Berkeley’s Ph.D. program in the same field. So we are packing our bags, and loading them into our Ford Fiesta and heading West!

    We plan on taking around 2 weeks for the entire trip (making stops along the way in the places below):

    1. Start: East Lansing, Michigan
    2. Indianapolis, Indiana
    3. Louisville, Kentucky
    4. Nashville, Tennessee
    5. Birmingham, Alabama
    6. New Orleans, Louisiana
    7. Houston, Texas
    8. Austin, Texas
    9. Fort Worth, Texas
    10. Albuquerque, New Mexico
    11. Grand Canyon (Hiking)
    12. End: Southern California (before we head up to Berkeley)

    You can see a Google Map Itinerary of our Road Trip.

    (more…)

  • Photography is Democratic: Interview with Aik Beng Chia (ABC) From Singapore

    Photography is Democratic: Interview with Aik Beng Chia (ABC) From Singapore

    Click to read more

    Eric’s Note: Aik Beng Chia (ABC) is a street photographer based in Singapore. I first met him a few years back, and he is one of the hardest working and humble street photographers I know. He has recently published, “Tonight The Streets Are Ours” with Invisible Photographer Asia. To check out what he has been up to, read the interview below!

    (more…)