Archives for January 2014

26 Lessons Life Has Taught Me About Street Photography

Today I turn 26 years old. Life has been one hell of a ride so far. When I was a kid, I had no idea I would be where I am today– with the love of my life, phenomenal friends I have met all around the world, a supportive family, as well as the freedom and opportunity to pursue my passion (street photography).

Ever since I got laid off my job around 3 years ago, life has been a blur. I remember the anxiety I had no longer having a stable income, health care, and a sense of security. I had no idea where my life would take me from that point– but I am so grateful that Cindy, my family, as well as you (my dear friend) was able to support me to run this blog and teach workshops for a living.

I always use birthdays as an opportunity to reflect on life– and think about the lessons that I have learned. Of course in the spirit of my blog, I will present 26 lessons that life has taught me and how it has even given me insight into street photography.

Book Review: “Gypsies” by Josef Koudelka

All photographs in this article are copyrighted by Josef Koudelka / Magnum Photos

To continue my street photography book reviews, I wanted to write about “Gypsies” — one of my favorite street photography books of all-time, shot by Josef Koudelka, Magnum photographer.

To give you a bit of background, Josef Koudelka is one of the greatest living black and white photographers of the century– both revered for his phenomenal photography and his obsessive passion for photography.

Director Tomas Leach Discusses “In No Great Hurry: 13 Lessons In Life With Saul Leiter”

If you haven’t watched “In No Great Hurry: 13 Lessons In Life With Saul Leiter” — make sure you do! It is filled with great wisdom from one of the color street photography masters Saul Leiter, who recently passed away. In the video above, director Tomas Leach talks about his motivations and the making of the film.

If you want to learn more about Saul Leiter and his work, read my article: 7 Lessons Saul Leiter Has Taught Me About Street Photography

Interview with Harvey Stein on His New Book: “Harlem Street Portraits”

Harvey Stein is a photographer, educator, and curator based in New York City. He just released a new book: “Harlem Street Portraits“, documenting portraits in Harlem for over 22 years (from 1990 to 2012). I interview him about shooting and putting together the book– and what other tips/advice he has for street photographers who want to take more intimate portraits. You can also see my previous interview with him on his book “Coney Island.”

The 7 Deadly Sins of Mediocrity in Street Photography

Photos in this article are from my on-going “Colors” series.

I recently read a book titled: “Die Empty: Unleash your Best Work Everyday” and found great inspiration in it. It is a great book in which the premise is easy: will you die with all of your dreams, aspirations, and talents inside of you– or will you work everyday towards emptying out your mind of al these great ideas and thoughts? Will you lie on your deathbed having any regrets? Or will you die empty having dedicated everyday towards your life work dying empty without any regrets. You certainly don’t want to die full of regrets.

Conquer Your Fears in Street Photography in SF, Amsterdam, Dubai, NYC, Istanbul, Toronto, LA, Vancouver (BC), Sydney, Melbourne, London, & More in 2014!

Eric BTS photos-14 — Critiquing photos by my student Richard Reed at my Seattle Introduction to Street Photography Workshop 2013

I am excited to open my week-long travel street photography workshop in Istanbul (April 14-18th) with Charlie Kirk. I also still have a few spots left for my upcoming San Francisco Introduction to Street Photography Workshop (Feb 7-9th).

If you cannot attend one of my upcoming in-person street photography workshops yet want to learn from the comfort of your home, you can also join me for one of my special Online 1:1 Street Photography Workshops via Skype.

If you ever wanted to build your confidence, meet other passionate street photographers, and take your street photography to new heights, join me at one of my workshops in 2014!

February 7-9th

San Francisco – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop – OPEN!

February 28-March 3rd

Amsterdam – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop – OPEN!

March 7-14th

Dubai – Gulf Photo Plus Workshops (Intro, Intermediate/Adv, Urban Landscape) – OPEN!

March 28th-30th

New York City – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop – OPEN!

April 4-6th

New York City – Intermediate/Advanced Street Photography Workshop –OPEN!

April 21-25th

Istanbul – Week-Long Travel Street Photography Workshop with Charlie Kirk – OPEN!

Read more to see my full workshops schedule!

A Street Photographer (and Foodie)’s Guide to Seattle

In front of the first Starbucks in Pike Place!

I recently traveled to Seattle and taught a street photography workshop there. As a native Californian, I never ventured to the Pacific North-West, and man– I was impressed. I think Seattle is seriously one of the most underrated places in the West Coast (and in America as well).

If you ever have the chance to visit Seattle (flights are quite affordable via Southwest, a one-way from SFO was only ~$69). So if you want a weekend getaway somewhere– Seattle is your place to go.

Huge thanks to Walter Lau who was my generous host during my time there with Cindy. He showed us all the great spots in Seattle, and here are some of his recommendations in terms of where to shoot, where to have coffee, to get food, and drinks! If anyone also wants to meet up with some other great street photographers in Seattle, check out the Seattle Streettogs Group on Facebook.

12 Lessons Joel Meyerowitz Has Taught Me About Street Photography

All photos in this article are copyrighted by Joel Meyerowitz.

I am surprised I haven’t written an article about Joel Meyerowitz yet. He is one of the living legends and masters in street photography, currently at 75 years old. He shot in the streets with other legends such as Garry Winogrand, Tony Ray-Jones, and even bumped into Henri Cartier-Bresson on the streets once.

Street Photography Book Review: “The Last Resort” by Martin Parr

All photographs in this article are copyrighted by Martin Parr / Magnum Photos. Warning: Some of the shots in the book are NSFW as they show child nudity.

One of my favorite color photography books is “The Last Resort” by Martin Parr. For 2014, I want to start doing more book reviews– sharing some of my favorite books, sharing why I love them, and trying my best to analyze and share my observations about them.

In Conversation: William Klein Talks About His Multifaceted Body of Work

If you are a fan of William Klein, check out this nearly 2-hour interview with MADMuseum. Klein talks about working on the streets, in the studio, and on making his feature films. A great watch to check out over this weekend!

Thanks to Jonas Petermann for sending over the link!

Street Photography Travel Diary: Sweden, London, and Seattle

It has been a while since I made a travel video– and I wanted to share some of my experiences traveling and shooting street photography in Sweden, London, and Seattle. I share some thoughts and what I’ve been up to in the video above (filmed in Seattle).

I am also working on some “street photography guides” on where to shoot in those cities (and grab some great food and drinks)– keep posted!

Why I Teach Street Photography Workshops

Photos in this article are from my travels in Istanbul this summer.

I often get criticism from teaching street photography workshops. I get criticized that they cost too much. I get criticized that I am not qualified enough. I get criticized that street photography is something that you “cannot teach”– and is something that has to be learned on one’s own.

Instead of defending myself about how I teach street photography workshops I teach– I wanted to write an article about why I teach street photography workshops. I think that we generally forget to question ourselves “why” we do anything at all. By asking the question “why”– it helps us often get to the core of our life’s purpose.

Contrary to popular I don’t teach workshops to make a ton of money and buy all the Leica’s in the world. From my workshops I am living more or less month-to-month (while trying to put a little into savings). I am pretty certain I made more money (after expenses) working at my old 9-5 job.

For this article, I will share some of my personal experiences which brought me to teaching– and dedicate the other part to sharing specifically why I teach street photography workshops– and what I hope that students (and myself) gain out of them.

On Status and Street Photography

Photos in this article are outtakes/shots I am considering from my on-going “Suits” project.

One of the things I love most about street photography is how open and democratic it is. Anybody with any camera can shoot street photography. You don’t need anything fancy. Not only that, but street photography is accessible to everybody. You don’t need to be in Paris– you can simply shoot in your backyard.

However one problem that plagues street photography and life in general is this need for status.

In this article I will touch upon two aspects of status when it comes to street photography: 1) Status via cameras/equipment, and 2) Status via social media:

Alex Webb Shoots the Streets of Korea

Part 1: Alex Webb Shoots the Korean 5-Day Markets

If you like watching street photographers in-action, check out these two videos of Alex Webb shooting the streets of Korea.

Part 2: Alex Webb Shoots the Alleys of Korea

If you want to learn more about Alex Webb, read my article on him: 10 Things Alex Webb Can Teach You About Street Photography

Elevating Moments of Everyday Life: Interview with Stella Johnson

The work of Boston photographer Stella Johnson is grounded in her photography training at The San Francisco Art Institute and her advanced degree from Boston University. Stella was a Fulbright Scholar to Mexico in 2003-2004 and a Fulbright Senior Specialist to Mexico, in 2006, for photographing and teaching, respectively and a Visiting Scholar to the School of Art, Northeastern University, in 2007.

She teaches at the Lesley University College of Art and Design, at Boston University and at the Maine Media Workshops in Crete, Greece and Rockport, Maine. Her work is showcased in her monograph AL SOL: Photographs from Mexico, Cameroon and Nicaragua, published in 2008 by the University of Maine Press.

Discovering Herself Through Observing Strangers: Interview with Anahita Avalos

Anahita Avalos was born in Tehran, and has lived in Mexico and Paris. In Mexico she began to take pictures on a regular basis in order to explore her own identity as a Middle Eastern woman who grew up in Europe and mom to a child with a rare condition. By observing and trying to understand strangers, she tries to discover herself.

On Expectations and Street Photography

Photos in this article are from my time in Michigan in 2013.

In life I have a certain strategy: I set very low (or no) expectations for myself and try my personal best.

I know often people say you should always set your ambitions and expectations high– but I find several faults with this strategy:

On Consistency and Street Photography

Photos in this article are from my on-going “Suits” project.

One of the things I notice a lot at my workshops and when I see work online is how there tends to be a lack of consistency in people’s images.

I think while it is great to experiment and try out new things– at the end of the day to create a personal style and vision– you need a sense of consistency.

40 Street Photography Resolutions Ideas for 2014

Now that the new year is under way, I thought it would be a good idea that we could all choose a new year’s resolution in street photography.

I know how difficult it is to keep to a new year’s resolution, but I think it is something fun that we can all look forward to. I just came up with some ideas that we could try experimenting or doing for 2014. Feel free to pick and choose what appeals to you:

10 of My Street Photography Resolutions for 2015

It is that time of the year again— to make resolutions for the new year.

In 2014, I wrote a post, “40 Street Photography Resolutions Ideas for 2014” and I also wrote a post titled: “15 Street Photography Assignments to Re-Energize and Re-Inspire You” (inspired by the book: “The Photographer’s Playbook: 307 Assignments and Ideas”).

Below are some personal new years’ resolutions I am going to make for myself in 2015. I will probably break some of them, but will try my best to stick to them. This is advice I will give to myself— and feel free to pick any of these ideas for yourself (or modify them as you see fit). This list is inspired mostly by Nassim Taleb’s New Years Resolutions for 2015.

Here is my personal street photography resolutions for 2015:

Don’t buy any photo books I don’t plan on re-reading.
Buy at least 1 photo book a month (and get to really know it).
Give at least 1 in-depth comment/feedback/critique (once a week) to a street photographer who doesn’t get any favorites, comments, or feedback on his/her photos.
Try to meet a lonely photographer once a month for a coffee (with no expectation of “networking” or “gain” on my end)
Don’t go a single day without taking a photograph (smartphone is fine).
Don’t own more than 1 type of camera (only own 1 35mm camera, 1 medium-format, 1 digital). If I accrue more than one of each type of camera, either give away to friend or sell. Don’t accept any free cameras (that I wouldn’t buy with my own money).
Walk for at least 15 minutes everyday to make photos (I’m becoming a fat and lazy car-dependent American).
Focus on education and creating value (not money, fame, or external recognition). Engaging the street photography community more and always try to help.
Make my photographs more personal.
Have at least 1 exhibition of my photos (and also curate at least 1 group exhibition). Teach at least 1 free workshop for charity.

What are some New Years’ Resolutions that you have for yourself when it comes to your photography? Share them in the comments below!