Month: August 2014

  • The Vibrant Street Light of Sydney by Greg Marsden (Ho Hum)

    The Vibrant Street Light of Sydney by Greg Marsden (Ho Hum)

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    Greg Mardsen (Ho Hum) is a street photographer based in Sydney, Australia.

    I’m Greg, an LA-born, Sydney-based photographer. I’ve had a number of life experiences that have shaped how I see the world and take pictures. From playing bass in a pre-Guns N’ Roses band with Slash and Steve Adler to working in combat zones in Central America and the Middle East to busting bad guys as an undercover cop in Germany. I’ve traveled significantly throughout America, Asia, and Europe; was in Berlin for the fall of the wall and at the flash point in South Central Los Angeles during the LA riots.

    I’m a trained psychologist and more recently was a senior executive in a large corporation. A few years ago I decided to ditch the tie, follow a passion, and take pictures full-time.

    I’ve never been poorer. Or happier.

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  • Photographing Feelings with Compact Cameras by Josh White

    Photographing Feelings with Compact Cameras by Josh White

    Seoul, South Korea.
    Seoul, South Korea.

    This article is written by Josh White, originally posted here.

    Josh: More fish. After spending the previous weekend in Busan I found it hard to get away from the couple of photos I took there. I feel like I figured something out about myself there.

    I’ve always found it really hard to explain why I like the photos I take with small, compact cameras more. It always seemed that if I went on a trip or something no matter how many huge cameras I took the photos I ended up liking the most were the ones from the smaller cameras.

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  • The Loose Documentary of Andy Kochanowski

    The Loose Documentary of Andy Kochanowski

    (A.g.’s note: Eric interviewed Andy Kochanowski. Check out his origin story, Life as a Burn My Eye Member, and his interesting advice to photographers. All photographs are the respected copyright of Andy Kochanowski.)

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    Eric: Great to have you Andy. Let’s start from your beginnings in photography. When did you first pick up a camera and “discover” street photography?

    Andy: Let’s get the terms right, Eric, I like to think of it as loose documentary. What I do is watch and wait until something interesting happens.

    But the beginning, that must have been back in the ‘90’s when I was traveling a lot to London after I got done with school. I had learned how to develop film and built a small darkroom in my basement, and began to travel with a Canon AE-1 that I had bought a couple years earlier and shooting Tri-X at night when I wasn’t working. I had never picked up a photo book, though I did have a subscription to Photo & Darkroom magazine that (I think) was then edited by Mike Johnston, The Online Photographer. I shot quite a few rolls in SoHo, Leicester Square, which were close to where my firm had a flat. That was my first introduction into just being there and looking. The results were predictable and boring of course, but since I’d never seen anything else I thought my photos were pretty good.

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  • Eric Kim Show #1: Rolleiflex and TLR Love

    Eric Kim Show #1: Rolleiflex and TLR Love

    I just made a fun video at Dan K’s office in Hong Kong featuring an episode on Rolleiflex’s, TLR’s, and film. Enjoy! :)

    Featuring:

  • 102 things I have learnt about street photography – a slightly flippant and deliberately controversial guide by two cute dogs

    102 things I have learnt about street photography – a slightly flippant and deliberately controversial guide by two cute dogs

    Photo by Charlie Kirk
    Photo by Charlie Kirk

    If you want to read two cute dog’s deliberately controversial (yet incredibly insightful) tips on street photography, read more:

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  • No Camera is Perfect : Embracing The 80% Principle in Photography

    No Camera is Perfect : Embracing The 80% Principle in Photography

    San Diego, 2013
    San Diego, 2013

    We are never satisfied. Nowadays with a barrage of advertisements and commercials– we always want the next big thing. We want something better. We want to optimize the stuff we own. We become easily dissatisfied with what we own.

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  • Please Tell Me My Photos Suck (And How I Can Improve)

    Please Tell Me My Photos Suck (And How I Can Improve)

    NYC, 2012
    NYC, 2012

    We are insecure. We don’t want people to be brutally honest with us. We like feeling liked. We don’t want to hear the truth, or at least what people really think about us and our work. We like it when things are sugar coated (I know I do), and facing reality can be tough.

    I remember when I started photography, I thought I was awesome. I thought my work was incredible, and I deserved fame, glory, and attention.

    Then one day, I remember stumbling on the work of the masters and the greats of photography. I then realized my work sucked in comparison to theirs.

    At first I was discouraged. I though to myself: I could never be as good as them, why bother even trying?

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  • Streettogs Academy Assignment No. 3

    Streettogs Academy Assignment No. 3

    3rd Assignment

    Thank you again to everyone who participated in our 2nd Assignment and to everyone who is making Streettogs Academy Facebook Group a nice place to find good people and good photography.

    I got to talk to Assignment #2 Editor’s Choice, Jomel Bartolome aka Dada Bear about the next topic. This one is something near and dear to his heart.

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  • Tokyo Diary 2014

    Tokyo Diary 2014

    Shinjuku, 2014
    Shinjuku, 2014

    I’m currently on the skyliner, on the way to the narita airport to Hong Kong and wanted to share some reflections of my trip. For those of you who have never been to Tokyo, it is an incredible city. It is one of my favorite cities to shoot street photography in the world. There is so much action, energy, and a pulse to the city that isn’t matched anywhere else. Going to shibuya, shinjuku, and harajuku are like blasts to the past– with a modern day twist. I love the romanticism of Tokyo, and the food here is also amazing. (more…)

  • “Needing” versus “Wanting” to Make Photographs

    “Needing” versus “Wanting” to Make Photographs

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    Kyoto, 2014

    What motivates you in street photography? What is the fuel that keeps you going? Why do you decide to go out and shoot, even though you might be tired, exhausted, or frustrated?

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  • Streettogs Academy 2nd Assignment “Friendship” Results and Analysis

    Streettogs Academy 2nd Assignment “Friendship” Results and Analysis

    Streettogs-Academy-Friendship results

    “Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .””

    ― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

    The 2nd Assignment, chosen by 1st Assignment Editor’s choice Helio Tomita, focuses upon the basis of human interaction that fosters romance, lifelong companionship, and the light when things are bleak. Friendship is an essential part of human sustenance. It does not fill the belly like a good hearty meal but it fills the soul with experiences and unforgettable moments. Such moments often times happen on the streets. These are those moments.

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  • The Benefits of Constraints in Street Photography

    The Benefits of Constraints in Street Photography

    Dubai, 2014
    Dubai, 2014

    I always thought to myself: the day I had unlimited money, unlimited time, and unlimited cameras was the day I could truly be creative.

    Funny enough, I found out that wasn’t the case. Out of all photographers I’ve met, the ones that are most creative are the ones that are strapped on resources– the ones that have constraints.

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  • Interview with Bellamy Hunt (Japan Camera Hunter) and Tour of His Office in Tokyo

    Interview with Bellamy Hunt (Japan Camera Hunter) and Tour of His Office in Tokyo

    I recently had the chance to catch up with Bellamy Hunt (Japan Camera Hunter) in Tokyo. In this video he gives us a tour of his office, shares why he does what he does, and advice regarding photography, film, and life.

    See my video interview with him from 2 years ago and a video of us camera shopping.

    Follow Bellamy

  • How to Avoid Boredom in Street Photography

    How to Avoid Boredom in Street Photography

    Hanoi, 2014
    Hanoi, 2014

    One of the most exciting ways to live life is to avoid boredom. By following what makes us curious, passionate, and have fun create meaning in our life.

    I think one of the great ways to guide our work in street photography is to avoid boredom.

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  • Nobody Gives a Shit About Your Photos

    Nobody Gives a Shit About Your Photos

    Oakland, 2014
    Oakland, 2014

    Nobody gives a shit about your photos (except yourself).

    Sometimes I get frustrated and confused why I take photos.

    I think ultimately I take photos because I want my photos to influence, affect, and perhaps inspire my viewers (and other photographers). This sometimes gives me anxiety because it puts a lot of pressure on me to “perform” by making really strong images for my audience.

    But it has recently dawned on me that the only person who really cares about my work is myself. Nobody else really cares or gives a shit.

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  • Irish Photography on Center Stage! Irish Street Photography Exhibition 15th-22nd of August

    Irish Photography on Center Stage! Irish Street Photography Exhibition 15th-22nd of August

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    All roads lead to Dublin as the Irish Street Photography Group together with the group admin Des Bryne brings together the Irish Street Photography Exhibition.

    47 Street Photographers, 47 Photographs from Established Street Photographers to Emerging New Talent from Ireland and beyond, this is the first “Irish Street Photography Exhibition” from the ISPG (Irish Street Photography Group)

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  • Embracing FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) in Street Photography

    Embracing FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) in Street Photography

    Saigon, 2014
    Saigon, 2014

    I recently came across a funny phrase: “FOMO”. It stands for “fear of missing out”.

    Nowadays, “FOMO” is ubiquitous in digital life. We always feel like we are missing out– that someone is doing something more interesting than us.

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  • Savoring the Moment

    I just checked out of my hotel in Seoul, and was on my way to the subway. I had a bunch of bags I had to carry, and ended up missing two potential street photos I would have liked to capture:

    One of the shots was a guy in a suit, with his suit jacket propped over his right shoulder with a finger. My camera was still in my bag.

    The second shot was a muscular black man carrying an umbrella (similar to what old Korean ladies wore) also wearing spandex.

    My camera was in my bag for both of these potential shots, so I missed the moment. However rather than being frustrated at myself for not taking the shots, I tried to savor the moment.

    For example, I smiled at the muscular guy who walked by me and said “love your outfit.” He gave me a huge grin and smiled back and said, “Thank you.” His smile felt so warm and genuine.

    This reminds me : I don’t need to capture a photo of everything I experience. Sometimes by not taking a photo of something, I better appreciate the moment and commit it to memory more.

    So nowadays if I’m seeing fireworks with Cindy on new years, I try to purposefully put the camera away and just enjoy the moment.

    Whenever I miss potential street photos, two thoughts come into my mind :

    1. Always have my camera around my neck (I never know when a good photo opportunity might arise).
    2. That was a nice moment I missed, but I’m glad I’m alive and experienced it.

    Furthermore, missing the potential street photos from today further invigorated my love of street photography. I thought to myself, “Wow, life is pretty incredible and amazing. There are so many different colorful people on the streets, and all these wonderful moments happening all the time.”

    So I guess in conclusion my thoughts contradict each other a bit: always have your camera with you (preferably around your neck or in your hand), but sometimes it is good to just savor and appreciate a moment (especially if you didn’t take a photo of it).

    At the end of the day, I think experiencing a moment is much more valuable than capturing it.

  • Advice for Young Street Photographers

    Advice for Young Street Photographers

    Toronto, 2012
    Toronto, 2012

    A few days ago I wrote a letter to my 18-year old self, and gave myself some advice on if I started street photography all over again. I told myself things I learned in the 8 years I’ve been taking street photos. I wish someone told me this when I started off.

    Similarly, I was inspired to write this post for young street photographers starting off. I think this can apply to both young photographers (age wise) and also street photographers just starting off (young, experience-wise).

    Here I go, I hope you enjoy :)

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  • Seoul Diary, 2014: Josh White and Documenting my Personal Journey

    Seoul Diary, 2014: Josh White and Documenting my Personal Journey

    Photo by Cindy
    Photo by Cindy

    After being in Vietnam for about a month and a half, I am currently here in Seoul, Korea for a week. I’m primarily here on holiday, and wanted to have a chance to see my grandmother, some family, and some close friends here. In the spirit of my “Saigon diary” series– I wanted to share some personal reflections about my trip so far:

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  • Saigon Diary #7: Trip to Hanoi, Now in Seoul

    Saigon Diary #7: Trip to Hanoi, Now in Seoul

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    Hanoi, 2014

    This is the last installment of my “Saigon Diary” series. I plan to continue this “Diary” series moving forward in my travels.

    I’m currently in Seoul. Just left Vietnam a week or so ago, so I wanted to share some reflections towards the end of the trip.

    After a great time in Saigon, I headed up to Hanoi with Cindy. We didn’t have a real reason to go– we just wanted to check the place out (because it was so close in Vietnam).

    Hanoi was a beautiful place. Much smaller than Saigon, a lot less hectic, and more peaceful. It felt almost like Paris in the sense that the streets were narrow, windy, and a bit random. But there was great beauty in the randomness of the city.

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  • Stories Behind The Photos: Dimitris Makrygiannakis and Kaushal Parikh

    Stories Behind The Photos: Dimitris Makrygiannakis and Kaushal Parikh

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    Photo by Dimitris Makrygiannakis

    A.g.’s note: We previously had the chance to feature That’s life street photography collective members Dimitris Makrygiannakis and Kaushal Parikh. Dimitris treated us with his Transformative Experience of shooting street photography abroad  and an interview Eric had with him about  Surrealism and Symbolism while Kaushal shared his thoughts on how he is Conquering the streets of Mumbai. They are back this time telling us stories behind some of their favorite the street shots. They also have a series of upcoming workshops. Details of it are at the bottom of the post.

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