ERIC KIM

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Archives for March 2015

The Art of Learning Street Photography

San Mateo, 2014
San Mateo, 2014

I just re-read an excellent book titled: “The Art of Learning” by Josh Waitzkin. If you’ve ever watched the film “Searching for Bobby Fischer” (the movie about the kid chess prodigy)— that movie was based on Josh Waitzkin’s life.

“The Art of Learning” is a rare book in the sense that he became world champion not only in chess, but also later in competitive Tai Chi “push hands”. In the book, Josh breaks down how he was able to learn at an incredible pace, how he was able to push his own creative boundaries, and how he achieved excellence at a master-level.

For this article I want to break down some lessons that I’ve personally learned— which can help you in your street photography or life in general. Let’s go:

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Streettogs Academy No. 10

SA 10 Dates

I’ve always believed that good work will stand out on its own and it will spread. That is pretty much what happened in our assignment No. 9. given by Harry Fodor. Everyone gave out great black and white work which in turn gave a bit of limelight to the group attracting new members.

Streettogs Academy is pretty much close to 3,000 members now. With that in mind, there are new policies and guidelines implemented so that everyone will be guided on how to interact and post in the group. As always, I am in deep gratitude for everyone’s participation in the group and its assignments.

So let’s jump straight into the next assignment Editor’s choice Chilun Leung gave us!

[Read more…] about Streettogs Academy No. 10

Measure Your Life as a Photographer in Decades, Not Years

suits-resized

The other night here in Chicago, I woke up in the middle of the night. I was tossing and turning (put on the heater too hot at night).

In a state of being half-asleep, I started to have all of these random ideas for blog posts. One of them was: “measure your life as a photographer in decades, not years.”

I recently got 164 rolls of Kodak Portra 400 developed after a year of shooting (and not looking at any of the images). I would have to say— I was so impatient towards the end. I wanted to see my images, and I started to get frustrated. There have been many times when I’m frustrated waiting for my film to get developed that I think of just switching all of my work to digital— to get that sweet, blissful instant gratification.

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How it Feels to Shoot Street Photography 24 Hours Straight

South Korea. March 2015.
South Korea. March 2015.

This is a guest post by Josh White, a street photographer based in Seoul, Korea.

Josh: Yesterday (and sort of the day before) I took part in the 24 Hour Project. For those of you that don’t know, it is a street photography initiative that involves photographers worldwide.

Basically, how it works, is you take one photo per hour for 24 hours in your given city (cities in my case). So, from 00:00 on Saturday, March 21st, until 11:59 I was to stay awake and take and post one photo per hour. By the time 00:00 rolled around I felt more like #fml than #24hourproject.

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Play the Cards You Are Dealt in Life and Photography

Los Angeles, 2014
Los Angeles, 2014

I have been re-reading a lot of stoic philosophy recently, especially “Letters from a Stoic” and “On the Shortness of Life” by Seneca, and “The Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius.

One of the biggest things that I have re-learned is that for true happiness, we should focus on appreciating what we currently have, rather than what we don’t have. Seneca says the following:

“True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.”

By focusing on making the best of what we have in life is the key to happiness.

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What I Learned Processing 164 Rolls of Film After Waiting a Year

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When I dropped off 164 rolls of Kodak Portra 400 at Costco

I recently stopped into the Costco in Mountain View, California with 164 rolls of Kodak Portra 400. You should’ve seen the look of the staff— it was a look of confusion, awe, and amazement.

They were surprised that all that film I brought in was all shot by me. They were also partly worried that they would have to process all of it. I reassured them by telling them to take their time— I wasn’t in a rush. After all, I had been sitting on my film and letting them “marinate” for nearly a full year.

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Streettogs Academy No. 9 Results and Analysis

SA THEME

And so the cycle continues for Streettogs Academy! Our assignment this time round is deceptively simple. This assignment would actually go down as the assignment with the most interaction (so far). Many comments were shared and there were a number of photos that got the attention of many members of the group. If you look closely, the photos that got selected and got the most interest are the ones that had the simple basic requirement of a good image: A strong visual hook. So let’s see all of them.

[Read more…] about Streettogs Academy No. 9 Results and Analysis

Paved Paradise: Street Photography Group Show at Artis Coffee in Berkeley, Friday (3/20) from 6-9pm

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Hey streettogs, I am excited to share that my friend Walter Margerison and I are curating a group street photography show at Artís Coffee in Berkeley, comprised of 24 Bay-Area based street photographers.

The exhibition is this Friday, March 20, from 6-9pm. Free alcoholic beverages will be served, and this will be a great chance to meet other street photographers from the area! Don’t miss out, hope to see you there, and bring a friend (or two!)

Artis Coffee Address: (Google Map)
1717B 4th St
Berkeley, CA 94710

You can RSVP on Facebook.

6 Lessons Rene Burri Can Teach You About Street Photography

Copyright Rene Burri / Magnum Photos. BRAZIL. Sao Paulo. 1960.
Copyright Rene Burri / Magnum Photos. BRAZIL. Sao Paulo. 1960.

On October, 2014 Rene Burri passed away, at age 81. He had an incredible career of photography behind him, and produced many iconic images, which include those of Che, Picasso, and many other street photographs which perfectly combined geometry, story, and form.

About a year ago I got a copy of his color street photography, which was published in “Impossible Reminiscences”— and was deeply moved by his color work. I feel that his photographs have an emotional and cultural sensitivity to them. Rene’s work feels like a more empathetic Henri Cartier-Bresson.

I therefore felt inspired to write an article on Rene Burri. Unfortunately there isn’t too many interviews he has conducted, but based on what I could find online— here are some lessons I have learned from him:

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Take Your Street Photography to the Next Level in 2015: Re-inspire Yourself, Build Your Confidence, and Join an Amazing Community

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Tons of fun at my recent SF Week-long Intensive Street Photography Workshop 2015

Dear streettogs,

This weekend is the last opportunity for you to qualify for the early-bird discount for my Toronto Intermediate/Advanced Street Photography Workshop. I am also excited to announce I have added an Amsterdam Intermediate/Advanced Street Photography Workshop as well!

If you wanted to take your street photography to the next level and invest in your own growth and education, join me at one of my upcoming street photography workshops in 2015:

February 25th-March 1st

San Francisco – Week-long Intensive Street Photography Workshop – SOLD OUT!

March 27-29th

Chicago – Intermediate/Advanced Street Photography Workshop – OPEN!

April 3-5th

Toronto – Intermediate/Advanced Street Photography Workshop – OPEN!

April 10-12th

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

June 5-7th 

Seattle – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop – OPEN! 

June 24-28th

Paris – Week-Long Travel Street Photography Workshop – OPEN!

July 10-12th

Amsterdam – Intermediate/Advanced Street Photography Workshop – OPEN! (NEW!)

July 15-19th

Prague – Week-Long Travel Street Photography Workshop – OPEN!

July 31st-August 2nd

Vienna – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop – OPEN!

August 7-9th

Berlin –Introduction to Street Photography Workshop – OPEN!

August 14-16th

London – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop – Register Intent – NEW! 

August 19-23rd

Istanbul – Week-Long Travel Street Photography Workshop – Register Intent

August 28-30th

Stockholm – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop – Register Intent – NEW!

October 14-18th

New Orleans – Week-Long Travel Street Photography Workshop – Register Intent

You can learn more about my street photography workshops here.

My Top 10 Sources of Discontentment in Street Photography

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SF, 2015

I ultimately want to be happy. But unfortunately there are a lot of sources of dissatisfaction in my life. There are a lot of things I want to change about my life, and my outlook in the world.

In this article I want to share some of the 10 deepest sources of dissatisfaction I’ve had in my life, and strategies I’ve been able to cope with these issues. I hope this can help give you some sort of help (if you’re dealing with similar issues as me).

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Video Presentation: Introduction to Street Photography Projects

In this presentation, I share how to come up with and shoot a street photography project, and also cover what makes a great street photography project. Some of the projects we cover are:

Project tips/advice:

  • 1. Work on them for a long time (2-10 years).
  • 2. Make it personal.
  • 3. Stay consistent (camera, lens, film, post-processing technique)
  • 4. Focus on the sequencing of images (study films, books, literature). What kind of story you are trying to tell?
  • 5. Project types: “Sense of place”, “Typology”, “Concept”
  • 6. Lots of projects fail (don’t be too rigid, also be flexible)
  • 7. Don’t have pre-conceived notions
  • 8. Have fun!

Ways to stay motivated

  • 1. Get feedback/critique
  • 2. Keep pushing forward
  • 3. Look at photo books

Links:

  1. You can see the slides for free here.
  2. For more inspiration, download my free e-book: “The Street Photography Project Manual.”
  3. If you want to take your street photography project to the next level, check out my upcoming street photography workshops.

6 Lessons Dorothea Lange Has Taught Me About Street Photography

migrant mother-dorothea lange

I recently got a new book in the mail: “Dorothea Lange: Aperture Masters of Photography” (courtesy of Aperture) and was deeply inspired and moved by her work, life, and philosophy.

I have always known Dorothea Lange’s work documenting the Great Depression (and her famous “Migrant Mother” photograph), but didn’t know much about her life and philosophy. In this article I will share some of the lessons that Dorothea Lange has taught me about photography, and how you can apply that philosophy to your own work:

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The Golden Rule in Street Photography: Photograph Others How You Would Like to Be Photographed

SF, 2015
SF, 2015

One thing I notice when I’m teaching street photography workshops is that a lot of photographers don’t like having their own photograph taken.

This is a huge problem.

If you want to build up your confidence in shooting street photography, I think you also need to be comfortable being on the other side of the camera.

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Before/After: SF Week-Long Intensive Street Photography Workshop 2015

John Hall - SF Zen-3
Student Workshop Photo by John Hall. SF, 2015

I just finished a week-long intensive street photography workshop in SF, and man– was it one great experience. The students all did an incredible job stepping outside of their comfort zones, improved their street photography, and built up an amazing sense of teamwork.

I am so proud of all of their improvement through the week, read more to see all of their before/after images! Also if you are interested in improving your body of work, learning more about composition, and building your confidence in in the streets, check out my upcoming street photography workshops.

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The Benefit of Having No Expectations in Street Photography

San Francisco, 2015
San Francisco, 2015

“I am content with few, content with one, content with none at all.” – Seneca, Letters from a Stoic

I have a problem. I have really high expectations for myself. I want to become the best photographer I possibly can, the best teacher I possibly can, and also the best blogger that I possibly can.

The downside?

I put a lot of pressure on myself.

I put pressure on myself to constantly be shooting, to constantly be improving my teaching, and to also constantly be writing.

But I often feel that having too high expectations for myself is counter-productive. I feel that putting so much pressure on myself has lead to fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Not only that, but the more pressure I put on myself— the worse I actually perform.

What is the antidote that worked for me? Having no expectations.

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Video: Introduction to Editing, Processing, and Workflow in Lightroom

Hey streettogs, I just put together a video introduction to using Lightroom 5 for editing, post-processing, and workflow. In the video I share some fundamental hotkeys, tips, and suggestions. I hope you enjoy the video, and please let me know what other questions you have about using Lightroom 5 (or editing/post-processing in general) in the comments section!

Hotkeys

  • E: “Enlarge”
  • G: “Grid” / “Gallery”
  • F: “Full screen”
  • Tab: Collapse side columns
  • Tab + Shift: Collapse all columns
  • D: “Develop”

Workflow

  1. “F” : Make full screen

  2. Turn on the “Caps lock” key

  3. “P” or “X” :

  • P: Pick (if you think it is a good shot): 5-10%
  • X: Reject (if you think it is a bad shot or a ‘Maybe’ shot): “When in doubt, ditch:” 90%

  1. Go through all of the photos

  2. “Filters off” -> “Flagged”

5 Lessons Sebastião Salgado Has Taught Me About Street Photography

sebastiao salgado

All photos copyrighted by Sebastião Salgado.

I recently saw Sebastião Salgado’s “Genesis” exhibition in Toronto about a year ago, and was blown away by the body of work. It was the most ambitious project I had ever seen– essentially Salgado aimed to photograph the entire world. He photographed people, landscapes, and nature– and did so over 8 years and all around the globe.

When I was in Mumbai (about 3–4 years ago) with my buddy Kaushal Parikh, I stumbled upon his book: “Workers” and was absolutely blown away by the power of the images, the socio-economic/political undertones, as well as the stark black and whites.

I think Sebastião Salgado is one of the most fascinating photographers out there. He started off as an economist, and then turned to photography when he realized that photography had more power than papers to inform people about the world, its issues, and to inspire people to make a difference.

In this article I want to share a little bit of the background and work of Salgado, and share some points of inspiration he has given me (and can also offer you).

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Photography Quick Links: February 2015

PQL EK

(A.g.’s note: Photography Quick Links is a new initiative I want to do here on the blog. These are links I have personally read and sifted through. This is by no means a definitive guide but for those news stories or news articles regarding photography [but will try to concentrate it to street of course] that you may have missed or I think you should definitely see to help you in your shooting and understanding of the medium. I am still thinking of a permanent title for this one [will double check with Eric] Cheers and happy reading!)

Portfolio Finds:

Hito Ito

For those that love evocative black and white, you might like his work. There is quite a passion and energy as he constantly updates with new work via his tumblr. Worth to check out and get lost in

Tumblr Follow

Alani Cruz – Rathermakeart

Follow Alani Cruz’s life as he documents his life in and out of the hospital as he battles his sickness.

Patrick Tsai – Barnacle Island

The follow up to Patrick Tsai’s photo diary, Talking Barnacles. Tsai continues the exploration of the non-fiction ongoing photo essay complete with vignettes from his day to day life being spent on an island somewhere in Japan. I’m working on an extensive write-up on his two works. I hope I get the chance to give it the justice it deserves.

  [Read more…] about Photography Quick Links: February 2015