Archives for May 2015

Video: How to Overcome Photographer’s Block

Inspired by the recent free e-book I wrote: “How to Overcome Photographer’s Block,” I also made a video (for those of you who prefer audio as well).

For audio, you can listen below:

Podcast links

Read more to see all the topics I cover, as well as the assignments.

“Photography is Photography, a Photo is a Photo”: Interview with Neil Ta

I just had a recent chat with my manager and good friend Neil Ta. Neil is a professional photographer based in Toronto (shoots wedding and commercial work), and his passion is photography. He has dabbled in many different genres of photography, including “urbex” (urban exploration), “rooftopping” (getting to really high places), documentary photography (he is working on a long-term project on “Alexandra Park“, a public-housing complex for low-income families which is being gentrified for expensive condos), and street photography.

In this video interview, we delve deep into lots of different topics. Neil shares how he first got into photography, why he decided to quit his job and travel the world for 6 months+, how we met, not being pigeon-holed in photography, his love (and hate) relationship with film, and why he is currently shooting on a Hasselblad Xpan.

Podcast:

You can listen to the audio podcast below:

Read more to see the topics we covered in the interview, and lots of inspirational links:

Video: Why I’m Switching Back to Black and White Film for Street Photography

In this video I talk to Karl Edwards from StreetShootr on why I plan on switching back to black and white film (Kodak Tri-X pushed to 1600) and we just geek out about black and white film in general, enjoy!

If you want to learn how to shoot street photography on film, I recommend reading these articles below:

Interview with Karl Edwards on Starting StreetShootr, Street Photography as a Harmonica, and How to Shoot with a Leica

I just did a fun interview with my good friend Karl Edwards (he runs StreetShootr) and has a blast chatting about his start in street photography, his tension between shooting film and digital, practical tips on how to shoot with a Leica, his favorite photography books, and why he likens shooting street photography to playing a harmonica. The format is similar to when I “ambush” interviewed him in Provincetown as a part of the Magnum workshop.

You can see Karl’s work on Flickr and his Website. Make sure to check out StreetShootr and to follow on Twitter.

Read more to see his photos and the street photographers he recommends to check out!

Video Lecture: How to Shoot Street Portraits

Dear streettogs, if you want to learn more of how to shoot street portraits, I just put together a 47-minute video lecture for you! In this lecture I cover what “street portraits” are (and how they differ from “street photography”), how to approach strangers, how to overcome the fear of rejection, as well as practical tips for shooting street portraits.

You can see and download all the slides for free on Slideshare or on Google drive.

To learn more about street portraits, check out my Chicago Street Portraits POV videos on YouTube.

30 Tips When Shooting Street Portraits

Below are some of the tips I included from the presentation on how to shoot street portraits (and a few extra freebies):

Keep working the scene until your subject forgets about you
Ask your subject to move to an interesting background
You don’t need to photograph your subject’s face
Take a photo of your subject looking at you / not looking at you
Focus on the edges
Ask your subject to look down / look up
Provoke a response
Remember you’ll never see them again (don’t miss out on the opportunity)
Be genuinely interested in your subject
Compliment your subject
Talk to your subject before asking to take their photograph
Realize that just because you had a good interaction doesn’t mean it is a good photograph
Look for dramatic light
Ask your subject: is it okay if I move you?
Slightly touch your subject to change their posture, direction, or position
Ask your subject not to smile
Shoot both landscapes/vertical photos
Shoot from different perspectives
Get close, then get closer
Talk to your subjects while photographing them
Realize a posed photograph can look candid
Capture the “unguarded moment”
Try to shoot with / without a flash
Capture hand gestures (get their hands close to their face)
Shoot the same framing more than once (realize that their face direction might move, or facial gesture)
Look for the surrounding environment (environmental portraiture)
Realize a street portrait is more about yourself, not your subject
Try to capture an “authentic” look that doesn’t look too posey
Focus on details (use macro mode)
Don’t feel guilty about “wasting your subject’s time” (they love the attention)

What are some tips you have when it comes to shooting street portraits, or any questions you might have? Leave them in the comments below!

Free E-Book: How to Overcome Photographer’s Block

I am excited to announce that I just finished writing a new book titled: “How to Overcome Photographer’s Block.” If you have ever felt lack of motivation, inspiration, or direction– this is the book for you!

If you’re in a creative rut, learn how to break out of your “photographer’s block” with this comprehensive and practical manual. In this book, I share practical tips, guidance, and assignments to break out of any creative barrier you have with your photography, no matter how severe.

You will learn how to overcome perfectionism, “paralysis by analysis”, giving yourself the permission to make “imperfect photos”, learn how to integrate your life with photography, how to focus on the process (not the outcome), how to add more novelty and randomness to your life, and more.

The book is “open source,” meaning you can share it, remix it, and do anything you want with it for free. Feel free to share it with a friend, print it out, or even translate it into a different language!

You can download the book for free in these formats:

PDF (Also check out the French Translation)
Google Doc (please suggest edits)
.epub (for all e-readers)
.mobi (for Kindle)
.docx (Microsoft word)
.rtf (rich text file accessible in any format)

Enjoy :)

Other free ebooks:

You can also read the full book for free below, and you can save it to Pocket or Instapaper:

Eric Kim Life Diary #4: Switching to Black and White Film, What I’m Reading, Random Life Musings

Kodak Tri-X pushed to 1600, locked and loaded.

Dear streettogs,

Life is good in Berkeley! Just finished a fun 1-day intensive street photography portrait crash course workshop in SF, and after meeting all the great students, I’m more pumped up to write articles, produce content, and share what’s in my neck of the woods!

Streettogs Academy No. 11

11th assignment of the Streettogs Academy! We are nearing our 12th assignment that might be just in times for the anniversary as well. Congratulations to Monika Jaskowska Bablok for getting the editor’s choice for the previous assignment! Let’s keep cracking on the next one. This one is going to be a bit of a challenge but should be a great change of pace especially for those shooting in black and white.

Be a Photography Shark: Keep Swimming or Die

In “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron, I came across this interesting idea: that creativity is like a shark. If sharks stop swimming, even for a minute, they will sink to the bottom of the ocean and die.

A lot of things in life are about momentum– about creating positive habits, that allow us to achieve our dreams.

Magnum Editing Masterclass in Toronto at Contact Photography Festival 2015

If you are in Toronto (or closeby) and want to take your photography to the next level, check out the upcoming Magnum Photos Editing Masterclass in Toronto as part of the Contact Photography Festival 2015. You will get the help of acclaimed Magnum photographers Michael Christopher Brown, Mark Power, and Larry Towell.

For photographers who are starting a project, mid-project, or if you’re stuck shooting and want to move your project forward.

Street Photography Quick Links: April 2015

A monthly compilation of interesting reads, videos, books/zines, or portfolios to follow about street photography or other related genres. Check out the April 2015 edition.

Photos You Should vs Must Take

I just finished reading an excellent book on art, creativity, and following your passion titled: “The Crossroads of Should and Must” by Elle Luna. The original idea was written on Medium here, and then blew up on the internet.

The premise of the idea is this: in life you are pulled between things you “should” do vs things you “must” do. But what brings real happiness? If you want to learn more, read on.

Video Interview with Narrative in SF

I recently met up with Ryan Lum, one of the awesome guys at Narrative, a wearable camera startup. I joined them in their office last week, and talked about my beginnings in street photography and my blog, how it was getting fired (and running this blog full-time), how to shoot street photography (and not get punched in the face), and more. I hope you enjoy the video interview above (and pardon the immature masturbation jokes).

Take at Least 1 Shitty Photograph Everyday

I am currently reading “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron— an interesting book that links creativity, spirituality, and overcoming your artistic self-censor.

I know a lot of photographers who are perfectionists or have a lot of self-doubt. This causes them to not pursue their dreams of becoming a photographer. Not becoming a full-time photographer, but to be someone who makes photography a part of his or her everyday life, soul, and existence.

Streettogs Academy no. 10: Results and Analysis

Many milestones have been hit for the tenth assignment! We just crossed 3,000 members, implemented new rules for the group, and have the ninth assignment translated in russian and german! The community is growing and we have to keep on going!

Here we go!

The Only Way to Become Indifferent to Criticism: Become Indifferent to Praise as Well

I love attention. I hate criticism and negativity. I want everybody to love me, to love my photography, and my writing.

Contrary to popular belief, I actually have very thin skin when it comes to criticism. I pour my heart and soul into my work— whether that is my blogging, my photography, or teaching.

But I still get criticized a lot despite my good intentions. Every since I was a kid, I always wanted to please other people. More often than not, pleasing other people was more important than pleasing myself.

But I think it is impossible to go through life without pissing someone off. Even if you have the best intentions in the world, you will always inadvertently hurt somebody, offend somebody, or upset somebody.

Don’t be a Street Photographer, Just be a Photographer

I often have a hard time going out and making “street photos”— and I have a lot of other friends who face a similar difficulty. A lot of street photographers disdain their busy lives, and how they aren’t ever able to make time to go out and hit the streets and shoot “street photography”.

But being really inspired by my friend Josh White— I realized that you don’t need to be a “street photographer”, you just need to be a “photographer”. Or better yet, don’t even be a “photographer”, be a human being with immense amounts of curiosity about the world, with the passion and drive to document it.

Lost in the Theatre of Life: Interview with Ximena Echagüe

Eric’s Note: I am excited to feature the work of Ximena Echagüe, a street photographer based in Brussels, Belgium. I’ve been doing online 1:1 lessons with her the last year, and have been amazed with her progress. Below is an interview I did with her, check it out and her projects!