Year: 2016

What brings you joy in photography, and why do you take photos?

“The fool adds one thing a day. The wise man removes one thing a day.” – Lao Tzu For me, the most important trait for success in today’s world (and in the future world) is having the ability to focus.

Dear friend, I want to write you a letter on the importance of dreaming big, and failing big.

One of the first things I learned as a blogger is to write “evergreen content” — blog posts that will be relevant forever.

I’m currently drinking a (strong) cup of black coffee and I just had a thought about technology— how the best technology is the subtractive one, not the one that adds to our lives.

Only show your best work.

I’ve just re-read “Thinking Fast, and Slow” — essentially the bible of personal psychology, and how our brains work (sometimes ‘irriationally’).

How do you make better photos? Make photos that you would like to look at.

I was always skeptical view of Apple products.

If you’re new to photography, consider this your free guide:

When I started photography, I wanted to learn practical tips that could make me a better photographer.

Dear friend, this short handbook on how to make a living with blogging is my gift to you.

Here are my behind-the-scenes contact sheets of the #cindyproject:

If you’re looking for photo books to inspire you during these holidays, here are some of my personal recommendations:

Dear friend, don’t worry about the voices of the critics out there— rather, listen to the voice of your own inner-critic.

The point of a lot of modern religion, spirituality, and art is to relieve suffering— rather than adding complication and stress to our life.

I love to travel, experience new cultures, try new foods, meet new people, and of course— taking photos while I’m traveling.

I feel the ultimate power is conquering yourself— not in conquering others.

This concept is a Taoist one— whenever you try to force things, you will fail.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the perfect camera— I think it the perfect camera is the one that embeds itself into you.

Everything on planet earth requires growth, or we die.

Economy: the art of avoiding unnecessary expenditure.

Dear friend, I wanted to share an idea with you — the importance of provoking people with your photography.

Every time you click the shutter, you are making an “attempt” to make a good photograph.

Dear friend, I am writing you this book “Street Photography” to encapsulate everything I have learned about street photography in the last 10 years.

Chu Viet Ha: one of the most epic street photographers, with his use of layers, color, and surrealism: Interview with CHU VIET HA: Chu Viet Ha is one of my best friends in Hanoi, and also one of my favorite contemporary street photographers.

I’ve become a bit of a hermit recently — spending less time on social media, the internet, and socializing.

In baseball and life, is better to get one home run, instead of two doubles.

All of us were born for a great destiny — what is yours?

In stocks and trading, there is something called a “stop loss” — where you pre-determine that you will exit a position (if the value of a stock drops below a certain point).

When we are children — we create the rules of the games we create.

Dear friend, if you want offline access to everything I’ve written as text files, download them for free below: All Articles (Dropbox) All Articles (Google Drive) All Articles (Direct Download) If you want to access more, see all free downloads >

Nowadays in street photography, it is popular to add lots of layers, subjects, and complexity to your frame.

Dear friend, we are always told less is more — but at what point is too little too little?

Dear friend, I want to give you a practical piece of advice when it comes to shooting street photography — don’t think about composition.

If you’re hungry to learn, download all books (153MB): Download all books (Dropbox) Download all books (Google Drive) Download all books (Direct) For more resources, see all downloads >

I’m a big fan of Zen/Taoist, Eastern philosophy.

Dear friend, For those of you who follow this blog — you know that I am a big fan of “stoic” philosophy — essentially how to be a badass in today’s unpredictable, chaotic, and insane world.

Dear friend, “Photography” is my 10-year culmination in my journey of photography.

If you’re looking for an epic trip of a lifetime, don’t miss out on my upcoming week-long Hanoi to Sapa Travel Street Photography Experience (Feb 8-13, 2017):

Dear friend, I want to show you some of my behind-the-scene “contact sheets” from Tokyo — to show you how I got some of my favorite shots:

“In writing, do not let a hair’s breadth separate you from the subject. Speak your mind directly; go to it without wandering thoughts.” – Basho Don’t shoot in a fancy manner.

Dear friend, I am currently with Cindy in Hanoi, experiencing our first Thanksgiving away from home.

Dear friends, As a gift, download Eric Kim Lightroom Presets 2017 (my newest free collection of Lightroom Presets).

Cindy and I want to thank you for your support, with this special Holiday Bundle Sale only available for until 8am (Pacific standard time) December 24, 2016. Amazon orders of individual items will still continue to be accepted and shipped as usual. [wpdevart_countdown text_for_day=”Days” text_for_hour=”Hours” text_for_minut=”Minutes” text_for_second=”Seconds” countdown_end_type=”time” end_date=”23-12-2016 23:59″ start_time=”1482488367″ end_time=”0,31,41″ action_end_time=”hide” content_position=”center” top_ditance=”10″ bottom_distance=”10″ ][/wpdevart_countdown]  

I read something interesting recently — the idea that for an organism to prevent dying— it must constantly add complexity and energy to itself.

Sean Lotman just published the most incredible color street photography book — titled Sunlanders.

Why do many of us lack inspiration to go out and make photos?

Dear friend, I am currently at the Kansai international airport (closest airport to Kyoto), just downed a double-espresso from Tully’s (pretty good), and wanted to use this time before my flight back to Hanoi to reflect on my trip in Kyoto.