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IGNORE YOUR INNER-CRITIC

Dear friend,

You know that voice that tells you that you’re dumb, or that you’re going to do something that annoys or offends others? Yeah — ignore that voice.

1. Don’t self-censor yourself

My radical belief: don’t censor yourself. Say what is really on your mind. If you curse in real life, don’t censor yourself online.

If you see an interesting photo opportunity, just photograph it. Don’t let your inner critic say:

Oh Eric, don’t photograph that. It is boring. It is cliche. It has been done before.

Rather, let your inner-child play.

2. Do it for the fun

A child never censors him/herself. A child paints for fun. A child throws paint on the wall, with no regard for form, composition, or ‘color theory.’ A child just has fun.

As adults, let us do the same. Be like a kid. A big ass kid (with some money) to have more opportunities for experimentation.

3. Kids inspire me

eric kim street photography x100f fujifilm-7131

Whenever I meet young kids who want to do photography (age 8-12) — I tell them to shoot with a smartphone. A smartphone is an all-in-one photo solution. You can shoot, post-process, and publish your work all from one device. And in the future, everyone will have a high-quality smartphone.

eric kim street photography x100f fujifilm-7216

The only thing I teach kids is the principles of composition. To focus on the edges of the frame when making images. To get a clean background. Very simple stuff.

But I tell them, to wander and photograph whatever their gut or intuition tells them to.

4. No-brain photography

eric kim street photography x100f fujifilm-7087

When you go out to make photos; don’t use your brain.

Rather, follow your gut. Your intuition.

Also consider, if you were a kid— would you shoot with a high-end digital DSLR camera, or a Leica? Probably not. Just a little point and shoot, or a smartphone.

eric kim street photography gfx fujifilm medium format digital-7340

Turn off your brain when you shoot. Turn off your phone, or if you shoot with it, turn it to airplane mode.

Photograph colors, textures, shapes, forms, people, and whatever you consider ‘street photography.’

5. How to shut off your inner-censor

eric kim street photography gfx fujifilm medium format digital-7335

First of all, when you’re making photos, don’t think whether it will be a good or bad photo. Just photograph whatever interests you.

Secondly, only use your brain when you go home and you judge your photos according to your own standard.

Thirdly, set your camera to ‘P’ or Program mode. Don’t use any fancy technical settings. Just ask yourself, ‘If I were 8 years old, how would I want someone to set up the camera for me?’

And lastly, just have fun. Explore the world— the entire concrete jungle is your playground.

Always,
Eric


HOW TO BE MORE CREATIVE >

Unlock your inner-child:

  • How to Unlock Your Inner-Genius
  • Success is Your Only Option
  • How to Make Your Photos More Artistic
  • Creative Lessons Rick Rubin Can Teach You About Photography
  • Why I Love Shooting With an LCD Screen
  • How to Shoot Abstract Photography
  • How to Be More Spontaneous in Your Photography and Life
  • How to Re-Invent Yourself in Photography
  • How to Photograph Like a Child
  • How to Be a More Imaginative Photographer
  • Provoke
  • Never Rust
  • Limit Your Palette
  • Follow Your Intuition
  • Have Creative Confidence in Yourself
  • How To Find Your Unique Voice in Photography
  • Beginner’s Mind
  • There is No Wrong Way to Shoot Street Photography
  • You Can’t Control the Results, Only Effort
  • On Capturing Beauty in the Mundane
  • On Searching For the Maximum
  • The Beauty of “Creative Constraints”
  • How to Stay Curious
  • Enjoy the Process

Learn more: Photography >

ERIC KIM WORKSHOPS

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Unleash your creative potential:

2021:

  • April 10-11th, 2021: BOSTON / Discover Your Unique Voice in Photography Workshop [Register Intent Here]
  • May 1-2nd, 2021: CHICAGO / Street Photography Composition Masterclass [Register Intent Here]
  • May 22-22nd, 2021: NEW YORK CITY / STREET PHOTOGRAPHY MASTERCLASS by ERIC KIM [Register Intent Here]

Be notified of when new workshops are live here.


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