Dear friend,
There is no right or wrong way to edit (I mean post-process) your photos.
Editing vs post processing
Okay, so unfortunately, modern vocabulary is all screwed up in photography.
- Editing: The art of choosing your best photos.
- Post-processing: Cropping, contrast, filter, brightness, exposure, sharpening, etc.
Today when we say “editing”, we mean to say “post processing”.
But I’m not gonna be a verbal nazi. Moving forward, let’s assume I mean “post processing” when I say “editing”.
What flavors do you like?
What flavors or spices do you like in your food?
Spicy? Bland? Sweet?
What herbs or spices do you like?
Tumeric, sake, paprika, black pepper, Jalapeños?
What kind of oil do you like?
Olive oil, balsamic, avocado oil, or bacon fat?
How much do you like to season your food?
Do you like to put in a lot of salty flavoring? Or do you prefer it less salty?
There is no good or bad taste.
Anyways, I’m not gonna go further about food.
Essentially there are who good or bad taste out there.
You make your own taste.
You have your own tastebuds. Even as some ancients have said:
To some men, even honey tastes bitter.
It isn’t your job to instruct others who flavors to like. Rather, your job is just to know your own taste. Your own flavor palette.
How do you like to season your food?
Editing your photos: is how you season your food.
For me, I like fatty foods, with a lot of salt. I prefer animal fats, with little vegetable oils. I like spice– Paprika is a favorite. I like bacon grease. I like sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
For my photos, I like high contrast monochrome. I like to “crush the blacks”– having little detail in shadows. I don’t like grey.
For color, I like high saturation, contrast, and vibrancy.
These are just the tastes of ERIC KIM. It will be different for you. That is why I designed the ERIC KIM PRESETS the way they are– to curate my own aesthetic taste.
Visual Variety & Consistency
Anyways, whatever you like– you probably want variety in your diet.
Would you want to eat the same food with the same spices, day in and day out? Even the most delicious foods become disgusting if you eat the same thing everyday.
Also for optimal health, we need a variety of food.
But I suggest this:
Have visual consistency within a certain project of yours.
For example, if you do a photo project of your partner, do it all in black and white film, and keep it consistent.
Or for example, if you do a street portrait series, do it all on the same camera, lens, and use the same preset or editing on the photo.
Edit your photos intentionally
For example, if you were gonna serve a Korean meal, you might want to have consistent flavors. You probably wouldn’t want to mix a Korean meal with random Caribbean flavors.
I’m also a fan of fusion cooking– but if you’re gonna make a Galbi taco, do it intentionally.
The same with your editing– however you decide to edit your photos, do it intentionally. And stay consistent to your artistic vision.
Never compromise.
I prefer presets or film.
It don’t matter if you use presets, or edit your photos manually.
Some of us like to grind all our spices by hand. Others prefer pre-packaged.
For me, I prefer to use presets. Why? It is easier, faster, and your results will be more consistent.
But if you’re like your grandmother, and prefer to measure your ingredients by your hands without measuring cups– that’s totally cool too.
If you shoot film, I recommend sticking with the same film. I prefer Kodak Portra 400 for color and Kodak Tri-X for black and white.
Salt your food to your own taste.
In terms of editing photos, I recommend using Adobe Lightroom and the free ERIC KIM PRESETS, or the presets from VSCO.
For mobile, I recommend the mobile VSCO app, or Snapseed.
Above all, just have fun with your editing. There is no right and wrong.
There is only right and wrong for you.
Enjoy the visual feast of life.
BE STRONG,
ERIC
PHOTOGRAPHY 101
If you’re new to photography, start here:
- Free Photography Bootcamp
- The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Photography
- 100 Photography Tips for Beginners
Photography Inspiration
- A-Z: PHOTOGRAPHY DICTIONARY by ERIC KIM
- Why I Want to Be a Photography Newbie Forever
- PHOTOGRAPHY FLUX.
- 10 Creative Photography Assignments to Re-Inspire You
- 50 Photography Tips by ERIC KIM
The Fundamentals of Photography
- GET CLOSER.
- Keep or Ditch?
- What Makes a Good Photo?
- Why Photography?
- Everyone is a Photographer
- How to take better pictures
- How to take better selfies
- How to Paint With Light
- Why Bokeh is Overrated
Technical Photography Settings
Street Photography 101 »
- The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Street Photography
- 70 Street Photography Tips
- 15 Street Photography Techniques
Personal Photography »
Photography Entrepreneurship »
- How to Do What You Love for a Living
- Should I Follow My Passion For a Living?
- How to Create an MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
Photography Equipment »
- What is the Perfect Camera For You?
- What to Consider When Buying a Camera
- More Megapixels, More Problems
How to Take Better Photos »
- How to Take Better Photos
- How to Capture Emotion in Your Photos
- How to Create a “Curiosity Gap” in Your Photos
Composition Lessons »
- Composition Lesson #1: Triangles
- Composition Lesson #2: Figure-to-ground
- Composition Lesson #3: Diagonals
Photography Assignments »
- 40 Practical Photography Assignments
- 15 Street Photography Assignments
- 25 Photography New Year’s Resolutions
Contact Sheets »
- Street Photography Contact Sheets
- Street Photography Contact Sheets Volume II
- Debunking the “Myth of the Decisive Moment”
Editing (Image Selection) »
Creativity »
Motivation »
- Each Photo You Take is an “Attempt”
- How to Overcome Photographer’s Block
- Why Do You Need “Inspiration” to Shoot?
Post-Processing
- Grain is Beautiful
- Are Filters “Cheating” in Photography?
- Video: Introduction to Editing, Processing, and Workflow in Lightroom
How to Create a Body of Work
STREET PHOTOGRAPHY 101
If you’re new to street photography, start here:
- 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography
- How to Shoot Street Photography
- Street Photography by Eric Kim
Street Photography Inspiration
- Walking Meditation in Street Photography
- 10 COMMANDMENTS OF STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
- Street Photography is Improvisation
- In Praise of Randomness in Street Photography
- How to Become a Fearless Photographer
- How to Make Better Street Photographs
- 12 ERIC KIM Street Photography Assignments
- Meaningful Street Photography
- 25 Street Photography Tips by ERIC KIM
Beginner Street Photography Articles
Get started in street photography:
Definitions in Street Photography
- Why Street Photography?
- What is Street Photography?
- Why Shoot Street Photography?
- The History of Street Photography
How to Shoot Street Photography
- How to Shoot Street Photography
- Street Portraits 101 by ERIC KIM
- The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Street Photography
- 70 Street Photography Tips for Beginners
- 15 Street Photography Techniques and Tips
- A Letter to My 18 Year Old Self: If I Started Street Photography All Over Again
Street Photography Equipment
- What is the Best Camera for Street Photography?
- What is the Best Lens for Street Photography?
- What to Consider When Buying a Camera
How to Conquer Your Fears in Street Photography
See all articles to conquer your fears >
Intermediate Street Photography Articles
Take your street photography to the next level:
- How to Become a Stoic Street Photographer
- The 10 Principles of Good Street Photography
- 7 Tips How to Capture “The Decisive Moment” in Street Photography
- The Importance of Social Skills in Street Photography
- The Street Photography Code of Ethics
- “Taking” vs “Making” Photos in Street Photography
- Follow Your Gut in Street Photography
- 10 Reasons Why You Should Never Chimp While Shooting Street Photography
Advanced Street Photography Articles
Find deeper meaning in your street photography:
- How to Master Street Photography
- How to Be a Zen Street Photographer
- Personal Street Photography
- The “Bookend” Technique in Street Photography
- Street Photography is Self-Therapy
- Zen in the Art of Street Photography
- Taoism and Street Photography
- How to Find Your Style in Street Photography
- Follow Your Gut in Street Photography
Street Photography Tips & Technique
Learn how to shoot on the streets:
- 70 Street Photography Tips for Beginners
- 15 Street Photography Techniques and Tips
- Take More Risks
- Don’t Think About Composition When You’re Shooting Street Photography
- 7 Tips How to Capture “The Decisive Moment” in Street Photography
- 7 Tips How to Make a Great Street Photograph
- Tokyo Street Photography Contact Sheets
- Video: Why it is Important to “Work the Scene” in Street Photography
- Shoot Less, Better
- Make Shitty Photos
- Shoot Effortlessly
- 10 Tips for Candid Street Photography
- 103 Lessons I’ve Learned From Street Photography
See all street photography tips and techniques >
Street Photography Guides
In-depth guides on street photography:
- How to Shoot Candid Street Photography
- How to Shoot Street Portraits with Permission
- How to Shoot Black and White Street Photography
- How to Shoot Color Street Photography
- How to Shoot Street Portraits with Permission
- How to Shoot Layers in Street Photography
- How to Shoot Urban Landscapes
Street Photography Equipment
The best equipment for street photography:
- What is the Best Camera for Street Photography?
- What is the Best Lens for Street Photography?
- Why I Love Cameras with Non-Interchangeable Lenses
- The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide for Cameras in Street Photography
- What to Consider When Buying a Camera for Street Photography
- In Street Photography, The Smaller the Camera, the Better
- Why Sharpness is Overrated in Street Photography
- How to Shoot Street Photography on a DSLR
Street Photography Editing and Workflow
- Video: Introduction to Editing, Processing, and Workflow in Lightroom
- How to Edit (Choose Your Best Photos) in Street Photography
- How Studying Contact Sheets Can Make You a Better Street Photographer
- Debunking the “Myth of the Decisive Moment”
How to Start a Street Photography Project
- Free E-Book: The Street Photography Project Manual
- How to Start Your Own Street Photography Project
- How to Come Up With a Personal Photography Project Idea
Learn From the Masters of Street Photography
“He without a past has no future.”
If you want a distilled version, read the free ebook: “100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography.”
- Alfred Stieglitz
- Alec Soth
- Alex Webb
- Anders Petersen
- Andre Kertesz
- Ansel Adams
- Araki
- Blake Andrews
- Bruce Davidson
- Bruce Gilden
- Constantine Manos
- Daido Moriyama
- Dan Winters
- David Alan Harvey
- David Hurn
- Diane Arbus
- Dorothea Lange
- Elliott Erwitt
- Eugene Atget
- Eugene Smith
- Garry Winogrand
- Helen Levitt
- Henri Cartier-Bresson
- Irving Penn
- Jacob Aue Sobol
- Jeff Mermelstein
- Joel Meyerowitz
- Joel Sternfeld
- Josef Koudelka / Part 2
- Josh White
- Lee Friedlander
- Magnum Contact Sheets
- Magnum Photographers
- Mark Cohen
- Martin Parr
- Mary Ellen Mark
- Rene Burri
- Richard Avedon
- Richard Kalvar
- Robert Capa
- Robert Frank
- Saul Leiter
- Sergio Larrain
- Sebastião Salgado
- Shomei Tomatsu
- Stephen Shore
- The History of Street Photography
- Todd Hido
- Tony Ray-Jones
- Trent Parke
- Vivian Maier
- Walker Evans
- Weegee
- William Eggleston
- William Klein
- Zoe Strauss
Free Downloads
Free Street Photography Ebooks
Distilled information on street photography:
- 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography
- Street Photography Contact Sheets
- Street Photography 101
- Street Photography 102
- Film Street Photography Manual
- The Street Photography Composition Manual
- The Street Portrait Manual
- 31 Days to Overcome Your Fear in Street Photography
- Zen in the Art of Street Photography
PHOTOGRAPHY ENTREPRENEURSHIP 101
Learn how to make a living from your passion:
How to Make Money with Photography
- Photography Experience Economy
- How to Charge More Money in Your Photography
- Why You Should Not Pursue Photography as Career
- Can Photography Make You Rich?
- How I Earn $200,000+ a Year From Photography
- How to earn $10,000 a month as a photographer
- Why you must be an expensive photographer
Photography Marketing 101
- How I Became an Internet Famous Photographer
- Photography Blogging Ideas
- Why You Should Promote Your Own Name
- How to Build a Following
- How to Stand Out as a Photographer.
- HOW TO GO VIRAL AS A PHOTOGRAPHER.
- How to Master Marketing
- How to Sell Yourself
How to Hustle.
- Entrepreneurial Advice to My 18 Year Old Self
- How to Become Insanely Productive.
- 5 Lessons From Hesiod on Hustling
Entrepreneurial Principles
- It is Better to Beg For Forgiveness Than Ask For Permission
- The Free Way to Become Rich
- JUST DO IT.
- 7 Steps: How to Make a Living From Your Passion
- How to Do What You Love for a Living
- How to Create an MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
- How to Fail Big
- How to Invest in Yourself
- How to Be Bold in Photography and Life
- Mission: Cover Your Rent and Food
- 1,000 True Fans
- The “10x Principle”: The Only Difference Between “Success” and “Failure”
- Make More Value Not Money
- We Live in a Photo Utopia
How to be a Full-time Photographer
- How to Make a Living From Photography
- The 3 Principles of Making Money With Photography
- Advice for Aspiring Full-Time Photographers
- Don’t Go Into Debt For Your Photography
- How to Brand Yourself as a Photographer
- Trust: The Most Important Thing You Need to Succeed as a Photographer
Photography Blogging
- How to become rich from photography blogging
- How to Make a Living with Blogging
- 50 Blogging Tips For Beginners
- How to Start Your Own Photography Blog
- A Photographer’s Guide to SEO, Blogging, and Social Media
How to Teach Photography
- How to Become a Photography Teacher
- How to Teach a Street Photography Class
- Why I Teach Street Photography Workshops
Social Media
- Why I Deleted My Instagram
- The Social Media Blackbook for Photographers
- Why Do You Need More Likes or Followers?
- Instagram is Going to Be the Next Facebook
- Don’t Trust “Free” Photography Social Networks
How to Save Money
PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
To find more purpose in your photography, pick up a copy of Photo Journal: Personal Photography Reflections.
- How I found more personal fulfillment in my photography.
- How to Find Your Purpose in Photography
- 3 Tips I Would Give Myself if I Started Photography All Over Again
- How I Photograph
- Photos Should Represent Life; Life Shouldn’t Represent Photos
- How to Photograph Self-Portraits of Yourself
- What Legacy Do You Want to Leave as a Photographer?
- Love Who You Photograph and Photograph Who You Love
- The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Personal Photography
- The “Personal Photography” Manifesto
- How to Find Your Style in Photography
- On Photographing Your Loved Ones
- Living is More Important than Photographing
- What is Your Personal Photography Philosophy?
- I Photograph Not For the Many, But For You
- Photograph What You Feel, and Feel What You Photograph
- Stay True To Your Own Style
- Do You See Yourself in Your Own Photos?
- Shoot For the Few, Not the Many
- Marvel at Nobody But Yourself
- How to Avoid Mediocrity in Your Personal Photography
- Be Your Own Harshest Critic
- How to Come Up With a Personal Photography Project Idea
- A Photographer’s Search For Meaning
- Nobody Wants to Look at Your Photos
- The Beauty of Being a Beginner Photographer
- Shoot different.
- Shoot What You Like
- What I Learned Photographing My Own Wedding
- How to Find Your Passion in Photography
- Find out What to Photograph, Not How
- Why Do You Take Photos?
- Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself
- Do You Like Your Own Photos?
- Simple Contentment
- The Cindy Project
- The Things That Matter Most
- The Point Isn’t to Be a Good Photographer, But to Enjoy Life
- How to Make More Interesting Photos
- Social Media 4.0
- Express Yourself
- Why Backup Your Photos?
- How to Overcome Disappointment in Your Photography
PHOTOGRAPHY ARTICLES
