I think having goals in your photography is silly. Why?

Damn you, modernity.

In modern life, we are told to have ‘goals’ in life. That having ‘goals’ will allow us to accomplish more in life.

Also, we are told that if you don’t have ‘goals’ in life– you cannot accomplish anything.

Don’t become option-blind

I think this concept of living your life according to a goal-driven mentality is dangerous. Why? You become option-blind.

‘Optionality’

‘Optionality’ is having options in life. For example, if you’re at the fork of a road, having the option to go left or go right — or perhaps just pave your own road, and go straight.

The problem of too much goal-orientation and goal-focus in life is that you become blind to other options. You become too rigid to a certain path or destination in life.

For example, a river has no ‘goals’ and it still flows. A river (water) is the ultimate flexible being — it is powerful, yet flexible, and moves according to the rocks and formations around it. When there is no path, then it uses its tremendous force to pave a new path. Therefore the river doesn’t have any ‘goal’ in mind — except perhaps follow the flow of gravity and continually move downwards, or forwards.

Accomplishing your goals is depressing

In 2010 (the year I was a senior in college) I set some goals for myself in photography with Cindy. I still remember, I was sitting down with Cindy, in my cramped apartment on ‘Gayley avenue’ in LA. Some of my goals were:

1. Buy digital Leica (M9)
2. Travel the world
3. Become ‘famous’
4. Make a living from my passion (photography)
5. Have a solo exhibition of my work
6. Have a book published

I was actually able to accomplish all these goals within 2 years– and by 2012, I was sitting on my butt, and slightly depressed. Why? With all my goals in life accomplished, I had nothing to look forward to.

For me, having a goal in life, and finally meeting it — discouraged me to continue living in life.

ERIC, just set more goals…

Of course, the ‘obvious’ answer would be to just set another goal in life (perhaps buy more Leica’s, or expensive lenses, keep traveling and seeing the whole globe, having even more experiences, having even more books published, and gaining more fame). However, it would just continue to be a treadmill — I am accruing experiences, stuff, cameras, social media follower numbers, number of publications (a ‘quantified’ life, where I am valuing my self-worth based on my numbers), rather than seeking Deeper meaning and Deeper purpose in my life.

Anti-goals in photography

Now, I have no goals. I wake up in the morning, and I’m not sure what I want to do or accomplish in the day.

Yet, funny enough — ever since I abandoned goals, I have become even MORE productive, in terms of my creative output– in terms of making pictures, writing, coming up with ideas, etc.

My secret is this:

Just follow what I’m curious or interested in.

Or another way of thinking about it:

Avoiding boredom.

Being like a kid– allowing my ‘ADHD’ to harness my creative energy, force, and spirit.

You are never a static photographer or artist

I like this concept as an artist and photographer, you are constantly in a state of ‘becoming‘ or constantly in a state of ‘flux.’ This means, everyday is just a visual exploration of experimentation, of trying new shit, of building images, breaking them down, experimenting with more dynamic and unorthodox compositions, and by just having fun.

Assignments to advance your photography

So in photography, what will continue to drive you forward– to keep experimenting, advancing in your photography, and developing your visual perception and your visual acuity?

Some ideas:

1. Avoid boredom in your photography: Keep evolving, innovating, and trying out new forms of photography. Experiment with your subject matter. Shoot portraits, landscapes, abstract pictures, shoot textures, street photographs, urban landscapes, etc. Don’t constrain yourself to one single ‘genre’ of photography. Shoot EVERYTHING without boundaries.
2. Share pictures you like– and only pictures you like. Share your favorite pictures on ERIC KIM FORUM. The more I share– the more encouraged I get to MAKE MORE pictures.
3. Don’t define yourself as a photographer: Don’t call yourself…anything. Just treat yourself like a big kid with a camera. Don’t limit the type of art you make. As an artist (yes you are already an artist, if you like to visually explore the world) — you can make art with your camera, your phone, by painting (in ‘real life’ or digitally), by tracing, or creating ‘original’ art works. Imitate the artwork you like, and incorporate that artistic vision into your own unique visual honey.

To take your photography to the next level, join ERIC KIM EXPERIENCE and empower yourself with HAPTIC TOOLS.

Never stop visually exploring, making new pictures, deleting old work, and re-inventing yourself.

Remember the Bob Dylan quote:

If you’re not busy being born, you’re busy dying.

BE CREATIVE EVERYDAY,
ERIC

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