• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • START HERE
  • BOOKS
  • SHOP
  • WORKSHOPS

ERIC KIM

BLOG

  • ARS BETA
  • WHY?
  • AMAZON

Why Does Image Quality Matter?

Uji sunset, 2017.
Uji sunset, 2017.
Uji sunset, 2017.

Why aren’t so obsessed with “image quality”— and what does it even mean?

How do you define “image quality”?

Cindy picture of ERIC sleeping in Ryokan. Uji, Kyoto 2017
Cindy picture of ERIC sleeping in Ryokan. Uji, Kyoto 2017

First of all, what is “image quality”?

I think in a general sense, “image quality” is the aesthetic pleasure you get from a picture.

For example, when I shoot a picture, I want to feel good, excited, joyful, or pleased from my picture.

Sharpness is overrated

Coin Laundry. Uji, Kyoto 2017
Coin Laundry. Uji, Kyoto 2017

“Sharpness is a bourgeoise [snobby and pretentious] concept.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

The wrong thing in photography: photographers judge “image quality” by how sharp the images are.

I personally think sharpness is overrated. Why? You get distracted from the most important thing in a picture… to EVOKE some sort of emotion or feeling in your heart and mind.

My Photos are too harshly processed

Uji urban landscape, 2017
Uji urban landscape, 2017

Image quality means different things to different folks, depending on your aesthetic tastes.

Some of us (myself included) love REALLY HIGH CONTRAST. Others of us prefer more subdued tones.

Whatever your aesthetic taste, there is no “right” or “wrong”. I prefer bright and acidic arabica espressos from Ethiopia, but you might prefer a dark roast Robusta from Dalat in Vietnam. There is no “right” flavor, just know what tastes good to you. Some coffee snobs I know are “coffee Nazis”— not allowing you to put sugar and cream into your coffee. I personally like my coffee black, but I’m not gonna stop anyone else from having their coffee the way they like it.

What are your aesthetic tastes?

Uji, Kyoto Urban landscape. 2017
Uji, Kyoto Urban landscape. 2017

In photography, Aesthetics is highly subjective to you.

I’m like the Burger King of photography,

You can have it your way.

I have aesthetic preferences in photography. For example, I don’t like a lot of details in the shadows of an image. I prefer heavy grain and contrast. I don’t like the “clarity” slider, or the “HDR” look. And of course, I will give my students feedback on how they process their images, from my point of view.

But all of my feedback and constructive critiques are just suggestions, not “rules”.

Ignore the photo Nazis

Uji, Kyoto Urban landscape. 2017
Uji, Kyoto Urban landscape. 2017

You make your own rules in photography. Never let anyone else dictate what is “good” or “bad” in photography.

Therefore in practical terms, IGNORE any online photography or camera reviews that put a number to image quality. You cannot compare image quality, just like how you cannot compare human beings.

Cindy in bed. Ryokan. Uji, Kyoto 2017
Cindy in bed. Ryokan. Uji, Kyoto 2017

My suggestion, ignore online reviews for cameras, lenses, tools, etc. Instead, test it out for yourself. Because your personal tastes will always be different from the reviewer.

Also be VERY SKEPTICAL about these photography and camera nerds who try to quantify and add a number to everything. Don’t visit online forums where they shoot brick walls, or compare the “bokeh” of their lenses. They’re missing the point. It’s like obsessing over the ink of Voltaire or Balzac, instead of actually reading their words and poetry.

Cindy and flash. Uji, Kyoto 2017
Cindy and flash. Uji, Kyoto 2017

Or it’s like studying the pots and pans of chef Gordon Ramsey, instead of actually trying his food.

Or like obsessing about what lens and equipment Henri Cartier-Bresson, Eugene Smith, Lisette Model, Diane Arbus, Josef Koudelka, or Martin Parr, instead of studying their images.

Uji, 2017. Note the edge of the top right frame and bottom left frame and top left frame... all connect quite well.
Uji, 2017.

Takeaway points.

Reflection of Cindy in Ukata in our Ryokan in Uji, Kyoto 2017
Reflection of Cindy in Ukata in our Ryokan in Uji, Kyoto 2017

Sorry for the rant, let me distill my ideas:

  1. There is no “objective” numbers you can put on “image quality”. It is all subjective. If you want to see the image quality of a camera, just try it out and experiment for yourself. Return it if you don’t like it, or just borrow it.
  2. Make pictures that are aesthetically pleasing to you, in terms of what gear you use, or how you process your photos.
  3. Don’t be obsessed over megapixels, sharpness, or “lens rendition” or these other stupid buzz words in the photography world. Seek to make personally meaningful pictures which speak to your soul. And make pictures which reveal YOUR SOUL.

And the best cure for GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) is to go out, be more adventurous, and SHOOT MORE!

Cindy in Yukata. Uji, Kyoto 2017
Cindy in Yukata. Uji, Kyoto 2017

Make more art, wander the streets like a kid, and just have fun.

BE CREATIVE EVERYDAY!
ERIC

Colorful Japanese text. UJI, KYOTO 2017

Diagonal composition.

Cindy in massage chair. Uji, Kyoto 2017

Cindy with finger on forehead. On the patio of our ryokan in Uji, Kyoto 2017
Cindy with finger on forehead. On the patio of our ryokan in Uji, Kyoto 2017

CONQUER GAS

GAS: (Gear Acquisition Syndrome): wanting to buy new cameras, because you feel like your photos aren’t good enough, because your camera isn’t good enough:

  • Why Are We So Obsessed With the “New New Thing”?
  • TIMELESS CAMERAS
  • Why it is Cooler Shooting With a Shittier Camera
  • No Camera Lasts Forever
  • Why Do We Buy Cameras?
  • Why Camera Companies Want You to Be Perpetually Dissatisfied With Your Gear
  • DSLR CAMERAS ARE LAME.
  • Why You Shouldn’t Go Into Debt For Your Photography
  • PHOTOGRAPHY SLAVES
  • How to Conquer GAS
  • How to Stop Pixel-Peeping
  • Why I Shoot With One Camera and One Lens
  • 30 Tips to Conquer G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)
  • Gear Allergy Syndrome
  • Disregard Differences, Notice Similarities
  • More Megapixels, More Problems
  • Sensor Envy
  • If Your Camera Isn’t Good Enough, Your Camera isn’t Expensive Enough
  • How to Be Grateful For What You Have
  • Having No Choices is the Ultimate Freedom
  • Technology Won’t Fix Your Problems
  • Why is Image Quality Important?
  • Why Sharpness is Overrated in Street Photography

START HERE.

HENRI SHOULDER STRAP

Film Leica MP x Henri Shoulder Strap (CREMA BROWN)

Supreme >


Street Photography Starter Kit

street photography starter kit by ERIC KIM

Master street photography >


HENRI WRIST STRAP PRO

Henri wrist strap pro

For the pros >

Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Photography Entrepreneurship

My brand-new Udemy Course, "Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Photography Entrepreneurship" now live!

Seize your destiny >


Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Photography

eric kim ultimate beginners guide to mastering photography udemy

Master photography >

ERIC KIM WORKSHOPS

red hand ERIC KIM

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.


ERIC KIM NEWSLETTER

Free Motivation for You >







JOIN ARS: The Anti-Social Media for Photographers

Ars black logo

 

Get real feedback on your photos on ARSBETA.COM

WHY APP?

zen of ERIC KIM why app icon

Never stop asking why?

PHANTOM BLACK HENRI WRIST STRAP

Shoot like a ghost >


STREET NOTES

Never hit the streets without it >


FILM NOTES

Now is your time to (re)learn film >

HENRI WRIST STRAP

The classic CREMA BROWN >

CREATIVE EVERY DAY

Create every day >


PHOTO JOURNAL

Photo Journal Print Edition

Discover more personal meaning in your photography >

OPEN-SOURCE