What is Your Street Photography Philosophy?

Side tattoo face. Downtown LA, 2015
Side tattoo face. Downtown LA, 2015

ERIC KIM WORKSHOP: Conquer Your Fears and Meet New Peers

The city of Angels. Eric Kim Black and White street photography. Los Angeles.

My street photography philosophy is:

People are kind, beautiful, and universal.

I want to show through my street photography the commonality of life. That in fact, we are all more similar than dissimilar.

The city of Angels. Eric Kim Black and White street photography

It breaks my heart to know that there are millions of people dying, suffering, because of ethnic strife, inequality, war, famine, and disease.

The city of Angels. Santa Monica. Eric Kim street photography

I want my pictures to inspire people to see one another as a brother or sister, rather than a distant stranger.

Xenophilia

The city of Angels. Eric Kim Black and White street photography. Los Angeles.

I have ‘xenophilia’— a love for strangers, or people I don’t know. This is the opposite or ‘xenophobia’— hatred or fear of strangers and foreigners.

The city of Angels. Eric Kim Black and White street photography. Los Angeles.

I have always loved talking to strangers, this is perhaps what first drew me to street photography. Not just taking pictures of strangers, but talking to strangers, engaging with them, hearing their life story, and connecting with them.

You are a unique breed of human being

Nails. Downtown LA, 2011
Nails. Downtown LA, 2011

You are unique. If you’re drawn to street photography, it means you are a humanist. You probably see the world in a more positive tone. You probably want to show beauty with your camera.

You probably have a spirit of open-mindedness, curiosity, and visual play. You probably are a loving human being. You love your friends, family, and have a deep interest in strangers. You might be drawn to interesting people, characters, or faces.

The city of Angels. Eric Kim Black and White street photography. Los Angeles.

Or, you like the visual behind street photography — dramatic lights, shadows, and forms. You see the world as your visual playground, and you want to make art with your camera.

Shoot you.

Pinocchio nose. Downtown LA, 2015
Pinocchio nose. Downtown LA, 2015

We all have different street photography philosophies — in terms of how we shoot (technique), what we shoot (subject matter), and why we shoot (personal philosophy).

Ultimately, follow your own gut. Shoot however you like. Shoot whatever you want. And follow whatever reason you shoot street photography.

Stay true to yourself, stay bold, and never quit exploring.

BE STRONG,
ERIC

ERIC KIM WORKSHOP: Conquer Your Fears and Meet New Peers


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