Small is beautiful: RICOH GR II — my favorite street photography travel camera.

The Worst Camera is the One You Don’t Have On You

This is an inversion of the popular saying by Chase Jarvis, “The best camera is the one you have with you.” I think the opposite is in fact, more truthful.

What is the worst camera?

The worst camera you have is the one that sits on a shelf at your home, collecting dust.

I’ve found a truth for myself,

The heavier and bigger my camera is, the less likely I am to carry it with me everywhere I go.

And,

The less I carry my camera with me, the fewer photos I shoot.

Then,

The fewer photos I shoot, the sadder and more frustrated I am.

Silhouette and purple background. Berlin, 2017
Cindy Silhouette and purple background. Berlin, 2017

Therefore,

To be happier as a photographer, shoot more photos.

And,

To shoot more photos, have a smaller camera.

Photo of ERIC KIM by Harald Schmidt https://fotografie.io/ — ERIC SHOOTS BERLIN
ERIC KIM Shooting Berlin – Photo by Harald Schmidt https://fotografie.io/

I hate missing photo opportunities

I always have a camera with me. Sometimes it is on my neck, sometimes on my wrist, and sometimes in my bag. It is never at home.

But even when I have my camera in my bag, the camera is useless. Unless the camera is on my neck or on my wrist, I will not see as many photos, and I will not make photos.

Therefor the secret to being a happier, more productive, and fulfilled photographer:

Never have your camera not on your neck or wrist, or at least your table.

Or in easier words,

Always wear your camera on your neck, wrist, or have it on your desk, easily accessible, or in your front pocket.

How to be a happier photographer

The secret to happiness as a photographer isn’t to have better image quality.

The secret to happiness as a photographer is to SHOOT MORE, and to make more photos that challenge your courage, compositional skills, color combinations, and visual imagery.

Therefore, in other words — don’t choose your camera based on image quality. Rather, choose it for convenience, small size, and lightweight.

What do rappers and photographers have in common?

ERIC KIM x HENRI NECK STRAP
ERIC KIM x HENRI NECK STRAP

I idolize a lot of rappers, and many of them wear heavy golden chains on their necks. I wanted a heavy gold chain, but of course, couldn’t afford it.

Anyways, I had the random thought — What if instead, I just wore my camera around my neck, like a rapper — showing off my camera as jewelry, but also happening to make photos of it?

In other words,

Wear your camera around your neck as a fashion statement, and also to use it as an opportunity to make more photos.

We use everything we make. Cindy x HENRI WRIST STRAP
Cindy x HENRI WRIST STRAP

So nowadays, once I leave the house (or even when I’m at home) I have my RICOH GR II around my neck. Even when I go to the bathroom in restaurants, I carry my camera on my neck. Often on the way to the bathroom, or even inside the bathroom — I will see interesting things to photograph.

ERICKIM x ERICKIMSTRAP

Or when I’m walking somewhere, camera always on my neck or wrist. I set it to ISO 800 during the day, use program (p) mode, center point autofocus, and I just point and click — whenever something strikes my fancy.

Shoot without hesitation

You will know you’ve become a true zen master in Street photography when you can shoot without any obstruction, hesitation, or doubt.

Our motto in STREET CLUB is:

Just shoot it.

Simple and to the point.

JUST SHOOT IT. ERIC KIM

If you want to get stronger and workout, don’t find the perfect workout or diet plan. Just do it like NIKE. Just get down and do push-ups. Or just “don’t do it”— don’t eat sugar, soda, desserts, sweets, pastries, or pseudo-foods.

Treat your camera like your dog

ERIC KIM STRAP: JUST SHOOT IT.

So friend, to encourage you— never leave your camera at home. Always have it with you. At least in your bag, or backpack.

Low angle perspective picture of Cindy. Berlin, 2017
Low angle perspective picture of Cindy. Berlin, 2017

Treat your camera like your dog, always take it for a walk, and give it the love and attention it deserves.

Moabit evening dusk urban landscape outside my Airbnb. Berlin, 2017
Moabit evening dusk urban landscape outside my Airbnb. Berlin, 2017

And once again when in doubt,

JUST SHOOT IT.

ERIC