Dear friend,

A thought: photography is great because it helps you love everyone– regardless of who they are, what they look like, regardless of their race, nationality, sex, gender, etc!

Red hair, greenbackground. Philly, with flash. 2013, Kodak Portra 400

Leica M6, Kodak Portra 400, 35mm f/2 lens. Shot at 1.2 meters.

Eric Rivera, street portrait with cigar. 1 meters, with flash, Leica M6, Kodak Portra 400, 35mm lens

Boy and father. Leica M6, Kodak Portra 400, 35mm, around 1.8 meters.

Leica MP + Leica Summicron 35mm f2 ASPH + Kodak Portra 400

Leica MP + Leica Summicron 35mm f2 ASPH + Kodak Portra 400 + flash. Nice lady I met in an elevator in Chicago.

I think photography is one of the greatest tools to spread human understanding, empathy, and love in the world.

I do believe the best photography is when you shoot with your heart. When your photos show your love for your subject.

I think this is what makes street photography so great. It gives us the chance to interact with strangers, and learn more about others around us.

I have always been interested in people, and photography gives me an excuse to open up my heart to them. I chat with them, I ask them about their life story, I laugh with them, and I bridge a bond with them! I try and discover more of my similarities with them, rather than how we’re different.

So friend, as a takeaway point — ask yourself:

Does photography connect you closer to people; or distance you from people?

I say go with the former– use photography as a tool to live a happier, more fulfilling life– which helps you connect with others!

Smile,
Eric

Random, but here are some new Garry Winogrand photos I love — he truly loved life!