Month: August 2018

To make better photos, strive to achieve this aesthetic: simple and elegant.

Josef Koudelka: one of my photographic heros.

Have pride in your pictures! Don’t expect others to praise you for your photos. Praise yourself and your own images!

Some of my personal favorite color pictures:

If you want the perfect strap for your daily photographic and street photography lifestyle, pick up a new Henri or ERIC KIM strap at the HAPTIC INDUSTRIES Amazon Shop >

To me, life isn’t fun, interesting, or rewarding without risk!

To be honest, you cannot control whether you make a good photo or not. However you can control your ability to take risks, and be brazen!

Hey streettogs,

I want to congratulate everyone who contributed and participated in STREET CLUB: Summer School 2018— for your meaningful feedback, your pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, and this empowering community we have built together!

Simple tips to take better monochrome pictures. All pictures shot on RICOH GR II, with ERIC KIM MONOCHROME preset:

Dear friend,

A philosophical question I was pondering while lying in bed this morning–

“What kind of photos will last, and what kind of photos will not?”

In ancient Greek times (according to Homer in the Iliad, and Nietzche confirms this), warriors only desired fame, glory, and to immortalize their name. They didn’t really care for riches or power, they essentially desired immortal fame.

Now the question I have is this:

Is fame a good thing, and if so, how can we achieve it?

Garry Winogrand: genius street photography composition master.

There’s all this doomsday talk lately how AI (artificial intelligence) is going to kill and destroy us, and steal our jobs. I think this is silly. To me, I see artificial intelligence as just another benefit to humanity; hopefully something that helps simplify our lives, and help us focus more on artistic creation!

The more I theorize about photography and art, the more I’m starting to realize — art and photography isn’t about depicting some visual “truthfulness” of reality. Instead, it’s painting and presenting our own version of reality with others!

A simple photography composition tip: tilt your camera (Dutch angle)!

One of my passions is composition — why? It’s a fun visual exercise and game!

Some of my favorite photos:

Before we seek to make good photos, we must first seek to live a good life!

Practical tips on making better street photographs:

Color photography is great. Why? Let me share:

Dear friend,

Just wanted to give you a little life update– from the LA Suburbs (specifically, Little Saigon in Orange County):

Dear friend,

I make my living teaching workshops helping others conquer their fears. To me, fear isn’t something to be destroyed, but harnessed in a positive way.

Dear friend, use any (and every) opportunity to photograph!

“Ars longa, vita brevis.” – Seneca

Dear friend,

Our lives are short. Why waste it accumulating superfluous stuff, aiming to receive acclaim from others? I propose we should seek to make great art; art that pleases and amuses us, and art that can inspire future generations!

“He who feared that he would not succeed sat still.” – Horace

The secret of success? Simple: Don’t sit still!

Guy Le Querrec; genius.

Don’t seek to make “better” photos, seek to make more personally-significant photos!

Bespoke for Your Photography Needs

The Henri Camera Straps Collection

To make better photos, fill the frame!

Dear friend,

I just invested in some Bitcoin, and I’m super excited for this brave new digital economy!

Some practical ideas and tips on shooting better color photos:

What is candid photography? What does it mean? And what’s the significance of the word “candid”?

Currently in the suburbs of LA, and of course it isn’t as “fun” or “interesting” as when I am traveling and living nomadically. But how can one stay inspired and keep shooting, regardless of where they live?

To make better compositions, block out distracting elements from your photos:

An idea: when someone else is driving, you can be in the passenger seat and shoot street photography, looking out! This is what Garry Winogrand and Lee Friedlander (America by car) did — perfect for us street photographers stuck in the suburbs.

Dear friend,

In seeking “happiness” I’ve discovered that happiness isn’t an emotion, owning a lot of stuff, or having wealth and honors. Instead, happiness is “eudaimonia”— human flourishing!

Dear friend,

I am excited and proud to share our newest product with you: the HENRI WRIST STRAP PRO (also available on Amazon in CREMA BROWN or PHANTOM BLACK)

Lumix G9 + ERIC KIM PRESETS:

Lecture #1 for PHOTOLOSOPHY: what is photolosophy and why is it important?

One of the simplest and most effective compositions we can integrate into our photography are triangle compositions. Some basic ideas:

Practical Golden Triangle composition tips when shooting street photography:

Shot with RICOH GR II and LUMIX G9 x ERIC KIM PRESETS:

Currently in the suburbs of LA, and been actually able to make interesting and fun photos here!

Dear friend,

A simple idea I wanted to share with you: focus on building your courage and bravery in photography and life; don’t worry too much about “skill”.

Shot with RICOH GR II and ERIC KIM PRESETS:

Dear friend,

If you want honest feedback on your photos, share them on ARSBETA.COM — if not, you can always critique your own photos!

Dear friend,

I’m currently experiencing blissful peace in the suburbs of Los Angeles, and meditating more on life. A thought: I believe that living a happy life is more than just peace and tranquility; we also need danger, excitement, adventure, and uncertainty (war!)

Shoot on my fellow streettog
Keep on clicking and rack up a backlog of unseen photos

I love the photos of Garry Winogrand. Why? Let me explain:

LISBON STREET PHOTOGRAPHY: RICOH GR II:

Super inspired by the new macOS Beta Wallpapers.

Dear friend,

A curious question I’ve been having: is it possible to live a happy life in the suburbs?

“I abominate the uninitiated vulgar, and keep them at a distance. Preserve a religious silence: I, the priest of the Muses, sing to virgins and boys verses not heard before.” – Horace (Third book of the odes of Horace, ODE I: ON CONTENTMENT)

I am currently revisiting the work of Horace, and man — I am insanely inspired by his heroic-artistic mentality and perspective!

Feedback for assignment 3: elderly. Don’t miss out and join our last assignment #4: photograph your loved ones!

I just shot the wedding of my sister-in-law Kim, and had tons of fun shooting it like a street photographer!

I love Prague, for the food, the people, and the street shooting!

RICOH GR II in Marseille:

I love photographing my food. Why? A lot of my favorite memories are associated with food, and it’s not about the food; it’s about the memories I had with loved ones!

The more risks you take in street photography, the happier you will be!

Tips to shoot curves in photography:

Dear friend,

A practical idea: when you see something that you’re not sure whether it is good or bad to shoot, just shoot it! Or in simple words, “When in doubt, click!”

Devices are good, internet not always.

Dear friend,

When in doubt, click. It’s always better to take a bad photo than no photo.

Dear friend,

In today’s social media crazy world, with Facebook and Instagram, why even make a photography blog? Isn’t it just easier to upload all your photos to Facebook and Instagram?

In street photography (and photography, cinema, art in general), layers are awesome. Why? Layers add more dynamic energy and visual interest to your photos!

Dear friend,

A photolosophy idea: what would we do if a “perfect” camera existed, which fulfilled all of our needs? Would this make us happier? Would this make us more inspired to shoot? What would this even mean?

Photos shot in Kyoto, with Lumix LX100:

Dear friend,

I am super excited to have you for my brand-new course, ‘PHOTOLOSOPHY‘: your unique opportunity to find more personal meaning, purpose, and motivation in your photography.

Preview the whole PHOTOLOSOPHY COURSE HERE >

I’ve been using an iPad since the original version II, and I can confidently state: the iPad is a fantastic investment for photographers.

Dear friend,

A practical tip in street photography: to make better photos, get closer to your subjects, by using your “foot zoom”!