Perhaps as we get stronger as a visual artist, we need a stronger visual stimulus from our own photographs? Does this mean we need to post-process our photos more extremely?
I’ve discovered for monochrome, I love extremely high contrast black and white photos. I love the “crushed blacks” aesthetics:
I realize with color photography, it is the same. I prefer an extreme aesthetic: extreme color, saturation, and false colors:
To experiment for yourself, try the following:
- Download ERIC KIM PRESETS, and experiment applying them to RAW or JPEG photos. My suggestion is to use these presets as a starting point, then remix them for your own uses, to make your own “look” and aesthetic.
- Apply more contrast and play around with the sliders until the photos look strong and impactful to you.
- Realize that your personal aesthetic tastes will change over time. Embrace this; don’t seek a consistent aesthetic for the rest of your life.
Also recognize that there’s no “right” or “wrong” in photography. Be anti dogma, anti puritan, anti “purist” photography.
I’m experimenting with a red-black aesthetic, which I really dig:
Never stop experimenting and innovating!
ERIC
