Month: December 2018

Photography as a means to improve your life, not the ultimate end in itself:

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Why is it that in modern society, to be ‘consistent’ is seen as good, and to be a ‘flip flopper’ is seen as such a negative trait?

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Whatever you photograph, you’re making a judgement — whether good or bad. 

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Robert Capa: one of my photographic heroes, because he was able to show the beauty and joy of life, even in the midst of pain war, and suffering. 

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Are there any “ultimate” morals or ethics when it comes to photography? I think not. 

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You cannot control your externals, but you can control how courageous you are in life. And the more you exert your courage in life, the stronger you will become.

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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? 

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Anti portfolio-focus in photography?

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Dear friend,

We have established it is good to be different. Now the more practical question:

How do we stand out from the masses?

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Never strive to be anyone else but yourself:

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The future of cameras are “phones”:

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Update: We had such a high demand for the first round of the Fukubukuro Version 1 (December 2018) and sold out in less than 24 hours! Due to the overwhelming response, we added  THREE (3) more boxes to allow more people chances to access this special offer. (Total boxes created this version: 13) (December 13, 2018)

Reward yourself this holiday season and take your photography to new heights with the HAPTIC Fukubukuro Box.

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The Fibonacci Spiral: one of the best compositional tools we have as photographers:

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The Huawei P20 Pro has the best “photographer focused” camera interface, and has the best aesthetic and “look” for their ‘Vivid’ Color filter. 

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Become stronger, more powerful, and more influential every single day:

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Express: to press out your creative force and power:

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FILM NOTES: Imperfection is beautiful.

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The world is yours:

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I think we are all striving to improve our life. But what does that really mean?

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To know whether your “figure to ground” (or the separation / edge detection) of your photo is good or not, apply the “Gaussian Blur” filter to your photos (Photoshop, Procreate):

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Robert Capa: one of my favorite photographers of all time.

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If you upload your photos to Instagram or Facebook, you’re technically already a photography blogger.

Yet what I want to encourage you with is this:

You must own your own photography blog, and your own photography website and platform. 

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From now until January 1, 2019, all orders over 49 USD in the HAPTIC SHOP come with FREE gift wrapping and custom gift message!

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I’ve been living nomadically with Cindy the last 2 years. Is this the ideal lifestyle? A lot of my friends think it is. 

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Perhaps the best use of our limited human metabolism (and life) is to make art!

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I just finished re-watching the film “Scarface”, and I was struck by the idea:

Once you have it all, then what?

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Simple tips on making better photos:

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Dear friend,

This is a simple thought:

Avoid pessimism in life. Use photography as a tool, a stimulus, to help you find more purpose, direction, and joy in life.

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As photographers, we are image-makers — and we make images via photographs. But what is the value of a photograph– for ourselves, and for society in general?

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A thought: perhaps the best way to become greater is to NOT be easily satisfied. Perhaps, to never be satisfied?

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What do you think is the ultimate zenith of human potential? What do you think is your personal maximum?

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If you feel self-conscious when shooting street photography, try this out:

Shoot street photography while listening to music on your headphones. 

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To make more unique street photos, shoot with your camera high in the air, pointing downwards:

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To be happier as a photographer, be a more productive photographer, by shooting more photos. Finding the ideal camera and strap for you will help:

ERIC KIM STRAPS

I’ve pretty much shot with all the cameras out there, and I still think the RICOH GR II is the best camera. Small, fits in your front pocket, and practically invisible when you’re shooting on the streets.

If you use ERIC KIM NECK STRAP on your RICOH GR II, you practically don’t feel the weight. You forget you even have it around your neck! This means, you will carry your camera with you everywhere you go, and you’re more likely to shoot photos. And the more photos you shoot, the more likely you are to get some photos you really like!

If you prefer a more minimalist strap for your RICOH GR II, get an ERIC KIM WRIST STRAP. I generally find it is more convenient to have a neck strap, but this is what I noticed with a wrist strap:

When you carry your camera with a wrist strap, you are more likely to shoot photos. 

Perhaps this is because you feel the weight of the camera in your hand? 

HENRI STRAPS

The classic OG Henri Neck Strap was designed from the beginning to be the most beautiful, functional, and fashionable camera strap for street photographers. The HENRI line was born from dissatisfaction. The dissatisfaction that all the other camera straps I’ve used in the past for street photography weren’t good enough, or just didn’t look cool.

At HAPTIC, we are addicted to innovation. We have constantly been iterating the HENRI Straps based on your feedback, and we have an extensive lineup to fit your personal lifestyle, camera, and your own personal style.

For example the classic OG Henri Wrist Strap: ideal for smaller cameras. Strong, robust, yet minimal. 

HENRI SHOULDER STRAP

If you prefer to wear your camera cross-body, pick up a HENRI SHOULDER STRAP, either in the bold PHANTOM BLACK, or the elegant CREMA BROWN. This strap is also ideal for you if you are bigger or taller.

HENRI WRIST STRAP: PRO EDITION

HENRI WRIST STRAP: PRO EDITION is probably one of our most innovative straps. The ultimate hybrid between neck strap and wrist strap. 

We took the soft neck pad from the Henri Neck Strap, and fused it to the Henri Wrist Strap. Thus, the ultimate synthesis between the Neck Strap and the Wrist Strap– ideal if your camera is slightly bigger or heavier.

For example, I currently have the Henri Wrist Strap Pro on my Lumix G9 (which is heavier, with the larger Leica 12mm f/1.4 lens).

If you have a larger Fujifilm XT-series, a Sony A7-series, or a Leica with a heavier Summilux lens, the HENRI WRIST STRAP PRO is ideal for you. It comes in two flavors:

• Phantom Black: Henri Wrist Strap Pro on Amazon >
• Crema Brown: Henri Wrist Strap Pro on Amazon >

JUST SHOOT IT.

A strap won’t make you a better photographer. But having the ideal strap will help you carry your camera with you everywhere you go, and to be honest– just always having your camera with you is 90% of the battle. Even a step further– having your camera always on you like a bracelet or a necklace is the ultimate form to always be prepared BEFORE the decisive moment happens!

Ultimately, the most important thing for us photographers is to never stop shooting. So when in doubt, remember our motto:

JUST SHOOT IT.

ERIC

See all products in HAPTIC SHOP >

How high can you soar in your lifetime? Accumulate your strength, power, and influence slowly– while also constantly pushing your limits.

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The best presents for photographers for this Christmas:

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When I was in Washington D.C., I bumped into Robert Trejo, a passionate strettog. I asked him for personal recommendations on shooting street photography in D.C., and here are his personal recommendations:

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To be a successful photographer, you need to be both a great photographer AND a great marketer. To me, these two are integral (like the yin-yang).

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As a photographer, you are an image-creator.

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In praise of uber-minimalism in photography:

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Why I love film photography:

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Shoot for yourself, according to your own standards. Get the shot no matter what.

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Make a stronger body of work by becoming more ruthless, objective, and exacting from your own photos:

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Shoot all day, every day, with whatever camera is least cumbersome to you.

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Don’t just strive to shoot every day; strive to shoot ALL DAY!

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We are often dissatisfied with our environment, as if the environment was more interesting than us.

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Simple way to make more compelling and dynamic street photographs:

Shoot from a low angle, to make your subject look “larger than life”.

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Life Goal: Achieve the Greatest Amount of Power Possible:

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Augment yourself. Make yourself bigger, stronger, and more grand.

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Practical tips on making better photos on iPhone (or any phone camera):

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The worth of an artwork? Whether it survives or dies.

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CASINO: another masterpiece from Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci:

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Art is a form of self-expression — but what is the worth of self-expression? Why express yourself?

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iPhone Xs: the best phone (or mobile device) that has ever been made (so far).

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Simple life idea:

When you have the option, don’t play it safe.

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An idea —

Perhaps the source of all aesthetic design comes from sexual concepts.

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Why I think you should get the Google Pixel 3 phone for the camera, instead of the Apple iPhone Xs for photography:

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Don’t see the world as it is, see it as more beautiful!

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Own your own platform, and own yourself.

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“I felt compelled to venture forth and explore the true face of the world. Leading a satisfying life of plenty had blinded many of us to the immense hardships beyond our borders.” – Werner Bischof

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Some candid thoughts on the new iPhone Xs camera for photography:

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Dear friend,

A simple idea:

Don’t take others’ word for it. Test it out for yourself.

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In my quest of philosophical truths– one question which has been puzzling to me:

Is the point of life to be ‘satisfied’?

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Blog to gain more power, freedom, and control:

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