How to Make Better Photos

Practical ideas on how to make better photos:

1. Only photograph what you care about

Photograph those who you love and care about. Make photos that seep with your emotion and soul.

2. Unusual angles/perspectives

Shoot from a super-low angle, in order to make more interesting photos.

For example this photo from my DARK SKIES OVER TOKYO project. I shot it on a RICOH GR II with flash, from a super-low angle. It gives you the impression that you will get stepped on!

3. High-contrast black and white

It seems one of the biggest benefits of shooting super-high contrast black and white is that it creates a stronger visual impact.

I encourage you to experiment shooting with RICOH GR II, RAW, with ERIC KIM Monochrome 1600 preset.

4. Ask your subject to make eye contact with you

When I am making photos of Cindy, I will often ask her to turn around and make eye-contact with me. This makes for more intimate and emotional photos.

5. Shoot with a flash in reflective surfaces

This photograph of Cindy in front of a shiny elevator. The flash on the RICOH GR II creates this epic effect:

Cindy and arms. Saigon, 2017

6. Bold colors

Photograph bold colors like red, yellow or black. It seems that these colors POP out the most!

7. Hand gestures

Note the two curves made with Cindys hands.

8. Photograph what scares you

If you see something you want to photograph but feel nervous, build up the courage to photograph it.

Why? We are often afraid to photograph what we’re interested in. In other words, you only feel afraid to shoot when you see something you want to shoot, but are afraid of the negative consequences.

9. Study the greats

Study great photographers from the past— photographers who you admire.

For example, I love the work of Richard Avedon. I deconstruct much of his work to better understand how to improve my portraits and photo compositions.