• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • START HERE
  • BOOKS
  • SHOP
  • WORKSHOPS

ERIC KIM

BLOG

  • ARS BETA
  • WHY?
  • AMAZON

Aesthetics in Photography

Is there such thing as “ideal” aesthetics in photography?

Aesthetics as the philosophy of beauty

What do you consider beautiful? This is the beginning of studying aesthetics, which is the philosophy of beauty.

Thus when we talk about “image quality”, we really mean to talk about aesthetics.

It is clear that the aesthetics of a digital medium format camera or film is superior to a smartphone image. But why is this?

Dynamic range

The bigger the sensor of the camera, the better the dynamic range of the image. This means more information between the darks and lights in an image.

Furthermore, colors are richer, more vibrant, and thus more beautiful. My theory on why we like vibrant colors:

Vibrant colors looks like delicious and juicy fruit.

Certainly we have evolved to determine which fruits are delcious and nutritious. And our eyesight works to determine the nutritive power of fruits and other food items.

Red and green

For example, red and green for strawberries. The same aesthetic applies to photos.

Black and white as abstracted reality

Monochrome is fascinating to me because you’re abstracting reality and turning it into art.

For example this circus photo by RICHARD AVEDON:

Now what is the benefit of an image like this?

For me, it inspires me to move! The photograph motivates me!

This is my aspiration with my own photos:

Make photos which inspire and motivates others to make their own photos, to move more, and to live/create/dream more!

HENRI SHOULDER STRAP

Film Leica MP x Henri Shoulder Strap (CREMA BROWN)

Supreme >


Street Photography Starter Kit

street photography starter kit by ERIC KIM

Master street photography >


HENRI WRIST STRAP PRO

Henri wrist strap pro

For the pros >

Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Photography Entrepreneurship

My brand-new Udemy Course, "Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Photography Entrepreneurship" now live!

Seize your destiny >


Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Photography

eric kim ultimate beginners guide to mastering photography udemy

Master photography >

ERIC KIM WORKSHOPS

red hand ERIC KIM

Unleash your creative potential:

2021:

  • April 10-11th, 2021: BOSTON / Discover Your Unique Voice in Photography Workshop [Register Intent Here]
  • May 1-2nd, 2021: CHICAGO / Street Photography Composition Masterclass [Register Intent Here]
  • May 22-22nd, 2021: NEW YORK CITY / STREET PHOTOGRAPHY MASTERCLASS by ERIC KIM [Register Intent Here]

Be notified of when new workshops are live here.


ERIC KIM NEWSLETTER

Free Motivation for You >







JOIN ARS: The Anti-Social Media for Photographers

Ars black logo

 

Get real feedback on your photos on ARSBETA.COM

WHY APP?

zen of ERIC KIM why app icon

Never stop asking why?

PHANTOM BLACK HENRI WRIST STRAP

Shoot like a ghost >


STREET NOTES

Never hit the streets without it >


FILM NOTES

Now is your time to (re)learn film >

HENRI WRIST STRAP

The classic CREMA BROWN >

CREATIVE EVERY DAY

Create every day >


PHOTO JOURNAL

Photo Journal Print Edition

Discover more personal meaning in your photography >

OPEN-SOURCE