Month: July 2019

Something I’m very interested in: the intersection of photography, technology, entrepreneurship, and philosophy. I feel this is very fascinating ground which hasn’t (yet) been fully analyzed in detail.

Are You Strong Enough, or Too Weak?

A way to think about life —

Don’t be afraid of failure or hurting/injuring yourself. Instead, just focus on building your own strength and become strong enough to pursue great tasks and aims in your life.

Generally speaking, buying books will always be a better investment than buying photo gear (#buybooksnotgear).

But at times, I feel a bit conflicted about photo books. In some regards, I think photo books are over-rated. And some ways, photo books are underrated.

Let me use this essay as an opportunity to explicate some of my thoughts and personal philosophies on photo books:

The RICOH GR II is a perfect camera. But the good news– the RICOH GR III is even better.

RICOH GR III in high contrast monochrome JPEG setting is epic.

Super enjoying the RICOH GR III; which gave me a thought:

Perhaps we should only ever purchase a camera which we can imagine using forever?

Of course nothing is meant to last forever. And of course digital photography is moving so quickly, that to never buy another digital camera ever again is also a foolish idea. If I plan on shooting photos until I’m 120 years old, I want new technologies in photography to be created!

But as photographers and creators, we need to love the cameras and tools we use. Keep experimenting with your equipment until you find a few tools you love, then stick with them! If you just feel “meh” about the tools or belongings you have, ditch them.

Hasselblad: killing it with insane innovations in digital medium format, and digital backs for their old school Hasselblad V system.

Life is about growth and progress. But a question which often gnaws at the back of our head:

“Am I making progress in my photography, artistic innovation, and life?”

Life is all upside, no downside.

Based on my thoughts:

1. Longevity: Ability to continue to innovate in their photography over decades. To keep shooting until they die (Andre Kertesz).
2. Self-confidence: Making photographic art works to impress themselves, not others.
3. Refusal to allow themselves be trapped within a genre.
4. To think of photography less about capturing reality. More delight in artistic form, tones–a more artistic approach.
5. Relatively simple, direct, yet elegant compositions. No need for “visual gymnastics” to “flex” their photographic skills.

Simple tips to get you going!

How does a photographer thrive? By shooting more (new) photos!

The world is your visual oyster. Exploit reality by shooting all the new photos you can!

Testing the 21mm ultra-wide angle adapter for the new Ricoh GR III, and really enjoying it!

What if our goal and motive as photographers was to capture the fullest extent of life, while we’re still alive?

To photograph people, nature, urban landscapes, plant life, and all of life?

When I look at artwork, I like artwork which “moves” me– quite literally moves me. Which encourages me to move around, dance, and go out and make more of my own artwork!

An idea: for fun, turn your photos into animated GIFs!

Refuse yourself to become a prisoner to your past self, your past artistic style, etc.

Free DOWNLOAD of Eric Kim Stock Photos (Volume 1).

Thanks to Cindy for the idea. The basic notion is this:

If you need free photographs or illustrations for a book cover, design, etc — these are for you.

Practical ideas:

It seems that success as a photographer in today’s brave new world of photography is 90% dependent on marketing skill, and only 10% photographic skill. It seems this is the truth.

Now, how are you to succeed and stand-out? Here are some practical ideas I’ve learned through my decade+ experience in photography, marketing, philosophy, and life:

Why don’t I like to possess things which others posses?

I deem JOSEF KOUDELKA as one of the greatest photographers of all time. Why? Let me share.

To make great photos, strive to make strong and simple compositions.

When in doubt, go light.

With enough of your personal willpower, you can achieve, do, become, or create anything.

But the practical question:

How do we “gain” more willpower? How can we strengthen our willpower?

A simple way of living life:

Devote all of your power and energy to do dope shit!

A thought inspired by Cindy:

You are the end.

What I mean is this:

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

To me, entrepreneurship is applied philosophy to reality. To become an entrepreneur takes 10000x more guts than to be a thinker and philosopher. Why? As an entrepreneur you are tied to reality (skin in the game, via Nassim Taleb). You’re a modern day hero. You’re taking on personal sacrifices and risks to better humanity and the collective.

Where should the profit motive fit?

I love monochrome. Here are some practical tips to help you elevate your monochrome vision:

I have a bold new vision of the future:

A world in which we derive happiness and meaning from creating and producing things (artwork), instead of striving to buy, possess, or consume.

In photography, using a wide-angle lens and getting very close will make better photos:

Why is happiness important? Why be happy?

Kind of random — but after years of experimenting with different headphones (noise cancelling, over-head, in-ear, bluetooth, wireless, wired, etc), I have decided:

In-ear monitor ‘earbuds’ are the best headphones.

Entrepreneurial concepts to help increase your likelihood of success:

What is art? Art is something that a human being creates.

Anything you create is an “art-work”.

Now perhaps the more practical question is this:

Is art a legitimate art-form? And is it on the same plane as painting or other forms of artwork?

I claim it is. Why? Let me explain:

ARS: The superior ‘anti-social’ social media platform BY photographers, FOR photographers!

How I shoot in real life:

Some of my favorite photos and why I love these photos:

A thought on art:

Perhaps we should strive to make beautiful things which we like to look at.

I am one of the most creatively productive people I know. Here are some practical thoughts and tips on how to create more:

What are the best camera straps for you? An overview of all HAPTIC STRAPS:

Some ideas on walking more and shooting more:

What makes a beautiful photo? How do we better increase our chances of making a beautiful photo? What type of camera do we need, and so forth?

To become more successful in life, give more and receive (take less).

Life is too short for ugly photos.

A thought when listening to some hip hop music and looking through my photos:

I strive to make a visual soundtrack.

My photos are a reflection of me. My photos are imbued with my soul.

Surreal photos are more interesting, and more artistic.

The beauty of monochrome, blur, grit, and surreal/abstract photography — that it looks different from reality?

To motivate others literally means to make them move.

What kind of photos do I like to look at? I only like to look at photos which encourage me to move and go out and shoot my own photos!

Great photographers:

• Richard Avedon
• Henri Cartier-Bresson
• Josef Koudelka
• Bruce Davidson
• Jason Eskenazi

Strive to study more photographers who motivate you.

You’re a photographer-artist. Never let anyone talk down on you.

Practical ideas on how to make better photos:

A thought on entrepreneurship and life:

Don’t be led by trying to make money. Instead, work on challenging, interesting, and difficult problems which interest you and which are fun for you!

Practical thoughts on why iPhone is the best camera:

Study compositions from other great photographers you admire, break them down, and aspire to take your own compositions to the next level!

Some inspiration from Garry Winogrand:

You ever have someone tell you:

“Put away the camera, just enjoy this moment!”

But what if to photograph something WAS to experience it deeper, richer, fuller, with more gratitude and joy?