Month: November 2019

Fujifilm makes great cameras— probably some of the best “bang for the buck”cameras. Imagine Fujifilm cameras being like a Lexus— truly nothing wrong with it! Great performance, good aesthetics, and a solid price point.

A thought inspired by Cindy: What if we should direct all of our powers to elevate ourselves?

A realization about photography: It doesn’t matter how “good” or “bad” you are in photography. The point is to share YOUR personal perspective!

Perhaps the optimal human state is maximizing your “flow state” everyday, all day, for the most of everyday. Some practical ideas: Don’t do anything you don’t care for, or what you’re not passionate about. Spend as little time on email, your phone, messaging, social media, communications, internet as possible. If you want to enter a…

Happiness isn’t the end goal (contra Aristotle):

First basic idea: The best way to measure ‘success’ as an entrepreneur is on pure survival.

Is frugality a virtue? Is frugality something to be desired? What is frugality for? For whom? Why be frugal? These are some questions I will attempt to answer:

Whenever I have followed my passion in life, I have succeeded in life. And so can you.

A thought: I am hyper-healthy I am hyper-strong I have much wealth I have succeeded in all of my life goals The question is: Now what?

Don’t live life like Russian roulette. Texting and driving 99% safe… 1% death.

Photographic nihilism means: What is the point of making photos? They are insignificant anyways. Nihilism: the (loser) philosophy that ‘nothing has meaning, thus I shall do nothing’ (Arthur Schopenhauer’s philosophy). Unfortunately this type of nihilistic thinking victimizes intelligent (atheist) individuals. If we live in a world without god, or a cosmic “reason” to life —…

Success as a photographer means to never stop shooting new photos! If we use this as our definition for photography and art, then perhaps Henri Cartier-Bresson wasn’t a successful photographer (he gave up photography), and we can consider Richard AVEDON (died while on assignment) and Josef Koudelka (in his 80s and still traveling and making…

When I start blogging, I have no idea how it will end Similar thinking: treat blogging as “live-streaming”your mind! With all your “flaws”and “bad” grammar. More important for it to be your own personal and genuine thoughts. To not simply rehash what others have said. To express YOUR OWN opinion on a matter!

Andre Lhote— the teacher of Henri Cartier-Bresson:

The eternal return — what would you want to practice forever, for fun?

My only definition of failure: Being a coward in [x]. What is success? Courage. Acting courageously, and not obtaining your desired consequences isn’t “failure”. It is just practical information you can use to tinker, improve, and trial-and-error yourself forward and upwards!

My definition of financial independence: To no longer be a slave to money as a way to self-value yourself, your worth, or your progress in life.

An ethical thought: When it comes to interacting with others — there are times in which your “selfless” actions are actually very self-interested. And other times when your “selfish” actions are actually quite selfless in benefitting others. But when is one which, and when is it the other?

Street photography gives me a reason to live! To thrive! To explore, to make art, and to share.

Some composition studies of my own photos: PDF (208MB): PDF Download (Dropbox) > PDF Download (Google Drive) >

I consider myself one of the greatest bloggers of all-time. Why? I grew up with blogging (started blogging since age 16, in high school, with Xanga). I can type 150+ words per minute I am fearless when it comes to writing I can ‘stream’ a stream-of-consciousness style of writing, which is friendly, conversational, and practical.…

If Henri Cartier-Bresson started photography today, would he have shot with a digital Leica M10? Or a RICOH GR III? I think he would have chosen the RICOH. Some thoughts:

A new street photography lesson: When shooting multiple subjects or even single subjects, put space between your subjects (or space between the subject and the background).

Belief in travel, new experiences, new sights, freedom, art, joy, and love:

With art, aesthetics and life: Cultivate your own taste. Don’t let others superimpose their tastes upon you!

The best photography is of human beings:

One of my current life goals: Live to be 140 years old, in hyper-health. How can we do this? Let me share some ideas:

PDF Downloads (300mb): Dropbox Download > Google Drive Download >

A thought: I am happiest when my metabolism is strong!

Also you can download at: Dropbox (61MB) > Google Drive >

Richard Avedon— one of the masters of photography, and one of my personal favorites. Free PDF downloads below: Dropbox (390MB) PDF Download > Google Drive (390MB) PDF Download > See all the photos below:

Pursue a photography project of something you actually care about. There’s no right or wrong approaches or techniques in photo projects; only authentic or inauthentic. Authentic: you actually care for the project. Inauthentic: you don’t care for the project, you’re just doing it to look like a good artist, or to seem “legitimate”

Color makes people more real; monochrome makes people more abstract.

AVEDON as one of the geniuses of composition:

Ignore what society or “experts” tell you “what is good for you”. Instead, focus on spending much time with yourself, your own thoughts, and to meditate to yourself: What do I really want for myself? And what are my true tastes and preferences in life? Do this for, Lifestyle choices (do you really prefer a…

On the cult of productivity:

Heavy cameras are the WORST thing for your artistic thriving as a photographer.

Futurism— belief in movement, dynamism, evolution, dynamic energy— that the future is bright, exciting, and epic! Futurism in photography means EXTREME OPTIMISM.

How important is ‘image quality’ (aesthetics) of a photograph to make it a great photo?

Something very curious to me: Why did HCB give up photography? Some of my theories:

Why photograph, interact, or talk with strangers? Some ideas:

Classic compositions reverberate throughout time:

Avedon as more of a genius than people realize:

Why I might like Richard Avedon over Henri Cartier-Bresson: Avedon as more confident, humanistic. Avedon as realizing the ultimate beauty is the human and human form. HCB thought it was geometry, surrealism. Avedon as more prolific. HCB gave up after around 30 years. Avedon went well into his 80s, towards his death. Avedon as being…

A realization: My only regret in my photo life is this — not having the courage to share photos which I thought others wouldn’t like. Photos which I liked, but photos which I was afraid others wouldn’t like.

If you cannot write code, build value by writing (blogging). Share information, knowledge, and your personal life journey. Idea from Naval Ravikant (founder of anglelist).

Steve Jobs’ vision has been realized: The iPad is truly a magical device for photographers, visual artists, creative types, readers, writers — essentially everyone.