My ongoing photography project on AMERICA — my home, my love, my country:

Why America?

First of all, I am an American. I love this country. I was born here, raised here, went to all public schools throughout my life, did Boy Scouts (became an Eagle Scout), and in terms of morals/ethics/philosophy I prefer America the best (compared to all of the other countries I traveled to and have been).

How ONLY IN AMERICA came to be

‘ONLY IN AMERICA’ as a title came to me via JAY Z. It was catchy, and I liked the sound of it.

But wasn’t there a trillion other photographers who have already done photography projects on America? Obviously. But just because other people have drank coffee in their lives before doesn’t mean I won’t drink coffee myself. And just because other people went to college in the past doesn’t mean I won’t go to college.

Share your view!

I have the desire to share MY VIEW, MY PERSPECTIVE. I believe that my perspective is unique, valuable, and strong. This is my impetus.

And to encourage you:

Just because someone else has done it before, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try or inquire for yourself.

For example in philosophy, all these philosophers are essentially tackling and attacking the same questions. I think philosophers are hungry to discover a deeper truth, and also prefer their own perspective on things.

We photographers are also warriors of truth, except we use a camera instead of a pen!

How to start a project?

This is something I have always been curious:

How do you start a photography project? Especially in the context of street photography?

I have inquired by studying MANY MASTERS of street photography, by studying hundreds of photography books, and essentially seeing how others have done it before myself. And this is what I discovered:

There are a trillion ways to approach a photography project. It just comes down to have the courage to pursue it your own way, and to not give a damn whether others consider your approach ‘legitimate’ or not.

Photograph people you admire.

I think this is what I discovered:

The best way to approach a street photography project is to photograph people you like and admire!

Discover people you find beautiful, interesting, and wonderful to you! And don’t just photograph people; talk to them! Interact with them. Ask them about their life story and personal ambitions and dreams.

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Is a photography project ever over?

I don’t think so. You stop the project once you die or get bored of it. My thought:

If you get bored of a project, it is probably because you don’t genuinely care for it.

This means:

When you work on a photographic project ask yourself: “Is this for myself, or for others?”

If you work on a project which is truly for yourself, you will never run out of motivation. Why? Because you do it to please yourself! We must be more honest — we must pursue more art projects which WE ARE SELF-INTERESTED IN!

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To be consistent, or not to be consistent?

I’m starting to realize more and more as I continue to pursue photography:

All is all.

Which means:

Don’t put creative shackles on yourself by making things too specific. Keep it open, broad, and flexible.

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Embedding your soul and philosophy into your photos

America raised me, and I love America. All my mentors, teachers, and guides were American. I want to make photos an ode to my love of this country, and to embed my soul into my photos.

I am America!

ERIC