ERIC KIM

My Thoughts on Success in Photography

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 new photos) as highly successful.

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How to Never Lose Inspiration or Motivation to Make New Photos

selfie shadow

We need a new vision of ‘success’ in photography.

Success ain’t about getting a trillion followers, a trillion dollars, or having ‘prestigious’ publications.

No. Success is staying motivated, inspired, and having that child-like sense of wonder to explore the world and make new images!

Why do we lose motivation to make new photos?

Macro of my coffee bubbles in the morning (RICOH GR III in macro mode)
Macro of my coffee bubbles in the morning (RICOH GR III in macro mode)

Some theories:

  1. Physiological exhaustion
  2. Trap of success (we try to ‘one up’ our past successes, which leads to paralysis)
  3. We fall into artistic nihilism (what is the point of it all?)

Reducing friction to make new photos

Photograph your food (eggs)
Photograph your food (eggs). RICOH GR III.
  1. Shoot with RICOH GR III, or iPhone Pro
  2. Just shoot JPEG (no RAW). Simplify the shooting process.
  3. Only review and process your photos when you feel like it. Don’t try to ‘force productivity’ from yourself!
  4. Shoot monochrome: This simplifies everything. Color is more restrictive; more things look interesting in monochrome.
  5. Allow yourself to shoot anything and everything; irrespective of how ‘serious’ or silly it is!

Photography as a fun game!

Shoot photos as visual play; and never stop!

ERIC

Motivation

ERIC KIM NECK STRAP MARK II x Ricoh GR II x RICOH MAFIA Artwear
ERIC KIM NECK STRAP MARK II x Ricoh GR II x RICOH MAFIA Artwear

Just shoot it:

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