A thought after getting a gun pulled on me (and not getting shot):
Wow, we really got nothing to fear except death.
And in modern life, the chance of us actually dying is so so slim. The only realistic way to die is through texting-while-driving, walking-while-texting, or perhaps skydiving.
Thus beyond getting killed — why fear petty things like social embarrassment, “disappointing others”, social strife, financial issues, family issues, and all this petty drama?
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One of my fascinations and personal goals in photography: to strive to discover NEW compositions in photography which have yet been discovered, attempted, or done!
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Principle of life — being greedy for gains? The insatiable desire for more?
(more…)A life lesson: the best bang for the buck with technology, cars, phones, laptops, cameras, devices, etc are refurbished! The upside of “new out of the box” and the upside of saving tons of money! The great feeling that you got a great deal.
Why the mind is great:
It filters the unimportant.
Perhaps to augment our mind is the wrong notion. Perhaps we should strive to become “more forgetful” in some regards. Intelligence as “via negativa”– the more crap and nonsense you can filter out, the better.
As with intake of knowledge, only consume the best ideas and artwork. And let your mental digestion slowly accumulate new ideas, and filter the ideas slowly over time. Let the ideas ferment in your mind over long periods of time.
If a certain ideas sticks with you after a long period of time, it is probably a good idea. If a certain photo you’ve shot sticks with you for a long period of time, it is probably a good photo. If you’ve studied other people’s art-works and photos, and you still remember it in your brain, it is probably a good photo.
Lesson:
ERIC
A thought: all of existence can be justified even with one great photo.
Also— an entire trip or experience can be justified for even one great photo. Same goes with [x] amount of money spent on an experience, spent on equipment and gear, travels, etc.
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For a more dynamic composition, don’t center your subject. Put them on the extreme left or right:
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Make things or attempt things which endure! Also, invest and use technologies which you imagine will endure.
Furthermore, read books, watch films, listen to music, and follow certain lifestyles and diets you desire which can endure forever!
Not all pain is created equal. Some pain debilitates us, but some pain actually spurs us on. And some (good) pain is a sign that we’re growing!
For example when you’ve had a great workout at the gym. Or the pain of a conflict with a loved one which then ends with a resolution which bonds you closer with that person.
Where a lot of people go wrong: they seem a pain-free and stress-free and anxiety-free life. What we want is GOOD pain, GOOD stress, and GOOD anxiety to spur us on, make us stronger and aid to our personal survival and thrivival!
I remember as a kid, I’d have pain in my legs at night, and I would ask my mom to massage my legs. Why?
Another life goal of mine this year:
Eveyerday become less fearful, and become more confident, courageous and brazen into the future!
What I’ve discovered in powerlifting:
Failure is just useful information about what your limit is.
Once you fail, you gain that useful information what your maximum or limit is. Then you can strategize on using a bit less weight and resistance, then try again!
Stoicism applied to your own life: All the shitty stuff that happens to you can be channeled by you into something which actually benefits you (for example, post-tramautic growth).
It’s like having the Midas touch: every misfortune, pain, disaster, or downside in your life (if you touch it, it turns into gold!)
If you’ve had shitty things happen to you in life, wear those scars with a badge of honor!
If you’re still alive, everything that doesn’t kill you doesn’t have a real downside. Be clever and turn every pain into an opportunity of growth and getting stronger!
ERIC
I often write about “the future” in abstract, but perhaps better to talk about our future; YOUR personal future.
First question:
What do you personally want from YOUR future?
I cannot speak for you, but for me:
Let us not get suckered: sometimes technology can aid us in our future goals, and sometimes technology can HARM or HINDER our future goals.
My thought:
Technology which helps simplify your life, helps you become LESS DISTRACTED, and helps you focus and achieve your goals are the best ones.
For example:
You got all the tools, services, software, hardware needed today. You got all the devices, tools, and the internet in your hands.
What then is holding us back? Perhaps too much time at work, too much concerns about money, and too much wasted metabolic energy on external markers of success.
What we really need:
Your future is yours: SEIZE IT!
ERIC
What does the future hold for us, or what should the future hold for us?
I believe phones are massively overrated as productivity devices. Phones are great for making phone calls, texting, shooting photos, videos, google maps, Uber and the such — but beyond that, I think phones are a bit overrated.
For example, the maximum output rate you can get while texting with your two thumbs is far slower than typing on a keyboard (using all five of your fingers).
Perhaps the next biggest innovation of a phone will be this:
A phone that will allow you to text, write, or transcribe text FAR faster than just typing on your thumbs.
I love cars and have always loved them, especially car design. But besides Tesla, all cars are boring. They just keep getting more interesting design, more horsepower, etc. Essentially all gas cars are uninteresting.
The future — self-driving cars. Electric cars are very cool too, but the self driving feature will be 1000x superior that can actually improve our lives (imagine all the better things you can do with your mental energy than to use your brain power to drive yourself).
Irony: with Uber, we technically already got “self-driving carsâ€. Also taking the bus, subway, etc, in which we don’t need to focus on driving and can instead think, write, read, etc.
To me the future of art must be digital. More publishing full free and open source JPEG images, PDF, or the original source files. Printing is still great, but we are seeking innovation, not striving toward “markers of legitimacy†like we did in the past.
I also foresee great technological artistic software innovations. For example, using iPad and Procreate has actually empowered me to make tons of new visual art! Same with Zen brush 2– combining old school calligraphy with technology.
Smartphones will keep getting better, but I actually see the future of photography happening more in small point and shoot digital cameras (like RICOH GR III, which packs insane image processing power in a small camera). Or new futures of monochrome, like what Leica is doing with their new monochrom cameras.
Also interest in digital medium format — not interest in more megapixels, but more dynamic range.
Also more perspective sharing through ultra wide video cameras like Gopro, or even virtual reality via 360 cameras (Gopro Max and fusion), or even ultra wide mode on the new iPhone and iPhone pro.
This is what I try to think about a lot:
The point isn’t technology for the sake of technology. We want technology to “improve†or augment our lives.
But how can technology improve our lives? Practical ideas:
New photo goals:
Can we achieve a DEEPER monochrome in black and white photography?
Seeking deeper monochrome —
Thinking about the year 2020 and the fact we are living in the future:
We seem to want to augment our minds, become “smarter”, “more intelligent”, to augment ourselves with AI/machines, to process more data more quickly — but towards what ends?
Some people might be seeking “knowledge”, others “wisdom”, and others want a ‘competitive advantage’. But to sum up, it seems that most people just want ways to make more money. But money for what?
Taking the money argument aside; I am curious about people who are seeking knowledge and wisdom for “knowledge” or “wisdom’s” sake. What are we really looking for?
I think some people are seeking knowledge and wisdom in order to discover the ‘secret of happiness’, or to perhaps lessen their pain, suffering, and depression-nihilism in life. So the seeking of knowledge and wisdom is in order to lessen pain/suffering/stress/anxiety/existential-dread, and in order to INCREASE joy, happiness, levity, and optimism-hope in life.
Thus the formula many follow is:
More knowledge/wisdom->More happiness/joy
But once you’ve maxed out your personal happiness and joy in life– then what?
My thought is this:
When we augment our knowledge and wisdom, we feel more powerful. Why? When we augment our knowledge and wisdom, we somehow feel superior to other “basic” human beings. We feel as if we have hidden and secret powerful knowledge which makes us superior to others.
Thus, knowledge and wisdom augmentation makes us feel superior.
Superior to who? Other humans.
Therefore, perhaps knowledge and wisdom is a means or a way to feel superior compared to others in society.
To me this is where things get interesting:
What is the point or purpose to “feeling” superior to other humans? Is there any real practical payoff, or utility to this feeling?
First thought:
Perhaps we want LESS fear from reality?
Second thought:
Perhaps we want to feel as if we can transcend ourselves via knowledge and wisdom?
Third thought:
Perhaps we are afraid of death, or the life beyond (“life after death�)
I wonder — perhaps knowledge and wisdom is more useful if we optimize it for ourselves. Toward our own physiological health, strengthening, and over-powering.
Thus perhaps knowledge and wisdom is only useful insofar much as it
ERIC
Was listening to a vinyl record player the other day and thought:
Wow, this is so much more aesthetically beautiful-sounding than a “perfect” mp3 or streaming song.
Why is that? My thought: the imperfections is what made it beautiful. For example, the cracking and popping of the vinyl, the parts where it skipped, or the places where the vinyl was damaged.
Which made me wonder:
Perhaps we can extend this theory of aesthetic to other domains.
For example:
Towards a ‘wabi sabi‘ aesthetic.
To not ‘baby’ your things. But to “use and abuse” it! To have more pride in actually USING THINGS. To have shame in NOT using things.
My only regrets in life: when I failed to trust myself, and trusted the words of others (above myself).
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If you make an interesting or good photograph by chance, does it make it any less legitimate?
No. Chance is an essential ingredient in photography, especially street photography. And this is what makes photography so great!
Where do we gain artistic optimism from? Some ideas:
Seek to supersede yourself and become more!
Not a matter of discipline, but something else?
A thought:
We often berate ourselves for not being “disciplined” enough for x, y, z — but perhaps this is the wrong way of thinking.
When we think of ‘discipline’, we think that we are being disciples of someone and following in their footsteps. Following their moral code of ethics and such.
But if you’re following yourself, perhaps it isn’t discipline we are seeking. Instead, to prize ourselves and to prefer ourselves over others.
For example, I don’t need “discipline” to go to the gym everyday (or several times a day). It is my passion. I love it for the sake of it! In fact, I try to figure out ways to modify my life IN ORDER for me to go to the gym whenever I want. This isn’t discipline — it is passion.
Another idea– blogging. I don’t have to force myself to write everyday. In fact, I blog because it is my passion. I never force myself to write. The words simply stream out of my body and soul! It is my passion– it is my play, and it is the way I expel my creative force.
If you gotta force yourself to go out and photos — perhaps you’re doing it wrong.
Perhaps our main discouragement in photography is this:
We feel we have no more NEW mysteries to discover.
But perhaps this can be the root of our artistic optimism?
ERIC
Seek to supersede yourself and become more!
Whatever artwork you make — the goal is to impress (embed) your soul into your artwork. That when someone witnesses your artwork, they can actually see your soul.
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I am insanely optimistic. Why? And where does it come from? Some thoughts:
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“Life is about reps” – Arnold Schwarzenegger
In modern times, to repeat oneself is seen as bad. But in truth, isn’t life about repetition?
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Why street photography? Some reasons:
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Why do we get bored? Because lack of challenge, difficulty, risk, randomness, or chaos!
Solution:
The basic notion of wabi-sabi in Japanese aesthetics:
Over time, the more you use something, the more “worn in” it becomes, and the more beautiful it becomes!
The tricky thing:
Most technological things become WORSE as time goes on. Generally speaking, only the organic actually “improves” over time.
For example:
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It seems to me, the best way to live life is to attempt to MAX OUT. In weight-lifting, strive towards the powerlifting “one rep max” style, and keep attempting MORE until you MAX OUT, and fail.
In business, work, and life– keep seeing how far you can push the envelope.
A life where you are constantly maxing out will mean a lot of failure. But it will also mean a life which is more interesting, more forbidden, more dangerous, and more epic.
MAX OUT — don’t be the last out!
ERIC
Composition is something I am insanely passionate about. Why? Let me share:
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I just got back from Mexico City, and am currently reviewing my photos (two weeks of shooting everyday).
Some ideas and tips:
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No photograph is inert. No photograph is objective. All photographs are subjective to you, and every photo you shoot (and end up sharing) has a certain message.
So the question to you, my dear friend is this:
(more…)What messages are you trying to relay to your viewers?
When I pursue and follow and listen to my will, I’m happy! When I act contrary to my will, or feel as if I’m not able to act upon my will, I feel unhappy.
Thus happiness is created from us exercising our will, our willpower and our desires! And the more conscious we are of a gain in our power, the happier we are!
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In today’s world, if you desire success, best to advertise yourself, your character, your ideas, your skills, and your soul over other people, other companies, and other products!
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A simple street photography assignment:
(more…)When you see something interesting, shoot at least 36 photos of it (same number as you would a roll of film!)
Why do I like good value?
When I get something which I perceive is good value— I feel more clever, smart, and innovative! To be able to figure out a more cost-effective solution for not much money.
Thus perhaps value is a system of problem-solving, and the desire to flex your own individual “smartnessâ€, “clevernessâ€, or ingenuity?
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Why have philosophers always recommended a life of maximal frugality and economy? Not frugality for the sake of frugality, but a life of the maximal personal independence.
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My thought:
(more…)There is no “finality” for you as a photographer or artist. Instead, better to consider that you’re always in a state of becoming as a photographer and visual-artist.
Who is the best person to trust? Trust yourself. Trust your gut. Trust your personal taste in aesthetics. Trust your own moral judgement, your own ethics, without worrying that someone is “looking over your shoulder” or “watching your every action”.
No heaven or hell. No (conscious) afterlife. Every decision you take and make is a mini-experiment. You learn via “trial and error” with real decision-making what is “good” or “bad” for you (useful/harmful).
Ignore metrics, numbers, followers, likes, and money.
Your true judge is only you.
ERIC
The danger of metrics and measuring/weighing yourself:
(more…)The ability to LOSE COURAGE and LOSE FAITH in yourself after measuring yourself to arbitrary numbers.
A thought:
(more…)To become the apex version of ourselves, we should strive to maximally build both our body AND mind.
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Dear friend,
I am fresh off a plane (after being in Mexico City for two weeks, and in Cuba for a week) and back home in (cold) Providence, Rhode Island.
I wanted to use this opportunity to essay some thoughts on composition, street photography, and art.
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Dear friend,
If you desire to CONQUER COMPOSITION and take your street photography to epic new heights, I invite you to my new Chicago CONQUER COMPOSITION Workshop (April 25-26th, 2020).
(more…)Perhaps the best way to distinguish yourself or define yourself:
Define yourself via what you DON’T do, what you DONT believe in, and what you are anti (against).
A big thing that has helped re-motivate my photography:
Don’t care whether you make “good” or “bad” photos.
Better yet: don’t strive to make good photos. Just shoot for fun!
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Keep doing something and never get bored of it!
No fatigue, no boredom — only fun, excitement! The same or similar workflow — yet the process is always interesting, fun, and exciting.
No need for new technologies — simply new ideas, new rhythms, and new flows!
For example:
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I’ve been obsessed with technology ever since I was a kid. But the question:
What do I really want from technology?
Well — I want a lot of things. Let me try to outline some of my thoughts:
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I’m currently 31 years old, and effectively I feel retired. What does it mean to be retired, and how to retire?
I cannot speak for you, but let me simply draw upon my experiences and thoughts:
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With my hands, with my laptop; I can impact change and move the world!
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Is a stratified society necessary for the few (artist-philosophers) to thrive?
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Do you love or hate reality? Do you prefer “idealism” (false reality), or do you love reality in all its tragedy and cruel comedy?
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Mexico City: one of the best cities for living, street photography, travel, food, coffee, chocolate, meat, dessert, fancy restaurants, street food/tacos, affordable, bread, and more.
What else do you need?
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