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The Beauty of Imperfection

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:

  1. Photography as more beautiful when imperfect: Slightly imperfect compositions more beautiful. Gritty aesthetics as more beautiful. This is where film photography is good; the light leaks, scratches, and ‘false colors’ and grain as more beautiful.
  2. People with wrinkles in their faces have more beautiful faces.
  3. Worn clothes as more beautiful than brand-new.

Towards a ‘wabi sabi‘ aesthetic.

The more you use it, the more beautiful it becomes!

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.


Aesthetics >

  • TASTE.
  • The More Obscure and Unclear, the Better.
  • Cultivate Your Own Taste
  • Image Quality and Great Photos
  • Imperfect Photos are More Beautiful
  • Do you photograph the world better, the same, or worse than reality? #aesthetics
  • Aesthetics are Ethics
  • Beauty over Truth #philosophy #aesthetics
  • Philosophy of Aesthetics and Beauty in Photography
  • Aesthetics in Photography
  • Aesthetics Strengthen, Simplify, and Focus
  • Not better image quality; more beautiful aesthetics!
  • Why Aesthetics?

HENRI SHOULDER STRAP

Film Leica MP x Henri Shoulder Strap (CREMA BROWN)

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Street Photography Starter Kit

street photography starter kit by ERIC KIM

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HENRI WRIST STRAP PRO

Henri wrist strap pro

For the pros >

Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Photography Entrepreneurship

My brand-new Udemy Course, "Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Photography Entrepreneurship" now live!

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Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Photography

eric kim ultimate beginners guide to mastering photography udemy

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ERIC KIM WORKSHOPS

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Unleash your creative potential:

2021:

  • April 10-11th, 2021: BOSTON / Discover Your Unique Voice in Photography Workshop [Register Intent Here]
  • May 1-2nd, 2021: CHICAGO / Street Photography Composition Masterclass [Register Intent Here]
  • May 22-22nd, 2021: NEW YORK CITY / STREET PHOTOGRAPHY MASTERCLASS by ERIC KIM [Register Intent Here]

Be notified of when new workshops are live here.


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PHOTO JOURNAL

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