• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • START HERE
  • BOOKS
  • SHOP
  • WORKSHOPS

ERIC KIM

BLOG

  • ARS BETA
  • WHY?
  • AMAZON

Monochrome is Essential

Selfie black and white ERIC KIM face

When it comes to the pure essence and form of photography, we must return back to monochrome:

Why monochrome?

Monochrome is the pure essence of photography. I love color photography as well, however if we are seeking the purest essence, and the most primal and direct form of photography, monochrome is it. Why? Monochrome gives you the “minimum viable image”— it cannot get simpler than monochrome. Monochrome strips away (color) and as a consequence enhances forms, shapes, planes, lines, curves, polygons, etc.

Black and white helps us concentrate on the subject matter we are inspecting:

  • Aluminum foil
  • Bread
  • selfie black
  • upside down stretch
  • warmup

What calligraphy can teach us

Calligraphy is a new passion of mine — the most essential and direct form of visual arts creation and communication. When I use Zen Brush 3, I just follow my gut and just kind of randomly stroke out these calligraphs. I just follow and obey my mood. I find it insanely soothing, relaxing, but also a phenomenal creative outlet.

  • Body power

And the big thing calligraphy has taught me:

All you need is black ink … and you can clearly and boldly express yourself!

Just do both.

Life is infinitely too long to let yourself get trapped either by *only* monochrome or color. Certainly being able to cycle between the two is the ultimate joy and freedom!

But if you love monochrome, stick with it as long as possible! Explore every single nook and cranny in monochrome. Discover the deepest depths for monochrome — still much uncharted territory here, despite what the photography pessimists say!

For myself personally, I started my passion in photography in black and white, and I feel shooting color for periods of time is like a visual “palette cleanser”, and when I return to monochrome (I always do), I appreciate monochrome so much more!

ERIC

MONOCHROME by KIM

All black everything:

  • Black and White is Bliss
  • Why is Black and White So Much More Artistic than Color?
  • Why Black and White Photography is Better than Color Photography
  • ALL BLACK EVERYTHING
  • How to Make Better Black and White Photos
  • Why I Don’t Like Grey
  • Crush the Blacks
  • MONOCHROM: The Streets Are Your Rome
  • Black is Good; White is Bad
  • Black Canvas
  • Monochrome Manual
  • How to Shoot Black and White Street Photography
  • Why Shoot Black and White?
  • Video: How to Master Monochrome
  • Eric Kim Lightroom Presets (use Monochrome 1600)

eric kim street photography hanoi-0003676

HENRI SHOULDER STRAP

Film Leica MP x Henri Shoulder Strap (CREMA BROWN)

Supreme >


Street Photography Starter Kit

street photography starter kit by ERIC KIM

Master street photography >


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!

Seize your destiny >


Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Photography

eric kim ultimate beginners guide to mastering photography udemy

Master photography >

ERIC KIM WORKSHOPS

red hand ERIC KIM

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.


ERIC KIM NEWSLETTER

Free Motivation for You >







JOIN ARS: The Anti-Social Media for Photographers

Ars black logo

 

Get real feedback on your photos on ARSBETA.COM

WHY APP?

zen of ERIC KIM why app icon

Never stop asking why?

PHANTOM BLACK HENRI WRIST STRAP

Shoot like a ghost >


STREET NOTES

Never hit the streets without it >


FILM NOTES

Now is your time to (re)learn film >

HENRI WRIST STRAP

The classic CREMA BROWN >

CREATIVE EVERY DAY

Create every day >


PHOTO JOURNAL

Photo Journal Print Edition

Discover more personal meaning in your photography >

OPEN-SOURCE