ERIC KIM

How to Become a More Creative Photographer

Creative photography is our pursuit. Thus the simple question:

How do we become *more* creative in our photography?

Some thoughts:

1. Create every day, and utilize all your creative muscles

CREATIVE EVERY DAY >

The first thing:

Strive to be creative every day.

From our book CREATIVE EVERY DAY:

To maximize your creative output, utilize all parts of your creative muscles (photograph, draw, writing, etc).

You may have some opportunities to make photos, and other opportunities to draw, and write. Consider that photography means ‘writing with light’. So if you want to become more artistic and creative, focusing on the creative writing arts will help you much. Same goes with drawing — it isn’t about drawing ‘good’ or ‘bad’ — it is drawing things which are fun and authentic to you.

For example, you can do it digitally like me (I prefer to create digitally). Zen Brush is fun on iPad and iPhone:

  • Less abstract ERIC KIM
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  • Conspiracy abstract
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  • Enthusiasm ERIC KIM abstract
  • Make it for yourself ERIC KIM abstract
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2. Shoot small JPEG for digital photography

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A very practical tip:

Shooting small JPEG (with a filter in-camera) is far more conducive to creativity in photography.

Why? It lowers the barrier to shooting. It allows you to shoot more, and to experiment more.

3. Share your photos on your blog

Self-hosted blog is the best place to publish your photos. Experiment with new ways of sharing your photos, whether they be video slideshows, standard photo slideshow, ‘tiled galleries‘, standard galleries, and different widths (standard, wide, or super-wide).

STREET by KIM42 clear and dark
visual poetry ERIC KIM

4. Shoot video

WINTER VIBES

To become a more creative photographer, also shoot video. Even Stanley Kubrick was an adept photographer before he picked up film and cinema. And many photographers (Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson) have pursued video as well.

5. Analyze and dissect your own compositions to figure out *why* you like them.

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  • Simplify compositions ERIC KIM
  • Simplest composition ERIC KIM

By analyzing my own compositions, I derive new insights which are personally helpful to me, but also personally beneficial to others.

We are not just photographers; we are visual artists. Once we can affirm this fact to ourselves, then we can truly thrive as photographers.

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Intolerance ERIC KIM abstract David
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Audi abstract Eric Kim
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6. Having the most advantageous camera to you

Another huge thing:

The camera you use is important insofar much as the best camera is that which gets shot the most.

PHOTO JOURNEY by ERIC KIM

7. Enjoy the photographic journey

Recognize that your photography is a journey. As a good traveler knows:

It isn’t the destination which is important … is is the experiences you accumulate and the courage you exhibit *during* the journey which matters.

ERIC

PHOTOGRAPHY 101

Dear friend,

If you’re new to photography, start here:

  1. The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Photography
  2. Free Photography Bootcamp
  3. 100 Photography Tips for Beginners

Photography is Everything!

Photography Tips

Photography Articles

Mad men. NYC, 2017. Pentax 645Z

Photography Techniques

Everyday Photography

RICOH GR II selfie in mirror, double eye surreal. Prague, 2017
RICOH GR II selfie in mirror, double eye surreal. Prague, 2017

Color Photography 101

Photography Philosophy

Photography Inspiration

The Fundamentals of Photography

Photography Equipment »

How to Take Better Photos »

Composition Lessons »

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Editing (Image Selection) »

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Creativity »

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Motivation »

eric kim portrait by Cindy nguyen

Post-Processing

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How to Create a Body of Work

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Technical Photography Settings

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Learn From the Masters of Photography

MASTERS PROTOTYPE by HAPTIC

“He without a past has no future.”

Start here:

  1. Why Study the Masters of Photography?
  2. Great Female Master Photographers
  3. Cheat Sheet of the Masters of Photography
  4. 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography
  5. Beginner’s Guide to the Masters of Street Photography
  6. Download All Articles >

The Masters of Photography

Prague, 1968. Josef Koudelka / Magnum Photos
Prague, 1968. Josef Koudelka / Magnum Photos

Classics never die: