A new miracle I am witnessing:
Witnessing the growth of my child, Seneca Thien Anh Kim.
To me this is insane — only the consumption of human breast milk, he is able to grow so quickly, so much, have all the nutrition necessary for him to develop physically, mentally, and physiologically!
So if you want new hope, new faith, and new motivation in life in general … perhaps having a child can be the ultimate motivator?
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First sent on ERIC KIM NEWSLETTER
Dear friends,
Spring is upon us. There are many reasons to be optimistic about the future, and the future for us photographers. Some thoughts:
…3 Reasons Why Be Optimistic About Your Photographic FutureRead More »
The strange bias we have in modern times:
If we cannot measure or perceive progress, it is meaningless.
But what about things which cannot and should not be measured? For example love for your partner or child, your progress in your artistic evolution, and just life in general?
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Be frugal to things which don’t matter much; your car, phone, etc. Be profligate with groceries (buy lots of meat, without abandon), be profligate when buying gifts and presents for family friends and others you care for, and be profligate when spending money on your art, creativity, or anything which has to do with what you’re curious about and towards your archimedes lever in life!
The joy of photography: extreme optimism for the future! Why? Because photography is predicated on the future; future new moments for you to experience and photograph!
The basic philosophical thought:
The apex of philosophical greatness is when one comes up with an immutable thought or belief, and holds tight onto that belief for the rest of his or her life.
But is this truly wise? I say no.
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What is my genesis towards art? For me, overflowing and overwhelming gratitude towards life and existence. Prerequisites — great sleep, movement during day, physical exercise, social interaction, love, and a strength of purpose and family community life.
Thus perhaps as a prerequisite to art, we must put our own lives and physiological and bodily wellbeing and health at the forefront. Health first, art later.
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Obey your gut and instincts. When you see something unfolding before your very eyes, and you have an impulse to shoot, just shoot it (many times and work the scene) then figure out what to do with it later!
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I’m the happiest when I’m being creative — either thinking of new creative ideas, or actively creating stuff. Some practical ideas and tips:
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Or why I don’t like using free things — why I prefer paying for things.
Also, you only know what you truly value in life based the price you’re willing to pay for it, or what you’ve sacrificed in order to get it.
For myself, it seems the only material things I truly care for are my maxed out (refurbished) MacBook Pro, the hosting for this blog, spending more money on a minimalist luxury apartment, my RICOH GR III, iPad Pro, super fast wifi at home (fiber optic), black merino wool clothing.
Also, be very way in terms of *thinking* or presupposing what your values are, or what you care for. Your actions and behaviors will manifest what you truly believe in — your “revealed preferences”.
What we we seeking as photographer-artists? Peak photographic productivity. In which we always find inspiration and motivation all around us, and when we never disgust or tire of our photography and photographic approach!
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Perhaps the best time to review your photos is the time when you yourself need the extra visual stimulation, or self motivation to make new photos?
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All great things originate from your body. If you optimize for your body — in terms of your abode, lifestyle, nutrition, and approach … everything else in life will take care of itself! Practical ideas:
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Why do we want bodily and muscular vigor? Not for the sake of it — but for us artists, we desire to have the optimal physiological conditions in order to create! To create our art works, our products, our ideas, to think deeper and create and propagate/distribute things more widely and boldly!
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To create and distribute things — our goal as artists, creators, and entrepreneurs. To make things to reach as many people as possible. To create as many goods and things, and to propagate them as far as possible!
My underlying philosophy behind HAPTIC, and even teaching workshops (to make my workshops as accessible to as many people as possible).
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A thought while walking around the block and thinking about the sit-flush handles of the Tesla Model S (and all the Tesla cars):
Beyond the Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Velar, there are truly no other cars which have integrated such a subtle, simple yet beautifully elegant solution to their car design.
Elon Musk put an insane amount of effort and stubbornness in putting the sit-flush car door handles. Why? He truly believed in aesthetics that much. And if one truly cares for aesthetics that much, then truly the under-tones and the root cause is that as an ethos (philosophy of being), this is what our true values are.
So when it comes to minimalism, ask yourself:
…Do I like minimalism because it is the new trend, or because it is the ethos of what I truly believe in, in terms of aesthetics and beyond?
Is it that by making photos we feel more joy, or is it that when we feel and experience joy, we like to photograph?
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Dear friends,
After a brief hiatus, HAPTIC is back in full effect with our newest product, The Photographer’s Wallet. If you ever wanted the perfect “everyday carry” wallet which has perfect aesthetics and function, The Photographer’s Wallet is for you:
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Blogging — perhaps the most underrated, under appreciated tool and communication technology we currently have.
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One of the best skills we can cultivate as photographer artists:
Being able to see and capture the beauty of everyday, ordinary life, and of ordinary things.
Capturing beauty in the mundane — our strength of seeing, noticing, but also our childlike innocence to see interest in everything around us!
…How to Discover Beauty in the Mundane as a PhotographerRead More »
When shooting videos in 24FPS, I feel reality slows down. Things (even everyday movements, especially hand movements) become more poetic, artistic, and beautiful:
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What makes art so great? The fact that it is open to all; regardless of age, nationality, race, ethnicity, gender/sex, etc. It doesn’t matter how experienced or inexperienced you are.
This is the great thought:
Regardless of what position you are currently in life, you always have the opportunities and tools to make art.
In praise of digital arts-creation. No need for anything besides your iPhone, iPad, or digital camera to make great art!
Ideas of things you can create:
Photo idea:
Photograph hands more frequently.
Either macro close up photos of hands (RICOH GR III in macro mode), or include the hands of a subject in a photo. Our hands perhaps as one of the first primal forms of communication?
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If COVID has taught us anything, conditions are no longer ideal (far from it, conditions are quite shitty).
But irregardless of this, how can we still create in the midst of the most unfavorable conditions we’ve ever experienced?
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What is the #1 contributor to my health, well being, mood, and creative productivity? Natural light.
Why is this? Some thoughts:
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