selfie ERIC KIM

WHY BECOME A STREET PHOTOGRAPHER?

In today’s world, what is the most epic type of photographer-artist we can become? A street photographer.

The love of thrills

composition dark skies ERIC KIM

In today’s steady world, it seems that we are looking for more challenge and thrills. There is nothing more difficult, challenging and interesting than street photography.

la sweat ERIC KIM

Social challenge

dark skies walking man composition red

When you do street photography, 99% of it is courage and challenge. That means:

How can I muster the courage to shoot that photograph, with the fear of some sort of negative retribution?

eyes ERIC KIM selfie

Realizing that the thrill, the difficulty and the adrenaline is the reward

color layers eric kim street photography tokyo 2018-0619643street photography pick - eric kim - 2018

Even when I look at my past street photos, I think the photos that have the most personal significance for me are the photos that were very difficult and scary to shoot.

dark skies man flash walking

Now the tricky thing —

Just because it was hard and scary to shoot, doesn’t mean that it is the ‘best’ photograph. Yet, it is still a valuable photo.

Tokyo man red hat flash street photography without permission, flash, Ricoh gr ii

In some ways, we delight in the negative retribution from our subjects. Almost like ‘earning our stripes’ as street photographers.

Tokyo woman with hand. 1.2 meters, flash, Kodak Tri-X 400, Leica M6, 35mm
Tokyo woman with hand. 1.2 meters, flash, Kodak Tri-X 400, Leica M6, 35mm

I think this is why flash street photography was so fascinating to me. I loved the aesthetic look of the photos with a flash, and also the challenge of shooting a flash (either without permission or with permission) was absolutely fascinating to me.

Bookend technique with a flash, note how the figure on the far left and the far right frame the subject in the center of the frame. Tokyo, 2017
Bookend technique with a flash, note how the figure on the far left and the far right frame the subject in the center of the frame. Tokyo, 2017

We love the challenge

Hearts ERIC KIM

Perhaps then the thought:

The best life as a street photographer is the life of the maximal amount of danger and thrills, yet still doing it.

BRAVE ON!

ERIC


STREET PHOTOGRAPHY MOTIVATION

walking woman umbrella crimson red
  1. Society Photography, Not “Street” Photography
  2. How to Street Photography
  3. STREET PHOTOGRAPHY OPTIONALITY.
  4. 10 Street Photography Tips
  5. The Street Photographer as the Apex Photographer
  6. Street Photography & Adrenaline
  7. STREETTOGS STARTING GUIDE
  8. 50 Street Photography Tips by ERIC KIM
  9. What I Wish I Knew If I Started Street Photography All Over Again
  10. Photograph like it’s not a big deal
  11. Suburb Street Photography
  12. What is Our Personal Motivation Behind Street Photography?
  13. WHY I’M SO PASSIONATE ABOUT STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
  14. Personal Street Photography
  15. STREET PHOTOGRAPHY AS A PRACTICE.
  16. Pandemic Street Photography
  17. AIRPORT STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
  18. How to Shoot Street Photography Right Now
  19. Towards a More Independent Street Photography Approach
  20. How Street Photography Improves Your Life
  21. How to Tell Stories in Your Street Photos
  22. Face Street Photography
  23. How to Start Shooting Street Photography
  24. How to Shoot Street Photography During a Pandemic
  25. 7 Street Photography Assignment Ideas

Only in America

Downtown LA in COLOR

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY STARTER KIT

street photography starter kit by ERIC KIM

Master street photography with STREET PHOTOGRAPHY STARTER KIT.


STREET PHOTOGRAPHY 101

Hearts. Hollywood, 2011 #flash

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY MOTIVATION

walking woman umbrella crimson red
  1. Society Photography, Not “Street” Photography
  2. How to Street Photography
  3. STREET PHOTOGRAPHY OPTIONALITY.
  4. 10 Street Photography Tips
  5. The Street Photographer as the Apex Photographer
  6. Street Photography & Adrenaline
  7. STREETTOGS STARTING GUIDE
  8. 50 Street Photography Tips by ERIC KIM
  9. What I Wish I Knew If I Started Street Photography All Over Again
  10. Photograph like it’s not a big deal
  11. Suburb Street Photography
  12. What is Our Personal Motivation Behind Street Photography?
  13. WHY I’M SO PASSIONATE ABOUT STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
  14. Personal Street Photography
  15. STREET PHOTOGRAPHY AS A PRACTICE.
  16. Pandemic Street Photography
  17. AIRPORT STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
  18. How to Shoot Street Photography Right Now
  19. Towards a More Independent Street Photography Approach
  20. How Street Photography Improves Your Life
  21. How to Tell Stories in Your Street Photos
  22. Face Street Photography
  23. How to Start Shooting Street Photography
  24. How to Shoot Street Photography During a Pandemic
  25. 7 Street Photography Assignment Ideas

Only in America

Downtown LA in COLOR

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY STARTER KIT

street photography starter kit by ERIC KIM

Master street photography with STREET PHOTOGRAPHY STARTER KIT.


STREET PHOTOGRAPHY 101

Hearts. Hollywood, 2011 #flash

If you’re new to street photography, start here:


Brave New Street Photography

running through the swings kid street photography ERIC KIM

Street Photographs

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  1. How to Shoot Street Photography with Dads and Kids
  2. HOW I BECAME SUCH A GREAT STREET PHOTOGRAPHER
  3. Use Quarantine as an Opportunity to Pick up Film Photography
  4. Hong Kong Street Photography by ERIC KIM

Street Photography Philosophy

Street Photography Articles


Street Photography Techniques


JUST SHOOT IT. HENRI NECK STRAP by ERIC KIM

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Street Photography Ideas


Street Photography Composition Techniques


STREET NOTES.

Push yourself out of your comfort zone with STREET NOTES: Mobile Edition.

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LEARN FROM THE MASTERS OF STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

Timeless wisdom from the masters of street photography.

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FUNDAMENTALS OF STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

Street Photography Inspiration


Beginner Street Photography Articles

Get started in street photography:

Definitions in Street Photography

How to Shoot Street Photography

Street Photography Equipment

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How to Conquer Your Fears in Street Photography

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Intermediate Street Photography Articles

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Advanced Street Photography Articles

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Street Photography Tips & Technique

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Street Photography Guides

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Street Photography Equipment

The best equipment for street photography:

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Street Photography Editing and Workflow

How to Start a Street Photography Project


Learn From the Masters of Street Photography

“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

Classics never die:


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Free Street Photography Books

Distilled information on street photography:

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