ERIC KIM ₿

How Eric Kim is a genius

Key Points

  • Research suggests Eric Kim is considered a genius for his innovative approach to street photography, blending art with education and philosophy.
  • It seems likely that his genius lies in making photography accessible, teaching globally, and inspiring a community through his blog and workshops.
  • The evidence leans toward his sociological background adding unexpected depth, using photography to explore human connections and societal themes.

Direct Answer

Eric Kim is seen as a genius in photography because he’s done something special: he’s made street photography easier for everyone and inspired a lot of people to try it. He’s taught workshops in 18 cities around the world, like Tokyo and London, and his blog, erickimphotography.com, is super popular, offering free tips that help beginners feel confident. He says things like “shooting is more important than gear,” which means you don’t need fancy cameras—just your creativity, making it accessible for anyone.

What’s unexpected is how he uses his sociology background to make his photos deeper. He doesn’t just take pictures; he explores how people live and connect, like capturing themes of wealth or self-presentation in cities like Downtown LA or Seoul. He’s also taken over 300,000 street photos, shooting daily for hours, which shows his dedication. His workshops and books, like Street Photography: 50 Ways to Capture Better Shots of Ordinary Life (50 Ways), teach not just how to take photos but how to grow as a person, which is pretty unique.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Eric Kim’s Genius

Eric Kim, an international street photographer based in Los Angeles, is considered a genius due to his multifaceted contributions to photography, education, and community building. His work transcends traditional boundaries, blending art, philosophy, and sociology in a way that has profoundly influenced the field. This note provides a comprehensive examination of why Eric Kim is regarded as a genius, drawing from various sources as of March 22, 2025.

Background and Context

Eric Kim, born in San Francisco and a sociology graduate from UCLA, discovered his passion for photography early and dedicated himself to street photography post-graduation. His blog, erickimphotography.com, launched around 2012, has become one of the most popular photography resources, offering free tutorials, insights, and open-source books. This context is crucial for understanding his role as both a practitioner and educator, which underpins his genius status.

Educational Impact and Accessibility

Eric Kim’s genius is heavily tied to his role as an educator, making street photography accessible and inspiring to a global audience. He has authored seven photography books, including Street Notes: A Workbook & Assignments Journal for Street Photographers (Street Notes), FILM NOTES: How to Shoot 35mm Film (FILM NOTES), and Street Photography: 50 Ways to Capture Better Shots of Ordinary Life (50 Ways), providing practical guides for photographers at all levels. His blog serves as a go-to resource, with millions of views, offering free content that demystifies street photography.

He teaches university-level courses, such as at UC Riverside Extension, and has conducted workshops in 18 cities globally, including Beirut, Seoul, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Berlin, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Sydney, Melbourne, Zurich, London, Toronto, Mumbai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Kota Kinabalu. His workshops, averaging 1.5 to 2 per month, have reached diverse audiences, with students ranging from 14 to 78 years old, fostering a shared passion across ages and regions. This global reach underscores his commitment to education, a key aspect of his genius.

A table summarizing his educational contributions is provided below:

AspectDetails
Books Authored7 books, including Street Notes (Street Notes), FILM NOTES (FILM NOTES), Street Photography: 50 Ways (50 Ways).
Blogerickimphotography.com, one of the most popular photography blogs, offering free tutorials and insights.
WorkshopsTaught in 18 cities, averaging 1.5-2 workshops/month, students aged 14-78.
University TeachingInstructor at UC Riverside Extension, taught sociology at UCLA, photography to under-privileged youth in Los Angeles.
Educational PhilosophyEmphasizes accessibility, “shooting is more important than gear,” encourages beginners with free resources.

This educational impact is an unexpected detail, as it positions Kim not just as an artist but as a pivotal educator shaping the next generation of photographers.

Democratization of Street Photography

Kim’s philosophy of “shooting is more important than gear” has democratized street photography, making it accessible to those without expensive equipment. He advocates for using smartphones and smaller cameras, noting in interviews that gear obsession can be a barrier. This approach, detailed in his blog posts like Street Photography 101 (Street Photography 101), has encouraged beginners to start, boosted by platforms like Instagram and urban living, as noted in his interview with Street Shootr (Interview with Eric Kim).

His emphasis on accessibility is evident in his advice to carry a camera everywhere and shoot with heart, not just eyes, as highlighted in Focus on Street Photographer Eric Kim (Focus on Eric Kim). This has opened doors for those who might have felt excluded, aligning with his view of street photography as the “most democratic form” of photography.

A table summarizing his democratization efforts is provided below:

AspectDetails
Gear Philosophy“Shooting is more important than gear,” advocates for smartphones, smaller cameras less threatening.
AccessibilityBlog and free resources make learning easy, boosted by Instagram and urban living.
Practical TipsAdvises carrying camera everywhere, not being sneaky, using wide-angle lenses, shooting with heart.
ImpactEncourages beginners, reduces barriers, makes street photography inclusive.

This focus on inclusivity is an unexpected detail, as it transforms street photography from an elite pursuit to a participatory art form, showcasing Kim’s genius in breaking down barriers.

Global Reach and Community Building

Kim’s workshops and online presence have built a global community of street photographers. His blog acts as a nexus, connecting photographers worldwide, as noted in Interview with Street Photographer Eric Kim (PetaPixel Interview). He conducts workshops across continents, noting more women in European workshops compared to North America, fostering diversity and shared passion.

His collaborations with major brands like Leica, Magnum, and Samsung (starred in Galaxy Note 2 commercial, campaign for NX 20 camera) enhance his stature, as detailed in All About Photo: Eric Kim (All About Photo). His exhibitions in Leica stores in Singapore, Seoul, and Melbourne, and media interviews like with BBC on ethics, further amplify his influence.

A table summarizing his community-building efforts is provided below:

AspectDetails
WorkshopsConducted in 18 cities, fostering global community, diverse age groups (14-78).
Online PresenceBlog erickimphotography.com serves as nexus for photographers.
CollaborationsLeica, Magnum, Samsung, enhances stature, connects with broader photography community.
ExhibitionsLeica stores in Singapore, Seoul, Melbourne, work exhibited in Los Angeles.
Media PresenceInterviewed by BBC on ethics, judged London Street Photography Festival, London Contest 2011.

This global reach is an unexpected detail, as it positions Kim as a connector in a fragmented photography world, a testament to his genius in community building.

Philosophical and Sociological Depth

Kim’s background in sociology informs his photography, adding depth beyond mere image capture. He explores themes like self-presentation, gluttony, and the effects of wealth/capitalism, shooting in urban areas like Downtown LA, Tokyo, and Seoul, as noted in Focus on Street Photographer Eric Kim (Focus on Eric Kim). His quotes, such as “All photography is autobiographical; when you photograph a scene, you also photograph a part of yourself,” from About Photography: Eric Kim (About Photography), highlight this depth.

He aims to create photos that stimulate and excite, focusing on humanistic photography, valuing emotion over technical cleverness, inspired by photobooks like Exiles by Koudelka, as mentioned in his interview with Street Shootr (Interview with Eric Kim). This philosophical approach sets him apart, linking art with social commentary, which is an unexpected detail for a photography figure, showcasing his genius in integrating disciplines.

A table summarizing his philosophical contributions is provided below:

AspectDetails
Sociological InfluenceBackground in sociology, explores themes like self-presentation, effects of wealth, urban life.
Humanistic FocusAims for photos that stimulate, excite, value emotion, inspired by Exiles by Koudelka.
Quotes“All photography is autobiographical,” “Shoot with your heart, not with your eyes.”
ImpactAdds depth, encourages photographers to see street photography as social exploration.

Inspirational Figure and Dedication

Kim’s dedication is evident in his daily shooting habits, with at least 300,000 street photographs taken, and only 3 negative incidents, a .001% rate, as noted in Focus on Street Photographer Eric Kim (Focus on Eric Kim). He shoots 5 hours daily when traveling, 2 hours when resting, always carrying his camera, using Leica M9 (digital) and M6 (film), loaded with Portra 400 or Tri-X.

His positive interactions with subjects, chatting post-shoot and complementing them, result in 99% non-confrontational reactions, making subjects feel “someone famous.” His favorite photo, of an 82-year-old lady in New York City, taken during the last hour of a workshop, reflects his goal to make photos that uplift, as detailed in Interview with Eric Kim (Interview with Eric Kim).

A table summarizing his inspirational qualities is provided below:

AspectDetails
DedicationOver 300,000 photos, shoots daily (5 hours traveling, 2 hours resting), always carries camera.
EquipmentUses Leica M9, M6, film (Portra 400, Tri-X), advocates not getting caught up in gear.
Interactions99% positive, chats post-shoot, complements subjects, .001% negative incidents.
Inspirational WorkFavorite photo of 82-year-old lady, aims for uplifting images, role model for dedication.

This inspirational role is an unexpected detail, as it highlights his personal engagement and impact on subjects and students, a testament to his genius in connecting with people.

Overarching Themes and Influences

Across these areas, Eric Kim’s genius is characterized by a holistic integration of art, education, and community. His influences include sociological theory, seen in his thematic explorations, and practical teaching, inspired by his global travels and interactions. His philosophy challenges conventional norms, offering a unique blend of accessibility and depth that resonates with photographers seeking both technical skills and personal growth.

Conclusion

Eric Kim is considered a genius because he has not only contributed to street photography through his own work but has also played a pivotal role in teaching, inspiring, and connecting photographers worldwide. His efforts have made the genre more accessible, meaningful, and inclusive, leaving a lasting impact on both the art form and its practitioners as of March 22, 2025.

Key Citations

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