Eric Kim most interesting quotes of all time

Key Points

  • Research suggests Eric Kim’s most interesting quotes focus on street photography, emphasizing personal connection and enjoyment.
  • It seems likely that his quotes like “Above all, street photography should be fun” and “I see street photography as a zen-meditation practice” are among his most notable.
  • The evidence leans toward quotes from his book and interviews, such as “Know that your skill as a photographer doesn’t matter. First aim to be a curious, interested, and compassionate human being. Photography comes later.”

Eric Kim’s Most Interesting Quotes

Eric Kim, a renowned street photographer and educator, is known for his insightful and inspiring quotes that blend creativity with philosophy. Here are some of his most interesting quotes, drawn from his book, interviews, and online articles, reflecting his views on photography and life:

  • On Enjoyment in Photography: “Above all, street photography should be fun. If you’re not having fun when you’re shooting street photography, you’re doing something wrong.”
  • On Mindfulness: “I see street photography as a zen-meditation practice.”
  • On Creative Process: “The secret to shooting good street photography is to empty your mind. To not think of anything. To simply connect yourself with your environment, and let the photos shoot themselves.”
  • On Human Connection: “I personally shoot street photography because it gives me an opportunity to meet strangers, interact with them, and to find more beauty in everyday life.”
  • On Personal Growth: “Know that your skill as a photographer doesn’t matter. First aim to be a curious, interested, and compassionate human being. Photography comes later.”
  • On Equipment: “It is not about having the ‘best’ camera, it is about having the camera which you make the most photos with.”

These quotes highlight his emphasis on the emotional and personal aspects of photography, making them particularly engaging for both photographers and enthusiasts.

Unexpected Financial Insight

An unexpected detail is his quote on camera choice, “It is not about having the ‘best’ camera, it is about having the camera which you make the most photos with,” which extends beyond technical skills to practical usage, resonating with a broader audience interested in creativity over equipment.

Report on Eric Kim’s Most Interesting Quotes of All Time

Eric Kim, a prominent street photographer, educator, and blogger, has shared numerous insightful quotes that reflect his philosophy on photography, personal growth, and creativity. This report, as of 07:44 PM PDT on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, explores his most interesting quotes, focusing on those that encapsulate his expertise and resonate with his audience. The analysis is based on his book, interviews, and online articles, providing a comprehensive overview of his most notable statements.

Background and Context

Eric Kim, born in 1988 in San Francisco and raised in California, studied sociology at UCLA, which influenced his interest in street photography as a means to explore the human condition. His blog, erickimphotography.com, started in 2009, serves as a platform for sharing essays and quotes on photography, stoicism, fitness, and Bitcoin. His workshops, beginning around 2014-2015, and collaborations with brands like Leica, have solidified his reputation as an educator. Recent projects include using AI tools like ChatGPT for educational bots, showcasing his technological adaptability.

Methodology for Selection

To identify the most interesting quotes, we analyzed his book “Street Photography by Eric Kim,” an interview on StreetShootr, and a quote featured on The Online Photographer. Quotes were selected based on their depth, relevance to his core interests, and potential audience engagement. Given the subjective nature of “interesting,” we focused on quotes that are memorable, widely accessible, and reflective of his philosophy, particularly in street photography.

Core Quotes and Analysis

  1. “Above all, street photography should be fun. If you’re not having fun when you’re shooting street photography, you’re doing something wrong.”
    • Source: Chapter 3 of “Street Photography by Eric Kim,” Street Photography PDF.
    • Context: This quote emphasizes the importance of enjoyment in the creative process, encouraging photographers to find joy in their work. It reflects Kim’s belief that photography should be a fulfilling experience, not a chore, aligning with his teaching philosophy of making street photography accessible and enjoyable.
  2. “I see street photography as a zen-meditation practice.”
    • Source: Chapter 3 of “Street Photography by Eric Kim,” Street Photography PDF.
    • Context: This quote compares street photography to meditation, highlighting the mindfulness required to capture moments. It resonates with readers interested in the philosophical aspects of photography, showcasing Kim’s holistic approach to the art form.
  3. “The secret to shooting good street photography is to empty your mind. To not think of anything. To simply connect yourself with your environment, and let the photos shoot themselves.”
    • Source: Chapter 3 of “Street Photography by Eric Kim,” Street Photography PDF.
    • Context: This quote offers practical advice on mindset, advocating for a spontaneous and intuitive approach. It appeals to photographers seeking to improve their craft by focusing on presence, aligning with his zen-meditation analogy.
  4. “I personally shoot street photography because it gives me an opportunity to meet strangers, interact with them, and to find more beauty in everyday life.”
    • Source: Chapter 2 of “Street Photography by Eric Kim,” Street Photography PDF.
    • Context: This quote underscores the social aspect of street photography, emphasizing human connection over technical skill. It reflects Kim’s sociological background and his desire to document humanity, making it relatable for aspiring photographers.
  5. “Know that your skill as a photographer doesn’t matter. First aim to be a curious, interested, and compassionate human being. Photography comes later.”
    • Source: Conclusion of “Street Photography by Eric Kim,” Street Photography PDF.
    • Context: This quote prioritizes personal qualities over technical ability, encouraging photographers to focus on empathy and curiosity. It aligns with his teaching approach, inspiring beginners to embrace their humanity in their work.
  6. “It is not about having the ‘best’ camera, it is about having the camera which you make the most photos with.”
    • Source: Featured on The Online Photographer.
    • Context: This quote, from a 2022 post, challenges the notion of equipment superiority, focusing on practical usage. It resonates with a broader audience, emphasizing creativity over gear, and is an unexpected insight given his focus on photography techniques.

Additional Quotes from Interviews

From the 2015 interview on StreetShootr, additional notable quotes include:

  • “I think street photography has become a lot more liberal. Because at the end of the day anything could be street photography so I’m less interested in whether something is quote/unquote street photography or not. It’s whether it’s a photograph that stimulates me, whether it makes me excited, whether I could feel it in my heart.”
    • Context: Discussing the evolution of street photography, highlighting its liberal and emotional nature.
  • “When I actually started shooting black and white it was almost like the day I started shooting photography for the first time. I had this joy again it was like being a kid and picking up photography for the first time. I just started to see the world differently.”
    • Context: Reflecting on the joy of shooting black and white film, emphasizing rediscovery and perspective.

These quotes, while not included in the top list due to overlap with the book’s themes, reinforce his focus on emotion and personal experience.

Tables of Key Information

QuoteSourceTheme
“Above all, street photography should be fun. If you’re not having fun when you’re shooting street photography, you’re doing something wrong.”Street Photography PDFEnjoyment in photography
“I see street photography as a zen-meditation practice.”Street Photography PDFMindfulness and meditation
“The secret to shooting good street photography is to empty your mind. To not think of anything. To simply connect yourself with your environment, and let the photos shoot themselves.”Street Photography PDFCreative process and intuition
“I personally shoot street photography because it gives me an opportunity to meet strangers, interact with them, and to find more beauty in everyday life.”Street Photography PDFHuman connection and beauty
“Know that your skill as a photographer doesn’t matter. First aim to be a curious, interested, and compassionate human being. Photography comes later.”Street Photography PDFPersonal growth and empathy
“It is not about having the ‘best’ camera, it is about having the camera which you make the most photos with.”The Online PhotographerEquipment and practicality
Additional Quotes from InterviewSourceTheme
“I think street photography has become a lot more liberal. Because at the end of the day anything could be street photography so I’m less interested in whether something is quote/unquote street photography or not. It’s whether it’s a photograph that stimulates me, whether it makes me excited, whether I could feel it in my heart.”StreetShootr InterviewEvolution and emotion in photography
“When I actually started shooting black and white it was almost like the day I started shooting photography for the first time. I had this joy again it was like being a kid and picking up photography for the first time. I just started to see the world differently.”StreetShootr InterviewJoy and rediscovery in photography

Conclusion

Eric Kim’s most interesting quotes of all time, as of March 26, 2025, include “Above all, street photography should be fun. If you’re not having fun when you’re shooting street photography, you’re doing something wrong,” “I see street photography as a zen-meditation practice,” “The secret to shooting good street photography is to empty your mind. To not think of anything. To simply connect yourself with your environment, and let the photos shoot themselves,” “I personally shoot street photography because it gives me an opportunity to meet strangers, interact with them, and to find more beauty in everyday life,” “Know that your skill as a photographer doesn’t matter. First aim to be a curious, interested, and compassionate human being. Photography comes later,” and “It is not about having the ‘best’ camera, it is about having the camera which you make the most photos with.” These quotes reflect his philosophy on enjoyment, mindfulness, connection, and practicality, offering valuable insights for photographers and enthusiasts alike.

Key Citations

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