How to gain new inspiration in your photography:
1. MONOCHROME VISION
RAW Processed
Put on monochrome eyes, to penetrate reality’s disguise.
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/black-and-white-post-processing-eric-kim-lightroom-1-2000x1228.png?resize=1200%2C737)
Generally speaking, if you want to make more interesting black and white photos, here are my tips:
- Shoot RAW in your camera, and use ERIC KIM Monochrome Presets
- Have fun post-processing your photos, to achieve a NEW image. I think the point of black and white photos is to turn reality into something more interesting. Think of you post-processing your photos more like painting.
- When post-processing photos, play with the ‘blacks’ slider, exposure settings, contrast, and also play with the ‘curves’ settings.
- When you have created a new black and white ‘look’ (create your own custom preset in Lightroom).
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/black-and-white-post-processing-eric-kim-lightroom-2-2000x1236.png?resize=1200%2C742)
If you want new and fresh inspiration in photography, shoot monochrome.
For a simple monochrome camera, get RICOH GR II, shoot with high-contrast setting, and shoot RAW (and post process with ERIC KIM PRESETS afterwards in Lightroom).
2. Textures
![](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/0-raw-white-black-texture-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8512-2000x1333.jpg)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-white-black-texture-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8512-2000x1333.jpg)
![](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2-closeup-white-black-texture-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8512-2000x1116.png)
You might live in a ‘boring’ place, but if you want to make more interesting photos– shoot gritty textures. Shoot in RAW, and process your photos to bring out more detail in the textures.
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/0-red-yellow-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8514-1333x2000.jpg)
![](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-red-yellow-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8514-1333x2000.jpg)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/0-green-texture-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8616-2000x1333.jpg)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-green-texture-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8616-2000x1333.jpg)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/0-graffiti-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8641-1333x2000.jpg)
![](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-graffiti-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8641-1333x2000.jpg)
To me, photographing textures is like painting– abstract paintings and art.
![Little Saigon, 2019 #ricohgrii](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eric-kim-photography-ricoh-orange-county-22-2000x1325.jpg)
![Little Saigon, 2019 #selfie #ricohgrii](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eric-kim-photography-ricoh-orange-county-21-2000x1325.jpg)
3. NATURE
![Little Saigon, 2019 #fujifilmgfx50r #texture](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/processed-RAW-eric-kim-photography-fujifilm-gfx-50r-5-2000x1333.jpg?resize=1200%2C800)
Nature is beautiful and all around us. Find textures, colors, and biological plant life which inspires you.
![Little Saigon, 2019 #fujifilmgfx50r #texture](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/processed-RAW-eric-kim-photography-fujifilm-gfx-50r-1-2000x1333.jpg)
![flowers](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eric-kim-photography-fujifilm-gfx-50r-20-2000x1500.jpg)
4. Nature vs Urban landscapes
![](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-green-red-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8529-1333x2000.jpg)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-cactus-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8565-1333x2000.jpg)
![](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-color-process-8668-2000x1333.jpg)
Photograph the juxtaposition between nature and the built urban environment.
5. Shadows
![](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-shadow-blue-red-yellow-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8519-1333x2000.jpg)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-yellow-shadow-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8602-2000x1333.jpg)
![](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-green-color-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8612-2000x1333.jpg)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-cart-shadow-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8650-1333x2000.jpg)
See the world fresh and anew, by focusing on photographing shadows.
6. Layers/composition
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-layers-urban-landscape-car-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8537-2000x1333.jpg?resize=1200%2C800)
Have fun photographing different layers, the play of light vs dark in your photos.
7. Shoot thy selfie
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-far-selfie-texture-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8636-1333x2000.jpg?resize=1200%2C1800)
Shoot more selfies of yourself, to embed your soul into your own photos.
Conclusion
![Processed Fujifilm GFX 50R File](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-process-fire-hydrant-fujifilm-gfx-50r-eric-kim-8651-2000x1333.jpg?resize=1200%2C800)
There is an infinite world of exploration in photography (in terms of subject matter to shoot), and an infinite number of ways you can post-process your photos.
![](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eric-kim-photography-ricoh-orange-county-29-2000x1325.jpg)
![](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eric-kim-photography-ricoh-orange-county-28-2000x1325.jpg)
![](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eric-kim-photography-ricoh-orange-county-27-2000x1325.jpg)
![](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eric-kim-photography-ricoh-orange-county-26-2000x1325.jpg)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eric-kim-photography-ricoh-orange-county-25-2000x1325.jpg)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eric-kim-photography-ricoh-orange-county-24-2000x1325.jpg)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eric-kim-photography-ricoh-orange-county-23-2000x1325.jpg)
![](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eric-kim-photography-fujifilm-gfx-50r-22-1500x2000.jpg)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eric-kim-photography-fujifilm-gfx-50r-11-2000x1500.jpg)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eric-kim-photography-fujifilm-gfx-50r-9-1500x2000.jpg)
![Selfie. Fujifilm GFX 50R, 45mm f/2.8 Lens](https://i2.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eric-kim-photography-fujifilm-gfx-50r-3-2000x1500.jpg)
Awaken your eyes to a new vision in the world and life, embrace the strife, and smile fondly upon today. Shoot today to the max!
ERIC
-
Product on saleDOWNTOWN LA CONQUER YOUR FEARS WORKSHOP (November 16, 2024)Original price was: $ 999.$ 499Current price is: $ 499.
-
Product on saleSF CONQUER YOUR FEARS WORKSHOP October 26th, 2024 (Saturday 11am-4pm)Original price was: $ 1,250.$ 699Current price is: $ 699.
-
Product on saleERIC KIM OMAKASE COFFEEOriginal price was: $ 550.$ 99Current price is: $ 99.
-
HAPTIC ARMOR$ 199
-
ERIC KIM WALLET$ 499
-
MUSE BY KIM$ 1,535
-
TRAVEL NOTES: Mobile Edition$ 50
-
TRAVEL NOTES: Photography Assignments & Inspiration Manual$ 19
-
Product on saleERIC KIM NECK STRAP MARK IIOriginal price was: $ 770.$ 149Current price is: $ 149.