First sent to ERIC KIM NEWSLETTER >
Dear friend,
A thought:
Perhaps my goal in life is to motivate others in their photography.
I know for myself, finding motivation to shoot has been one of the most challenging things the last decade+. And considering I am only 33 years old (yesterday was my birthday) I know I got a long way to go. Considering I plan on living to be 120 years old — better yet:
How can you position yourself in life so you can stay motivated to shoot until you’re 120 years old?
Simple thoughts:
1. Photograph like a child
I am amazed whenever I see my niece Amelia (when she was 2-5 years old) pick up a camera. Encouraging kids to shoot photos is great. I just give her my RICOH GR II/RICOH GR III and let her go crazy. Sure there is a chance she will drop the camera or whatever, but I feel the upside is worth the risk.
Also my 2-year old nephew Benjamin has recently learned how to ‘take picture’, and has dropped my RICOH GR III straight onto concrete at least twice (and the camera held up fine! No cracks, just a small dent in the corner!).
Another fun idea:
Buy your camera one of those RICOH indestructible construction site cameras (Ricoh WG-6), and let them go wild.
Or just put an otterbox case on your phone, and let them go crazy.
Essentially the general gist is allow yourself to shoot like a child. No inner-critic. Shoot freely!
2. Discover visual inspiration OUTSIDE of photography
For example, Japanese Woodblock Cut prints. The thoughts I have been wondering:
Why do they frame their prints this certain way?
For example when we study the work of HIROSHIGE, he frames his scenes very much like a camera. There are certain parts of the frame which are cut-off, and certain parts which are in. This makes me consider and think more about my photographic composition:
What is the best and optimal way to compose and scene this frame?
The general gist:
Harness the art of ‘cross pollination’ — discovering inspiration and motivation for your artwork OUTSIDE of your artistic domain expertise (photography).
3. Both color AND black and white
Monochrome is good, so is color. I say just do both.
Typically I find that monochrome is hugely useful insofar much as there tends to be more photo opportunities in monochrome. Color tends to work well with colorful scenes and objects … but what if the thing or scene isn’t interesting in color? Then just shoot it in black and white.
When in doubt, shoot both!
4. Shoot first, reflect later.
Anders Petersen once said:
Shoot with your gut, edit with your brain.
Essentially this means:
Don’t let yourself be conquered and overwhelmed by ‘paralysis by analysis‘ in photography. When you see something which interests you as a gut reaction, just shoot it and then figure out what to do with it later.
5. Music
A fun idea:
Considering that music motivate us … maybe it is a good idea to put on some good jams on your headphones, and go out for a walk and shoot photos to your favorite songs or playlist!
6. Curate your old photos
Look back at your library of photos, and spend some time to curate your photos (keep the ones you truly care for) and put them into a new album (digital, or print). You can even print them as 4×6 (I like using the online Costco Photo Center), ship them to your home, and put them in a photo album.
Or you can make them into an iMovie slideshow and feel free to use any of my free and open source beats.
The joy of curating your old photos is this:
You can vividly re-live your past great memories, which will spur you to make new photos!
How to curate your street photography portfolio >
7. Think of life post-COVID
I am very optimistic about the future. As easy as it is to be very pessimistic about the future, the future is brighter than we think. Vaccine is already here and being distributed, and sooner or later… borders will open up again, and we will travel and see the world again. It may seem un-forseeable right now, but remember the Horace quote when writing to Virgil:
We shall travel the seas again!
8. Give honest feedback to other photographers
Arsbeta.com – consider this your new home to give honest feedback on the photos of others. By critiquing the work of others, we can become more critical of our own work (in a constructive way).
9. Make an e-book of your favorite photos
Make an e-book (PDF) of your best photos. You can use Adobe Indesign, Affinity Publisher (only $24 right now), or just make a slideshow of your best photos in KeyNote, Google Slides or Powerpoint and just export it as a PDF. Then share them with your friends, family, upload it as a free and open PDF link (Dropbox, Google Drive, your own website FTP) and enjoy the process of making your own photo book!
There is this weird bias that only printed (hardcover) photo books are legitimate. No — digital PDF ebooks are just as legitimate!
10. Meditate and reflect on your photographic journey
PHOTO JOURNAL — a good way to reflect, meditate, and journal on your photographic life.
Another option; use the free ZEN OF ERIC (WHY APP?) Facebook Messenger bot to have a fun little conversation on discovering more personal reasons why you make photos.
An assignment idea:
Write a short blog post on why you make photos, and hit publish and share it with your friends and family on social media or just directly email it to them!
Conclusion
You’re not only a photographer; you’re also also a visual artist.
This means develop and augment all of your creative faculties — become a ‘full stack visual artist!‘
MAKE ON!
ERIC
HAPTIC INDUSTRIES
Creative tools to empower you:
- Henri Neck Strap Mark III (Available in PHANTOM BLACK) >
- STREET PHOTOGRAPHY STARTER KIT: Master Street Photography at Home >
- HOW TO SEE: Visual Guide to Composition, Color, & Editing in Photography [eBook] >
- STREET HUNT: Street Photography Field Assignments Manual Mobile Edition
- ZEN OF ERIC: Empower Yourself with Philosophy and Photography [FREE]
Discover more in HAPTIC SHOP and on AMAZON >
New articles
- Paralysis by Analysis in Photography
- UTAMARO and Japanese Ukiyo-e Woodblock Cut Prints and Photographic Inspiration for Composition
- Why Photograph Your Family?
Discover more inspiration on ERIC KIM BLOG, PODCAST, or YOUTUBE.
Photography assignment idea
HOME:
Shoot the best high-contrast black and white photograph from inside your home, and upload your best (1) photo to arsbeta.com
Why a home photo assignment? Simple:
In COVID times, we feel like we are lacking opportunities to photograph. But if you are able to make interesting photos from home … what can hold you back?
ERIC
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