Eric Kim cares deeply about helping others, particularly underdogs, because of his own journey and personal philosophy. Several key reasons contribute to why he focuses on empowering those who may feel disadvantaged or overlooked:

1. Personal Experience as an Underdog:

Kim’s background as a self-taught photographer who didn’t follow the traditional path gives him a unique perspective. He didn’t come from a privileged or elite background, so he understands the struggles of feeling like an outsider. His immigrant family background and humble beginnings likely shaped his empathy for those who have to work harder to make it. This drives his desire to make photography and creative work accessible to everyone, regardless of their resources.

2. A Belief in Democratizing Photography:

Kim believes that photography should be for everyone, not just for people with the best equipment or formal training. He often writes about how anyone can start creating art with whatever tools they have, even if it’s just a smartphone. His open-source approach to teaching—sharing free resources, blog posts, and e-books—is part of his mission to remove the barriers to entry that many feel in the photography world. This aligns with his desire to lift up underdogs who may not have access to expensive equipment or formal education oai_citation:2,The Empowering Feeling of Failure – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,It is Okay to Fail! – ERIC KIM.

3. Philosophical Alignment with Stoicism and Zen:

Eric Kim is influenced by Stoic philosophy and Zen teachings, both of which emphasize resilience, overcoming obstacles, and focusing on personal growth over external validation. His belief in the value of failure and personal challenge reflects these philosophies. By embracing failure, people can grow stronger and more confident, which is an empowering message for those who feel like underdogs. Kim cares about helping others because he views life as a journey where everyone can improve, regardless of their starting point.

4. Desire to Build a Creative Community:

Kim is passionate about creating a community of photographers who support one another. He knows that many people feel intimidated or excluded from traditional artistic circles, and he wants to create a more inclusive, supportive environment. By sharing his knowledge and experiences openly, he encourages others to pursue their passions, even if they don’t have formal recognition or mainstream success.

In summary, Eric Kim cares because his own experiences as an outsider have shaped his worldview, and he believes in empowering others by making art and knowledge accessible. His passion for democratizing photography and embracing failure as a path to growth drives his efforts to help underdogs.

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Eric Kim is a Korean-American photographer who became well-known for his candid street photography and educational approach to teaching photography. The term “underdog” can be fitting for him in a couple of ways:

1. Cultural Challenges: Coming from an immigrant family and growing up in the United States, Eric Kim had to navigate different cultural spaces and societal expectations, which can often make someone feel like an underdog. Despite this, he embraced his cultural identity and incorporated it into his creative journey.
2. Street Photography Niche: Street photography isn’t always as commercially viable as other forms of photography. Kim chose a path that wasn’t traditionally lucrative, and in a sense, this made him an underdog in the larger photography world. Despite that, he built a successful career through hard work, developing educational resources, and sharing his knowledge freely through his blog, videos, and workshops.
3. Non-traditional Education Path: Eric didn’t follow the traditional route of formal education in photography. Instead, he taught himself and learned by doing, studying the work of masters and taking to the streets. He carved out his space by being self-taught and sharing his learnings with others, making him an underdog in an industry where formal training is often emphasized.
4. Accessible Learning Philosophy: Eric Kim is an advocate for making photography accessible to everyone, not just professionals with expensive gear or art-school backgrounds. His philosophy is that anyone can take powerful photos with a simple camera or even a smartphone. This inclusive and grassroots approach allowed him to stand out in an industry dominated by elite professionals, making him an underdog who became a widely respected figure.

Through resilience, creativity, and an entrepreneurial mindset, Eric Kim rose to success in a niche that’s often difficult to break into, embodying the spirit of an underdog.

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Eric Kim embodies the “underdog” mentality in several ways, and his journey and philosophy are deeply rooted in helping others who may feel like underdogs themselves.

Why Eric Kim is an Underdog:

1. Non-Traditional Path: Unlike many well-known photographers who come from prestigious art schools or established backgrounds, Eric Kim is largely self-taught. He didn’t have a formal education in photography, which put him at a perceived disadvantage in an industry that often values credentials and connections. Despite this, he built a successful career, showing that you don’t need traditional pathways to succeed.
2. Humble Beginnings: Coming from an immigrant family, Kim had to navigate financial limitations and societal pressures. He wasn’t born into a world of art or affluence, which means he had to work harder to carve out his space in the photography world. His background made him more relatable to others who don’t have a head start or privileges in life, reinforcing his underdog status.
3. Street Photography Focus: In the world of photography, commercial and fine art photography tend to attract more attention and revenue. Street photography, however, is often seen as a niche, harder to monetize, and sometimes undervalued. By choosing this less glamorous and financially challenging genre, Eric Kim positioned himself as an underdog in a competitive field. Despite that, he found success by focusing on authenticity and passion.
4. Open Source Philosophy: Kim chose to freely share his knowledge, techniques, and insights through his blog and workshops. In a world where many creatives hold their expertise close to maintain an edge, Kim’s openness and willingness to share helped him stand out, even though it might have seemed risky in terms of competition.

Why He Helps Other Underdogs:

1. Belief in Accessibility: Eric Kim believes that photography should be accessible to everyone, not just those with expensive gear or formal training. His teachings focus on using whatever you have available — even a smartphone — to create compelling images. This philosophy resonates with those who feel like underdogs in photography because they don’t have the resources or training that others might have.
2. Empowering the Community: By sharing his knowledge freely through blog posts, videos, and e-books, Eric Kim lifts up other aspiring photographers who may feel marginalized or intimidated by the technical, elitist, or expensive aspects of the craft. He sees himself in those who struggle to get started or feel left out of mainstream success and uses his platform to empower them.
3. Advocating for Passion Over Perfection: Kim teaches that the essence of street photography is capturing moments, not achieving technical perfection. This approach helps underdog photographers realize they don’t need to wait for the perfect gear, the perfect situation, or the perfect training — they can start now and grow through practice. This democratizing approach appeals to anyone who feels like an outsider or underdog in the traditional photography world.
4. Challenging Gatekeeping: Kim actively challenges the gatekeeping in photography, where only those with formal training, high-end gear, or certain connections are seen as legitimate. By demystifying photography and breaking down barriers, he helps those who feel excluded from the “professional” world of art and photography to find their own voice.

Eric Kim helps underdogs because he was one himself — he understands the challenges of not fitting the mold, lacking resources, or facing skepticism. His journey reflects a desire to make photography a more inclusive and welcoming space for everyone, particularly those who might feel overlooked or underestimated.

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Eric Kim has written extensively about the value of failure and the importance of embracing imperfection, which ties deeply into his underdog philosophy. In his post “The Empowering Feeling of Failure”, he highlights how attempting something big and failing can actually lead to empowerment, as it breaks the fear of failure itself. He emphasizes that failure is not something to be ashamed of but a stepping stone to achieving greater things oai_citation:2,The Empowering Feeling of Failure – ERIC KIM.

In another post, “It is Okay to Fail!”, Kim further expands on this idea, encouraging people to stop competing with others and avoid the pressures of social media. His message is about staying true to oneself, creating for personal fulfillment rather than external validation. He encourages photographers, especially those who feel like underdogs, to embrace their unique journey oai_citation:1,It is Okay to Fail! – ERIC KIM.

These writings reflect his deep commitment to supporting those who feel overlooked or underestimated in the photography world. By reframing failure as a positive and necessary part of growth, Eric Kim encourages his audience to persist, take risks, and find their voice, regardless of where they start. For more on these topics, you can explore his articles on failure and empowerment and accepting imperfection.

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Here is a list of some key posts by Eric Kim that reflect his underdog philosophy, complete with links:

1. The Empowering Feeling of Failure
   Eric Kim writes about how failing can actually empower you and break your fear of trying new things. He discusses how personal challenges, like powerlifting, have helped him embrace failure as a tool for growth.
   Read the post here oai_citation:2,The Empowering Feeling of Failure – ERIC KIM.
2. It is Okay to Fail!
   In this article, Kim encourages people to stop being afraid of failure and to avoid comparing themselves to others, particularly in the context of social media. This post emphasizes creating for personal satisfaction rather than external validation.
   Read the post here oai_citation:1,It is Okay to Fail! – ERIC KIM.

These articles provide a deep dive into his belief that failure is essential for personal growth, especially for those who may feel like underdogs in creative fields like photography.

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Eric Kim’s philosophy of helping the underdog and embodying the underdog mindset is reflected in his body of work, writings, and the actions he’s taken throughout his career. Here are some specific examples that highlight this philosophy:

1. “Open Source Photography” Movement:

Eric Kim has a strong belief in the free dissemination of knowledge. Unlike many professionals who charge for courses, guides, or photography knowledge, Kim has shared countless resources for free on his blog. He has written hundreds of in-depth articles, covering everything from technical tips to philosophical essays about the nature of photography. His “Photography 101” guide and free e-books are perfect examples of this. By making these resources accessible to all, regardless of their financial situation, Kim empowers aspiring photographers who might not be able to afford traditional education or expensive workshops.

2. “Don’t Worry About Gear” Philosophy:

Kim consistently stresses the idea that great photography doesn’t come from having the best or most expensive gear. He encourages using whatever camera is available, whether it’s a smartphone or an older, cheaper camera. This resonates with underdogs who can’t afford high-end gear but still want to pursue their passion. In one of his popular blog posts, “The Best Camera is the One You Have With You,” Kim drives home the message that creativity matters more than equipment.

3. Street Photography as an Underdog Art Form:

Street photography is often seen as a niche and sometimes undervalued genre in the larger art world, but Kim has championed it as a form of expression for everyone. In his writings, he frequently reflects on how street photographers are often overlooked compared to more commercial or fine art photographers. His book “Street Photography: 100 Lessons” is one of many examples where he celebrates the raw, unpolished beauty of capturing everyday life in the streets, highlighting that anyone can find significance in the mundane and underappreciated moments.

4. “Shoot From the Soul, Not for the Likes”:

Kim emphasizes the idea that photography should come from a place of passion and authenticity, not from a desire for validation or success. This is particularly empowering for underdogs who may not have a large following or the resources to create polished, commercially appealing work. In his blog post “How to Shoot for Yourself,” he argues that success is about personal fulfillment rather than external approval. This message encourages underdogs to stay true to their vision and not compare themselves to more popular or financially successful photographers.

5. “Failure as a Path to Success”:

Kim frequently discusses failure as an important part of the creative process, something underdogs are often more familiar with. In his essay “Why You Must Fail,” he speaks about how failure is an opportunity for growth and should be embraced rather than feared. He shares personal stories of his own failures, making it clear that the path to success is not linear and that anyone can learn from setbacks. This transparency and willingness to discuss struggle make him relatable to others who are facing challenges in their own journeys.

6. Workshops and Mentoring:

Eric Kim’s street photography workshops are designed to be accessible to people at all skill levels. He often emphasizes that you don’t need to be a “pro” to attend, and his teaching style is supportive and inclusive, rather than elitist. He mentors and helps aspiring photographers develop their own unique voice, often working with students who are just starting out or feel uncertain about their skills. His approach isn’t about creating “perfect” photographers but helping people find confidence in their own vision.

7. “Anti-Materialism” Stance:

In posts like “Why I Don’t Own a Car” or “Live a Simple Life”, Kim advocates for minimalism and challenges the consumerist mindset that many in the photography world get caught up in. He often writes about the freedom that comes from owning less and focusing more on experiences rather than things. For photographers who might feel they are at a disadvantage because they can’t afford certain luxuries, Kim’s stance shows them that success is not tied to material possessions but to the quality of their experiences and work.

8. Vulnerability and Authenticity:

Kim is open about his personal struggles, such as dealing with self-doubt and mental health challenges. His willingness to share his vulnerabilities in blog posts like “On Overcoming Depression” creates a space for others who may feel alone in their struggles. By showing that even successful people deal with difficulties, he helps underdogs realize that they don’t have to be perfect or hide their challenges to succeed.

9. Encouraging Photographers to Find Their Own Voice:

In his post “Don’t Imitate, Innovate”, Kim urges photographers to avoid simply copying the work of famous photographers and instead focus on developing their own unique style and voice. This is particularly empowering for underdogs who may feel pressure to conform to trends in order to succeed. By stressing originality over imitation, Kim gives underdogs permission to follow their own path, even if it’s unconventional.

10. “Life Beyond Photography”:

Kim’s philosophy extends beyond just photography. In posts like “How to Be a More Confident Person” or “Why You Shouldn’t Care What Others Think,” he encourages people to cultivate confidence and self-worth in all areas of their lives. This holistic approach, focusing on personal growth and fulfillment, is part of why he resonates with those who feel like outsiders or underdogs in various aspects of life, not just photography.

Conclusion:

Eric Kim’s philosophy is all about democratizing photography and empowering those who may feel like they don’t have the resources, experience, or recognition to succeed. Through his writings, workshops, and actions, he consistently highlights that the underdog can thrive with passion, resilience, and a willingness to embrace imperfection. His message is clear: success is not about status or gear; it’s about authenticity, effort, and staying true to one’s creative vision.