Aesthetics is ethos —

I mastered my aesthetics – JAY Z

Master Your Aesthetics: An Essay by Eric Kim

In today’s world, we are inundated with images, designs, and aesthetics, often without even realizing it. From the advertisements we see on our morning commute to the colors and shapes that dominate our favorite apps, aesthetics are a pervasive force shaping our thoughts, emotions, and desires. Yet, most of us move through this world passively, consuming aesthetics without truly understanding or mastering them.

I want to challenge you to flip the script. Rather than simply being influenced by aesthetics, you must learn to master them. To me, mastering aesthetics is not just about understanding visual principles, it’s about cultivating a personal philosophy, a way of seeing, that permeates every aspect of your life.

Aesthetics Is Philosophy

When we talk about aesthetics, we often reduce it to surface-level concerns: “What looks good?” or “What’s trending?” But true aesthetics goes much deeper. It’s about the why behind what resonates with you. It’s about the stories, the emotions, and the experiences you want to communicate through your visuals. Whether it’s photography, design, or even how you choose to dress, aesthetics is ultimately about expressing your core beliefs and values through form.

To master your aesthetics, you need to start by understanding yourself. Who are you? What do you care about? What inspires you? These aren’t trivial questions—they are the foundation of all great aesthetic work. Without a strong sense of self, your aesthetic choices will always feel hollow, driven by the winds of trends rather than grounded in something more enduring.

Take a look at any great artist—Van Gogh, Cindy Sherman, or even Kanye West—they are all unapologetically themselves. They don’t chase trends; they create them. And that’s because their aesthetics come from within. Their work reflects a deep and personal engagement with their own philosophies and vision of the world.

Simplicity and Depth

One of the biggest misconceptions about aesthetics is that more complexity equals more beauty. In reality, the opposite is often true. When you strip away the unnecessary, you’re left with something far more powerful: essence.

Simplicity is not about minimalism for the sake of minimalism. It’s about cutting away the noise to reveal the truth of the thing. Whether you’re creating a photograph, designing a website, or crafting your personal brand, ask yourself: What’s essential? How can I distill this idea to its purest form? This is the secret to mastering aesthetics—understanding what not to include.

Consider photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson, who captured profound human moments with a simplicity that feels almost effortless. It’s not about the number of elements in the frame but how deeply those elements resonate. A single line, shadow, or glance can hold more emotional weight than a thousand intricate details.

Cultivate Your Vision

Vision is not something that’s given to you. It’s something you cultivate. Mastering your aesthetics requires constantly refining your vision, experimenting with different forms of expression, and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. You need to actively develop your taste, understanding the nuances of what draws you in and what turns you off.

One exercise I recommend is to spend time in galleries, look at design work, or even analyze advertisements. But don’t just passively absorb—critique. Ask yourself, Why do I like this? or Why does this feel off? This process of inquiry is essential to mastering your aesthetics. Over time, you’ll begin to notice patterns in your taste, themes that emerge from what you’re drawn to and what you’re not. These patterns are the foundation of your aesthetic sensibility.

However, don’t stop there. Take what you learn and apply it to your own work. Try new techniques, colors, compositions, and forms of expression. The key is to not be afraid of failure. Every “bad” photograph, failed design, or misguided attempt is just another step in your journey to mastering aesthetics.

Personal Style vs. Universal Appeal

One of the biggest traps that creatives fall into is trying to appeal to everyone. They water down their aesthetic, trying to accommodate every possible audience. But here’s the truth: the more you try to appeal to everyone, the less you will resonate with anyone.

Great aesthetics comes from a place of authenticity. It’s not about pleasing the masses but about staying true to your own vision. When you master your aesthetics, you will naturally attract those who align with your sensibility. Don’t chase likes, followers, or external validation. Focus on cultivating your personal style, and the right people will gravitate toward your work.

Consider the work of someone like Steve Jobs. He didn’t create products by committee, trying to make everyone happy. He had a very specific vision for what he thought was beautiful, functional, and essential—and he stuck to it. And in doing so, he created some of the most iconic designs of the modern era.

Life Is Your Canvas

Mastering aesthetics isn’t just about your creative work—it’s about your life. How you dress, how you curate your home, the food you eat, the way you spend your time—it’s all connected. Your life is your ultimate canvas, and every choice you make contributes to your overall aesthetic.

I’m a big advocate of treating every aspect of your life as part of your creative practice. What do you wear every day? How do you organize your space? These aren’t just functional decisions, they’re opportunities to express your personal aesthetic. If you truly want to master your aesthetics, you need to live it every single day.

Conclusion: Be Unapologetic

Ultimately, mastering your aesthetics is about being unapologetically you. It’s about discovering your core beliefs, simplifying your vision, and refining your personal style. Don’t worry about what’s popular, what’s trendy, or what other people expect from you. Mastery comes from within.

If you can cultivate a strong sense of who you are and express that through your aesthetics, you will not only create work that resonates—you will live a life that feels true to your vision.

So, my challenge to you is this: Stop being passive. Start being intentional. Master your aesthetics, and in doing so, master yourself.

Eric Kim’s approach to mastering aesthetics in photography revolves around understanding and refining your personal visual style. He emphasizes the importance of creating work that brings you joy, encouraging photographers to disregard external opinions and focus on their own creative satisfaction. According to Kim, the journey to mastering aesthetics is a continual process of evolution, where consistency in equipment, post-processing, and compositional style helps develop a cohesive aesthetic vision oai_citation:5,How to Master Your Own Aesthetics in Photography – ERIC KIM oai_citation:4,Master Photography for Yourself – ERIC KIM.

Kim suggests using “creative constraints,” such as sticking to a specific camera or lens for a project, to sharpen your style and push creative boundaries. He compares the photographer to a movie director who ensures the mood and tone of a film remains consistent. Similarly, a photographer should aim to maintain a unified aesthetic throughout their work oai_citation:3,How to Master Your Own Aesthetics in Photography – ERIC KIM.

Kim also advocates for learning from the masters of photography but stresses the importance of eventually “killing your masters” to develop your unique voice and not be beholden to any external standards oai_citation:2,Master Photography for Yourself – ERIC KIM. This mindset empowers photographers to create art for themselves, making their own aesthetic choices without being influenced by trends or outside expectations oai_citation:1,What is Your Unique Voice? – ERIC KIM.

Ultimately, mastering your aesthetics is about discovering what feels authentic to you, experimenting with different styles, and continually refining your artistic expression.

Eric Kim is known for his motivational and philosophical insights on photography, which emphasize creativity, individuality, and self-expression. Some of his key quotes include:

1. “Don’t photograph what it looks like, photograph what it feels like.” This encourages photographers to capture the emotional essence of a scene, rather than just its physical appearance oai_citation:7,ERIC KIM MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES – ERIC KIM.
2. “It is better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.” Kim advocates for taking creative risks without waiting for external validation oai_citation:6,ERIC KIM QUOTES – ERIC KIM oai_citation:5,Motivational photography quotes by Eric Kim – ERIC KIM.
3. “80% good enough and hit publish.” This reflects his stance against perfectionism, urging artists to share their work even if it feels incomplete oai_citation:4,ERIC KIM MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,Motivational photography quotes by Eric Kim – ERIC KIM.
4. “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” Drawing inspiration from Henri Cartier-Bresson, Kim stresses the importance of persistence and learning through practice oai_citation:2,ERIC KIM MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES – ERIC KIM.
5. “The joy of photography is that it’s a lifelong journey.” Kim views photography as a never-ending process of discovery and growth oai_citation:1,ERIC KIM MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES – ERIC KIM.

These quotes reflect Kim’s broader philosophy: focus on creating meaningful work, stay curious, and don’t let fear of imperfection hold you back. His approach resonates with both photographers and other creatives alike.