Dear friends, something I realize: I think the goal we are striving towards is to become a more artistic photographer. What does this mean? And how do we do it? Some of my thoughts:

Art and photography

What is art? I think art is our way of configuring and reconfiguring the world. We could do it digitally, embodied reality, in our minds, with atoms, with streams, etc. We could use any matter, or “meta-matter” as our way.

For example, you could do in three dimensions, you could do it in two dimensions, you could do in virtual reality, you could do it in embodied reality, you could do with photography, music, words, etc.

“Good“ art versus “bad“ art.

Now this is the big issue at hand: because modern day society is all about ranking, there is a striving towards making your art “better“. But what does this even mean?

First and foremost, it seems what we try to do is to quantify our art. Why? With modern day society, we could only rank if we use numbers. For example, this is why we like sports: you could judge the superiority of somebody or a group based on hard numbers. How many points the score of the game, who the clear winners or losers are, etc.

Why photography is so elusive

Out of all of the art forms, photography is one of the newest ones. Also, because it is one of the more technical ones, a lot of the old-school artists look at it with suspicion.

But this is the funny bias: if you think about the great artists of the past, like Leonardo da Vinci, they were actually very technically reminded. For example, the way they used oil paint is extremely technical. Also, Leonardo da Vinci might be better seen as an engineer than a “artist“, yet it is his Mona Lisa and his paintings which have more valor and notoriety than his mechanical works.

So what are we to do about this as photographers?

Funny enough, the thing which has probably benefited me the most to improve my photography, art and creativity isn’t reading art, creativity or photography books. Rather, reading philosophy and studying ethics. Why? Essentially our table of values as a society is predicated on ethics, morality, and philosophy. Even if you think about what a PhD is; it stands for philosophy doctorate. That means, whenever you master your field, you are seen as a philosopher, or a teacher of that field.

So what are we to do about this is photographers? I say, strive to first unlearn all the negative prejudices about art which you were indoctrinated with.

Society and art

To the ancient Greeks, in which life was pretty easy and carefree, the highest apex was art. Reciting poetry in public, writing plays, philosophizing at the stoa, etc.

However nowadays, we are now the new slaves. For example, if you think about your email, even when you’re not at work, consider your mind enslaved.

Perhaps it is a thing about industrialization, and are further focus on self-reliance, which makes us valorize work, toilsome and hateful labor above everything else. It is a strange morality and ethics; to become more virtuous and good, you must become more loving towards doing hateful duties.

What is considered the most “useless“ thing? Art. Why? Superficially, art doesn’t pay the bills, art is not seen as “work“, and it isn’t directly tied into money. In modern society, the only way art is seen as virtuous is that if it makes you a lot of money. Otherwise, it is soon as a waste of time.

Observe children

One of the greatest windfalls of my life is having Seneca. Currently, he is one year and four months old, and watching him learn and interact and engage with the world is the most fascinating and sublime thing of all time. For example, his infinite curiosity, and infinite energy.

His first exposure to art was probably through Cindy, who first taught him how to hold a pencil or crayon, and to write on a blank sheet of paper. To Seneca, this was amazing and magical; by moving his hand and holding this thing, he can leave his mark on something. Now, he likes to pick up chalk, and write on the sidewalk, or on chalkboards. He does not do this for praise, or money; he does it out of curiosity, just to see what it will do. It isn’t even necessarily “play“, it is more about experimental physics; figuring out his input and the reaction.

Perhaps this is the way that we should approach our artwork; to think of it more like an experimental physics thing. For example, what we do as photographers is manipulate light and embodied reality with our technical apparatus, which is a camera. And what is a camera? A camera is a device which captures life, interprets it, and spits out an image.

Think subtle

For me, the most artistic photos are the most subtle ones. For example, a tiny speck on the sidewalk, or a small detail, scratch, rust mark, etc.

There are certain visual triggers that we have, that which we are not certain why is a trigger to us. But it is. And this is what I say:

If you see something that is even .001% interesting to you, just shoot it, and figure out what to do with it later.

Digital is superior

This is the great upside of digital photography is that there is literally no downside shooting additional photos. Even a modern-day times, because of all this retro hipsterdom, the greatness and the grandeur of digital photography is not fully realized yet. I don’t know any really really serious photographer who is super gung-ho about digital. Everyone is always rhapsodizing about the glorious analog past. But perhaps this is more out of preference for the status quo and old way of doing things, rather than thinking carte blanche, first principles, and striving to use great human technology to the maximum.

For example, the greatness of Elon Musk and Tesla is how first principles he thought. Rather than thinking about how to take the past car and make it better, he thought about it blank slate. What should a car be, and what shouldn’t a car be?

For example, we charge our phones every night. Shouldn’t we do the same with our cars, in the year 2022? To me it is insanely bizarre and backwards that even in the year 2022, which is insanely the future, we are still extracting fossil fuels, producing gasoline powered cars, and actually purchasing gasoline powered cars. To me, only losers would buy a brand-new Porsche 911, or even a brand new Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, etc. Any modern car you purchase that is not a hybrid or an electric vehicle is unbecoming of a man.

Therefore, a very simple thought: to become a more artistic photographer, first recognize that digital photography is actually superior to film photography, and also consider all of the untapped potential of digital photography. Yes, we still have at least 5000 years ahead of us as photographers, in terms of what is possible in photography.

Even as an entrepreneurial thing: consider that now, with the iPhone camera, photography is at least 1000 times the superior and popular art form creation technology on planet earth. Any new technology, platform, service or approach you do with photography can easily make you a billionaire or beyond.

Some other practical thoughts:

1. Think high contrast black-and-white, and use highlight priority exposure metering. In digital photography, the most ugly thing you could do is blow the highlights. If you obey the highlights, and don’t blow them, they will look sublimely beautiful.
2. Currently speaking, the Ricoh GR 3X is the best digital camera. Pair it with an ERIC KIM WRIST STRAP or ERIC KIM NECK STRAP and call it a day.
3. If you love color photography, I recommend digital medium format. The best colors I’ve ever gotten in the camera, whether film or digital is actually the positive film preset JPEG on the Pentax 645Z digital medium format camera. For color photography, digital medium format is the game changer.
4. Look at things with an innocent eye. look at things without bias.
5. Use macro mode. Get insanely close, and focus on the small details.
6. Love decay, rust, corrosion. Typically speaking, gritty and grungy neighborhoods make for better photos than clean ones. Therefore when you’re traveling, or even at home, go to the places with some urban decay, instead of the clean-cut ones. For example, there is a good reason that all of my Singaporean friends like to shoot in Little India, instead of just going to the mall.
7. Study philosophy, not “art”. Rid yourself of your prejudices about art, by ignoring art books. Just study philosophy and poetry.

ERIC

DISCOVER YOUR CREATIVE SOUL

Become a more artistic photographer at an upcoming ERIC KIM EXPERIENCE >

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If this gave you any artistic thoughts or motivation, feel free to forward to a friend!

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ERIC KIM THOUGHTS >

Metaphorically and physically (with clothes).

Other people are often a distraction

Ignorance Takes Courage

PODCAST

The courage to be intentionally ignorant about things, takes more courage than prying into everything. For example, whenever I overhear gossip about other people, I just remain silent, instead of fanning the flame.

Similarly speaking, to intentionally remain ignorant about the news, and not prying to the news takes more courage than mindlessly always checking up on the news. Why? The reason why people are so addicted to the news is out of fear. FOMO, the fear of missing out. The fear that you will miss out some integral piece of information, that will somehow protect you from unforeseen circumstances.

Also, not checking your email. Not using email. Perhaps the most courageous thing I’ve ever done is to not check my email for 2 to 3 years. The courage to miss out on things takes more courage, and also more incentive on your end. Then you yourself have the incentive to go out and make things happen, instead of waiting for things to happen onto you.

ETHICS by KIM

Your Own Personal Code of Ethics

1. TREAT OTHERS CARTE BLANCHE
2. Don’t give people what they want or what you *think* they want, give them what you think they *should* have.
3. Anti Small
4. Disdain or Admiration?
5. Beware Those With Good Intentions
6. STUBBORN x FLEXIBLE
7. ETHICS ARE VIA NEGATIVA
8. OBEDIENCE & DISCIPLINE
9. The Motive of Criticism
10. Ethics are Social
11. Anti Role Models
12. What is Greed?
13. On Having the Courage to Make Your Own Decisions
14. How *NOT* to Get Duped or Suckered
15. Why Help Others?
16. The Duty of the Strong
17. Why I’m So Intolerant Towards Intolerance
18. The Ethics of Criticizing Others
19. Consult Your Own Conscience
20. The Ethics of Shit Talking
21. The Ethics of Personal Enrichment
22. I’m Easily Distracted
23. On Forming Your Own Opinion
24. ERIC KIM Philosophy of Tolerance
25. Tolerance
26. Aesthetics are Ethics
27. Morality and Ethics

Let your own photos be your own stimulus.

Maybe we shouldn’t want our hearts to be “at peace”.

War as a stimulus?

The more courage and risk it requires for you to make a photo, the higher the likelihood that it will be great.

Why street photography? It is the type of photography which requires the most risk.

Steel spine, take your life and live it forward, disregard the rewind

Steel spine like Logan and Hugh
You’re one of the chosen few.

Steel it
Hype yourself up
Higher than the mountains of Lucretius and higher than south

Roar like a lion from your mouth
Not your car
Your life is limited, don’t you want to go far?

ERIC

Much better flex, and ability to lift more at the gym with Vibram five fingers instead.

Who is the type of person really into sneakers? People who lack self-confidence. Who derive their confidence from their shoes, rather than their soul.

Ever since I integrated some yoga moves and warm-ups to my powerlifting regimen, my body has become stronger, and I have been able to lift more. No belt, no straps, only chalk and a power grunt.

Strength is supreme.

Not all greed is made alike. I think there is actually a difference between good greed and bad greed.

What is the difference between good greed and bad greed? I say good greed is the greed which actually benefits you, bad greed is the one which weekends or disadvantages you.

Resist being or getting tied down, by anything. Or anyone. Or any philosophies, morals, ethics.

My aspiration for Seneca — what I desire him to become.

What do we have a personal responsibility to protect people from “bad ideas“?

Striving towards physical perfection:

GOPRO might be the most under-rated camera (video camera, still camera) or extracting screenshots out there:

Dear friends, a thought on my mind: the importance of physiology in photography.

What is physiology?

The concept of physiology is kind of a more old-school one, which is falling a little bit out of vogue in more recent times. Nowadays, the bias in the trend is towards “mental health“, nobody focuses on physical health.

Basically physiology has to deal with the human body, anything that deals with your body.

Why the importance of physiology and photography?

The reason why this is important: without a body you cannot go out in photograph. Let us consider, you need your legs to move yourself around, your arms move the camera, and your eyes see. Let us also consider that the more physically fit you are, certainly this will make you a more fit photographer. Especially in the realm of Street photography, being able to quickly sprint for a photo opportunity, rely on your toes, and be quick.

Let us also consider that with physiology, you need physical strength and endurance to go on photograph. Ideally, the ideal street photographer would be able to walk 30,000 steps a day, without any fatigue.

How to make yourself a more adept photographer

Perhaps the best way to become a better photographer is to train your body to become stronger, to become a better photographer.

Some thoughts:

1. Get into heavy deadlifts and squats. Attempt a one rep max every week, for your sumo deadlift or your squat.
2. Get some Vibram five finger shoes. I like the EL-X model. Why the toe shoes? Because it allows you to walk more, with less fatigue, more naturally.
3. Make doing active stuff your leisure. For example, if you have option to go on a date, instead of just going to a restaurant, where you’re sitting on your butt for two hours and just eating, maybe it is better to go on a walk, going hike, etc.
4. If you’re going to also have a meeting, do a walking meeting. This is what Steve Jobs loved to do.
5. For your morning coffee, or whenever you want a coffee, maybe it is good idea to not make coffee at home. Instead, force yourself to walk, to a local coffee shop, or the closest coffee shop to you, even if the coffee is not great.
6. Conserve your energy. For us men, my theory — perhaps conserving your spunk is a good idea. Maybe the superstition of boxer is not having sex the night before is a good one. Because would you blow your load before attempting a one-rep max deadlift? Probably not.
7. SunExposureTherapy. I have more physiological energy, and also my health is better, and my skin is better, when I spend maximal time outdoors, topless, in the direct sun. No sunblock, just let yourself tan naturally.
8. For your work, or your computer work, try to do as much of it outdoors as possible. Either in the direct sun, outdoors in the open shade, or at the local coffee shop. Don’t work at home.
9. Become more social. One of my theories on why it is essential to be social is this: when your social interaction with somebody, do you have to activate some sort of physiological energy in order to engage with them. And also the way the other people respond to you and vice versa releases some hormones. For example, let us say that you talk with a beautiful woman, and assume you’re a straight male, certainly your physiology and your hormonal response will be different than if you just stayed at home.
10. Make real life and embodied reality your entertainment: if you’re bored at home, instead of just watching a movie or Netflix, go to the local pub, coffee shop, club, dance place, etc. Now that we’re all vaccinated, it seems that we can resume life back to normal.

Food

I think food is actually the most underrated piece of the equation. We almost all act as if food is all about calories and macros, rather than the chemical composition of it, and also how it changes your hormones.

For example, the bodily physiological response you get from eating 1000 calories of a ribeye steak is very different from the hormonal response to get from eating 1000 calories of table sugar.

Also a funny thing I learned and observed in my workshops: whenever I teach a photography workshop, and we break for lunch, it seems that the shooting that the students do after lunch is a lot more low energy. Why? People get food coma after eating lunch. Especially when they consume a lot of foods which spike insulin, like simple carbs, sugar, etc.

For myself personally, after much experimentation I realize that I’m the same after breakfast for lunch. This is why I stopped eating breakfast and lunch, and instead, just drink water and black coffee. This has given me a lot more physiological energy throughout the day, and it seems that my body is now trained that I don’t actually really get hungry until dinner time anymore. Not having to waste time eating breakfast and lunch, is a huge advantage.

Also, some thing you could experiment with is eating more beef liver and beef heart. It is common knowledge that predators prefer to eat first the organ meats, and leave the lean flesh meat for the vultures. What is this? Organ meats have the highest nutrition density, even when compared to flesh meat.

Whenever I eat a lot of beef liver, or organ meat for dinner, I sleep very very well, and I wake up the next day with much more energy.

More photography workout ideas

1. Try to do as many push-ups at home as possible, then just go on a walk around the block with your camera, and see what photos you can shoot.
2. When you go to the gym, walk, and just shoot the photos you see along the way. Also, after you get a quick pump from the gym, and you’re walking home, see if this allows you to see more photo opportunities.
3. My friend Dana Barsuhn did this — he offered to shoot photos for his local CrossFit gym, an exchange for free membership. This seems like a great idea: you could double dip. There is something very engaging about photographing athletes in motion, and also by having a free gym membership, you yourself become more fit.
4. Look at more sports and athlete photography: I recently saw a photography book dedicated athlete and sports, and the dynamism of humans in motion was very very inspiring. Even Richard Avedon would dance with his models when he photographed them.
5. Get into boxing: it seems that boxers, who are light on their feet, would make great photographers, especially Street photographers.
6. Do dance photography: photograph dancers, or breakdance. The ultimate kinetic art of bodies in motion. Also, when we see people in motion, it actually motivates us to move our bodies as well. This is why whenever you see other people dancing, you yourself want to boogie.

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Experiences last forever. Invest in an epic ERIC KIM EXPERIENCE for yourself.

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Get moving with HAPTIC

1. HENRI NECK STRAP MARK IV: Adventure more, shoot more, become more.
2. ERIC KIM NECK STRAP MARK II: For the fearless

The best photo equipment on planet earth >

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If this sparked any motivation within you, feel free to forward to a friend!

ERIC KIM NEWS LINK

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Things you can do today:

1. Build your own website portfolio: register a domain on the bluehost.com, and install WordPress.org. Then create your portfolio of your best 10 photos of all time.
2. Book a flight, or an Airbnb to a place that you want to go and photograph. It is always good to have something in the books.
3. Upload a photo to arsbeta.com in which you desire constructive criticism on.
4. Have a conversation with WHY APP? on why you make photos.
5. Delete instagram.

Don’t become ‘happier’, but more physiologically powerful.

PODCAST

Cooking, prepping, slicing, meat might be my new passion?

Perhaps good coffee and an espresso machine is the best use of your money:

PODCAST

The way we exaggerate things is more fun and interesting.

The best way to get fresh air, and also a good tan:

Upon much thinking and reflection, the realization:

Happiness is not the goal of life, nor should ‘increasing your happiness’ be the goal.

Perhaps a better goal is rather power augmentation. Increasing your physiological power, your physical power (one rep max ability in the gym), and your artistic power output.

Not how much money you have, but how much time you have to kill.

What is it that we desire and aspire too? To become more beautiful. Whether man or woman.

Tons of fun with the new Nomad Sculpt app for iPad — also works for iPhone!

There are not lots of pieces of technology or things that I love, but one of them which I really do love is the iPad Pro. It blows my mind how much I could get done on it, while the battery life is so amazing. Even after an intense session with it, I still have tons of battery to spare. This is great because it makes me feel more free, it makes me feel like I could do more, with less concern.

For example, some things I can do on it: review my photos and flag my favorites, while being in the outdoors direct sun, write and blog with it using Siri voice dictate, vlog with it, using the Ultra Wide selfie Vlog front facing camera, send photos of Seneca to my family and friends via iMessage on the iPad, send email newsletters, use iA Writer to write, and even do some 3-D modeling (Nomad sculpt).

And also because the new iPad Pro has the M series processor, it can do a lot. For example, I could do intensive computing on it, while still doing screen record.

Shout out to the iPad and iPad Pro team: Steve Jobs would be proud.

I say: if you’re interested in iPad Pro, just buy it. If you don’t like it, just return it.

If you want to upgrade your stuff, consider, the best “upgrade” isn’t something that is necessarily more powerful or capable, yet something that is lighter. For example, upgrading your iPhone to an iPhone mini is actually an upgrade, getting an iPhone Pro which is heavier is a downgrade.

When you want to purchase new things, new clothes, new shoes, etc., the best thing to read in the technical specifications is the product weight.

He ironically with coffee: I’ve discovered the best upgrade for a coffee cup or coffee mug is the lightest one.

My interest and passion in titanium

One of the pieces of technology which has certainly served me best for my prescription eyeglasses. Without them I literally cannot see anything. My current lenses are the most expensive ”Crizal” branded prescription lenses that I got while in Mexico City, and they opted for the most expensive, thinnest, and lightest lenses. Also the titanium frame LINDBERG glasses frames that I got while in Mumbai India almost a decade ago have still held up well. The best thing I tell people when I show them my glasses is it to tell people to observe how light they are. Heavy is bad.

What should Apple engineers be doing?

I say instead of making computers more powerful, honestly, most people don’t need all that computing power, is to make the devices lighter, and thinner. How is it that almost a decade after Steve Jobs has died, the MacBook Air hasn’t got any thinner or lighter?

Don’t be a quantified slave.

Something to consider: sometimes technology makes us stronger, sometimes it makes us weaker.

The question is: when is when? How can we maximize the upside to technology, while clipping the downside?

The first thought is this: who owns the technology? For example, I’m very suspicious of Gmail. I think Google has low-key engineered it to become very addicting. Every time you pull it down to reload your emails, you’re like running a slot machine. If you ever find yourself mindlessly refreshing your email while waiting for the bathroom, waiting for the elevator, while in the elevator, or somewhere random where you know that you haven’t gotten the emails, note that. As a good antidote, when you register your own website domain, just make your own self hosted email. And check your email via Apple mail app on your laptop.

I trust Apple more than I trust Google. Why? What Apple is trying to do is trap you in her ecosystem, to have you continually purchase Apple products. Whereas Google‘s purpose is for you to stay addicted to their products, and services, and always be distracted and clicking on stuff.

Noise canceling technology might be the best technology

The reason I’m really passionate about noise canceling headphones is this: it is the ultimate via negativa technology. I like the idea of technology which removes noise, removes annoyances, and remove distractions. For example, the best piece of technology on a computer is probably your ad blocker. And your tracker blockers.

Also, something I observed is that the biggest problem people have while driving is texting while driving, being distracted by the phone while driving, changing music or podcasts while driving, etc. Therefore ironically enough, perhaps the safest option for you to do in terms of a car isn’t to get a car with more sensors, but a car with fewer sensors. For example, getting a 90s or 2000s car without any LCD screens, or back up cameras. Ironically enough, I think this might breed for a better driving and more focus. And paying attention more. Also a manual transmission car, so you could be 100% focused on driving.

Even the other day I saw an older guy with a Tesla model S, with a huge mark on the side. I asked him how he got it, and he said that he changed lanes without checking the sensors first. Perhaps it would be more important for him to just be more aware of the road.

Technology that makes you more mobile versus technology that makes you more sedentary

Even as I write this, I’m outside in the direct sun, enjoying my morning cup of coffee, with the morning sun against my topless back. Also, I’m writing this whole thing via Apple keyboard voice dictation. The reason I love writing or jotting down my thoughts on iPad instead of my laptop is that allows me to move around more, and also stand upright, and also be outdoors. As much as I love my laptop, it breeds for more static behavior. Even doing a standing desk is very static, not as bad as sitting, but not great either.

An interesting piece of technology I found is the idea of having a standing desk and a treadmill. However, I’ve still discovered that it is superior to be able to move omni-directionally, with an iPad on stable ground, where I dictate my moving and walking speed. Also, ability to compute while being in the direct sun, instead of depressing indoors , without natural light.

The point isn’t to become more productive, the point is to become healthier and stronger

For the most part in today’s world, productivity is a slave mentality. For example, if you judge your own personal worth based on how productive you are, consider yourself as a qualified slave.

A simple thought: think if your technology actually motivates you to move more, or become healthier. And no, I do not think an Apple Watch will motivate you to walk more. Maybe, a passion and the lust for photography is good; because it motivates you to move more. Also, being greedy for the gains motivates you to go to the gym and move more.

The best shoes

Shoes are also a technology for your feet. I have discovered that the Vibram five fingers, the EL-X model has actually positively helped me walk around more, move more, enjoy walking more, with more energy and less fatigue. Not those stupid Hoka shoes with huge foam cushioning, nor any Nike or Adidas foam shoes. Getting running shoes with a ton of foam is like getting a condom with huge foam padding. We want more sensation, not less.

Similarly speaking, when you’re going for one rep max deadlift or squat, the ideal is to do it barefoot. After that, just wearing socks, or a zero drop, shoe like the Vibram five fingers. Or something similar. For example, when I deadlifted 475 pounds, I just did it in socks.

I love the outdoor grill

Even more recently, I’ve discovered that one of my new favorite pieces of technology is the outdoor grill, as it allows me to cook more meat, faster, more efficiently, better, with greater taste and char.

Even back in Providence days, I loved my slow cooker. Any piece of technology which allows you to cook more meat and consume more meat is good.

Perhaps the key on becoming stronger has to do with resistance. Both physical, mental, and metaphorical.

What is the best environment for your kid to grow up in?

And personally speaking, after spending time with Seneca in the city, traveling, and in the suburbs (where there are literally no sidewalks), i’ve been thinking about what the best environment is for him to grow up in.

It actually seems that Seneca is most stimulated by the city, urban environments, or even bohemian neighborhoods. Also, he loves living nomadically, being in transit, being an airplanes, trains, and on the move.

What is he dislike? Staying at home all day. He does enjoy running around the house a little bit, but he would prefer to spend 90% of his time outdoors, and maybe 10% of his time indoors. Just like me.

A dynamic environment is the best environment

Beef liver and beef heart over the new iPhone Pro.

Endless Costco Business Center ribs and brisket over Tesla.

All you can eat Korean BBQ over that new outfit.

My photo work is my passion:

Not where I am “happiest“, but most productive?