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Dear friend,

If you ever second-guess yourself into paralysis, this letter is for you.

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PHOTOGRAPHY ENTREPRENEURSHIP 101 by ERIC KIM

To succeed as a photography entrepreneur, seek to be “meaningfully different” from everyone else out there.

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When life gives you shit, make lemonade.

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Stream of consciousness idea: to engage your viewer with your photos and art, OBSCURE more of your image.

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The camera is a scissor of reality. You decide what to keep, and what to cut away.

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A stoic philosophy: don’t take your (negative) emotions too seriously.

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Tracing with ISSEY MIYAKE // very inspired by his pleats, curves, and flexible weaved material. Another proof of all the innovation happening in fashion. Oh yeah, I found about ISSEY through the iconic black turtle necks he made for Steve Jobs.

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I was born with a thin skin, and it took me nearly a decade to grow thick skin.

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There is no ultimate “right” or “wrong” way to make photos.

Just shoot however you like to shoot. And don’t superimpose your views on photography to others, or let others superimpose their view on photography upon you.

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Dear friend,

As photographers, let us start saying “pictures” instead of “photos.”

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YES 

to

playful experiments

to dream, to wonder, to make, to see

an eternal return to the creative everyday.

NO

to

dreadful apparitions of

self doubt, anxiety, the future,

that faint whisper of Fear disguised as Reason.

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Dear friend,

A thought: life is about fun, chaos, and unpredictability.

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Dear friend,

What drives you?

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Life lessons from Saigon:

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Dear friend,

Reporting live from SAIGON, here is your friendly host– ERICKIM.

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Practical camera suggestions from ERICKIM:

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Inspired by Picasso.

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Dear friend, I think that most of us lack confidence in ourselves.

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KEYS TO SUCCESS / PHOTOGRAPHY ENTREPRENEURSHIP 101 BY ERIC KIM

Ok, we already know the middle class is dying. We are heading to a dystopia society: hyper rich, and the poor.

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Practical advice, I wish someone would have told me if I were 18 years old, entering college today.

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Photography Entrepreneurship 101

Dear friend,

Some real talk.

The world is kind of going to shit. Some ideas in thriving in an uncertain world:

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Queen bee,
Why did you marry me?

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Dance in the streets,
Follow your own rhythm, your own beats.

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My new fun Picasso trace. Ambroise VOLLARD by PICASSO. MADE on iPad, Procreate app.

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I’ve been interested in fashion photography for the colors, dynamism, and just how fun it is.

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I’m the most hated street photographer on the internet.

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Fresh out of the HAPTIC LAB of STREET NOTES MOBILE EDITION:

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1. Post everyday (only once a day) exactly at 12:00PM (Pacific time).
2. Don’t post more than once a day, or else you will be penalized by the algorithm of Facebook or Instagram for sharing too much.
3. Don’t post controversial things. Make it pleasant for everyone. Cats, cappuccinos, and rainbows don’t offend anybody.
4. Tell all your friends and family (in real life) to follow you, and like your stuff.
5. Like your own photos (it is 1 extra like).
6. Buy followers and buy likes.
7. Post minimalist images, with symmetry, and black and white (they look better on a phone or mobile device)
8. Post lots of #hashtags (the more, the merrier)
9. Make photos and post photos that you think your followers will like.
10. Comment, like, and follow as many other people, so maybe they might “follow back” or “like back.

Photography Entrepreneurship 101

What is “true pleasure” in life?

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We all want more money.

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Conquer your fears and meet new peers:

• Sept 9-10: Kyoto Zen Photo Experience – New
• Sept 13-17: Tokyo Street Photography Experience – Sold Out
• Oct 4-5: NYC – Conquer Your Fears
• Oct 7-8: NYC – Discover Your Unique Voice – Sold Out

ERIC KIM NEWSLETTER

Join the power-circle:

Dear friend,

If you have a hard time motivating yourself to get shit done that you want to do, some practical tips and advice for you:

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If you want to be cool, don’t buy a DSLR camera.

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Phones are the best cameras for photography.

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CONQUER YOUR FEARS AND MEET NEW PEERS >

I’m probably the most passionate street photographers in the world. Why? Because street photography ain’t about just making photos. It’s about making meaning in your personal life.

Street photography is a way of life.

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Dear friend,

As a present, here are some new ERIC KIM LIGHTROOM CLASSIC CC PRESETS 2018 for you!

Also check out my new Tokyo CHROMA Lightroom Presets.

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Street photography advice: shoot what scares the shit out of you.

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Another key to success: don’t be afraid to CANNIBALIZE YOURSELF.

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ZEN ZONE,
All I see is monochrome.

ZEN ZONE,
I haven’t shot everything yet,
Shoot to reveal life’s mystery; make it shown.

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PHOTOGRAPHY ENTREPRENEURSHIP 101 by ERIC KIM

Another key to success: DO AND GROW RICH.

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Current inspiration: NEXT by STEVE JOBS x PAUL RAND.

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Dear friend,

I want you to be a strong spiritual warrior. A conqueror. But to conquer who? Only you.

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Nowadays, I care less about pretty photos.

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STREET, STREET, STREET
Oh, the pavement tastes so sweet.

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I don’t think so.

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Dear friend,

What do you really desire in life?

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP 101

Dear friend,

Why are we limited? Because we fear punishment from society.

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from MIS-READING by CINDY NGUYEN:

“The fit is not flattering”
She mouths their murmurs
to the reflection before her.
Eyes scan a faintly familiar figure.
Of crossed legs, brushed hair, slouched shoulders.
It is her, it is she, it is me.
A miss-fit.

Clean contours of plastic perfection
Support, mould the reformed body,
an ivory bust
an empire waistline awaits its ruler.
The patchwork of metal and fabric croak.
It is her, it is she, it is me.
A miss-fit.

She inches towards the mirror
Inhales the clinical scent of new merchandise
Examines the blurry fingerprints of those before her
Smeared across the reflection of her body.
A palimpsest of hourglass dreams.
It is her, it is she, it is me.
A miss-fit.

Mascara lashes fall softly
Lacquered lips press against the cold glass.
Farewell distorted distant stranger.
And hello nice to see you again old friend.
Miss Fists crushes the glass apparition
In a splendid reckoning of femme fury.
It is her, it is she, it is me.
A miss-fit.

mis-reading.com

We cannot measure quality, but we can measure quantity.

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STREET NOTES: distilled knowledge, your new coat
Of street photography armor
No limits on yourself,
Hustle hard and take your art farther.

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I’m an artist.

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Photography Entrepeneurship 101 by ERICKIM

Three ideas:
1. Don’t be boring
2. Always have new stuff
3. No filter

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Unfortunately, most of the ‘rules’ in street photography have been dominated by Henri Cartier-Bresson.

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In photography, there’s nothing that you’re lacking. Join HAPTIC and keep clapping:

1. When in doubt, click.
2. Buy books, and look up, down, left, and right in the streets. Shoot a lot, to get a few keeps.
3. Join ERIC KIM FORUM, and show us your best shots.
4. Stay positive, and shoot a lot.
5. Shoot FILM, and stay trill (real) to yourself and your own artistic vision.
6. You are (already) an artist and photographer.
7. Don’t let nobody talk down on you.
8. Take more risks in life.
9. When in doubt, be generous.
10. JUST SHOOT IT. (ERIC KIM STRAP)

ERIC KIM STREET PHOTOGRAPHY MANUAL >

Great job to y’all who participated in STREET CLUB ASSIGNMENT WEEK 1: 5 YES/5 NO. Below is a video recap of our feedback, critique, and whose photo was our personal favorite:

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When in doubt, shoot 25% more of the scene (lesson from STREET NOTES):

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Dear Amit,

I know you’re going through one of the most fucking painful and difficult times in your life. But know that you are strong. Nothing can kill you.

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“What physician is angry with a crazy patient?” – Seneca

If you were a doctor, and you had a patient that was sick, would you be angry at your patient?

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Dear friend, there is no other generation or time to be alive to be a photographer.

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I love PABLO PICASSO, because he was the ultimate big ass kid. He made on average 1-2 art works a day until he died. Prolific, self-confident, and constantly innovating.

It took him a few years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.

Some lessons he has taught me:

1. Play with perspective. In this Weeping Woman painting, all the planes and dimensions are on one plane. You can see both her eyes on a flat surface. Picasso flattened his images, and created his own alternative reality.
2. Create emotion: In his weeping woman piece, you can really feel the pain in the emotions of the crying woman. Lesson: art isn’t about realism, but evoking emotion in the viewer.
3. Sketch over the work of artists who inspire you, to better get inside their head.

Made with iPad and Procreate app:

I’m gonna keep playing around with this, and see where it leads me.

So friend, keep playing, experimenting, and having fun.

Always,
ERIC

Innovation: creativity and your soul’s levitation.

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PHOTOGRAPHY ENTREPRENEURSHIP 101

The best empire to rule is an empire over yourself. – Publilius Syrus

Build an empire of yourself.

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If you’re not passionate about photography, why make photos?

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Dear friend, when it comes to our photography and life, it is so easy to get disappointed.

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I’ve been tracing for fun, to better understand the mind of other artists.

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