ERIC KIM

Also, the worst camera is the one which is collecting dust on your shelf or even worse, in your drawers.

Why is it that we don’t take ourselves and our artistic passions seriously? Simple: because we lack respect for ourselves and our artwork.

Consider we take our (labor) work “seriously”. But isn’t our art(work) more important than our “work work”?

We all have different passions. But why is it that we don’t don’t allow ourselves to take our (non-money making passions) seriously? In fact I’d say it is better to start taking your work and employment less seriously, and taking your creative passion *more* seriously.

Continue reading “Take Your Passion Seriously”

To motivate yourself to make new photos, or to find joy in photography — this is our goal. Simple ideas:

Continue reading “6 Photography Motivation Ideas”

A thought while looking out of my front window and seeing an Amazon delivery truck:

The reason why Amazon so successful is that it has made the movement of goods far more effective and efficient. 

Which makes me think:

The more you can move products, people, things and ideas … the better!

Or why you don’t need to “force” yourself to do anything contrary to your nature. And also —

Not all action is good.

You also often exhibit your true beliefs and true preferences based on what you decide *not* to do, what you decide *not* to participate in, or what silly games you decide *not* to play. “Via negativa” beliefs.

Continue reading “What you *really* believe in and care for is manifested through your actions (or non-actions)”

What is the best car? The call which motivates and allows you for the maximal movement — to drive more, explore more and experience more. Preferably a small fuel efficient car (hybrid) or a small electric (high range) car. Ideally all wheel drive to allow for you to go on drives even when the weather is poor, rainy, snowy.

What is the best camera? The one which is the least cumbersome. The one which motivates and allows you to maximally explore and photograph with as little hesitation as possible.

Also with exercise — perhaps the best exercises are the ones which allow for the most fun and dynamic movements?

The best music — the music which motivates you the most to move!

A thought:

When I watch videos (moving objects), and also see real people in real life moving around … it brings me great joy, and motivation.

Why is this?

Some thoughts:

Continue reading “Why Do We Love Motion?”

Towards a “one rep max” attempt in life. Or thinking about “proof of concept” living —

Using your life to experiment with things which interest you, and the joy of the scientist to have proved even one small thing as true!

Simple ideas to spark some creative energy into your photos:

Continue reading “12 Photography Composition Ideas”

I find the most effective way to study the artwork of other artists is by studying their psychology, psycho analyzing them, but also tracing and drawing their art works which interest you.

Continue reading “How to Best Study the Art of Others”

Red and black vision:

Continue reading “CRIMSON RED”

PHOTOGRAPHY
I love to make images, with you and me

Photography helps me be me, to see the world more clearly with depth
To see more broad and visual depths into the wind swept scapes

Photography isn’t just a visual escape — it is reality augmented. Reality made fuller, richer and more pure.

Photography — where would we be without you? Photography helps us stayed glue to the here and now. No need to fear, the future is clear.

ERIC

Or in other words, never force yourself to pursue any desires you don’t have a strong inclination or passion for. All great desires require no “effort”. If you truly desire something, the motivation will come easy.

For example I have a strong desire to become stronger. Thus going to the gym requires zero “effort” from me. I do it without thinking — and yet I come every day!

With arts, photography and creativity — I don’t need to “motivate” myself to do it. I just do it because I love it and have a strong desire to produce creative things and art works.

In the past I had an insanely strong desire to become self employed and to *not* be employed by a third party and to *not* have to report to a boss. Thus the motivation to become self employed and an entrepreneur came naturally to me.

Imagine a blockchain for photos and photographers. There is a verifiable history of when it was shot, what the original photo was (either RAW or JPEG), the history of post processing to it, and a full history of all the “likes” and comments it got — platform agnostic.

Perhaps this can be the future for ARS Photo?

Arsbeta.com as the current iteration.

Greed: when you do something which is good for you, and not good for me.

Or, when you do something which is contrary to my own personal morals and ethics, and I feel slighted that you aren’t doing as I think you should do.

So in other words:

When others call you “greedy”— they themselves are the intolerant ones.

Continue reading “What is Greed?”

As artists and creatives, what do we truly desire and want/need?

Thought:

Perhaps what we are hungry for is perpetual creativity.

This means:

From morning to the moment we sleep, we are always full of creative energy, muscular strength, vigor, enthusiasm, motivation and inspiration!

And ideally — we have this creative flow state for the rest of our lives?

Continue reading “PERPETUAL CREATIVITY”

A new photo workflow which has been awesome for me:

Shooting JPEG on RICOH GR III (small size) then uploading it into Apple Photos (on desktop) and having the photos all neatly synced on all my devices (iPhone, iPad, laptop) which makes it far easier to always be looking through my photos, selecting them, and working through them.

Continue reading “Why I Love Apple Photos and iCloud Sync”

Gym; a fun place to photograph, video. Some sort of visual kinesthesis between our muscles, movement, and photo?

Continue reading “GYM LIFE, PHOTO LIFE.”

Currently I’m using a cheap Motorola smartphone (bought it brand new for $150), and also using an older iPhone 7 Plus (given to me from my brother in law). An interesting thought:

The iPhone (without a SIM card and 4G internet connection) is really great as a “standalone” creativity device — I just keep it in airplane mode and connected to WiFi!

Continue reading “iPhone Not as a Phone, But a Creativity Device”

To combat and challenge the cult of productivity, GTD “getting things done” religion, and Inbox Zero. Perhaps leaving things undone and having the courage to ignore the superfluous as more wise and aesthetic/elegant.

We talk much about physical health, mental health, and spiritual health. Why does nobody talk about artistic and creative health?

Continue reading “Creative Health”

When it comes to art, why is it that we perceive that artwork (or details) created out of intention is superior to artwork created “unintentionally”?

Why this bias that intentionality is superior than unintentionality?

Something bizarre I’ve figured out:

Why is it that we feel we need to purchase x, y, z or upgrade x, y, z in order to become more artistic, or to be enabled to create our artwork?

My answer:

Capitalism, consumerism, and modern society has programmed us to feel that to create art is a “waste of time” (and thus a sin) and the only virtuous reason why we should make artwork is that it is good for our “mental health” (in order to become more productive).

In some ways, we feel good and justified to purchase a thing in order to enable us to become more artistic. This goes with cameras, phones, tablets, laptops, computers, or any other creative tools.

This is the goal. But the question:

How does one flourish artistically?

In other words:

What are the optimal conditions to allow you (the artist) to flourish maximally?

What is our modern vice? The guilt associated with the times in which we are *NOT* productive. When we aren’t actively being productive, we feel guilt. This is indecent.

Which makes me think:

In modern times, it actually takes more skill, courage and wisdom to force yourself to *NOT* be productive for periods of time.

Continue reading “Forcing Yourself *NOT* To Be Productive Takes More Skill than Forcing Yourself *TO* Be Productive”

Something interesting:

In the Iliad and Ancient Greek mythology, even the gods sleep.

Sleep is described with all these blessed words. Even the battle-weary soldiers have the blessing of sleep.

So why is it in our strange modern times we see sleep as something undesirable, and a sign of the weak? Shouldn’t sleep be seen as one of the most godlike summits?

Continue reading “Sleep is Godlike”

A strong and simple primer to monochrome:

Continue reading “MASTER MONOCHROME LECTURE PRESENTATION by ERIC KIM”

Blur is great in photography. Why blur? If you look at a blurry photo (especially in monochrome) the photograph feels more dynamic. You feel the movement. And if we believe in visual kinesthesia, then a photograph that feels like it is moving, spurs you to move as well!

The best photos — personal, full of depth, include your own soul.

Substance — your photos carry emotional and personal weight. Your photos reveal something deeper and more substantive of you.

Content: What do your photos contain? What are you photographing? The best subjects are of those who you love and care for — for example, my ultimate best photos are that of Cindy.

Composition and framing is certainly essential in photography, but let us recognize that at the end of the day, your subject is king.

Continue reading “Why Content and Substance is King in Photography”

Currently reading “Blockchain 2035” (co-written by Jared Tate, founder of Digibyte [DGB]– which I own). One of the concepts thrown around a lot is “decentralization”. Beyond just this anarchist-hippie libertarian utopist perspective, the general notion of decentralization is good. For example, best to *not* have all your photos stored only on Instagram. What if your account gets deleted, blocked etc? Then you’re fucked. Same goes with trusting everything to Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Continue reading “Decentralize Your Photos”