Elevate yourself, elevate you 

Elevate yourself beyond the UV— discover new hues. 

Beyond the blues and blacks, keep your creative attack strong. 

Avoid the throng and herd— fly high//sharp-eyed bird.   

What’s the word? Keep flying higher. Keep moving forward, ain’t no getting tired. 

ERIC

A thought about art, music, ideas, music, technology, and other haptic feedback:

Perhaps what we are seeking is audio-visual-movement to stimulate/motivate our own movement, excitement, and vigor in life!

Anything which motivates me is good.

Motivation as meaning movement.

Whenever I experience anything that motivates me to create, think more, or feel more powerful — this is good.

For example, rap and hip hop music which gets my creative juices flowing, and puts my muscles into motion.

It also seems the best visual art to consume is the visual art which actually motivates you to go out and create more of your own artwork. Finding inspiration from other artists isn’t about fawning over their works into perpetuity; it is to discover a new source of motivation to create more of your own artwork.

We must think more of the artist as an athlete; create art which puts your muscles in motion!

ERIC

Thanks to Mark Ittleman for the idea on visual-kinetic synesthesia!

More Ricoh GR II shots:

Do you desire to be more alike others– or to distinguish yourself more from others– to separate the gulf between you and others more?

Ain’t no such thing as good or bad photography — only genuine or ingenuine photography.

Never trap yourself in any genre, category, style, approach, or box. Escape all genres, and refuse to box yourself in anything.

Don’t plan ahead, flexible, iterate, create spontaneously, walk spontaneously, exercise spontaneously, speak and act spontaneously?

A spontaneous life is a better life.

Spontaneous as meaning — “of your own accord” (living according to your own inner compulsion, gut, needs, and desires). Follow your own unique mode of living and preferences.

Shot on RICOH GR II:

Treat everyday like a mini-lifetime. Create today as if you will die tonight.

To be eternally creative:

1. Create things from morning to night.
2. Perhaps fast until evening (no breakfast and lunch, only dinner) in order to maximize your potential for creative activity. Avoid “food coma” during the day, to create as much as you can during waking hours.
3. At night, prioritize sleeping early (no watching videos or looking at screens/no audio-visual-kinesthetic stimulation before you sleep). This will ensure you will have prime energy for tomorrow.
4. To find inspiration or motivation to create, walk more. Walk more through parts of your city or town which are more foreign. Perhaps shoot photos on your phone, and quickly edit and process photos on your phone, and share them to your own website/blog.
5. Dont aim for “perfection”— just create for fun. Treat your creative play like a child (no rules).
6. Maximum human lifespan is theoretically 120 years, yet you might live far less than that. Thus optimal strategy is to live everyday like you will die tonight (memento mori).

All is transient in life — perhaps this is what motivates us to create great things? To try to conquer transience? Or perhaps we are forgetful— we forget the things we’ve made in the past, and we are hungry to create new things? 

Desiring an eternity for all of existence — perpetual creativity!

It seems in street photography, the best way to develop is to shoot more photos which you consider daring — daring compositionally, daring in terms of your personal fear, and daring in terms of upsetting others.

Bring your ambition into fruition 

Don’t dilute you, stay fully concentrated — no fillers, all killer 

Live your life thriller and thriller than anyone else has done, smoke raising from your gun. 

Pen new rhymes. Sing new chimes. 

Make new pics that explode with power

Make the tones boom louder. 

Let your inner-ambition fly and soar 

You got no limits— harness the whole world tour!

ERIC

When in doubt, disconnect.

A thought:

There is no such thing as a “fault”. All different character traits of ours can be used however so, and the interpretation of our actions or behaviors being “good” or “bad” is socialized.

For example, let’s say you’re characterized as “aggressive”. Now, perhaps others say this is a bad thing — but in what regard? Certainly if you’re a boxer, aggression is a positive trait!

Or let’s say you’re not good at “focusing” and you’re easily distracted. Perhaps this is a good thing — you don’t follow bullshit, and you learn at a much more rapid pace.

So the takeaway is this:

Don’t see any of your actions or behavioral traits as “good” or “bad”, nor should you think of them as faults.

Your character traits are your “mutant powers”— simply harness that character trait and your personality in a powerful way. Yield your personality like a powerful tool and weapon of self-empowerment.

Be more unabashedly you.

ERIC

Conserve your energy— use your limited energy and maximize it!

That means:

1. Don’t do what you don’t want to do— only do what you want to do.
2. Don’t engage in any social interactions or activities you don’t find personally meaningful.
3. Conserve your energy — don’t engage in petty arguments that are beneath you.
4. Don’t engage in superfluous talks on politics or gossip you don’t care for.
5. Figure out what you think is your “Archimedes lever” (your strengths) and focus on using all your life-force energy to maximize your personal impact. For example for myself, it is focusing on blogging, writing, sharing ideas, teaching, motivating, and making visual artworks.
6. Don’t squander your strength on things you don’t care for. Curate your energy — and don’t let anything or anyone steal it from you without your approval.

You can appreciate and love something without owning it!

To me, ownership is overrated. Too much stuff to maintain, carry, organize, and keep track of. Best to appreciate things (art, cars, fashion, design, architecture, nature) without owning it.

Instead of owning stuff, just photograph it to “posses” it!

Your own life is a live stream.

Thoughts:

1. Never stop streaming
2. Never stop sharing your art works
3. Never stop experiencing new things
4. Delight in change, flux, and “real time”.
5. Don’t desire anything else but the present moment; desire to extract the fullest maximum from now!
6. Your life is the best life. Don’t desire to live the life of others, desire to share and stream more of your own personal life!

Why not just ignore others, and stay focused on yourself?

It seems the only reason we critique others is to prop up our own ego and self-estimate of ourselves by disparaging others (lowering them, and thus feeling more superior in comparison).

But why not build your ego independently, without the need to prop up or bring down others?

I propose the following:

1. For a year try to never critique someone else outloud or in conversation with others. I think to critique others in your head is natural and fine; but just keep it to yourself.
2. Before critiquing someone else, ask yourself: “Have I been guilty of that in the past?”
3. Focus on yourself and ignore others.

Stay focused on yourself!

ERIC

Whenever you have an option in life, always take the more dangerous and adventurous option!

A photo essay is an attempt (essay) to understand a place (and yourself) through the images you make.

Basic tips:

Perhaps we as photographers are like our traditional “hunter and gatherer” forefathers, and our desire to photograph and make images is rooted from the same compulsion inside our human DNA?

1. Never stop photographing yourself (selfie, showing your soul through the photos you shoot and make).
2. There is no final “state” for you to become or achieve in photography or art. Eternally delight in change, flux, and your own visual growth and evolution.
3. Never stop experimenting with new aesthetics, new techniques, new approaches, and new types/styles of images.
4. The point isn’t to make a perfect photograph, or a timeless photo book/product. The goal is to keep staying motivated and inspired to make photos until you die (hopefully at age 120).
5. Never stop traveling, exploring new areas, experience new cultures, and meeting new types of people.
6. Never stick with the same camera for the rest of your whole life; evolve with technology.
7. Artistic productivity as the means and the final goal.

Hanoi as a creative/digital entrepreneur and street photography paradise:

A personal photography book of HOME // Feb, 2019.

Download:

• Dropbox Download >
• Direct Download >

Patina— wear and tear, and “improvement” of aesthetics through use, wear, tear, the effects of time as beautiful!

My prediction: the future of the internet, social media, and technology will become a brave new world/ bifurcation between the new digital elite/digital serfs.

Problem with modern society— we use numbers (metrics) to measure our self-worth and self-esteem. But what if we demetricated ourselves — no longer attaching our self-worth to a number, or any numbers?

It is 2019, and there are no more online communities for art. That is why we built ARS— to take back our art from big brother (aka Facebook/Instagram).

It seems that life is much better when we live light.

I met my buddy Wouter in Hanoi the other day, and we had some spirited talks on photography and life.

An idea that I came up with him:

Why is it so hard for us to shoot or create photos everyday. We eat and drink coffee (several times a day)— why not create and make photos several times a day — and upload and share photos and blog posts several times a day?

As a liberal “elite” person, I’m not supposed to like capitalism. But upon deep reflection, I think I do!

Initial impressions being back in Hanoi (compared to living here 2 years ago):

Chu Viet Ha: one of my best buddies here in Hanoi, and a photographer whose work I really admire.

Perhaps there is something in our DNA in which we desire to discharge our creative force and power. Perhaps there is a compulsion we have to make artwork; similar to when we have an urge to workout (if we are muscularly fit?)

Just arrived in Hanoi, and wanted to reflect a bit on why I love Hanoi– and my experiences here.

To think different means:

Satoki Nagata is a photographer-artist I deeply admire. When I heard he was in a deep depression with his photography, I was shocked. Fortunately he is currently re-gaining his photographic wings– and producing new images. In this interview and feature, Satoki shares some personal thoughts on re-gaining motivation and creative ability in his photography and creative life:

A fun idea and thought from my buddy Nietzsche:

Don’t worry about concerning yourself as an “individual”. Instead, consider yourself as a creative activity!

In the past a lot of photographers would look down on point and shoot cameras and on photographers who used more “newbie” cameras.

But why this snobbery?

My theory is that insecure photographers are always trying to prop up their legitimacy as photographers by purchasing big/expensive/uncommon cameras, and they feel more powerful and legitimate by disparaging “lesser” photographers who shoot with “worse” cameras like iPhones, smartphones, or point and shoot cameras.

Just landed in Hanoi (after a long flight from LAX -> Taipei, to Hanoi), and surprisingly, I’m feeling pretty good! It seems a combination of intermittent fasting, lots of strong black coffee, and a brief nap on the plane did the trick!

An anti-romanticism, anti-past/anti-nostalgia view of thinking about life:

A lot of us in life feel disempowered, shitty, and lack the vigor to live.

My simple answer:

Art is the reason to live!

Specifically:

YOUR ability/faculty/opportunity to create art.

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How often should I upgrade my camera or devices, or cars, homes, clothes, etc?

In traveling, life, etc; it seems that instead of thinking about what to buy, “optimize”, or add to your life, it seems more effective to determine what to shed, what to NOT bring (travel), what NOT to acquire and essentially we’re trying to build this skill:

What to add to shed from your life, not what to add to your life.

Flash street photography is fun because it makes interesting images, dynamic compositions, is challenging

Color is one of my favorite visual stimuluses:

Dear streettogs,

Wanted to give you a life update (and also share the news about my upcoming workshopsin Honolulu (June 29-30), Los Angeles (July 13-14), Berlin (September 14-15) Register Intent here, NYC (October 5-6), and Boston (March 21-22, 2020) – Register intent here.

Dear friend,

If you’re hungry to take your street photography to the next level, I cordially invite you to my Discover Your Unique Voice in Street Photography in New York City, October 5-6 2019.

There is only one of you in the universe, and your thoughts, ideas, philosophies, and artworks are valuable.

Why strive to become someone else, to emulate the virtues of others, and why negate your personality and ego? Why not assert and express yourself, your individuality, and yourself?

A way I love to approach life:

Always in beta testing/prototype quickly, and keep iterating!

When in doubt, optimize your life for uberlight.

The final installation for the cinematography of John Wick 1. See v4, v3, v2, v1.

Continuing our John Wick 1 cinema series. See part 3, part 2, and part 1.

Life is short; why discourage anyone else?

Hey streettogs, don’t miss your opportunity to join STREET FOTO (SF) this year, June 3-9, 2019th. The lowdown is that there will be epic contests, portfolio reviews, workshops, lectures, photowalks, and exhibitions.

See the contest finalists from 2018: and also subscribe to their email newsletter to be the first to know about all the news for the event!

Should we adapt ourselves to our environment, or adapt our environment to ourselves?

I’m amazed — the effect of shooting with a flash during the day (in bright sunlight) improves your photos so much!

Part 3 for John Wick 1 (the original). See part 1, and part 2.

Part 2 of the first John Wick (see part 1 here). 

In life it seems the best strategy is to never stop advancing, moving forward, against any adversaries or difficulties.

No more complaining for me.

John Wick: one of my favorite films of all-time (both the first and second). Also great cinematography!

Smaller is better.

1. For phones, smaller phones are better: Less thumb pain for texting a lot, lighter weight (less strain on hands), generally cheaper than larger devices (iPhone as cheaper than iPhone Max), easier to use/text with one hand, and generally higher pixel density in display.
2. For cameras, point and shoot cameras as the best cameras: Fits in your front pocket, you can shoot with it all the time, you always have the camera with you and ready to shoot. Also in street photography, you are less suspicious looking, and attract less attention. RICOH GR II as a perfect camera.
3. Smaller laptops: Lighter, more compact, less strain when carrying and ability to take it with you everywhere you go. I’ll never buy a big laptop.
4. Smaller cars: Easier to park, ability to park in super small spots, cheaper, more affordable on gas, and generally more fun to drive. My 1990 Miata (no air conditioning, no power steering) as one of the most fun cars I’ve ever driven.
5. Video cameras: Instead of a big video camera, ease of using GoPro, your phone, or the new DJI Video vlogging camera. Smaller video camera setup easier to use, and less conspicuous in public.
6. Smaller headphones: Better to use in-ear monitor headphones than the big noise canceling ones. More compactable in your bag, and less bulk and weight when traveling. Or in general, the joy of the new Apple Airpods for smallness and ease of use.

When Nothing Compelling Exists, Don’t Buy New Things for the Sake of It!

If you’re interested in what you’re working on, most likely others will be too!

In my never-ending quest to simplify my photographic workflow (and also my life workflow) — I’ve discovered that Apple Photos is actually a very strong alternative to Adobe Lightroom (or perhaps– even superior?)

What is the purpose of making timeless art if you’re not going to be around to reap the benefits of your own efforts?

In praise of an uncertain, risky, and more fun/adventurous life!