To make better photos, fill the frame!

Dear friend,

I just invested in some Bitcoin, and I’m super excited for this brave new digital economy!

Some practical ideas and tips on shooting better color photos:

What is candid photography? What does it mean? And what’s the significance of the word “candid”?

Currently in the suburbs of LA, and of course it isn’t as “fun” or “interesting” as when I am traveling and living nomadically. But how can one stay inspired and keep shooting, regardless of where they live?

To make better compositions, block out distracting elements from your photos:

An idea: when someone else is driving, you can be in the passenger seat and shoot street photography, looking out! This is what Garry Winogrand and Lee Friedlander (America by car) did — perfect for us street photographers stuck in the suburbs.

Dear friend,

In seeking “happiness” I’ve discovered that happiness isn’t an emotion, owning a lot of stuff, or having wealth and honors. Instead, happiness is “eudaimonia”— human flourishing!

Dear friend,

I am excited and proud to share our newest product with you: the HENRI WRIST STRAP PRO (also available on Amazon in CREMA BROWN or PHANTOM BLACK)

Lumix G9 + ERIC KIM PRESETS:

Lecture #1 for PHOTOLOSOPHY: what is photolosophy and why is it important?

One of the simplest and most effective compositions we can integrate into our photography are triangle compositions. Some basic ideas:

Practical Golden Triangle composition tips when shooting street photography:

Shot with RICOH GR II and LUMIX G9 x ERIC KIM PRESETS:

Currently in the suburbs of LA, and been actually able to make interesting and fun photos here!

Dear friend,

A simple idea I wanted to share with you: focus on building your courage and bravery in photography and life; don’t worry too much about “skill”.

Shot with RICOH GR II and ERIC KIM PRESETS:

Dear friend,

If you want honest feedback on your photos, share them on ARSBETA.COM — if not, you can always critique your own photos!

Dear friend,

I’m currently experiencing blissful peace in the suburbs of Los Angeles, and meditating more on life. A thought: I believe that living a happy life is more than just peace and tranquility; we also need danger, excitement, adventure, and uncertainty (war!)

Shoot on my fellow streettog
Keep on clicking and rack up a backlog of unseen photos

I love the photos of Garry Winogrand. Why? Let me explain:

LISBON STREET PHOTOGRAPHY: RICOH GR II:

Super inspired by the new macOS Beta Wallpapers.

Dear friend,

A curious question I’ve been having: is it possible to live a happy life in the suburbs?

“I abominate the uninitiated vulgar, and keep them at a distance. Preserve a religious silence: I, the priest of the Muses, sing to virgins and boys verses not heard before.” – Horace (Third book of the odes of Horace, ODE I: ON CONTENTMENT)

I am currently revisiting the work of Horace, and man — I am insanely inspired by his heroic-artistic mentality and perspective!

Feedback for assignment 3: elderly. Don’t miss out and join our last assignment #4: photograph your loved ones!

I just shot the wedding of my sister-in-law Kim, and had tons of fun shooting it like a street photographer!

I love Prague, for the food, the people, and the street shooting!

RICOH GR II in Marseille:

I love photographing my food. Why? A lot of my favorite memories are associated with food, and it’s not about the food; it’s about the memories I had with loved ones!

The more risks you take in street photography, the happier you will be!

Tips to shoot curves in photography:

Dear friend,

A practical idea: when you see something that you’re not sure whether it is good or bad to shoot, just shoot it! Or in simple words, “When in doubt, click!”

Devices are good, internet not always.

Dear friend,

When in doubt, click. It’s always better to take a bad photo than no photo.

Dear friend,

In today’s social media crazy world, with Facebook and Instagram, why even make a photography blog? Isn’t it just easier to upload all your photos to Facebook and Instagram?

In street photography (and photography, cinema, art in general), layers are awesome. Why? Layers add more dynamic energy and visual interest to your photos!

Dear friend,

A photolosophy idea: what would we do if a “perfect” camera existed, which fulfilled all of our needs? Would this make us happier? Would this make us more inspired to shoot? What would this even mean?

Photos shot in Kyoto, with Lumix LX100:

Dear friend,

I am super excited to have you for my brand-new course, ‘PHOTOLOSOPHY‘: your unique opportunity to find more personal meaning, purpose, and motivation in your photography.

Preview the whole PHOTOLOSOPHY COURSE HERE >

I’ve been using an iPad since the original version II, and I can confidently state: the iPad is a fantastic investment for photographers.

Dear friend,

A practical tip in street photography: to make better photos, get closer to your subjects, by using your “foot zoom”!

Dear friend,

A philosophical insight I had recently — we should seek to live simpler lives, not ‘better’ lives.

Dear friend,

In life we often chase wealth– but I think what we truly desire is freedom — freedom to live our lives the way we desire, and to have the freedom to speak our minds!

Don’t be timid
Stay livid
green eyes of desire, ablaze with fire

Epic cinematography from the movie 300, and some philosophical musings:

Dear friend,

A philosophical idea: never settle.

Channeling my inner #nietzsche — art is the stimulus which makes life exciting and worth living!

What makes a good photo? I traced some of my favorite Henri Cartier-Bresson compositions to find out more for myself:

RICOH GR II, ERIC KIM MONOCHROME PRESET, in TOKYO:

All my favorite street photography:

Street photography is great because it’s the most affordable, open, and democratic form of photography out there. All you need is a cheap camera, the desire to walk and explore, and your own confidence to shoot! Here’s what I consider the best cheap cameras for street photography:

Dear friend,

Here are some simple street photography principles which I believe can empower you in your photography!

Dear friend,

A simple yet powerful idea– happiness is creating! Specifically– if you want to be “happier” in life, seek to create more!

The word encumbered means to be ridden with debt. And we all know the way that people accumulated wealth in the past: sell those who had debt into slavery.

Dear friend,

Some more photo philosophizing: what we are trying to do as photographers is to communicate our life experiences, our perspective, and to transmit the emotion and mood we feel to the viewer!

When I was a child (around 9 years old-12 years old), I grew up on the comic book, ‘Calvin and Hobbes’ (written and illustrated by Bill Watterson). Almost 20 years later (I’m 30 years old now), I actually appreciate it MORE! I never realized quite how philosophical it was– (Calvin and Hobbes is an homage to the protestant theologian John Calvin and Thomas Hobbes):

Dear friend,

A thought: recognize that everything is permitted in photography. There’s no rules; only tips and ideas. Shoot photography, select your photos, process your photos, and share your photos however you desire or see fit!

Dear friend,

A random thought: I think one of the best ways to conquer depression is via photography; using photography as a tool to improve your mood, elevate your energy, and to see life with more hope, optimism, and joy!

Dear friend,

A simple thought to find more joy in your life: enjoy your present moment right now, without thinking of the future!

Dear friend,

A practical thought: to live a happier life, live a simpler life!

Personal photography shot in Singapore, on Lumix LX100, processed with VSCO Kodak Portra 800HC preset:

The biggest sucker mistake we make in life is not shooting, and falling victim to “paralysis by analysis” before shooting a photo.

Dear friend,

A question I’m curious about: what is style, why is important, is it important, how do you define style, and how to determine your style?

Dear friend,

A practical entrepreneurial idea for you: fill a void.

Super excited for everyone’s past assignments! (Assignment 1 Cafe, Assignment 2 Park, and Assignment 3 Elderly) We wanted to post the last assignment early so that everyone has  chance to submit to all the assignments before August 12, when we announce the winners and grand prizes (Grand prize: Saigon Satchel with Street Notes, Street Hunt, Photo Journal & Film Notes print editions; 2nd prize: Street Photography Starter Kit;  Third Prize: Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Photography Online Udemy Course!)

Currently working on a new photography book with my friend JOSH WHITE; here are some behind-the-scenes of my design process in Adobe InDesign:

David Cheng: a good friend of mine (he’s the one who gave Cindy the Lumix LX100), and also the Leica CL, Leica M10, and Leica M-D to test out. Oh yeah, he’s also a really good street photographer, designer, writer, and illustrator!

Dear friend,

Don’t miss your unique opportunity to elevate your street photography composition by attending my new and exciting NYC Dynamic Street Photography Composition Workshop (October 13-14th, 2018); all-day Saturday and Sunday.

One of my students Luis Casadevall recently went to Cuba and shot monochrome. Here is some of my feedback for his photos (very strong set) — so hopefully you can learn (below are my comments, and feedback/critique):