Dear friend,

A realization: photography in itself is meditation.

Dear friend,

Cindy and I just arrived here in Marseille, in the south of France, and will be here for the next month working on creative projects like new videos, blog posts, and other information to empower you.

Sergio Larrain: one of the greatest composition masters in photography.

Cindy Nguyen: “I made a film about my soulmate and creative partner. It is an intimate conversation about creating art, embracing change, and holding onto childlike wonder. I hope the film offers a moment to contemplate on the beauty and impermanence of life.”

Directed, Produced, Concept, Poetry by Cindy Nguyen
Artist interview with Eric Kim
Marseille, 2017

Why is it so scary for us to delete our photos?

Eric and I will be taking some time off with our family and will partially close the HAPTIC shop December 26, 2017 to January 24, 2017. A limited inventory of our products will be available on Amazon and shipped as usual until supplies run out.

Fresh new free PDF visualization on Introduction to Photography Composition by ANNETTE KIM (part of the free PDF series on Introduction to Street Photography).

Inspirational quotes in French/English, from the master: Henri Cartier-Bresson

Some of my favorite compositions from Henri Cartier-Bresson, some of his less known works.

May 16, 2017 is the day I deleted my Instagram.

5 practical street photography tips to get your creative juices flowing:

Conquer your fears and meet new peers in London, NYC, Kyoto, and Tokyo in 2018:

Trigger your creative spirit with PHOTO JOURNAL.

I think the best photos are the ones to photograph of everyday life.

One fun visual pun or joke you can play — overlap the subjects face with something else, to make a surreal street photograph.

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Dear friend,

If you’re feeling a bit lost with your photography or life– here are some heart-to-heart advice:

I think I enjoy life more so than other people. Why? And how?

Henri Cartier-Bresson was the master of photography composition.

True happiness: artistic freedom, not financial freedom.

Why productivity brings me happiness and joy in life.

I’m super inspired by Johannes Vermeer — his compositions, and photographic vision.

If you’re thinking of a gift for the street photographer in your life, or buying yourself a gift this holiday season, HAPTIC INDUSTRIES x ERIC KIM have you covered:

Dear friend,

I don’t just see street photography as a genre of photography — I see street photography as a way of life.

The secret to being a happier and more successful photographer: be more self centered.

This is an inversion of the popular saying by Chase Jarvis, “The best camera is the one you have with you.” I think the opposite is in fact, more truthful.

Practical street photography tips to apply when you’re shooting on the steeets.

As a modern photographer, seek to travel light.

Made with iPad Pro 10.5 and Procreate app:

One of the best types of photography: the selfie.

To conquer and overcome the shitty feelings you might have in life, photography is one of the ultimate solutions.

To live a more fulfilling life, conquer your fears in life, and meet new peers.

Vincent van Gogh didn’t sell a single painting in his life — does that make him “unsuccessful”.

Dear friend,

Here is a list of all my travel clothing and equipment, hacks, and practical insights I wish I knew when I started traveling and shooting photos.

Dear friend,

If your life goal is to live a more meaningful life, here are some ideas.

5 practical tips, insights, and traits you can cultivate to take your street photography to the next level:

Life thought: don’t live life, banking on fantasies.

Tokyo: one of my favorite cities in the world to be inspired to shoot street photography.

Dear friends,

If you’re about to go on an epic travel photography trip, make sure to download the new Lifestyle Guide Series on Travel Photography by ANNETTE KIM.

Push your photography, provide and receive constructive critique, and start off the new year with STREET CLUB Winter School.

When I’m lacking inspiration in photography, I like to work on mini projects. Here are some ideas that I’ve used, that you can use too:

Taking it back to basics is to remember the same passion and enthusiasm you had for photography when you were a beginner. Before you got your mind clouded by “rules” and the opinion of “experts”.

What is the best way to edit and process your photos?

Part 4: How to gain creative confidence in yourself as a photographer.

When I’m in a shitty mood, here are three things I do to feel more happiness and joy in my life:

When in doubt, keep it simple.

I think photography is one of the ultimate forms of self therapy. Why?

I changed my middle name to Seneca, as an homage to my stoic master — for helping me find more peace, tranquility, purpose, and strength in my life.

Apply these simple photography composition tips to your photography today:

If you love the “all black everything” aesthetic, equip yourself with Henri Wrist Strap: PHANTOM BLACK.

• Decisive: being able to make a decision.
• Moment: Time, momentum, brief period of time.

HAPTIC hand makes limited edition creative tools. Here is an inventory update of popular HAPTIC tools soon to be sold out (ships worldwide from California). Pick one up this holiday season before it’s too late.

• SAIGON SATCHEL – 12
• HAPTIC ARTBOOK x ERIC KIM – 10
• HENRI NECK STRAP – 13
• HENRI WRIST STRAP – 16
• HENRI CHROMA WRIST STRAP PHANTOM BLACK – 18

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Limited Time Offer: Free Creative Every Day Mobile

Our mission at team HAPTIC is to respark your creative spirit, and for you to reach your artistic potential.

As a special offer for you for the holiday season, every purchase over $50 in the HAPTIC SHOP will receive a FREE copy of CREATIVE EVERY DAY MOBILE EDITION (only for a limited time until supplies last or December 23, 2017).

How to redeem your special limited time offer:

1. Add CREATIVE EVERY DAY MOBILE EDITION to your cart
2. Enter coupon code “creativeeveryday” at checkout. Purchase subtotal must be over $50 (includes price of Creative Every Day Mobile).

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Proud of all the women of HAPTIC. We are majority women led, family operated industry and are driven by a spirit of experimentation and creative collaboration. We are not anonymous. Our products are a story.

The problem we face as photographers: we only think inside the box, inside the frame.

Our Mission: Empowerment through Creativity and Education

We believe that creativity and making things empowers us all. It helps us to think and dream big. To play and wonder. We also believe that education is the key to empowerment for the youth, and for all of us.

RICOH GR II x PRAHA.

To make better street photos, integrate more negative space.

Why do I love street photography? For me — street photography is applied zen philosophy.

Dear friend,

An idea: to truly become a unique species of photographer or visual artist — creatively isolate yourself.

Dear friends,

To get you inspired this holiday season, if you make a purchase in the HAPTIC SHOP for over $50, you will get a FREE copy of CREATIVE EVERY DAY: Mobile Edition.

A theory: to succeed in today’s capitalist economy, you must be creative.

I’m currently teaching myself Gestalt Theory, a principle mostly applied to designers. Here are some ideas which can make you see the visual world from a design standpoint:

SAIGON SATCHEL will empower you to be more adventurous in your photography and life.

Dear friend,

A good way to stay inspired in your photography — realize that your first million photos will probably be your worst.

Practical tips on how to become a more creative photographer.

What is true “happiness”— and how can we achieve it?