How to Delete Your Pictures

Overexposed background shot with a flash on RICOH GR II in P (program) mode. Creates a strong figure to ground because Cindy’s face is well lit, the background is very bright. This picture is strong, because it creates a DYNAMIC CONTRAST between Cindy’s face and the backdrop.

Cindy white face. Saigon, 2017

We all know how to shoot pictures— but how few of us know how to delete pictures?

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ROOTS.

Portrait by Cindy Nguyen. Hanoi, 2017

My roots grew deep
Weeping willows grow strong from underneath my cheek

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Never Be Satisfied.

I generally think the stimulus to an artist making new art is this: dissatisfaction with his past work, and the desire to make something new– something even greater, and something that will impress himself even more.

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MURALS.

Yellow tones. Ceiling clouds. New York Public Library. Pentax 645Z

Ceiling clouds. New York Public Library. Pentax 645Z

Paint your own mural
Quilt work patches
Overcome your own visual hurdles.

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New York Workshop Student ‘Finding Your own Voice’ Photos October 7-8, 2017

Photo by Eldar Khamitov

Best student photos from our New York “Finding Your Own Voice” Workshop October 7-8, 2017. There are a few spots left in the  upcoming New York workshop 14-15 (last workshop in America for at least a year) and sign up for the upcoming Europe workshops before they are sold out!

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Seek Emptiness

Hanoi, 2016 #cindyproject
Hanoi, 2016 #cindyproject
Hanoi, 2016 #cindyproject

We are always trying to fill ourselves up. What if we sought emptiness?

A cup is only useful when it is empty.

A room is only useful to store things when it is empty.

Your mind can only be creative, if your mind is empty, and you allow new ideas to enter.

Create more space and emptiness in your life, if you want to be more creative, happier, and more satisfied.

Seek less.

Read more: Zen and Photography >

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Why Fear Street Photography?

Dynamic and aggressive composition, because shot from low angle, which emphasizes the diagonal lines pointing to this man. Orange of his face against blue background. Tokyo, 2017
Man with flip phone. Tokyo, 2017
Man with flip phone. Tokyo, 2017

What are we so afraid of in street photography, and why are we afraid?

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How to Find Inspiration

Mike Dunn, the singing waiter from Howard Johnson in Madison, Wisconsin.
Mike Dunn, the singing waiter from Howard Johnson in Madison, Wisconsin.
Mike Dunn, the singing waiter from Howard Johnson in Madison, Wisconsin.

Dear friend,

One of the hardest things in photography is always finding inspiration. How do we stay inspired throughout our entire lifetimes, and not give up photography like Henri Cartier-Bresson did?

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