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Street photography as courage. Photography philosophy as embodied life. A living archive by ERIC KIM.
Charlie Kirk nominated me for the Ice Bucket challenge and I just donated $100 to support ALS. If this blog has helped you out in any way (or this video entertained you) please consider …
Recently I hooked up with my buddy Vishal from Hong Kong (he runs Camera Film Photo) and he hooked it up with some Rollei Digibase CN200 film. I was quite excited about the film (as …
Greg Mardsen (Ho Hum) is a street photographer based in Sydney, Australia. I’m Greg, an LA-born, Sydney-based photographer. I’ve had a number of life experiences that have shaped how I see the world and …
Seoul, South Korea. This article is written by Josh White, originally posted here. Josh: More fish. After spending the previous weekend in Busan I found it hard to get away from the couple of …
(A.g.’s note: Eric interviewed Andy Kochanowski. Check out his origin story, Life as a Burn My Eye Member, and his interesting advice to photographers. All photographs are the respected copyright of Andy Kochanowski.) Eric: …
I just made a fun video at Dan K’s office in Hong Kong featuring an episode on Rolleiflex’s, TLR’s, and film. Enjoy! :) Featuring: Dan K / Twitter Vishal S / Camera Film Photo …
If you want to read two cute dog’s deliberately controversial (yet incredibly insightful) tips on street photography, read more:
We are never satisfied. Nowadays with a barrage of advertisements and commercials– we always want the next big thing. We want something better. We want to optimize the stuff we own. We become easily …
We are insecure. We don’t want people to be brutally honest with us. We like feeling liked. We don’t want to hear the truth, or at least what people really think about us and …
Thank you again to everyone who participated in our 2nd Assignment and to everyone who is making Streettogs Academy Facebook Group a nice place to find good people and good photography. I got to …
I’m currently on the skyliner, on the way to the narita airport to Hong Kong and wanted to share some reflections of my trip. For those of you who have never been to Tokyo, …
What motivates you in street photography? What is the fuel that keeps you going? Why do you decide to go out and shoot, even though you might be tired, exhausted, or frustrated?
“Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .”†― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves The 2nd Assignment, …
I always thought to myself: the day I had unlimited money, unlimited time, and unlimited cameras was the day I could truly be creative. Funny enough, I found out that wasn’t the case. Out …
I recently had the chance to catch up with Bellamy Hunt (Japan Camera Hunter) in Tokyo. In this video he gives us a tour of his office, shares why he does what he does, …
One of the most exciting ways to live life is to avoid boredom. By following what makes us curious, passionate, and have fun create meaning in our life. I think one of the great …
Nobody gives a shit about your photos (except yourself). Sometimes I get frustrated and confused why I take photos. I think ultimately I take photos because I want my photos to influence, affect, and …
All roads lead to Dublin as the Irish Street Photography Group together with the group admin Des Bryne brings together the Irish Street Photography Exhibition. 47 Street Photographers, 47 Photographs from Established Street Photographers to Emerging …
I recently came across a funny phrase: “FOMOâ€. It stands for “fear of missing outâ€. Nowadays, “FOMO†is ubiquitous in digital life. We always feel like we are missing out– that someone is doing …
I just checked out of my hotel in Seoul, and was on my way to the subway. I had a bunch of bags I had to carry, and ended up missing two potential street …
A few days ago I wrote a letter to my 18-year old self, and gave myself some advice on if I started street photography all over again. I told myself things I learned in …
After being in Vietnam for about a month and a half, I am currently here in Seoul, Korea for a week. I’m primarily here on holiday, and wanted to have a chance to see …
This is the last installment of my “Saigon Diary” series. I plan to continue this “Diary” series moving forward in my travels. I’m currently in Seoul. Just left Vietnam a week or so ago, …
A.g.’s note: We previously had the chance to feature That’s life street photography collective members Dimitris Makrygiannakis and Kaushal Parikh. Dimitris treated us with his Transformative Experience of shooting street photography abroad and an interview …
A.g.’s Note: Chris Stoltz shares to us one of his favorite photographers he got the privilege of shooting with, the L.A. based Sye Williams. Sye shares some of his inspirations, personal work, Photography Origins, …
While in NYC, I visited the ICP bookstore and picked up “Ping Pong Conversations: Alec Soth with Francesco Zanot” a lovely photobook/series of interview questions. I found it to have lots of great wisdom …
Dear Eric, You are 18 years old. You just got a point and shoot digital camera from Mom as a high school graduation present. You are super excited, as you never had a camera …
I think one of the most difficult things as a photographer is to stay inspired. How do we stay inspired to shoot everyday– when the boredom and monotony of everyday life sets in?
I recently read some advice by author Ray Bradbury for aspiring writers: “Write a short story every week. It’s not possible to write 52 bad short stories in a row.†I think the same …
If it weren’t for my blog I wouldn’t be anybody. I have my blog and the street photography community to thank for my “success†in life. I’m lucky to be born in a age …
One of the best pieces of advice I got on writing is the importance of writing without editing. Which means, turn off the inner-censor in your mind and write freely. What or who is …
I have often read that life is a journey, not a destination. Meaning that we all have goals in life. But the happiest moments aren’t when we reach our goals. Rather, life is a …
I have learned a few things about shooting street photography on film from my own experiences (and the advice of others). If you want to read the full list of things I learned shooting …
Photos in this article are from my on-going “Only in America” series. I’m currently reading a lovely book titled: “A Philosopher’s Notes: On optimal living, creating an authentically awesome life and other such goodness.” …
Sorry guys, it has been a while since I last updated my “Saigon Diary” series. A lot has happened since the last time we talked. During that time, I taught a week-long Saigon street …
Peter McCollough is a photographer based in Oakland, California. Peter: The inspiration for these images is manifold but films would be at the root of it all. While going to school for photojournalism my …
I’d like to start by thanking everyone who joined our Streettogs Academy facebook page and giving a congratulations to everyone who participated in our first Assignment and props to Helio Tomita who got our Editor’s …
I recently came upon this superb publication by IdeasTap and Magnum. In this magazine, there are exclusive interviews with 12 Magnum photographers– spanning from advice for young photographers, difficulties in photography, and their …
I recently had the pleasure of teaching a week-long travel street photography workshop in Saigon, Vietnam. It was seriously the time of a lifetime— I loved all the time I spent with all the …
“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.â€Â ― Andy …
Before we begin, I’d like to extend my thanks to everyone who participated in the first assignment of Streettogs Academy. We hope you continue to participate in the group and learn a thing or …
Sharpness is over-rated in street photography. Even Henri Cartier-Bresson once said, “Sharpness is a bourgeois concept.” I remember when I first saw one of HCB’s exhibitions in person in Paris, I was surprised by how …
I recently edited some behind-the-scenes footage that my friend Todd Hatakeyama shot of my Downtown LA Introduction to Street Photography Workshop. We had a ton of fun sharing our passion for street photography, interacting …
(A.g.’s note: I’ve been a long time fan and follower of DAYV MATTT on tumblr. He is such a great person to interview and is the type of person who tells it like it …
This is a video interview I did with Brian Soko in Chicago about a year ago. Enjoy his images and a transcript of the interview below!
At a recent workshop in Downtown LA, IÂ was shooting with one of the students (Luis) when we come across an interesting character with all these tattoos all over his body. He told us he …
I just finished reading a book titled: “Trying Not to Try: The Art and Science of Spontaneityâ€. It was a fascinating read on the paradox of “wu-weiâ€â€“ which is a concept in Taoism of …
Many of us shoot street photography because it is challenging, fun, and brings us great joy. However one question I find that most people don’t ask themselves (myself included) is what we ultimately want …
When I was in Dubai, I had the pleasure of meeting Steve Simon who wrote an incredible book titled: “The Passionate Photographer“. We talk about working on projects, finding passion, and advice for aspiring …
Here is just a fun short behind-the-scenes clip of me shooting a street portrait with a Hasselblad in Downtown LA. Enjoy!
One question I am asked a lot is how I make a living in street photography, and questions about selling prints, and making money. To start off, I am blessed enough to make a …
(Editor’s note: All photos are the respected copyright of the members of SelvaSP) Take a look at this interview of  SelvaSP. They are a street photography collective hailing out of Sao Paulo, Brazil. We …
I feel one of the most important traits to become a better street photographer is first identifying what makes great street photography. This means having good taste. A quote from Ira Glass from NPR …
I am a big fan of Nassim Taleb and his concept of the “barbell theory” which he derives from his book: “Antifragile” (one of my top 3 favorite books). The concept of the “barbell …
Ibarionex Perello is a photographer, writer, educator as well as the host and producer of The Candid Frame photography podcast. He is the author of 5 books including “Chasing the Light Improving Your Photography …
Smile at and compliment a stranger. Surprise a friend with one of your favorite prints (for no reason). Give a constructive criticism to a street photographer with 0 comments online. Promote the work of …
(Editor’s note: The following are words and photographs of Eric Labastida. These are his thoughts and reflections during his time photographing Tijuana from 1992 to 2002) When I started this project and photographing in …
Hey streettogs, thank you for waiting for this new episode of “Saigon Diary“. A lot has happened the last week, namely me and Cindy visiting Bien Hoa– a place about an hour outside of …
You can see all my composition lessons here. I have been quite fascinated with the square-format in street photography for a while. My fascination first came about from Jeroen Helmink, a photographer from the …
We always push for people to keep on practicing and developing your skills and your eye. We also believe in having a passionate group of people helping each other to become good with this …
Visit an exhibition or a museum (on photography or any other art form). Try shooting film, and not processing your work for at least 3 months. Then do a final edit at the end. …
Don’t speak English (speak the local language) Don’t eat McDonalds or drink Starbucks (explore local food) Don’t travel with check-in luggage (keep everything to a small carry-on) Don’t keep to yourself (make new friends …
Hey streettogs, thanks for staying tuned in for the “Saigon Diary” series. For the sake of getting sleep and having higher quality posts, I’ve decided not to keep a daily diary– but to update …
Special thanks to Clifton Barker and Gary Gumanow for putting together this interview with David Lykes Keenan, who is currently fundraising a kickstarter for his “Fair Witness” street photography book. Clifton: Few have done …
Nowadays. we are all really busy. We have countless commitments at work, at home, with our friends, and with our families. It is really hard to find time to shoot street photography. Not all …
Don’t chimp (let your shots marinate) Don’t look at bad photos (study the masters) Don’t spend time on gear review sites when you’re bored (buy books, not gear) Don’t worry about your camera (the …
Today was another beautiful day in Saigon. However, I did wake up pretty exhausted. The light from the morning light was nice, getting me up at around 8am. I slept probably around 1:30am (staying …
Due to the positive feedback from the first “Saigon Diary #1” I will see if I can do daily diary entries. Thank you guys also for the feedback on the new blog design. I’ve …
Dear friend, As a present, here are some new ERIC KIM LIGHTROOM CLASSIC CC PRESETS 2018 for you!
You can download my free Lightroom 5 film street photo presets which I used to process these photos. I used the “XT-1 v2” preset on most of these. Hey what’s up streettogs– this is …