Photo Essay: The Beautiful Decay of Detroit, Michigan

Eric Kim Street Photography Detroit Michigan
Welcome to Detroit.Â

The past weekend I visited Detroit, Michigan. After recently watching the Chrysler Eminem Superbowl Commercial – Imported from Detroit, I have built a fascination for the city. On one hand, it is a gorgeous and urban city with tons of history. On the other hand, the economy of Detroit is in terrible shape and it shows with the desolate feeling of Downtown. However after talking to some residents of the city, they feel proud of Detroit and feel that it is on its way back up again. I definitely think that Detroit will rise once again to greatness, considering that GM is hitting record numbers of sales (and there are talks that they’re opening a Corvette plant down there).

All in all, the city of Detroit as the city was gorgeous in my eyes–raw, urban, and cold. I hope you enjoy my images and my personal narrative of the city.

Photo Essay: The People of Beirut Lebanon

During my time in Beirut, Lebanon– I was fortunate enough to meet some of the nicest and most fascinating people in the world. Not only were the people extremely cordial here, but they actually liked getting their photos taken (compare this to Los Angeles and New York). Regardless of the fact that I was a blatant tourist (I was probably one of the only few Asians in the city), people were genuinely interested about my life story and why I was “gracing” their presence by visiting Beirut, Lebanon. Considering the fact that everybody there is trilingual (speaks English, French, and Arabic), it was extremely easy to converse with everybody I met.

I will forever remember Beirut, Lebanon for not only having some of the friendliest people in the world, but also for being extremely photo-friendly as well. Considering that there are practically no laws against street photography (except taking photos of military personnel and embassy buildings), it is truly the street photographers’ dream city.

If you are an avid street photographer and looking for a new place to travel to, definitely check out Beirut. When you go there, say hi to all the people in the street and tell them that “Eric says hi.”

The Son and Father - Beirut Street Photography Eric Kim
The Son and Father

[Photo Essay] Colorful Cars from Beirut, Lebanon

When I was in Beirut, Lebanon–the city was full of fascinating old cars. They came in so many different varieties, colors, as well in various places. They caught my eye, and I thought they would make a gorgeous photo-essay.

I tried to shoot all of these cars with roughly the same framing, all using my 35mm. These images were taken from all different neighborhoods in Beirut, Lebanon–and I feel each car has so much character and a story to tell. However when looking at these images, don’t get the impression that all the cars in Lebanon look like this. The streets are full of very nice cars as well– such as BMW’s, Mercedes, Audis, and even Ferraris!

However, I hope you enjoy these images, and that your eyes get a nice feast.

Photo Essay - Cars from Beirut, Lebanon by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Downtown Los Angeles Street Photography

About a weekend or two ago, on a lazy Saturday morning, I decided that I was going to take photos that day–although not sure where or how I was going to get there. I therefore planned that I was going to check out the LA MOCA, and then took my stuff and jumped on the first bus that I could find.

However while I was on the bus, I saw something interesting on the side of the street, and got off my bus way too early. After taking my photograph of what I wanted to, I realized that I was lost in the middle of nowhere. However I just walked around the streets, meandering where I wanted to go next.

I then jumped on another bus and got off on the metro stop in the middle of Korea-town. I never took the subway in Los Angeles before, and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to do so. Therefore I jumped on the subway, still not quite sure where I wanted to go. I looked at the map, and Chinatown was on the list. I had heard lots of interesting things about Chinatown in Los Angeles, yet never had the opportunity to go. I then thought to myself, “Why the hell not” and headed toward there.

I had never been to Chinatown before, so I kind of followed where the streets lead me. However I was quite pleased to say, it was a great opportunity for street photography. The Chinatown area was very quaint and quiet–with a few people strolling in and out of the area. If you look at the below images, you will also see they have an interesting “film” look to them. I recently made a new preset based on one that I downloaded online, and I quite like the look. I feel it gives that “dreamy” look that I felt when I was experiencing the place.

Hope you enjoy this little mini-photo essay of Chinatown in Downtown Los Angeles, through my eyes.
Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim

Chinatown, Los Angeles Street Photography by Eric Kim