![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/eric-kim-street-photography-beach-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Dear friend,<\/p>\n
I want to give you some no bullshit advice on how to photograph textures.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/eric-kim-photography-sapa-2017-0006974-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
<\/p>\n
For me, I make photos to evoke an emotion in my heart– or to evoke an emotion in the heart of my viewer.<\/p>\n
I feel photographing textures is a good way to do that.<\/p>\n
If you photograph texture– you can make a ‘haptic’ photograph that your viewer feel that they can touch. And the human sense of touch is one of the deepest-embedded senses we have.<\/p>\n
In a world where we are distant from others, without touch — the world needs more texture in photography.<\/p>\n
Here are some practical tips to photograph textures:<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/low-angle-texture-800x1208.jpeg?resize=800%2C1208\")
<\/p>\n
Download my free Lightroom presets<\/a>, and I recommend using the ‘Eric Kim Monochrome 1600’ preset (that works well with RAW photos).<\/p>\n High contrast black and white will draw out more textures from the scenes you find interesting.<\/p>\n Also when you’re photographing textures, use minus-exposure compensation on your camera, or under-expose your photos (make your photos darker).<\/p>\n I usually shoot with my Ricoh GR II<\/a> in “P” (program) mode<\/a>, so I usually use -2\/3 or -1 exposure-compensation to get better textures in my photos.<\/p>\n Often using a flash will draw out more textures from your photos. I recommend to always take two photos of each scene:<\/p>\n Then when you go home, you can choose whatever photograph you feel has a better texture.<\/p>\n I usually keep the camera’s flash settings on automatic (in P mode). Use the integrated flash in your camera (if you have it), or buy a small, “TTL” (through the lens, automatic) flash.<\/p>\n Of course, this is obvious. Look for textured objects.<\/p>\n Look for old things, decaying things. Look for patina, wear-and-tear, or rust. Look for the vicious teeth of time– biting into old objects.<\/p>\n In post-processing, you can also add grain to your photos.<\/p>\n Or if you shoot film<\/a>, you can use grainy film. I recommend using Kodak Tri-X 400 (and pushing it to 1600) — learn how to do that in my “Film Street Photography Manual<\/a>” book.<\/p>\n Also another tip– if you shoot black and white film, use a yellow filter to increase contrast in your photos.<\/p>\n By ‘pushing’ your film, you add more contrast and grain to your photos. Kodak Portra 400 also pushes well to 800 and 1600.<\/p>\n A fun assignment: photograph textured things before you photograph them.<\/p>\n Photograph old things, which are falling apart. This will also help you photograph nostalgia about the past.<\/p>\n Photograph nature– photograph the sea, trees, and the dirt.<\/p>\n Look for textures in patterns; it can be man-made — like the bottom texture of a boot, the texture of fabric, or any other repeating texture.<\/p>\n Don’t just look for gritty textures; look for smooth textures. Photograph stainless steel, or any other human-made alloy metal material.<\/p>\n Photograph similar-looking textures. I like how the texture of Cindy’s dress blends in with the concrete with the pavement in the background.<\/p>\n Simple tip: look down, a good place to find interesting textures.<\/p>\n Also, photograph at night, and look for harsh spotlights. This is like a natural flash for your photos. Note in this photo below, I photographed it under some stadium lights:<\/p>\n Another place we over-look textures: just look up.<\/p>\n Photograph the side of buildings, and photograph architecture:<\/p>\n Or photograph the textures of a tree looking up:<\/p>\n Grit, grain, texture is beautiful.<\/p>\n Make more photos with more textures. And even deeper than that– try to photograph the texture of humanity in your photos.<\/p>\n Always, Also learn “How to Photograph Abstract Photography<\/strong><\/a>.” Dear friend,<\/p>\n I want to give you some no bullshit advice on how to photograph textures.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For me, I make photos to evoke an emotion in my heart– or to evoke an emotion in the heart of my viewer.<\/p>\n I feel photographing textures is a good way to do that.<\/p>\n If you photograph texture– you can make a ‘haptic’ photograph that your viewer feel that they can touch. And the human sense of touch is one of the deepest-embedded senses we have.<\/p>\n In a world where we are distant from others, without touch — the world needs more texture in photography.<\/p>\n Here are some practical tips to photograph textures:<\/p>\n Download my free Lightroom presets<\/a>, and I recommend using the ‘Eric Kim Monochrome 1600’ preset (that works well with RAW photos).<\/p>\n High contrast black and white will draw out more textures from the scenes you find interesting.<\/p>\n Also when you’re photographing textures, use minus-exposure compensation on your camera, or under-expose your photos (make your photos darker).<\/p>\n I usually shoot with my Ricoh GR II<\/a> in “P” (program) mode<\/a>, so I usually use -2\/3 or -1 exposure-compensation to get better textures in my photos.<\/p>\n Often using a flash will draw out more textures from your photos. I recommend to always take two photos of each scene:<\/p>\n Then when you go home, you can choose whatever photograph you feel has a better texture.<\/p>\n I usually keep the camera’s flash settings on automatic (in P mode). Use the integrated flash in your camera (if you have it), or buy a small, “TTL” (through the lens, automatic) flash.<\/p>\n Of course, this is obvious. Look for textured objects.<\/p>\n Look for old things, decaying things. Look for patina, wear-and-tear, or rust. Look for the vicious teeth of time– biting into old objects.<\/p>\n In post-processing, you can also add grain to your photos.<\/p>\n Or if you shoot film<\/a>, you can use grainy film. I recommend using Kodak Tri-X 400 (and pushing it to 1600) — learn how to do that in my “Film Street Photography Manual<\/a>” book.<\/p>\n Also another tip– if you shoot black and white film, use a yellow filter to increase contrast in your photos.<\/p>\n By ‘pushing’ your film, you add more contrast and grain to your photos. Kodak Portra 400 also pushes well to 800 and 1600.<\/p>\n A fun assignment: photograph textured things before you photograph them.<\/p>\n Photograph old things, which are falling apart. This will also help you photograph nostalgia about the past.<\/p>\n Photograph nature– photograph the sea, trees, and the dirt.<\/p>\n Look for textures in patterns; it can be man-made — like the bottom texture of a boot, the texture of fabric, or any other repeating texture.<\/p>\n Don’t just look for gritty textures; look for smooth textures. Photograph stainless steel, or any other human-made alloy metal material.<\/p>\n Photograph similar-looking textures. I like how the texture of Cindy’s dress blends in with the concrete with the pavement in the background.<\/p>\n Simple tip: look down, a good place to find interesting textures.<\/p>\n Also, photograph at night, and look for harsh spotlights. This is like a natural flash for your photos. Note in this photo below, I photographed it under some stadium lights:<\/p>\n Another place we over-look textures: just look up.<\/p>\n Photograph the side of buildings, and photograph architecture:<\/p>\n Or photograph the textures of a tree looking up:<\/p>\n Grit, grain, texture is beautiful.<\/p>\n Make more photos with more textures. And even deeper than that– try to photograph the texture of humanity in your photos.<\/p>\n Always,2. Minus-exposure compensation<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/eric-kim-street-photography-tokyo-0000288-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
<\/p>\n3. Use a flash<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/eric-kim-street-photography-tokyo-0000530-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
<\/p>\n\n
4. Look for textured things<\/h2>\n
![\"I](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-2-800x531.jpg?resize=800%2C531\")
5. Add grain<\/h2>\n
![\"Kyoto,](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/eric-kim-street-photography-mood-board-8-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
6. Touch things before you photograph them<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/eric-kim-street-photography-kyoto-0001427-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
<\/p>\n7. Beautiful decay<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/eric-kim-street-photography-Only-in-America-9-800x535.jpg?resize=800%2C535\")
<\/p>\n8. Photograph nature<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_1428-173-trix1600-sea-water-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Halabujee-21-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
<\/p>\n9. Look for patterned textures<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/1-eric-kim-street-photography-tokyo-0000511-800x1208.jpg?resize=800%2C1208\")
<\/p>\n10. Look for smooth textures<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/eric-kim-photography-black-and-white-hanoi-0010794-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
<\/p>\n11. Look for over-lapping\u00c2\u00a0textures<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Cindy-Project-Monochrome-3-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
<\/p>\n12. Look down<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-0001998-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/eric-kim-black-and-white-photography-hanoi-0010347-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
<\/p>\n13. Look up<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/eric-kim-street-photography-kyoto-0001062-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/eric-kim-street-photography-kyoto-0001079-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/eric-kim-black-and-white-photography-hanoi-0010454-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
<\/p>\nConclusion: Grain is beautiful<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/eric-kim-photography-2017-hue-0004756-800x530.jpg?resize=800%2C530\")
<\/p>\n
\nEric<\/p>\n<\/p>\nWhy textures?<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n1. High-contrast black and white<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n2. Minus-exposure compensation<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n3. Use a flash<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n\n
4. Look for textured things<\/h2>\n
5. Add grain<\/h2>\n
6. Touch things before you photograph them<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n7. Beautiful decay<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n8. Photograph nature<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n9. Look for patterned textures<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n10. Look for smooth textures<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n11. Look for over-lapping\u00c2\u00a0textures<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n12. Look down<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n13. Look up<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\nConclusion: Grain is beautiful<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
\nEric<\/p>\n