{"id":154092,"date":"2019-07-12T15:32:58","date_gmt":"2019-07-12T22:32:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=154092"},"modified":"2019-07-12T15:54:01","modified_gmt":"2019-07-12T22:54:01","slug":"photography-for-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/12\/photography-for-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"Photography for Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you’re new to photography (or you want a refresh), this article is for you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why make photos?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Cindy
Berlin, 2018 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To start, why make photos<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For myself, when I photograph whatever I consider beautiful — I feel a deeper connection with it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cindy<\/a> is the love of my life, my soulmate, and my ultimate hypeman. Whenever I photograph Cindy, I feel more gratitude for her. It is also ‘photographic memento mori<\/a>‘– I realize that one day we will (both) die. Thus, while we are alive, I try my best to avoid being petty, and to extract the maximum joy and creative<\/a> energy in life together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus to start off, begin by photographing your loved ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anaheim,<\/figure>
\"Anaheim,<\/figure>
\"Saigon,<\/figure><\/div>
\"Mexico<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Huntington<\/figure><\/div>
\"Cruise,<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"Cruise,<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"Cruise,<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Beginner’s mind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Contrary to what others say, being a beginner is the best. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why? When you are a beginner, you are a beautiful white tablet. You have the most open mind. You are able to learn with great enthusiasm. Furthermore, you see more possibilities than to see limitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hanoi,
Hanoi, 2017 #ericproject (shot by Cindy)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Child’s mind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure>
\"Amelia<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

To take this notion further– best to study children. Children are the most pure learning machines. I have learned more from my 4-year old niece Amelia than I have ever from any adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amelia sees the world full of opportunities, and lives boldly. She follows her curiosity, and never takes “no” for an answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In-fact, Amelia was the inspiration behind ‘My First Photography Book’<\/a>— a book which teaches children how to approach photography. The truth is, adults can probably benefit MORE from the book than actual children! Why? It reminds us the fact and truth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photography is magic! <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What should I photograph?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Simple advice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go on a walk, and photograph whatever interests you!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It is all good. Photograph the streets<\/a>, photograph nature<\/a> and landscapes<\/a>, photograph urban landscapes<\/a>, shoot selfies<\/a>— anything and everything!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"Los<\/figure><\/div>
\"Los<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What camera should I use?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Honestly, I think the iPhone is the best camera<\/a>. Why? It is always with you, you can quickly review and select your best photos (editing<\/a>), you can quickly post-process<\/a> your photos, and you can most effectively share your art-works on your own website\/blog<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All below photos shot on an old iPhone 6s Plus and the HUJI CAM<\/a> app:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\"\"<\/figure>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"leaf,<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"Tommy<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How do you know which photos to select?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the best things to study is contact sheets<\/a>. These are all the photos I shot to get 1 photo I liked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tip: When you see a scene you like, “work the scene<\/a>” (shoot lots of photos of the scene), and later when you go home, choose the photo you like the best!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you like the photo, it is a good photo.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Follow your gut<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I mean is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t over-analyze your photos. If you look at your photo and you like it, pick it!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

For example I love this picture I shot inside my apartment with Cindy, during sunset. I saw her eye poking through the shadows, and I asked her to hold up her hand. I photographed much on a RICOH GR II<\/a> (with -1 exposure compensation<\/a>), and I ultimately like the triangle composition<\/a> which I discovered later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A simple tip: hand-gestures<\/a> and body-language make for stronger photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"eric<\/figure><\/div>
\"Triangle<\/figure>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

How to learn how to make better photos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

LEARN FROM THE MASTERS ><\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"LEARN<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"MASTERS:<\/figure><\/div>
\"Learn<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It seems the adage ‘practice makes perfect’ is true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I encourage you to start off in photography by simply shooting a lot, and self-learning via self-experimentation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is what I mean:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shoot a lot, and don’t read any photo theory. After a few years of experience, THEN create your own theories based on your real-life experiences! And after you become experienced, read the theories of others (to discover new inspiration).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Also read that all wisdom from the master photographs of the past<\/a> are simply tips<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenge all conventional wisdom, and be bold enough to pave your own path!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ERIC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Glasses.<\/figure><\/div>
\"Sneeze<\/figure>
\"Whisper.<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Hanoi,<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Hanoi,<\/figure>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"Amsterdam,<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure>
\"Downtown<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Photography 101 ><\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Learn the fundamentals of Photography 101 ><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you’re new to photography (or you want a refresh), this article is for you:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":154114,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-154092","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-posts"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/cropped-photography-101-eric-kim.png?fit=2179%2C1226&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154092","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=154092"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154092\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":154115,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154092\/revisions\/154115"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/154114"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=154092"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=154092"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=154092"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}