{"id":28798,"date":"2016-04-26T12:58:26","date_gmt":"2016-04-26T19:58:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=28798"},"modified":"2016-04-26T13:00:26","modified_gmt":"2016-04-26T20:00:26","slug":"lean-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/04\/26\/lean-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"Lean Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"SF,
SF, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To me, creativity is all about cross-pollination of ideas in novel ways.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Idea sex<\/h2>\n

I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe that there are any truly \u00e2\u20ac\u0153original\u00e2\u20ac\u009d ideas anymore. Rather, we take different ideas and let them have \u00e2\u20ac\u0153idea sex\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d which leads to a totally new idea. This idea is a hybrid between the two ideas prior.<\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been really into this \u00e2\u20ac\u0153lean\u00e2\u20ac\u009d concept that runs pervasive in technology circles here in the Bay Area. The concept goes back to the Japanese-Toyota philosophy of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153lean manufacturing\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d where they try to reduce or subtract superfluous processes, and by subtracting the unnecessary\u00e2\u20ac\u201d they add value.<\/p>\n

The philosophy of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153lean\u00e2\u20ac\u009d can permeate your life in many different ways. Rather than being 300-pounds of muscle, perhaps you can be 150 pounds of muscle, but pack more \u00e2\u20ac\u0153punch\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in your small frame (imagine Bruce Lee, the lean mean machine, versus a bodybuilder in a street fight).<\/p>\n

Furthermore, as a lifestyle philosophy\u00e2\u20ac\u201d it is better to have a few material things you really like (that are good quality), rather than being over-burdened with lots of junk. So perhaps buy a few \u00e2\u20ac\u0153basic\u00e2\u20ac\u009d staples in terms of your clothes and outfit (with decent materials that will last), instead of just buying tons of H&M that seem to fall apart after a year of wearing it.<\/p>\n

The word \u00e2\u20ac\u0153lean\u00e2\u20ac\u009d means to have no superfluous fat. And as photographers, we certainly have a lot of superfluous fat.<\/p>\n

We have superfluous fat when it comes to our equipment. We have too many cameras, too many lenses, too many accessories (filters, tripods, etc) and other distractions that weigh us down.<\/p>\n

When it comes to our images, we have too much fat around the edges of the frame. Therefore our images are too complicated, and more distractions in the background of our images.<\/p>\n

Lean photography principles<\/h2>\n
\"New
New Orleans, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I propose a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153lean\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photography approach.<\/p>\n

To me, it means the following:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have any superfluous gear<\/li>\n
  2. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have superfluous elements in your frame<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get me wrong\u00e2\u20ac\u201d I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m totally guilty of these two things. For a long time, I had way too many cameras and lenses. The more gear I owned, the more \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcchoice anxiety\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 I would have. If I went out to shoot, I would have no idea which camera\/lens which to use, which would cause me delay, frustration, and anxiety.<\/p>\n

    Now I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m just sticking to a digital Ricoh GR II camera, which is my \u00e2\u20ac\u0153one camera, one lens.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Even the film Leica (intentionally) is being hidden in a cupboard, so it doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t distract me.<\/p>\n

    Furthermore, when it comes to my photography, I used to never think about the background in the frame of the image (as well as the edges of my frame). This caused me to have an interesting subject, but a messy background. What I try to do now is the opposite\u00e2\u20ac\u201d start with a clean background\/canvas\u00e2\u20ac\u201d and try to insert my subject (while having clean edges in my frame).<\/p>\n

    I also think that photography is much more about subtraction than addition. Creativity loves constraints. This is why in photography we are limited to a frame. What you decide to leave out<\/em> of the frame is more important than what you decide to leave in<\/em> the frame.<\/p>\n

    Lean in photography (and life)<\/h2>\n
    \"New
    New Orleans, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    How are some other ways we can incorporate being \u00e2\u20ac\u0153lean\u00e2\u20ac\u009d into our photography and life?<\/p>\n

    When you travel\u00e2\u20ac\u201d try to pack as light & lean as possible. Rather than deciding what to bring on a trip, decide what not<\/em> to bring. Give yourself a creative constraint\u00e2\u20ac\u201d just bring 1 camera, 1 lens, and perhaps only shoot black-and-white or only color the entire trip.<\/p>\n

    If you shoot film, perhaps you can bring only 10 rolls of film for a trip. This means you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re only allowed to shoot 10 rolls \u00e2\u20ac\u201d which will mean that every shot you take will really count.<\/p>\n

    Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bring superfluous clothes on your trip. Bring 2 pairs of everything (don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t pack anything cotton; make sure it is quick-dry). Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bring superfluous books, gadgets, or accessories that will only weigh you down.<\/p>\n

    With diet & exercise\u00e2\u20ac\u201d decide what unhealthy foods you can subtract<\/em> from your lifestyle. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t waste too much time in the gym either\u00e2\u20ac\u201d stick to a few \u00e2\u20ac\u0153compound\u00e2\u20ac\u009d movements (squats, bench, deadlift, chin-up) and save your time.<\/p>\n

    Subtract<\/h2>\n

    Many of us live very \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcbusy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 lives, and we want more time to shoot, spend time with our loved ones, and pursue our creative endeavors.<\/p>\n

    I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve found the only way to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153add\u00e2\u20ac\u009d time to my schedule to do what I want is to subtract<\/em> superfluous distractions, commitments, and actions. This means checking your email less, spending less time on your phone, uninstalling distracting social-media apps, and not<\/em> staying in the office later than necessary.<\/p>\n

    In Taoist\/Zen philosophy, having empty space is far more valuable than having everything jam-packed and \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcoptimized.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 For example, a room is only as valuable as how much emptiness it has inside. Furthermore, the value of a cup isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t how big it is, but how much emptiness it has on the inside.<\/p>\n

    Less is more<\/h2>\n

    Also as a lifestyle thing, perhaps rather than buying that huge SUV; opt for a Mini or some \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcsubcompact\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 hatchback \u00e2\u20ac\u201d that is lean in size, but spacious on the inside.<\/p>\n

    With photography books, only own a few books that you really really like (that you will re-read over and over again). And know that big and expensive hardcovers aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t necessarily better than paperback books that can fit in the palm of your hand.<\/p>\n

    With cameras, opt for \u00e2\u20ac\u0153lean\u00e2\u20ac\u009d cameras\u00e2\u20ac\u201d cameras that are small, compact, inexpensive, and easy to carry with you everywhere you go. DSLR\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s are really only \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcnecessary\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 for professional commercial\/wedding\/bird photographers. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think anyone needs such a big camera in today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s \u00e2\u20ac\u02dclean technology\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 economy.<\/p>\n

    The 80\/20 principle<\/h2>\n
    \"NYC,
    NYC, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    I love to think about the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Pareto Principle\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d the idea that much of life has an asymmetry of cost\/benefits. For example, 20% of the staff of a company tend to do 80% of the work. 80% of the stress in your life can be attributed to 20% of your activities.<\/p>\n

    It is all about maximizing the smallest input in your life.<\/p>\n

    For example, what 20% of your activities brings you 80% joy and happiness? For me, that is writing, reading, and photography.<\/p>\n

    Where do you create the most value? For me, 20% of my time is spent writing\/blogging\u00e2\u20ac\u201d but that brings 80% of the value to the photographic community.<\/p>\n

    80% of the stress in my life is attributed to 20% of the things in my life\u00e2\u20ac\u201d for example, I get stressed out about finances, family drama, and being petty with Cindy. But I always try to remind myself to think of the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bigger picture\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and not be so petty. It is tough, but I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m always trying to reduce<\/em> the amount of stress, anxiety, and frustration in my life by cutting out the bullshit.<\/p>\n

    Cut the fat<\/h2>\n
    \"New
    New Orleans, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    So friend, figure out ways you can cut the superfluous fat in your photography, life, and personal relations. They say a few bad apples is what spoils the whole bunch.<\/p>\n

    Subtract negative people from your life, unfollow spammy people on social media (or people with poor images), and focus more of your attention on those who you love, and those who inspire you.<\/p>\n

    Life is short. Be lean, mean, and keep your mindset clean.<\/p>\n

    Always,
    \nEric<\/p>\n

    12:16pm, April 26, 2016 @ Asha Tea House in Berkeley<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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