{"id":44275,"date":"2017-03-21T22:58:15","date_gmt":"2017-03-22T05:58:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=44275"},"modified":"2017-03-21T23:05:52","modified_gmt":"2017-03-22T06:05:52","slug":"3-tips-i-would-give-myself-if-i-started-photography-all-over-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/03\/21\/3-tips-i-would-give-myself-if-i-started-photography-all-over-again\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Tips I Would Give Myself if I Started Photography All Over Again"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-film-35mm-leica-mp-kodak-portra-40060\"<\/p>\n

A list of stuff I wish I knew if I started photography all over again, at age 18.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Dear Eric,<\/p>\n

This is your 29 year old self, writing to your 18 year old self. Mom just bought you a Canon point-and-shoot, SD 600. You will love it.<\/p>\n

The next 11 years, you will experience a lot of bullshit and false information on the internet about photography. I am going to drop some bombs of wisdom on you:<\/p>\n

1. Megapixels don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t matter<\/h2>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

Disregard the megapixel myth. More megapixels doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t equate to better photos. If anything; more megapixels, more problems<\/a>. The bigger your megapixels, the harder to backup your photos, and to upload and share them with others.<\/p>\n

More megapixels doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t equate better image quality. It is all about the sensor.<\/p>\n

You can have a camera with fewer megapixels, with better image quality.<\/p>\n

And don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even care about the sensor too much. Funny enough, 10 years from now, nobody will even care about DSLR\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s that much anymore. There will be this thing called a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcsmartphone<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 which will probably be the easiest way to document, photograph, and capture your life.<\/p>\n

2. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be distracted by social media<\/h2>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to (one day) become famous for being a blogger. You will think social media is what is going to help you build your name. Not really. Most people will discover you through Google search, or from your YouTube videos.<\/p>\n

So don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get caught up in the treadmill for getting more likes<\/a>. It is like money; you can never have too much of it.<\/p>\n

And caring too much about likes is going to cause you frustration, anxiety, and despair. Because no matter how many likes you have, you will never have\u00c2\u00a0enough to satisfy your hunger.<\/p>\n

3. Photograph your loved ones<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care about traveling and seeing the world. Rather, photograph your loved ones, and document them faithfully.<\/p>\n

You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to regret that during your time in college, you didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take enough photos of your precious memories, at school, at church, or of your friends or loved ones. You are going to be too focused on making \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcartistic\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 photos\u00e2\u20ac\u201d not meaningful photos.<\/p>\n

So photograph with your heart and soul. Photograph your loved ones like it is their last. Because in a few years, your grandfather is going to pass away<\/a>. And one day, your mom is gonna pass away too.<\/p>\n

So don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t waste your time. Photograph your loved ones immediately.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re on the right path. Have faith in yourself. Care less about traveling, and more about documenting your own personal experiences, and your local community.<\/p>\n

Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get caught up in the hype of DSLR\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s<\/a> and Leica\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s<\/a>. You will waste a lot of time, effort, and money.<\/p>\n

Instead, relish that little point and shoot. Always keep it in your front pocket, and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think too much. Make photos<\/a> and have fun<\/a>. And make your soul<\/a> sing through your photos.<\/p>\n

Have fun,
\nEric<\/p>\n

Personal favorite photos<\/h2>\n

These will be become some\u00c2\u00a0of your personal favorite photos:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

\"eric
Selfie with Cindy at the dollar store in Berkeley, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"eric
When we first moved into our new apartment in Berkeley, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"eric
Playing chess with Cindy. East Lansing, Michigan, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"cindy<\/p>\n

\"Me
Me and Cindy doing a selfie in our apartment in Berkeley, before heading out. 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"eric
Me and Cindy in Aix En Provence, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

Personal Photography ><\/a><\/h2>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

For a primer to personal photography,\u00c2\u00a0read the\u00c2\u00a0book: “The Personal Photography Manual<\/strong><\/a>”<\/p>\n