{"id":52606,"date":"2017-06-11T21:47:56","date_gmt":"2017-06-12T04:47:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=52606"},"modified":"2017-06-11T21:53:11","modified_gmt":"2017-06-12T04:53:11","slug":"how-to-become-a-fearless-photographer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/11\/how-to-become-a-fearless-photographer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Fearless Photographer"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dear friend,<\/p>\n

I want to share with you why<\/em> I am a fearless photographer, and perhaps give you some tips, insights, and advice on how to become more fearless yourself.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

So first of all, here are some tips:<\/p>\n

1. Don’t hesitate<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The biggest problem we have in photography: we hesitate before making a photo. We hesitate because we are afraid, because we take too much time compose, or we fear what others will think of us.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

My suggestion:<\/p>\n

\n Shoot before thinking.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The more you think before you shoot, the more you will fall victim to “paralysis by analysis”– thinking too much before shooting.<\/p>\n

\"Sydney,<\/p>\n

I’ll tell you what I do. I use a Ricoh GR II digital camera<\/a>, set it in P (program) mode<\/a>, auto high ISO, center point autofocus. When I see something that interests me, I just “point and shoot”.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

To me, point and shoot cameras or iPhones<\/a> or smartphones with cameras in general are the best cameras.<\/p>\n

What I think prevents us from being better photographers: we get too caught up with superfluous details, or technical settings that distract us.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

For me, I write a lot. I like using minimalist writing apps like IA Writer or Ulysses. Less distractions on formatting, more focus on writing.<\/p>\n

Same goes for photography. Fewer options, less concern with technical settings means more shooting. And the only way to make better photos: shoot more.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Assignment: “Set it and forget it!”<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I still remember the great American rotisserie chicken maker commercial. You just took a whole chicken, stuck it in the machine and pushed a single button. You just set it and…<\/p>\n

\n FORGET IT!\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Do the same with your camera. Just use the default camera app on your phone, or set your digital camera to P mode, auto high ISO, center point autofocus, and just shoot. Shoot jpeg<\/a>+ RAW, and focus more on capturing personally meaningful decisive moments, rather than distracting yourself with what aperture, or shutter speed to use.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Let the camera think for your technical settings. You think about composition, framing, and shooting with your soul.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2. Smile<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I shoot street photography close, with a 28mm<\/a>. I have no more fear. I don’t hesitate, I just shoot.<\/p>\n

A thing I like to to: when I shoot (without permission), I smile, and make eye contact, and often laugh. I also show my subjects the photos I shot of them on my LCD screen. I don’t shoot like a creep, using a long telephoto or zoom lens from behind some bushes, like some DSLR users with long lenses. Remember the saying:<\/p>\n

\n Creepiness is proportional to focal length.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Meaning, the longer your lens, the creepier you’re gonna look.<\/p>\n

Assignment: ditch the zoom<\/h3>\n
\"\"
Lansing, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shoot only with a wide lens with no zoom (prime) lens. I recommend a 28mm or 35mm lens. 28mm if you use a phone or a point and shoot compact camera with an LCD screen. 35mm if you use a viewfinder.<\/p>\n

Stick with “one camera, one lens<\/a>” for a year. And when in doubt, get closer to your subjects by using “foot zoom”.<\/p>\n

3. Ask for permission<\/h2>\n
\"eric
Photo by Rinzi Ruiz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you’re scared to photograph someone, just ask for permission. It is better to ask for permission and get rejected than to not even ask at all.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Downtown
Downtown LA, 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If I see someone with a face tattoo or someone who scares me, I will generally ask for permission. I will ask them:<\/p>\n

\n Excuse me sir, you look badass. Do you mind if I made a few portraits of you?\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Most people say yes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Assignment: Only photograph people who scare you.<\/h3>\n
\"Downtown
Downtown LA, 2011 \/ Photo by Rinzi Ruiz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A good assignment from STREET NOTES<\/a>: only photograph “scary” looking people for a week. You’re only allowed to shoot people you’re afraid of. This will put some steel in your huevos.<\/p>\n

\"eric
Shot on film Leica MP \/ 35mm f\/2 lens \/ flash \/ Kodak Portra 400<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you like asking for permission, shoot more STREET PORTRAITS<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"1-istanbul-metro-contact-1\"<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n
\"eric
San Diego, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To gain more confidence, attend an ERIC KIM WORKSHOP<\/a>, or read STREET PHOTOGRAPHY 101<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Above all, have confidence in yourself. You got this.<\/p>\n

BE STRONG,
\nERIC<\/p>\n

\n

START<\/a> | BOOKS<\/a> | EQUIPMENT<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Street Photography 101<\/a><\/h2>\n

\"Tokyo,<\/p>\n

If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re new to street photography, start here:<\/p>\n