{"id":52835,"date":"2017-06-13T20:58:05","date_gmt":"2017-06-14T03:58:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=52835"},"modified":"2017-06-13T21:00:10","modified_gmt":"2017-06-14T04:00:10","slug":"photography-slaves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/13\/photography-slaves\/","title":{"rendered":"PHOTOGRAPHY SLAVES"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

I’m a photography slave.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Why I’m a photography slave<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Busan, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I’m a slave to my passion. I cannot not<\/em> photograph something that excites me. If I see something that I want to photograph and I don’t photograph it, I feel like I get \u00e2\u20ac\u0153visual blue balls\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n

I’m a slave to wanting new gear. I’m a slave to thinking that if I just bought that new camera, lens, or equipment– I would unleash my creativity. Very rarely do I consider the thought that perhaps my constraints are the source of my creativity.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
Seoul, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I am a slave to the city where I live, and where I would like to live. I always think, if I only lived in NYC or SF, I could finally flourish creatively as an artist, and surround myself with other creative folks, who will uplift me. Very rarely do I consider, perhaps I should be the one uplifting and motivating others– rather than seeking others to uplift or motivate me.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
My mom at the site of her childhood home in Busan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I am a slave to social media. I want more likes, followers, and external affirmation. I think these little red hearts are a form of valuable currency. Very rarely do I consider: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153likes\u00e2\u20ac\u009d aren’t as valuable as money. I’d rather have $10,000 USD than 10,000 likes or followers.<\/p>\n

The positives and negatives of photography slavery<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Busan, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Is it bad to be a photography slave?<\/p>\n

It depends.<\/p>\n

For myself, I believe it is bad to be a slave to camera brands. To call yourself a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Leica photographer\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fujifilm ambassador\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sony representative\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, or Canon\/Nikon\/Pentaxian\/Olympus\/Hasselblad, whatever photographer– is like you branding yourself like a slave (remember that slave owners used to dip their metal \u00e2\u20ac\u0153branding tools\u00e2\u20ac\u009d into the fire, and then apply it to the skin of their slaves, to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153brand\u00e2\u20ac\u009d their property?)<\/p>\n

\"\"
Busan, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So in some ways, if you \u00e2\u20ac\u0153brand\u00e2\u20ac\u009d yourself as a photographer to a certain camera brand, you are a slave.<\/p>\n

Now, being a camera brand slave has benefits. You have the protection of the camera brand, like a master. For myself, when I got support from Leica, I got help with promotion, travel, sponsorship of workshop spaces, and discounted equipment. For Fujifilm, I got free cameras, lenses, free workshop spaces, etc. from Ricoh, I got a free Pentax DSLR and Ricoh GR. From Samsung, I got a bunch of free smartphones.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Getting free shit is awesome– at first. Then you start to feel like a slave. Like you have less freedom. Because you are afraid of upsetting your master who is feeding you. If I stop using my free cameras, I am fearful that I won’t get free cameras in the future.<\/p>\n

One day I had an awakening:<\/p>\n

\n I am giving more value to camera brands, than they are giving me value.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I am rich enough to buy my own cameras and equipment. But as a dumb human being, I have a bias to liking \u00e2\u20ac\u0153free\u00e2\u20ac\u009d stuff. Also, as an insecure person I like the idea of having a big \u00e2\u20ac\u0153brand\u00e2\u20ac\u009d uplift my ego.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I therefore cast off my golden chains. I gave away all my (free) cameras to friends who I thought could use them better than myself. I made a personal pledge to myself:<\/p>\n

\n To only promote cameras that I have purchased with my own money.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For example, I currently own a film Leica MP and Leica 35mm f2 Summicron ASPH lens that I bought used from Bellamy Hunt (Japan camera hunter). I bought my own Ricoh GR II from Amazon. Now ethically and morally, I feel like I have a right to my own opinion. And I also feel more free.<\/p>\n

\"\"
PHOTO JOURNAL<\/a> by HAPTIC PRESS<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Also now, I’m less of a slave to social media. I no longer use Instagram (deleted it)<\/a>, and just auto post stuff to Facebook and Instagram. Rather, I’m trying to build up my own social media platform- the ERIC KIM FORUM<\/a> (thanks to Cindy for making it).<\/p>\n

\"\"
Hue, 2017 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even with camera and equipment reviews I only want to review stuff that I am genuinely interested in. Because life is short, why waste it promoting products that will get outdated in 6 months? I endeavor to make \u00e2\u20ac\u0153evergreen\u00e2\u20ac\u009d information– that will be as relevant 2000 years from now, as they are today, like the philosophy of Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Jesus, Epictetus, Diogenes, and a few others.<\/p>\n

How to break free<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Hue, 2017 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now friend, if you are reading this, I am not calling you a slave. I am only accusing my past and present self.<\/p>\n

But my practical advice is this:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Realize if you get \u00e2\u20ac\u0153free\u00e2\u20ac\u009d stuff from a company, you lose some of your personal freedom.<\/li>\n
  2. Realize that having a lot of social media followers is a blessing but a curse– you become a slave to please your followers.<\/li>\n
  3. Realize that if you use a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153free\u00e2\u20ac\u009d social media platform (and don’t pay for it), you are a slave. Instead, register your own website or photography blog via WordPress.org (bluehost.com and 1and1.com are good hosts).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    And with camera equipment and gear, just ask yourself:<\/p>\n

    \n Is my camera my slave, or am I the slave of my camera?\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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

    \"Hanoi,<\/p>\n

    \n

    G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)<\/a><\/h2>\n

    GAS: (Gear Acquisition Syndrome): wanting to buy new cameras, because you feel like your photos aren’t good enough, because your camera isn’t good enough:<\/p>\n