{"id":52864,"date":"2017-06-14T02:06:52","date_gmt":"2017-06-14T09:06:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=52864"},"modified":"2017-06-14T02:06:52","modified_gmt":"2017-06-14T09:06:52","slug":"how-to-feel-more-joy-in-life-with-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/14\/how-to-feel-more-joy-in-life-with-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Feel More Joy in Life with Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Dear friend,<\/p>\n

I want to encourage you to experience more happiness and joy in life, using your camera as your tool.<\/p>\n

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Of course these are just personal remedies for myself. They probably won’t work for you. But even if one idea helps you, it is worth it.<\/p>\n

I. Make more photos of things and people that we love<\/h2>\n
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My mom in Marseille, making us fish soup.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To feel joy in life photograph what brings you joy.<\/p>\n

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For example, I love coffee. I like to photograph my espresso cup. To me, it is a reminder the joy of being alive and enjoying a simple cup of joe.<\/p>\n

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Cindy enjoying a cup of coffee at Glen and Sharon’s home in Vancouver.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I often photograph my coffee cups, yet never share them. Why? The point of photographing my coffee isn’t to make a good photo. But to appreciate the coffee, and help remind myself my joy of coffee.<\/p>\n

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Airbnb in Berlin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another thing: I photograph Cindy<\/a>. To me, it is appreciation of being alive with her. Because one day, she and I will both die. She might die before me (my rule is that I’m not allowed to die before her, so I don’t drink and drive, or text while walking). But I often get petty, and frustrated with Cindy. When I photograph her, I remind myself:<\/p>\n

\n Eric, be appreciative that Cindy is still alive. Never be petty. Always be loving, patient, and photograph your joy and happiness together. Maybe to inspire others to appreciate their loved ones.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

II. Walk more<\/h2>\n
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Prague<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even now, I don’t photograph to make good photos. Rather, I treat photography as an excuse to walk.<\/p>\n

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It took me a long time to realize: but I love to walk. To me, walking is good for my hips, back, and mind.<\/p>\n

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When I walk, I feel less stress and anxiety. I feel more joy, because I see my fellow human beings, enjoying their lives. I see kids smiling and laughing and playing, which brings a smile on my face.<\/p>\n

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I see elderly folks chatting and gossiping about random neighborhood stuff. That puts a smile on my face.<\/p>\n

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I see new buildings being built. That makes me smile– I see humans building new things, which means human progress. That brings me joy.<\/p>\n

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Every once in a while when I’m walking on the streets, I see something that make some smile. I then photograph it. And sometimes it is a good photo. Most often the photo isn’t very good. But regardless, the action and process of walking and photographing brings me joy.<\/p>\n

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I love science fiction movies. In many of these movies, people are stuck on a spaceship. I wonder to myself:<\/p>\n

\n It would suck being stuck on a spaceship. You would get so bored. You keep walking around the same ship.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So when I walk in public streets and see all these new sights, I feel freedom, and joy– perhaps the joy an eagle feels when soaring in the sky, and enjoying diverse landscapes.<\/p>\n

III. Follow your visual curiosity<\/h2>\n

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Today I was walking around and found a Japanese restaurant. I liked the aesthetics, so I entered. I sat down, and had a cup of coffee and tea.<\/p>\n

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There were some Japanese magazines, one with an old Nissan Fairlady Z on the cover. It is an old 1980s sports car, which I love. I love the proportions of the car, and it visually inspired me. Who knows, one day car design can inspire my photography. After all, a lot of car proportions and design proportions is tied to the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153golden rule\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fibonacci spiral\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in design philosophy.<\/p>\n

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Visually, I like zen minimalism. Going to nice coffee shops is an excuse for me to enjoy peaceful and simple aesthetics. I like wood, stone, brass, and other simple materials. The coffee is just a plus.<\/p>\n

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Visually, the world is so rich. Some visual arts that inspire me:<\/p>\n