{"id":54435,"date":"2017-07-01T02:16:10","date_gmt":"2017-07-01T09:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=54435"},"modified":"2017-07-01T02:20:44","modified_gmt":"2017-07-01T09:20:44","slug":"street-photography-manual-by-eric-street-stoicism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/07\/01\/street-photography-manual-by-eric-street-stoicism\/","title":{"rendered":"STREET PHOTOGRAPHY MANUAL by ERIC KIM: STREET STOICISM"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Portrait by Frank Steltzer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dear friend,<\/p>\n

In this chapter of STREET PHOTOGRAPHY MANUAL<\/a>, let us talk about the theoretical framework of becoming a badass street photographer, aka, a STREET STOIC.<\/p>\n

Download PDF ><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What is Stoicism?<\/h2>\n

Stoicism<\/a> is a philosophy that pre dates Christianity. Stoicism has been around for longer than 2,000 years.<\/p>\n

The stoic philosophers to know include Seneca<\/a>, Epictetus<\/a>, and Marcus Aurelius.<\/a><\/p>\n

During 2,000 years ago, life was uncertain. People died all the time, from war, famine, disease, and political upheaval. They needed a philosophy that addressed the difficulty of living with confidence in an uncertain world.<\/p>\n

Fast forward to today. We live in a much more stable world. Yet, many of us still live in fear.<\/p>\n

Street photography is fucking scary. When you make a photo of a stranger, you are taking a risk. You have the risk of pissing them off, getting punched, or who knows, even beat up.<\/p>\n

So how can you build a stoic armor against your fears in street photography? Let me share what has worked for me.<\/p>\n

1. Learn how to take a punch<\/h2>\n

Typical scene from the movie Fight Club: learning not to be afraid of physical pain and taking a punch.<\/p>\n

Today, we are weak. We have no spine. We are afraid of pain. We are made weak and flabby by luxury and this lust for comfort.<\/p>\n

I think everyone, men and women, should learn how to take a punch. Why? When you do get punched, it actually isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t so painful. I used to box in my garage with my friends at age 16 for fun, and got punched a lot and even knocked unconscious. It wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that bad. Actually, a bit fun.<\/p>\n

Of course I still get scared when I shoot street photography. But I get a lot less scared now than I did in the past. Why? Because I learned and trained myself to take a punch. Take a mental punch. An insult. Empty threats from subjects saying they will call the cops on me.<\/p>\n

To build confidence in street photography, signup for a boxing class. Get punched a few times. Rinse out your mouth with watery blood, and a few loose teeth. You will be ok.<\/p>\n

2. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fear rejection<\/h2>\n

To be a STREET STOIC, is to love to take risks. The more risks you take, the more strong you will become, and the less fear you will have.<\/p>\n

Assignment one: learn to love rejection.<\/p>\n

To do this, ask a bunch of strangers to make their portrait. You gotta keep asking until you get 10 people to say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d One you get 10 rejections, you will be a lot less afraid of rejection.<\/p>\n

Fear of rejection is what holds back our potential in life. For example, fear of rejection from that potential date. Fear of rejection of asking for a raise. Fear of rejection of having your photos featured in a gallery.<\/p>\n

Simple solution:<\/p>\n

\n Just ask.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s so simple. If you start to love to ask and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fear rejection (actually anticipate rejection), you will never feel disappointed.<\/p>\n

To sum up, a STREET STOIC always expects to get rejected, but asks anyways. But when they get rejected, they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel bitter or sad. They simply move \u00e2\u20ac\u0153onto the next one\u00e2\u20ac\u009d with a smile.<\/strong><\/p>\n

3. Focus on your actions not the results<\/h2>\n

A STREET STOIC says \u00e2\u20ac\u0153fuck you\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to fate. A STREET STOIC knows they have control over their fate.<\/p>\n

But at the same time, a STREET STOIC will never feel disappointed, especially when things don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go their way.<\/p>\n

My suggestion for you in street photography: focus on the effort and hustle you out in, never the results.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For example, you can control whether you shoot for 8 hours on a Saturday, and work really hard. You cannot control whether you get a good shot or not.<\/p>\n

As an entrepreneur, you can work 120 hour weeks. But whether your business takes off or not, isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t 100% in your control.<\/p>\n

But a good STREET STOIC knows, the harder you work, the more likely you will hit a home run. The more likely you will make a good photo, or have a good time.<\/p>\n

So once again,<\/p>\n

\n Focus on your effort in street photography, not the results.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

A STREET STOIC is you. Never complain, or feel fear. You are stronger than you think. I believe in you.<\/p>\n

So friend, put on your bronze STOIC STREET ARMOR, and know that the puny wooden arrows of fate cannot pierce or harm you.<\/p>\n

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

JOIN STREET CLUB: ERIC KIM FORUM<\/a><\/p>\n

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STREET PHOTOGRAPHY MANUAL BY ERIC KIM<\/a><\/h1>\n
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ERIC KIM x HENRI NECK STRAP<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Your personal guide to street photography, presented by your guide ERIC KIM:<\/p>\n