{"id":61393,"date":"2017-08-03T01:20:24","date_gmt":"2017-08-03T08:20:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=61393"},"modified":"2017-08-03T01:26:52","modified_gmt":"2017-08-03T08:26:52","slug":"the-purpose-of-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/03\/the-purpose-of-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"The Purpose of Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Jazz<\/a>
Jazz Hands. Hollywood, 2011 by ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why do you make photos?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. To feel more confident<\/h2>\n
\"Hands.<\/a>
Hands. New Orleans. I wish I were confident like him.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here is what I think the purpose of photography is.<\/p>\n

Primo, to feel more confident in life.<\/p>\n

For example, when I make a photo, it is an act of CONFIDENCE. I am asserting my creative and artistic view upon the world. I decide how to curate reality. I am a visual surgeon\u00e2\u20ac\u201d I decide what to include in the frame, and what to EXCISE (cut away).<\/p>\n

2. To be more adventurous<\/h2>\n
\"Eric<\/a>
Eric Kim shooting Jazz hands. Action photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Photography makes me more adventurous. We all need more sex, danger, rock and roll, and adventure in life.<\/p>\n

\"Jazz<\/a>
Jazz Hands. Hollywood, 2011 by ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As humans, we are EXPLORERS. We have a reason to live when we can keep exploring. For example, consider STAR TREK\u00ef\u00bc\u0161they want to find new forms of life, and explore, and help out. This is a part of human nature that will never change. Consider the 49ers who went West in search of profit, gold, and adventure.<\/p>\n

Today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s world, we are no longer dangerous, brave, adventurers. We are passive cows<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Flipped<\/a>
Flipped car. Orange County, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Society shames us into submission. Our teachers tell us to shut the fuck up, sit down, and take multiple choice tests. We are told to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153think outside the box\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, but it is only ok if we color inside the lines. We are all living in glass boxes, drive our boxes to work, we are trapped in cubicles (boxes), we look at our phones all day (black box for our attention), and we upload our lives and art to the Instagram box.<\/p>\n

I say, fuck all that.<\/p>\n

As photographers, let us \u00e2\u20ac\u0153unlearn\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the rules of society. Let us create our own reality, by refusing to follow the rules superimposed on us by society.<\/p>\n

This also means for us to UNLEARN these \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rules\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in photography.<\/p>\n

Shoot whatever you want. Process your photos however you want. Crop your photos, crush the blacks, shoot with whatever lens.<\/p>\n

The only rule in photography,<\/p>\n

\n Have fun.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

3. To appreciate being alive!<\/h2>\n
\"Almonds<\/a>
Almonds after doing deadlifts. Emeryville, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Photography will also help us find more APPRECIATION in life.<\/p>\n

When I photograph Cindy, I remind myself<\/p>\n

\n One day we will both die. I want to cherish every moment with her, and never take her for granted or to be petty.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"My<\/a>
My wedding ring with Cindy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand. 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I am a STOIC PHOTOGRAPHER<\/a>. Which means, I always MEMENTO MORI…remembering that I must<\/em> die. It is my duty to die. And also, my duty to EMPOWER others. To empower Cindy, my family, friends, and everyone online.<\/p>\n

That means for me to not complain. Not to whine. To be the change which I wish to see in the world.<\/p>\n

\"Hands<\/a>
Hands of 92 year old woman in Hanoi, 2017.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I see so much shitty photo websites online. I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t complain. I just gotta create the knowledge which I wish I had access to in photography.<\/p>\n

Photography ain\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t about making photos to get a lot of likes on social media. Photography is about loving life. Photography is about appreciation of life.<\/p>\n

\"At<\/a>
At a lovely French dinner with Cindy in SF, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Whenever we make a photo let us proclaim\u00ef\u00bc\u0161<\/p>\n

\n Damn it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s good to be alive. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m so grateful I have my mind, my eyes, and my sanity to perceive the external world, and to AFFIRM it by making beautiful photos.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cindy flexing. Wedding, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So friend, why do you make photos?<\/p>\n

Share your philosophy on ERIC KIM FORUM<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n
\"ERIC
ERIC KIM x HENRI NECK STRAP<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

HAPTIC INDUSTRIES: Creative Tools to Empower You.<\/p>\n

See all HAPTIC TOOLS on this site<\/a><\/p>\n

Or<\/p>\n

See all HAPTIC INDUSTRIES EQUIPMENT on AMAZON ><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

ERIC KIM STRAP<\/a><\/h2>\n
\"ERIC
ERIC KIM STRAP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

ERIC KIM STRAP<\/a>: Your Power Strap.<\/p>\n

\n

HENRI NECK STRAP<\/a><\/h2>\n
\"HENRI
HENRI NECK STRAP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

HENRI NECK STRAP<\/a>: Never miss the decisive moment.<\/p>\n

\n

HENRI WRIST STRAP<\/a><\/h2>\n
\"HENRI
HENRI WRIST STRAP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

HENRI WRIST STRAP<\/a>: Street Photography Sharpshooter.<\/p>\n

\n

STREET NOTES<\/a><\/h2>\n

STREET NOTES<\/a>: Take Your Street Photography to the Next Level.<\/p>\n

PHOTO JOURNAL<\/a><\/h2>\n

PHOTO JOURNAL<\/a>: Find More Personal Meaning in Your Photography.<\/p>\n

FILM NOTES<\/a><\/h2>\n

FILM NOTES<\/a>: Respark Your Joy For Analogue Photography.<\/p>\n

\n

SEE ALL HAPTIC PRODUCTS ON AMAZON ><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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