{"id":63140,"date":"2017-08-16T23:16:16","date_gmt":"2017-08-17T06:16:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=63140"},"modified":"2017-08-16T23:44:39","modified_gmt":"2017-08-17T06:44:39","slug":"how-to-make-better-pictures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/16\/how-to-make-better-pictures\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Better Pictures"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Processed with VSCO with a6 preset<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a photographer, you are a picture maker.<\/p>\n

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All pictures here made on OnePlus 5<\/a>, Google HDR+ camera app<\/a>, and processed in VSCO with A6 preset.<\/em><\/p>\n

Make pictures, don’t “take” pictures.<\/h2>\n
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Shadow selfie at sunset. Processed with VSCO with a6 preset<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You decide what to include in your frame and what not<\/em> to include in your frame.<\/p>\n

Some ideas on how to make a picture:<\/p>\n

First of all, day “make” a picture not “take” a picture.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Making a picture: you’re using your brain, heart, and aesthetic sensibilities to make an image.<\/li>\n
  2. Taking a picture: you steal an image from a scene, without much thought or consideration.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    See yourself as an artist.<\/h2>\n
    \"ERIC
    ERIC KIM SELFIE with black wall. Kyoto, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Also, the difference between a “picture” and a “photograph” is this:<\/p>\n

    \n A photograph is a picture.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    A picture is a flat, two-dimensional representation of reality.<\/p>\n

    However, not all pictures are photographs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    To me, this is why I like photography. I can use photography to make both<\/em> pictures and<\/em> photographs.<\/p>\n

    Artists who paint make pictures. A painting, a drawing, or a sketch are all pictures.<\/p>\n

    Why make a picture?<\/h2>\n
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    To me, I like to make pictures because it is fun.<\/p>\n

    Pictures are also my opportunity to exert some sort of control, power, or will to my life.<\/p>\n

    For example, I cannot control how rich I am, how handsome, or my health. However, I can control what kind of pictures to make.<\/p>\n

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    Processed with VSCO with a6 preset<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    So to me, picture making (whether photography, drawing, or painting) gives us AGENCY, CONTROL, and POWER in our own lives.<\/p>\n

    Therefore photography and all art creation is a good thing…good for our self-ego, and good for joy and happiness in life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    What to look for when making pictures.<\/h2>\n
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    Processed with VSCO with a6 preset<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    To me, this is what I look for when making pictures:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Textures (rough, jagged)<\/li>\n
    2. Shapes (circle, triangle, rectangle)<\/li>\n
    3. Lines (straight, vertical, horizontal, diagonal, curved, spiral<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      How to make better pictures<\/h2>\n
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      Also to make better pictures, I do the following:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Simplify: remove clutter from backgrounds and edges of the frame.<\/li>\n
      2. Focus on details by showing specific parts of the scene I like, rather than showing everything. This means, GET CLOSER and DON’T ZOOM to name better pictures.<\/strong><\/li>\n
      3. See the world from the eyes of a child. With wonderment and awe.<\/li>\n
      4. Crouch down, or put the camera on the ground and shoot from a very low angle and perspective.<\/li>\n
      5. Move around, change your position. Move closer, further away, left, or right.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Conclusion<\/h2>\n
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        These are just some personal tips on making better pictures.<\/p>\n

        Ultimately there is no such thing as a “good” or “bad” picture. It’s all subjective. There are no objective measures what makes a good or bad picture.<\/strong><\/p>\n

        Therefore, make pictures that bring you<\/em> joy. Don’t care so much what others might think of your pictures. Just have fun, and be the ultimate arbiter of your images.<\/p>\n

        \"Cover
        Cover for upcoming CREATIVE EVERYDAY book by HAPTIC<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

        Also for more guidance learn “How do I know which pictures to keep or ditch?<\/a>”<\/p>\n

        If you want to have more fun in your photography, join ERIC KIM FORUM<\/a> and take your photography to the next level with an ERIC KIM EXPERIENCE<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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        \n

        PHOTOGRAPHY 101<\/a><\/h1>\n

        \"Seoul,<\/p>\n

        Dear friend,<\/p>\n

        If you’re new to photography, start here:<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Free Photography Bootcamp<\/a><\/li>\n
        2. The Ultimate Beginner\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Guide to Photography<\/a><\/li>\n
        3. 100 Photography Tips for Beginners<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          \n

          Photography Inspiration<\/h2>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n