{"id":69361,"date":"2017-11-15T02:02:41","date_gmt":"2017-11-15T10:02:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=69361"},"modified":"2017-11-15T02:02:41","modified_gmt":"2017-11-15T10:02:41","slug":"photography-warmup-assignments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/11\/15\/photography-warmup-assignments\/","title":{"rendered":"Photography Warmup Assignments"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Cindy
Cindy in pink, abstracted. Made with iPad and Procreate app.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before I go out and shoot pictures, I need to get into the zone.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

MASTERS now available on Amazon<\/a><\/h2>\n

\"MASTERS:<\/a><\/p>\n

MASTERS now available on AMAZON<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

1. Think colors<\/h2>\n

I like to inspire myself before shooting to think about colors.<\/p>\n

For example, to increase my \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcvisual acuity\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 or sensitivity towards colors, I look at lots of colorful images. And when I shoot, I only focus on one color at a time.<\/p>\n

Like this picture of all pink\/magenta of Cindy:<\/p>\n

\"Cindy<\/p>\n

Or just the color blue:<\/p>\n

\"Cindy<\/p>\n

Or Cindy made into an abstract cubist picture:<\/p>\n

\"Cubist<\/p>\n

To warm up, look at colorful pictures. Look at your own most colorful pictures, study the simple color work of Piet Mondrian, the vibrant pictures of Andy Warhol or Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring.<\/p>\n

\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Or for photographers, study William Eggleston<\/a>, Alex Webb<\/a>, Martin Parr<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Cindy<\/p>\n

To learn more, study Color Theory For Photographers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2. Shoot pictures in your living room<\/h2>\n
\"Lamp
Lamp in living room. Shot on iPad.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To train your visual eye, just photograph stuff in your living room with your couch, lamp, and make a nice picture. Then even trace it and draw it to see all the shapes and forms.<\/p>\n

\"Red,
Red, Yellow, Blue living room abstract by ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Anything can be interesting, if you look at it closely enough.<\/p>\n

\"Ceiling
Ceiling corner of Kyoto Airbnb.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Photograph the ceiling. Photograph towels hanging around. Photograph your partner at home.<\/p>\n

\"Brown
Brown towel hanging in living room. Airbnb of Kyoto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cindy
Cindy color with a flash in Kyoto airbnb, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Take pictures looking out of your apartment, from your window:<\/p>\n

\"Looking
Looking outside of Airbnb window, Kyoto 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re leaving the house or apartment, always wear your camera around your neck, or keep it on hand. You can photograph your loved ones leaving the house, which makes dynamic images:<\/p>\n

\"Cindy
Cindy leaving Airbnb. With flash, Kyoto 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even ordinary things, like the food you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re making:<\/p>\n

\"Baking
Baking a potato cutlet inside oven. Airbnb Kyoto, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Document your own life, like your workspace and laptop:<\/p>\n

\"Laptop
Laptop computer workspace. Kyoto, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Laptop
Laptop charging. Uji, Kyoto 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a ton of stuff you can photograph at home. So if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re stuck indoors all day, this is a good way to inspire yourself, and warmup before you go out and shoot.<\/p>\n

If you need inspiration at home, buy CREATIVE EVERY DAY<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3. Watch great cinema<\/h2>\n
\"Boy
Boy lying in bed of flowers in movie, Seven Samurai by Kurosawa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"KUROSAWA
Final image: KUROSAWA x ERIC KIM \/ Boy in bed of flowers. Diagonal composition , golden triangle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I love great compositions in cinema<\/a>. Whenever I watch a movie I will take screenshots of scenes or compositions or frames I like.<\/p>\n

Akira Kurosawa<\/a> is my favorite film director of all time. If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re new to him, watch Seven Samurai and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ran<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Kurosawa, Seven Samurai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Kurosawa x Kim<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Why did Kurosawa use a telephoto, and why are some subjects standing, others sitting?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"KUROSAWA
KUROSAWA x ERIC KIM \/ Seven Samurai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Kurosawa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"KUROSAWA
KUROSAWA x ERIC KIM \/ Seven Samurai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Kurosawa Seven Samurai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"KUROSAWA
KUROSAWA x ERIC KIM \/ Seven Samurai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Kurosawa
Kurosawa Seven Samurai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"KUROSAWA
KUROSAWA x KIM \/ Seven Samurai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another personal favorite, the Japanese animated film: Akira<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\"\"
Akira movie Dutch angle composition.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Leading lines in Akira.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Side shot from Akira movie.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Abstracted color palette from Akira.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some of my other favorite stills from the movie:<\/p>\n

\"AKIRA
Akira still, left, Color Theory on right.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
Frame in a frame.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Neo Tokyo reflected<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Sketch pictures<\/h2>\n
\"Cindy
Cindy in blue Yukata. Uji, Kyoto 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Trace, use your iPad, use your phone, a piece of paper, whatever. Just keep sketching, to think visually:<\/p>\n

\"\"
Sketch of Cindy in yukata.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Piet Mondrian red lighthouse by ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Muscles sketch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
A red \u00e2\u20ac\u0153cloud\u00e2\u20ac\u009d against a mostly \u00e2\u20ac\u0153cool\u00e2\u20ac\u009d colored background. Piet Mondrian.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"PIET
PIET MONDRIAN x ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Cindy and hand sketch. Low angle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Sketch
Sketch and abstract forms.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Culture
CULTURE REMIX by ERIC KIM x MIGOS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To learn how to sketch and draw, buy CREATIVE EVERYDAY: Mobile Edition<\/a>.<\/p>\n

5. Think composition<\/h2>\n

To think like a photographer, think composition<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here are some composition guides made by ANNETTE KIM<\/a> (annettekimart@gmail.com) :<\/p>\n

\"Rule
Rule of Thirds x Annette Kim<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Golden
GOLDEN TRIANGLE composition guide: A good reminder to not just shoot the boring \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rule of thirds\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d better to tilt your camera.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Fibonacci
Fibonacci Spiral x Annette Kim<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some of my favorite compositions:<\/p>\n

\"Leading
Leading lines. ERIC KIM DYNAMIC COMPOSITION<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Dynamic
Dynamic low angle composition. Tokyo, 2011 by ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"DYNAMIC
DYNAMIC REFLECTIONS. Man and three reflections by ERIC KIM. Made with iPad Pro and Procreate app.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Chiaroscuro.
Chiaroscuro. DYNAMIC LIGHT AND SHADOW. Made with iPad Pro and Procreate app.Hanoi, 2016 by ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Chiaroscuro.
Woman and door. Chiaroscuro. DYNAMIC LIGHT AND SHADOW. Hanoi, 2016 by ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Eric
Walking lady Bauhaus by ANNETTE KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Study more: How to visually analyze your photography compositions<\/a><\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

\"Cindy<\/p>\n

Always think pictures, images<\/a>, and stay inspired.<\/p>\n

BE CREATIVE EVERY DAY,
\nERIC<\/p>\n

Be Creative Every Day, Any Where<\/a><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

No more excuses. Unleash your inner-artist with CREATIVE EVERY DAY: Mobile Edition<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\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

    Color Photography 101<\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n