{"id":73343,"date":"2017-12-15T03:44:40","date_gmt":"2017-12-15T11:44:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=73343"},"modified":"2017-12-15T03:44:40","modified_gmt":"2017-12-15T11:44:40","slug":"street-photography-lifestyle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/15\/street-photography-lifestyle\/","title":{"rendered":"Street Photography Lifestyle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear friend,<\/p>\n

I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just see street photography as a genre of photography \u00e2\u20ac\u201d I see street photography as a way of life.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Randomness is good<\/h2>\n
\"Indianapolis,
Indianapolis, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For example, the biggest benefit to shooting street photography is the fun from the randomness of it.<\/p>\n

Street photography (just like real life) is unpredictable. You cannot control all your variables, like shooting models in a studio.<\/p>\n

\n You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know what you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re looking for, until you see it.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

2. Street photography is opportunistic<\/h2>\n
\"Flipped
Flipped car. Orange County, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I think life is the same \u00e2\u20ac\u201d opportunistic. We don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know what we really want in life. Rather, we are presented with new opportunities, and we select the ones that interest us.<\/p>\n

If street photography didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have randomness and chance \u00e2\u20ac\u201d it wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be as fun.<\/p>\n

Consider casinos. We like the randomness of winning and losing. Street photography is the same \u00e2\u20ac\u201d often we are presented good opportunities, other times not.<\/p>\n

3. Street photography and life focused on efforts, not the result<\/h2>\n
\"Hong
Hong Kong man with phone. 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The secret to street photography and life; don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get too attached to the outcome.<\/strong> Rather, give it your best. And if things don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t turn out the way you expect, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be disappointed.<\/p>\n

Just like real life \u00e2\u20ac\u201d you can control the effort you put in, but ultimately however life treats you, isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t up to you.<\/p>\n

\"Detroit
Detroit smoke, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For example, you can be the best street photographer in the world, but without a bit of luck, you won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get a good photo.<\/p>\n

In real life, you can be the most skilled and smart person, but if you aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t given the right opportunities or luck in life, you won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t always achieve what you desire.<\/p>\n

Lesson: Work as hard as possible, but don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get disappointed if things don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go your way.<\/strong><\/p>\n

4. A lightweight lifestyle<\/h2>\n
\"Black
Black Mary and Jesus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Street photography requires us to be light<\/a>, to walk a lot, and not to be too encumbered or weighed down by stuff.<\/p>\n

The lighter we are, the more we can shoot, and the happier we are.<\/p>\n

In real life, the less stuff we own, the less weighed down we are, the more joy we have in life. Why? The less money we use, the more money we have, thus more freedom.<\/p>\n

Lesson: Freedom is one of the prerequisites of true happiness.<\/strong><\/p>\n

5. Beauty in everyday life<\/h2>\n
\"Man
Man and woman having dinner with orange wall. NYC, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Street photography also encourages us to find beauty in everyday life<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that true happiness and joy \u00e2\u20ac\u201d to find happiness and beauty in the small things, of ordinary everyday life?<\/p>\n

6. Love for strangers<\/h2>\n
\"Hotel
Hotel room lobby. Istanbul, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Street photography is all about capturing the lives of strangers, other people in society \u00e2\u20ac\u201d having curiosity in them, and wanting to document humanity as a whole.<\/p>\n

I think in real life, having interest in strangers, other people, and society is good. It is good for us to stay open minded, and more empathetic and loving towards one another.<\/p>\n

7. Be open minded<\/h2>\n
\"Woman
Woman in elevator. Chicago. 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Street photography allows us to be more open minded, to other cultures, people, and experiences.<\/p>\n

\"Girl
Girl with red pigtails. Philadelphia, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The more we can open our minds and hearts to the rest of the world, the less strife society would have, and the more mutual love.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: Why compassion can change the world<\/a><\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n
\"Obama
Obama cutout. 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Street photography<\/a> is my passion. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been practicing it quite seriously for close to a decade. The more I practice it, the more I appreciate it for the philosophical and lifestyle underpinnings.<\/p>\n

To reiterate, I love street photography because it has made me a happier person. I have been fortunate enough to share my passion of street photography with you and others on this blog through my books<\/a>, articles<\/a>, videos<\/a>, presets<\/a>, and other open source information<\/a>. Through workshops<\/a>, meet ups, and now the ERIC KIM FORUM<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The best way for us to push the genre of street photography forward: keep an open mind, heart, and share freely.<\/p>\n

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

HAPTIC INDUSTRIES: Creative Tools to Empower You<\/a><\/h2>\n

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