{"id":74886,"date":"2017-12-25T06:25:23","date_gmt":"2017-12-25T14:25:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=74886"},"modified":"2017-12-25T08:37:35","modified_gmt":"2017-12-25T16:37:35","slug":"my-life-lessons-from-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/25\/my-life-lessons-from-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"My Life Lessons From 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear friend,<\/p>\n

I want to use this opportunity for me to count my blessings, and also thank you.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2017 has been an incredible year of personal growth, challenge, and learning.<\/p>\n

Here is a brief overview:<\/p>\n

Jan<\/h2>\n

\"cindy<\/p>\n

Traveling with family in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Seoul.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Cindy’s mom and Cindy in Hanoi, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cindy’s moms first back time in Vietnam<\/p>\n

Celebrating new years\/lunar with moms in Hanoi, Hue, Dalat, and Hoi an.<\/p>\n

Feb<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
Sa Pa, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Epic Hanoi-Sapa workshop.<\/p>\n

\"eric
Hanoi to Sapa Group Selfie 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hosting friends in Hanoi<\/p>\n

\n

Feb-May (life in Hanoi)<\/h2>\n
\"Diagonal
Diagonal composition, Cindy minimalism \/\/ Hanoi, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Dramatic
Dramatic picture of Hanoi woman. Background darkened, and her face and eyes brightened for dramatic effect.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Silhouette
Silhouette of man, rooftop bar in Hanoi.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cindy
Cindy in elevator. Hanoi, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"
H\u00c3\u00a0 N\u00e1\u00bb\u2122i, 2017 #Cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Hanoi, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

June: Moving to Saigon<\/h2>\n
\"Cindy
Cindy power pose. Saigon hotel, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cindy
Cindy and arms. Saigon, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

June-July: Life in hotel in Saigon<\/p>\n

\n

August: HAPTICLABS internship in Kyoto with sisters (creation of CREATIVE EVERY DAY)<\/h2>\n
\"Cindy
Cindy with hands on face. Red, Kyoto 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Uji,
Uji, Kyoto, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

September: Kyoto + Tokyo Workshop<\/p>\n

\n

September: Back to LA, time with family<\/p>\n

\n

September: Madison: Mark & Isi Wedding<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Photographing my friends wedding on digital medium format<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

October: Stay with Alex in NYC, NYC Workshops \/ stay with patty in Fort Lee<\/h2>\n
\"Sunset.
Sunset. Fort Lee, New Jersey 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Experimentation with digital medium format photography<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Blue
Blue and green urban landscape. Nyc, Pentax 645z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Ceiling
Yellow tones. Ceiling clouds. New York Public Library. Pentax 645Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Skyscrapers.
On top of a skyscraper, looking down. High Perspective, looking down. NYC, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Mad<\/p>\n

\n

BERLIN<\/h2>\n
\"Woman
Woman with cross neck tattoo. Berlin, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cindy
Cindy working in Airbnb. Berlin, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

November: BERLIN HAPTICLABS internship with annette.<\/p>\n

\"Silhouette
Cindy Silhouette and purple background. Berlin, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Low
Low angle perspective picture of Cindy. Berlin, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Me
Selfie of me and Cindy in elevator. Berlin, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cindy
Cindy with red scarf. Berlin, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Berlin workshop:<\/p>\n

\"Selfie
Selfie from ERIC KIM BERLIN WORKSHOP 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

November: Amsterdam workshop<\/h2>\n
\"Face
Face abstract. Amsterdam, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Experimentations with shape and form in Amsterdam.<\/p>\n

\"Finger
Finger pointing. Amsterdam, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Blue
Blue face and eyes. Amsterdam, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fun Airbnb with Cindy in Amsterdam:<\/p>\n

\"Cindy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s
Cindy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s standing desk in our Airbnb in Amsterdam, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cindy
Cindy standing desk. Airbnb Amsterdam, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"At
At work in our Airbnb in Amsterdam, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"Going
Going for a work break. Amsterdam, 2017 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Amsterdam,
Amsterdam, 2017 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fun Amsterdam workshop at Leica store Amsterdam:<\/p>\n

\"ERIC
ERIC KIM Amsterdam Street photography workshop group picture, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Steph
Steph and Pierre \/\/ RICOH MAFIA, having fun on the streets of Amsterdam at ERIC KIM WORKSHOP, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Epic light in Amsterdam:<\/p>\n

\"Amsterdam
Amsterdam sunset, 2017. Shot on Ricoh GR II.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Red
Red and blue abstract. Amsterdam, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

December: Prague (3 weeks) with Martin<\/h2>\n
\"ERIC
ERIC KIM SELFIE: White strip. Prague, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Silhouette
Silhouette of Cindy. Prague, 2017 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

December: 1.5 weeks in Marseille (Cecile)<\/h2>\n
\"Marseille
Marseille Cindy on stairs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Family
Family dinner with Yves in Marseille, 2017 #cindyproject #everydayphotography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Yves
Yves selfie at market<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

Happiness is counting blessings<\/h2>\n
\"Cindy
Cindy in red scarf, red background. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m insanely grateful. Grateful for all the blessings in my life. The blessing of having wonderful friends, the opportunity to share my passion of photography with others. The chance for me to keep learning, augmenting my skills, and pushing myself to innovate.<\/p>\n

Also, having the unique opportunity to live abroad \u00e2\u20ac\u201d living abroad in Hanoi<\/a>, Saigon<\/a>, Kyoto<\/a>, Berlin<\/a>, Prague<\/a>, and now here in Marseille<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

I like simple everyday life<\/h2>\n

\"Cindy<\/p>\n

One lesson I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve learned about living abroad:<\/p>\n

\n You can be happy anywhere you live.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The greatest joys I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got when living abroad is simple everyday life. Waking up in the morning, having an (ice-cold) shower, grinding a fresh cup of coffee, enjoying a coffee while looking out the window, thinking of new ideas to write about.<\/p>\n

\"Selfie
Selfie of me and Cindy in Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The joy of going to the grocery store, and trying out new foods, cheeses, and the joy of walking.<\/p>\n

\"Green
Green beans and cauliflower cooked at home in marseille<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Canard
Canard and green beans on red plate. Cooked at home in Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"At
At work with our cat Callisto. Photo by Cindy. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Child mind<\/h2>\n
\"Painting
Painting by child, Margot in marseille<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In terms of photography, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve also regained my childlike na\u00c3\u00afvet\u00c3\u00a9<\/a>. I love shooting with the RICOH GR II<\/a>, just pointing and shooting. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m becoming less dogmatic with my photography, and more open minded to shooting without a genre. To just shoot, enjoy life, and to photograph the small things which bring a smile to my face.<\/p>\n

\"Curved
Curved red curtain and shadow. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

iPad fun<\/h2>\n
\"Callisto
Callisto cat abstract by ERIC KIM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve also been having so much fun playing around with the iPad and the Procreate app. To use this to create new pictures, analyze compositions, and to understand the cross-over between art, painting, and photography. I feel like I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m paving some new paths which has been very personally interesting to me.<\/p>\n

5 Henri Cartier Bresson composition lessons <\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Less is more<\/h2>\n
\"Abstract.
Abstract. Cindy with hands on face. Red, Kyoto 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m also happy I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been able to simplify my life even more \u00e2\u20ac\u201d with fewer physical possessions, and fewer mental burdens. This has helped me have more focus, to be more productive and prolific as a writer and artist. To have less doubt in myself, and to feel more joy, and less obstructions.<\/p>\n

\n

Visual Artist<\/h2>\n
\"\"
VISUAL ARTIST<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the ideas that has excited me a lot:<\/p>\n

\n Thinking of yourself as a visual artist<\/a>, not just a photographer.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Eric<\/p>\n

The reason why this is exciting to me:<\/p>\n

\n You can make any form of visual art, and thus, have fewer limits to your art.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

You can draw, paint, photograph, and make art either analogue or digitally.<\/p>\n

Productivity is happiness<\/h2>\n
\"Selfie
Selfie with Cindy in mirror, marseille<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Also, realizing that the more productive I am as an artist the happier I am.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Sunset
Sunset and red shades in marseille<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This means, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry so much about making great or perfect art \u00e2\u20ac\u201d but just treating photography and art as an experimental visual playground. To have a childlike mind of fun and play. To not take our art too seriously, but to treat this spirit of play very seriously.<\/p>\n

To appreciate the journey, but strive for more<\/h2>\n
\"Cindy
Cindy and spiral staircase. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Also another thing \u00e2\u20ac\u201d to enjoy our journey in life, and our progress in our photography, but to strive for more.<\/p>\n

\"Green
Green Wall Street Photo in marseille<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To me this is great because we find joy and happiness in our past accomplishments, but we stay inspired to make NEW discoveries, and have NEW adventures \u00e2\u20ac\u201d which is our lifeblood as humans.<\/p>\n

\n

All art is art<\/h2>\n
\"Double
Double eyed selfie surreal in Prague<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Also an exciting thing for me in Street photography has been the cross over between street photography and surrealism<\/a>. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m super into Rene Magritte, and seeing how Henri Cartier-Bresson has been inspired by the surrealists has been inspirational. Also, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve also had a huge new Inspirational source from Sergio Larrain<\/a> \u00e2\u20ac\u201d a very underrated photographer, and unfortunately \u00e2\u20ac\u201d not as well known.<\/p>\n

\"Sergio
Sergio Larrain, surreal photo with girl on top of dog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Magritte surreal horse on car<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

Color photography<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Orange stripes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another discovery: the joy of just shooting jpeg<\/a>, high contrast color on the RICOH GR II. This has allowed me to enjoy the joy and emotional impact of color. Studying Matisse<\/a> has also inspired me in terms of colors, and studying the abstract of Piet Mondrian<\/a> has also inspired me.<\/p>\n

One piece I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m proud of: Color Theory for photographers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

What next?<\/h2>\n
\"Pink
Pink toilet paper. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m onto the next one.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d – JAY Z<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

New ideas:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Cross-over between surrealist art and street photography<\/li>\n
  2. Studying more about classic composition, and how we can apply this to our photography<\/li>\n
  3. Perhaps more ideas on photography therapy \u00e2\u20ac\u201d how we can use photography as a tool to heal our minds<\/li>\n
  4. Photography entrepreneurship<\/a> \u00e2\u20ac\u201d how to succeed as a modern photographer, without being a slave to traditional forms of social media (Facebook\/Instagram), and how to feel a sense of self joy and progress in our photography, without likes and followers. Also, how to stand out as a photographer in today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s world \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and how to push the genre of photography forward.<\/li>\n
  5. New photography workshops<\/a> and seminars \u00e2\u20ac\u201d to continue to empower other photographers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"V
    V composition street photograph with flash and wine bottles. Marseille 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \n

    Thank you<\/h2>\n
    \"Selfie
    Selfie of me and Cindy in Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m so grateful for your support and love over the years. I started this blog in 2010, and it is already 2017. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s crazy, 7 years and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m still (not yet) dead.<\/p>\n

    \"Cindy
    Cindy dramatic chiaroscuro shadow play. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Still tons of new ideas on photography, philosophy, and life. I updated the START HERE<\/a> page, and currently making new videos with Cindy.<\/p>\n

    \"Key
    Key and shadow. Marseille, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    The future is bright. 2017 has been great, are you excited for 2018?<\/p>\n