{"id":99461,"date":"2018-06-28T22:15:07","date_gmt":"2018-06-29T05:15:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/28\/buybooksnotgear\/"},"modified":"2018-06-29T01:02:03","modified_gmt":"2018-06-29T08:02:03","slug":"buybooksnotgear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/28\/buybooksnotgear\/","title":{"rendered":"Why I Buy Books, Not Gear"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why buy books, not gear<\/a>?<\/p>\n

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To start there’s nothing wrong with buying gear. We need camera equipment to make photos.<\/p>\n

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However the problem is when we get fooled into thinking that buying new cameras and equipment will reinspire us in photography, or re-motivate us. The truth is it doesn’t.<\/p>\n

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A better investment with your money (if you want to respark your passion for photography) is to invest in photography books!<\/p>\n

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  1. Educational photography books: Learn From the Masters, Magnum Contact Sheets, Road to Seeing by Dan Winters<\/li>\n
  2. Photo art books: Exiles and Gypsies by Josef Koudelka, Sunlanders by Sean Lotman, the Suffering of Light by Alex Webb.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    \"\"
    Photo by Josh White<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    When I buy a new photo book (whether ebook, print, etc) I get super inspired!<\/p>\n

    For example I got inspired by the Barack Obama photo book by Pete Souza (for iBooks on iPad). I’ve also been putting out free pdf ebooks of my street photography portfolio.<\/p>\n

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    <\/p>\n

    When in doubt and you need inspiration for your photography, remember the motto:<\/p>\n

    \n Buy books, not gear.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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    Consider you can get a good photo book on Amazon from $20 to $50. Better yet, get a used photo book for around $10.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Book acquisition syndrome (BAS) is good in my eyes. For more recommendations my buddy Brian Sparks<\/a> is the genius (see my interview with Brian<\/a>).<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Also watch the documentary, “Make a book with STEIDL”.<\/p>\n

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    For more art empowerment, check outall the books from HAPTIC PRESS ><\/a><\/p>\n

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    BOOKS<\/h1>\n

    PHOTOGRAPHY PDF BOOKS<\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

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    1. MONOCHROME by ERIC KIM<\/a><\/li>\n
    2. ONLY IN AMERICA by ERIC KIM<\/a><\/li>\n
    3. SUITS by ERIC KIM<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n

      EBOOKS<\/h2>\n
      \"Ultimate<\/a>
      Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Street Photography<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
        \n
      1. HOW TO SEE: Visual Guide to Composition, Color, & Editing in Photography<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0\/ Kindle Edition<\/a><\/li>\n
      2. Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Street Photography<\/a> \/ Kindle Edition<\/a><\/li>\n
      3. STREET HUNT<\/a> \/ Kindle Edition<\/a><\/li>\n
      4. STREET NOTES: Mobile Edition<\/a> \/ Kindle Edition<\/a><\/li>\n
      5. MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0\/ Kindle Edition<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        FREE EBOOKS<\/h2>\n

        \"\"<\/p>\n

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        1. STREET PHOTOGRAPHY 103<\/a><\/li>\n
        2. Dynamic Composition Manual<\/a><\/li>\n
        3. Photography Startup Manual<\/a><\/li>\n
        4. PHOTOGRAPHY MASTERCLASS<\/a><\/li>\n
        5. PHOTOGRAPHY ENTREPRENEURSHIP MANUAL by ERIC KIM<\/a><\/li>\n
        6. STREET PHOTOGRAPHY MANUAL by ERIC KIM<\/a><\/li>\n
        7. THE PHOTOGRAPHER by ERIC KIM<\/a><\/li>\n
        8. The Art of Street Photography<\/a><\/li>\n
        9. 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography<\/a><\/li>\n
        10. Zen Photography<\/a><\/li>\n
        11. Personal Photography Manual<\/a><\/li>\n
        12. Street Photography Contact Sheets Volume II<\/a><\/li>\n
        13. Street Photography Contact Sheets Volume I<\/a><\/li>\n
        14. Street Photography Composition Manual<\/a><\/li>\n
        15. Street Portrait Manual<\/a><\/li>\n
        16. Street Photography 101<\/a><\/li>\n
        17. Street Photography 102<\/a><\/li>\n
        18. Color Manual<\/a><\/li>\n
        19. Monochrome Manual<\/a><\/li>\n
        20. 31 Days to Overcome Your Fear in Street Photography<\/a><\/li>\n
        21. Letters From a Street Photographer<\/a><\/li>\n
        22. Street Photography Aphorisms, Heuristics, and Sayings<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          See all downloads ><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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          Photo Book Reviews \u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/h2>\n

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          Below are my favorite photo books:<\/p>\n