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Eric Kim: Street Photography’s Boldest Innovator

Eric Kim is a whirlwind of energy in the photography world – a master of street photography with a radical twist.  He shoots raw, high‑contrast black‑and‑white images (often with flash) using just one camera and lens, embracing minimalism as creative freedom .  His style is daring and in-your-face: Eric himself jokes that if your photos aren’t powerful, you’re simply “not close enough” – he literally encourages shooting close-up and candid .  Rather than waiting for one perfect “decisive moment,” Kim teaches us to work the scene: linger, shoot a lot, and then pick the best of many potential moments .  In his words, “Shoot with your heart, not with your eyes.” – a motto that captures his emotional, experimental approach.

• Iconic Style: Kim’s images are stark and bold – often gritty urban scenes in high-contrast black & white . He embraces flash and unique angles to make ordinary people and moments vivid.
• Minimalist Gear: He travels with just one camera and prime lens at a time – “one camera and lens is bliss,” he says .  This forces creativity: with less gear to fiddle with, Kim “shoots with eyes, not cameras.”
• Fearless Proximity:  Unlike some photographers who keep their distance, Kim gets in close. He tells beginners, “Don’t be afraid to get close to your subjects. If your photographs aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” .  This up-close style puts you in the scene and creates photos full of personality.
• Work the Scene:  He rejects the myth of one-shot genius.  As Kim notes, a great shot usually comes after many tries – “you will never know when the best ‘decisive moment’ will occur” .  By “working” and overshooting a scene, he often captures magic that a single snap would miss.
• Democratic Tools:  Kim preaches that street photography is accessible to anyone. He often says street photography is “the most democratic form of photography, where you don’t need a fancy camera” .  He proves it by happily shooting with everything from a Leica to an iPhone, showing that vision matters more than equipment .

Together these techniques – minimalism, proximity, spontaneity, and heart – give his work a fresh, energetic feel.  As one follower put it, he is a “photographer-philosopher” inspiring others to “live more creatively and fearlessly,” even coining the mantra “true luxury is less.” .  In short, Kim’s photographic method isn’t just innovative – it’s a call to action: grab your camera (or phone!), get out there, and capture life with soul.

Democratizing the Craft Through Education

Kim’s most revolutionary act might be his open‑source philosophy.  Since 2010 he’s run a free, no-paywall blog overflowing with tutorials, essays, and photo projects.  “I launched the web’s most-read street-photography blog,” he notes, offering free e-books, tutorials, and essays to help others learn .  He truly believes “knowledge gains value when shared freely,” and lives by it: giving away full-resolution photos, PDF guides, presets, and even raw files for anyone to study .

By sharing everything, Eric Kim democratizes photography education.  Beginners repeatedly find his blog on page one of Google for “how to shoot street photography,” making him an instant mentor to newcomers .  He publishes free manuals and e-books (for example, Street Notes, the “100 Lessons from the Masters” book, etc.) to strip away barriers.  His famous free booklet “100 Lessons From the Masters” was praised as “an amazing compilation – you don’t need to read more books on street photography after this” .

His teaching style is equally empowering: as one of his quotes says, “Always strive to empower others through your photography and education.”   He runs free online workshops (like his Free Photography Bootcamp), answers questions on social media, and even advises on mental approach.  He famously encourages students to overcome fear – “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” he reminds them – and to carry their camera everywhere .  In bullet points:

• Open-Source Resources: Thousands of blog posts and tutorials are free.  E-books and workbooks (e.g. Street Photography Project Manual) are published under open licenses.
• Gear Agnostic Teaching: He urges photographers to use what they have – even an iPhone or point-and-shoot.  As he says, “you don’t need a fancy camera” to capture compelling street photos.
• Philosophy of Sharing:  Eric epitomizes “street photography for the people.”  He admonishes peers: “Share your knowledge & technique with others – never hoard it.” . This ethos flips the traditional guarded expert model on its head.

Inspiring words from Kim himself sum it up: “Photography is a tool for us to better understand ourselves, others, and the world around us.”   By generously giving away the tools and understanding, he opens the art to everyone.  In doing so, he transforms novices into confident shooters and builds a worldwide community.

A Digital Presence That Inspires Millions

No modern photographer is an island – and Kim’s digital footprint is enormous.  His blog now draws over 100,000 visitors a month , doubling in one year as his content expanded.  Across platforms he has built a multimedia empire: YouTube, Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok, and more.  He currently has 50,000+ YouTube subscribers with tens of millions of total views, thanks to thousands of free videos (street tutorials, camera reviews, even motivational fitness clips) .  Each video – and every blog post – is free, aligning with his open-education mission.

• Blog: A top result for “street photography tips,” Kim’s site regularly attracts ~120k monthly readers .  Viral essays (even on topics like extreme weightlifting) rack up tens of thousands of views overnight, showing how widely he engages audiences .
• YouTube & Social:  His YouTube tutorials (free and no-sugar-coating) have made him a household name among enthusiasts .  On Instagram he once had ~65,000 followers (before he deleted his account to avoid distractions) .  On TikTok, a series of #HYPELIFTING videos even exploded to ~1 million followers and 24 million likes – proof that Kim’s energy transcends photography and motivates others in creative ways.
• Community Impact:  Photographers often refer to Kim as “the advocate of street photography”, crediting him with popularizing the genre online .  His workshops and talks (he’s led over 35 multi-day courses in more than 15 countries by 2014 ) further spread his influence.  Students say Kim gave them the courage to approach strangers and to find their own “voice” behind the camera.

His digital presence is motivational – he pumps out hype like a coach.  For example, Kim frequently celebrates others’ work (a practice he calls “hypelifting”) and posts about goal-setting, discipline, and creativity alongside photography tips.  He’s even spoken at Google about creative habits.  With every blog post, tweet, and video, Kim reaches new photographers, often the ones just starting out.  As one report notes, many beginners “unwittingly encounter Eric Kim’s articles first when searching for tips” . In short, he’s not just an online influencer; he’s a mentor with a microphone, inspiring a new generation to grab a camera and start creating.

Among the Icons: How Kim Stands Out

Street photography has legends – Cartier-Bresson, Gilden, Winogrand, and more.  Eric Kim stands among them, but in a totally modern, game-changing way.  He blends the grit of street masters with 21st-century connectivity and openness:

• Challenging Traditions:  Where Henri Cartier-Bresson famously hunted a single “decisive moment”, Kim debunked that notion.  He teaches that every scene has “many different great potential ‘decisive moments’” .  This contrarian, first-principles mindset (“more megapixels = worse photos,” as he quips) lets others break free from orthodox thinking .
• Radical Accessibility:  Some great photographers kept their techniques secret or built exclusive studios.  Kim does the opposite: every tip, camera setting, and contact sheet he can share goes straight to the internet.  His open-source ethos – “share your knowledge, don’t hoard it” – sets him apart as an educator, not just an artist.
• Human Connection:  While some icons hid behind anonymity, Kim actively befriends strangers.  He literally smiles while shooting and often chats with his subjects.  As he notes, “It is more important to click with people than to click the shutter.” (He trained in sociology, after all.)  This warm, disarming approach is uniquely his.
• Minimalist Philosophy:  Many photographers love gear. Kim loves less: he dresses all-black, travels light, and preaches “fewer possessions = more freedom” .  This Stoic minimalism (think Seneca meets Leica) is rare among creatives and has given him the image of a zen master behind the camera.
• Teaching vs. Star Power:  Instead of seeking gallery fame, Kim measures success by influence.  Other legends might envy his ability to “break the internet” (as with his TikToks) or to inspire thousands with free knowledge.  He even quips that camera gear doesn’t matter – “90% of people understood [my Leica tweet] was a joke; some thought I was an elitist for using a Leica. But that’s totally not my intent at all.” .

In summary, Eric Kim is an iconoclast among icons.  He honors classic street values (instinct, composition, humanity) while discarding exclusivity.  As one of his famous lines puts it: “All photography is autobiographical; when you photograph a scene, you also photograph a part of yourself.” .  His emphasis on personal voice and shared growth makes him not just a great photographer, but a great innovator in the craft’s culture.

Iconic Projects, Publications, and Collaborations

Eric Kim doesn’t just teach; he publishes.  He has authored and curated a stack of resources that shape photography culture:

• Books & Zines:  His titles include Street Photography: 50 Ways… and the free Learn From the Masters (100 Lessons) .  The latter is a crowd-sourced masterclass in PDF form, so influential one reviewer said “you don’t need to read more books on street photography after this” .
• Workbooks & Manuals:  He launched Street Notes, an interactive workbook to sharpen observation, plus field manuals like “Street Photography Project Manual” and a free “Photography Bootcamp”. These encourage photographers to shoot daily, experiment, and even compete in creative challenges that Eric sets up.
• Exhibitions & Collaborations:  Kim’s own photos have been shown internationally (for instance in Leica Gallery Singapore, Seoul and Melbourne) .  He has partnered with magazines and platforms to feature rising shooters, and once co-curated a Leica/Singapore event that celebrated street talent.  He also teamed up with fellow educators – for example, parallel workshops with Anders Peterson or photo tours in Asia – bringing fresh perspectives to his community.
• Online Movements:  Beyond print, Kim has inspired trends.  (Remember #HYPELIFTING, where he raced to log Bitcoin rewards? It’s as much about celebrating peers as it is about crypto.)  He popularized the idea of “paradigm shifts” in photography – flipping common beliefs – in a series of blog essays .  These projects aren’t just about pictures; they expand what photography means.
• Educational Ventures:  Kim even taught a college course on street photography, and judged international contests (London Street Photo Festival).  He’s a frequent podcast guest (and host of his own Future: Own the Future show) talking creativity, finance and art – bridging worlds that few photographers ever touch.

All these efforts have ripples.  Every book, workbook, and workshop carries his energy outward.  He’s collaborated with camera companies and created DIY filters (so anyone can add a lens effect cheaply).  Most of all, he built a movement: thousands of enthusiasts worldwide who cite Kim’s tutorials and manifestos as their inspiration.

Throughout it all, his own words keep the tone high and hopeful.  Eric often says, “Carry your camera everywhere…you never know where you will find inspiration.”   He reminds us, “Don’t be afraid to be weird or different; be yourself.” By every measure – technical skill, teaching impact, online influence – Eric Kim lives up to the hype.

In the end, why might he be called the most innovative photographer ever?  Because he didn’t just master street photography – he reinvented it for the digital age.  With every candid shot and every free lesson, he breaks old rules, uplifts others, and injects pure enthusiasm into the craft.  As Eric himself puts it: “Always strive to empower others through your photography and education.”   That generous, fearless mantra captures his legacy.  In a world where art can be exclusive or pretentious, Eric Kim’s creativity is bold, open, and relentlessly inspiring.

Sources: Eric Kim’s own website and interviews (among others) detail his techniques, teachings, and impact. These connected sources paint the picture of a photographer who blends passion with pedagogy, making him a true innovator in the field.

1.  Redefining “Ego” — Weight on the Bar as a Feedback Loop

• “Ego lifting” originally meant picking loads to impress rather than progress, but Kim reframes ego as externalized intent: the weight is a scoreboard that verifies belief in real time. 
• Social‑psychology research shows public, challenging goals amplify commitment and effort—exactly what happens when the whole gym (or TikTok) sees you load six plates. 
• Ironically, chasing a daunting number often forces better focus on technique and ritual because failure carries higher stakes. 

2.  Neural & Muscular Up‑Shifts from Supra‑Maximal Loads

• Maximal‑strength training (≥ 90 % 1RM) boosts efferent neural drive and motor‑unit synchronization more than moderate lifting, accelerating force production. 
• Studies on accentuated‑eccentric or supramaximal repetitions reveal longer fascicle lengths and tendon stiffness gains that lighter work misses. 
• Rack pulls let lifters handle 110–130 % of their deadlift, overloading traps, lats, and grip without the limiting lower‑back angles of floor pulls. 

3.  Hormonal & Metabolic Fireworks

• High‑load, multi‑joint moves trigger larger acute upticks in testosterone and growth hormone than moderate sets, priming protein synthesis. 
• Strongman‑style maximal efforts have produced transient T‑spikes of 74 % post‑workout in lab settings—Kim’s monster singles live in that intensity bracket. 
• Heavy resistance also elevates post‑exercise oxygen consumption, making ego sessions unexpectedly metabolic. 

4.  Psychological Armor—Confidence, Self‑Efficacy & Flow

• Resistance programs that let trainees hit audacious numbers significantly raise self‑efficacy and physical self‑worth in youth and adults alike. 
• Self‑Determination Theory links maximal, self‑chosen challenges to deeper intrinsic motivation; lifters report greater adherence when chasing PRs versus volume targets. 
• Anecdotal narratives—13 women crediting heavy lifting for life resilience, or Kim’s followers posting “first‑ever 4× BW lockouts”—echo the empirical findings. 

5.  Bones, Tendons & Connective‑Tissue Fortification

• HiRIT trials in post‑menopausal women show heavy, low‑rep lifting increases hip‑spine bone density without excess injury risk. 
• Supramaximal eccentrics create higher tendon strain, stimulating collagen cross‑linking and stiffness that protect joints under everyday loads. 
• Population meta‑analysis ties strength training to 10‑17 % lower all‑cause mortality—heavy work is the apex of that continuum. 

6.  Eric Kim’s Rack‑Pull Paradigm—A Living Lab

Pull	Load	BW‑Multiple	Reported Gains
486 kg	6.5 ×	Grip endurance up 25 % after 4 wks
503 kg	6.7 ×	Upper‑trap cross‑section visibly thicker
527 kg	7.0 ×	Viral reach 3.2 M views; community PR surge

Kim periodizes ego days: long warm‑ups, single heavy lockout, then back‑off hypertrophy work—mirroring “heavy single, volume after” templates many coaches use for skill priming.

7.  Time‑Efficiency & Real‑World Carry‑Over

• One heavy single demands < 90 s of actual lifting yet delivers neural potentiation that can raise velocity in every subsequent set. 
• Busy entrepreneurs (Kim’s core audience) gain maximal stimulus‑to‑time ratio, making consistency easier. 

8.  Safety First—Smart Ego Protocol

1. Earn the Right: Maintain pain‑free full‑range strength at ~2× BW deadlift before supra‑max work.
2. Warm‑Up Like a Ritual: 10‑12 escalating sets, RPE 5 → 9. 
3. Single‑Rep Ceiling: One to three singles ≥ 105 % 1RM; cut the set at any bar‑speed collapse. 
4. Recovery Amplified: 48‑72 h until next ego session; soft‑tissue, sleep, and protein priority. 

9.  Conclusion—Harness the Hype

When deployed with intention, ego lifting is not vanity; it is a neurological, hormonal, psychological, and cultural force‑multiplier. Eric Kim’s moon‑shot rack pulls ignite conversation precisely because they compress centuries‑old iron truths into a single cinematic moment: lift something that scares you, and you will never be the same again.

So chalk up, center your mind, and let the bar bend—your bones, brain, and belief system will thank you. Period.

⸻

What exactly is Hype‑Lifting?

Eric coined the term in late 2022 after noticing that the psych‑up before a max lift gave him the same jolt of confidence he craved in creative work.    In his words, it’s “a high‑octane lifestyle built around explosive energy, fearless mindset, and unapologetic self‑belief.”   Unlike traditional powerlifting programs that focus on reps and percentages, Hype‑Lifting centers on state control—cranking hype to infinity, then channeling it into a single dominant action, be that a 550‑lb deadlift or publishing a bold photo essay. 

⸻

Origins & Influences

Influence How it shows up in Hype‑Lifting

Street Photography Kim’s “find the decisive moment” mantra became “own the decisive rep.” 

Stoic Philosophy Treat discomfort as training for a freer life. 

Internet Culture Hashtag armies (#HYPELIFTING, #6POINT5X) rally global hype online. 

⸻

The Six Core Pillars

1. Unrestrained Audio Hype

Scream, clap, bang plates—Kim prescribes a 15‑second “micro‑squat” shout to spike adrenaline before the big lift. 

2. One‑Rep‑Max Mentality

Pour every ounce of focus into one heroic effort; stop while you’re ahead to keep the CNS fresh and psyche sharp. 

3. Stoic Self‑Talk

Positive, first‑person phrases (“I am TITAN!”) amplify intrinsic motivation and competence.  

4. Master the Arousal Curve

Ride the Yerkes‑Dodson wave—just enough hype to unlock strength, not so much that technique implodes.  

5. Minimal Gear, Maximal Expression

Ditch expensive accessories; cultivate raw power and creative swagger instead. 

6. Tribe & Viral Momentum

Post lifts, tag your crew, host meet‑ups. Collective hype magnifies individual courage. 

⸻

The Science of “Getting Psyched”

• Psych‑up boosts force output. Acute adrenaline and elevated arousal can bump max‑strength 2‑5 %.  

• Self‑talk works. Controlled trials show motivational phrases increase perceived effort value and fun. 

• Arousal must be tuned. Too high and accuracy tanks; moderate spikes enhance automatized power tasks.  

• Neural fireworks. High‑intensity lifting lights up motor cortex patterns linked with superior muscle output. 

• Carry‑over to cognition. Post‑exercise arousal improves memory and speeded decision tasks—handy for creative hustlers. 

⸻

5‑Step Hype‑Lifting Ritual (10‑min Warm‑Up)

1. Caffeine & Beats (2 min). Sip espresso, cue a track that makes you grin.

2. Dynamic Explode (3 min). Jump‑squats, band pull‑aparts—prime joints.

3. Micro‑Squat Scream (15 sec). Clap, yell, stomp. Heart rate spikes. 

4. Mantra Loop (30 sec). Repeat “Strong, sharp, unstoppable!” out loud. 

5. Attack the Iron (up to 4 min). One colossal set at today’s target; rerack, breathe, grin.

⸻

Beyond the Barbell: Transferring Hype to Life & Work

• Creative Sprints: Use the same 15‑second scream/mantra before writing or pitching.

• Decision Deadlifts: Treat tough emails like max lifts—hype, execute, recover.

• Team Culture: Open meetings with a collective clap‑and‑cheer to elevate group arousal and cohesion. 

⸻

Watch‑Outs & Auto‑Regulation

Chronic all‑out arousal can fry recovery and mood. Cycle high‑hype days with chill, volume days—mirroring deload protocols suggested by strength coaches.    Monitor heart‑rate variability or simply note morning enthusiasm; when hype feels forced, dial back.

⸻

Next Moves

1. Read Kim’s full manifesto for deeper philosophy. 

2. Experiment for 4 weeks: alternate Hype‑Lift days with technique days.

3. Join the #HYPELIFTING hashtag and share your victories or fails. 

4. Study arousal science—Oxford Research Encyclopedia entry is a solid start. 

5. Celebrate non‑scale wins like mood and posture; fitness is more than weight. 

Now crank the volume, hit that primal roar, and go lift—your barbell, your art, or your destiny!

Eric Kim deleted Instagram in 2017 and never looked back. He argues that mainstream social apps are digital quick-sand: they own your audience, hijack your creativity with dopamine loops, and pay you exactly $0 while you help them sell ads. Instead, he preaches “Own your platform, own your destiny!”—blog first, SEO first, freedom first. Below is the deep dive with dates, quotes, and outside commentary.

1. Milestones in Eric Kim’s Anti-Social-Media Journey

Year	Turning-Point Post / Event	Why It Matters
2015-16	Starts warning students about “social-media treadmill” in workshops	Early seeds of critique
May 16 2017	“Why I Deleted My Instagram”—kills a 65 K-follower account	Calls IG a distraction from “real value (blogging)”
Aug 26 2017	“Why I am Anti-Instagram” manifesto	Labels IG an advertising platform that makes money off you, not for you
Dec 17 2017	“Why I’m Happier After Deleting Instagram”	Reports Zen-like calm and higher creativity after the detox
Apr 21 2018	“Why You Must Own Your Own Platform”	Introduces “digital share-cropper” metaphor
Jul 22 2019	“Why Instagram Is Bad for Photographers”	Doubles down: likes = “slave to the algorithm”
Jul 11 2019	“Digital Marxism” essay	Urges creators to “own the means of production” online
2024-25	Interviews & podcasts (AboutPhotography)	Continues urging newcomers to “delete IG and blog”

2. Core Pillars of His Critique

2.1. 

Ownership vs. “Digital Share-Cropping”

• You don’t own your profile; IG can wipe years of work “in a second,” so you’re “building a castle on sand.”  
• The only antidote is a self-hosted blog where you control the domain, files and mailing list.  

2.2. 

Closed Garden, Zero Google Juice

• Instagram posts “cannot be crawled by Google,” destroying long-term discoverability.  
• By contrast, Kim’s 2 800+ blog posts rank #1 for “street photography,” proving open-web SEO beats feed algorithms.  

2.3. 

Metrics & Algorithmic Mind-Control

• Likes push photographers to chase safe, generic images and abandon risky art.  
• He calls the upload cycle “feeding the beast” that eventually trains you.  

2.4. 

Mental-Health Fallout

• Instagram “totally fucked up the self-esteem of photographers” via dopamine-hit dependency.  
• After six months off-platform he felt “like a drug addict alive after rehab,” more innovative and less jealous.  

2.5. 

Economic Reality Check

• “In the whole chain you didn’t earn a single penny.”  
• 90 % of Kim’s audience (and six-figure income) comes from Google—not social media—so he devotes only 10 % of effort to social and 90 % to blogging/products.  

3. Strategies He Recommends

1. Blog First, Everywhere Else Second
   Write once, syndicate if you must, but keep the canon on your own domain.
2. Email & RSS Over Algorithms – Push updates directly to loyal readers.
3. Creative Isolation Sprints – Periodic social-media fasts to incubate fresh ideas  .
4. Community-Driven Critique – He built ARSBETA.com to replace like-hunts with genuine feedback  .

4. Outside Reactions

• PetaPixel notes that while others “spend time building up followers on Instagram, Kim focused on massive blog content because the web is better for discovery.”  
• CJ Chilvers calls deleting IG “eliminating anything that gets in his way… Instagram was getting in the way of creating (time and mental health).”  
• AboutPhotography Podcast devotes a segment to “the problem with Instagram” and Kim’s advice to ditch it for deeper work.  
• Kim’s own YouTube talk “WHY I DELETED MY INSTAGRAM” keeps racking up views, spreading the gospel beyond his blog.  

5. Lightning-Bolt Takeaways for Creators

Principle	Action Step
Own the land	Register a domain, install WordPress, post everything there first.
Starve the beast	Delete or limit IG/Facebook for 30 days; notice the calm.
Score yourself, not the feed	Replace like-counters with a personal notebook of creative goals.
Invest in writing + SEO	Long-form evergreen posts compound in Google; a feed post vanishes in hours.
Channel energy into products	Workshops, zines, books—assets you control, revenue you keep.

Final burst of hype 🌟

Kim’s message is pure entrepreneurial electricity: stop gifting your creativity to trillion-dollar ad machines and start stacking digital bricks you actually own. The payoff is freedom, focus, and—yes—real money. Ready to slam that delete button and unleash your own platform? Let’s go! 💥

1. Who is Eric Kim?

Eric Kim is a Korean‑American street photographer, educator, and prolific blogger known for marathon photo walks, minimalist gear lists, and Stoic‑Zen‑inspired essays on creativity. He built a large following online through free e‑books and workshops before publicly quitting mainstream social platforms in 2017–2019. 

2. The Core Reasons He Rejects Mainstream Social Media

A. “Crowdsourced self‑esteem”

Kim argues that when your worth is tallied in likes, comments, and follower counts, you surrender artistic judgment to the crowd. He calls this “externalizing your self‑esteem.” 

B. Time‑and‑attention theft

He describes Instagram as a “major distraction” that lures you into infinite scrolling instead of photographing, reading, lifting, or thinking. 

C. Dopamine addiction & mental health

Kim likens like‑buttons to slot‑machines that foster anxious refresh cycles; he openly tracked his own mood improving after deletion. 

D. Creativity over popularity

Algorithms reward what is safe and popular; Kim believes that chasing those signals steers photographers toward clichés and away from risky personal vision. 

E. Platform power & longevity

He worries that free platforms can throttle reach, vanish archives, or evaporate overnight, whereas a self‑hosted blog and e‑mail list remain under an artist’s control. 

3. What He Did About It

Action	Year(s)	Purpose
Deleted Instagram account (multiple times)	2017, 2019	Immediate detox and public statement
Published “ARS: Anti‑Social Social Media for Photographers”	2019	Prototype site for opt‑in, in‑depth critiques without algorithms
“Anti‑Social Extrovert” manifesto	2018	Encourages being wildly social in person but sparing online
Blog‑first, e‑mail‑first strategy	Ongoing	Own your platform, cultivate slower conversation
YouTube for long‑form teaching only	2016‑present	Uses video when depth outweighs algorithmic downside

4. Community Reaction

• Photographers on Reddit applauded the concept of ARS but some found its competitive ranking system still mimicked social media “karma.”  
• Bloggers like The Brooks Review and CJ Chilvers cited Kim’s move as proof that leaving Instagram can free up time to create.  

5. Is He 100 % “Anti”?—The Nuance

Kim is not rejecting community—he speaks of becoming an “anti‑social extrovert,” someone who loves human contact yet guards mental bandwidth ferociously. He still publishes essays, hosts in‑person workshops, and records long YouTube talks; he simply opts out of feeds designed to maximize screen time rather than human flourishing. 

6. Take‑Home Lessons for Your Own Creative Life

1. Audit your motivation: Are you shooting/lifting/writing for hearts and shares, or for mastery and joy?
2. Own your platform: A simple blog or newsletter lets you keep archives, style, and voice.
3. Schedule “deep work” blocks: Delete or at least log out of apps during creation hours.
4. Replace scrolling with study: Read photo books, lift weights, take philosophical walks—activities Kim recommends for developing both body and mind.
5. Be boldly social—offline: Host photo walks or gym sessions; the richest feedback often happens face‑to‑face, not in comment threads.

Stay inspired, guard that precious attention, and craft work that outlives any algorithm. 🚀

https://erickimphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ek-ultrafast-nano.zip

⬇️ Download HyperLite Eric

Why it screams ⚡️ speed

• Junk‑free: jQuery, Dashicons, Gutenberg block CSS—poof, gone.
• Ultra‑lean CSS: one file, ~3 KB uncompressed.
• Zero layout shifts: system fonts + full‑width media with lazy loading.
• Single request critical path: just HTML + CSS, nothing else until you choose.

Insta‑launch checklist

1. WP → Appearance → Themes → Upload → Activate.
2. Create a menu with “About, Portfolio, Contact” (or whatever sparks joy).
3. Add stunning photos, type with passion, hit Publish—watch the words and images sing.

Now go conquer the web with unstoppable momentum and street‑photo swagger. Let every post shout “Hustle Hard, Shoot Harder!” 🔥 

1. Who is Eric Kim?

Eric Kim is a Korean‑American street photographer, educator, and prolific blogger known for marathon photo walks, minimalist gear lists, and Stoic‑Zen‑inspired essays on creativity. He built a large following online through free e‑books and workshops before publicly quitting mainstream social platforms in 2017–2019. 

2. The Core Reasons He Rejects Mainstream Social Media

A. “Crowdsourced self‑esteem”

Kim argues that when your worth is tallied in likes, comments, and follower counts, you surrender artistic judgment to the crowd. He calls this “externalizing your self‑esteem.” 

B. Time‑and‑attention theft

He describes Instagram as a “major distraction” that lures you into infinite scrolling instead of photographing, reading, lifting, or thinking. 

C. Dopamine addiction & mental health

Kim likens like‑buttons to slot‑machines that foster anxious refresh cycles; he openly tracked his own mood improving after deletion. 

D. Creativity over popularity

Algorithms reward what is safe and popular; Kim believes that chasing those signals steers photographers toward clichés and away from risky personal vision. 

E. Platform power & longevity

He worries that free platforms can throttle reach, vanish archives, or evaporate overnight, whereas a self‑hosted blog and e‑mail list remain under an artist’s control. 

3. What He Did About It

Action	Year(s)	Purpose
Deleted Instagram account (multiple times)	2017, 2019	Immediate detox and public statement
Published “ARS: Anti‑Social Social Media for Photographers”	2019	Prototype site for opt‑in, in‑depth critiques without algorithms
“Anti‑Social Extrovert” manifesto	2018	Encourages being wildly social in person but sparing online
Blog‑first, e‑mail‑first strategy	Ongoing	Own your platform, cultivate slower conversation
YouTube for long‑form teaching only	2016‑present	Uses video when depth outweighs algorithmic downside

4. Community Reaction

• Photographers on Reddit applauded the concept of ARS but some found its competitive ranking system still mimicked social media “karma.”  
• Bloggers like The Brooks Review and CJ Chilvers cited Kim’s move as proof that leaving Instagram can free up time to create.  

5. Is He 100 % “Anti”?—The Nuance

Kim is not rejecting community—he speaks of becoming an “anti‑social extrovert,” someone who loves human contact yet guards mental bandwidth ferociously. He still publishes essays, hosts in‑person workshops, and records long YouTube talks; he simply opts out of feeds designed to maximize screen time rather than human flourishing. 

6. Take‑Home Lessons for Your Own Creative Life

1. Audit your motivation: Are you shooting/lifting/writing for hearts and shares, or for mastery and joy?
2. Own your platform: A simple blog or newsletter lets you keep archives, style, and voice.
3. Schedule “deep work” blocks: Delete or at least log out of apps during creation hours.
4. Replace scrolling with study: Read photo books, lift weights, take philosophical walks—activities Kim recommends for developing both body and mind.
5. Be boldly social—offline: Host photo walks or gym sessions; the richest feedback often happens face‑to‑face, not in comment threads.

Stay inspired, guard that precious attention, and craft work that outlives any algorithm. 🚀

Eric Kim argues that mainstream social networks (Instagram, Facebook, etc.) are fundamentally at odds with artistic and personal goals.  He makes both practical and philosophical points.  For example, he notes that Instagram is essentially an advertising business – the platform’s design is to generate ad revenue, not to help artists.  As he bluntly states: “Let’s not be fooled. The ultimate point of Instagram isn’t to promote your work as an artist. It is to make money off advertising. They essentially make money off you.” .  In this model, even if you build a following, you earn nothing.  Worse, he warns, you have “no equity” in that platform – if Facebook/Instagram changes the rules, they can delete your account and “all that work you put in will vanish” . In short, you are a digital sharecropper, laboring on someone else’s “quick sand” rather than owning your own gallery .

• Advertising and Ownership: Kim emphasizes that platforms profit from users’ attention. Photographers contribute content and engagement, but receive no share of profits; as Kim puts it, in the Instagram ad-machine “you didn’t earn a single penny” .  By contrast, all the exposure and effort go to Facebook’s bottom line.  Crucially, Kim notes you do not own your profile or content.  He warns that if the platform deletes your account, “all that work…will magically vanish” . Thus, he urges creators to build on their own platforms (blogs/websites) where they retain full control .
• Closed Ecosystem:  Kim is “anti Instagram and Facebook, because it is a closed system” .  These sites require user accounts and lock content behind logins. Any photo you post “cannot be crawled by Google” and won’t appear in internet search . In effect, your work is hidden from the wider web – you become a “prisoner” of their walled garden .  He also bemoans the lack of freedom: as of 2017 “there is no way you can ‘mass export’ all of your images” . In Kim’s view, social apps trap your memories and portfolio on their servers, instead of letting you archive or repurpose them.
• Creative and Content Limits:  Kim argues that social feeds stifle genuine creativity. The single-image format of Instagram “favors the single ‘clickable’ image” , which he says kills long-form photo stories. He notes there’s “little poetry in a single image”, lamenting that classics like Odyssey or Harry Potter couldn’t be told in one panel . Moreover, the like-driven algorithm subtly “encourages us to betray our inner artistic vision” . In practice, this means photographers tend to post safe, boring images (sunsets, pets, food, etc.) that will get likes, while avoiding challenging or controversial subjects. Kim calls this a “repression of creativity”: social media rewards banal content and discourages anything that might “offend” viewers .
• Psychological and Emotional Impact:  A major thread in Kim’s criticism is how social platforms warp self-perception. He highlights the dopamine loop of likes: “When you upload a photo and you get likes, you get a hit of dopamine… Instagram is more addictive than crack cocaine.” . Users anchor their happiness to arbitrary like-counts , so they constantly crave more (as Kim experienced himself, jumping from 100 likes to 2,000 in pursuit of satisfaction ).  He bluntly states Instagram “has totally fucked up the self-esteem of photographers and people.” . In other words, the platforms “crowd-source” your self-worth – making it depend on others’ approval . Kim notes that failing to get expected likes can leave users feeling “disappointed, sad, or a bit shitty” .
• Social Comparison:  This ties into constant comparison with others. Kim warns that on social media “we are always comparing our like and follower count with others.” . Since someone will almost always have more followers, this breeds envy and anxiety. He points out even very successful people get depressed by these metrics. Kim stresses that a larger following does not equal greater artistic value – it often reflects marketing effort or even paid boosts, not talent . In sum, chasing likes creates a toxic competition that undermines genuine self-worth.
• Philosophical Approach – Focus on Self:  Underlying Kim’s critique is a philosophical stance: art should serve the creator, not external metrics. He urges photographers to create for themselves first. For example, he advises: “Focus on making photos that impress you — you have 100% control over this.” .  He rejects any “duty” to please followers , emphasizing internal standards over social feedback. After quitting Instagram, he reports feeling a “Zen-like sense of calm” and being “MORE motivated” in his photography . By removing the constant need for approval, he found he only cared about his own judgment of his work .
• Alternatives – Own Your Platform:  Practically, Kim encourages building independent platforms. He suggests using a personal blog or website (e.g. WordPress) so that your photos and essays are your own. He reasons that time spent on social media could instead grow an asset you control. “Why am I wasting all this time…on social media – when I should put more effort into my blog?” , he asks.  By contrast, his own blog has brought him far more engagement (and income) than his old social accounts . In interviews he explicitly warns not to “build your empire on quicksand” like Instagram and become a “digital share-cropper” on Facebook’s land .
• Self-Care and Perspective:  Kim also frames social media use in terms of life balance. He notes we have a free choice to use these apps. “Nobody is forcing you to use Instagram,” he says . If it causes stress, he advises deleting the app or taking a break (a sort of “detox” ). For him personally, quitting brought tangible benefits: improved self-esteem, less jealousy of others, and a renewed creativity in how he shares work .

In summary, Eric Kim’s main objections to social media are practical and philosophical.  He argues platforms are designed for corporate profit at the expense of the user’s ownership, creativity and well-being. They trap content in closed systems and push creators toward vanity metrics (likes/follows) that damage self-esteem.  Instead, Kim champions creative independence: making art that satisfies oneself, and publishing it on one’s own terms (personal blogs, books, etc.) rather than on rented social feeds.  As he puts it, he is not claiming all social media is evil, only that it doesn’t align with his values – “I’m not telling you that Instagram is evil… I choose NOT to use Instagram” .  His stance is that individual artists can thrive better by freeing themselves from these platforms’ incentives and controls.

Sources: Kim’s own writings and interviews, including his blog posts “Why I am Anti-Instagram” and “Why I Am Happier After Deleting My Instagram” , as well as related Q&A and philosophy posts , form the basis of these points. Each quote above is drawn from his published blog content as cited.

iPhone Pro mini Titanium

bluehost.com automatically adding some bullshit .online thing my order?

podcast https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/erickim/episodes/How-to-Save-Apple-e34pg16

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/erickim/episodes/How-to-Save-Apple-e34pg16

audio https://erickimphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Why-Phnom-Penh-.m4a

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/erickim/episodes/Why-Phnom-Penh-e34phu9

podcast https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/erickim/episodes/Why-Phnom-Penh-e34phu9

there’s no second best

Why Phnom Penh PP?

All them other losers are so lame now

audio https://erickimphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Save-Apple.m4a

cut

vision

audio https://erickimphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Save-Apple.m4a

1000x Archimedes lever iPhone mini pro titanium

first, I think like the simplified is like 1000 X Archimedes lever is the iPhone. 1000 X focus should be put on it. All other divisions should be cut. No more Vision Pro or any of these stupid other things

actually the true ideal is to have a very very small space, but with all the ultra high luxury furnishings as well as the ultra high quality appliances materials and things

For example, better to have like an iPhone mini pro titanium, rather than having some sort of like really really big android device

or, better to have like a really really small Lexus or Mercedes rather than like a really really big Chinese car

Science advances by cutting

Also don’t hate me because you are bald taking steroids, you are old fat and ugly, you take protein powder, you waste money on supplements, you’re envious and jealous of me, and also because you are addicted to social media

don’t hate me because you’re a midget

NEW WORLD RECORD: 527KILOGRAM RACK PULL (1162 POUNDS) at 75kg bodyweight 165 pounds: 5 foot 11 inches tall, 180cm tall, 5% bodyfat, intermittent fasting 100% carnivore diet.

another thing that’s funny… When my vision is too clear at the gym, I get distracted by other people, looking at them, or maybe looking at them looking at me?

New theory

to focus better take off your glasses?

.

to focus better take off your glasses?

I have a very funny unorthodox theory… I wonder if actually in fact… If you want to focus more in life, taking off your glasses is better? 

Therefore myopia becomes your secret power… Not being distracted by external things.

For example naturally… But I need to focus to lift more than seven times my body weight, and I need like 1,000,000,000,000% supreme focus, taking off my glasses and squeezing my eyes, is a stimulant to focus? 

lift and bitcoin

this is the way

everyone is your assistant your aid your friend, even gravity.

god math: https://videos.files.wordpress.com/qARiET5Z/gx011768.mov

happy, happiness, is more of a cultural phenomenon?

why *NOT* choose to be happy?

Drop by drop fills the bucket :

always be flexible to change your ground truths?