Eric Kim’s “Start Here”

“Start Here”

 Page: Key Themes & Advice

Eric Kim’s “Start Here” page serves as a comprehensive introduction for new readers and aspiring street photographers. It’s an empowering, high-energy hub that outlines his core philosophy, practical tips, and essential resources in street photography – even greeting visitors with the bold prompt to “BECOME A DEMIGOD” . Below is a clear breakdown of the key themes, philosophies, and advice Eric Kim emphasizes, along with notable sub-pages and essays he recommends:

Street Photography Philosophy & Mindset

• Courage Over Fear: A dominant theme is conquering fear. Kim bluntly states that “99% of [street photography] is conquering your fears” – fear of upsetting people or facing confrontation . He believes building bravery is essential for street photographers. Many of his lessons and workshops center on “conquering your fears”, helping readers overcome the anxiety of shooting strangers. There’s even a dedicated section “How to Conquer Your Fears in Street Photography,” with articles like “Shoot What You’re Afraid Of” and “Channel Your Fear into Bravery” . The message is clear: be bold and fearless with your camera.
• Love & Humanity in Street Photography: Despite the bold approach, Kim’s philosophy is rooted in positivity and respect for humanity. He portrays street photography as an act of love for people and the mundane moments of life. One standout essay title – “STREET PHOTOGRAPHY IS ABOUT LOVING ALL PEOPLE” – captures this ethos . He emphasizes finding joy in everyday scenes and approaching strangers with empathy, not aggression. Street photography, in his view, is a celebration of life’s beauty and spontaneity. It’s often described as “so much fun” and a source of personal joy and meaning .
• Photography as Life Philosophy: Kim frames photography not just as a hobby, but as a way of life. A section titled “Photography is Everything!” signals how deeply he connects photography to almost every aspect of living . Through essays like “Photography is Pure,” “The Intrinsic Joy of Photographing,” or “The Photographer as Storyteller,” he encourages readers to see beyond technical details and recognize the philosophical and therapeutic value of making images. He even discusses Stoicism and Zen in the context of photography – applying Stoic principles to remain fearless and resilient, and likening shooting to a form of walking meditation or “Zen in the Art of Street Photography.” This reflects his view that photography can be a form of self-therapy and personal growth .
• Personal Vision over Rules: Eric Kim urges photographers to follow their own voice and not be shackled by others’ rules or approval. On the “Start Here” page he links to “10 Commandments of Street Photography” (which are meant to be broken) and essays like “Why You Must Follow Your Own Voice in Street Photography.” His advice: shoot for yourself, not for Instagram likes or external validation. Break conventions if it helps your creativity – in fact, he explicitly provides “Street Photography ‘Rules’ to Break” . This theme of creative freedom is reinforced throughout his guides. By studying his resources, readers learn that there is “no right or wrong way to shoot street photography” – the best approach is the one that inspires you and reflects your personal vision.

Practical Guides and Techniques

• Beginner-Friendly Guides: The page invites newcomers to start with foundational resources. Kim highlights essential reading for beginners, including “The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Photography,” a free photography bootcamp, and “100 Photography Tips for Beginners.” These links are explicitly labeled “Start here” , indicating that they contain the basics of photography in an accessible form. In short, he ensures a new photographer isn’t overwhelmed – they can build confidence step by step through these introductory tutorials.
• Street Photography 101: For those specifically interested in street photography, Kim provides step-by-step tutorials. Notable mentions include “The Ultimate Street Photography Tutorial” and “Street Photography 101 Tutorial,” which break down the fundamentals of shooting on the streets . Additionally, he offers “70 Street Photography Tips for Beginners” and “15 Street Photography Techniques and Tips,” which are concise lists of actionable advice for improving one’s shots . These guides cover everything from composition basics to approaching subjects, giving beginners a solid groundwork.
• Actionable Assignments: Eric Kim strongly believes in learning by doing. The “Start Here” page features practical assignments and exercises to get readers out shooting. For instance, he shares “5 Simple Street Photography Assignments” and even ERIC KIM’s own 12-part street photography assignment series . Each assignment challenges photographers to try a new technique or theme (such as shooting silhouettes or capturing hands) as a way to practice creatively. By following these, aspiring street shooters can systematically build their skills and confidence. Kim’s motto here is essentially: get out of your comfort zone and work the scene – don’t just passively read, but actively shoot and experiment.
• Advanced Techniques & Tips: Beyond the basics, Kim’s repository of techniques is extremely comprehensive – reflecting over a decade of his experience. He covers classic skills and cutting-edge ideas alike. On one end, he reiterates timeless advice like “Keep clicking and don’t chimp (constantly checking your screen)” , and on the other end, he introduces inventive methods (for example, a quirky “Decapitation Technique” for compositions, or the “360° Scan” technique for capturing a scene) . Scanning the page, you’ll find guides on “How to Shoot Head-On Street Photography”, using flash effectively (“Flash Street Photography Guide”), layering your compositions, and even street photography video/vlogging techniques . He encourages experimentation: try shooting from the hip, from high angles, or getting extremely close to your subjects (“GET CLOSE & FILL THE FRAME” is one of his mantras ). The breadth of tips – from “5 Simple Tips for Better Street Photos” to “103 Lessons I’ve Learned From Street Photography” – illustrates that there’s always something new to learn or a different approach to explore.
• Projects, Editing & Storytelling: A recurring piece of advice is to give your photography a sense of purpose through projects and thoughtful editing. Kim’s Start Here hub stresses the importance of curation and narrative: it links to a “How to Edit and Choose Your Best Photos” guide and even a video intro to editing workflow in Lightroom . He also provides a “Free Street Photography Project Manual” and articles on starting your own photography project . The takeaway: shooting is just half the craft – editing, sequencing, and presenting your photos is equally important. By following his advice on creating cohesive projects or series, photographers can move beyond single snapshots to telling a story or exploring a theme. Kim wants readers to think like storytellers and build portfolios that matter, not just accumulate random shots.

Gear Minimalism and “It’s Not About the Camera”

• Focus on Vision, Not Gear: One of Eric Kim’s hallmark philosophies is gear minimalism. On the Start Here page, he bluntly asks “What is the Best Camera for Street Photography?” – only to emphasize that there is no perfect camera, and that any camera you have is good enough. He advises against the common trap of gear obsession. In fact, several linked articles drive this point home, such as “Why I Love Cameras with Non-Interchangeable Lenses” (praising compact fixed-lens cameras) and “In Street Photography, The Smaller the Camera, the Better” . The idea is that a small, discreet camera lets you blend in and focus on capturing the moment, whereas large expensive gear can be intimidating or cumbersome on the streets.
• Keep It Simple: Kim encourages using minimal equipment – often just one camera and one lens. He often suggests a 35mm or 28mm prime lens as ideal for street photos, but more importantly, he stresses mastering whatever you own instead of constantly lusting after new gear. The Start Here page’s Equipment section lists only a handful of topics: choosing the best camera for you, the best lens, and “What to Consider When Buying a Camera” (hint: it’s not all about megapixels) . By curating gear advice to a few key pieces, he implies that once you’ve made a reasonable choice, you should pivot to improving your skill and mindset rather than chasing tech specs.
• Quality vs. Creativity: In Kim’s philosophy, technical perfection takes a backseat to creative vision. He explicitly says “Sharpness is Overrated in Street Photography” – a provocative stance against pixel-peeping. This viewpoint encourages beginners not to worry if their photos aren’t tack-sharp or if they’re using high ISO; what matters is the content and emotion of the image. By freeing readers from the pressure of having the latest high-resolution camera or the sharpest lens, Kim reinforces that great street photography is about storytelling, timing, and composition. In sum, the Start Here page communicates a reassuring message: you already have everything you need to start – focus on seeing and capturing the world, not on buying new gear. This gear minimalism mantra is very welcoming for newcomers on a budget, and it sets the tone for a more mindful approach to photography.

Learning from the Masters & Continuous Growth

• “Learn From the Masters”: Kim emphasizes that to evolve as a photographer, one should study the masters of photography. A prominent section of the Start Here page titled “Learn From the Masters of Street Photography” encourages readers to dive into photography history . “He without a past has no future,” the page notes , underscoring Kim’s belief that knowing the greats (like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Garry Winogrand, Helen Levitt, Vivian Maier, and many more) will inform and inspire your own work. He provides an extensive list of legendary photographers and dedicated articles about them – for example, profiles on Alex Webb, Mary Ellen Mark, William Klein, etc., and compilations like “100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography.” New readers are encouraged to explore these to gain timeless wisdom and inspiration from the best . By standing on the shoulders of these giants, you can better understand composition, storytelling, and the soul of photography.
• Free Resources & Open-Source Mentality: A standout feature of Eric Kim’s site is his generosity with knowledge. The Start Here page offers numerous free downloads and e-books, reflecting an open-source philosophy. For instance, readers can download PDFs like the “Street Photography Manual by Eric Kim,” “The Art of Street Photography,” “The Street Photography Composition Manual,” and even a 31-day course “31 Days to Overcome Your Fear in Street Photography.” . He even includes “Street Photography 101” and “102” guidebooks for free . These free books distill his teachings into accessible formats – a goldmine for those who want to learn at their own pace. By providing so much content at no cost, Kim lowers the barrier to entry and exemplifies his mantra that photography education should be open and shareable. Newcomers are invited to download, read, and even print these resources as they wish.
• Calls to Action – Shoot, Share, and Push Yourself: Throughout the page, Kim includes motivating calls to action. He doesn’t just want you to passively consume content – he wants you out there making photos. One call to action invites readers to challenge themselves with “STREET NOTES”, a kind of portable photography assignments notebook he created. “Push yourself out of your comfort zone with STREET NOTES”, he urges , suggesting that growth happens when you continually try new things. Additionally, the site navigation (visible on the page) links to his workshops, books, and newsletter (under “NEWS”), subtly encouraging deeper engagement. The overall tone is enthusiastic and empowering – Kim often writes in an urgent, motivational style (e.g., an essay titled “DO NOT LIVE IN FEAR” appears in the link list ). The standout quotes and bold headings on the page (“Become a Demigod,” “Expect the Unexpected,” “You’re Stronger Than You Think You Are,” etc.) all serve as rallying cries. The message to an aspiring street photographer landing on this page is unmistakable: start now, be fearless, and absorb all the knowledge you can. Kim’s final call is essentially for the reader to take action – study the resources, then hit the streets and create art with passion and courage.

Recommended Essays & Resources from 

Start Here

To wrap up, here are some major sub-pages and essays Eric Kim recommends on the “Start Here” page (each offers deeper insight into his teachings):

• “The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Photography” – A comprehensive starter guide for newbies .
• “Free Photography Bootcamp” – A multi-week introductory course to build fundamentals .
• “100 Photography Tips for Beginners” – Quick tips covering composition, technique, and mindset .
• “How to Shoot Street Photography” – Core guide on the techniques of street shooting .
• “70 Street Photography Tips for Beginners” – A distilled list of do’s and don’ts for street work .
• “100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography” – Learn wisdom from studying great photographers .
• “Why Study the Masters of Photography?” – An essay on the importance of learning from the past .
• “Great Female Master Photographers” – Highlighting influential women in photography history .
• “The Street Photography Manifesto” – Kim’s manifesto zine on the principles of street shooting .
• “Eric Kim’s Top 30 Street Photography Tips” – A personal list of Kim’s best advice in one place .
• “Advice for Aspiring Street Photographers” – Direct tips and encouragement for those just starting out .
• Free e-books like “Street Photography 101,” “Street Photography 102,” “31 Days to Overcome Your Fear in Street Photography,” and “Zen in the Art of Street Photography,” all available for download .

Each of these links (and many more on the Start Here page) can be explored for a deeper dive into Eric Kim’s teaching. Together, they form an extensive curriculum on not just how to shoot street photography, but how to think and live as a photographer. By curating these resources in one place, Eric Kim’s Start Here page succeeds in introducing his work as a blend of practical education, philosophical insight, and inspirational challenge – a perfect launch point for anyone eager to jump into street photography.

Sources: The information above is summarized from Eric Kim’s official “Start Here” page and its linked resources on his photography blog , which compile his advice, philosophies, and tutorials for aspiring street photographers. All quotations and essay titles are drawn directly from that page , reflecting the themes he emphasizes for new readers. The page itself serves as a gateway to numerous articles (as cited) that elaborate on each topic in depth.