Erik Kim Photography

Optimal Simplicity

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 20:34:36 GMT

For a long time, I always thought minimalism was the goal. Now I’m starting to realize that minimalism ain’t the goal, and it is a trap. Too many of us millenials fall victim to the “minimalism for minimalism sake” or “minimalism as a form of elite virtue-signaling”.

What the true goal is optimal simplicity. To choose the option(s) in life which are maximally simple and easy for you, in order to augment what you truly care for in your life, whether it be arts creation, creativity, time with friends and family, entrepreneurial ventures, etc.

Choose the simpler and easier option

There seems to be some sort of chase to differentiate and distinguish ourselves by overly complicating ourselves. For example we strive to use the most complicated and complex technical settings in our cameras to try to distinguish our photography, we strive to have the most complex and fancy car to flex, and even with working out we tend to think that the more complicated your workout planning is, the better.

Simplify your lifestyle choices

Even with most lifestyle choices … the simplest course tends to be best. For example with cooking, stick to simple recipes or meals which are easy and quick to cook, and delicious.

Easier technology

Even something I’ve found for myself which is quite random yet interesting to me:

I ultimately find having to use Bluetooth headphones and Bluetooth speakers more hassle than it is worth, and typically just playing music directly off my laptop speakers or my iPad speakers is best.

Even with Apple AirPods — you always gotta keep them closeby. However saying that, the Apple AirPods are probably the most successful music device at the moment because it is the easiest bluetooth or wireless headphones that syncs very easily with your iPhone or any Apple device.

Easier and simpler blogging?

Perhaps instead of a self hosted blog (bluehost.com and WordPress.org) a simpler setup option is superior for most people. This means just making a blog on WordPress.com

Simpler design

Apple is king in UI-UX not because they have the most “minimalist” design, but because they have the simplest design. For example, I typically call it the “mom” test:

If the technology is simple enough for your mom to use, it is good.

However if it is too complicated and complex for your mom (Android and most Google products), it is bad.

Simple (and wise) ideas tend to stick better.

Why are quotes and aphorisms so sticky? Because typically things and ideas which are simple and short are easier to remember. Better to give advice and share ideas which is simple (and actually gets remembered and integrated) than a complicated idea which is forgotten.

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Emulate Yourself

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 18:29:50 GMT

In an interview Peter Thiel said of Elon Musk:

Elon Musk is not a good role model, as he is too difficult to emulate.

But when I think deeper about it:

Why strive to emulate others? Why not strive to just emulate yourself?

Life is more fun when you strive to emulate yourself to the maximum and to ignore the personalities and character traits of others

You’re the goal.

You are the goal and end product. So why not take pride in yourself, your virtues, your vices and strive to just maximize yourself?

ERIC

PHILOSOPHY by KIM

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In Praise of Editing Photos on iPad

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 17:31:21 GMT

I believe all photographers will benefit hugely from owning an iPad. Even the cheapest one is fine — only $329!

Why iPad? Well, after experimenting with all the different ways of editing and selecting flagging photos, I get the most joy from using iPad to look through my photos. Why?

First of all, it feels more intimate to be “holding” your photos in your hands when you’re viewing them on an iPad.

Secondly, you can look at your photos while standing, instead of being hunched over a laptop or screen. Less likely to have back pain. And also I find that when you’re standing, you’re actually more engaged and metabolically active.

Third, the integrated Apple photos editing feature is great. It works very well and is uber simple. And when you “favorite” your photos, if all syncs on Apple Photos/Camera Roll/iCloud super well!

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The More You Shoot, the Better

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 17:15:56 GMT

I was thinking:

How much *should* you shoot in photography?

And my general thought:

The more you shoot, the better.

Why? Creative iteration. The more you shoot, the more you learn. The more you shoot, the more risks you take which can lead to creative new photographic innovations.

Also, if you want to make more interesting compositions in photography, you need to shoot a lot, and you need to shoot a lot of risky photos. One of the big downsides of film photography is sometimes we get too scared to “waste film”.

To shoot a lot is like exercise. The more you shoot, the more “reps” (repetitions) you get in. And there is also this myth of “the decisive moment”— that somehow these demigod photographers would get their great photos with just a single shot. And why this bravado that somehow nailing a great photo in one shot is better? We gotta get rid of this ridiculous romantic notion (all romantic notions are false to reality and bad).

MASTER MOTIVATION

ERIC KIM NECK STRAP MARK II x Ricoh GR II x RICOH MAFIA Artwear

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How Many Photos Should You Shoot Everyday?

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 17:10:13 GMT

Certainly there isn’t a certain quota of photos you should everyday, but at the same time, it doesn’t seem to hurt to shoot a lot of photos everyday. Lately I’ve been quite productive with shooting — around 800-1000 photos a day.

For myself, this seems to be beneficial. Shooting small JPEG, with high contrast monochrome or cross process filter on RICOH GR III seems to be great. Why? Small JPEG allows me to quickly import photos to my iPad or laptop, and allows me to upload quicker. Also, shooting pre-processed JPEG means less time having to post process.

Above all, it seems the more you shoot, the better. Why? Because the bias is typically we don’t shoot enough, because we are too much perfectionists. Also, we suffer from “paralysis by analysis”— we don’t shoot photos because we are worried the photos won’t be “interesting enough”, even though in our gut we want to.

MASTER MOTIVATION

ERIC KIM NECK STRAP MARK II x Ricoh GR II x RICOH MAFIA Artwear

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In Photography Even the Smallest Thing Can be a Leitmotif

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 17:05:01 GMT

I think I finally have this Henri Cartier-Bresson quote figured out:

The beauty of photography is that you can reveal beauty in even the smallest thing.

Or in other words:

All things, no matter how small can be beautiful.

Then it is simply your task as a photographer to strive to seek, discover, notice, and document these small beautiful details. In praise of capturing beauty in the mundane.

In praise of RICOH GR III

RICOH GR III, shooting small JPEG high contrast monochrome, in macro mode. The beauty of seeing details in these leaves.

The Art of Creativity

Re-discover your inner-child like PICASSO:

Learn more: Photography >

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No Photos, No Life.

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 16:08:40 GMT

Why photography? It is the great affirmation of (new) life. I myself wouldn’t desire a life and existence without photography.

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How to Conquer Your Creative Fears

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 23:47:19 GMT

Creative fears:

They typically have to do with your fear of negative judgements from others.

Don’t fear repeating yourself

First — recognize it isn’t bad to “repeat” oneself. In fact, repetition is an essential part of the creative process.

Don’t fear confusing your audience

Disregard artistic consistency. Allow yourself to engage in all forms of artistic creation. The upside is also you become more interesting, and artistically enigmatic.

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Good Fear, Bad Fear

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 21:23:04 GMT

Good fear: fear which keeps you alive. For example my fear of dying if texting while driving, or walking on the street while texting.

Bad fear: fear of social chastisement which prevents me from pursuing my artistic and creative passions in life.

Good fears are mostly physiological; fear of a potentially early death, or permanent disfigurement (Nassim Taleb). Bad fears as mostly pertaining to how you live your life— your lifestyle choices, your artistic modes of self expression, etc.

PHILOSOPHY by KIM

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Philosophical Essays

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Zen Philosophy »

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5 Creative Photography Motivation Ideas

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 20:12:12 GMT

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Dear friend,

Some quick creative motivational ideas to get you going:

PDF TEXT: 5 Creative Photography Motivation Ideas Download

In Praise of Creative Repetition

Just because someone has done it before doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try doing it: For example in photography, we often shy away from pursuing certain photo projects because we think: “Oh that other photographer x, y, z has already done it … I shouldn’t try doing it, as I will never make a body of work quite as good as theirs.” But this is silly– just because others have drank coffee in the past, you aren’t going to drink coffee?
It cannot be the same: Even if you photographed the same exact thing over and over again, it will not be the same. For example, the light will always be different. You will always frame it a little differently. The particles in the air will be different. In praise of creative repetition.
Just post it: All art works you create are in a state of ‘becoming’. This means there is no finality to your art work. This also means that striving for ‘perfection’ is inimical (bad) for your artistic creativity. I say just post it; just post it to your own website/blog (avoid social media).
Your creative productivity is proportional to the amount you walk every day: Just go on a quick 5 minute walk around the block, and take along your phone, your RICOH GR, or whatever pocketable camera. Don’t force yourself to shoot any photos; but if you see something interesting, just shoot it. No need to make ‘good’ photos. To make any photos is good!
Creative cross-pollination: Your best creative ideas will come to you OUTSIDE of your domain expertise. Thus allow yourself to indulge widely in arts and creativity. Design, fashion, cinema, architecture, music, or anything which inspires and motivates you. Any creative stimulus is a good one.

Why be creative?

You’ve always/already been creative, ever since you were born as a child. A child learns through the artistic act of creating. To create, modify, transfigure, and ‘remix’– it is all good.

Think about when you were a kid and how much you enjoyed art class. Or how much you enjoyed drawing, scribbling, painting, or even the joy you initially first felt when you first discovered photography.

The magic of photography

Think again about when you first made a photo; was it a digital camera? Was it a film camera? A disposable film camera?

I still remember the magic I felt when I was 18 years old the first time I used a digital point and shoot camera with an LCD screen in the back. Back then, all I knew were the disposable film cameras which you had to wait a week before seeing your photos. The first digital photo I shot — I was awestruck.

Being able to see your photos instantly … this is pure magic!

Perhaps we can harness this inspiration again?

Motivational films

If you want some quick motivation, some films to watch:

2001 space odyssey (or anything by Stanley Kubrick). Much of his early photographic genius inspirations were cross-pollinated into his films.
7 Samurai by Akira Kurosawa: Or any film by Akira Kurosawa.

Why do you make art?

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ARS BETA

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HAPTIC INDUSTRIES

Creative tools to empower you:

Master photographers to study

Good masters to study:

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Creative Cross-Pollination

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 19:50:37 GMT

The basic idea:

Your best creative ideas will come *INDIRECTLY* to you.

Your creative ideas are best when you are creatively ‘promiscuous’ — you disregard borders, boundaries, and genres. You draw creative nectar and honey from *any* creative source which inspires and turns you on!

perpetual creativity is the goal:

Podcast

In Praise of Creative Repetition

The Art of Creativity

Re-discover your inner-child like PICASSO:
- The Joy of Glitching Your Photos
- How to Master Creativity
- Creative Work and Physiology
- Enough is Never Enough.
- Become More Uninhibited
- Utilitarianism is the Enemy of Creativity
- CONQUER CREATIVITY
- ERIC KIM Thoughts on Creativity
- What Do You *Really* Want in Life?
- Creative Iteration
- In Photography, Even the Smallest Thing Can Be a Leitmotif
- The Art of Creativity
- Why Constrain Yourself in Only Color or Black and White?
- In Praise of Collaging Your Photos
- The Purpose is to Create
- Photographing With No Filter in Small JPEG
- The Impetus to Create
- On Focusing on Your Own Self Development
- WHY COME UP WITH NEW IDEAS?
- Visual Stochastic Resonance
- Future Creativity
- Eternal Re-Creation
- How I Come Up With My Ideas (Ideation 101)
- How to Be Creative During Quarantine
- Constraints are Creative
- HOW TO BE MORE CREATIVE DURING COVID
- It is All Connected.
- What is Interesting to You is Very Likely to Be Interesting to Others
- Happiness as a Means to Creative Productivity
- How I Remix My Photos in iPad and ProCreate
- Creative Productivity
- In Praise of Repetition
- The Eternal Creative Loop
- CREATE!
- The Goal is Spontaneous Creative Activity
- Ignore Your Haters.
- You’re on a Winning Streak
- Ultralight Photography
- How to see.
- CREATORS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.
- How to Ignore Your Inner-Critic
- How to Unlock Your Inner-Genius
- Success is Your Only Option
- How to Make Your Photos More Artistic
- Creative Lessons Rick Rubin Can Teach You About Photography
- Why I Love Shooting With an LCD Screen
- How to Shoot Abstract Photography
- How to Be More Spontaneous in Your Photography and Life
- How to Re-Invent Yourself in Photography
- How to Photograph Like a Child
- How to Be a More Imaginative Photographer
- Provoke
- Never Rust
- Limit Your Palette
- Follow Your Intuition
- Have Creative Confidence in Yourself
- How To Find Your Unique Voice in Photography
- Beginner’s Mind
- There is No Wrong Way to Shoot Street Photography
- You Can’t Control the Results, Only Effort
- On Capturing Beauty in the Mundane
- On Searching For the Maximum
- The Beauty of “Creative Constraints”
- How to Stay Curious
- Enjoy the Process
Learn more: Photography >
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The Desire to Procreate

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 18:49:03 GMT

If we think about humanity, there is an innate instinct for us to procreate. The natural sexual drive of both men and women in order to create children. Certainly without the will to procreate, humanity would have died off a long time ago.

Then what makes me think:

How can we channel this desire to procreate in a positive and productive way? To channel this desire into our arts creation and to not demonize this innate powerful drive we have within ourselves?

To not demonize the sexual drive, but trying to figure out how we can harness this physiological power to our advantage?

Is our desire as artists to procreate art works rooted from the sexual desire to procreate children and new life?

What kills our sexual potency?

Overconsumption of alcohol, drugs, weed, a vegetarian-vegan diet (not enough meat consumption), perhaps overstimulation from porn, cold environments, lack of sleep, and overstress. From a biological perspective let us think and consider:

Which conditions are deleterious to an individuals sexual drive and potency?

Within men:

Considering things which kill our testosterone.

And on the contrary:

Consuming more things which boost our testosterone (red and fatty meat) and engaging in activities which boost our testosterone (heavy weight lifting such as powerlifting or being in the presence of beautiful women?)

Or at least subjecting ourselves to media which boosts our testosterone?

Once you rub one out, your motivation is killed.

Consider if you’re about to attempt new “one rep max” in your deadlift:

Would you rub one out?

Certainly not. There is a reason why after sexual intercourse (after men ejaculate) they often go straight to sleep, often to the dismay of their partner.

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Motivation Killers

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 18:28:00 GMT

If we extrapolate this “via negativa” concept to productivity and motivation the question to ponder:

What kills our motivation? And what “un-inspires” us?

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Via Negativa Photography

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 18:21:38 GMT

Perhaps the best way to become a “better” photographer is mostly through the negative (Nassim Taleb). For example:

To make better compositions, best to *SUBTRACT* and try to get rid of the distracting elements.
To be more motivated, best to GET RID of social media (delete your Instagram) instead of seeking more followers and more likes.
More photo opportunities by subtracting color options (in praise of monochrome).

Discover more personal meaning in your photographic life with PHOTOLOSOPHY >

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Anti Role Models

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 18:15:07 GMT

Perhaps this notion of having “positive role models” is not useful. Why?

We often put the personalities, characteristics, and pursuits of certain individuals as *above* us. For example, we all want to become more like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, etc. However … is this truly something to be desired? Instead of seeking to become someone else, or to emulate the personality character traits of others, better instead to look at yourself, your own innate personality traits and to see your own self and your own personality as king.

Then when it comes to other humans, instead of seeking “positive role models” to emulate, better instead to consider all of the bad role models who you *don’t* want to become. For example myself, I don’t want to become like my dad, so I just do everything *opposite* of what he did. Thus I have a very good blueprint in terms of becoming a good future father —

Study, and analyze your “anti role models”— and use their negative traits as a positive learning experience.

Once again — just “go opposite” of negative folks and their character traits and actions, and you will be golden.

ETHICS by KIM

Your Own Personal Code of Ethics

What is Greed?
On Having the Courage to Make Your Own Decisions

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Black and White Photography and Calligraphy

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 17:43:25 GMT

If you have a passion for black and white photography, does this mean that studying calligraphy (black paint on white canvas) can also give you artistic insights and good “creative cross pollination”?

Ideas

Reference old black and white photos of yours which you like, and make a calligraph of it. You can also just refer to your own visual memory.
When you’re out and about, instead of photographing something you consider beautiful, use your iPad or phone (Zen Brush app) to make a quick calligraph of it instead?
When we make calligraphs of people, the calligraphs look like people. For example the head, a woman reclining or the shape of a human arabesque.

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Photography is Painting

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 17:32:39 GMT

A thought this morning:

Photography *is* painting.

We get this intrinsic joy from painting. Photography as painting with light. Thus perhaps the more painterly thoughts we can have, the better?

Are there rules to painting?

Then should there also be “rules” to photography?

The best way to display and share your art works

Consider with a blog … all the different forms of media you can share and embed. Animated GIF, audio, photo, video, etc.

A blank canvas is the best canvas

An infinite digital canvas for your thoughts, ideas, knowledge, and art works. Isn’t this the ultimate?

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Photography and Art as the Infinite Road

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 16:08:16 GMT

We must play for the long game. This means:

Focus on your photography, artwork, artistic production for life.

The infinite road — photography as your passion that will burn on forever. And how do you stay motivated and perpetually inspired in your photography? To continually discover new sources of visual or artistic inspiration from other sources, from within yourself, and from life itself.

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Erik Kim Photography

Optimal Simplicity

Choose the simpler and easier option

Simplify your lifestyle choices

Easier technology

Easier and simpler blogging?

Simpler design

Simple (and wise) ideas tend to stick better.

Emulate Yourself

Life is more fun when you strive to emulate yourself to the maximum and to ignore the personalities and character traits of others

You’re the goal.

Philosophical Essays

In Praise of Editing Photos on iPad

The More You Shoot, the Better

How Many Photos Should You Shoot Everyday?

In Photography Even the Smallest Thing Can be a Leitmotif

In praise of RICOH GR III

No Photos, No Life.

How to Conquer Your Creative Fears

Don’t fear repeating yourself

Don’t fear confusing your audience

Good Fear, Bad Fear

Philosophical Essays

5 Creative Photography Motivation Ideas

Why be creative?

The magic of photography

Motivational films

Why do you make art?

ARS BETA

HAPTIC INDUSTRIES

Master photographers to study

Spread the love!

Creative Cross-Pollination

The Desire to Procreate

What kills our sexual potency?

Once you rub one out, your motivation is killed.

Motivation Killers

Via Negativa Photography

Anti Role Models

Your Own Personal Code of Ethics

Black and White Photography and Calligraphy

Ideas

Photography is Painting

Are there rules to painting?

The best way to display and share your art works Consider with a blog … all the different forms of media you can share and embed. Animated GIF, audio, photo, video, etc.

The best way to display and share your art works

A blank canvas is the best canvas

Photography and Art as the Infinite Road

The best way to display and share your art works

Consider with a blog … all the different forms of media you can share and embed. Animated GIF, audio, photo, video, etc.