Q&A with Eric Kim
Eric Kim is a professional street photographer specialising in black and white, currently residing in Los Angeles. Eric was voted in the 20 most influential street photographers for 2016, according to the streethunters.net readers.
WHAT IS STREET PHOTOGRAPHY?
To start off, street photography is whatever you make of it.
There are no “right” and “wrong” definitions in street photography.
Street photography is simply the art of wandering in public places, and taking photos of whatever interests you.
You don’t need to adhere yourself to any “rules.” Street photography is the most democratic form of photography — because all you need is a public place, and a camera, to document whatever you find interesting, and personally-meaningful to you.
If I could define street photography, it would simply be: “Documenting humanity.” “Humanity” can be defined however you want.
I document humanity by photographing people, buildings, things I find on the street, and any object that makes me feel the human condition.
Street photography is about having an open mind, and wandering the streets, and exploring — with no pre-conceived ideas, notions, or concepts.
WHY DO YOU SHOOT STREET PHOTOGRAPHY?
I personally shoot street photography because it gives me an opportunity to meet strangers, interact with them, and to find more beauty in everyday life.
To me, street photography isn’t pretentious. And street photography has helped me become a more confident individual.
Before shooting street photography, I was deathly afraid of photographing strangers. Now, I can do it without nervousness, fear, or anxiety. Not only that, but the more comfortable I am shooting street photography, the more comfortable I am with interacting with anybody.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT EMOTION?
I feel that the best street photographs are the ones which have emotion. The best street photographs are the ones in which you can empathize with the subject in your frame.
A photograph without emotion is dead. If your photograph doesn’t have any emotion, it will be easily forgettable. And if you want to create an interesting and memorable photo, you need to tug at the heart-strings of your viewer.
WHAT IF I LOOSE INTEREST?
If you aren’t feeling “inspired” in your street photography, take a break. Put down your camera. Pick up a different hobby. Perhaps read more, write more, or reflect more. Listen to more music, watch some theater, or pick up dancing, sculpture, painting, or drawing.
Once again, the point of life isn’t to be a great photographer. It is to be an enthusiastic artist of life. Why limit yourself to just photography?
I acquired the first four questions and answers from Eric’s book ‘Street Photography’, but I wanted to know more. Therefore, I got in touch with Eric and asked him further questions that I desired knowing, more subjective and in depth queries about his practice.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT ETHICS, TAKING SOMEONES PHOTOGRAPH WITHOUT THEIR KNOWLEDGE?
For a quick summary, I think street photography comes down to the golden rule: don’t photograph others as you don’t want others to photograph you. For me, ethics is being able to look at yourself in the mirror and be able to sleep at night. To be “ethical” is to not treat others how you don’t want to be treated.
I know a lot of street photographers who don’t like having their own photograph taken. Personally, I take photos of strangers with and without permission, and have no problem falling asleep at night as this is because I like having my photograph taken — with or without permission. I feel comfortable in my own skin.
A lot of it has to do with my personality. I love to be the center of attention. I feel flattered when others shower me with attention or interest. However, there are many situations where I don’t feel comfortable photographing strangers candidly. In these situations, I feel like I am potentially exploiting them. For example, I don’t like to shoot candid photos (without permission) of homeless people or people who look destitute (or under their luck). In situations when I’m not sure whether I feel “ethical” photographing someone, I ask for permission.
WHO IS YOUR WORK AIMED AT?
To be truthful, I don’t ask myself the question “Who is my audience?” much at all. I used to think that the “whole world” was my audience. But in reality, the only people who I really care about are my close friends, family, and colleagues in my photography community. For a long time, I wanted “respect” and admiration from other photographers that I looked up to. My dream was to one day create a portfolio that would cause people’s jaws to drop — and have them say, “Eric, you are a good photographer.” But what do I care what these photographers think about my work? After all, in reality they are not my audience. These great photographers couldn’t care less about my work. And even if they liked my work, I don’t share a personal connection or relationship with them. They are effectively strangers. And why would I care what a stranger thinks about my photos? In-fact, the ultimate judge of my photos should be myself. I have made a lot of photos which others like (but I personally don’t like). If this is the case, who am I really shooting for?
DO YOU FEEL THERE IS SEPARATION BETWEEN YOURSELF AND YOUR SUBJECTS?
Because I choose to shoot candidly, of course there is. A lot of the people I have photographed, I haven’t connected with and at times they haven’t even know I’ve been present. I feel the separation is obvious in my imagery and the audience can easily tell this, I believe that is what makes a successful street photograph.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO COMMUNICATE WITHIN YOUR STREET PHOTOGRAPHY?
I use my pessimistic sociological lenses to color my street photography. When I shoot street photography, my images tend to be dark, depressing, and critical. I don’t do this to only show the negative side of society — I do this to shed light on social issues, and to perhaps empathize with my subjects. My biggest hope in my street photography is to show the viewer and tell them: “Don’t be like these guys in my photos who are sad and miserable. Live a life true to yourself, full of happiness, love, and passion.”
Of course, how and why you shoot street photography is unique to you.
I also suggest to shoot street photography in a way which is personal and authentic to you.
For more information on Eric Kim or to see his work you can view his website and Instagram below:
