Inspired by street photographer Eric Kim’s insights, you may not agree with every point, but they will definitely spark our thinking.
01. Owning an expensive camera doesn’t make someone a good photographer.
02. Always shoot in RAW format.
03. Prime lenses help you learn to be a better photographer.
04. Post-processing is an art in itself.
05. The rule of thirds works 99% of the time.
06. Macro photography isn’t for everyone.
07. A UV filter is as useful as a lens cap.
08. Going out to shoot is better than spending hours on photography forums.
09. Capture beauty in the ordinary, and you’ll create award-worthy work.
10. Film isn’t better than digital.
11. Digital isn’t better than film.
12. There’s no such thing as a “magic” camera or lens.
13. A better lens won’t give you better photos.
14. Spend less time looking at others’ work, more time shooting your own.
15. Don’t bring your DSLR to a party.
16. Girls like photographers.
17. Turning a photo black and white doesn’t automatically make it artistic.
18. If you say “I PS’d this,” people will scoff; say “I crafted it in the digital darkroom” instead.
19. You don’t need to shoot everything.
20. Backup your work twice—war lesson: Two copies mean one, one copy means none.
21. Ditch the neck strap, use a wrist strap.
22. Get closer when shooting; your work will usually improve.
23. Be part of the scene, not a voyeur.
24. Photos taken from a low angle are often more interesting.
25. Worry less about technical details, focus more on composition.
26. Tape over camera logos with black tape to stay low-key.
27. In bright sun, get used to underexposing by 2/3 stop.
28. The more you shoot, the better you get.
29. At the same location, try different exposures, angles, or apertures.
30. Only show your best work.
31. A point-and-shoot is still a camera.
32. Join an online photography forum.
33. Study others’ work.
34. Think before you shoot.
35. Good photos need no explanation (though context helps).
36. Alcohol and photography don’t mix.
37. Be inspired by other photographers, but don’t worship them.
38. Grain is beautiful.
39. Ditch the backpack, use a side bag for easy access to gear.
40. Simplicity is key.
41. Photography is painting with light—learn to use light intentionally.
42. Find your style and stick to it.
43. Dual monitors are best for post-processing.
44. Silver EFEX Pro is the best black-and-white conversion software.
45. Carry your camera everywhere.
46. Don’t let photography stop you from enjoying life.
47. Don’t baby your camera—use it until it breaks.
48. Shoot clear, straightforward photos.
49. Shoot with confidence.
50. Photography and printing go hand in hand.
51. Print your photos large—you’ll love them more.
52. Give photos to friends.
53. Give photos to strangers.
54. Don’t forget to frame your prints.
55. Costco offers cheap and quality printing.
56. Go shooting with friends.
57. Join or start a photography group.
58. Photos make great gifts.
59. Shooting strangers is thrilling.
60. Candid is better than posed.
61. Natural light is the best light.
62. 35mm on full-frame is the perfect street photography focal length.
63. Don’t be afraid to push the ISO when needed.
64. You don’t need to carry a tripod everywhere.
65. Overexposure is better than underexposure.
66. Shooting homeless people for “artistic” work is exploitation.
67. The best shooting moments come in the most unexpected situations.
68. Photos with people are more interesting.
69. Bad photos can’t be PS’d into good ones.
70. Everyone is a photographer now.
71. You don’t need to go to Paris for good photos—they might be right around the corner.
72. People taking selfies with DSLRs look like idiots (sorry).
73. A camera is a tool, not a toy.
74. Composition-wise, photography is similar to painting.
75. Photography isn’t a hobby—it’s a lifestyle.
76. Go shoot, don’t make excuses.
77. Stay true to your style; don’t copy others.
78. The best photos tell a story and inspire viewers to imagine more.
79. Cameras that aren’t black are too attention-grabbing.
80. The more gear you carry, the less you enjoy photography.
81. Good selfies are harder than they look.
82. Laughter reveals true personalities in photos.
83. Blend in when shooting—don’t act sneaky.
84. Landscape photography can get boring if you wait too long.
85. Photography should be fun.
86. Don’t delete your photos.
87. Show respect, whether shooting people or landscapes.
88. For candid street shots, a wide-angle lens is better than a telephoto.
89. Travel and photography are a perfect match.
90. Learn to read histograms.
91. Noisy photos are better than blurry ones.
92. Don’t be afraid to shoot in the rain.
93. Learn to enjoy the moment, not just chase perfect shots.
94. Don’t shoot when you’re hungry.
95. You’ll understand yourself better through your own photos.
96. Don’t hide your photographic eye—share it with the world.
97. Never stop shooting.
98. Photography is more than taking pictures—it’s a philosophy of life.
99. Capture the decisive moment.
100. Create your own list.
