This past weekend was definitely the best time I ever had shooting the streets. This would probably serve as quite a long testimonial too. It was about a couple of months ago that I ended up on one of Eric's video interviews on YouTube. It was quite ironic that I was originally searching for "John Free" a Los Angeles based street photographer who had a few videos about street photography. On first impressions, John was this seriously intense and experienced photographer while Eric was this overly enthusiastic young guy. Eric had this genuine personality that made me look up to him as a mentor. Perhaps like every other participant's story, it snowballed into following his tremendously helpful blog and being a part of the "streettog" community he had built on Facebook.
Eric is based in Los Angeles and I had no doubt in my mind that I would attend the first workshop he would do here. What more can really ask for in a workshop? Perfect location, an art gallery in the heart of Hollywoood with amazing lighting and architecture. Gourmet food, excellently prepared and served by Eric's mom and sister. And of course Eric himself, a very energetic and knowledgeable teacher.
This was definitely a fruitful experience, learning new things, meeting excellent street photographers and trying out Leica cameras. Camera porn: check. Food porn: check. Now before this starts sounding like a Yelp review, I'd like to focus more on the effects of actually attending the workshop.
One thing I can truly say that I got out of the workshop was a different mindset. I think I could speak for my fellow participants when I say that we fed off Eric's energy and enthusiasm to create wavelengths of positive vibes. I personally raised the bar of my own photography after exploring the different ways I could improve on. I love the fact that I felt really challenged on the first day trying to do what I thought I was comfortable with. I was overwhelmed with the fact that there were literally hundreds of people walking up and down Hollywood. This was the first time I shot with a "buddy" and it really was an interesting experience.
What really made the whole thing pleasing was the second day. I became inspired with the shots of my peers and of course the way they actually shot. I really wanted to see the different styles everyone had and not so much think about what kind of camera they were using. I saw a lot of fearless moves at the same time some patient timing. This really goes to show how it's really up to the person on how they want to photograph a certain scene and the types of emphasis they want to show. (eg. lighting, eye contact and other elements)
On the second day, my focus literally changed. I knew exactly what I wanted to photograph so the sea of people started to fade away and my eyes were filtering only the specific frames I wanted to capture. And when I said focus I didn't only mean my mind, but my old school manual lens was pre-focused to a much more lower distance of 2 feet or less rather than the usual 3 or more. For the first time in my street photography I was doing things I never did before.
And to sum it all up, a measure of a great leader is that even if when he is gone, his people will still thrive. Which to me is like this workshop. I believe that even if I won't be shooting or editing with those awesome people, my street photography will greatly improve and will continue to improve. I wrote this not so much to impress people but to impress upon them that Eric is offering an amazing experience to anyone interested in street photography.
Shoutouts:
Eric Kim- LA Street Photographer, our excellent mentor.
Daniel Shaefer - Hollywood Street Photographer, our awesome host. Multi-talented and very enthusiastic.
Beverly Komatsu - Tokyo Street Photographer, our fearless MVP.
Darriel Almario - LA Street Photographer, the consistent photographer.
Erin Xavier - LA Street Photographer, the guy who got hit by a semi and still showed up.
Ibarionex Parello - Pasadena Street Photographer, the seasoned veteran and podcast host. The photographer with patience and precision.
Joel Shiner - Orange County Street Photographer, the PhD with an eye for photography.
Marq Linden - Orange County Street Photographer, my awesome photobuddy on the first day who loves eye contact from people.
Rinzi Ruiz - LA Street Photographer, the best photos, critiques and overall attitude of the weekend.
Todd Hatakeyama - Aneheim Street Photographer, my photo buddy on the second day. Shooting style: reserved yet revealing. Also, the travelling business man who pimped out the workshop.
Rob LaRosa - Las Vegas Street Photographer, really down to earth. An awesome streettog to see in action.
This was definitely a fruitful experience, learning new things, meeting excellent street photographers and trying out Leica cameras. Camera porn: check. Food porn: check. Now before this starts sounding like a Yelp review, I'd like to focus more on the effects of actually attending the workshop.
One thing I can truly say that I got out of the workshop was a different mindset. I think I could speak for my fellow participants when I say that we fed off Eric's energy and enthusiasm to create wavelengths of positive vibes. I personally raised the bar of my own photography after exploring the different ways I could improve on. I love the fact that I felt really challenged on the first day trying to do what I thought I was comfortable with. I was overwhelmed with the fact that there were literally hundreds of people walking up and down Hollywood. This was the first time I shot with a "buddy" and it really was an interesting experience.
What really made the whole thing pleasing was the second day. I became inspired with the shots of my peers and of course the way they actually shot. I really wanted to see the different styles everyone had and not so much think about what kind of camera they were using. I saw a lot of fearless moves at the same time some patient timing. This really goes to show how it's really up to the person on how they want to photograph a certain scene and the types of emphasis they want to show. (eg. lighting, eye contact and other elements)
On the second day, my focus literally changed. I knew exactly what I wanted to photograph so the sea of people started to fade away and my eyes were filtering only the specific frames I wanted to capture. And when I said focus I didn't only mean my mind, but my old school manual lens was pre-focused to a much more lower distance of 2 feet or less rather than the usual 3 or more. For the first time in my street photography I was doing things I never did before.
And to sum it all up, a measure of a great leader is that even if when he is gone, his people will still thrive. Which to me is like this workshop. I believe that even if I won't be shooting or editing with those awesome people, my street photography will greatly improve and will continue to improve. I wrote this not so much to impress people but to impress upon them that Eric is offering an amazing experience to anyone interested in street photography.
Shoutouts:
Eric Kim- LA Street Photographer, our excellent mentor.
Daniel Shaefer - Hollywood Street Photographer, our awesome host. Multi-talented and very enthusiastic.
Beverly Komatsu - Tokyo Street Photographer, our fearless MVP.
Darriel Almario - LA Street Photographer, the consistent photographer.
Erin Xavier - LA Street Photographer, the guy who got hit by a semi and still showed up.
Ibarionex Parello - Pasadena Street Photographer, the seasoned veteran and podcast host. The photographer with patience and precision.
Joel Shiner - Orange County Street Photographer, the PhD with an eye for photography.
Marq Linden - Orange County Street Photographer, my awesome photobuddy on the first day who loves eye contact from people.
Rinzi Ruiz - LA Street Photographer, the best photos, critiques and overall attitude of the weekend.
Todd Hatakeyama - Aneheim Street Photographer, my photo buddy on the second day. Shooting style: reserved yet revealing. Also, the travelling business man who pimped out the workshop.
Rob LaRosa - Las Vegas Street Photographer, really down to earth. An awesome streettog to see in action.