Eric Kim and a disconnect?

[emraphoto]

So here's a question/disconnect for me...

It seems that the popular posit in is to dislike Eric Kim with varying degrees of intensity. Now I haven't met him in person nor have I taken a workshop but personally he seems like a pretty damn good photographer AND as far as the 'hustle' goes he is knocking it out of the park. By 'hustle' I mean all the things one must do to make a living producing photographs... self promotion, sales, revenue generation and so forth.

So what's the deal? He puts out good photographs as far as I can see (although I am not a big fan of 'street' photography) and his writing/articles/self promotion is usually sound.

Why the hate?

 

[dallard]

Ask Ken Rockwell. Surely HE will know the answer.

 

[sleepyhead]

Perhaps, envy?

 

[DominikDUK]

Often Envy, many succesful photographers are disliked Annie Leibovitz is another one

 

[MCTuomey]

Perhaps, envy?

Agree, mixed with a helping of resentment, maybe. Those of us making our living from something other than photography (as I do) find it strangely easy to criticize those who do, I think.

 

[Out to Lunch]

My two cents: this article: https://petapixel.com/2017/05/12/earn-200000a-year-photography/ got a lot of people upset. Some concluded that he was 'bragging', not about making a living but about making a lot of money, instead of highlighting his work.

 

[DamenS]

Envy, certainly, however that envy is generated by the belief that accolades and success have ben undeserved - usually that the photography is OK, but that the self-promotion is what has garnered any success. In Eric Kim’s case, I haven’t seen his work for ages, however his early work was - quite frankly - pretty awful. As soon as someone like Ken Rockwell talks about what “We PROFESSIONAL photographers do” etc. there is a grandiosity and perceived lack of reality.

I think LOTS of the most popular bloggers overestimate their knowledge and skills - usually they tell you who they are, rather than showing you - they are the conduits between the real experts and the neophytes. A lot of it does come down to perceived arrogance.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

This is very first thread I see in years to be dedicated strictly for him. So, I'm not sure if he is popular as he was. To me he is very good populist of photography. And it is nice to have him around. Nothing to dislike.

Yet, OP personal remark about him been "a pretty damn good photographer" personally to me is the quiz. Last time I was trying to find the photography by him and from him, I can't see it on exposures provided🙂.
And I'm very open-minded for the photography.
Nothing wrong with Eric, still, I don't think good instructor and populist as him must be good photographer.

 

[joe bosak]

Some don't agree his photography is good; some see his form of "street photography" as risible, obvious, cliched, not very hard, whatever, and not worth looking at; and some think that his gear reviews are equally banal.

I looked at some of his blogging and can't say I remember much except he seemed quite positive [though I cannot remember what about].

I expect the photos were nice too, but I can't remember any of them either.

 

[fireblade]

If you hustle and bustle by ripping your clients off big time, you can buy a M10 for the whole family 😀
Good luck to him.

 

[Rayt]

His photography is too Bruce Gildenesque which can be a good teaching tool to get your students' nerves up sort of like watching highway fatality videos in driver's ed.

 

[shimokita]

I did one of Eric's workshops back in 2011 and didn't ask for my money back ; )

Whenever he does a workshop in Tokyo I try to join an after-event GTG, usually some dinner were the chances of running into someone I know is very high... Most likely I picked up on a couple of points in the workshop, but definitely made some excellent long term contacts.

 

[ferider]

Why the hate?

Whatever the reason, it's good for him. Marketing-wise, any exposure is good exposure 🙂 So we don't need to feel sorry for him.

Roland.

 

[35photo]

The more you talk about him the stronger he gets good/bad indifferent.... I would drop is thread right now just my opinion..

 

[JoeLopez]

Haters hate the hustle, period.

Anyone who defines a person by ONE article is kidding themselves. I enjoy his work and his hustle personally. I find it motivating.

 

[Huss]

--------------------------

 

[Roger Hicks]

Often Envy, many succesful photographers are disliked Annie Leibovitz is another one

Yes, but have you ever met anyone who has ever met her who actually liked her? I never have, so I can't speak from experience, but the few people I know who have worked with her speak much more highly of her photographic talent than of her affability and kindness.

Cheers,

R.

 

[emraphoto]

The more you talk about him the stronger he gets good/bad indifferent.... I would drop is thread right now just my opinion..

Why? Is he a threat to world peace?

In all seriousness though... are there lessons to take from his approach? I mean he seems to be doing fairly well at it?

 

[emraphoto]

Yes, but have you ever met anyone who has ever met her who actually liked her? I never have, so I can't speak from experience, but the few people I know who have worked with her speak much more highly of her photographic talent than of her affability and kindness.

Cheers,

R.

I thinks her is a he

 

[MCTuomey]

Sheesh, all this opprobrium about a guy who blogs and pushes workshops and accessories. So what? No harm, no foul. If he's not to your taste, and he's not to mine, don't read him.

Now that I think about it, if you believe he sucks but manages to influence other photographers to make inferior pictures, doesn't that make my photos comparatively better in the marketplace? Hmm.