Whatever inspires you to stay out of trouble and be productive in life.
Vices Are Good
Perfection is a losing battle. Too much emphasis on being your best self and eliminating all flaws is unrealistic for long term growth. It’s impossible to maintain an extreme lifestyle if your wish is to engage in society. People reject extreme ideas. Extremity will lead to a lifetime of loneliness and isolation. Having a glass of bourbon or eating a big bowl of ice cream is good for you in moderation and makes us tolerable and grounded.
Tradesmen As The Ultimate Creators
Imagine you were on a team that helped build an amazing house, library or skyscraper. A structure that will last for centuries and be admired by many. The ultimate creator.
The Algorithm Is Your God
If you mainly post on social media, you are heavily influenced by an algorithm. Purge the social media virus from your body and create art that inspires you, not a group of tech bros vision that is centered around profit.
Freedom Of Thought And Creation
It’s the greatest privilege. Freedom to have your own thoughts and freedom to create art in your own vision without appealing to an algorithm.
Inspiring Others Is The Goal
The best way to stay out of trouble is a hobby or passion. To be a productive member of society is one of the great accomplishments while on this planet. If my photos can somehow inspire anyone to do anything productive with their life, I’d be greatly honored. I think it’s naive to dedicate your life to making good photography only for your own happiness. Some external gratification and purpose is necessary to continue the grind everyday. Some things are beyond what makes us happy and having a purpose transcends us.
Candid Photography Is The Most Gratifying
I think it’s the most challenging genre of street photography and the most gratifying. No planning, posing and straight luck and spontaneity. A good candid photo makes me feel proud of the capture.
Live Forever With Your Art
A great way to live forever is passing down your vision for everyone in the future to see. Who cares if you’re not recognized while on this planet. If it’s good, it will eventually make it out to the people.
Arthur Tress Is Cool, Too
Also saw his exhibit at The Getty. He shot mostly street portraits using a 20mm lens. Very cool perspective to take portraits. Looking at the dates, his entire exhibit was shot in the span of two years and the sheer amount of great photos he made in two years is impressive.
William Blake Is Cool
Saw his work at The Getty. I’m not usually into paintings but his work was spectacular and inspiring.
Chris Athanasiadis 