henri-cartier-bresson-shanghai-december-1948-crowd-justling-b© Henri Cartier-Bresson Shanghai, China (1948) Captain's Log, Stardate Two Zero Seven... but seriously. So here we are at Blog #3.  I'd like to pay respects to some of my recent inspirational photographers out there. There's a guy from California, named Eric Kim who is all about street photography.  He's done a lot of research on the photographic "greats" (i.e. Henri Cartier-Besson, Robert Frank, Gary Winogrand, and William Eggleston to name a few) and happily shares his insights about what they have taught him. Eric does street photography workshops and has a great healthy approach to photography. He shoots film using only a Leica MP and one lens, the 35mm. Other lenses that may be suitable for street photography include the 28mm or the infamous 50mm that Cartier-Bresson himself used.  The human eye, argues Eric, views the world in roughly 40mm so the 35mm is a natural angle to view the world.  I totally agree. I think about it as the Goldie-Locks dilemma, 50mm is to tight, 28mm is to loose, and 35mm is just right.

With that gorgeous Leica 35mm glass, Eric takes really lovely, mostly candid and sometimes gritty street images of interesting people.  Check them out here: http://erickimphotography.com. Eric, if you're reading this, keep on keepin' on, brother! 

We all need inspiration and studying the great photographers of then and now is a good lesson in what TO do rather than what NOT to do when making photographs. Above is fantastic image that Henry Cartier-Bresson shot in Shanghai, China in 1948.  He travelled to many places which was likely his inspiration for photography.  

Who do you consider an inspirational photographer? Need help. The best of best turn to Magnum. Check out some real gems here: http://magnumphotos.com.

Next week, G.A.S (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) exposed.