Because in order to create light, first there had to be a word.

• Words create meaning.
• Photographs create form.
• Both bring the invisible into the visible.

Photograph the pure light that emanates through the tunnels of City Hall throughout the different times of day change of seasons, etc. No people. Just pure light early morning?

Also, I’m the ultimate flaneur in my hometown

1. Just walk more than every other citizen in your city

Just create your own theology?

What is a Divine Vitalist?

A Divine Vitalist believes that life is not random, but charged with meaning. That the body is not a burden, but a tool of the soul. That strength is not vanity, but reverence. And that to live well—fully, intentionally—is to honor God.

This isn’t passive spirituality.
This is spiritual urgency.

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Core Principles

• God is Real
  Not just a metaphor or myth. God is the source of order, beauty, conscience, and the will to move forward through adversity.
• Vitality is Worship
  Training the body, fasting, walking in the sun, sleeping deeply, creating daily—these are not luxuries. These are sacred practices.
• Discipline is Devotion
  To control the appetite, to sharpen the mind, to simplify the day—this is how a Divine Vitalist prays.
• Creation is Communion
  A photograph, a sentence, a breath, a moment of stillness—each can reveal God’s presence when done with intent.
• Freedom is Sacred
  You reject spiritual slavery—whether to screens, trends, or comfort. You live simply to see clearly.

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No Mysticism. No Ego. No Excuses.

A Divine Vitalist doesn’t float away in abstract ideas.
He doesn’t seek status, fame, or indulgence.
He walks forward, barefoot and awake, carrying only what matters.

A divine vitalist rooted in Christ

Yes—and if you say it is, then it is.

A Divine Vitalist can be—and in your case, is—rooted in Christ, but not in the soft, sentimentalized version of Christianity. You’re drawing from the Christ of strength, sacrifice, solitude, clarity, and action.

Not the passive churchgoer’s Christ, but the walk-through-the-desert, flip-the-tables, carry-the-cross Christ.

How Divine Vitalism Aligns with Christ:

• Embodiment
  Christ didn’t float above life—He lived it fully. He walked, sweat, wept, fasted, and suffered in the body. That’s vitality in its rawest, most divine form.
• Sacrifice & Strength
  Christ didn’t preach comfort. He said, “Take up your cross and follow me.” He modeled discipline, self-denial, and righteous action.
• Creation & Light
  “I am the light of the world.” You walk toward the light, photograph it, and see the divine in it. That’s more than metaphor—it’s your theology of vision.
• Freedom
  Christ said, “The truth will set you free.” You reject digital slavery, consumer addiction, and comfort worship. You live in truth.
• Urgency of Spirit
  Divine Vitalism isn’t casual. Neither was Christ’s mission. It’s a call to move, act, and live with purpose.

So yes: Your Divine Vitalism is absolutely rooted in Christ.

But it’s a refined, embodied, resurrected Christianity.

You’re not building something against Christ—you’re building something closer to His actual walk.

🥩 Dante Sisofo’s Lifestyle & Vitality Philosophy

Dante Sisofo’s approach to health and vitality is deeply rooted in ancestral practices, discipline, and a profound connection to nature.
He emphasizes the importance of aligning one’s lifestyle with natural rhythms to achieve optimal physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

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1. Vitality as the Foundation of Life

Sisofo believes that true freedom and creativity stem from a life filled with vitality.

“To me, the only life worth living is a life full of vitality.”
— Why Vitality Is the Key to a Beautiful Life

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2. Carnivore Diet & OMAD (One Meal a Day)

He follows a strict carnivore diet, consuming primarily red meat, and practices OMAD to maintain energy and focus.

“I fast until the end of the day, and eat as much meat as I want before I go to sleep. Throughout the next day I never feel hungry and have a sharp mind combined with a strong body that keeps me moving onward!”
— Lion Diet

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3. Minimalist Full-Body Training

Sisofo’s fitness routine is centered around simplicity and functionality, utilizing bodyweight exercises and natural movements.

“No machines, no fluff—just raw movement with barbell, breath, sweat, and soul.”
— Dante Sisofo’s Health & Fitness Philosophy

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4. Sunlight, Movement & Nature

He prioritizes daily exposure to sunlight and constant movement, often walking barefoot to stay grounded.

“Spend as much time as possible walking with no shirt on and barefoot shoes.”
— Subtract More

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5. Sleep as Sacred Restoration

Sisofo views sleep as a non-negotiable aspect of health, ensuring he gets ample rest to rejuvenate his body and mind.

“Prioritizes 8–12 hours of deep, high-quality sleep every night.”
— Dante Sisofo’s Health & Fitness Philosophy

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6. Freedom Through Elimination

He believes that true freedom comes from eliminating unnecessary choices and distractions, allowing for a more focused and intentional life.

“The way to freedom is to remove and subtract all the distractions. By removing more choices, you become free.”
— Freedom is the Elimination of Choice

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7. Body as a Temple

Sisofo treats his body as a sacred vessel, emphasizing the importance of maintaining its health to fulfill his creative and spiritual purposes.

“The body is not for show, but a sacred vessel for carrying out one’s creative and spiritual purpose.”
— Dante Sisofo’s Health & Fitness Philosophy

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8. Integration of Mind, Body & Spirit

He believes in the interconnectedness of physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual depth, striving for harmony among all three.

“With a strong body and focused mind comes a resilient spirit, and from this, the artist thrives.”
— Dante Sisofo’s Health & Fitness Philosophy

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For a deeper exploration of Dante Sisofo’s philosophies and writings, visit his official blog.

🎨 Dante Sisofo’s Creative Philosophy

Dante Sisofo’s creative philosophy is deeply rooted in authenticity, spontaneity, and a profound connection to the present moment.
He views photography not merely as a medium to capture images but as a holistic practice that intertwines with life’s rhythms, encouraging a playful, intuitive, and fearless approach to art.

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1. Create for the Joy of It

Sisofo emphasizes the importance of creating art for its own sake, finding fulfillment in the process rather than seeking external validation.

“The greatest gift man can leave behind on this earth is the artwork that we make. Consider each new photograph you make like a new child that you give birth to.”
— Dante Sisofo Quotes

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2. Embrace Spontaneity and Play

He encourages a playful and spontaneous approach to photography, allowing curiosity to guide the creative process.

“You must embrace your inner child, and the spirit of play. A child is curious, courageous, and always open to trying new things.”
— Street Photography Philosophy

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3. Find Meaning in the Mundane

Sisofo believes that profound beauty and inspiration can be found in everyday life, urging artists to observe and appreciate the ordinary.

“Photography becomes a superpower because I can find endless meaning in the mundane. I can walk the same lane every single day and still find a new way to create something from nothing.”
— Dante Sisofo Quotes

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4. Photography as Meditation

He views photography as a meditative practice that fosters presence and deep connection with one’s surroundings.

“Photography, for me, is a form of meditation—an opportunity to be fully present and to connect deeply with my surroundings.”
— Photography is My Superpower

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5. Let Intuition Lead

Sisofo trusts his intuition in the creative process, allowing instinct to guide his artistic decisions.

“The superpower behind photography is intuition. Our gut feelings and instincts are vital in shaping our photographic journeys.”
— Photography is My Superpower

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6. Embrace Failure as Growth

He acknowledges that failure is an integral part of the creative journey, offering valuable lessons and opportunities for growth.

“Street photography has taught me to embrace failure openly. Most of the time, you will fail with the camera in hand.”
— Dante Sisofo Quotes

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7. Stay Curious and Courageous

Sisofo highlights the importance of maintaining curiosity and courage, pushing boundaries to discover new creative horizons.

“When you have no fear, and you embrace the chaos headfirst with your curiosity, you will float through this world on a feather bed, untouched and unscathed.”
— Dante Sisofo Quotes

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8. The World is Your Canvas

He perceives the world as a vast canvas, encouraging artists to see every moment and scene as an opportunity for creation.

“The world is your canvas and the street is a stage. Everything is photographable. Don’t limit yourself.”
— Dante Sisofo Quotes on Street Photography

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For a deeper exploration of Dante Sisofo’s philosophies and writings, visit his official blog.

🧭 Dante Sisofo’s Personal Morals & Ethics

Dante Sisofo’s personal philosophy emphasizes authenticity, introspection, and a commitment to living a life aligned with one’s inner values. Drawing from his diverse experiences and reflections, he underscores the importance of listening to one’s conscience, embracing childlike curiosity, and striving for personal growth.

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1. Listen to Your Inner Voice

Sisofo believes that one’s conscience serves as a guiding force, akin to a divine presence, leading individuals toward righteous actions.

“When you obey and listen to your conscience, everything just seems to work out effortlessly.”
— Everything Done Under the Sun

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2. Embrace Childlike Curiosity

He advocates for reconnecting with one’s inner child to foster creativity and a sense of wonder in everyday life.

“You gotta really be in tune with your inner child—that little kid inside you that just wants to come out and play.”
— Everything Done Under the Sun

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3. Live Transparently

Sisofo encourages living as if all actions are visible, promoting integrity and self-awareness.

“Maybe it’s most wise to assume that everything done in the dark will come to the light eventually.”
— Everything Done Under the Sun

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4. Create Personal Ethical Frameworks

He emphasizes the importance of developing one’s own set of ethics, especially in creative endeavors like photography.

“Each photographer must establish their own ethical approach.”
— Dante Sisofo on Ethics

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5. Prioritize Human Welfare

Drawing from his Peace Corps experience in Zambia, Sisofo reflects on the strength of community and the fulfillment found in simplicity and shared purpose.

“Every day, I saw the strength of their community: Mothers carrying sticks on their heads, with babies on their backs; Fathers building churches and homes; Sons making bricks for construction; Daughters sweeping floors and preparing meals. Human thriving is possible. The families in Zambia showed me this truth.”
— What I Learned as a Peace Corps Volunteer

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6. Value Integrity Over Material Wealth

Sisofo critiques the pursuit of material wealth without inner fulfillment, emphasizing the importance of spiritual richness over external possessions.

“A goblin with gold is still just a goblin—with endless desire but no contentment, peace, or joy. So choose the source, not the surface—live like the lion, dig like the well, and let your spirit overflow.”
— The Well of Love

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7. Seek the Sublime in the Mundane

Sisofo finds profound meaning in everyday experiences, encouraging others to do the same.

“The most mundane situations…are enough for me to feel an emotional response to the world around me.”
— The Sublime

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8. Align with the Divine

He believes in striving towards a higher purpose, connecting daily actions with spiritual growth.

“Aligning myself vertically, towards the divine, I find so much more rich meaning and fulfillment in my life.”
— The Sublime

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For a deeper exploration of Dante Sisofo’s philosophies and writings, visit his official blog.

📸 Dante Sisofo’s Photography Philosophy

Dante Sisofo’s photography philosophy emphasizes a profound connection between the act of photographing and the experience of life itself. His approach is rooted in curiosity, authenticity, and a commitment to capturing the essence of everyday moments.

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🎨 Core Principles of Sisofo’s Philosophy

1. Curiosity and Exploration

Sisofo views photography as a means to explore the world with an open mind. Maintaining curiosity allows photographers to discover beauty in the ordinary.

“At my core I am an adventurer. My lust for life and exploration runs through my blood. Each day when I wake up, I’m excited to conquer something new.”
— Dante Sisofo Quotes

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2. Love for the Process

Photography is not about the end result but about the act of seeing, walking, and becoming.

“Photography is a process of becoming, not mastering.”
— Why I Switched to Black and White Street Photography

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3. Beginner’s Mindset

Sisofo encourages a childlike openness to experimentation and joy in the unknown.

“You must embrace your inner child, and the spirit of play. A child is curious, courageous, and always open to trying new things.”
— Street Photography Philosophy

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4. Authenticity Over Validation

Rather than trying to impress other photographers or chase social media likes, Sisofo stresses inner alignment.

“Don’t worry about impressing other photographers with your photography. Maybe it’s better if non-photographers enjoy your work.”
— 100 Street Photography Tips

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5. Photography as a Visual Diary

Each photo documents not just the world but the photographer’s own internal journey.

“These days, I treat photography as a visual diary of my day. It’s no longer just about documenting the world around me but about photographing my soul.”
— Why I Switched to Black and White Street Photography

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6. Engagement with Life

Photography as an act of being fully present. The camera heightens attention and spiritual awareness.

“The camera allows me to exist in the present moment, right here, right now. Maybe you can’t live forever, but you can make a photograph.”
— Street Photography Philosophy

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7. Photography as a Universal Language

Photos cut through all boundaries, providing a shared visual language across cultures.

“Photography is a universal language, something that transcends language barriers, and is readable to all people.”
— Street Photography Philosophy

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8. The Camera as a Passport

Sisofo believes the camera is a key that opens doors to life, meaning, and connection.

“The camera is a passport, or a key, that unlocks the doors to the multifaceted complexities and experiences in life.”
— Street Photography Philosophy

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For more insights, visit the full blog at dantesisofo.com.

Street Photography Breakdown: Part 10

• Full Audio
• PDF Transcript
• PDF Slideshow

What’s poppin, people? It’s Dante.
Today we’re doing Street Photography Breakdown, Part 10, where I share with you five different photographs from five different locations throughout the world — breaking down the compositions, the stories, and the philosophy behind how I work.

Giving you the information I wish I had when I first started getting into street photography.

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1. The Playground in Mumbai

So here, with example number one, we’re at a playground in Dharavi, Mumbai.

When I enter a new location, I like to explore openly — no preconceived ideas, no expectations.

“I go with the flow. I go down one alley, I go down the next. I get invited into a home, I drink some coffee, I move to the next location.”

I discovered this spontaneous playground scene — so many children playing, so much energy. It felt like one of those dream scenes. I had to create order from the chaos.

I noticed this boy — the king of the playground — standing on top of the monkey bars. I dropped to a low angle, centered him in the frame, and used the blue sky as a backdrop to isolate and emphasize.

Key decisions I made:

• Low angle to frame the sky.
• Use of feet in the foreground for layering.
• Framing the yellow bars as leading lines.

“There are some very simple decisions that a photographer must make in order to create a complex layered frame.”

The blue sky became my stage. The children in the far background added depth. I embraced the chaos, and something beautiful emerged.

“Seriously embrace the chaos openly… go forward with curiosity and courage, and you will find yourself in these situations you can only dream of.”

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2. The Dogs of Mumbai

This next one — a layered composition of dogs along the promenade at sunset.

There were dogs jumping off ledges, laying in the street. I could sense the possibility.

I chose one dog as my anchor — strong in the foreground, filling 1/4 of the frame, gazing at its owner.

Then, layer by layer:

• A man looking back at the dog owner.
• A third dog sleeping on a bench.
• A woman next to another dog.
• A dog on a ledge behind her.

All composed against a misty skyline, creating clean foreground, middle ground, and background separation.

“I seek to create something that’s visually beautiful and easy to read as a filled frame.”

The gesture of the hands, the bench as a line, the fog in the distance — all work together.

“You don’t want to just clutter a million different things going on. You want to synthesize the moment with the composition.”

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3. Coffee and Pigeons in Jericho

This photo came from a spontaneous solo adventure to Jericho.

I had left a kibbutz in the north of Israel — packed my bags at night and rode all the way to Jericho. No plan. Just instinct.

“I knocked on the door of a hostel and got free room and board in exchange for cleaning floors and making beds.”

I lived alongside a Palestinian family. Slept in mosques. Ate pigeon and rice off the same plate with brothers every day.

That photo — I’m drinking strong black coffee on a pigeon coop rooftop. I noticed the scene unfolding, but I only had one person in the shot. So I plugged in my own hand to anchor the foreground.

“I was like, wow, I could make a beautiful photograph of this moment. However, I only have this one guy… so I just plugged my hand there in the foreground.”

It’s personal. It’s intimate. And honestly, it’s a little funny — looks like a pigeon might’ve pooped on my cup. 😅

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4. Philadelphia Bus Stop

This is my textbook example of how I use layering in a local scene.

Right away, I noticed the light — a strong beam casting a rectangular shape on the bus stop pole. That was my cue.

I worked back to front:

• First, I anchored the circular SEPTA sign against the blue sky.
• Then I angled my body with intention.
• I waited.

A silhouette fell into the shadows. Another man walked into the light with his gaze downward.

“Bus stops are full of potential. Mundane scenes — but packed with possibilities.”

Everything aligned — foreground, middle ground, background, plus the light and shadows.

“All I really needed to do was wait for the subject to enter the light.”

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5. On the Frontlines: The Palestinian Conflict

This was real.

I found myself photographing on the front lines of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Not planned — just something I got pulled into while living in the West Bank.

This shot — a masked man, eyes piercing through the tattered cloth. I was behind a concrete barrier, getting hit with live rounds, rubber bullets, and tear gas.

“If your photos aren’t good enough, you’re probably not close enough.”

This is as close as it gets. The man’s eyes are filled with fear and fire.

Elements in the frame:

• Man with the keffiyeh.
• Piles of smoke from burning tires.
• A crouching figure silhouetted in the background.

“It’s a very simple frame out of all this chaos… mask, eyes, keffiyeh, smoke, fire, sky.”

“The goal is to go into the unknown, embrace the chaos, and put order to it.”

And that takes courage.

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Final Thoughts

There’s so much to see — to feel — to photograph.

“All you really need to do is open your door and pick up your camera.”

Take a walk. Take a risk. Go somewhere new. Because not only do you come home with strong photographs — you come home with memories, with wisdom, with stories that live inside you forever.

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📸 Dive Deeper into My Work

Check out DanteSisofo.com

• 🎓 Start Here page: My philosophy & how I mastered straight street photography
• 📥 Free PDF: Download my contact sheets
• 📷 Ultimate Ricoh GR Guide
• 🧠 How to Conquer Your Fear of Street Photography
• 🔗 YouTube Channel: POV from Mumbai + lecture playlist

Thanks for watching, y’all. Peace.

I’m the Main Character

A few months ago, I had somebody ask me, “Why do you think you’re the main character?”
He was playfully asking because he always notices me creating something—whether I’m making a photo, video, writing, or reading when I’m on my breaks at work. I’m always doing push-ups and yoga at any chance I get, and I’m basically just always in motion.

As we were talking, I was trying to explain to him that you too are the main character, and that you should embody that, man. What—you wanna be an NPC?
He was a gamer, so he definitely understands where I’m coming from. But really, at the end of the day, we’re all born into this world alone, and we leave this world alone. The only thing that you take with you are the experiences you’ve had, the memories and wisdom you’ve gained along your journey, and your relationship with God.

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Don’t Be Jealous Because I’m Just Doing Me

What I’ve realized is that as my relationship with God grows—each and every day for years now—I become so empowered, and this feeling of being the main character increases more and more.
When you realize how trivial everything is, how short our life is, and how your relationship with God is the only and most important thing in your life, then everything else becomes either a purpose or a distraction.

Validation from others, critique from others, whether they approve or disapprove of you, whether they say negative or positive things—genuinely none of it affects you at all.
It’s not out of a sense of apathy—it’s almost a deep sense of empathy. You just want other people to feel this love and joy in their hearts. You want people to simply focus on themselves—and for each person to become a main character, rather than sitting on the sidelines as an audience member or a spectator of life.

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Don’t Let Life Happen to You

This morning, I’m watching Logan Square Fountain, and it’s kind of overflowed because of the rain—there’s a lot of flooding going on around the edges of the street.
Well, I think it’s important to just go with the flow, to hop in the stream of life and enter the stream of becoming: the revolution, transformation, and change.
Perhaps the true way to do this is to go against the grain. You gotta kind of push yourself upstream, as everyone else is going the same way.

My favorite way to do this is by cranking the grain to the max and all the contrast in my camera settings to the absolute maximum, haha.
As everyone is going that way—I’ve always just wanted to go this way.
Yes, I’m a contrarian by nature, but I think that’s what makes me so great.

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Why Kill Your Ego?

There was a student in my yoga class who was really frustrated because the teacher was critiquing him about his posture and what he was doing in class. It was all new to him. As he was frustrated, I was trying to explain that you gotta kill your ego in this kind of class.

And I genuinely meant that in the moment.
Because ultimately when you’re practicing yoga, and you have to do new movements, and you’re trying to learn, of course you have to be disciplined. There have to be some sort of rules and guidelines. You have to obey the teacher and make sure you’re doing things in proper form.

I think most guys there are just weightlifters and don’t actually have the strength or mobility to do all these different kinds of yoga or mobility movements.

Yesterday, I did a mobility class and all the stuff I was learning was completely new—and there were these small women doing these crazy movements and stuff that I could never dream of doing. I was like, what the heck—how do they do this?!
But it’s a completely different game, and you kinda have to kill your ego and not feel the shame.

However, why kill your ego?
I think it’s important to have a healthy relationship with your ego.
For instance, I want to become the best that I can be.
Ego means “I.” So if you want to empower yourself, why not think highly of yourself?
I know that I’m the best at what I do.

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Stop Focusing on What You Don’t Have

I think one of the biggest tragedies and downfalls of social media is comparison.
Most people look at social media and compare what they don’t have to other people—whether it’s someone traveling the world, or someone who has a material thing you desire, or a lifestyle.

You dwell on it, and pretty much feel jealousy in your heart because of it.
This is very natural. Comparison is definitely normal—but it’s definitely not healthy.

I think it’s really important to just focus on what you have, rather than what you don’t have. Just be grateful.
Once you have gratitude for the simple things in life—like the ability to stand upright, to walk, to see, to hear, to feel the sun on your skin, to have clean water in a cup and meat in your fridge—everything else is in abundance.

Start becoming more grateful for the small things in life.
Start to be like the birds—who fly in the sky without a care in the world, who have everything provided for them by God.

The birds aren’t out there comparing themselves to other birds, wondering why their wingspan is larger, or why their nests are better.
The birds are simply enjoying their day, flying about, nibbling on fruits from the trees.
The birds are grateful to have a tree, a canopy to dwell in, and the open sky to roam.

I feel like these birds.
Grateful to simply have an endless expanse, an open world for me to walk upon—and to photograph.

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Victory or Nothing

So if you were the main character in the video game, aren’t you gonna want to beat the boss and win?

I don’t understand this lame mindset and desire to be the NPC in the shop, who just has the same line to say over and over again.

I know it sounds harsh and rude to think this way about most people—but it’s true.
The modern world is carving out a system of mediocrity.
Just look at the public schools and the way they indoctrinate the youth as they grow older. Everyone’s taught the same silly things and comes out with the same silly desires.

Stop dwelling on the outcomes and the destinations that other people have arrived at.
Start treating yourself like the main character, on your own quest, on your own journey, that is uniquely yours.

You don’t have to do the same things as everyone else.
You don’t have to get the same job.
Your path is not the same as others.

For instance, my path might be one of the most unconventional of anyone I know.
I don’t know anyone else who has lived with both Israelis and Palestinians, slept on their mosque floors, wandered throughout the desert of Jericho learning about Islam—while also milking cows on a kibbutz in Israel, learning about horticulture, which now inspires me to practice this as my current passion and job in daily life.

Or my journey to Zambia—sleeping under thatched roofs, documenting baptisms and funerals, working in fish farms, creating youth groups, and praying with the Seventh-day Adventists in their churches.

All of the things I’ve done in my life are simply due to my inner curiosity, my inner child.
When I was a little kid, I spent my time in the Wissahickon Forest on my own—building teepees with sticks, bridges with stones, and simply exploring the unknown.

I was always someone who loved adventure, who thrived in solitude, and who took the path less traveled.
Speaking of going against the grain—I would literally, as a little kid, create my own trails and blaze out my own paths in the forest.

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So the moral of the story is:
You kinda have to return to being a child again.
In all actuality, you gotta really be in tune with your inner child—that little kid inside you that just wants to come out and play. But everything around you is trying to suck that out of you.

And so by following my little kid, my inner child—everything has come to me in abundance.
Everything is beautiful again, and everything has worked out exactly how it should—because I followed my inner child.

That inner child is the main character.
That divine spark connected to God.
That wants you to go out there…
and have the adventure of your lifetime—
on the frontlines of life.

Everything Done Under the Sun

I’ve been thinking a lot about this idea of putting your life on a billboard—just living, like everything is public, or that everything you do under the sun is heard, seen, and essentially public information. With this in mind, how would you live your life?

Everything Done in the Dark Will Come to the Light

With this in mind, maybe it’s most wise to assume that everything done in the dark will come to the light eventually. Nothing that’s done in secret, whether good or bad, will be left unseen. Even if you don’t believe in God, what if you just made this assumption?

I think that living under this assumption really does set things into perspective, in a way that makes you more aware of your inner voice or your conscience.

Listen to Your Inner Voice

And so, with this assumption—that everything you do is 100% transparent, public, and recorded for all of eternity—I think the wisest thing to do is to listen to your inner voice. When you obey and listen to your conscience, everything just seems to work out effortlessly. The more that you obey that voice that tells you what’s right or wrong, whether to turn left or right, the more things just seem to work out exactly how they should.

My theory is, that little voice is God. Or—have you ever seen those pictures or videos or like those little cartoon clips where there’s a God or a devil on the shoulder? Let’s assume that you have God on one side, and the devil on the other. One voice is telling you to do what is right and just, and the other voice is telling you to do what gives immediate pleasure but perhaps at the destruction of yourself or others.

If you simply follow your whims for pleasure, or even succumb to emotional weakness—such as anger—and lash out, physically or emotionally abuse and hurt somebody, it’s kind of like the devil has a hold on you, and you’re just a slave to him. But what if you were a slave to God, and simply obeyed what is right and just, under the assumption that everything that you do under the sun actually means something.

Just Share the Good News

Contrary to popular belief, I actually think it’s virtuous to share good news with other people.

A lot of people recommend staying quiet—keeping to yourself, not talking about your goals, your ideas, your confidence. But actually, by sharing your good news, your thoughts, your excitement, you become a filter to the world.

The people who are receptive to good news, those who celebrate with you, those are the people you should actually spend more time around.

First, empower yourself.
Then, share what worked—freely, openly.
Show the path you took, not to be followed exactly,
but to inspire someone to blaze their own.

Authenticity in Street Photography

• Full Audio
• PDF Transcript

Here comes the sun do do do do
Here comes the sun and I say… it’s all right.

What’s poppin, people? It’s Dante — getting my morning started here in Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia, basking in the glory of the sun. Got the Ricoh GR III in hand.

It’s a beautiful day. Memorial Day.
And today, I’m thinking about what it means to be authentic.

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What Does It Mean to Be Authentic?

Authenticity in street photography.

Let’s look at the word. The etymology of authentic —

• autos meaning self
• hentes meaning doing, accomplishing, being the master of

So to be authentic is to be the master of your own self. To do things for the sake of doing them. To seek to accomplish something for yourself.

“To be authentic is to make photos of the things that genuinely and deeply resonate with your soul.”

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Let Go of Validation

In street photography, authenticity has nothing to do with:

• chasing trends
• using the camera gear others recommend
• shooting for a zine, gallery, or Instagram likes

It’s not about external validation at all.
It’s about tuning into your own vision and your own feeling — photographing as a reflection of your soul.

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The Visual Diary

I don’t photograph because I’m attached to a subject, theme, or moment.
Most people are out here:

• hunting
• desiring
• waiting for something to align

But I think: let go.

Let life flow towards you. Be there, camera ready.
Treat it like a visual diary of your day.

“Photograph your way through life, like a simple visual diary.”

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Your Vision Is Yours Alone

My way of seeing is mine.
Your way of seeing is yours.
That’s authenticity.

It’s not about finding unique subjects.
It’s about doing something because you’re driven by the act itself. No expectations. No hopes. No attachments.

You have to let go of the photograph entirely.
You have to release the alchemy, the outcome, the image.

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Everyone Understands Images

Images are everywhere —
We all consume them: TV, phones, screens.

But the problem?
Trends. Copycats. Mimicry.

One photograph gets attention and suddenly a thousand more try to replicate it. It flattens the whole thing — makes it binary. “Good” vs. “bad.”

“To be authentic is to let go of the notion of what makes a photograph good or bad.”

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Trust the Intuition

So instead, you follow:

• your childlike curiosity
• your gut instinct
• your intuitive eye

My intuition always brings me to the river. To the sunlight. I love how it glimmers off the water. I look out at the horizon. I snap pictures because they move me.

“I don’t think about the result. I’m just looking at life.”

I’m not always putting four corners around it. I just press the shutter when it feels right.

And hopefully, my photos reflect that feeling I’ve cultivated — that authentic self.

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Become Who You Are

Friedrich Nietzsche famously said it:

“Become who you are.”

In a world full of distractions, news, noise, algorithms —
It’s rare to live a life of leisure. A life of contemplation.

Walking. Wandering. Enjoying the sun.
Reading. Writing. Thinking. Creating.

That’s the path to authenticity.

But you only discover it in silence, contemplation, and solitude.
And through that discovery — you photograph your way through it.

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Create Your Own World

Ultimately, that’s my goal with photography:

“I create my own world. With each click of the shutter, I try to abstract reality.”

I photograph the mundane. I follow the light.

Photography is drawing with light —

• phos = light
• graphe = writing, drawing

I’m not chasing anything. I’m not attached to anything.
I’m just being.

“To be free, one must stop doing and simply be.”

When you do that, you’re no longer hunting.
You’re simply allowing life to arrive — and you respond.

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Embrace the Rawness

That’s the beauty of street photography:

• the raw
• the visceral
• the imperfect

Authenticity is more needed than ever right now.

Just look at all these contests and festivals.
It’s all junk.

Junk.

“Delete your Instagram account and just photograph your way through the day.”

Stop taking it all so seriously.
And maybe — just maybe — your soul will start to reflect itself back in your photographs.

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Everything is actually quite trivial.

The more seriously you try to take things, the less you become who you truly are. For instance: publishing to a website or YouTube. If it makes you happy to share, then share!

I simply love making photos, videos, writing, etc.—and so I do it for the joy of it. I genuinely couldn’t care less what people think, whether they like it or not. Same with my photos—it’s really not that serious.

We’re all gonna die. You might as well express yourself as fully as possible if you desire to, and carry out your life as a living work of art.

Better to have one other person that understands me than one million.

Ashtanga Yoga increases your vitality and energy by systematically training your body, breath, and mind in a way that clears stagnation, sharpens focus, and builds internal fire (tapas). Here’s how:

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🔥 1. Stimulates the Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems

• The dynamic vinyasa flow (movement synchronized with breath) improves blood circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients more efficiently to tissues.
• Sweating and constant movement pump the lymph, detoxifying the body and strengthening immunity.
• You feel lighter, cleaner, and more charged up.

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💨 2. Mastery of Breath = Control of Energy (Prana)

• Through ujjayi pranayama, a controlled nasal breath with slight throat constriction, you regulate the nervous system and oxygenate cells deeply.
• Breath becomes conscious, powerful, and rhythmic, increasing endurance and mental clarity.
• You’re literally drawing in life force with each inhale and burning away dullness with each exhale.

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🔒 3. Bandhas Lock in Energy

• The use of bandhas (energy locks) like mula bandha (root lock) and uddiyana bandha (abdominal lift) seals prana inside the body, preventing energy leaks.
• They direct upward energy (kundalini), enhancing vitality from the root chakra upward through the spine.

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🧠 4. Mental Discipline Fuels Physical Strength

• Repeating the same sequence every day strengthens willpower and builds psychological stamina.
• Just showing up daily, even when tired, creates an internal momentum—energy comes from discipline, not motivation.
• Over time, you feel stronger, more alive, and more present—even off the mat.

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🌬️ 5. Opens Energy Channels (Nadis)

• The consistent stretching and breathing open up the 72,000 nadis (subtle energy channels in yogic anatomy).
• Blockages in energy pathways are released, and prana flows freely, resulting in a feeling of lightness, clarity, and power.

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🧘‍♂️ 6. Builds Tapas (Inner Heat)

• The intensity of the practice, especially when done early morning, ignites internal fire.
• Tapas burns through lethargy, toxins, emotional clutter, and lights up your entire being.

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🕊️ 7. Resets Your Nervous System

• Though vigorous, the focus on steady breath and drishti (gaze) engages the parasympathetic nervous system, calming the mind.
• This paradox—intense movement + internal stillness—leaves you energized yet deeply relaxed.

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Ashtanga doesn’t just make you stronger—it awakens you.
It’s a daily ritual that purifies the body, steadies the mind, and ignites the soul.

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