To change, to evolve, to transform is happiness.
The word evolution originates from the Latin term evolutio, meaning “unrolling” or “opening of a book.” It is derived from the verb evolvere, which consists of:
- “e-“ (a prefix meaning “out” or “from”)
- “volvere” (meaning “to roll” or “to turn”)
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In this course, we focused on an ancient source of despair that continues to resonate today—the fear of overpopulation and the exhaustion of natural resources. This fear was valid for thousands of years, and Thomas Malthus, its most prominent proponent, deserves credit for being a thorough historian. However, Malthus penned his influential thesis—that human population grows geometrically while food production can only grow arithmetically—just as the world was beginning to undergo a fundamental transformation.
In the late 18th century, Western European nations and their colonial offshoots began to break free from the Malthusian trap. Mortality rates declined, incomes rose, and nutrition improved, leading to a better quality of life. Over time, much of the rest of the world followed suit, adopting, albeit imperfectly, liberal institutions that encouraged open inquiry, science, and technology.
By 1800, the Earth’s population was just 1 billion; by 2022, it had grown to 8 billion. About five years ago, Gale and I embarked on a research journey that led to the publication of Superabundance: The Story of Population Growth, Innovation, and Human Flourishing on an Infinitely Bountiful Planet. In our work, we introduced the Simon Abundance Index, measuring the availability of resources through the lens of hourly wages, or “time prices.”
Julian Simon, a Cornucopian thinker, argued that scarcity is relative to our income. If wages rise while the price of a commodity remains constant, it becomes more abundant. Our research found that, on average, personal resource abundance grew by 3% annually, doubling every two decades. Population resource abundance grew even faster, at 4% per year, doubling every 16 years. Our conclusion: every additional human being contributes value by generating ideas that lead to innovations, productivity gains, and higher living standards.
Superabundance hinges on two core components:
With more people and greater freedom, the likelihood of generating solutions to present and future challenges increases. Our ability to address issues such as climate change, resource scarcity, and technological advancement depends on these factors.
Despite these successes, several challenges threaten the continuation of superabundance:
Humans tend to overestimate risks and underestimate progress due to several cognitive biases:
Despite capitalism’s unparalleled success in creating wealth and improving living standards, it faces constant opposition due to deep-rooted human tendencies toward:
Humans thrive through cooperation and knowledge-sharing. The key to sustaining progress lies in embracing evidence-based optimism and continuing to expand freedom and markets. History demonstrates that civilizations can decline, but they can also recover if they re-embrace the values that foster progress.
As we conclude this course, remember that the human mind tends to focus on fear and scarcity. Recognizing this bias is crucial to fostering rational optimism and embracing the potential for continued superabundance. With free people generating ideas and testing them in the marketplace, we can address future challenges and ensure human flourishing.
Thank you for your engagement and curiosity throughout this course.
Welcome to the lecture on the Capitals of Innovation. This session will explore the key components that drive innovation, starting with a relatable example of microwave ovens and frozen burritos—innovations that transformed college cuisine.
The model consists of interconnected elements that facilitate innovation.
By understanding and leveraging the Capitals of Innovation, societies can foster economic prosperity and improve living standards.
The framework for resource abundance can be applied at both the personal and population levels. While the personal level focuses on individual experiences of resource abundance, the population level examines how resources change across entire societies or the globe.
Population Resource Abundance = Personal Resource Abundance × Population
Welcome back to this lecture. Thank you very much. In this lecture, we’re going to apply the framework at the personal level. We’ll use the equations that we discussed in the previous lecture and take that framework, that set of equations, and apply them to the real world to see what they can tell us about abundance.
Before diving in, let’s revisit Professor Julian Simon. He wrote The Ultimate Resource, arguing that the ultimate resource is people. Simon’s notable statement:
“The ultimate resource is people—especially skilled, spirited, and hopeful young people endowed with liberty—who will exert their wills and imaginations for their own benefits. And so, inevitably, they will benefit the rest of us as well.”
Key ideas:
Economics can be defined as:
The study of how human beings create value for one another by discovering and sharing knowledge.
Between 1800 and 2022:
Despite Malthusian predictions of resource scarcity, life expectancy and living standards have improved dramatically.
Economists often refer to “yabut” (“Yes, but”), emphasizing trade-offs. Rational decision-making involves weighing both costs and benefits.
Time price = Money price / Hourly income
Hershey Bars:
Bicycles:
Using historical price and wage data, we can calculate abundance multipliers for various goods, showing how many more items one can afford today compared to the past.
A quick method to estimate doubling time:
70 / Growth Rate (%) = Years to Double
For example, with a 3% growth rate, doubling time is approximately 23 years.
Jordan Peterson’s advice:
“Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.”
Looking at life across generations, rather than comparing oneself to peers, fosters gratitude and perspective.
In this lecture, we applied the time price framework to personal abundance, demonstrating:
Thank you for attending this lecture.
Welcome to lecture three in our course, Introduction to Superabundance: The New Economics of Knowledge, Learning, and Time. In this lecture, we will focus on how to analyze economic data using different perspectives on prices.
Many economic analyses rely on counting quantities, but this approach has significant limitations:
Key Insight: Prices, rather than quantities, provide better information about relative scarcity and demand.
While money prices are commonly used, they have limitations because:
Formula for Time Prices:
[ \text{Time Price} = \frac{\text{Money Price}}{\text{Hourly Income}} ]
Example:
If a pizza costs $20 and you earn $20 per hour, the time price is 1 hour. If your hourly income increases to $40 while the pizza remains $20, the time price drops to 0.5 hours, making the pizza more affordable.
Advantages of Time Prices:
Tracking the change in time prices over time reveals the impact of innovation and economic progress.
Example Calculation:
If bananas cost 60 cents per pound today and you earn $18/hour (30 cents per minute), the time price is 2 minutes. Ten years ago, bananas cost 50 cents per pound, but income was $10/hour (16.7 cents per minute), making the time price 3 minutes.
To measure global abundance:
[ \text{Population Resource Abundance} = \text{Personal Abundance} \times \text{Population Size} ]
Example:
In 1980, one person could afford one sandwich. By 2022, the time price dropped by 75%, allowing one person to afford four sandwiches. If the population doubled, total abundance increased by 700%.
Elasticity measures the relationship between changes in population and abundance:
Insight:
Thank you for participating in this lecture. Let’s continue to embrace an abundance mindset by focusing on knowledge creation and economic innovation.
Lecture Title: Introduction to Superabundance: The New Economics of Knowledge, Learning, and Time
Key Concept: “The Bet” – A challenge to Malthusian perspectives on population growth and resource scarcity.
Published: 1968
Key Argument:
Criticism:
Background:
Findings:
Terms of the Bet:
Outcome:
Key Insight:
Analysis (1900 – 2019):
Reasons for Abundance:
Scarcity Thinking:
Abundance Thinking:
Case Study: Israel Desalination
Key Points:
Examples:
Conceptual Shift:
Paul Romer’s Insight:
“Possibilities do not add up, they multiply.”
“Wealth is knowledge.”
Lecturer: Marian Tupy, founder of HumanProgress.org and senior fellow at the Cato Institute.
Course Overview:
Key Idea: Fictional character Thanos from Avengers: Infinity War represents the Malthusian fear that resources are finite and overpopulation leads to disaster.
Real-world parallels:
Survey Results (2021):
Key Questions:
Counterargument:
Examples:
Ancient Views:
Modern Views:
Key Argument:
Critique:
“The world is your canvas” resonates deeply with Dante Sisofo’s philosophy on life and art. He approaches street photography with the belief that every moment, every interaction, and every fleeting scene is an opportunity to create something meaningful. Whether walking through the bustling streets of Philadelphia or exploring distant cities, Dante sees the world not as a static environment but as a dynamic, ever-changing composition waiting to be captured.
His perspective aligns with his minimalist philosophy—stripping away distractions to focus on the essence of light, shadow, and form. For Dante, the act of photographing is not just about documentation but about engagement, curiosity, and a relentless pursuit of seeing deeply. Inspired by Heraclitus’ idea of constant flux, he embraces the notion that no two moments are ever the same, and thus, the canvas of life is always in motion.
In his work, Dante encourages others to approach the world with a sense of openness and wonder, treating each day as an opportunity to create, express, and leave a mark through their unique vision. His dedication to street photography, coupled with his love for philosophy and personal growth, manifests in his belief that life itself is an evolving masterpiece—one that we all contribute to, frame by frame.
Just share your experiences of your short time on this earth!
What’s poppin’, people? It’s Dante. Today, I want to share some advice on layering in street photography. I’ll take you behind the scenes of my photographs, talk about my process, and share things I’ve learned over the past decade.
So, without further ado, let’s jump right into it. You can visit my blog at dantesisofo.com and check out my Start Here page for different resources. I’ve got videos on how I mastered street photography, my approach to photo books, and even some of my contact sheets.
Mastering layers in street photography takes practice, patience, and persistence. It’s a way of seeing that develops over time. The secret? Shoot a lot.
If there’s anything interesting happening—don’t stop shooting. You leave when the scene leaves you. Stay as long as possible, because the best shots rarely happen in a single snap. Work your observational skills, and focus on the foreground, middle ground, and background.
“At the end of the day, photography is a visual game and a physical pleasure.”
Think: Where must I position myself and the camera for the puzzle pieces to align? Photography is visual problem-solving.
In Mumbai, at Bandra Fort, I arrived and immediately noticed the beautiful light, colorful clothing, and birds flying—there was a potential photograph to be made.
By positioning myself close to the subjects, I used the layering technique to combine the bridge, the water, and the woman in the foreground. These three elements created a cohesive composition.
“The art of layering has nothing to do with cramming a million different pieces together. Less is more.”
Key Takeaway: Simplify the frame. Start with the background, then plug in the other elements.
As I explored Bandra Fort, I noticed an opportunity to create a layered composition that captured the essence of the scene. The main photo I made was a spontaneous moment—a bird in flight passing through the doorway, framed by a window in the background.
This image came together through patience and observation. I positioned myself strategically, ensuring the foreground elements—such as the textured wall—didn’t overpower the scene. The window in the background acted as a frame within the frame, and the bird in mid-flight added a dynamic touch that completed the composition.
“It’s all about positioning—when you align the elements, the story unfolds naturally.”
I observed the patterns of the birds flying through the fort, made multiple passes through the scene, and waited for the right moment to press the shutter. The result? A photograph that combines structure, spontaneity, and storytelling.
Key Takeaway: Pay attention to recurring patterns in movement—whether it’s people, birds, or gestures. Timing and positioning are crucial.
Take, for instance, a photograph I made in Mexico City. I followed my intuition and found myself in the mountains, watching a man exclaim “Mexico, Mexico” with his arms outstretched. Behind him, a sculpture of Jesus mirrored his gesture.
This composition didn’t happen instantly. I took hundreds of photos, experimenting with different angles and perspectives, deleting most of them, and keeping only the one where everything aligned.
“I positioned myself above him, looking down, and just as his arms extended, I clicked. That split second felt like the culmination of all the moments leading up to it.”
The secret sauce is simple: observe, adapt, and when the right moment comes—act.
To create layered compositions, I spend time with the people I photograph. I immerse myself in their world, allowing connections to form naturally.
When I was in Napoli, Italy, I wasn’t there to make photographs—I was simply on vacation with my brother, enjoying the sun, the sea, and the culture. We were lounging by the Mediterranean, sunbathing on the rocks, and indulging in the local seafood. Photography wasn’t on my mind, but by simply being present, fully engaged in the moment, and taking in my surroundings, I found a composition that reflected the joy of that day.
I remember the day spent on the rocky shore where locals had tied a watermelon to a rock, letting it chill in the sea like a natural refrigerator. Hours later, they pulled it out and began slicing it open. I framed the scene from above, using the watermelon as a central element, positioning the people around it, and incorporating a man swimming in the background to add depth.
“Sometimes, all you need is to be present, enjoy life, and have your camera ready. The photographs will come to you.”
Key Takeaway: Let go of the pressure to always be ‘on the hunt’ for photos. Be present, enjoy the experience, and trust that the right moments will come naturally. To make a layered composition, you interact with people; you don’t just take a picture and leave.
These moments happen when you let the scene guide you.
In Jericho, Palestine, I spent time with a group of kids playing near an empty playground frame, doing pull-ups and interacting with them.
“These Palestinian kids were playing on an empty frame on the border of Jericho. I captured the dynamic composition through play—doing pull-ups on the bar and hanging out with them.”
It’s all about being present, interacting, and letting the scene evolve naturally.
Using layers in street photography is one of the most challenging techniques to master. Here are a few key tips:
This is an example of a successful layered photograph I made in my backyard in Philadelphia. I spent hours working this scene, aligning elements to capture the perfect moment—a rainbow over the fountain.
“Luck favors the prepared. Get in there, get close, and make the picture.”
Photographing the people close to me is no different. I captured a photograph of my grandmother, Mimi—rest in peace. Maybe it wasn’t the most flattering photo, but as a street photographer, we don’t pose each other; we take the shot as it is. I positioned my camera close to her face, using her arm to break up the frame, and I noticed how her gesture and the red of her lips interacted with the people in the background.
“You look for those things to break the frame up, and these things happen naturally through your vision.”
The gesture of her hand, the way it filled part of the frame, became the focal point that brought the composition together.
I’ve always enjoyed scenes with a bit of chaos—frames that are filled with energy and movement. For me, the unpredictable is where the magic happens.
“I like positioning my camera in a place where I don’t know what I’m gonna get…
It’s about placing yourself where things are happening, letting the elements move naturally, and being ready to capture when everything aligns. You can’t force a layered composition; you can only position yourself to see it.
Ultimately, no one can teach you how to see. Layering in street photography isn’t about following rigid rules; it’s about being curious, present, and trusting your intuition. Spend time with your subjects, follow their gestures, and embrace the unpredictability of the streets.
“You’ve got to be on your toes… The car breaks down—what do you do to make this composition interesting? You think on your feet, frame the foreground, middle ground, background, and start to see like this.”
Ultimately, no one can teach you how to see. Layering in street photography isn’t about following rigid rules; it’s about being curious, present, and trusting your intuition.
“The adventure of a lifetime is just outside your door. Grab your camera and go.”
So, get out there, be patient, and let the magic unfold. Happy shooting!
Today, I’m breaking down my 2025 street photography workflow. Over the past couple of years, I’ve simplified everything—gear, process, and mindset—and it’s completely changed the way I shoot. Let’s dive in.
It all started in November 2022 when I came back from a trip to Hanoi, Vietnam. During my time there, I spent a month walking around Hoan Kiem Lake, photographing bustling markets, enjoying delicious street food, drinking coffee, and contemplating life. I asked myself: What’s next for my photography?
I realized that the reason I photograph is simple: photography brings me joy. It fuels my lust for life. But at the same time, I knew I needed a change.
The pursuit of making great photographs had its merits, but it also became a weight. While I wasn’t exactly burned out after that trip, I hit a wall in my process. I decided to give up my old ways—shooting RAW, chasing perfection, and sticking to color photography. I wanted to experiment, simplify, and rediscover the joy.
I sold all my Fujifilm gear and bought two Ricoh cameras: the GR III and GR IIIx. I’d used the Ricoh GR II back in 2015, so it felt familiar. This shift marked a fresh start, and with it, I also transitioned to black-and-white photography.
Switching from color to black and white is bringing me back to day one.
This change makes every day feel new and exciting. Black and white simplifies the process to the basics of light and shadow, letting me focus on photographing my spirit.
Here’s my current workflow, which I think might be the easiest way to make photographs.
Firstly, the camera is important to consider. I believe the best camera fits in your pocket. The Ricoh GRIII and Ricoh GRIIIx are easily the best cameras for street photography right now.
The Ricoh GRIII is a really simple camera once you get it setup the way you like it. There’s so many menus that it can seem a bit confusing at first, but the beauty of this is that it allows for lots of customization for each photographer to find what’s best for them. I set my camera up simply so that the only buttons I use is the shutter and the adjustment lever on the back to set my exposure compensation for moments when I photograph towards the sun. Feel free to follow along with this video or slideshow with screenshots below!
The benefit of using a Ricoh is that it can always be with you. Whether I am walking in the streets, riding my bike, or doing errands, I always have an opportunity to make a photograph. The goal is to make more new photos!
Using small JPEG files eliminates the headaches of processing, importing, and backing up large RAW files. The Ricoh’s sharp lens ensures the photos still look stunning straight out of the camera. The main reason I prefer these files is how small they are. At around 4MB per file, I believe that these JPEGS become the simplest solution to archiving and storing hundreds of thousands and millions to come into the future of my photography journey! My goal is simple: to keep shooting with longevity, indefinitely. The small JPEGs are a part of the solution that really make things a lot easier for me to achieve this goal.
Secondly, I believe the iPad Pro is the ultimate solution for reviewing your images.
Looking at small thumbnails helps me judge the impact of a photograph more effectively.
Next, publish your work! The beauty of today’s modern art world is that we no longer need to go through a gallery, curator, or a publisher. We become the full stack media empire for our own work. Stay independent. Create your website today!
WordPress Workflow:
Get off Instagram and own your platform. Create your own empire.
One way I have been enjoying sharing work is by creating slideshows. The great thing is, you can use our own website or YouTube as a way to store and archive your images. This way, your photos become easily accessible and people can share them via the link in the URL of the video. The problem with Instagram is the fact that the only people who can view the images are other people who already have Instagram accounts.
Using apps like Procreate, I’ve started making collages and remixing images by layering photos and playing with textures. It’s a spontaneous, meditative process that keeps me engaged.
I’ve embraced photographing myself and finding beauty in small details—from the patterns of birds to the ice forming on a river. It’s all about celebrating the impermanence of life.
Maybe you can’t live forever, but you can make a photograph!
Lastly, make a YouTube channel and Spotify Podcast. I believe the beauty of technology and the internet is that the artist has the power to share their voice more than ever before.
The power is in our hands. It has never been easier to create and publish art than it is today. The ultimate solution for a photographer is to create a blog where you can publish everything yourself.
Simplifying my workflow has reignited my love for photography. By focusing on light, shadow, and the joy of the process, I’ve found a way to make photography feel fresh and exciting every day.
If this resonates with you, I encourage you to try this approach. Simplify your gear, embrace black and white, and let go of the need for perfection. Photography should be a joy, not a burden.
Photography is more than just pressing a button. It’s about seeing, engaging with life, and finding those decisive moments. This morning, I want to dive into how certain photo books have inspired me and shaped my journey as a photographer.
Links:
Photo books are incredible resources for photographers, especially when you’re just starting out. Early in my journey, I picked up a few photo books and studied them intimately. Understanding why certain photographers made specific compositional decisions helped me grow.
“By dissecting particular images and why I enjoy them, I learned how to make photos that I believe to be good.”
This process allows you to recognize compositional elements that make a frame work and then apply those principles to your own work.
Here’s a list of photo books that have profoundly impacted me:
Each of these books offers something unique, whether it’s emotional intimacy, compositional mastery, or a fearless approach to storytelling.
Larry Towell’s The Mennonites is my favorite photo book of all time. His work is emotionally intimate, and his compositions are layered and visually compelling. One particular image stands out:
What makes this photo strong?
Towell’s documentary approach resonates deeply with me. He engaged intimately with the Mennonite community to create images that go beyond visuals—they tell a story.
Cartier-Bresson is a master of both composition and emotional depth. One photograph that inspires me is from the Spanish Civil War:
“The juxtaposition of a war-torn wall and the joy of children playing symbolizes resilience.”
This resonates with my own experiences photographing in places like Palestine, where the resilience of youth shines through even in hardship.
Susan Meiselas’s work in Nicaragua is raw, visceral, and courageous. Her use of color is striking, and her photographs are a graphic yet honest portrayal of conflict.
Alex Webb’s The Suffering of Light is a masterclass in layering and timing. One image particularly stands out:
Webb’s ability to tie these elements together creates a visually and emotionally impactful photograph.
Klein’s street photography is stark, punchy, and intimate. He wasn’t afraid to engage with his subjects, often instructing them to create dynamic compositions. For example:
“Klein’s approach taught me not to fear interaction on the streets. Sometimes, engaging with the scene can create something powerful.”
Koudelka’s Exiles showcases his mastery of timing and composition. One of my favorite images:
Koudelka’s ability to position himself perfectly emphasizes the relationship between foreground, background, and timing.
I aim to get close—physically and emotionally—to my subjects. Whether it’s using an Instax camera to break barriers or spending time in someone’s home, intimacy is key.
Through repetition and engaging with life, I’ve developed a consistent visual style. By studying great photographers and creating sketchbooks of my work, I’ve refined my approach over time.
“Experimentation is essential. I’ve tried everything—medium format, square format, disposables—to find what works for me.”
Photography is a slow process, requiring patience, experimentation, and a love for life. By staying engaged and consistent, you can create meaningful, impactful images.
“The world is our canvas, and the photograph becomes a reflection of your lust for life.”
For more insights into my process, check out my YouTube channel or explore my blog for tutorials and resources.
As photographers, I believe it’s important to recognize the profound connection between our eyes, mind, physical body, and the intuitive link that ties all our senses together—engaging with visual sights, the sounds, the smells, and the tactile feeling of moving our feet on the street.
As a photographer, I am not only responsible for positioning my body on the frontlines of life, engaged in embodied reality through the physical act of making photographs, but I must be aligned physically, mentally, and spiritually.
One fun exercise I like to do is shifting my perspective through a mental game that reminds me how profound the power of our perception is.
Welcome to the video game we can life
Now go out into the world as a child would, and treat each day like its the first day of your life.
One practice I engage with each day is by treating every night before I rest my head to sleep, like a miniature death. When I wake up in the morning, I treat it like a miniature birth. From there, I start my day through gratitude for simply being alive, and go onwards into the unknown with abundance.
When you approach the streets each day, go slow, and just let life flow towards you. Stop hunting, and start listening, feeling, and responding to life through your intuition.
Photograph though your intuition, not your vision.
