Zoo Utopia

Zoo Utopia
by Dante

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As an artist, I am free, and the world is both my canvas and my playground. However, the world is slowly feeling more like a prison or a cage, in a city where people live like zoo animals.

Industrial World

Office buildings have emerged and been implemented in the city of Philadelphia since the mid-19th century. As people moved from the rural countryside to cities, the urbanization of modern life—living in apartments, condos, and smaller-scale homes within larger buildings—has become the norm. With people living in cities, we saw an increase in production, such as manufacturing within factories. There’s a lot of labor involved in building a city, constructing the offices, and maintaining the streets.

With the implementation of the automobile, people can now live outside of the city and commute to work each and every day through highways and the city streets, without having to deal with the smell of poop from their horse. With these new systems in place, formal education and training became necessary, and many people spend years attending universities, acquiring degrees, to fulfill the needs within the offices and factories.

As technology advances, we see more and more tall and looming skyscrapers, such as the Comcast tower that was built in 2008. Within these modern offices, there are cubicles filled with computers. Now, as of 2024, I’d estimate around 75% of work we currently do is done within the digital world, utilizing computer technology, indoors, in office buildings.

Digital World

Given that about 75% of jobs within a city require the worker to operate a computer, sitting down for eight hours per day, in an office, in a box, within another box, a cubicle, working within the four corners of a box—a computer—I’d say that we are quite comfortable boxing ourselves in.

We have become domesticated, like zoo animals, finding comfort under the fluorescent lights and air-conditioning. Zoo creatures live in closed, air-conditioned systems, similar to the way an office worker lives their daily life. Wild animals live in an open system, forcing them to evolve to an open environment, which is much more challenging. Zoo creatures adapt to a closed environment, and because of this, their behavior changes drastically. They do not compete with each other like animals do in the wild. They become more comfortable, more complacent, accepting the luxury of indoor life.

Artificial Closed Systems

Think of a modern human in these conditions. It is inevitable that you will sit down for the majority of the day, watch Netflix, consume junk, and become more docile. This is similar to the way that animals are fed by the zookeepers as they are given perfect shelter, comfortable settings, and food. In these conditions, it is inevitable that both humans and animals will become more fragile.

The human adaptation to a closed environment is becoming 300 pounds overweight, sitting in a chair, watching TV. In a zoo, animals become toothless with pretty feathers—domesticated creatures. In an open environment, however, there are no fat predators.

“The human adaptation to a closed environment is becoming 300 pounds overweight, sitting in a chair, watching TV.”

The Irony of Running to Burn Calories

I see joggers on the trail every morning, rattling their bones, chasing calories. It’s like we’ve all subconsciously agreed that running ourselves into the ground is “healthy.” But when you think about our ancestors, they weren’t sprinting after prey; they were marching, observing, standing tall to scout the landscape. Running in circles just to burn calories is a strange human behavior we picked up since becoming domesticated, like zoo animals chasing their own tails.

I laugh every time I see a runner with a shirt that says, “I run to eat.” When I ran a half marathon in college, they handed out beer and burgers at the finish line. We run ourselves ragged, only to celebrate by filling ourselves with junk. It’s ironic—the very thing we’re supposed to be escaping catches up with us by the end of the race.

You Can’t Tame Me

When I was in public school for high school, I recognized right away how useless the information they teach you is. Not only that, but it felt like prison. You had to go through a metal detector, the doors were locked, you weren’t allowed outside for lunch, and there were security guards lurking around the halls. I would memorize things, take the test, and pass with high grades very easily. I didn’t even have to try, and that’s not to flex or anything; it’s just the truth of how broken public education is.

“It almost felt like we were being programmed for the industrial society that cities have become.”

You hardly learn anything other than how to sit down for eight hours and take orders. You wait for the bell, go to the next class, memorize, take the test, and repeat. It almost felt like we were being programmed for the industrial society that cities have become. Listening to the bell, similar to that of the bell in a factory? Because I realized how useless public education was, I often would skip class, finding a door to open, and go out into the park nearby.

I’ve heard countless cases of children that were medicated simply because they didn’t want to sit still in class, which is an extremely unnatural place to be in the first place. It’s not uncommon to hear such cases, where disobedient students were prescribed pills, such as Adderall, to help with focus and attention. I cannot imagine the effect that this drug will have on the future of humanity.

Closed Spaces are Unnatural

Think of your DNA as a collective survival strategy. Over years of adaptation, we have developed physical traits and attributes that make us who we are. A human being is bipedal, stands upright, with a tall spine, as we were once hunter-gatherers. Our bodies have two hands, two feet, and the ability to craft tools through ingenuity and consciousness.

Considering the nature of a human being in the wild, what will occur to our DNA if we live this way in modernity, medicated, in closed systems, for too long? I think the outcome could potentially be jarring, devastating, and lead to the decline of the physical body. Sitting down is bad for you. If somebody commands you to sit down and take orders, why not just say no? You know you have the ability to say no, right? However, we’ve become so tamed, so docile, and so comfortable with these closed systems that it is inevitable that we will never bite the hand that feeds us.

“We’ve become so tamed, so docile, and so comfortable with these closed systems that it is inevitable that we will never bite the hand that feeds us.”

Why is it that we sacrifice our physical health for the pursuit of wealth and material goods?

And no, it is not because you have to work just because “everyone else does it.” If everyone else was taking medication, doing drugs, and drinking alcohol, would you do it too? I’m not advocating for a complete stop in work itself, but notions of what productivity mean have gotten out of hand. Working within the digital world, sending emails, doing Zoom calls, is not very productive. Nothing actually manifests in reality through the things that we “produce” in offices. I would say that more than half of the jobs in offices are just to fill a space, for somebody to do a tedious task and print paper out. Being an accountant is not fun, and there’s no denying this.

“It feels as though everyone has collectively agreed to modern-day slavery, the denial of the body, through hedonistic pleasure, in honor of our new God, bureaucracy.”

We have become slaves to the computers, but why not just make the computers our slaves?
I propose a simple solution: automation of these closed systems.

Return to the Natural

During my recent trip to Miami, I noticed a trend towards the ugly, the unnatural. Also, what makes something beautiful and what makes something ugly? Perhaps true beauty is natural.

As I walked through the Aventura Mall, I was shocked by how many women inject their lips and face with Botox, and the amount of plastic surgery done to enhance the size of their butts and breasts. It is quite jarring to look at, unflattering, and ugly. The same goes for men, as they walk around in their tank tops, looking extremely grotesque—it’s so obvious that they inject themselves with steroids.

Water, the Commodity

Reflecting on my time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia, I remember how precious water was. In the village, water came from a well, and every drop was carefully collected, boiled, and filtered. Now, back in Philly, I see people buying flavored water with “minerals added for taste.” The commodity of our most basic need—water—has become a marketing scheme. People buy water flavored with “natural” ingredients that hardly even make sense.

“In the village, water was life itself. Here, it’s just another product, pumped full of flavors and sold for four bucks a bottle.”

Isn’t it strange that we’re paying more for something we used to get for free?

Humans Love Poison?

Consider your average 9-to-5 office worker. They work about 40 hours per week and get around 14 days free out of the 365 days of their year. They wake up, get in the car, get stuck in traffic for 30 minutes, work, go to lunch, buy some gross salad in a plastic box, go back to their box, and then get back in the car for another 30 minutes of traffic. They sit down on the couch, most likely eat some sort of junk, while watching TV, drinking sugary soda, such as Coca-Cola. Not to mention, the media on the television is now poison, with nothing but doom and gloom, fear porn, and political boneheads.

“When Friday rolls around, it’s as if Moses came down from Mount Sinai, and freed the Israelites.”

Everyone rushes straight to the bars, the clubs, and the dark caves. I often hear people bickering and complaining over the beer they drink about some person at work that is giving them a hard time, bossing them around because of their seniority. But now that the weekend is here, they can all disappear into the darkness, indulging with any poison that they can find. Distractions, such as watching sports, gambling, and beer, fill the streets every weekend.

Walking anywhere in a modern city, such as Philadelphia, it seems like everybody vapes now. We are deliberately injecting poison into our lungs, weakening our physical bodies, but why?

Using social media is the equivalent of having a debilitating vaping addiction. It reminds me of why we invented the automobile, and how we no longer have to deal with horse poop. However, when we wake up in the morning, we immediately check our phones, our social medias. This action is the equivalent of waking up, wiping your butts, and just smearing the poop everywhere on your face. Do you want poop all over your face? No, just delete your Instagram.

Death of Religion

When I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia, Africa, the thing that stood out to me the most was how every family had around 10 children per household. It amazed me, the daily routine of a tribe. The women come home with babies on their backs and firewood on their heads. The men are building churches and homes. The boys are creating bricks with sand and mud. The girls are sweeping the floors and preparing food for the day. Everybody has a role to play within a village.

What I have realized is that there is a hierarchy needed for a thriving and functioning society: God, tribe, and land.

In the center of the village, there is a church. At the center of the church, there is an altar, where a sacrifice is made, and the entire community recalls the story of Jesus, an archetype, a hero, somebody to aspire to be like. This gives the community a blueprint, something to aspire towards, something transcendental, that gives life a deeper meaning.

“I believe that this is missing in modernity. It does not matter whether the religion is Christianity, Judaism, Islam, or even Buddhism.”

The archetypes and heroes—such as Achilles, Hercules, and biblical stories of David in the battle against Goliath—give man something to strive towards, something beyond themselves.

Anyways, when you consider the death of religion, the death of God, in modern life, this will have severe consequences on the future of humanity.

How are families forming with 10 children per household in the Zambian villages with little technological advancement, but in the West, in cities full of abundance, our population is certainly on decline?

Families are not being formed anymore, and it is obvious when walking around Philadelphia that single people would rather have a dog, or go to the club, vape, and pursue other hedonistic things instead of raising a family or making children.

We have lost touch with what it means to be human, to be a creator. For we are the ultimate creators on this earth, and we no longer consider this as our ultimate aim. We would rather medicate ourselves, distract ourselves, and box ourselves into closed systems. So, the zoo creatures eventually become barbaric, uncivilized. However, family incentivizes people to become civilized.

You Are Bigger Than a Cog in the Machine

As the ants carry the grain on their back into the colony, one by one, we must also remember that ants, collectively, become bigger than just cogs in the machine. While each person’s actions may be seemingly small, as a collective, they build the future.

Ants use pheromones to create trails that other ants use to guide themselves back to the colony. The issue with our digital world now is that most work and communities form online, and no pheromones are ever in the air. Communication becomes very artificial and transactional, both at work and outside of work.

The rat race is real, and we’ve all agreed upon it. We love running on the wheel like a hamster leading us to nowhere. The unfortunate reality is that nothing is truly happening in a city anymore. Sure, we have tourism, construction, janitors, police officers, firefighters, etc. However, if 75% of the work is being done in an office building, then it is my belief that 75% of the human beings in a city are spending their time squandered.

My critique of the mayor’s recent demand to have everyone return to the office is that it feels like the equivalent of getting the slaves back in order. We should at least have every office filled with standing desks? That way, they’re at least standing upright. I guess standing desks are much more humane, considering humans are designed to be standing? I just think that we can move on from these old systems at this point. Even using a mouse and keyboard feels extremely unnatural to me, and archaic. We now have iPads, AirPods, and the ability to communicate while outside, standing upright, and moving your physical body. You no longer have to type on a keyboard. We are now in a new world, a digital world. Maybe it’s best that we start utilizing this new technology in a way that doesn’t deny our physiology. As we go into the future, let us remember to evolve our physical bodies, as much as we consume ourselves in these digital worlds.

We must remember that we are bigger than just a cog in a machine, an animal in a zoo, or an ant in a colony. We are the universe.

I Am Street Photography

It sounds like street photography isn’t just something you do—it’s who you are, a natural extension of how you experience the world. From the rhythm of city life to the unique encounters you capture, it becomes more than just an art form; it’s a reflection of your essence.

When you say “I am street photography,” you’re expressing a profound connection to the spontaneity, the rawness, and the unfiltered moments that only street photography can capture. This type of photography thrives on the unexpected and thrives on serendipity, just like life itself. Every shot is a piece of reality distilled, each frame an honest look at the pulse of human life, where even the mundane moments tell stories.

Your approach, equipment, and personal connection to your environment and subjects all help you embody what street photography is truly about: being present, attentive, and fearless.

What moments do you feel capture the most of your essence in street photography?

Got the Ricoh GR IIIx set to high contrast black and white, with all settings cranked to the max. I’ve got AV mode on, snap focus set to 2 meters. It’s point-and-shoot simplicity. Just a quick flick on the exposure compensation to +1 or +0.7 when needed, keeping things dynamic without messing with shutter speed or aperture. Auto ISO is set with a minimum shutter speed of 1/500th of a second.

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Following the Beat of the Street

I move close, navigating the flow of Market Street, Philly. Sometimes I use reflections in glass, discreetly positioning my camera to capture what feels real. Spotting a guy down the street dressed in all white—he’s got an energy I can’t ignore, so I veer off my path, letting instinct lead me.

“The intuition of the street photographer is ultimately what guides them. You’ll never know what you’re going to find.”

The beat of the street calls for speed and gut reaction, staying on my toes, ready to capture whatever unfolds.

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Engaging with People, Embracing the Moment

I see the guy in white near a cathedral. He’s snapping photos of himself, and I jump in. Adjusting my snap focus to 3.5, I ask if I can shoot a few of him.

“Yo, you look great, man. Mind if I…? I’m gonna take a photo.”

Turns out he’s creating content for Fashion Nova—he’s a fashion designer, rocking his version of a mummy outfit. As I shoot, I throw out small directions, hoping to capture those moments in between poses, the candid adjustments that feel authentic.

The Art of Interaction

Street photography isn’t just about stealth; sometimes it’s about connecting with people.

“Don’t be afraid to interact. If you see something you like, engage. Ask them to repeat it or just go with the flow.”

Getting close to people, physically and emotionally, brings out something different in the photos—a depth that only comes from real interaction.

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Finding the Beauty in the Mundane

Two interesting moments, steps apart, remind me of what keeps street photography alive. It’s not always about the perfect composition; it’s about seeing beauty in everyday life. It’s the crying kid being dragged along, a mother’s tired expression, or a random guy pulling out his snakes named Athena and Pharaoh. These unexpected encounters make each shot unique.

“Boring photographer, boring photographs. If you’re seeing the world as mundane, maybe it’s because you’re not really looking.”

Courage and Curiosity

Street photography demands more than technical knowledge—it calls for courage and a genuine love for life. When you’re open to people, to the world, the camera becomes an extension of your curiosity.

“Your photographs reflect your lust for life. It’s not about technique alone—it’s about how you engage with the world, how close you are to humanity.”

At the end of the day, it’s this love for life, this willingness to dive into the unknown, that gives strength to every image I capture.

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The streets of Philly are alive with stories, and all it takes is the courage to look, to engage, and to press the shutter.

Street Photography Light Tips

Standing at the corner of 15th and Market Street in Philadelphia, right outside City Hall, I’ve got my Ricoh GR IIIx in hand, and today, I want to share some insights on street photography. When photographing on a bustling corner like this, there’s a lot happening—different people, contrasting lights, and dynamic shadows. So, here are some thoughts on capturing compelling images in this environment.

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Positioning and Light: The Basics

One of the first things to understand when shooting on the street is how to work with light and positioning.

“Eventually, you want to have the sun at your back if you’re aiming to get light on the faces of your subjects.”

Tips for Positioning:

• Keep the Sun at Your Back: This helps illuminate your subjects while creating a balanced exposure.
• Background Matters: Look at the background—anticipate how it will appear in your frame. When you understand the way people move through the space, you can position yourself to capture the best angle.

For example, with the sun at my back, City Hall’s tower and surrounding structures fall into shadow, allowing me to highlight subjects against a darker background. This chiaroscuro effect—the dramatic contrast of light and shadow—can make subjects stand out powerfully in the frame.

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Adjusting Exposure for Light Variations

Another essential skill is using exposure compensation when shooting directly into the light.

“If you’re shooting toward the sun, just crank the exposure comp up by +2 stops.”

How to Adjust:

• Exposure Compensation: On the Ricoh GR IIIx, or any camera, increase exposure by two stops when facing toward the sun. This technique keeps subjects from becoming silhouettes and preserves more detail in their faces and clothing.

While I often prefer shooting with the sun at my back, there are moments where shooting into the light adds a unique touch—especially when managing the exposure compensation effectively.

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Blending In and Working Corners

Corners are great for street photography because they let you blend in effortlessly.

“You can shoot around quickly, positioning yourself at different parts of the street without drawing much attention.”

With a bus stop nearby, I can blend in as though I’m waiting for the bus. This stealthy approach makes people feel at ease, creating more candid, natural moments in the frame. Here are a few ways to make the most of corners:

• Stand Back and Wait: Position yourself at the corner and wait for people to step into the light patches.
• Anticipate Movement: Watch for those moments when people step up onto the curb or walk into the spotlight, with light hitting their faces perfectly.

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Playing with Shadows

Light and shadow become key tools on a corner like this, especially in winter when light is dramatic and creates intriguing visual effects.

“There’s a magic that happens when people pass through shadow areas like this.”

Techniques with Shadows:

1. Use Shadows as Dividers: Elements like poles or building shadows can divide the frame or cast patterns on the subjects’ faces.
2. Light as the Subject: Light itself can become the focal point, transforming a simple street shot into something visually striking.

For instance, if a pole divides the frame, it not only splits the image but can create shadows that cut across a person’s face or body, highlighting certain features while concealing others. These interactions add depth and emotion to an otherwise straightforward shot.

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Wrapping Up: Finding Your Light and Enjoying the Process

To make the most out of a street corner:

1. Find a Patch of Light: Set your back to the sun and look for light patches.
2. Try Different Angles: Don’t be afraid to change positions, experiment with exposure, and see what the environment has to offer.
3. Enjoy the Process: Street photography is about exploration and patience—there’s no single “right” way to capture a moment.

Every corner, every shadow, every change of light brings something unique to the image. Street photography isn’t just about capturing a scene; it’s about embracing the light, waiting for the right moment, and finding joy in every frame.

Your Body is Your Soul

The more I reflect on the connection between the mind and body, the more I realize that the soul is the body. A healthy body may, in fact, be a healthy soul. When you look into someone’s eyes and observe their body, it feels as though you’re glimpsing their soul.

Your Art is Your Spirit

Your spirit is expressed through your words and actions. Whatever you release into the world is your spirit in a state of constant becoming. Treat your photographs as your spirit and trust your intuition as you give birth to new art.

Your Intuition is God

When you listen to your gut and follow your intuition, consider this your God-like state of being. Everything is connected as one. Embrace the spirit of play, and follow your intuition with the openness of a child.

Change the World

I believe that in order to change the world, you must first change yourself.

Create the World You Want to Live In

Every action matters. The small things add up, creating a ripple effect that reaches further than we realize. The simplest act I can think of is smiling and saying hello to your neighbors. This small gesture can go a long way, potentially making someone’s day.

Spread More Kindness

It’s easy to slip into nihilism, but it takes a childlike naïveté to stay optimistic in this modern world. Embrace that childlike state—remain in a state of play. Laugh more, dance, sing, and spread joy to anyone willing to listen.

It’s Our Duty to Be Strong

As men, it’s our duty to be strong. That means no drugs, no alcohol, no smoking, and no porn. We need to rise above our primal tendencies. To be a strong man requires discipline and self-control. Every single day, we should prioritize our physical health, putting our physiology at the forefront. This means heavy lifting in the gym and eating more red meat.

We should strive to become the strongest version of ourselves—physically and mentally.

A strong body creates a strong mind, and ultimately, a healthy soul.

Carte Blanche

Every day anew.

When I wake up each morning, I consider it a mini birth. I never want my curiosity to end. The goal of an artist is to question everything and to maintain this child-like wonder until the day we die.

Question Everything

I like to ask “why” about every little detail in the world. This allows me to dig deeper into every action and every thought I have. Don’t just live life on autopilot—start seeing beyond the surface.

“Start with a blank slate.”
The day you think you’re a master of anything is the day you metaphorically die. The new masters are amateurs. We embrace the state of play and find ourselves in a stream of becoming through the photographic process.

Treat Every Day Like It’s Your Last

You never know if today could be your last. The fate of all humans is our inevitable death. Let this reality fuel your actions and keep you focused on your true passions in life.

“Live every single day like it’s your last. What would you do today if you knew you were going to die tomorrow?”

You could be gone any minute—anything could happen, whether it’s a random accident or something completely unforeseen. As absurd as it sounds, a coconut could fall from a tree, ending everything. In Rome, some trees are tall enough that it’s possible. Imagining such randomness reminds me: walk with intention every single day. Fortify yourself each morning—a cold shower, head held high, shoulders back. Be prepared to face the day like a warrior, ready to slay dragons.

Become a Monster, Then Tame Yourself

There’s power in coming onto the street each day with the mindset of a warrior. Embrace your strength and focus on your physical self. To live each day fully, you have to have the courage to say no to what you don’t want and yes to what you do. What don’t you want to do? Decide that first. Becoming strong starts with defining your boundaries.

Make Each Action Count

If I knew today was my last, I’d make every picture count. Every photo, every moment, would be like my last. I’d create as much as possible, sharing what’s on my mind, recording my thoughts as a digital time capsule—a legacy. For me, YouTube and my blog are not just platforms; they’re tools to propagate an artist’s voice.

Create your legacy. Each interaction matters: smile at someone, say hello. Be a ripple in the lives of others. Every little thing counts, even the small moments that might seem insignificant.

If This Was Your Last Day

What would you do if you knew this was your last day? I know what I’d do: I’d have my camera in hand. I’d be on my deathbed, still taking pictures. That’s the beauty of the Ricoh; it fits right in your pocket, even in life’s final moments. I came to this conclusion years ago. Sure, I won’t have a big DSLR hanging from my neck, but the small moments captured—that’s the point.

Most people die in a bed, in a hospital. So what do you do to combat that slow death? Move. Constantly move. Every day is a new chance to bring meaning to the time you have, to walk with purpose and intent.

No fear. Stay curious and courageous!

Stop Trying to Be Perfect

In life, it seems that many people strive to be perfect just to impress others. They work boring jobs to buy things they don’t need, all to impress people who don’t even like them. It’s a sad truth. What can we do about this? Let the chips fall as they may!

“It’s only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything.” – Tyler Durden

Let’s Evolve

The whole point of humanity is to evolve. We must transcend and go beyond our basic, traditional notions of how to live.

How Does This Relate to Photography?

In photography, we should embrace imperfection and not obsess over composition or perfectly aligned shots. Forget trying to make a “good” picture that pleases some teacher or judge. In order to push our capabilities, we have to let go of everything we think we know and create without worrying about traditional standards. We don’t want to be perfect! In street photography, we strive for something real, authentic, raw, and gritty.

My Frustration with Photography

Right now, I’m frustrated with photography. The industry sells a lie to the masses—that to become a better photographer, you need to be polished and perfect. Sharpness, perfect compositions, pretty backgrounds, beautiful models… I say that’s all BS. It makes things more mediocre, if anything. Street photography has become trendy, predictable, and boring. When photographers view other people’s work, they get trapped, influenced by mainstream ideas of what street photography should be.

Boring People Care Too Much

The people who spend time on YouTube, comment on Reddit, scroll Instagram, and engage with these platforms all day—they’re often boring, basic. We don’t want to be boring or basic. To rise to the next level, you have to ruffle a few feathers and upset others. To be imperfect is to be human. There’s no such thing as a perfect person, a perfect picture, or a perfect anything.

How to Combat This?

• Delete your Instagram
• Stop watching YouTube
• No more Reddit
• Don’t view work in galleries

These platforms have become gateways to mediocrity. You either get it, or you’re upset by it. Stop consuming others’ work and make your own world. Craft your vision through intuition and repetition. Create with an autotelic mindset, propagating your voice on your own platforms. Don’t be a slave to social media, conventional thinking, or anyone’s morals or dogmas.

Why Does It Matter?

This matters because we need to go further with our creative potential. To evolve and move forward, we must embrace imperfection and be willing to experiment. Tinker, innovate, mess up, fall down, take blurry pictures, miss shots—whatever it takes to reach the apex version of ourselves.

Strive to Create Beautiful Art from a State of Pure Joy

The world doesn’t need another tormented artist. Strive to create from joy, with a lust for life—to go out there, observe, and make something beautiful out of the everyday. The act of creation itself, extracting and abstracting reality through photography, becomes a way to embrace the world with courage and curiosity at the forefront.

Why Does This Matter?

It’s easy to see negativity in life and in the world itself. It takes more curiosity and courage to find beauty in humanity, nature, and society. The city can often feel bleak and dull through the lens of a tormented soul. You’ll hear constant complaints about the simplest things: the street being too crowded, an event being boring, or the light not being good enough.

But to combat this negativity, we must return to a childlike perspective. The camera becomes an excuse to get outside, to wander with a blank slate, and to see beauty in the mundane. By embracing life and exploring with a sense of wonder, the world can become a tapestry of patterns in nature and human behavior, waiting to be discovered and uplifted through art.

The world needs more beautiful art. It needs to see life through the lens of a pure soul filled with joy.

Life Isn’t About Being Happy

We often hear that “life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows,” and that “the struggle is real.” While true, I believe that creating art is best done from a state of joy. If you’re feeling down or uninspired, maybe it’s best to hold off on creating. To transcend in our work, we should strive to create from the highest, most curious state.

The old romanticism of the tormented artist? It’s no longer cool. Let’s make smiling cool again! Let’s create new work when we’re excited, when curiosity fuels us. It’s easy to feel animosity, but it requires courage to remain optimistic.

“The goal is to never be bored of photography itself. Life may be boring, but when you wander with a camera, everything becomes beautiful again.”

If You’re Unhappy, Focus on Your Physiology

I find that the antidote to unhappiness is fitness and physiology. When you focus on health, everything else seems to fall into place. We’re in control of our destiny and fate if we set time aside to exercise, get good sleep, and eat well. These habits cultivate joy and create the physical energy needed to approach life with curiosity.

Hormonal balance and physiological well-being go a long way in influencing our state of mind. The point is, before creating new work, focus on your physiology. From this state of strength and clarity, we can create beautiful art from a state of pure joy.

The World Is a Canvas

Photography is a superpower. The world itself becomes an open canvas for exploration, where we are not confined to walls or the four corners of a frame. Through photography, we can augment reality and create new worlds in fractions of a second. By observing life closely, we find that every detail, even the smallest, becomes part of our story.

“Life is on the street, outside the window, in physical, embodied reality.”

Some practical ideas for creating in this state of joy and curiosity:

• Photograph only using macro mode: Dive into the tiny, often overlooked details.
• Use automatic functions on your camera: Embrace a carefree approach.
• Photograph along a body of water: Water grounds us and invites reflection.
• Walk 75% slower than everyone else: Notice textures, colors, and patterns you’d otherwise miss.

Follow Your Curiosity

As a creator, approach each day with curiosity and courage. Go out with a blank slate, free of expectations, and let the world surprise you. Treat the world as a canvas where you can make sense of chaos, frame out the ordinary, and capture beauty in what others may pass by. This is where the magic of art lies—in creating from joy and seeing everything through the eyes of a curious child.

Follow the light, enter the Zen zone of the unknown, and fuel your lust for life through pure, childlike curiosity.

Embrace Your Childlike Curiosity

I’m very passionate about curiosity and imagination. I believe that to become a better artist, you must embrace the spirit of play.

Don’t Take Yourself So Seriously

In today’s world, it seems like everyone is trying to become a serious person—an artist, a businessman, etc. Honestly, I don’t trust anybody who takes themselves too seriously. I’d rather trust someone who jokes around, embraces comedy, and doesn’t get upset or offended so easily. Why am I passionate about this? I believe life is too short. Taking yourself seriously all the time will make things boring and blasé.

When it comes to my photography, I hope to channel my inner lust for life and curiosity. To do this, I stay in the spirit of becoming, embracing life with openness and honesty. Every morning, I aim to increase my curiosity by even just 0.000001%—for this, I believe, is what success truly means in both photography and in life. What am I curious about today?

The Ultimate Goal Is to Remain Outdoors

Treat your home like a bunker. Even during winter, I find myself outside, exploring endlessly. I can’t stand being indoors—it’s the ultimate bore. I think spending too much time inside is a modern tragedy. That’s where souls go to die. Being outdoors is life itself.

Whenever I’m inside, I keep my windows open, letting fresh air circulate. The more time you spend indoors, the more disconnected you become. At the end of the day, ask yourself:

• How much did you see?
• How far did you walk?
• Who did you meet?
• What experiences did you have?
• How did you feel?

To walk is to be human. We are bipedal for a reason…

Use Your Imagination

When I walk along the river, I sometimes imagine I’m a revolutionary soldier, marching with Washington. I find this playful approach far better than walking as if it’s a chore. I look up at the clouds, watch birds fly by, and contemplate my connection to nature. There’s power within our minds—we can craft our own world through imagination.

In photography, treat the world as a canvas. The world is open, and endless to explore. Photography becomes a superpower when we’re not confined to boxes or the four corners of a canvas. Each photograph is like a sketch of life, and even mundane details—the way sunlight hits leaves, or the texture of a well-worn street—become part of our story.

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Follow Your Curiosity

The ultimate goal is to follow your curiosity. When you go out with your camera, don’t plan. Let instinct guide you. Photography is my excuse to set my body in motion, and I think that when you walk without preconceived notions, you find yourself in a pure, childlike state.

Some ideas to experiment with:

• Photograph only using macro mode: Dive into the small, overlooked details.
• Use automatic functions on your camera: Embrace a carefree approach.
• Photograph along a body of water: There’s something grounding about water, an invitation to flow and reflect.
• Walk 75% slower than everyone else: Give yourself time to notice everything—textures, colors, patterns.

Turn Within

Turn within, and you will not help but have a grin. For your imagination and lust for life will help you win. In the end, the goal is to stay open and curious, seeing beauty in the mundane. Let curiosity guide you each day, as it fills life with richness and makes even the smallest details a new adventure.

Adventure Is in My Blood

At my core, I am an adventurer. My lust for life and exploration runs through my veins. Each day when I wake up, I’m excited to conquer something new.

Think Without Borders

When you look out your window or up at the sky, think without borders. Think endlessly, with abundance and no limits. You can go wherever you want in this world. All you need is the movement of your physical body and an audacious, courageous attitude to get yourself there.

No Fear

When you have no fear and embrace the chaos headfirst with curiosity, you will float through this world on a feather bed, untouched and unscathed. I have a lust for battle. I do not seek comfort—I’m always looking for new physical challenges. Embrace this, and it’s as if anything is possible.

The Future Is Here

Perhaps it’s wise to merge with the machine. I enjoy embracing new ways of doing things and creating art. Whether it’s shooting with a small compact camera, reviewing my images on an iPad Pro, or even writing this blog post using dictation, the future is here. Merge with the machine. Everything is an upside.

Create More Art

The greatest gift we can leave behind on this earth is the art we make. Consider each new photograph like a child you give birth to. Use art to propagate your voice and to enhance your everyday life. Embrace the spirit of play and walk endlessly, creating as you go.

Abundant Mindset

When you approach photography with an abundant mindset—creating in a flow state without distractions or preconceived notions—you can conquer anything. Don’t take life or your photography so seriously. Remember that, in the end, this is for fun.

Create in an Autotelic State

When you set out with your camera, remember you’re making photographs for yourself. You’re making these photos simply because you’re curious about the results.

What will reality manifest to be in a photograph?

This is the question to ask every day before you step outside. Make pictures for the sake of making pictures. Allow yourself to become infatuated with life itself and fuel your lust for the mundane through the way of an autotelic state.

EXPLORE

As a photographer, I am an adventurer at my core. To explore the world openly, with curiosity and courage, is my passion. The great outdoors is the best place to get lost in the unknown, and the state of exploration leads to discovery and questions about the world and life itself. Treat the camera as an excuse—a passport to see the world and explore with an open mind.

Before you head out, ask yourself: What will reality manifest in a photograph? Let your curiosity guide you, asking more questions as you make more pictures. Find your “why.”

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Get Outside

Firstly, I think it’s important to get outside. As soon as you wake up, open your eyes wide with vigor and curiosity about what’s out there. As a photographer, this is an essential state of mind. The curiosity to head into the wild, no matter the conditions. I believe there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.

• If it’s cold, bundle up.
• If it’s raining, get some Gore-Tex.

Don’t let the external world determine how you approach the day. Photography requires the artist to flex their creative muscles daily. Wake up early and catch the sunrise! With your camera in hand, fuel yourself with a lust for life.

Embrace the Unknown

The beauty of photography lies in finding joy in the mundane. It doesn’t matter whether you walk the same lane daily or embrace a new place. To find joy through photography requires a state of openness. Enter new places without preconceived notions of what you will find, allowing yourself to discover more beauty in the world.

The unknown can feel daunting. Maybe you’re nervous to embrace a foreign culture or country, or there’s a trip you’ve always wanted to take but never acted on. Let the chips fall as they may! Embrace play and don’t take yourself so seriously.

To embrace the unknown requires a childlike wonder about whatever is around the corner. Stay present and grounded. Embracing the unknown asks you to forget the past and let go of what the future holds.

“Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.” – Marcus Aurelius

Follow Your Desire

Before heading out, don’t plan anything. I believe the best way to operate as a photographer is to follow your desire. If something sparks your interest, follow it. Just listen to your gut. If you feel drawn to walk a certain way or photograph a specific subject, do it!

I often find my desire leading me to the river here in my hometown, Philadelphia. There’s something about the water that drives me to walk that way. It’s an instinctual feeling that pulls me to these places. I let go of any expectations of what may or may not happen.

As a photographer, intuition is key. Listen to your gut, don’t plan ahead of time, and just get out there!

Be Fearless

In a world run on fear, courage is much needed.

“It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.” – Marcus Aurelius

Courage and Audacity

When it comes to everyday life, I believe we must approach every moment without fear. In street photography, it’s the same. Approach the world as a playground with childlike curiosity and courage.

No More Doom and Gloom

I believe the news pushes fear onto the general population. To combat this, disconnect and go off the grid. Stop watching the news, TV, and social media. Be insanely optimistic for the betterment of humanity. Spread kindness and joy. At the end of the day, the smallest thing we can do is smile.

It’s Better to Be the Gay Monster Than a Sentimental Boar

When you approach life with wonder and awe, without preconceived notions of what’s out there, you go through life headstrong and without fear. Recognize that everything is ultimately out of our control. Embrace the chaos playfully, and without care.

Increase Your Tenacity

The word “tenacity” comes from the Latin word tenacitas, meaning “tenseness, firmness.” Derived from tenax (“tenacious, holding fast”) and related to tenere (“to hold”), tenacity reflects determination and persistence.

I believe that grip strength is strength. Overcoming fear requires physical training. My favorite exercise is the farmer’s walk: pick up two heavy dumbbells and walk with them. This helps with posture and grip strength. This full-body technique is critical in my everyday routine and has increased my tenacity.

Embrace Confrontation

People have become afraid of confrontation. Perhaps it’s a symptom of post-COVID society. The antidote is to be more confrontational. Open doors for strangers, compliment others, say hello to janitors, talk to security guards—just have fun with everyday interactions.

In street photography, embracing confrontation can help overcome the fear of rejection. Try asking for permission to make portraits of strangers. If they say no, great! This is a way to embrace failure and push forward with your photography.

How to Be Happy

Everyone wants to be happy… One simple idea I believe about happiness: it derives from within.

Walk Daily

The simplest approach to achieving a state of bliss is to walk more. At the end of the day, to walk is to be human. We are bipedal for a reason, and we should use our two legs as much as possible throughout the day. I enjoy walking along the riverside, in nature, and even through the bustling streets in my city.

When you walk, you feel good. There’s something about the simple act of moving physically through the world, feeling the weather, having the sun kiss your skin, and enjoying the very moments that are fleeting and passing you by.

Sun Exposure

One strange thing I’ve recognized about people is that they are afraid of the sun. We often cover ourselves with hats, sunglasses, and even sunblock. The sun gives you power. Spend as much time as possible in direct sunlight.

Lift Weights

Lifting weights will make you happier because it will boost your confidence and courage. The more you can lift, the better you will feel. If you get into a habit of having a daily gym routine, you will find that you are going to become happier and happier each day.

Eat Red Meat

Personally, I have adopted a carnivore diet of 100% red meat and kimchi. What I realize is, the more red meat I consume, the more satiated and filled with energy I am. Having increased testosterone makes you kinder, happier, and less irritable. Meat provides me with fuel to fast all day, needing only one meal at night. Also, my gut health is supreme.

The connection between your mind and body is important to consider. When you have an upset gut or stomach, it is inevitable that you will become depressed or anxious. When you have a strong body and a strong mind, you will have a beautiful soul.

Subtract the Superfluous

For myself, embracing minimalism has been a path to happiness. In this modern world, we often seek joy through external pleasures like social media, TV shows, movies, video games, food, and concerts. But the truth is that happiness derives from within. It comes from a state of bliss when you recognize the patterns in both nature and human behavior.

No amount of movies, sugary foods, or entertainment will keep you in a state of bliss. Also, abstain from things like casual sex, pornography, drugs, and alcohol. Another suggestion: delete your Instagram and stop watching YouTube videos. Instead, make your own media and entertain yourself by watching what you create.

Memento Mori

Remember that you must die. Allow the shortness of life to fuel your lust for every moment. It’s important that you live a meaningful life and do things that only you truly care about. Realize that you are a mere mortal and that nothing lasts forever. A good heuristic: treat every single day like it is your last.

Recognize Your Connection to Nature

Happiness is something I find through recognizing I am just a small speck on this earth in the grand scheme of things. But that’s what makes everything so beautiful! The fact that I am lucky enough to be a small part of this cosmic soup that is life is enough to keep me happy and in a state of bliss.

What I Learned as a Peace Corps Volunteer

After my time in university, I spent the following years traveling and volunteering abroad. Firstly, I volunteered on a kibbutz in Israel. During that same trip, I also lived with a Palestinian family in Jericho and volunteered at a hostel. These experiences inspired me and led me to join the Peace Corps.

Adventure Is in My Blood

At my core, I am an explorer. There’s something about the unknown that keeps me out there, walking and traveling through the world into unfamiliar places. The Peace Corps taught me to remain open to different cultures and to embrace new ways of life. I worked as a rural aquaculture promotion specialist in Zambia, Africa. For the first three months, I learned the local language, Icibemba. During this training, I learned how to wash clothes by hand, cook over a fire, live under a thatched roof, and engage with a host family.

The first day I arrived at my mud hut, I was greeted by a scorpion at my door. I quickly grabbed a rock nearby and smashed its head into the wall. At that moment, I knew I was up for the adventure of a lifetime.

Be Adaptable

One of the things I learned during my time as a Peace Corps volunteer is to be adaptable. When you throw yourself into a new place or new experience, there’s always a learning curve. I remember sitting on the front porch of Doris’ home, learning how to slaughter and prepare a chicken for a meal—something completely unfamiliar to me, coming from an urban city like Philadelphia.

Every day, I would bike along dirt paths to and from the training center, learning to:

• Fix my tire if it went flat
• Carry goods in my saddlebags from the grocery store
• Speak the local language with the community around me

When you’re thrown into a new environment, it’s important to remain open and adapt. Simply learning the language is enough for you to be accepted with open arms into strangers’ homes.

Human Thriving Is Possible

When I was stationed in my village and introduced to my host family, I was greeted with a goat to slaughter and prepare with my host father. This was the ultimate greeting and sign of respect that I’ve ever encountered in my life. For the next few days, we feasted on the goat and got to know one another, sitting on the floor, eating with our hands, and listening to local Zambian music.

In the mornings, we cleared land around the fish ponds, while in the afternoons, his daughters would come home with bush fruit for us to eat. In the evenings, we prayed in the local church, and before sleep, we always shared a meal together. 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.

You Don’t Need Much to Be Happy

Another key takeaway from my Peace Corps experience is that you don’t need much to be happy. Having a community around you, family, a church, clean water from a borehole, fish from the lake, and good conversation is enough to feel a deep, blissful contentment. The days felt long and rich under the sun.

I spent many days walking barefoot, climbing trees, eating mangoes, and swimming in the local lake. It’s the simple pleasures that bring true happiness—there’s no material thing or consumerist item that can match this. Happiness derives from within.

Take the Road Less Traveled

What amazed me about living in a Zambian village were the endless unfamiliar paths and dirt roads that led to new places. When I rode my bike, I often found myself lost. This feeling of being lost was unlike anything I’d felt traveling in America with Google Maps readily available. Instead, I would chat with locals, ask for directions, and maneuver through each day in new ways.

My village was positioned 14 hours away from Zambia’s capital. If I wanted to experience urban life, I’d need to take multiple taxis and buses. Many times, taxis would break down, buses would halt, and there were even instances when I had to hitchhike on the back of a pickup truck. The village life provided everything I needed, teaching me that immediate community and surroundings are what truly matter.

Try New Things

Lastly, I believe it’s important to try new things. Whether it’s food, experiences, or language, remaining open to newness has taught me endlessly. I’ll never forget Doris bringing home a bucket of grasshoppers that she’d freshly picked from nearby fields. She simply dropped them in a boiling pot of water, added salt, and we sat on her front porch at night, eating grasshoppers and laughing. As an American, this was something completely new for me, but oddly, they didn’t taste that bad.

The point is, you have to make your own adventure. These memories and experiences bring me joy to this day. I have no regrets, only gratitude for what I learned. Joining the Peace Corps was one of the greatest things I’ve done. It’s something I’ll never forget and will always reference. At the end of the day, perhaps humans are meant to explore, try new things, and learn through experience. The Peace Corps taught me exactly that.

How I Want to Spend My Short Time on This Earth

Firstly, I would like to spend it producing and giving more than I consume and take. I also think living in the now and focusing on cherishing each moment is a good goal. Life is too short to be stressed about petty and superficial matters.

To Create Beautiful Art

Creating beautiful art is the greatest gift humans can give to humanity. I believe that art has the power to inspire greatness. Photography is my favorite art form because it is based on reality. The act of walking, exploring, and observing real life is unlike any other medium. The human experience is something worth sharing and uplifting.

Spreading More Kindness

I think the world is more divided than ever and run on fear. This is why I’m a big proponent of disconnecting from the news and popular media. I believe the more you focus on yourself, the more you can help and spread kindness to others. Small acts of kindness, like:

• Smiling
• Holding the door for others
• Giving compliments to beautiful people

can go a long way.

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

In order to make any difference in the world, you must carry out actions and behaviors that you wish to see manifest in others. This is why I believe in this notion of becoming more selfish and focusing on improving yourself. The more you focus on yourself, the more you can contribute to others.

Exploration and Innovation

My first passion is exploring. I’m an adventurer at my core and love to use the camera as an excuse to walk endlessly. There’s something special about exploring new places and meeting new people. I prefer to be immersed in a new place for a period of time, typically anywhere between one to two months. When I travel far and wide across this globe, I always come back with something new that I have learned.

Through learning more and experiencing more, perhaps I can innovate more going forward. Within the world of street photography, I find frustrations with the ways in which things are done. I want to alleviate these frustrations through innovation, creating more photos and ideas.

Becoming a Free Thinker

Thinking seems to be one of life’s greatest pleasures. The more that we think, the more that we can become. It doesn’t really matter if you are right or wrong. I think that in this age of abundance, a simple heuristic is to give as much as possible.