In the current year of 2024, digital photography has become the most practical choice for photographers who want to adapt to modern times and maximize their creative output. Here’s why I believe digital photography is the way forward.
The Speed of Digital Workflow
Digital photography offers an unparalleled speed advantage. With compact digital cameras like the Ricoh GR III or Ricoh GR III X, I can shoot, review, and edit photos within minutes. By using a small JPEG file format with settings such as contrast, grain, sharpness, clarity, shadows, and highlights cranked to the maximum, I can enhance the visual impact of my images right out of the camera.
Pairing my camera with an iPad Pro allows me to quickly import photos using a USB-C dongle to SD reader, organize them in a folder by date, and make selections effortlessly. This streamlined workflow keeps me in a productive flow state, enabling me to consistently create and improve my photography.
Cost-Effectiveness in a Modern World
Let’s face it—film photography has become increasingly expensive. When I started, a roll of film was just a few dollars. Today, the cost has skyrocketed, making it a less practical option for photographers looking to shoot regularly. Digital photography, on the other hand, eliminates the costs associated with film rolls, development, and scanning. I can shoot thousands of photos without worrying about the expenses piling up, allowing me to focus on my craft without financial constraints.
Instant Feedback and Continuous Improvement
One of the greatest benefits of digital photography is the ability to receive instant feedback. I can review my photos immediately after taking them, analyze what works and what doesn’t, and make adjustments on the spot. This rapid feedback loop accelerates the learning process, allowing me to make incremental improvements with each shot. In contrast, the delayed feedback of film photography slows down this process, making it harder to learn and grow quickly.
Flexibility and Creativity with Digital Tools
Digital cameras, especially those from brands like Ricoh and Fujifilm, offer a level of flexibility and creativity that film cameras can’t match. The ability to use an LCD screen instead of a traditional viewfinder opens up new creative possibilities, allowing me to compose shots from unique angles and perspectives. This flexibility enhances my ability to experiment and innovate, pushing the boundaries of street photography.
Embracing the Future of Photography
While film photography has its nostalgic charm, digital photography is the future. It’s faster, more cost-effective, and offers greater creative freedom. For those looking to become the best photographers they can be, adopting a digital workflow is the logical choice. By embracing digital photography, I’m not just keeping up with the times—I’m pushing myself to go beyond, to innovate, and to continually improve as a photographer.
The choice is yours: stay stuck in the past with film, or embrace the future with digital. I’m choosing the latter, seeking to become extraordinary and to create an ever-growing archive of my work.
Digital is not just a tool; it’s a mindset. It’s about producing more, learning faster, and constantly evolving. So, pick up a digital camera and start shooting—your journey to becoming the best photographer you can be starts now.
People often consider freedom as an option, free will, or choice itself. However, what if freedom was the elimination of choice, and there was only one option?
I choose to move onwards, into the unknown.
I Stand at the Intersection Between Order and Chaos
Each morning, I like to walk along a small curb at the intersection between two opposing roads. As the cars rush by me left and right, I feel free, standing at the intersection between order and chaos. This part of my walk reminds me of the scene in Fight Club, where Tyler Durden says to just let go when they’re driving a car straight into traffic without holding onto the wheel.
“It’s only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything.” – Tyler Durden
The predictable path, the safe route, is the road often traveled. However, I choose the unpredictable, the spontaneous, as a way to thrive as an artist. When I consider order, I think about the structure of the streets, laid out on a grid, the traffic signals that direct traffic, the crosswalks, the architecture, bridges, columns, and the perfectly symmetrical windows upon the façade of 30th St. station. There is comfort in a closed system, surrounded by air conditioning, TV channels with thousands of options, yummy foods, and an easy job that allows you to sit at a computer. This path will lead to mediocrity and is best avoided at all costs.
Let’s get a dog, let’s save up for retirement, let’s go on a vacation to the Bahamas and drink margaritas, let’s sacrifice all of our time, so when we get older, we can have the best nursing home take care of us.
I’d rather stand at the precipice than live a boring life.
Godlike Intuition
My intuition has carried me through chaos and strife, floating through life on a feather bed. I think we should trust our gut, our instincts, as that ultimately is our inner voice, our inner wisdom, or perhaps even God himself, navigating us through life’s complexities. I’ll never forget when my intuition told me to go back to Mass last year after a long hiatus. Something felt off in the city as I looked around and saw nothing but a luxurious prison, after spending the past few years in Covid limbo. At this time, I was working as a photographer for the city and found it extremely unfulfilling; the work you make is meaningless. At this time, I made the bold decision to quit my job as a photographer, as I realized that I’d rather photograph for myself and make zero dollars from it than waste my time making pictures for somebody else. My intuition brought me back to Rome, where I spent a lot of time practicing street photography, praying in churches, and exploring the eternal city. I feel like I have a deep connection to Italy; this is where my roots are from, and my second home, considering I am a dual citizen between both the United States of America and Italy. Needless to say, this experience in Rome was a profound experience in my life, a spiritual journey, if you will, an awakening of my soul. When I returned home to Philadelphia, I felt whole again, like I’ve entered myself anew, as a child returning to my true essence. I found my true vocation in life, which ultimately is art and photography, but now use horticulture as my source of work and income. It provides rich meaning in my life and gives me newfound purpose. I’ve always known that I was a bit different, that I cannot conform, to abide by societal norms, working in an office, or with the typical team in the city. I’ve always thrived in solitude, outside, in nature, and needed to design my life to be this way.
Life as It Is
The beauty of life is the imperfection of it all. Street photography allows the individual to accept reality in its raw form, life as it is. By embracing the spontaneous snapshot, I am creating a visual diary of my day, in a very raw and authentic way. I find this to be the most liberating way to make photographs, as I’m not altering life, or even traveling anywhere far away from home, but merely photographing what is most immediate and close to me in my everyday life.
Unpredictability
“If you really want to escape the things that harass you, what you’re needing is not to be in a different place but to be a different person.” – Seneca
After traveling the world, experiencing different cultures, for an extended period of my time here on earth, I’ve been a wanderer, always moving from place to place. I’ve always thrived in the unknown, being uncomfortable, forcing myself to adapt to new environments, moving in and out of places from time to time whether in the Middle East or Africa. After all these experiences, what I find most profound is how great life is, right here, right now. While you can find novelty in the unknown of a different country, there’s also the infinite possibility for you to dive within your mind and come out with something new each day that you will inevitably find. For our individual perspective about life, the world, and our current situation, city, etc., is ultimately what shapes our perception of reality. By embracing the present moment, or treating my hometown like paradise, I find bliss, peace, and order, among the chaos and complexities of urban life. By simply embracing life as it is, while simultaneously remaining open to the unknown and the possibility of changing my perspective, I find infinite novelty despite being in one place. I feel like I’ve reached this point where I could live the same day on loop eternally, as it is, and thrive in it.
I Am Built Different
The thing about me is that I can thrive in any situation you put in front of me. I’m simply built different, full of vitality, ready to go with whatever life throws at me. I’ll never forget trudging through the darkness of a storm in the swamps of Zambia, with a bucket on my head, sandals on my feet, trying to use the dim headlamp to guide me to the dirt path. When I got home, I took my sandals off and was shocked by lightning as it struck the floor and traveled up my feet, my legs, and throughout my entire body. The next day, when I walked around the village, I saw many dilapidated homes. I got a phone call from home and found out that my grandmother was dying. I got on a plane, spent my last moments with a loved one, and then flew all the way back to Zambia again, only to find out that Covid hit the world and flew back to America once again in a very rushed and chaotic manner just two weeks later. I feel like throughout my journey, there have been numerous times that I should’ve probably died, but somehow God has been by my side this whole time.
Harness the Power of Light
Every morning when I walk to the cliff behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art, it is basically pitch black, dark outside, despite the moonlight, and a few very faint stars that I see in the night sky. When I stand upon the cliff, I feel like I’m putting my beacon down, as a lighthouse, shining my inner light for the whole river to see. I feel as though every human has an inner darkness, just as much as they have light. I suggest we turn into our greatest version of ourselves and simply shine that light from within.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
We may not be able to directly change other people, but we can simply change ourselves, becoming the best version of ourselves, serving as a blueprint, or a leader, for other free spirits to follow. Even if your words, thoughts, arts, or actions impact the life of one other person, no matter how small it may seem, this is what true success means.
Go Beyond the Ordinary
With everything I do, I strive to go beyond the ordinary, to become extraordinary. I reject mediocrity, seek, or to simply go by the status quo. If I’m told to do a task, I’m going to do it with vigor and vitality at the forefront, completing it to the best of my ability. As a photographer, this means I will be waking up immediately, reaching for my camera, hitting the streets, and photographing before anyone is even awake. Maybe equality promotes mediocrity after all. I do not seek to be your equal; I seek to go beyond.
Don’t Be an Actor with a Mask
The problem with most social media users is that they simply put on a mask, performing like an actor. Honestly, just consider the Instagram filters or Snapchat filters that allow individual users to cover up their blemishes or imperfections. To me, this is fake and not real whatsoever. As a street photographer, I embrace imperfection and authenticity openly. Because of this, I do not seek to participate as an actor within your matrix world, your façade, your illusion of what you believe life is. I find authenticity to be way more important than seeking fame or praise. Maybe the most authentic ones will inevitably ruffle a few feathers and upset other people, similar to the famous saying that “the truth hurts.”
Remove Fear, Guilt, and Shame
When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, perhaps this is what first introduced feelings of shame. While they were naked in the garden, bearing the knowledge of good and evil, it made them feel insecure about their naked bodies. They started to make clothes, covering their genitals and private parts with small cloths that they formed from leaves. When you remove fear from your life, whether it’s fear of rejection, detaching from the outcome, or removing all guilt from past behaviors, you can move forward into the unknown freely. Maybe fear is what holds us back the most in life, and by removing fear, especially the fear of death itself, it is the only thing that will ever set you free.
Set Yourself Free
Freedom is the feeling of a bird in flight, like an eagle, who flies alone. The eagle flies alone because it is most dominant in the sky and does not need a pack or an army to support it in its hunt. When an eagle sees prey, let’s say a sheep that lurks along the cliffside, it strategically swoops down, pushing the sheep off the cliff, waiting for the prey to hit the ground. The eagle then swoops back down, finishing off the kill, and feasts on the flesh of the sheep. Don’t be the sheep; be the eagle.
To Change Is Happiness
It’s easy to be complacent or to follow the same process or practice continuously throughout your life. When you find something that works, why switch it up or change?
What I’ve realized is that by killing my past self and creating anew, I’ve found ultimate joy in life. By embracing transformation, I have found true happiness.
Since changing my process from photographing in color to black-and-white, I’ve been thriving and evolving more than ever in my life. What I’ve realized is that to change is happiness. By changing each day, increasing my curiosity by one percent, and remaining open to the unknown itself, I am growing, evolving, transforming, and feeling the sensation of bliss.
Evolution is the Goal
Perhaps this is where the will to power becomes interesting. As I increase my physical strength through weightlifting, I feel physical change within my body. This physical change, or increased vitality, is the greatest feeling in life itself. Think of it this way:
Person A: Has the ability to walk 30,000 steps per day, outside, standing upright on his two feet for the entirety of the day, never sitting down or taking a break.
Person B: Is forced to sit down for eight hours per day, inside, and only has time to walk 2,000 steps per day, and even if they tried, could never walk 30,000 steps, stand, and walk all day.
Which person will be happier?
I think it’s obvious. Person A is filled with vitality and power. This power, this physical ability to be moving, exerting force, and power in the world, is ultimately what brings you happiness. A person confined to gravity, forcing the body down to sit throughout the day, will lead to the decline of the physical body. The decline of the physical body will lead to the decline of the emotional state of this person, succumbing to weakness.
The feeling of weakness, of the physical inability to move, is the ultimate tragedy in this modern world. The feeling of strength, of the physical ability to move the world, is the ultimate feeling of happiness.
Through physical evolution, we embrace continual self-improvement, striving for a higher state of being. This ultimate striving for a higher version of oneself is what provides ultimate meaning in life.
You Are the Universe
Zoom into the smallest atom in your body out of the seven octillion atoms that make you, you. Then zoom out to the hundreds of trillions of galaxies in the universe.
Become in Tune with the Rhythm and the Beat of the Street
When I’m on the street, I enjoy engaging with the world dynamically. The street is like a stage, and all of the people are merely actors. As the street photographer, I become the conductor of the orchestra, of the cosmic drama that unfolds on a street corner.
Wield the camera as a sword, strike through the heart of chaos, reveal the soul of the street, and create visual order and harmony from the spontaneity of everyday life.
Just watch the feet and the way that people move upon the street. Become in tune with the rhythm and the beat of each step, of each sound, of each movement. Life is like a dance, and perhaps we should treat each day like it’s our last.
You can create a new world in a fraction of a second.
I’m not just a bystander; I’m an active participant in the street. I am order. I am chaos. I am the unknown.
Minimize exposure to synthetic compounds and ultra-processed food additives.
Key Dietary Practices for Microbiome Health
Consume Diverse Plant Fibers:
Different fibers support different bacterial strains.
Examples include soluble fibers (oats, chia seeds) and insoluble fibers (roughage).
Fermented Foods:
Include fermented dairy, raw sauerkraut, pickles, and natto for microbiome support.
Minimize Use of Synthetic Compounds:
Limit antibiotics and antiseptic mouthwashes.
Be cautious with artificial sweeteners, which may alter the microbiome.
Increase Fiber Intake Gradually:
Sudden increases can cause digestive discomfort due to lack of appropriate gut bacteria.
Types of Fiber
Soluble Fiber: Fermented by gut bacteria to produce beneficial compounds.
Insoluble Fiber: Adds bulk to stool and promotes regular digestion.
Resistant Starch: Fermented by gut bacteria, beneficial for gut health (found in unripe bananas, cooled potatoes).
Viscous Fiber: Helps improve blood sugar and lower LDL cholesterol levels (found in psyllium husk, oats).
Digestion and the Microbiome
Digestion begins with the cephalic phase: the anticipation of food triggers digestive processes.
Slow eating and proper chewing are crucial for optimal digestion and nutrient absorption.
Certain nutrients and compounds (like sulforaphane from cruciferous vegetables) are activated by chewing.
Supplements for Microbiome and Overall Health
Magnesium: Supports numerous bodily functions; difficult to get enough from diet alone.
Vitamin D: Essential for immune function and overall health.
Fish Oil: Provides omega-3 fatty acids, especially beneficial if fish consumption is low.
Creatine: Supports muscle health and cognitive function.
Protein Supplements: Useful for maintaining adequate protein intake and supporting muscle health.
Conclusion
The microbiome is a complex, essential component of health that interacts closely with diet and lifestyle.
Focusing on diverse, whole foods, minimizing synthetic chemicals, and understanding the role of the microbiome can support overall health and resilience.
Standard American Diet: High in added sugars, unhealthy fats, refined grains, ultra-processed foods. Linked to chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and dementia.
Carnivore Diet: Focuses on meat and fish, excludes plant-based foods. Limited long-term evidence, but some anecdotal support for autoimmune and allergy relief.
Paleo Diet: Avoids grains, processed foods, and dairy. Focuses on food quality. Critique: Rise in ultra-processed “paleo-approved” foods.
Vegan and Vegetarian Diets: Excludes all (vegan) or some (vegetarian) animal products. Different nutritional considerations and evidence profiles.
Mediterranean Diet: Emphasizes whole foods, vegetables, olive oil. Misconception as a low-meat diet; actually includes a variety of meats. Strong evidence for reducing chronic diseases.
Ketogenic Diet (Keto): High-fat, moderate protein, low carbohydrate. Therapeutic use for epilepsy and neurological conditions. Modern versions incorporate fiber-rich, low-starch vegetables.
MIND Diet: Combines Mediterranean and DASH diets. Focuses on brain health, recommends olive oil and berries, shows strong evidence for reducing dementia risk.
DASH Diet: Aimed at reducing hypertension. Encourages fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts.
Evidence and Effectiveness of Diets
Carnivore Diet: Anecdotal evidence for specific health issues; lacks long-term research.
Paleo Diet: Appreciated for food quality but has a mix of processed options available now.
Vegan/Vegetarian Diets: Varied evidence, potential risks for certain deficiencies.
Mediterranean Diet: Extensive research supports benefits for heart, neurological, and metabolic health.
Ketogenic Diet: Unique for altering brain neurochemistry; significant research in epilepsy, emerging interest in other brain disorders.
MIND Diet: Shows notable evidence in reducing dementia risk.
DASH Diet: Effective for managing hypertension.
Why Diets Fail
Adherence: The main reason diets fail is lack of adherence. People adopt extreme views and give up if they can’t strictly follow the diet.
Sustainable Approach: The best diet is one that you can adhere to long-term while meeting nutritional goals.
Tailoring Your Diet
Personal Goals: Tailor diet based on protein optimization, energy balance, nutrient density, and specific health goals (e.g., weight loss vs. muscle gain).
Dieting for Weight Loss: Focus on fat loss rather than overall weight loss. Slow weight loss is better to preserve muscle mass.
Caloric Needs and Deficit: To lose fat, create a caloric deficit. For weight loss, calculate maintenance calories and reduce intake by 500 calories per day for a 1-pound weekly loss.
Strategies for Effective Dieting
Protein Intake: Essential for muscle preservation during weight loss. Higher protein needs as body fat decreases.
Resistance Training: Key to maintaining muscle mass. Should continue with the same intensity even during dieting.
Carbohydrate Considerations: Useful for energy in resistance training. Not all carbs are harmful; some support workouts and satiety.
Fat Consumption: Necessary for absorbing fat-soluble vitamins and maintaining hormone health. Avoid extremely low-fat diets.
Myths and Misconceptions
Metabolism Slowing with Age: Little evidence supports significant slowing of metabolism due to aging; reduced activity is a more likely cause.
Cardio for Fat Loss: Resistance training and non-exercise activities (NEAT) are more effective for fat loss than cardio.
Fat-Burning Foods: No foods inherently burn fat; foods that support fat loss are those that help maintain satiety and provide energy for workouts.
Metabolic Damage: Metabolic adaptation can occur with dieting but is not permanent or damaging long-term.
Women and Muscle Bulk: Women will not get “too bulky” from weight training due to the difficulty of gaining muscle mass.
Conclusion
Individualization: There is no one-size-fits-all diet. Find a diet that aligns with your health goals, lifestyle, and preferences.
Balance and Flexibility: Focus on dietary patterns that promote health without compromising enjoyment and adherence. Prioritize nutrient-dense foods, regular physical activity, and maintaining a positive relationship with food.
Definition: The study of how biological processes are influenced by a 24-hour clock.
Primary Time Setter: Light intensity perceived by the eyes triggers the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the brain, setting off a 24-hour cycle.
Peripheral Clocks: The digestive system acts as an important peripheral clock, affecting glucose homeostasis, metabolic rate, and hunger.
Importance of Light: Exposure to bright light upon waking is crucial for setting circadian rhythms.
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) and Intermittent Fasting (IF)
Intermittent Fasting (IF): A broad term encompassing various fasting methods, including 24-hour fasts and the 16:8 method.
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE): A form of intermittent fasting where eating is restricted to certain hours each day (e.g., 8, 10, or 12-hour windows).
Early Time-Restricted Eating (Early TRE): Consuming food starting an hour after waking and finishing earlier in the evening (e.g., 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.).
Benefits of Early Time-Restricted Eating
Metabolic Health: Better control of glucose levels, blood pressure, and overall metabolic health biomarkers.
Potential Weight Management: Provides a framework for calorie control and can help manage body composition.
Hormonal Regulation: May aid in regulating hunger hormones and improving metabolic rates.
Potential Downsides of Time-Restricted Eating
Social Impact: Can be socially challenging due to the timing of meals, especially dinner.
Muscle Composition: Not ideal for those looking to build muscle mass as protein intake should be spread throughout the day.
Reduction in Testosterone: Some studies suggest intermittent fasting may reduce testosterone levels in men.
Protein Intake and Nutrient Timing
Importance of Protein: Crucial for muscle protein synthesis and maintaining lean body mass.
Protein Timing: Ideal to consume protein throughout the day, especially post-workout if exercising in a fasted state.
Recommended Intake: At least 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight per day for those resistance training.
Nutrient Timing and Sleep
Impact on Sleep: Consuming food too close to bedtime can interfere with sleep quality due to the thermogenic effect of protein.
Protein Before Bed: May enhance muscle recovery but could potentially disrupt sleep due to increased body temperature from digestion.
Fasting as a Hormetic Stressor
Definition: A stressor that, in small doses, provides a strengthening effect on the body.
Examples: Exercise, sauna use, and certain food compounds.
Fasting Benefits: Activates pathways involved in neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, and longevity.
Conclusion
Key Takeaways: Nutrient timing is important but should be considered secondary to the quality and quantity of food consumed.
Personalization: Different strategies may work better for different individuals depending on their goals and lifestyle.
Final Note: Approaching diet quality and using tools like fasting strategically can help optimize health and body composition.
Focus on maintaining a strong and intentional posture to strengthen the body and promote vitality. Walking with an upright posture helps engage muscles and maintain a confident gait.
Charge Your Batteries
Just as a camera needs charged batteries, our bodies need rest to recharge. Treat sleep as a sacred ritual, avoid artificial lights at night, and prioritize a natural sleep routine to maintain energy.
Sun Gods
Spending time outdoors in the sun is vital for energy and health. Wearing protective gear like a sun hat can help safely maximize sun exposure, drawing parallels to experiences in the Middle East and Africa.
Repair Your Cells
Restaurants should restore health, focusing on nutrient-rich foods like Vietnamese pho and avoiding processed foods. Emphasize the importance of consuming collagen-rich foods like bone broth for physical restoration.
Leaders vs. Followers
Critiques the authenticity of modern YouTubers and the consumer-driven trend in photography. Encourages people to be leaders, not followers, and resist marketing ploys.
Are You a Bot?
Questions the authenticity of online interactions, suggesting that a large number of social media users and engagements might be fake or manipulated.
Water and Vitality
Highlights the importance of water for community and personal health, drawing from experiences in Zambia. Advocates for hydration and consuming natural resources that the body is composed of.
The Industrialization of Society
Critiques modern technology and its impact on society, comparing the habitual use of social media to outdated practices and suggesting a more mindful approach to daily routines.
Weakness is Bad
Argues that modern sedentary lifestyles weaken the population. Advocates for physical activity and critiques the complacency observed in everyday city life.
The Most Walkable City in the United States
Promotes Philadelphia as an ideal, walkable city that doesn’t require a car. Encourages exploring the city on foot and using public transportation to engage more physically with the environment.
Walking is Happiness
Suggests that walking and standing are key to happiness and mental health. Physical movement is essential for both physical and mental well-being, especially for men.
Terraform the World
Encourages a minimalist, natural lifestyle similar to characters in RPG games. Advocates for barefoot walking, minimal clothing, and living intentionally to strengthen the body and reconnect with the earth.
How to Get a Six-Pack
Explains that getting a six-pack is simple through diet (fasting and red meat) and basic exercises like the farmer’s walk, push-ups, and pull-ups. Stresses the importance of posture and overall physical strength.
Don’t Release Your Energy
Encourages conserving sexual energy to enhance focus and vitality. Suggests that abstaining from certain habits can lead to a stronger, more disciplined self.
Why Carbs Are Bad
Critiques the consumption of carbs, particularly processed ones, for their effect on insulin levels and appetite. Advocates for a diet focused on protein and fasting to maintain energy and avoid unnecessary hunger.
Meet Me at the Eagle
Highlights the daily ritual of visiting the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia as a way to connect with public art and transcend the human experience. Emphasizes the importance of engaging with art in public spaces and appreciating the beauty around you.
Everything you do should be done with intention when it comes to the physicality of life itself. When you’re walking, walk with your head up, your shoulders back, your chest open, and your core tightened. By focusing on your posture, you’re strengthening your body, spine, and muscles, allowing your legs to move you through this world with a strong gait filled with vitality.
Charge Your Batteries
When it comes to street photography practice, make sure to have at least a spare battery with you at all times. Your digital battery should be charged, just like your physical body should be.
In order to increase your energy, we must treat sleep as a sacred part of our day. Personally, as soon as I get home around 6 or 6:30 PM, I turn the lights off, put on a dim light in my kitchen, cook my meat, eat as the sun sets, and go straight to sleep. It becomes a meditative part of my day, and sometimes I even keep a book by my bedside to read so that I can fall asleep at ease. Typically, I won’t do this because I prefer reading in the afternoon, but the plan is to not use your phone or have any artificial lights in sight at nighttime.
Sun Gods
We are the new Sun gods.
I can’t stay indoors for any longer than it takes me to eat and go to sleep. The rest of the day, you can be assured that I am outside. My body is drawn to the light, like a fly or a moth is to the lamps in the middle of the night. The more time I spend in the sun, the more energy I have. I’ve recently been wearing my sun hat that I wore during my time volunteering and living in the Middle East and Africa. The sun hat is perfect, paired with my long sleeves and pants throughout the afternoon while working in the park. I personally do not wear sunscreen, but the way the sun hat wraps around my neck and covers my cheeks is perfectly fine with me. This hat has seen a lot throughout my journey, and I’m happy to bring it back out here in Philadelphia. I realized when I was in Jericho, in the desert, how important it was for me to wear this hat because of how striking the sun was in Jericho. Considering it is the lowest elevated city in the world and there are rarely any clouds in the sky, it’s basically just you, the sand, and the sun shining down on you. As much as I praise the sun and believe we should spend the maximum amount of time in the sun as possible, if you’re going to be out there in the middle of the day, around noon, you should definitely pick up a sun hat. I personally think it looks really cool too, but it’s mostly just practical.
Repair Your Cells
The only real restaurants in the city are Vietnamese pho places. Why?
I believe in 16th or 17th century France, restaurants were originally places to find cheap healing broth on the street. The word restaurant derives from the term “to restore.”
A restaurant should be a place where you go for restoration, refreshment, and to increase your vitality. Vietnamese pho is rich with nutrients and protein that we need to repair our physical bodies. Beef is filled with bone broth, which provides collagen, one of the most abundant sources of protein found in the human body. Not only does the bone broth within the beef provide this nutrient, but there are also organ meats and beef found within this delicious bowl of soup.
Besides Vietnamese pho, all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue places are good options, or the newest Brazilian steakhouse, NaBrasa, is way better than Fogo de Chão and certainly the best of the best in the city of Philadelphia when it comes to a true restaurant.
Most restaurants smell like sweaty locker rooms. Consider a salad bar or any restaurant like Chipotle, where they serve you from station to station. There’s something off about this way of consuming, where it almost becomes like the shitty cafeteria food that you would’ve consumed in high school. I remember when I was in high school, I would rarely ever eat lunch because it just smelled so bad in the cafeteria, so I would skip lunch because all they really served was ultra-processed slop.
If you want to heal your body and repair your cells, consider the power of collagen that is found in organ meats and how we can increase our protein intake, depending on the restaurants we choose to visit. Even better, just never eat out at restaurants and only ever cook your meals at home. If you want to buy your own beef liver, go to the Reading Terminal Market, to the Halteman farm, which has been serving the citizens of Philadelphia for over a century. It’s about $2.50 per pound of beef liver.
Leaders vs. Followers
The problem with modern YouTube videos is that the YouTubers are always promoting something, sponsored by someone, and never a truly authentic representation of themselves. I find it hard to watch and also hard to believe that they truly stand by the words that they express within the videos they create. I believe that film photography has become popular through YouTubers and particular channels that make it seem trendy and cool. It’s very easy to promote and gain a following around camera gear because it is consumer-driven.
There’s leaders, and there’s followers…but I’d rather be a d*ck than a swallower – Kanye West
We are merely consumers, suckered by marketing and advertisements, and I believe film photography has become popular because of this nature. Don’t get suckered by the advertisements, the lame YouTubers, and their sponsorship deals.
Are You a Bot?
I feel like people are just really dumb. It’s so easy to succumb to a trend or just generally not think for yourself. If I were to tell you that 99% of the users on Instagram were bots, and you had 1 million followers, receiving around 100,000 likes per post, but 99% of them were fake, would you still publish to the platform?
Water and Vitality
As a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia, Africa, I learned the importance of water in the village and the critical role it played in forming community. At the center of the village, there is a well where men and women gather to grab water for the day, filling multiple buckets, which I also attended to, filtering the water by boiling it, throwing it in a gravity filter, and even adding iodine, just so that I could drink a cup of clean water. Here in the United States, we can turn on a tap and get clean drinking water in an instant.
The human body is comprised of around 60% water. Humans are merely water and meat, or water and flesh. Eat more meat and drink more water. It’s very simple; we should be consuming the things that we are primarily comprised of. Maybe if you feel a lack of energy, it is simply due to dehydration. Personally, I drink 2 liters of water before 7 AM. This way, I start my day off with energy, vitality, hydration.
The Industrialization of Society
When the Industrial Revolution introduced the automobile into our society, we no longer had to deal with cleaning the excrement of horses in the morning or the smell of their waste every day. The modern-day equivalent of using a horse and buggy is waking up in the morning and checking your Instagram.
Checking your Instagram first thing in the morning is equivalent to waking up, taking a shit, wiping with your hands, smearing it all over your body, your face, your eyes, and not wiping it off.
Weakness is Bad
Anything that decreases your vitality and increases the feeling of weakness is bad, something to avoid, and not to partake in. One thing that makes me feel tired or depletes my energy is sitting down throughout the day. Now, with this in mind, I would say that 75% of the population of a city is currently living a sedentary lifestyle. You may be wondering, doesn’t that make 75% of our population weak? I’d say, yes, it does. We are currently living in the age of weakness and softness; just look around you, and you’re bound to see every other individual walking on the sidewalk possessing some sort of metabolic disease or appearing extremely anemic. We are living in a way that goes against our human nature.
Spending any time in a vehicle, sitting down on your butt, is the equivalent of being a big baby in a stroller, pacified. Yesterday, while waiting for the bus, I like to do pistol squats, stretch, and put on a show for the people who are in their cars waiting at the red light. There was this one guy driving a truck full of workers who were all clapping and cheering me on. Another car had a lady with tattoos all over her body, lighting up a cigarette and hot-boxing her car, bashing her head around and accidentally hitting the pedal or the brake over and over again. It’s so amusing to stand at the corner, waiting for a bus, and simply observe the people in the vehicles themselves. Is it just me, or do they all look extremely miserable? Not to mention, getting simple glimpses of the people who drive would make me nervous to even step foot in a car and drive, considering how irresponsible some of these drivers are these days.
The Most Walkable City in the United States
Philadelphia is the most walkable city in the United States, and citizens of this city actually do not need to own a vehicle.
You can walk through most neighborhoods within a single day of exploration. My favorite walk is to start at the Philadelphia Museum of Art along the Schuylkill River Trail, walk throughout the Center City area, towards Old City, Penn’s Landing, Spruce Street Harbor, even Penn Park, all the way across the Delaware River, where William Penn made a treaty with the Lenape tribe to purchase the land and create the city of Philadelphia.
If you need to get somewhere specific, we have great public transportation through SEPTA. The upside of a bus is the option for you to stand. I can walk around the bus if I want to, snap photos of people, or even just outside the window, which I typically do in Philadelphia. Otherwise, Uber may be one of the greatest apps ever invented, as you can simply reach for your phone and hail a taxi instantaneously, no matter where you are in the world. This is really good for us street photographers who might find ourselves in need of a vehicle in a pinch, considering we wander off far away sometimes. Despite this, recognize that your body, your legs, are the ultimate vehicle, and we live in the most walkable city in the United States of America here in Philadelphia. I believe that this simple fact alone makes Philadelphia the greatest city to live in the USA in the current year, 2024.
Walking is Happiness
I actually walk and stand for a living. This may be the ultimate way to live our lives. Any time spent on your butt is a life not worth living. It’s really simple: physicality is happiness, walking is bliss, and it brings true joy and meaning in life. Our bodies are meant to be moving, not confined to a cage. It’s funny when you think of depression as this mental thing, where we don’t even admit that it becomes a physical problem first.
Without a strong body, you will not have a strong mind.
When you are depressed, you are probably bedridden, stuck inside, sitting down, talking about your feelings with a therapist. However, for men, all we need are some plates, a barbell, two legs, movement, some meat, sunlight, clean water, and everything will be alright. Men are extremely simple creatures. I believe men generally prefer to be outside and to be physical.
Terraform the World
Let’s redesign the world like we’re playing Minecraft in real life. Actually, consider RPG games like Skyrim, where you start the game by designing your character from the ground up. You start at the loading screen, looking at your character, naked in the flesh. You equip him with armor, give him a skin color, set his height, his weight, his facial features, etc. Perhaps it’s wise for us to redesign our character from the ground up, similar to these RPG video games, where we should strip away the superfluous and shed our skin.
Firstly, remove your shoes and connect with the Earth around you. Shoes are like condoms, where the soles prevent you from feeling the sensations. The Vibram FiveFingers ELX model has been the greatest blessing in my life for the past two years of wearing them every day. I feel so much stronger from my feet, calves, legs, upwards. I find that I am more intentional with each step I make by connecting with the ground below me. It’s also funny how we follow trends depending on what sneakers we wear, whether they are New Balances, Vans, Jordans, etc. We become the things that we own. However, by removing the shoes, the brand itself, and simply having a small glove that fits over your toes and your feet, it’s almost like you go back to being that default character in that bare-bones, blank slate when you’re starting out a new game in an RPG like Skyrim. Also, consider your shirt as optional. During the evenings, when the sun sets, I’ll typically find myself walking around the streets with my shirt off, basking in the sunlight, tanning my skin, and flexing my muscles as the ultimate fashion.
Instead of buying that lame designer shirt or clothing item, make your body the ultimate luxury item by acquiring a six-pack and removing your shirt.
I think it’s much more virtuous to have a beautiful body than to purchase superfluous, “beautiful” clothes.
How to Get a Six-Pack
Getting a six-pack is extremely easy. You don’t need to slave away doing crunches, sit-ups, and all sorts of ab exercises.
Abs are made in the kitchen.
By fasting and eating one meal before going to bed, consisting of red meat, you satiate your body with all the nutrients you need.
Do some simple weightlifting techniques, like the farmer’s walk, where you pick up two heavy dumbbells, walk them out, and put them back down. Also, push-ups and pull-ups are simple exercises that go a really long way and are something I do every day. My current situation is walking with a 40-pound plate carrier each morning for an hour in nature. Honestly, I think anyone can acquire a six-pack by just fasting, walking, and simply eating animal-based protein. I think the most critical aspect of our physique should be our posture. Focus on standing upright, walking with a strong gait, and opening your chest and shoulders. This will give you a more dominating and more beautiful and elegant presence than being hunched over, which is the inevitable outcome of our modern-day physique due to the way in which we interact with technology. By training with the weighted vest, or my 40-pound plate carrier, every day, I’m training my posture, my core, and strengthening my entire body.
Don’t Release Your Energy
I would say that 99% of men watch pornography or masturbate. While this may be natural, normal, and not really a big deal at the end of the day, maybe it is when it comes to our health and physical strength or vitality. By releasing this critical energy from our body, it’s equivalent to depleting your battery back to 0%. So, for two years now, I’ve been conserving my sexual energy, and I can say that there are definite benefits from this. I believe it enhances my focus and increases my vitality generally. Not to mention, your body naturally goes through nocturnal emission cycles every month or so. If you want to become the strongest version of yourself, overcome the mental discipline of not engaging with this habit that 99% of other men do. Become the one percent of men who transcend these norms.
Why Carbs Are Bad
I don’t necessarily think that all carbs are bad per se; personally, the only time I consume them is if I eat Vietnamese pho, but consider the bread they serve in a restaurant. When you get served bread in a restaurant, for free, it is because it will naturally spike your insulin throughout your meal. As you eat the bread, the carbohydrates break down into sugar, spike your insulin, and trigger your body to actually be more hungry than it actually is. That way, when they come around with the dessert menu, you will be more enticed to order more food, as you haven’t reached that full level of satiation that you deserve after eating a meal. This is why I believe by fasting, waiting until the end of the day, and focusing on eating the primary source of nutrient that you need, protein, and eating until you’re fully satiated, is the best option for us who are seeking to become the greatest version of ourselves.
Meet Me at the Eagle
Every day, I visit the Wanamaker Organ, inside the Wanamaker building here in Philadelphia, at 5:30. If you’re somebody who appreciates art, listening to the Wanamaker Organ is a real treat. I genuinely believe it to be one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements, and the greatest public display of art in the city of Philadelphia. Architecture and sculpture are the highest forms of art. When you stand beside this eagle sculpture in the center of the building, underneath the high ceiling, with beautiful columns and details and ornaments all throughout the architecture, in front of this symbol of power and transcendence, with every feather of the eagle rock-carved by hand, gazing up towards a golden organ with large pipes and beautiful sounds emitting from them, your spirit is uplifted to a new height. The goal of great art is to transcend the human experience and uplift it, and the combination of sculpture, architecture, and music, transcends this world.
When I visit this location every day, I bring my iPad along with me, scroll through photographs from my day, hit the streets for a bit, then go back home. This keeps me disciplined to stay on top of my archive while enjoying some music, so by the time I get home, I don’t even have to look through my photographs. I think the point is to do everything in a public space. I like to shoot videos, photos, and even look through them in a public space. I think all great art can be found in public spaces as well, considering our great architecture and sculptures that can be found all throughout the city. I also appreciate the functionality of some of these pieces, such as Logan Square’s beautiful fountain.
Find yourself inspired by public works of art, rather than those photos or paintings and drawings, etc., that are sequestered in the galleries. There’s art and beauty to behold all around you. You just have to look with your head up, shoulders back, and chest open.
The word “protein” comes from the Greek word “proteios,” meaning “primary” or “of first importance,” which is derived from “protos,” meaning “first.” The term was coined in 1838 by the Dutch chemist Gerardus Johannes Mulder and later adopted by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius. The name reflects the fundamental role proteins play in living organisms, serving as essential building blocks for cells, tissues, and various biological functions.
