September 14, 2016

Meet Malibu & Agoura Hills Photographer/Physicist: Danny Kim

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny Kim.

Danny, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
There is something about light that completely enthralls me. I knew as a kid growing up I knew I wanted to work with light when I grew up- and I do now in more ways than one. First, I’m a Physicist working with lasers to study materials that shine a special light. In my lab, I use highly precise light to take “pictures” of atoms or single electrons. In a way, it has its beauty but it’s a beauty that is extremely esoteric. It makes you feel privileged, on one hand, but also somewhat detached from mainstream society. As much doing this satisfies my intellectual curiosities, the other part of me is only fulfilled through art, both with the consumption and creation of it.

The second way I work with light, of course, is being a semi-professional photographer. Similar to my lab, I also set up lights in a photo studio (or place the subject in a strategic spot in relation to the sun) in a precise way and shine them on the subject to be studied. The objective both in the lab and in the photo studio is identical; use special lights in a way to bring out the beauty in the subject and time it right so that you capture a moment to tell a compelling story. One difference is that in the laboratory all atoms are identical- the challenge is finding new stories with the same light, whereas with photography each subject is different and brings their own unique stories. The challenge, then, is to the use the right light to illuminate that story in the most trenchant way

I knew I always wanted to be a photographer since my first disc camera as a kid. Seeing pictures in magazines or at art galleries drove me to try to understand why my disc camera pictures didn’t’ look like the professional ones. I would study the lighting, the composition, the colors and try to rationalize why a certain picture was compelling to me. Sometimes you could explain it but more often than not, These artworks were just something that I couldn’t stop looking at and something I knew I wanted to do; to create compelling and beautiful images. I chose photography because of the way it brought people together. Painting or sculpture or writing is a solitary artistic endeavor. I liked how photos connected you to people in ways that no other art form or even technology can. Also, I’m horrible at drawing, dancing, or singing and photography required none of these skills.

I started photography seriously about 8 years ago when I could start affording the equipment. It has been a long slow and tough journey, one that I still feel like I am on. It also doesn’t help that I’ve moved 3 times in the past 8 years; from Canada to Washington DC, to Boston, and now Los Angeles. Each time I’ve moved I’ve had to start from scratch in terms of clients and muses. LA is a tough market and still trying to establish myself out here.

Has it been a smooth road?
It’s definitely not been a smooth road. In fact, I’m still on the road and it’s always bumpy. I think the main challenge for me is having the right level of criticality to my own work. I think one has to have a balanced perception of one’s own work, however, I tend to be lean towards the harsher side when it comes to critiquing my own photos. As a result, I may not be as aggressive with marketing or submissions to magazines or contests. I’m often in the mindset that my current portfolio needs to be better than it is. I often test with models so am always trying to further improve my skills and hone my style.

One specific struggle I’m dealing with, having a scientific mindset, is to try to forgo the constraints of technically correct photos and go not be concerned with blurry, off-color, improperly exposed, photos and try to maximize the emotional impact of an image.

What role has luck had in your life and career?
When I think of luck, I think of lotteries- and I don’t think I’ve ever benefited from a totally random event like a lottery that changed my life. Instead, I feel my luck comes in smaller sizes and in ways that I don’t realize the until several years later. Overall, I feel very lucky I get to do what I love to do. I feel very lucky to have had the trust of numerous people to allow me to take their picture. I feel very lucky to have ended up in Los Angeles. And what got me to Los Angeles was as series of events in my life that I didn’t appreciate the luck of until later. Of course, I’m hoping one day I get lucky enough to be able to show my photography to a worldwide audience.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I think what has brought me success is my continual drive to learn and improve. This sounds like what a scientist would say but I think applies to all parts of life, especially photography. I’m always learning more ways to light subjects, frame and compose the picture, and experiment with different aesthetics in Photoshop. I’m always looking at the photos of the old and current Masters, trying to understand the photos from a critical standpoint but also to try to temper my eye through osmosis. I don’t think I’ll ever be content at the level I’m at, but I enjoy this ongoing metamorphosis of my creative self. I think the people I’ve worked with see my passion for photography and that has gotten me repeat clients, repeat muses, and is hopefully seen by anyone that looks at my photos.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I like the best about LA, which I think a lot of people take for granted is the weather. You almost never have to worry if the weather here for most of the year. Weather will almost never affect your plans, whether for a hike, going out at night, or especially a photoshoot. On the east coast, the weather always seems to have too much a say in your life. The rain, extreme heat/cold would really demotivate any intentions of driving, going outside, let alone leaving your comfy couch. There are only a few months where it wouldn’t be too hot or cold to do photoshoots outdoors. People say that LA has no seasons. We have seasons, it’s just not as extreme! The only asterisk is that the weather may be too consistent here in LA- with clouds being a rarity there is less variation in the mood that natural light will give.

The thing I like least about Los Angeles is of course traffic. Traffic in LA is a deterrent to see more of LA. I have an endless list of restaurants I want to go to in LA but weekday traffic at 6pm makes my options limited- and getting a reservation at a top restaurant on a weekend is nearly impossible.

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