I used to work in the Food Photography, Martial Arts photography & Real Estate industries & found working for clients became really mentally exhausting, so I quit. I now do photography for me only. I share stuff on Instagram but don't do it for likes or follows or comparing to others. And now my mental health has hugely improved.
i understand clients are one of the most easily accessible source of feedback and criticism but of course what you’ve posted is true. not every work shall be criticized and i learn that after i’ve been taught wrong to seek criticism all the time and realize not every sound has to be heard
i kinda understand. i joined an online photography site but they're more interested in photos that makes money but not the photography that you like or prefers. i uploaded photos that i thought was good and interesting but they got rejected. lol
Visually exercise without a camera together with a friend , discussing possible subjects and exchanging points of view is just brilliant! Sean adds a new perspective even on the most over done subjects. It's crazy how many similar videos I've watched but this is the only one that gave me so much ! This man has a gift ! 🙏
Loved your takes and perspective. Also - the commentary from noobs is frequently about aperture and gear. Not about soul and story. This video gave me a spark of inspiration, thank you.
This is a spectacular take on not only photography, but some approaches on how to approach curiosity, discipline, persistence, learning and art. I’ll be sharing this with friends and family. Appreciate the work Sean. Love your perspective and advice.
Another great video Sean. Really great points that you make. I especially enjoyed the photo with your iPhone, not only a great image, but also goes to prove that camera gear is always secondary to the art form of photography.
Great suggestions and advice, as always! I especially like the "get lost" suggestion. I live in Canada and Canadian cities are all about function. Very few people walk and transit is only for those who have no transportation choice so there are relatively few people to view in public. This video inspires me to get back out there in that I will revel in the journey, not the resulting photographs. We'll see what happens but I'm sure I'll be a better photographer for it. Thanks for taking the time to produce this video, Sean Tucker!
Having visited Calgary I completely get that! The streets of UK provincial cities are also quiet these days especially during the working week. So I go to London once a month and even then I want to time it when big events will attract large, relaxed and photo-receptive crowds. The hour before hockey games and other carnivals, festivals etc may increase the chances of getting more people shots. I think The Camera Store did a street photography photo walk recently. Maybe there is one near you?! Good luck!
@@johnwaine56 Oddly enough, I live in Calgary! I feel that I have simply been making excuses. Good suggestions, though. Stampede is coming so I'm quickly running out of procrastination points, lol!
It's not just practicality, it's over reliance on car dependence! More people walking around in a denser downtown to hang out, get to places, be in an enjoyable lively space isn't going to be a place loaded with cars and parking.
Such good tips. Especially the "hit rate". I grew up and started my interest in photography before digital cameras. I took a long break and am now getting back into it. The "hit rate" mentality is a hard habit to break because it meant a lot more when shooting film and going through the development process. It felt wasteful to me if i didn't produce sufficient quality to justify that.
I usually have a hit rate for my street photography and ICM of between 2-5%. My conclusion is I like to press the shutter. Glad I use a digital camera. I never share my images unless I’m in a workshop. I was at the local camera store and borrowed a Q3 for a photowalk. Poped my memory card in the camera and the 64MP card was full. I formatted the card and lost the images. C’est la vie. I don’t need to save my images. I will never be a Vivian Meier. All I have to do is have fun. My question to myself is what if I’m a good photographer and don’t know it? Mask On Nurse Marty(Ret)
I think there's a balance. If you hate sifting through thousands of bad photos, you won't want to do it. Once you realize what you like, you can focus on the kinds you expect to maybe like more. But there's an ideal balance.
I just got a new little camera (the Cannon r100) and I threw it into a backpack with a 50 mm and a manual 23 mm TT artisan and a Canon 100 to 400 RF, then bought a Amtrak train pass so I could ride over the US. I brought along a good pair of hiking boots, or so I thought, and by the end of the second day, my toes were covered with blisters and my feet were in pain. I persevered, but oh my goodness your advice about comfortable shoes is beyond helpful. I am a pretty picky shooter but I was in Chicago and Milwaukee and Kansas City and Los Angeles and a couple other places and I got 4,000 images and I'm loving them. I'll wear good shoes next time.
Sean I watch your videos for quite a long, I think since the very first ones. Your ideas on photography are still the ones that I take in account to change the way I do my photos and actually the ones with positive results (at least for me...). Iam grateful to you for this. Unhappily, your recommendation on "getting lost" is good and correct formost places, it is not practical in my country. I did this while travelling abroad, what means not often. And enven though Iealized as you mention. Wish I could do it in my hometown. Once again, thank you for the always good lessons.
Sean, great job on all these topics. So many resonate with me. “Hit piece” was right up my alley. I can’t just go out and start snapping pics hoping I get something. I know it when I see it. And when you put up the hand reaching out to the man and the mom and the son on the tube. I gravitated towards the mom n son. To me? It had more feeling/emotion and had a story. Thanks again Sean. Keep up the good work.
When I saw the grasping hand mural I immediately thought of it as another cliche photo like when somebody paints angel wings on the wall. However, the mother and son photo grabbed me. The angularity of the boy's hand in the centre was such a contrast to the softness of the overall shot, I was hooked.
Sean, I certainly agree with you in getting the practical side of photography sorted out first, good fitting footwear, comfortable clothes, lightweight carry bag, the minimal set up to get the job done, a camera you are totally familiar with. Secondly to be clear about our own motivation which hopefully develops through our inner creative process and not dependant on likes from the internet. That rather ties in with the Marc Riboud quote. "Taking pictures is savoring life intensely every hundredth of a second." I interpret that as simply being there, being in the moment, observing life as it happens. That is reward enough, one does not need Instagram for that experience. Perhaps that might be a starting point for a future video, now the practical stuff is out the way??
Thank you Jean, for a while I was so disappointed and frustrated with the work i shot that it made me to put my camera away for a while. Now i know this is an essential phase to become better and improve. Thanks for your inspirational work!
i like that you talks of things that i actually experience myself. So, I know I'm kinda in the right path. i love street photography and photography as a whole as it makes you see things differently and appreciate more from the average person walking down the street.
Just the thought of leaving my favorite lens at home gives me anxiety lol. You're right though, every time I go out and decide to throw the 50mm on, I revert back to my 21mm within 10 minutes. I've never grown with the 50mm range because of that.
If you’ve found your focal length don’t feel bad or anxious. Sean was only suggesting change your focal length if you feel in a rut. Not in a rut? Don’t change your focal length. Don’t worry. Be happy. Mask On Nurse Marty (RET)
@@martingreenberg870sometimes it's fleeing in a way. It makes you think harder. Grab a 135mm, 85, 50 or a 24 or whatever is weird to you and it make you approach images different
Great advice. On a recent trip to Warsaw I only took my Ricoh GRIII. It forced me to really look for creative shots at 28mm. And by not worrying about getting shots that require a telephoto I actually started to look more intently at including interesting elements in my compositions. I highly recommend your video from a few years ago "My Minimalist Street Photography Setup (feat. Ricoh GR3)".
Sean - Your communication style is so good and healthy!!!!! When I watch a video and feel like I need to leave a comment I how I ask myself why ........ the process of clarifying my thoughts helps me understand what I learned, liked or need to understand better. I am a very enthusiastic amateur wildlife photographer (birds) who continues to work at learning by "watching" the best. People may wonder why a wildlife photographer would be watching a street photographer (?) I have learned so much from your perspective, your approach, how you view the world and your style. Your example of the two pictures and the "feedback" on instagram was fascinating. I am still not sure how or why it struck a nerve in me. Thank you for making me wrestling with ideas, concepts and new approaches. You have made me better!
Great stuff. Just talking about the thought process creates its own within us all I think. This is such a great way to express ourselves to ourselves. I love to find something new in what I'm sure I took for granted, with my eyes and in my head. The opener was brilliant and I confess I've never made a black and white video. Inspiring as ever Sean.
I don’t care about strangers’ opinions of my work. That is one reason I don’t post my work. I do care about the opinions of people whose work I respect. I also care if I ask for feedback. I shoot for my pleasure. No one has to like my work except me. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
Great video, great advice Sean! Your thought process & techniques are so practical & make shooting fun, as it should be, which helps us grow & get better! I started photography many times, but always stopped in frustration or disappointment. I recently started again & threw away all expectations & only focused on shooting anything that interests me, not expecting perfection. The results have been very satifying!
Great advice. Couldn’t agree more about keeping gear light. After buying a Fujifilm X100T many, many years ago, I found that my FfF DSLR just sat in the dry cabinet. I took the light-weight camera with me everywhere and was rewarded with so many images that otherwise would never have been created. Consequently I sold all my heavier gear in favour of much lighter kit.
Great tips! I love that you actually talked about shoes. I always wear comfortable shoes when I can, no matter when/where I shoot. I've even bought myself a foam pad for when I have to kneel a lot in my shoots. I love the part you mentioned about other photographers from other locations reaching out to say thank you for your take on their city. I'm going to Perdido Key in Florida this coming week and can't wait to do some random walks/shoots.
Hey, Sean, Thank you for your advice. Lately, I've become very particular about what I choose to photograph. I need to capture something extraordinary to share it with my Instagram friends. However, as you mentioned, not everything needs to be shared; there's value in learning from every shot. I must ask myself why I want to take a particular photo and what drives me to press the shutter. I won't hesitate about whether the image will be good enough to share with others anymore. Instead, I'll focus on observing myself more. I believe that by doing so, I'll find my own unique style. Thank you again for your helpful advice.
1 Camera, 1 Lens is all I carry on the street and the month of June is the Leica M10 and CV 50/1.5 Nokton II for the entire month. I feel if I carry other lenses and have to think about which I should use and make that change I already missed the moment. Another great video Sean, just love the content.
Great practical tips! And I love what you're saying about backing oneself when one knows which photos represent visual growth, no matter the response of the internet. I think we all know deep down. And also that one of the few ways of becoming a better photographer is to develop as a human being, as well as developing one's eye. That's so much harder than getting better gear or going to more exotic places. But it's the truth and every serious photographer knows this deep down.
It's always a pleasure listening to you talk about photography and all of the other incidental topics that go with it. I'd like to reiterate one of your points. The most important thing about photography... Footwear! 🤣 I also learned the hard way!
Fantastic video, Sean. Thank you. Many of the points you make occurred to me over the last couple of weeks/months. It’s great to hear themvocabularised so thoughtfully. It’s like a note to myself with the benefit of knowing I’m not alone with these thoughts because it comes from you. Thank you for sharing this. :)
Great advice Sean, I’m actually about to go out of my hotel for my first of 3 days stay in London. I had several places on my list but I’m actually going to try just wandering instead with just my iPhone 15. Just got to decide on my starting point. This is going to be interesting, thank you.
11:30 that image on the right is really really cool, you don’t get reflection? distortion? or whatever that’s called, often, and I love how they melt together. Also the colour is very warm and cozy and gives it a nostalgic feeling, as you said, it’s like a renaissance painting, but with an abstract twist and I love that
Wonderful video as usual Sean. Every single piece of advice is meaningful and it applies to all creativity-driven photography genres. Not only street photography. The mom and son photo in the subway is excellent! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for all the tips. I find that I do pretty much the same, good shoes, carry light, be curious, use my visual eye, get lost & explore, don't care about my hit rate, etc. But I'm still learning and still got a long way to go.
Trying unfamiliar focal lengths is good advice. I own several old lenses that I'm slowly reviewing on my website and for that I need to spend some time shooting with them all. Sure it's frustrating when you don't get the images that you want but I learn something new with each lens.
Yeah, thanks for sharing those thoughts and insights Sean. Really appreciated. There's something about that second didn't get as much attention image that I really connected with. The shared exhaustion with a child feels. . . Thanks for noticing that moment and sharing the reality of life when it feels hard.
These are some great tips! I started doing street photography not just for the pictures but also because of the level of exercise it also provides. Shot light and you will shoot better!
Super video Sean. Thank you. Could I add another practical tip which is to know where toilets and coffee stops are located. It can be very distracting no to 😂 I have one smaller camera with a fixed 28mm lens but have recently been enjoying using a bigger mirrorless camera and the flexibility of a 24-70 lens. And the larger camera has changed something for me. I get easier acceptance when I ask to take a portrait but I actually have (especially the TikTok generation) people approach me to take their photos. That was unheard of until recently! Final thought : The Tiktok generation are not only more open to being photographed but oh boy are they naturals at posing for the camera. I’m 68 yo and have great interactions with youngsters young enough to be my grandchildren! Maybe the varying generational attitudes to street photography would be something worth exploring in another video? Meanwhile, keep up the good work! And thanks again
Hi Sean! A visual exercise I like to do is watching photo books. And of course, the famous ones are quite expensive, but there is a series of paperback books called ´Photofile´ by Thames&Hudson that seems to have all the greats covered: You can get a grip on the work of Ernst Haas, Saul Leiter, Harry Gruyaert, Gordon Parks, Helen Levitt, William Klein etc. ... About 13 quid each. Highly recommend these paperbacks!
Great video, Shaun; it complies with my vision and thinking about photography. This advices is so helpful and valuable, not only for beginners but also for advanced photographer. I enjoy watching it for these minutes. 👌👌👌
PS I'm currently having a break from photography to explore my past and present. I can sense that this will change how I take pictures and the kind of pictures that I take. Thank you for saying that one doesn't need to be taking photos all the time in order to grow as a photographer. I really needed to hear that today. So thank you.
All good pieces of advice, but I especially like the idea of forcing online opinions out of your head when photographing. I love complex, richly detailed, textured scenes and photos, but they're not as popular as other images I've done (either online or amongst family and friends). Part of that is probably that those images are more relatable and achievable to (other) beginner photographers, which I count myself amongst. I think the other part of why simpler images are more popular online is that there's simply less space to view the photo when it's on a smartphone screen. I have an image on my wall that I love, but the 16x20" print on the wall is probably the smallest you could print it to really appreciate the layers and details. It looks terrible on a phone screen. But back to the point at hand, I really feel there's something to be said about making images that you enjoy, regardless of what other people think. There's something magical about the introspective process of finding out what you really care about in an image, and having the patience to go through that process (which is taking me, at least, many years!). I'm very slowly learning what photos I want to take, and it's a really special bit of self-realization. For me there's no timeframe on it, there's no pressure to start making "good" photos that I'm proud of - it takes time, and accepting that is almost as hard as figuring out what photos I want to take in the first place.
Great video. One point I always keep in mind and also share when asked is to turn around. I find I could become so focused (no pun intended) on the subject that I make a point of turning around when I take a photo just in case there is anything I hadn't noticed behind me. Nine times out of ten, the current focus of my attention is the only subject of interest but on the rare occasions there was something else, it makes this action worthwhile.
Sean. Many thanks for this video and the comments you make in it, which for me apply toall tyes of photography not just street photography. I have fallen into the trap that if I don't get "likes" then my photo is rubbish. I must start believing that if I like it, it can't be all bad.
Sean, you are one of my photography gurus. I have been taking developing and editing photographs for about 60 years and your thoughts capture many of my own conclusions that I have reached after these many years, but lack the eloquence to present them so clearly and thoughtfully as you did. I would, however, make one suggestion. While I realize it may be useful to put a label on a particular genre of photography for purposes of UA-cam, I think you are selling yourself short by doing so. Much of what you had to say is applicable to many other Forms or styles of photography and should be viewed by those who consider themselves landscape photographers, for example. After all, we all strive to create something approaching art in a visual medium, using a camera and photo editing. Our subjects may vary, but the core concepts of striving to create that art remain the same.
I shoot mostly nature and landscape. These tips are useful for any photographer, particularly having the right footwear. Also, I would add have plenty of water for hydration. One point about hit rates, unless you are in a studio you are to some extent at the mercy of the conditions (weather, etc.) that can give one a poor hit rate on any given day. Photography strikes me as the art of observing things around us and then documenting them in some manner with a camera, using the camera settings to bring out certain aspects of the photo we want to the viewer to pay attention to.
Love it dude... no more needed said \ well, apart from yes, less judgement upon cliches and going with out flow... but absolutely yes when it comes to not being so inspired to shoot but investing in what does fire us, thanks man
I used to work in the Food Photography, Martial Arts photography & Real Estate industries & found working for clients became really mentally exhausting, so I quit. I now do photography for me only. I share stuff on Instagram but don't do it for likes or follows or comparing to others. And now my mental health has hugely improved.
i understand clients are one of the most easily accessible source of feedback and criticism but of course what you’ve posted is true. not every work shall be criticized and i learn that after i’ve been taught wrong to seek criticism all the time and realize not every sound has to be heard
i kinda understand. i joined an online photography site but they're more interested in photos that makes money but not the photography that you like or prefers. i uploaded photos that i thought was good and interesting but they got rejected. lol
Photography should always be for yourself.... Never for the masses!
Until you go in the field of clients 🥲🥲😅
Visually exercise without a camera together with a friend , discussing possible subjects and exchanging points of view is just brilliant! Sean adds a new perspective even on the most over done subjects. It's crazy how many similar videos I've watched but this is the only one that gave me so much ! This man has a gift ! 🙏
Loved your takes and perspective. Also - the commentary from noobs is frequently about aperture and gear. Not about soul and story. This video gave me a spark of inspiration, thank you.
Same, I'm only a hobbyist, but frequently I need inspirations to push me to go out taking photos, not every time feel like doing it.
Been watching you for over 5 years, you quietly became my therapist and always inspire & motivate me in new ways.
Thank you.
Cheers,
This is a spectacular take on not only photography, but some approaches on how to approach curiosity, discipline, persistence, learning and art. I’ll be sharing this with friends and family. Appreciate the work Sean. Love your perspective and advice.
Another great video Sean. Really great points that you make. I especially enjoyed the photo with your iPhone, not only a great image, but also goes to prove that camera gear is always secondary to the art form of photography.
Great advice, and I love how Sean takes such a kind and thoughtful approach.
Great suggestions and advice, as always! I especially like the "get lost" suggestion.
I live in Canada and Canadian cities are all about function. Very few people walk and transit is only for those who have no transportation choice so there are relatively few people to view in public. This video inspires me to get back out there in that I will revel in the journey, not the resulting photographs. We'll see what happens but I'm sure I'll be a better photographer for it.
Thanks for taking the time to produce this video, Sean Tucker!
Having visited Calgary I completely get that! The streets of UK provincial cities are also quiet these days especially during the working week.
So I go to London once a month and even then I want to time it when big events will attract large, relaxed and photo-receptive crowds.
The hour before hockey games and other carnivals, festivals etc may increase the chances of getting more people shots. I think The Camera Store did a street photography photo walk recently. Maybe there is one near you?!
Good luck!
@@johnwaine56 Oddly enough, I live in Calgary! I feel that I have simply been making excuses. Good suggestions, though. Stampede is coming so I'm quickly running out of procrastination points, lol!
I live in downtown Toronto. I am very lucky, as I can always find some place with lots of people. When it is slow, I take photos of urban architecture
It's not just practicality, it's over reliance on car dependence! More people walking around in a denser downtown to hang out, get to places, be in an enjoyable lively space isn't going to be a place loaded with cars and parking.
Such good tips. Especially the "hit rate". I grew up and started my interest in photography before digital cameras. I took a long break and am now getting back into it. The "hit rate" mentality is a hard habit to break because it meant a lot more when shooting film and going through the development process. It felt wasteful to me if i didn't produce sufficient quality to justify that.
I usually have a hit rate for my street photography and ICM of between 2-5%. My conclusion is I like to press the shutter. Glad I use a digital camera.
I never share my images unless I’m in a workshop. I was at the local camera store and borrowed a Q3 for a photowalk. Poped my memory card in the camera and the 64MP card was full. I formatted the card and lost the images. C’est la vie. I don’t need to save my images. I will never be a Vivian Meier. All I have to do is have fun. My question to myself is what if I’m a good photographer and don’t know it?
Mask On Nurse Marty(Ret)
I think there's a balance. If you hate sifting through thousands of bad photos, you won't want to do it. Once you realize what you like, you can focus on the kinds you expect to maybe like more. But there's an ideal balance.
Excellent. Love the example with the two images. Completely get that. And: you're never lost when it doesn't matter where you are. :-)
"you're never lost when it doesn't matter where you are" was one of Cartier-Bresson's best quotes. Thanks for sharing!
Unfortunately, there are images like this which win in International contests.
Thank you for being you, Sean.
Dear Sean. This is one of the reasons why i loved your book and your work in general. Thanks so much for sharing.
I just got a new little camera (the Cannon r100) and I threw it into a backpack with a 50 mm and a manual 23 mm TT artisan and a Canon 100 to 400 RF, then bought a Amtrak train pass so I could ride over the US. I brought along a good pair of hiking boots, or so I thought, and by the end of the second day, my toes were covered with blisters and my feet were in pain. I persevered, but oh my goodness your advice about comfortable shoes is beyond helpful.
I am a pretty picky shooter but I was in Chicago and Milwaukee and Kansas City and Los Angeles and a couple other places and I got 4,000 images and I'm loving them.
I'll wear good shoes next time.
Your videos are always so insightful and very unique!
Sean
I watch your videos for quite a long, I think since the very first ones. Your ideas on photography are still the ones that I take in account to change the way I do my photos and actually the ones with positive results (at least for me...). Iam grateful to you for this.
Unhappily, your recommendation on "getting lost" is good and correct formost places, it is not practical in my country. I did this while travelling abroad, what means not often. And enven though Iealized as you mention. Wish I could do it in my hometown.
Once again, thank you for the always good lessons.
The picture you took with iPhone. ❤️🔥🙆🏾♂️ Wow
Sean, great job on all these topics. So many resonate with me. “Hit piece” was right up my alley. I can’t just go out and start snapping pics hoping I get something. I know it when I see it. And when you put up the hand reaching out to the man and the mom and the son on the tube. I gravitated towards the mom n son. To me? It had more feeling/emotion and had a story. Thanks again Sean. Keep up the good work.
When I saw the grasping hand mural I immediately thought of it as another cliche photo like when somebody paints angel wings on the wall. However, the mother and son photo grabbed me. The angularity of the boy's hand in the centre was such a contrast to the softness of the overall shot, I was hooked.
Curiousity and being able to see and respond are the keys, whether taking a pic or not. Thankyou Sean for your thoughts.
Sean, I love your videos! You always challenge me to be compassionate and to risk trusting myself. Thank you!
Sean, I certainly agree with you in getting the practical side of photography sorted out first, good fitting footwear, comfortable clothes, lightweight carry bag, the minimal set up to get the job done, a camera you are totally familiar with. Secondly to be clear about our own motivation which hopefully develops through our inner creative process and not dependant on likes from the internet. That rather ties in with the Marc Riboud quote. "Taking pictures is savoring life intensely every hundredth of a second." I interpret that as simply being there, being in the moment, observing life as it happens. That is reward enough, one does not need Instagram for that experience. Perhaps that might be a starting point for a future video, now the practical stuff is out the way??
Thank you Jean, for a while I was so disappointed and frustrated with the work i shot that it made me to put my camera away for a while. Now i know this is an essential phase to become better and improve. Thanks for your inspirational work!
i like that you talks of things that i actually experience myself. So, I know I'm kinda in the right path. i love street photography and photography as a whole as it makes you see things differently and appreciate more from the average person walking down the street.
Just the thought of leaving my favorite lens at home gives me anxiety lol. You're right though, every time I go out and decide to throw the 50mm on, I revert back to my 21mm within 10 minutes. I've never grown with the 50mm range because of that.
If you’ve found your focal length don’t feel bad or anxious. Sean was only suggesting change your focal length if you feel in a rut. Not in a rut? Don’t change your focal length. Don’t worry. Be happy.
Mask On Nurse Marty (RET)
@@martingreenberg870sometimes it's fleeing in a way. It makes you think harder. Grab a 135mm, 85, 50 or a 24 or whatever is weird to you and it make you approach images different
I am so happy to know your channel, always inspired by you...
Thank you Sean - really insightful video - very much appreciated.
Great advice. On a recent trip to Warsaw I only took my Ricoh GRIII. It forced me to really look for creative shots at 28mm. And by not worrying about getting shots that require a telephoto I actually started to look more intently at including interesting elements in my compositions. I highly recommend your video from a few years ago "My Minimalist Street Photography Setup (feat. Ricoh GR3)".
Everytime I watch one of your videos I learn something new that seems obvious until put into words. Thanks
Sean - Your communication style is so good and healthy!!!!! When I watch a video and feel like I need to leave a comment I how I ask myself why ........ the process of clarifying my thoughts helps me understand what I learned, liked or need to understand better. I am a very enthusiastic amateur wildlife photographer (birds) who continues to work at learning by "watching" the best. People may wonder why a wildlife photographer would be watching a street photographer (?) I have learned so much from your perspective, your approach, how you view the world and your style. Your example of the two pictures and the "feedback" on instagram was fascinating. I am still not sure how or why it struck a nerve in me. Thank you for making me wrestling with ideas, concepts and new approaches. You have made me better!
I totally agree with you. For me the most important is the emotion and the complexity in a photography. Emotions and feelings are complex.
Yet another vlog that got me thinking. Leaving my favourite lens at home, is something i want to try more.
Great stuff. Just talking about the thought process creates its own within us all I think. This is such a great way to express ourselves to ourselves. I love to find something new in what I'm sure I took for granted, with my eyes and in my head. The opener was brilliant and I confess I've never made a black and white video. Inspiring as ever Sean.
I really agree about beginners photographers comments, thanks for let them know Sean how respond their comments 🙂
I don’t care about strangers’ opinions of my work. That is one reason I don’t post my work. I do care about the opinions of people whose work I respect. I also care if I ask for feedback. I shoot for my pleasure. No one has to like my work except me.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
Great video, great advice Sean! Your thought process & techniques are so practical & make shooting fun, as it should be, which helps us grow & get better! I started photography many times, but always stopped in frustration or disappointment. I recently started again & threw away all expectations & only focused on shooting anything that interests me, not expecting perfection. The results have been very satifying!
Great advice. Couldn’t agree more about keeping gear light. After buying a Fujifilm X100T many, many years ago, I found that my FfF DSLR just sat in the dry cabinet. I took the light-weight camera with me everywhere and was rewarded with so many images that otherwise would never have been created. Consequently I sold all my heavier gear in favour of much lighter kit.
Great tips! I love that you actually talked about shoes. I always wear comfortable shoes when I can, no matter when/where I shoot. I've even bought myself a foam pad for when I have to kneel a lot in my shoots.
I love the part you mentioned about other photographers from other locations reaching out to say thank you for your take on their city. I'm going to Perdido Key in Florida this coming week and can't wait to do some random walks/shoots.
Hey, Sean, Thank you for your advice. Lately, I've become very particular about what I choose to photograph. I need to capture something extraordinary to share it with my Instagram friends. However, as you mentioned, not everything needs to be shared; there's value in learning from every shot. I must ask myself why I want to take a particular photo and what drives me to press the shutter. I won't hesitate about whether the image will be good enough to share with others anymore. Instead, I'll focus on observing myself more. I believe that by doing so, I'll find my own unique style. Thank you again for your helpful advice.
This is really something a lot more beginner photographers should be listening to.
Thanks Sean. Very insightful
1 Camera, 1 Lens is all I carry on the street and the month of June is the Leica M10 and CV 50/1.5 Nokton II for the entire month. I feel if I carry other lenses and have to think about which I should use and make that change I already missed the moment. Another great video Sean, just love the content.
Great practical tips! And I love what you're saying about backing oneself when one knows which photos represent visual growth, no matter the response of the internet. I think we all know deep down. And also that one of the few ways of becoming a better photographer is to develop as a human being, as well as developing one's eye. That's so much harder than getting better gear or going to more exotic places. But it's the truth and every serious photographer knows this deep down.
Cheers Sean another great video. Keep it up.
It's always a pleasure listening to you talk about photography and all of the other incidental topics that go with it.
I'd like to reiterate one of your points. The most important thing about photography... Footwear! 🤣 I also learned the hard way!
Fantastic video, Sean. Thank you. Many of the points you make occurred to me over the last couple of weeks/months. It’s great to hear themvocabularised so thoughtfully. It’s like a note to myself with the benefit of knowing I’m not alone with these thoughts because it comes from you. Thank you for sharing this. :)
Your approach to discussing these matters and the words you use are revelatory. Well done. And thanks.
wonderful video as always. always good to hear these words from someone you know where they actually stand and are. good man.
What did we do to deserve this content?
Thank you Sean. My favorite photography channel.
For "zero-drop" shoes (flat profile) try Waldviertler, hand-made here in Austria.
Great advice Sean, I’m actually about to go out of my hotel for my first of 3 days stay in London. I had several places on my list but I’m actually going to try just wandering instead with just my iPhone 15. Just got to decide on my starting point. This is going to be interesting, thank you.
Useful and meaningful. As always
11:30 that image on the right is really really cool, you don’t get reflection? distortion? or whatever that’s called, often, and I love how they melt together. Also the colour is very warm and cozy and gives it a nostalgic feeling, as you said, it’s like a renaissance painting, but with an abstract twist and I love that
Wonderful video as usual Sean. Every single piece of advice is meaningful and it applies to all creativity-driven photography genres. Not only street photography. The mom and son photo in the subway is excellent! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for all the tips. I find that I do pretty much the same, good shoes, carry light, be curious, use my visual eye, get lost & explore, don't care about my hit rate, etc. But I'm still learning and still got a long way to go.
Trying unfamiliar focal lengths is good advice. I own several old lenses that I'm slowly reviewing on my website and for that I need to spend some time shooting with them all. Sure it's frustrating when you don't get the images that you want but I learn something new with each lens.
Yeah, thanks for sharing those thoughts and insights Sean. Really appreciated. There's something about that second didn't get as much attention image that I really connected with. The shared exhaustion with a child feels. . . Thanks for noticing that moment and sharing the reality of life when it feels hard.
A very well put together video with lots of wisdom. The wisdom of photography is the wisdom of creativity.
Was awesome as always to bump into you in Oslo. I hope you enjoyed exploring 😊
You’re a gem Tucker!
These are some great tips! I started doing street photography not just for the pictures but also because of the level of exercise it also provides. Shot light and you will shoot better!
All true! Thank you that you share your thoughts and experience
Super video Sean. Thank you. Could I add another practical tip which is to know where toilets and coffee stops are located. It can be very distracting no to 😂
I have one smaller camera with a fixed 28mm lens but have recently been enjoying using a bigger mirrorless camera and the flexibility of a 24-70 lens.
And the larger camera has changed something for me. I get easier acceptance when I ask to take a portrait but I actually have (especially the TikTok generation) people approach me to take their photos. That was unheard of until recently!
Final thought : The Tiktok generation are not only more open to being photographed but oh boy are they naturals at posing for the camera. I’m 68 yo and have great interactions with youngsters young enough to be my grandchildren!
Maybe the varying generational attitudes to street photography would be something worth exploring in another video?
Meanwhile, keep up the good work! And thanks again
Thank you. Always appreciate the inspiration and motivation.
I have to ask, is that a Seiko Alpinist on your wrist? Also, thanks for the thoughtful tips.
Even your practical is philosophical. 👍🏽
Outstanding tips Sean. Another activity for rainy/don't feel well days -- read a chapter or two in "Peregrine".
This has been a very informative and helpful post. Thank you.
This could just as easily be called Photography: Practical Advice for a Good Mentality. Love this video.
Thank you so much, I needed this info being a new photographer.
Great overview of points. Totally agree with the tips and personal lessons.
These videos are quiet helpful, thankyou.
Yes, definitely the shot on the right 😊
Hi Sean! A visual exercise I like to do is watching photo books. And of course, the famous ones are quite expensive, but there is a series of paperback books called ´Photofile´ by Thames&Hudson that seems to have all the greats covered: You can get a grip on the work of Ernst Haas, Saul Leiter, Harry Gruyaert, Gordon Parks, Helen Levitt, William Klein etc. ... About 13 quid each. Highly recommend these paperbacks!
Love this, it how I feel about my work.
Great video, Shaun; it complies with my vision and thinking about photography. This advices is so helpful and valuable, not only for beginners but also for advanced photographer. I enjoy watching it for these minutes. 👌👌👌
Beautiful 🥲 thanks, Sean!
PS I'm currently having a break from photography to explore my past and present. I can sense that this will change how I take pictures and the kind of pictures that I take. Thank you for saying that one doesn't need to be taking photos all the time in order to grow as a photographer. I really needed to hear that today. So thank you.
All good pieces of advice, but I especially like the idea of forcing online opinions out of your head when photographing. I love complex, richly detailed, textured scenes and photos, but they're not as popular as other images I've done (either online or amongst family and friends). Part of that is probably that those images are more relatable and achievable to (other) beginner photographers, which I count myself amongst. I think the other part of why simpler images are more popular online is that there's simply less space to view the photo when it's on a smartphone screen. I have an image on my wall that I love, but the 16x20" print on the wall is probably the smallest you could print it to really appreciate the layers and details. It looks terrible on a phone screen.
But back to the point at hand, I really feel there's something to be said about making images that you enjoy, regardless of what other people think. There's something magical about the introspective process of finding out what you really care about in an image, and having the patience to go through that process (which is taking me, at least, many years!). I'm very slowly learning what photos I want to take, and it's a really special bit of self-realization. For me there's no timeframe on it, there's no pressure to start making "good" photos that I'm proud of - it takes time, and accepting that is almost as hard as figuring out what photos I want to take in the first place.
Excellent and knowledgeable - I love your content! Thank you so much - you’re inspiring and humble!
😊
Great video. One point I always keep in mind and also share when asked is to turn around. I find I could become so focused (no pun intended) on the subject that I make a point of turning around when I take a photo just in case there is anything I hadn't noticed behind me. Nine times out of ten, the current focus of my attention is the only subject of interest but on the rare occasions there was something else, it makes this action worthwhile.
Wonderful. I really love iPhone image of the mother and son as well, so beautiful. Loving the feelings in your images at the end of this video.
Thank you for this video, Sean. I am grateful for it.
What a Great Video! Thank You for making this available to us!!!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge 👍
Sean. Many thanks for this video and the comments you make in it, which for me apply toall tyes of photography not just street photography. I have fallen into the trap that if I don't get "likes" then my photo is rubbish. I must start believing that if I like it, it can't be all bad.
Muchas gracias for you video. This is food for my photographer soul. 😊
Sean, you are one of my photography gurus. I have been taking developing and editing photographs for about 60 years and your thoughts capture many of my own conclusions that I have reached after these many years, but lack the eloquence to present them so clearly and thoughtfully as you did. I would, however, make one suggestion. While I realize it may be useful to put a label on a particular genre of photography for purposes of UA-cam, I think you are selling yourself short by doing so. Much of what you had to say is applicable to many other Forms or styles of photography and should be viewed by those who consider themselves landscape photographers, for example. After all, we all strive to create something approaching art in a visual medium, using a camera and photo editing. Our subjects may vary, but the core concepts of striving to create that art remain the same.
I shoot mostly nature and landscape. These tips are useful for any photographer, particularly having the right footwear. Also, I would add have plenty of water for hydration. One point about hit rates, unless you are in a studio you are to some extent at the mercy of the conditions (weather, etc.) that can give one a poor hit rate on any given day.
Photography strikes me as the art of observing things around us and then documenting them in some manner with a camera, using the camera settings to bring out certain aspects of the photo we want to the viewer to pay attention to.
Your style is so inspiring.
Awesome tips, Sean -- and I think they apply to photography in general - not just street photography. Thanks mate!
Love it dude... no more needed said
\ well, apart from yes, less judgement upon cliches and going with out flow... but absolutely yes when it comes to not being so inspired to shoot but investing in what does fire us, thanks man
Great video as usual and great advice. Thank you!
Very well said Sean!
Great Sean. Thank you 🙏
Great advice as always. TFS your wise and useful experience. ❤❤❤
Well done - a great inspirational video.
Great tips there Sean, Love the exercise that Joshua recommends.. Thank you
Beautiful video... Your insights are always inspiring..🙏🏽
Super useful Sean. Thanks a lot!!!
Will you coming to Canada? Love to meet you
Thank you again Sean.