What it really means to be 'Competitive' (a thought for makers)
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In this video I share some thoughts around the idea of competition between artists, where it's helpful, what it really means, and the value of true creative friendships.
Share it on if you found it helpful.
#artists #creativephilosophy #competition
Пікірлер: 163
Sean, this subject is so timely. Given the current world affairs, economic condition and all that is challenging us, we as artists can use some unity. Compete, yes but also be supportive of each other. A few words of encouragement does not cost anything!
@seantuck
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Boris:)
Totally agree. Photography can be such an lonely job. Community opens ideas, creativity, sharing, happiness, and even business.
"Seeking together." I love this outlook. I am lucky enough to have several photographic friends who do this very thing.
My photography made its greatest strides when I was a member of an artists cooperative of photographers, painters and printers. Critique was supportive and on point and I miss it today. Another point that I have realised is that true masters of their art aren't scared of competition or afraid to share how they do things, indeed they are usually the ones who are most willing to share.
I have some experience to share. No one will give you a leg up in business. I've had a couple of on line business that took a couple of years to establish. Found out the hard way. No one is there to help you. No support, no favours, you are on your own. However.....I have found the photography world a completely different story. I sell my own prints and have a wedding photography business. I could never have achieved it without the support and doors open for me by established photographers, even sharing their hidden secrets. It's great to then inspire each other. Healthy competition is a good thing. It inspires innovation. Embrace it and build on it. Never fear it, just improve with it. Thanks as always Sean.
This need for this type of competition would help the entire World, not just photography. Good food for thought, thank you.
Art is a free value, everyone has a path in it. It's nice to take a walk together even It's only a small part of it❤️
Always love your insights Sean! Thank you for being a calming light in this world of madness.
Sow the seed and watch it grow. That is what I get from most of your videos Sean and congratulate you for being a master gardener of thought. I wish you well sir.
I found myself saying 'yes' audibly for much of this video Sean. Bravo for reading the industry and subtly suggesting how we may work better together, because that really is our collective superpower.
@seantuck
Жыл бұрын
Cheers Neale. I appreciate that.
Sean, another great piece of advice and encouragement to make photographers look at each other as friends and collaborators rather than people in the way. I go out with friends from time to time, one in particular because she knows the best places in London, the markets, the streets of East London which I know very little of. So I get to locations I would never have gotten too in my entire life and she gets to see how I approach street photography. And it's not a one-way street either, I learn things back and shots I don't see because I'm busy looking in the other direction. Every day is a school day I tell myself. Your talks are good, I'm going to miss the one in York but as I mentioned before, I was at the Sheffield one. I had to do a presentation to a photography group I'm in and under my influence, there you were. Because it's not just the Ricoh GRll that you turned me on to - a camera that gets used by me every day - but the mental approach to the craft of street photography as well. As always, thank you.
Perhaps one of your most valuable videos for me to date. Thanks Sean.
You don’t want to walk your photographic journey alone. It’s much more rewarding when shared.
First thing thank you for creating this channel 🙏. I as i am sure many others out there do struggle to mix with others on a daily basis no mater how hard we try. Im a very solitary person but wish I wasn't. I struggle to mix and talk to new people if I find my self in a crowd (invited or not) I can ofter disappear so far into the back ground I find im no longer in the crowd. Im over the road or down the street im away from the chat, the action, the mixing and then start to feel whats the point. This happens way too ofter for my liking and no mater how I try to solve it I can not mix. I wish from the bottom of my heart I could but I can't Again thank you for this channel. Channels like this are my companion channels like this are my friend your images and storeys keep not just me but others like me going. You and others keep my head above water on a daily basis Thank you
Perfect video. I always thought it would be healthy competition where, as a collective, we all benefitted each other. The reality has been very different though and I have made far fewer friends in photography than I thought would happen. Coming from a background where collaboration and camaraderie was a part of everyday life, my current solitary life is unsustainable.
Sean, love your videos. There's not a single video you've made that I haven't sat through the entire thing and just thoroughly enjoyed what you've created. Thank you!
"A rising tide raises all boats" has been a saying I've loved for a long time. Long story short, when I was shooting weddings, I worked hard to maintain relationships with fellow photographers in my area and we would refer clients to each other all the time.
We create in solitude but like myself and many others, we do come together every week, in Camera Clubs, all around the country. My club for instance, last week was a practical night where we share knowledge and this week is titled "Distinctions and Salons - How to Enter and Who Did Well" and next week is the Challenge Shield and we also have guest speakers who share their experiences and knowledge, so sharing and competition is rooted deep in camera clubs, competitions is a great way of learning, when all the images from a competition is assessed by a RPS trained judge. In short we support and work together to improve our photography
Love you Sean. My heart is filled every time I come here 💛
@seantuck
Жыл бұрын
Ah thanks my friend. I hope you're all well❤️
Beautiful message. I see this kind of supportive competition in the fingerstyle guitar and bluegrass communities. When the tutors at Steve Kaufman’s Acoustic Kamp jam on stage, you can see that it’s a highlight of their year. And at places like the Ullapool Guitar Festival, where I’m going to next weekend, it’s such a delight to see the artists coming together again and seeing what kind of impromptu collabs are coming together. It’s magical.
Holding "The meaning in the making" in my hands I just revisited this video. I am really glad and grateful I found your channel and your work. It really inspires me to rethink the way I use video (in my case). Thank you very much for that.
Thanks for the reframing. As soon as anything feels competitive as we generally understand I’m out. I hate that aggressive, push pull space. But that reframing - seeking together - now that I thoroughly relish!
Thank you, Sean - a brief share of a similar discovery I had years ago in my former life as clergy: conspiracy, seen in the original, is not the evil thing it's often painted as. "Spire" - to breathe; con+spire, to breathe together. If we breathe together, wonderful things can happen. Cheers.
@seantuck
Жыл бұрын
Love it:)
This was a fantastic video! I never understood seeing other artists as a threat. One of the main reasons I started getting back into film photography was because the community seems so fun to be a part of and I've met tons of other artists online that have inspired me greatly!
I had an artist friend in school for a year. I did pencil drawing and sketches and he was into doodles. Together we were having a creative explosion back then. We does some quick sketches during the class and shows each other, laugh at funny stuff in them,draw things on blackboard when teacher wasn't present, share our ideas and all fun and exciting things. I never felt such a time and excitement later with my art. It was soo inspiring and supporting. Ideas was just popping before us. He made me realise the importance of surrounding ourself with creative people. Or people that share your interests. Learning from each other and Growing together is easefull and fun than searching lonely for something.
Your seriously one of the most influential talkers I have come across online. Your so true to yourself and what you believe in. Keep up the great work.
@DunkelRuhrOutdoors
Жыл бұрын
He is still a priest but his church is morale and kindness
The right type of competition adds fuel to the fire. Iron sharpening iron. There is no room for jealousy in photography.
Sean you are constantly inspiring those who watch your videos. Compete, support and take joy in the success of our peers creates such a positive aura in our area of practice is the best way to be successful. Thank you for your encouragement and inspiration.
@seantuck
Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much Cheryl.
Thank you so much for this, which makes me appreciate my own community of photographers/artists that are often far away, yet united by a love of what we do individually. I live in a small university town where there are possibilities for finding support but, for whatever reason, I have not found the kind of competition you describe (and that I am experiencing for almost 10 years now) here, but that is okay. Locally, I do get support from some fellow photographers, but not to the degree or in the way that I do from my friends who are far away, but that is okay. I appreciate all the support that I get, no matter from who or what kind. This video of yours made me grateful that I get so much support in different ways and from so many well intentioned, insightful, caring, humorous sources. Thinking about it just now, I am convinced the variety of support I have been getting (and also giving, since it is about both the giving and receiving) helped me. BTW: I try not to let preconceived notions of what support and community should be keep me from appreciating and accepting and participating in the different kinds of support and community available to me. As always, great post. Thank you.
@seantuck
Жыл бұрын
Thanks my friend. Creative community is hard find, but it's gold if you can get it:)
@qbnscholar
Жыл бұрын
@@seantuck Yes, creative community is a treasure, and often for more than jut artistic support.
Could not agree more.People don't realise that this creative journey is much better to do it with people around you who can support you and criticise your work or vice versa. At the end of the day is a win win for everyone involved. Hope this times we are living it make people and creatives to stand all together that's be great!!Thanks for the inspiration Sean!!
Excellent Sean. Your message will resonate for many, and hopefully make us all think more deeply about our relationships in the wonderful community of photographers. Hope your lecture/talk series is the big success it deserves to be.
I think this is one of the top five Sean Tucker videos.
One of the most delightful things is sharing a bit of knowledge / know-how with someone and seeing them take it to a place where I wouldn't have imagined. Seeing someone do something spectacular and knowing I had even the tiniest tiniest influence on it is very satisfying. Also - if I ever do something I'm particularly proud of - I really like to tell my friends that they helped inspire it or had an impact in some important way.
In my last musical project on 9/11, the most difficult people to deal with were the photographers who captured the day. So much ego. So little generosity. So many unnecessary boundaries that disallowed their work from being shown and shared. It was the antithesis of a community and it saddened me. I walked away wondering why. We have traces of that in the music producing world for sure, but it was a new level of frustrating dealing with the people who took photos. In the end, I just hired an oil on canvas impressionistic painter who was 10000% easier to deal with. He donated his work and refused payment even when I offered it multiple times. A world of difference. Both were creating images, but one was generous and the others were heavily guarded and “above” the work I was doing. This is NOT a judgment. Just an observation.
@mxnovicephotography
Жыл бұрын
Hey Tony, Thats sad to hear, but i also would take a no from someone who stood at the foot of the twintowers that day. If it was just their ego, thats a pity. I'm not a photographer for long, but i would love to get my work out there, with or without payment. Off topic: I listened to your 9/11 themed album and it was both horrifying and amazing. I wasn't there or capable of understanding the terror at the Moment, but reading and seeing a lot of footage made your album ...hard to listen to. I enjoy your work, dont get me wrong. (Spotify said I'm in the top 0.05% of your listeners lol)
@TonyAndersonMusic
Жыл бұрын
@@mxnovicephotography amazing to hear from you man. Thanks for the feedback. Debris is intense - many people told me not to release it, but I’ve had incredible feedback from families who lost loved ones in the attacks. They were ultimately my target audience and I’m glad the music found them. RE photographers - you are right. They’ve got every right to withhold and restrict how the images are used. Their protective hedging was what turned me off. Over and over again. They protect the images as if they’re their own - in the case of 9/11 it was a global event. Was bummed about the lack of open mindedness - specifically as the memory of 9/11 wanes for many. I should show you screenshots of the text threads sometime…it was over the top ego.
@grahamrichards8531
Жыл бұрын
Tony: can I recommend a cool little book, "Keep Going" by Austin Kleon. In it he recommends that creatives give stuff away! Greetings from New Zealand.
@seantuck
Жыл бұрын
It is very sad to see. Keep up the amazing work my friend, and your latest 9/11 project was so powerful!
@farbakytamas
Жыл бұрын
Dear @Tony Anderson, dear Sean. In terms of music, Tony, you are one if my favourites and Debris has had an immense impact on me with its humility and restraint. Sean, I have been following you quiet some time and your simple and humble thoughts are so inspiring and opened so many realms for me. It is so amazing to see you two converse here. I truly think your artistic charisma and vision is so close. Would be happy to see some collaboration ;),
Wow. My mind is blown away, again... Thank you Sean
Thanks - great message, I’m part of the Aviation AVGeek community- I found that we all support each other, and ask lot of question on how one gets “that” shot of a particular aircraft - without question the photographer will give all the details and even offer suggestions on how to get the shot. Very refreshing change from the “negative” Photo community/club “- that tend to be very critical.
Bravo and Thank you for this topic Sean! ❣
You're right Sean, many photogs are creating in a vacuum. I think its from so many self taught photogs who havent had the classroom experience to work with others. Also, many creatives are introverts who don't seek out those they don't know Soo many of the greats actually knew and hung out with each other. Musicians, producers, etc This is great when you don't have back stabbing or jealousy.
Listened to you on the Candid frame podcast (12/2022) and realised your videos have not been surfacing on my feed. Still think you are creating great thought provoking content!
Your videos always offer a fresh perspective that I really appreciate! Thank you for not good getting caught up in product reviews and keeping it honest!
Thank you for the amazing thoughts and advices, Sean !
Well said!
Much love, Sean.
Sean, I've always enjoyed your videos and your sharing of the journey you've gone through. Thank you!
I'm all for getting together and cooperate. After all, sharing is caring.
One of the best advice any artist can take. By sharing, it's only us who is beneficial.
You have no idea how valuable this video is, I agree 100%, I'm an amateur learning photography and LOVE your videos, but more than the photography side this style of "vision" videos are awesome. I'm also a Software Engineer ready to Com-pete with like minded people!
Artists should not compete, but unite
Yet another brilliant (and inspiration) video, thanks Sean!! Please keep this type of content coming 🙏 cheers
I was just watching an anime called Vinland Saga, which I am going to quote from. “No one is your enemy…there is no one you need to hurt”. Photography will risk losing value once we focus and fight for fame, money, or power. Thank you for clarifying the definition of competition.
This was great Sean, something I have been thinking about a lot recently and you put it perfectly! Thank you for creating and putting your thoughts and work out there.
Great perspective! Thank you for sharing.
Oh Sean. Your message speaks right to my heart at the moment. I'm moving with my missus, a local from Bucks, all the way from Australia next year and going through a rediscovery of the love I had for photography years ago. Connecting, community are ideals that are popping into my head very frequently as I say good bye to my friends here in preparation for new relationships over there.
I really enjoyed this video. Thanks for making it! Every photographer should watch this!!
There is a place for "ethical competition" in that collaborators in the same space or even working toward a similar goal can still work together separately without actively working against one another. Boxers do this all the time, sparring with one another to prepare for fights, even though they may end up fighting each other one day. The best approach will always be to recognize that we all get better when we all get better, and competition can facilitate that mindset. Excellent content, Sean.
Sean glad to see you back on the screen, I agree what you say its the only way you can grow with your hobby or profession, at 84 years old I am always learning from young people.
As always, thoughtful and food for thought. This is why when local photographers make a meet-up or photowalks are made, make it a priority to come out and meet each others.
Phew, much needed. I’m usually really positive towards other people, but at times I’ve found that I have that knee jerk reaction of not wanting to share a certain technique or knowledge with someone less experienced because maybe it took me over a year to develop it, and I would be able to pretty much teach them within 10 minutes. (Sure, they’d still need to practice, but it would be a huge shortcut. There is such a thing as a genuine breakthrough in learning.) I realize that this is motivated by fear - fear of them getting ahead of me with hardly any effort when I had to put in so much work and teach myself through lots of trial and error. What’s worse: I think there’s that fear that someone else might be more talented than me and they’ll get ahead simply because they’re BETTER than me. Of course I can’t let that happen, so I should guard my secrets with my life! How pernicious is that? But the truth is: oftentimes I would’ve been able to learn things faster from someone more experienced than me. Nothing I do involves "industry secrets" by a longshot. I just didn’t ask. But I sure appreciate every bit of helpful advice that I’m offered. So I should be happy to share what I know with others! We’re all better off for it if we support each other. Thanks Sean for the sermon 🙃
Sean, i've always enjoyed your take on photography along with your observations of the mental state that one must be in to truly achieve their goals. Whether it be fun or art or the profession, or all three. I don't need photography to put food on the table, but this one was very personal as it applies to so many things we do in our daily lives and how we engage with others of like mind especially as we pursue what gives us pleasure. Your illustrations of collaborations/friendships from great creators was really the icing. I hope you make it to LA in your travels as I'd love to join you and others in a meet up. I'm a native and moved back after 9 years in NYC, and I can safely say this is not an easy town to make these types of connections - unlike NY. Maybe the problem is so few people are actually FROM Los Angeles. I'm trying....Thanks again for a thought provoking episode.
Thank you for this video, I've started to join photography communities on facebook. And I have to say that I've been inspired by a lot of them. Thank you for making something that is so inspiring and motivating
What a great video and refreshing perspective. Thank you! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thanks Sean, I think this may be one of your most powerful videos so far. I hate competition as a way of separating wheat from chaff and that's how too many people view it. I get lazy in my photography at times so the concept of competition as you put it rings true to me and I need to get a buddy to walk the streets with so we can motivate each other.
I can learn in a day working with other photographers what would take me like 3 months to figure out on my own shooting casually. The most fun I ever had in photography might have been an all day workshop I did in Mexico doing fashion shooting. I learned so much and it was a blast hanging out with professionals who had some big accomplishments under their belts.
Thanks Sean. May your tribe increase.
Thank you Sean, It is a great topic that one day we should to talk for the better.
I was a member of my local photography club. I had a great time and was Club President 3 times. I only sought to improve on my own work and did my best to cultivate a Spirit others work.
My husbands Great Grandpa Sherman Trease, started with other artists, a community in Balboa Park. I can only imagine the support they gave eachother how they were able to grow because of eachother.
Hey Sean, Thankyou for sharing your aspect on this matter. This really cleared my mind on how to manage creative friendships and to grow from them 💪🏻🤌🏻.
Amazing video, as always. And I totally agree!!!
Another excellent video Sean
Massive thanks for your inspirational videos from a loyal supporter!
So true. Another wonderful video. Another misunderstood definition is passion: “What you are willing to suffer for” It’s not what you always enjoy.
@seantuck
Жыл бұрын
I like that:)
this is another great video, hope all artist are helping and caring each other.
Great video Sean. Truly inspiring. I hope someday you come to Spain for one oh those talks.
Wonderful video and more importantly a great message
Thank you for highlighting real meaning of competition. Anyone here to compete with me?
Great post, Sean, love it -- thanks. :)
Such a twist, grow together and push to higher creative places. Again Sean, quite an emotional start, you disarmed me from the title, I resisted to jump to an opinion until I heard your case for competition. But in the group, community I doubt it will change, but I try to break this with either let’s create my Facebook group or by taking the time to comment share my feelings on something creative that I love by a fellow artist. I conquered Helvellyn with a group of people I love, artists with open souls. Another video that really resonates with me. Thank you Sean. I also want to say, it was a pleasure to finally meet you and chat briefly.
@seantuck
Жыл бұрын
Lovely to meet you too mate.
How I wish you lived closer to us Aussies! Please please please come to Australia!
Regardless of etymology (actually with a delicious dual meaning: competitio & com-petere), fully agree on the priceless friendship in Photography. The journey is enriching for both, with eventually a good photo, or not. Always with too much coffee as well ;)
Love this.
Love that Whitby B-Roll! One of our favourite places to go, beside The Lake District of course haha.
Never realised that meaning before, a totally different perspectice thank you
Great content Sean, as always. I would point out that some people would refer to this as co-opetition or cooperative competition. It is a healthy way to ensure not only business growth but industry growth as well. Thanks again.
More power to your channel
Well said, I couldnt agree more. I used to race mountain bikes. When I trained, I rode with some outstanding cyclists. It elevates everyone and pushes everyone forward. There is alot of wisdom to be found in people who are pushing to be the best they can be.
@grahamrichards8531
Жыл бұрын
The difficulty with cycling is the tribalism factor - many small cliques. I am also a photographer in a small city(few serious photogs) and I find that there are gatekeepers who control collectivity. In life I have been a loner but now in retirement i am seeking contact and friendship and this is what I have encountered.
@nickfindsgold9788
Жыл бұрын
@@grahamrichards8531 Agreed, there is definitely that aspect in cycling. I have a pretty low tolerance for the kind of behaviour you describe though. I have always found it useful to confront that kind of attitude.... without being confrontational 😉. If that doesnt suit your personality, try starting a group of your own. I am sure that you are far from alone in looking for a community
We are so afraid of judgement that we’d rather not seek out other creators and hear their opinions and feedback/tips. I believe this is all thanks for social media where everyone claims to know it all judge people with a simple stroke of the keyboard 🤷♂️
Thanks for your thoughts on this, Sean. I was disappointed that I wasn't available for your meet-up in York. If you are coming to Scarborough anytime feel free to drop me a line there are some places there that I think you will like although I know you've explored the area on your own a little already.
Nice to remember us the meanings of the word competition. In these days we are loosing the reel sens of our vocabulary. Nice topic, thanks.
Ignore my username it’s old but I just want to say, This video has given me a sense of new perspective, I am started university this week and felt overwhelmed by classmates who were ahead of me within photography, and I felt as if I was making a bad decision and that I couldn’t compete, but now I see it differently and hope to better my photography with a community and class of others who just want the same!
Always interesting take on things. I have a scarcity mentality. I don’t share what I know, or think I know, about street photography because I don’t know other street photographers. I am not in competition with other photographers. No matter where another photographer is, even at my side, nobody can create the images I create. Nobody has the same vision I have. I would love to have other photographers look at my work and give me feedback. I am going to a street photography workshop next month in NYC. I don’t need to shoot with a group. I was born & raised in NYC and know where to go. It will be fun being with a group of others that enjoy what I enjoy even though I walk the streets of Seattle alone. I suspect we will share images from the prior day to discuss. I get inspiration from looking at monographs of other photographers work. In particular I love your friend JKJ’s work. My work looks nothing like his. It doesn’t have to. He has insomnia. I have depression. Light therapy for me. My camera is cheaper than talking with a psychotherapist. Vitamin D3 also helps during the gloom period. Mask On Nurse Marty
Great video. I'm currently working on setting up a media cooperative in Norwich so that we can create a dedicated group who believe in this idea too. As a side note, I think you'd really love the writings of Abdullah Ocalan and Murray Bookchin. Similar thinking about a wider issue. Thanks for the work you do.
excellent words for all times not just todays world of distrut and hatred
This is great
Love this sentiment :)
All of the great art innovations of at least the 19th and twentieth century were not accomplished by solitary geniuses but rather groups of artists who inspired each other and worked with and off of each other.
I appreciated this video and ideally aspire to find a group that is supportive through time. Clearly some are able to maintain their uniqueness. So many examples of artists who improved through expansion. Are you coming to the States?
The real competition is with yourself.
Great lesson Sean, as usual. Thank you.
Great message here. I was particularly intrigued by the etymology of “compete.” The idea of seeking together versus the the common meaning of compete in our own time is quite a journey. I’m curious how that happened, how that usage morphed, there must be a story there. Also I note the message of your talk and your origins in the Christian ministry - perhaps your calling hasn’t changed as much as one might think.