This is spot on. I have a successful professional fine art photo gallery in the USA in a major city and sell prints for thousands of dollars. None of these beginners on social media platforms understand that great art is created in a whole other space than online and can be seen at shows/festivals (e.g., Paris Photo, Houston, New York. New Orleans, Tokyo, etc.). The greats simply don't bother with social media. I mean, they are there, but it has nothing to do with their gallery, museum, and publishing work. Now... here is the thing. These days the majority of people should only shoot for themselves. Being an amateur means loving what you do. So enjoy it and do great work. Start with one true thing. Get off Reddit and other forums and arguing about which camera is best or pixel counts. Most of these people take derivative crappy images and vent there because they don't have the goods. Shoot, print and build an archive for yourself first. Be aware of what other people are doing only so you don't end up being unoriginal. If I see one more Ansel Adams landscape, a Robert Frank "street photographer" derivative work of people crossing streets I will throw up. Be original to challenge yourself. This is very, very, very hard to do. If you must, go find a gallery, show or publisher. But only if you are totally unique and brilliant. But be happy in the simple process of taking pictures, printing them, making books (ala Blurb), and then curating them for yourself and the people who matter to you. Edward Steichen once said that if after a lifetime of making images, you can find only 40 which are great, then you have accomplished something huge. And he did photography a century ago, way before social media and image making devices ranging from cameras to phones and more.

Reminded me of Vivian Meier, who took over 100,000 photos throughout her life that were only discovered after her death. She took photographs for her own pleasure and for her own sake and never received any reward - or “likes” so to speak. Unless you're a professional who makes a living at it, ask yourself why you're so upset about the lack of appreciation from others. Our deepest, most sincere values ​​are visible in the things we do, even when no one else cares or sees.

I've thought a lot about this. There are two questions every photographer needs to ask themselves: 1) Why do I **make** my photographs? 2) Why do I **share** my photographs. The answers will be different for different people, are often confused with each other, but are rarely the same. One connecting theme, at least for anyone who aspires to make art through their photography, is authentic self-expression. This should be the goal of art (not uniqueness, as some think). For me, at least, I make photographs with the goal of making images that I love; that I can then hang on my wall and smile and remember and feel again that moment of wonder. I want to capture the fleeting experience of my life as beautifully and faithfully as I can. This is self-expression with the emphasis on self. For that, no one's judgment matters but my own. But I share my images with the goal of **connecting** with others - **sharing** my self, my experience, and my feelings - and I do that, I think, to seek communion with others. Simon Baxter understands this distinction, and I think all of us would do well to embrace it.

As a photographer for over 40 years, now, I wholeheartedly agree with yours and Simon’s sentiments. Thanks for another fine collection of insights, Sean.

This was so timely for me Sean. I have been shooting for over 15 years. I was invited to participate in my first group photography show in an art gallery. The show comes down next week and I have sold nothing. One of the other photographers exhibiting work shoots and edits their work on their iPhone. They have sold multiple pieces, which leaves me scratching my head. I realize sales do not equate to quality or ability, but it is hard to ignore. I am proud of my work and feel my skill as a photographer has steadily grown. I shoot for myself, which is what I need to remind myself. Thanks again, Sean

Great thoughts that reflect my experiences. I live near Hamburg, where it's easy to take those high-contrast black and white photos that are hyped on social media. The first pictures make me proud, but it quickly became boring. I took the "Dumbo Manhattan Bridge View" with my iPhone this year, it didn't take a minute and I got likes. On the other hand, it's a real challenge for me to capture the simple beauty of the salt marshes on the North Sea with their muted colours and minimalist structures, and my best pictures will hardly get any likes on social media.

As an economist (amateur photographer) I must say that the concept of “sales man” is precise. The elements and values ​​that you describe are those that I learned in my university studies. Thank you so much for the video !

This is why I’ve started to move towards gallery walls and zine/books for my work now. Wonderful video, been having these feeling for a while.

I really appreciate that you’re able to consider your own work in such a clear-sighted way. It can be tricky to be objective when thinking about the merits of your own work and your practice. Always so much so think about in your videos, thank you.

As always Sean your videos remind me how I was originally drawn to becoming a photographer. It was finding those rare gems of photos that became more interesting the longer I looked at them and wanting to create gems of my own. We are bombarded with so many images these days, particularly on social media, that it can be challenging to slow down and find those pictures that say more than just the obvious.

Art needs no confirmation from others, it's the own soul that's tells us if it's meaningful or not.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO!!! I've been thinking about this but was never able to verbalize it so eloquently even to myself. Shortened attention span and never ending stream of new "in-your-face" images to scroll through don't lend themselves to photos that require time and/or effort to appreciate.

Love how you reframed thinking about social media attention there. As deep as always. Thank you from the heart for what you're doing Sean.

Be careful, just because an image is hard to make doesn't mean it's actually better!

This entire video is wonderful, but the comparison of character vs personality is absolute gold. Thanks again Sean (and Simon) for more worthwhile philosophy for me to mull on.

Sean - you were one of the first photographers I watched on KZfaq a couple of years ago when I was starting to be more serious about my photography - it was a video on how to edit to make striking portraits. I've developed in a different direction now, more towards seascapes, landscapes and nature, but videos like this one cut across genres and can inform and inspire anyone. I really think you are the most thoughtful and thought provoking photographer on KZfaq today. Thank you!

Far and away one of the most thoughtful KZfaqrs speaking to creatives today. Excellent stuff, Sean-increasingly glad I found your channel amongst all the gear reviews and hype videos.

Sincere gratitude for just being you. I know you have helped me many times to “keep it real”.

Just in time for my breakfast. Love a Sunday sermon from Friar Tuck!

Thanks for making this video and the message contained in it. The ending statements really brought home the feeling that I think a lot of us longer term photographers are starting to feel. Great to see Simon also embracing this idea of context in how he approaches taking and sharing his work.

Very true and I can't agree more. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

This is a great conversation because it has been happening in my own work and I hadn’t noticed. You’re absolutely right that simple images attract (for lack of a better term) simple minds. I look forward to slowly shifting my work to reflect my true interests.

Loved the video and the message. It reminded me of your conversation with Saddoris, where you mentioned the first drawing your mom put on the fridge, praising it, and how good it felt. The need for approval seems to stick with many of us for a while; shaking it off is the challenge.

This resonates with me so much, right now! Beautiful said by you and Simon. I’ve recently started to understand why it is I take photos and the types of images I want to take. Sadly, this was previously dictated (more influenced) by the social media platforms based on the likes for particular images or styles. I now know my path, the likes are minimal or ‘slow burns’ but for me that now sits more comfortably as it feels vindicating because the work is for me and is representative of my maturing style. Thank you, Sean (and Simon).

Sean Tucker, his work and colleagues have character. Thanks for making this world that bit better Sean and co.

Thank you Sean! They information you share and the way you share it is simply amazing. Thank you for the inspiration and your honest wisdom. You make us all better by what you do.

This is a conversation I've been trying to have with other photographers for years. This was so well done, and reaffirming. Thank you for making this.

I really need to hear this today. Thank you for your wise perspective on things, as always 💕

This makes so much sense! And I needed to hear this today! Thank you! Also, extremely interesting to hear the reflection about character vs personality and the switch from responsible mature adult to salesmen in crowded cities. Will certainly keep this video in mind. The growth is so important and is quite unstoppable, no matter the feedback from social media. And that's the way it should be.

I love Simon. His videos are so peaceful and packed with knowledge. He's a true artist.

Thanks Sean, your videos have always been so inspiring... You are able to pick up the thoughts of a photographer and talk about it .. Comforting..Thanks for your effort in making these videos ..May you grown leaps and bounds...🙏

Really apreciate what you`ve said to be honest, as someone who's trying to find a certain style of photography to identify with, everytime I upload some photo I think it's at least interesting, I find out it gains very little atraction and as a consequence I ask myself "What am I doing wrong?" instead of just liking the very photo as is, it seems tho I am giving the power to the public in some way and adapting my style to what gains more likes and its a dangerous road to go through, thank you for making us aware of this perspective!

Spot on and well put. It's easy to get side tracked when previous success is suddenly fading. You wonder what you are doing wrong while all you did is getting better. Many thanks for the encouraging pep talk.

This is so true, thank you for sharing this video. It really makes sense and reminded me to stay true to myself and my growth going forward.

This could be possibly one of your best videos or spoken subject. Not only about photography but I find it an amazing reflection about human nature or social behavior that I never reflected on it the way you now show. Also about how our personal growth can be linked or conditioned by what others think or what we do think others expect from us as value. Congratulations. This is pure photography talk but with a very powerful message about life in general.

Man you hit the point here up to today I was thinking of this Don't please the machine and socials please yourself and grow as an artist Kudos sir I love these videos and interviews very inspiring and informative

This has to be the most impactful video I have watched and heard in such a long time. Everything the both of you said was true - I have grown a lot as a photogrpaher and I am also guilty of passing by photos I used to like when I was a beginner. I learned to just post what I like for me and for those who appreciate my work. I don't care about likes or engagement as much as I used to.

This is all quite encouraging. Thank you, Sean.

I love your videos Sean. Your channel has been always my source of inspiration, along with Simon's and the other photographers I have found in this space. I am glad that I started watching your videos when I was just starting to do photography in my spare time. At first, it kind of hurt me when no one's liking my photos. Social media is a trap for us photographers. Yes, we would like to share our images but the system of likes and taps, not to mention the feed algorithms hurt our growth and appreciation in our own craft. Eventually, I grew out of sharing my photos online. I only share a couple once every few months. I now realize that I should take my photographs with my heart and gut, as much as I would like. Photography is my private space to get lost in, recover and nourish my sense of self and creativity. I am doing photography for myself, not for others (makes sense for a hobbyist photographer like me).

Love this. Great analogy with the quietness of character versus flashy personality. Another issue with 'getting the attention' you think a favorite image deserves is the tiny venue in which your work is shown on social media. The detail and complexity of great work is overlooked and invisible to the masses because of the tiny resolution offered for viewing. Subtleties are lost, as well as the opportunity to learn from those who have mastered their craft. We're turning into a society of half-second reviews and a double-click.

Sean and Simon in one video on a dull Monday morning talking about something I find myself in the middle of... This is going to be a good week😃

You and Simon are bang on. Those images that you posted of the sheep and the person in the wheelchair tell stories and most people on SM aren't interested, there only interested in the images that go bang , not that there is anything wrong with those , but your right less attention gets paid the story images I feel. I like to print t my work regularly and make dummie books , which I have a lot of and curate them as more images come in it feels very creative and that's how I started many decades ago. I tend to work on projects more now of an area could be street, landscape, more often from road trips so includes road houses etc . I love it. I post much less now and the stress relief is worth it

I like seeing that you’re posting about once a month. I think you’re an important voice in the world of photography. At least, in my world of photography. And to me, that’s what matters. Thank you Sean, for the time you take to create something that is, in its own right, a piece of art.

Food for thought, thank you for your fresh perspective! I look forward to following your channel.

So well articulated. Unfortunately, many people still perfectly equate likes with inherent worth; it is a powerful drug. Many will be happy to stay on that Merry-go-round forever. How many genuine talents will be lost to this diversion we will never know.

Sean, I really appreciate your insight, its so refreshing and well thought. Please keep doing this, at your own pace, but keep doing. Thank you

Thank you Sean (and Simon). Definitely applies to my field (music) and I’m sure with other arts and to other artists that interact with social media.

very true words, delivered in a peaceful and nuanced way. thank you and congratulations.

The message in this video is very thought provoking. Thank you very much because I think I needed to hear all of this right now!

Thank you so much for this, you and Simon have put in words some feelings and thoughts I am having since a few months about my work and social media and greatly helped to put some order in this madness! 😁

Your insight and validation is real. The thoughtfulness of videos you make like this clear the funks for me. Thank you for taking the time to create these videos. I had decided “they don’t get it”, but your explanation greatly expands on that. And a personal favorite comment from you was “my work speaks for itself” - I have always noticed images posted with lengthy dialog usually receives more likes and comments; ridiculous IMO.

One of your best videos! I’m going through that transition now and trying to figure out how to get out of my high intensity (dawns, sunsets) comfort space and into more subtle and challenging work.

It was so helpful to hear Sean talk about newbies and where they get their feedback from. As someone who has only been taking photographs seriously for a year, it made me think about why I post online. What I think I look for, and I suspect is the same for others is, validation and encouragement, particularly if you have started this late in life as I have with little confidence. However posting on social media can be used as a learning opportunity. Whilst much of the "likes" I get may well be almost indiscriminate, after a year of posting I have come to acknowledge that those photographs that get more likes are usually my better ones ( and by better I don't mean good in any sense at this stage!). I have realised that I am now being far more thoughtful about the ones I share, and I think (hope) this indicates growth and self honesty. I hope this is a process many go through, and I hope that in another year I will post much less, and better quality. I think this is a sign of progress, increased confidence that many have achieved. I hope also by then to have a better sense of why I do this at a much deeper personal level- all I know right now is it gives me great joy and pleasure, has opened up a new world to me, and for now , that's enough.

Bravo Sean. Packaging over content, personality over character; simplicity over complexity. I scroll, sometimes I pause, but, when I find myself stopping to really look at and absorb an image, I often come away with more complex thoughts and feelings. I think I'm getting too old for eyecandy. I love your work. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for this video. I am definitely on a growing path as a photographer. I love the idea of building character and deeper connection to my work. 🙌😍

Thanks for this video! I've been watching your channel for years and it's been super helpful and inspiring. One of my favourite things about your videos is the mature, simple and slower-paced approach. Thanks and hope you're doing well. :)

This came at the right time for me, just when I think I’m sharing my best photos, the ones that show my growth as a photographer, the engagement has dropped off a cliff. I’m choosing to believe in myself, but there is that voice in the back of my head that says “what if you’re just not very good?”. This video is encouraging and helps to remind me to not worry about social media and to keep taking photos, and do that for me. If I’m good, and deserve recognition, I’ll get that eventually. In the meantime, I should just enjoy the process of learning and the thrill of being out there taking it all in.

Excellent commentary and insight in life and in art and how they intersect. Well done Sean. I see why you have over half a million subscribers. Well done indeed. Character over flash. Build depth in your life and in your art. I'm a subscriber now and really look forward to more of your intersection moments.

Wonderful perspective. Thank you.

Dear Sean, You have no idea how this video could have come at a better time. I really appreciate you posting this. I've been a professional photographer for quite a while. Most of my work is never seen owing to the clients I deal with. As a result, I don't get the recognition or feedback of my work that I and my clients consider good. That does make me question if I'm any good or have lost my edge. I need to realize that I wouldn't be hired if it wasn't. I'm not trying to sell myself, instead showing evidence of this. Your approach to psychological mentoring is one that goes so much deeper than so many videos found on KZfaq. As a result, has a longer-lasting effect and carries more gratitude. Thank you 🙂

This was a great thought. Thanks for sharing it so articulately for us!

I never really thought about it this way before but it does make a lot of sense. I ended up deleting most of my social media because I felt like nobody liked my work anymore and it was tough to swallow the amount of effort I put into a photograph to get little attention but perhaps like you say it might be because I reached a new level in photography where my work no longer appeals to beginner photographers on social media. Hmmm, this is pretty interesting. Looking back at my work and I can tell that my work is has changed from more louder images to more nuance and "boring" photos but I enjoy them so much more. Great video Sean. Hope you're doing well.

You never disappoint, I saw this video’s thumbnail days ago but was in a busy time. Preferred to save it to when I could actually immerse in it, and it made my weekend!

Thank-you for this video Sean. You made a lot of sense. I feel a lot better about my work now. After 2 years i'm still enjoying it but not getting the recognition online i thought i would. Now i know why.

Your ideas are always thoughtprovoking. Thank you so much talking about the soul part of photography and not so much the techniques.

Absolutely hit the nail on the head with this Sean. Top job.

Thank you, thank you, thank you… this is one of those topics that is so obvious but sometimes you just need to hear someone else say it out loud. Love your content as always, i’ve been a subscriber for a long time and you continue to be fine dining for KZfaq photography.

Very well put Sean! We must outgrow "the Internet", the crowd, as they are in great majority just amateurs. Therefore, the older I grow, the more photo-books I buy. Great video and interview with Simon!

Great video. This reminds me of Fred Herzog, considered a pioneer of colour photography in the 1950’s and 60’s. It was very difficult to print colour photos back then, so he kept taking pictures of life in East Vancouver, and working as a medical photographer. His work was not really recognized until he was 77 years old, but it did not matter. He did not do it money of fame. He just kept up taking photos, pushing that rock up the hill.

My wife and I watched this with our morning coffee. So timely and needed in our journeys! Thanks for doing what you do and for providing such great teaching. Cheers ☕️

Such a great presentation of a very important topic. Made me rethink some of my own misgivings about posting online. Thanks for this.

Lovely reminder. I care about my photography. Everyone else needs to show me. I actually have some pretty supportive experienced and talented photographers in my sphere, but the haters can get wild if they think I challenge their world view. Better to just do me. Thanks for this

That “character vs personality” breakdown was really insightful. Thanks Sean

Bravo. Totally nailed a number of important points here. Your content has character! Nice to see something of quality with intellect.

Thank you so much, as always, Sean 🙏 Even if i'm not and never will be a professional photographer, i will always keep on watching your super inspirational videos, like this one 🙏 THANKS 🙏

I always appreciate your deep thinking and openness. Thank you!

Hi Sean. This one really hits home. I've been in a photographic rut lately. I love "street" photography but have found that when I go out and shoot, I'm all too often confronted with the same old shots that you see all over social media (and that I've taken plenty of times myself). Stealing a page (or thought) from your book, I feel as if I'm in that liminal space between shooting the same old shots and not yet finding a new direction. I know I'll eventually find my vision so I'm not worried. Just need some time to work through it. Interesting that you mentioned Susan Cain's Quiet. Just finished it and couldn't help but having felt similar thoughts to your observations.

That’s totally true thanks for sharing I’m experiencing this and I’m totally aware.

Fascinating and thought-provoking discussion. I tend to share my 'more obvious' images and not my what I call my 'quiet' images. I liked Simon's thinking on this. Thank you.

Brilliant Sean, really valued that as I feel exactly like this right now

Great video, Sean. It's funny, because this is the 2nd video I've seen recently about the whole comparison between Character and Personality. Makes me want to look into that book some more.

As always, loving your insights into things. Not much else to say, really, spot-on 👍🏻

Thanks for sharing this, I have been trying to understand what was disturbing me, this gives me a lot of clarity

Thank you for very eloquently stating something that has been at the back of my mind for the past few years.

Quiet - great book! Enjoy. Hopefully you will get a lot out of it Sean. Thanks, as ever, for your video.

Thanks Sean, this helps me in determining what kind of content I should create for "mindset, thought or philosophy behind composition".

Great video and so true. Talking about growth of your photography, which I fully understand, makes me wonder how you measure that growth without resorting to the likes on IG, or judges comments in a competition which are so often driven by stereotypical reasoning. I know my photography constantly develops, I hope for the "better" and this usually means that the images say something, alone or in a project, rather than just being there to look at. What they say may vary from person to person, and hopefully is quite clear to most viewers without being elevated by the author to some level of pretention. Its all very personal and subjective, but maybe that is what "growth" is all about - thinking !!

Great video, always a joy when you upload Sean.

That's a really excellent contemplation of the phenomenon and I also like the context that you touched on as well..

As always, a super interesting thought that leaves you thinking about our journey. Merci beaucoup!

Very true. Thank you! What we should remember here however is that people who are using Instagram and other platforms watch images on the small screen of their smartphones and we as photographers should know that rules of composition work differently for small picture size of the phone and big one like painting half the wall size. It's good to present the image in a way (size) that matches it's composition and character.

Excellent wisdom right here! Definitely makes me stop and look at what my motivations are for creating and posting my photography.

Always sharp and smart, I love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

Thank you so much for this inspiring video ! 🙏😊

I don`t know what else to write than thank you very much for this video ! As a Simons huge fan my photography shifted more towards woodland photography where I found out exactly what you explained in this video . When I posted some moody mountains from some amazing and well know location it gets far more attentions then my woodland photos. Whitch bothered me a little bit but this type of videos helps me a lot grow as a photographer plus look at it from different angle so thank you Sean !

Well said, as always. ❤

Wow. Thank you for this video Sean.

Such an important message.. thanks for sharing 🙏🏽

Outstanding, and (as you said) not just for photographers.

Easily the best photography channel on youtube. Stopping and thinking about what it is we do, and who we do it for, is important. How do we negotiate social media and its impact on our own work as photographers whether professional or amateur.