How to become a better photographer through 'visual exercise'
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ส.ค. 2016
- Website: www.seantucker.photography/
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As photographers it's very easy to fall down the deep, dark hole of gear lust; or to get lost in reams of techy info, thinking these things will make us better photographers. They may help you learn how to use the tools, but in the same way as owning a paint brush doesn't make you an artist, becoming a great photographer is about so much more.
The following video gives some of my thoughts on how to 'exercise visually', how to open your eyes to the world around, and how to become photo-aware.
I hope it inspires you to shoot more often, with more abandon, and to develop your photography as art, not science.
Enjoy, and share it on if you found it helpful.
www.seantucker.photography
#photography #streetphotography #visualexercise
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It seems a lot of you misunderstood my comment about shallow depth of field, which might be my bad communication, so let me clarify. I said that "I can't hide behind a shallow depth of field" and by shooting deep DOF "I'm not being lazy", precisely because I know I've been guilty of this in the past. If you look at my portrait work you'll see I consider shallow DOF to be a legitimate technique, but I also know that I went through a stage of trying to make boring shots look interesting by just shooting very shallow, instead of moving on to find a genuinely interesting shot. In my mind this is lazy, and bad photography. Shoot deep DOF when I'm out and about forces me to be more disciplined in my composition. It's an exercise, not a rule. If that comment got your back up, perhaps you are in the same boat and need to adjust some things. Ween yourself off shallow DOF and only use it when it's appropriate. Ask yourself honestly, have you been using it as a crutch, like I was?
Sean Tucker your communication is perfect sir.., I got what's you have to share.. thanks for your thoughts..
So articulate. As a new photographer, I'm feeling very inspired after watching. Thank you! Subscribed
This advice is awesome. I've recently been thinking about how common it is to see people shoot wide open all the time, even in scenarios when stopping down to create layers would tell a better story. This is one advantage of crop sensors that most people overlook: using wider lenses to achieve a given 35mm equivalent focal length (eg. ~23mm on APSC to get 35mm FF-equivalent) gives you way more DoF, and like you said, the DoF on phone cameras is huge.
It's also one reason I prefer rangefinder shooting over SLRs; SLRs lie about the DoF unless using DoF preview, whereas the rangefinder window keeps everything in focus.
you are right on this, dont worry. Shallow DOF can easily kill photography if one just stick to it.
It's not a point I've seen made before and it was well made.
Finally I see a smart video about photography that inspires me instead of overwhelming me with all the technical stuff
Gahanika I mean, you still need to know the technical stuff unless you want to shoot in auto mode. Yes you can be a master of the tech and a mediocre photographer, but you can't be inept with your camera and be a good photographer.
takes probably a couple of days to understand your gear with the proper tutorials ,a bit of practice and you're done .Then is just getting faster and make everything in a kind of instinctive and automatic way.
learning how to master photography is like composing music , takes much longer ,you actually never stop .
This is my case after 3 years in this world, I still feel that I have so much more to learn and instead I'm loosing my time watching videos about Nikon having a bit more dinamyc range then canon and fall in the trap that makes me think that I need better gears.
You need to learn how to walk before you learn how to fly, and you need to learn the 'technical stuff' to break the rules. Can't break em if you don't know em.
Couldn't agree more my friend
Agreed
a true life poet...not just a great photographer...you sir inspire me.
I think every photographer should do a drawing course. It’s a great way to train your eyes. Sit down and look at the subject you want to draw. It helps to see the world visually. More in abstract underlaying patterns then in function.
I did just that without connecting the dots to photography. Then one day it clicked. I now find it helpful to return to drawing when I feel my photography is getting stale. The mind is an amazing thing.
I agree started sketching around few years ago and it did improve my photography skills
I wish i had the talent because i love photography
'Photography in the end of the day is still an art'. Thanks for that.
Probably the best-spoken TH-camr amongst photography circles👍🏼.
"Art is going to come out of experimentation!"
Thank you Sean you are my favourite youtube channel.
Wonderfully said. Even with professional photographers, you can see their personality and feelings reflected in the pictures.
Needed this! In this polluted ocean full of talk about tech specs and gear, this was truely refreshing and much needed. Thank you!
The two things that always make me hyper aware of my surroundings - riding my motorcycle and walking the city with my camera in hand. Great video as always my man!
"Give me permission to be careless" I love that!
yesss
Excellent comment
I clicked subscribe 35 seconds into the video.
Thanks mate:)
Wassim Murr Same here
Sean Tucker the most beautifully shot instructional video on TH-cam. The Crazy Bavarian Bullfrog would be proud. The information was great too; all the best to you sir
Not quite that early, but way before the end. Thanks Sean Tucker.
I waited 36 seconds.
Another lovely vid, my friend. Legendary LIFE magazine photographer Alfred Eisenstadt purportedly walked to and from work every day from his home in Jackson Heights, Queens to his office in Manhattan - about six miles each way. And I STILL think if Cartier-Bresson were a 20-something today, he’d be shooting with a smartphone. But that’s just me.
Great , inspiring post, Sean. You're so right. My artist statement includes this line: "My camera's just a tool. It's how I use it that counts. It's not the camera that takes great pictures; It's the photographer behind the lens who makes great photographs." I'm always looking for and seeing patterns, visually interesting scenes & compositions, and light interactions in the world around me. I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder in 2008, and living with it has made me a better photographer. My brain looks at the world around me differently, and I see light, shapes, patterns and compositions in a way that I never did before. I was a good photographer before. Now people who see my work tell me that my images are outstanding. Photography truly is a therapeutic and creative art.
Telling stories is what photography is all about. Seeing the world through our own eyes. And in hopes we inspire others to do the same.
My great grandfather was a photographer during WW2 and looking through his printed work it's crazy to see how everything is composed in the frame where it should be and it makes it all so much more interesting to look at
Composition. Capturing light. Everything in place. Don't 'cheat' with dof. Video. Your video. A breath of fresh air. Thanks.
I never thought of shallow depth of field as cheating. Interesting perspective. I'll have to start trying a broader depth
+Cole. Brown shallow DOF is a legitimate technique, I just know I use it to cheat when I can't get a background to work. It's a good exercise to shoot deep:)
I'll definitely try it! I'm watching at least one photography video a day for 2017. Your channel has been a goldmine so far. Thank you!
+Cole. Brown you're welcome:)
I was recently challenged to begin shooting at only f/8 and higher. It was one of the best changes I've ever made and I think that it has truly made me improve artistically as a photographer
lilblingking1491 I do all my "real" photography shooting on instax mini film. It has really reinspired me years after all my camera gear was stolen.
Now after 10 shots a roll, I've learned to be more selective in my lighting, subject, and framing, even inspiring me to be more bold in my shots by asking strangers to pose to make the most of my film.
I'm moving back to 35mm film now as I realize digital photography just doesn't capture light the way film does.
I have never ever commented on any TH-cam video but this video made me do so. I love shooting with my iphone, for me it's all about capturing that moment. I try not to use any filters, or edit my photos because I want my photos to look the way my eyes see it. Went through a couple of TH-cam accounts which were mostly about dslr technical know-how .. but I don't even own a proper camera! Was even tempted to send some pictures to those accounts for a critique but felt sort of shamed that my photos weren't professional enough or even taken with a dslr. BUT Your video, your message, is an encouragement. Thanks!
I've seen on youtube that this is a single photography channel have got thousands of like for each video. Just 3 days before I started to watch videos on this channel. Really @SeanTucker is an inspiration for all beginners.
More than 2 yrs have passed since you posted this, your captured moment still gives ppl a good lesson. Thank you.
Your voice, the poetic manner of speaking, the video composition, background music. Nothing less than perfect. Inspiring. Amazing.
You speak everything I think. Bookmarking this video forever!
Excellent video. A few years ago I walked about with only my cell phone camera only for nearly a year. What I discovered first was that I could make good photographs by using the phone within the camera's limitations. The second thing I learned was that looking at the small screen at arm's length allowed me to improve my sense of composition because with my less than perfect eyesight I focused primarily on the geometry in the frame - the shapes, lines, color, and tonality. I would position the phone so what was in the frame looked "right." It was a valuable lesson in seeing.
No question about it a good photographer can find virtually anything to make an interesting composition. Getting that photographer's eye takes time just like everything else you learn. Great video!
Refreshing video. I searched TH-cam for “how to push yourself to become a better photographer”. So glad to find a video that doesn’t give 5 tips to improve your photos and tells me that I need to use rule of thirds and shallower DOF. We have to go deeper than that and unlock something within us so we can see differently. This was inspirational. Thanks.
Wow! As an artist (drawing, painting digital) and growing videographer this was perhaps the MOST inspiring and honest teaching about how to shoot great photos and videos ....by experimenting, learning and being observant of your surroundings!!! I felt like I was back in art school with one of my favorite professors!!! Great job Sean! Thank you!
This might just be your best video yet. It puts it all out there. The technique... The philosophy... The heart and soul of photography regardless of what fancy gear you have.
Being influenced by so-called "theme" in instagram made me had barriers that I mostly only take photos that will benefit my IG feed, however, you made me feel like I should explore more, and experience more on the photography. Thank you.
Sean, my friend! This has been some of the most valuable 6 minutes I have watched on TH-cam IN A LONG TIME! Thank you for pushing me to get into my environment and stop worrying about all the technical issues of photography! God bless!
+Christopher Soule you're welcome mate:)
Thank you Sean! This video is everything. This is the essence of photography. And now I understand better why I have always loved to photograph. It helps me to be present in the moment. The small details, the light and shadow contrasts, the movement around me....everything matters. These moments of observation bring me peace and I feel connected with the place where I am, with life. And that is the essence of this beautiful ART.
Within the first 2 minutes of this video after hearing you talk and reference Herzog I hit subscribe. You understand exactly what photography and what it is for, and I feel many camera crazed consumers (myself included) need to be reminded that what we photograph is more important than what we photograph with. Thank you for this video and I can't wait to see more!
Yoy get right , thank you for this photography cure !!!!!! It's 04:00 AM , I am awake , and can't wait to go outside to shoot
You are spot on! Photography is about seeing others and how to see and capture others true unhidden self, and sometimes this takes life experience, patience and just being able to wait for great light and real true emotion. You are a true artist! Love your work.
So many other photographers say go out and shoot. Its like if you don't feel creative that's hard. But with what you are suggesting is very different. Go out and observe and yes capture things in photo, but just that act of thinking and considering the "whole" world around you. Is a step in the right directions. Thanks you for the change in thinking
You're welcome:)
I really appreciate that you create videos that touch beginner photographers like me to the core in a way that I stay inspired to keep pushing through to get better. Thank you Sean!
Ditto.
This has got to be the most underrated channel on photography. You create great content, Sean. Keep it up!
Oh my.... you reminded me for waking up from being lazy since I am too needy with the Depth Of Field and blame my phone camera for that unpleasant ideas. Thanks so much
Never have I ever NOT fallen in love, with awe and wonder, at what and how this man conveys simply, clearly and straight-forward.
All that with depth.
Next level genius, Sean.
Always an admirer.
Watched one vidéo last night and watched two more in a row right now. Last time I'll do that. Not because I don't like your videos or what you talk to us about, no, no. I drink it all and I am truly inspired by what you explain about your photography, about how your life has affected you being a photograph. It's like reading a good book, sometimes you have to turn it over to the page your on and just think about what you read. So now one at a time, maybe I'll go out and try some of your techniques or otherwise just think a while about what you said. Glad to see you tomorrow Sean.
Thanks Anthony.
Started watching this video thinking "What's this hippy dippy visual exercise crap?"... but then, totally agree with you on every point you make. Great video.
So happy to find you... These are the aspects of creativity that 90% of the content is missing on the internet. This pollution of imagery, video, sound and graphics is misguiding and disconnects us from great art - that great moment - which leaves an inspiration for a thousand lives. So glad.
I like the intimacy of the very close filming of your face. Sorry, that was not the point of this video, but I had to mention it.
I just stumbled to this video that's 7 years old and found further confirmation of a truth I needed to see. I have been a hobby photographer for about 10 years now . I really enjoy taking pictures. Sometimes though I manage to find something really beautiful in the images I capture. Some of the images I have purposefully took, while others have came by accident (moreso the latter).
I just recently upgraded my camera to a new mirrorless variety. I love it, but I feel as though I am a little overwhelmed by all the new bells and whistles. The camera takes a very nice picture indeed, but its making it even more clear to me that I tend to shoot while in awe of something new, rather than something I wish to capture to create something with. And it bothers me.
This video reminded me to be present in the moment, wherever I am. To see the people, places, and things a little more differently. To train my eyes to see, and my ears to hear. You stated to just take a walk, and be present wherever you are. For some reason, the being present in the moment message is really resonating with me as of late. It's a very strong message and quite frankly I believe it's going to be a life altering message for me. I think not only will it improve my photography, but will improve me as a person spiritually. All life, whether good or bad, is a beautiful gift. While it is great to be in awe of new experiences, it's even better to learn to appreciate them, right down to the finer detail.
Thank you for making this video. Whether you acknowledge God or not, I believe you were used by him to speak to me, confirming a message I have been hearing, about being present in the moment, and that will not only help me as a hobby photographer, but also as a human being. Thank you.
Dude this is the greatest video I’ve watched on this site. When I finally get around to teaching photography. This is the video I’ll introduce the class to. 10/10 my friend.
I really enjoy your videos! I just can't find my words to describe how much you help us. TH-cam needs more photographers like you.
Of all the photography-vids I’ve spent time looking at, this is the most important and I watch this one from time to time just to remember what it’s all really about. Thank you Sean 👍
One of the best online videos I've seen about developing the "photographer's vision" - life as lived and the importance of light...tchau.
I've watched a few of your videos recently and they've really made me stop and think about myself. In my mind there's nothing more important in film or photo than making people stop and think. I've subscribed to you now and I can't wait to dive into more of your videos. Thank you Sean.
So refreshing to watch a video like this one. In terms of knowledge the technical side of photography is just there so the artistic side doesn't suffer. You master the technical side in about a month or two and yet a lot of people only talk about specs or camera settings. The only thing that maters is the art and the emotion in your work.
I been watching yr channel for a couple days what I love about your channel is you, the way you talk, yr ideas, yr vision, how you see things and yr suggestions not too technical, more reality, simple and easy to understand but still keep a bit of technical part that we should be aware. Keep up the good work.
I am really loving your vids as I go through them for the first time today. I've been a photographer all my life, and I learn more each passing year about seeing the world around me. This video really hit home for me. Thanks.
This and Adam Marelli's talk for B&H are the best photography lessons I've seen in a while.
This video has driven almost 10% of your subscriber base and I can see why. Thank you for the inspiration and encouraging words!
Why haven't I listened to you before? You speak from the heart. I am truly enjoying your content. ♥️
This is honestly the best photography video on TH-cam. Extremely valuable lessons to be learned here.
Really well said. I remember when I started photography in a more serious manner, two years ago, that I slowed down the pace, that I started to be more aware of people and everything around me, started to look for and find patterns, shapes and interesting angles to what initially seem a boring scene. There's still a lot to be improved but, I'm happy with what I gained so far. A great video and you got yourself a new subscriber :)
I just love the feeling when i walk slowly through town,stop and notice something that would be overlooked by milions of people that day.And furthermore,i love even more the feeling when i try hard to honor that moment by setting myself up in the perfect position to get that Moneyshot. for me photography is slowing down,beeing observent,feel the moment and recognize the details and most importantly,does it make me happy and proud to have that photo in my portfolio. The more i photograph,the more i get stuck in one place because i have so many ideas and angles to shoot and it is truly addictive and inspiring..almost meditative experience.I usually listen to ambient or chill music whilst taking pictures and it helps me to zone out,be out of time snd space and just convey my feelings through photos
This should be the first video anyone watches when they're thinking about getting into photography. Great job!
Excellent video!
I lost interest in photography when I moved from Philadelphia to the suburbs. I rationalized that suburban life didn't have the same visual interest as that of a city. Recently I started walking daily as part of rehabilitation after a motorcycle crash, and I have suddenly found myself once again seeing the world as a photographer.
Never in a million years would I have made the connection between walking and photography. Thank you, now I know that so long as my feet are willing to carry me I'll always have photography.
I spent today taking photos on my few hrs in town and didn’t get any photos I liked and realised I didn’t have a clue what I was doing- but I had a feeling I learnt a lot by noticing the light, what people were doing and this vid confirmed it for me- thanks
Join the club. I OFTEN come home with nothing to show for it, but I have learnt a lot for next time:)
Loved the quotes at the start. Photography taught me to open my eyes to the world around me and for that I will be eternally grateful.
Dude, you see the world how it really is. You know what art is and you are inspiring me. Keep up the good work mate.
Great reminder of what photography is (or should be) about: images that speak to people. Thank you, Sean. This and the others I've seen are a refreshing take on what amateurs like me need to learn.
This video is exactly why subscribers really like your work!!!!
Excellent, excellent. I know the importance of having a "good eye" and I'm glad to see this addressed by someone. Thank you so much for sharing and kicking the cobwebs out of my brain. I'm not a pro photographer, but I like to take memorable images.
I keep coming back to this video of yours Sean. It makes sense, thanks mate.
Sean - I am so glad I found you. I am loving this new passion of photography. Being in the moment and chasing the light. I learn something new every day. Thank you for sharing your talent. I look forward to following you on Instagram and being inspired.
I walk, cycle, take the bus, never drive, never wear headphones outside the house. Got to take it all in.
I am really enjoying your videos.
Thanks for sharing.
Sean, you are so pleasing to watch, inspiring and helpful. Also you have an awesome tone of voice, which adds up to the experience. And you don't talk about stuff everyone else does) Thank you!
Sean, I just found your channel and have been enjoying the content thus far, especially videos like this that discuss the process of making art. I appreciate the thought and time you put into these. Most channels are overly gear centric. I know you do some of those as well, but balance those with videos like this. It helps your channel to stand out because it demonstrates you're interested in saying something about the art itself, not just the tools. I look forward to your future videos. Cheers.
I love how you are making your videos. You are teaching and showing your style, your taste. I love it
this video kept popping up in my home feed. kept ignoring it and finally gave in to watch it.... yea I'm subscribed now...
Playing with different depth of field is fantastic. Everything does definitely not need to be sharp. At all. But agree with most other stuff. Many people say" i see", but they don't
I LOVE THIS CHANNEL!!! It talks about what MOST photography/film TH-camrs do not talk about which is the art of photography itself. It makes me appreciate that craft even more without over thinking about the technicalities. That's life sometimes, if not, most of the time. We CHOOSE to over complicate things instead of seeing, appreciating and being grateful for what's actually important. We focus on the cameras and not the photographs.
Agreed:)
I moved home (NZ) from London last year. So nostalgia to see your shots of places I've been or even same frame of photo I've taken walking past!
This is an older video but the message will ring true forever. There is far too much emphasis on gear, specs, techs, than there is on actually building a photograph worth looking at. Long before I touched a camera, I was engrossed by photographs, not photographers and their gear of choice. Life, National Geographic, and Time magazines, etc, taught me the end game of photography, simply the image should be interesting to stare at versus a glance.
I‘m so happy, that I have found your channel and your Instagram page. You are so authentic. It‘s a pleasure to see your videos talking about
photographie. Like the style and way you do your videos. There is so much important to learn. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you for your videos. I find them extremely inspiring and almost spiritual. As you said very rightly, there are millions of tutorials for the technical parts, but very very few which teach us how to SEE. For me, photography is not always about getting the perfect settings or composition. It's more about catching a moment, telling a story, sharing an emotion. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Peace
Ok,
So glad I found your channel. You are a wonderful teacher of art and life. Thank you for the ongoing inspiration.
This vid is probable one of if not the best video for explaining what it's all about. I work in a large camera store and most people are obsessed with the tech and not the image. Some people spend thousands just to take images so then can ooooh and ahhhh and the detail, sharpness, lens performance etc but the actual shot is visually sub standard.
+Andy West thanks for saying so:)
As soon as you whipped the phone out I was hooked. The best camera is the one you have in your hand. Since we always have our phones attached to our hip there is likely almost never a time we aren't a photographer ready to shoot. Given the quality of new phones coming out and the amazing apps we can work with it's a no brainer. Most people are looking at these photos on some digital format and the hyper-quality ($$$) gear would really be wasted resources. Great job !!!
Beautiful Sean. Love the way you put things across, we need more people like you. I'm definitely going to follow your journey.
Thanks Sean! I really appreciate all your great ideas and hard work sharing them. I am a big fan.
I'm late but great advise.
I can tell that you're Photographer, not by watching you're picture but by listening how you speak about.
Hit the nail on the head mate, nice thinking. Currently on holiday with a full frame and an apsc but using smartphone 99% of the time. It's the moment, the composition that really matters.
I happened to come across your videos few days back. I found your videos different than many videos on photography I watched before. Your videos are inspiring. They give a different outlook towards photography.
Thanks Sean for such videos ! 👍👍👍
Love your philosophy, and how you break down photography into its essence... I currently just take photos with my phone, but your channel has definitely inspired me to try more!
This was amazing not just to be a better photographer but to be more in the moment. Love your work man!
I started reading The Peregrine because of this video. It is indeed a great book full of breathtaking descriptions and the author demonstrates an incredible level of visual awareness.
Just watched another video of yours and very happy to see someone talk about the creative part of photography. I find it fascinating that most of the "photography" channels are only/mostly about gear instead of how to actually become a better photographer. Keep up the great work!
Great advice, used this to challange myself and use my eye, and think about light today 06/08/18 while walking in London with the Mrs and son...... the superb thing that while doing this I bumped into Sean, and went over and introduced myself. I've gotsome images thatim loking forward to editing tomorrow.
Great to meet you John:)
I just discovered the channel and I finally found the answers to the questions that have been haunting me for a while. Excellent work, please continue :)
I loved this. I've been so in my head about technical stuff but this really brought to my attention the reason I started in the first place: ART + LIGHT. Thank you x1000.
An acquaintance from VERO had shared this video. Pretty much sums up some of my worries about my photography. I've been shooting with point-and-shoot cameras or mobile for years up until recently. DOF was something that was always missing from my shots, so when I got a proper mirrorless camera and an f/1.4 lens, I started blasting DOF in almost all of my shots, because I never had the chance to play with it before.
But then I realized that my compositions and 'stories' started to stall.
So nowadays, I'm back to my phone and exercise composition by eliminating the DOF element, then looking around and observing more.
The absolute best spent 6:40 of my life... Thank you, Sir! #Subscribed
I prefer watching videos like yours rather than the more technical ones, even though I'm a beginner in photography, (2 months) and I'm still confused with all settings etc. However, this video reminds me of what runs through my mind when I'm looking to take a shot, or even just walking the street. It's the words from the 1970's TV painter Bob Ross. 'Paint what you see, not what you know the be there!' Hopefully I'm doing it right!
BTW I loved the Snowdonia film.
The technical videos are learning to walk with a hundred others, these ones are learning to fly like no one else.
Fantastic post. Thank you for this. You're spot on about the distractions from actual photography that we indulge in, myself included, in gear fetishisisation. You're also right about the laziness of using shallow depth of field and bokeh (delivered by equipment rather than skill) as a substitute for composition and actually having a subject worth photographing. Your advice to walk and see and experiment is both inspiring and practical. And anyone can do this with the phone in their pocket.
so inspiring... not only in photography but just existing and appreciating what we are surrounded by
Spot on I finished Uni with a degree in commercal Photography, I left with a good grade, but found it clinical, lifeless. Now that is out the way I am truly free to be creative. .