Does Every Photograph have to Tell a Story? (feat. Maarten Rots) 

"Visually arresting but not necessarily narratively compelling". Word magic right there, Sean.

Thank you. I can't stand the bandwagon RU-vid photographers who, in the last year or so, have started talking about "telling a story", as if every single image tells a story. It's pretentious and insufferable. A photo can be, just as you say, only about aesthetics and that's just fine. Story isn't needed for good photography.

„Enough is enough and enough is not much. Keep it simple so you can focus more.“ Striking.

Ironically now Maarten's images tell a story, his story

Just to remind me that street photography it´s not only in the big cities like New York or Tokyo. A street photographer in my homeland. Thank you.

Photography is an art form and the only purpose of art is to evoke emotion of some sort. Pure and simple. Great video Sean.

I'm so happy that your channel is growing so well, showing that you don't need to go the gear-review route to do so. I really love your videos, especially these portraits.

Great video. As an artist whose medium is photography, I've thought a lot about how the nature of the medium (which is highly representational in comparison with painting, sculpture, etc) can become an obstacle for those of us trying to produce artwork that transcends any representational constrains it might feature. I used to see this highly representational nature as a limitation in photography, but now I see it more as a challenge, an opportunity not to become complacent with just taking photographs of the obvious, and push myself to do work that requires not only good visuals, but also compelling concepts behind it. Should every photograph tell a story, or be beautiful, or feature humans in it, or this or that? I try to stay away from blanket statements involving "should"s. Photography is yet another activity in which human beings do what we tend to do so easily: we join a tribe, and then judge others from the comfort of the self-righteousness of the tribe. This is how we're quick to compartmentalize and divide an art into strict categories into which one "must" fit in, and heaven forbid one should deviate from it: street photography, fashion photography, fine art photography, etc. To me, ultimately what matters the most is that whatever artwork one should put out into the world, hopefully the process will have served you as a process of further self-discovery and self-awakening about your relation to the world; and then, hopefully, your art will serve as a mirror in which yourself and others can look into and see the world and themselves with new eyes, maybe walk away with new questions about the established and the taken for granted. This is what, personally, I aspire to with my work.

I’m so glad you uploaded a new video! I’m following social distancing protocol and staying home, and having a new Sean Tucker video to watch has 100% made my day. Thanks for everything you do Sean! 💖

This was not a traditional interview, this was much better. Thanks, Sean.

A welcome distraction from the corona virus concerns.. Looking forward to watching it!

One of the most beautifully filmed videos ever. The lighting, soft background, sound quality, simple camera work all added up to a stunning video. With a story that has immense impact on how I will move forward in my photography.

So wonderful to see someone getting off their backside, shaping their world in pursuit of their passion. Also the support of his wife is evident and helps his confidence to continue.

I love that his work is fueled by fascination. Knowing that makes his abstracts photos feel so human. From now on, no matter where I go, I'll try to be just as fascinated and explore. Even the smelly the parts of the city

This was so awesome. I could listen to him talk about his process and thoughts on his art, how he thinks, and just how he approaches photography. Also I am in love with his van.

As a minimalist I love the minimalist values he represents. Living a life with intention and passion. Try to make the thing you love the thing you get to do everyday.

I seek those little compositions out in my everyday photography. It's my favorite style...

"I love my wife", this is explain everything, the whole story in this video. Great content as always Mr. Sean Sir, thank you.

Maartens work is wonderful. In my eyes. Like your video about him, like all your videos about other photographers. Thank you, Sean.

The street videos are so beautifully shot it's hard to tell where the videos end and the photographs start

I never saw such a thing before. Can't stop looking at the pictures. Thanks for bringing this intriguing kind of photography and way of life.

The way you show the images at the end with the background music, it gives goosebumps. Always.

There are so many types of photography. Landscape, portrait, sports, Journalism, etc. Most of us have a tendency to follow the same style and even follow guidelines, but forget to remind us that photography is all about creativity, being yourself, no rules.

Sean, there is so much that is so good about this video, but I'll just mention two (related) things. You as the interviewer disappear through the whole video. You are the engine of the interview but you make yourself unseen and unheard to allow the subject to take all the focus. The ONLY place that you uncloak is to ask the question that he answers "I love my wife" which supplies the emotional heart of this story. So well done!

Man I already love your photographer friend. ❤ Such a humble and down to earth guy. Expressing his passion like a kid

Dear Sean, that is - as always - outstanding content. The interesting subject mater and Maarten's extremely friendly presentation as well as the filming itself (that perfect street photography moment at 8:43!) were for a lack of a better word eye opening. Thank you and keep doing what you do!

Another brilliant contribution to the world of photography. Thanks to Sean Tuck for his awesome work helping all of us to 'keep an eye out for the art in the everyday ordinary.'

Great that you featured someone who does his photography by walking, exploring, discovering the new and visually exciting, visually captivating. The usual trope is to know a place or sit and wait for stuff to happen and then start capturing images, which I understand completely works for many people. (I recall learning that Julius Shulman, one of my muses, would take students to locations and get them to familiarize themselves with the place before they started taking photos.) However, it is reassuring to hear someone who does such gorgeous abstract work talk about the thrill of discovery, which, at least for me, and I am certain for Maarten Rots, is part of the joy of photographing, of being in the moment, "in the zone." Thank you.

Another brilliant interview! I love the uninterrupted stream of consciousness style of your interviews. They’re so authentic and genuine.

I was quite shocked when the video started, especially the 'b roll' when buildings, walls, shapes were being highlighted. That is so much like what I do when visiting new areas. The way the architecture is so different between one country and the next, or even one village and the next town. Not a pro photographer but I do immerse myself as a vacationing / travelling photographer. I feel the same, it is socially awkward to capture images of people sometimes, but the shapes, the way the light works on textures, roof tiles, cables, pipes, windows, walls etc. Even grafitti. My wife thinks I am nuts but I do see the value of making these images, very much. So glad you included this lovely guys video on your blog, it was fascinating to see a younger me! Just entered retirement so with the extra time that brings, its lovely to be free to focus on this kind of subject. Loved this, thanks so much, and of course 100% right about not needing narrative - Leading lines and shapes and textures are interesting.

Hi Sean this was one of the most compelling vlogs you have made. Maarten’s approach to life, photography and his ability to conceptualise, visualize and then talk about it in such a lucid and interesting way is captivating. The way you put these stories together is marvelous and has put you head and shoulders above other you tube photography driven providers. Thoroughly absorbing and thought provoking. Thank you and regards from the desert. Steve. Dubai.

Beautiful, inspiring video! Love Maarten's attitude toward photography and life. My thanks to both of you for creating it and sharing it with us. Happy shooting, everyone.

No, it does not have to tell a story, but in his photographs the elements are in a very pleasing harmony. That's the key. It makes me so relaxed just watching them. One has to have eye for finding them.

Charming. Thought-provoking. Thank you.

Thank you for this! I am 74 and have been taking photos most of my life. I love to capture the fleeting beauty of the moment........I am really not interested in telling a story. Lately, there has been so much emphasis on "the story"; I have begun to feel outmoded and irrelevant. I appreciate this much needed uplift!

Just blown away with maartens work it made me think not to over complicate things and enjoy your photography

I love how humans unselfishly help others. If you ask someone a question, you usually get an answer. It’s hard coded in our DNA. And helping like you do Sean and Maarten, create ripples on the water. Making others happy, and willing to help others just like you do. This video gave me a lot. I can relate to what Maarten talks about. In times of world struggle, it’s important to keep the kind human help ripples going. Do our part in spreading kindness so others want to do the same. Kindness might be the antidote we need against the fear these unconscious and dangerous little microbes evoke in us.

Thank you for another beautiful video. I love the people you interview, they seem to have one thing in common that I cannot quite describe with words, it is about their energy, the way they work, the freedom they have found in the choices they make....I perceive them as deep, reflective artists who are searching and exploring beyond the creative act itself. These interviews always contains something that helps me understand a little more of myself. 🙏🏼

Really engaging story about Maarten and his life work. Thank you for posting this and thank you for letting Maarten tell his story.

What a beautiful human being. Love his work. Hoping I can get a magazine or two.

I've been doing just this in Madrid since my girlfriend gave me a tele lens for my birthday. Partly it frustrates me because I was saving it as something to take out later on, but partly I love to see someone doing a kind of street photography that caught my attention almost by accident a few months ago. Thank you Sean for bringing me closer to the work of this photographer and for making such interesting content that motivates us and makes us believe more in what we do as photographers. Greetings from Spain. Leo

Good God... I'm a new subscriber to Sean but his videos just kept talking to me and this one is like a dream. Seeing such a happy person talking about his art is amazing. Thank u Sean, I'm learning a LOT from you

Minimal abstract photography is great. There are so many street photographers out there, you drown in a sea of street shooters. Maarten is a very nice person. I also love Franco Fontana for his color abstractions as well as Pete Turner.

I love that when you film these, you incorporate elements of the artists work into your cinematography.

Sean, again thank you for always bringing a bit of new joy. Every time I open RU-vid, yours is the first of the new episodes I am hoping to find. Wishing you well in all things.

@Maarten: Tja, wie bepaalt dat? 😆 Echt tof dat je je hebt laten interviewen door Sean. Groetjes uit Singapore. @Sean: thank you for this beautiful interview! I love it that you stick to what makes you tick, i.e. photography, and don't read out boring press releases about futile gear. Keep it going!

Thanks Sean wonderful video as ever. Perfect timing for me as I’m increasingly exploring abstract art in my personal work and getting away from the more editorial/commercial side that I was concentrating on. It’s FAR more meditative and enjoyable! And thanks for introducing me to Maarten - his work is superb.

I can so relate to Maarten and the images he enjoys capturing/making. Although I love shooting people candidly in the street, my eye often is drawn to capture similar images that he does. Thanks so much for making video.

Thank you for the last 31 minutes! It is a joy to learn of Maarten's story and I loved his response to (paraphrasing) "Anything you would like to add? I love my wife!"

Sean, absolutely brilliant!!! You are an amazing cinematographer. You tell such a compelling story visually. I have followed Maarten for some time; but getting an opportunity to "know" him beyond his wonderful images is very special. Thank you for your time and energy creating this video and thank you to Maarten, his beautiful wife and their dog Leica for giving us a glimpse into their peripatetic lifestyle as a medium for the art that Maarten creates.

This gave me a reassurance that I’m not the only one, that I’m not crazy or stupid for just photographing roofs and walls. Made me a little emotional

Maarten is obviously fixated on being abstract, but in a beautiful way. Beautiful since he tries to look for beauty beyond people's perceptions.

Beautiful interview, Sean! Time flew. What I found was pure and liked the human aspect of it. Thanks very much, Sean, Maarten, and everyone involved.

What a delightful young man ... as well as a big talent. Thanks for the introduction, Sean.

Awesome video Sean- very inspirational. I particularly loved when Maarten talks about just starting - just get going! and start evolving something. I've been aiming for that in my own work. Thank you for creating and sharing this.

You are really good at this, Sean. Thanks for sharing their story.

Love the spectacular simplicity of Maarten's work. Thanks for sharing!

Maarten is one of my favourite photographers, so nice to see you made a video with him! Love both your work.

Inspired me to start experimenting with abstract colours and shadows...THANK YOU!

Pictures talk Picture Language, 2D dynamics.They always tell, about the Photographerand sometimes, about a subject.Love your postings Sean...!

Thanks for introducing me to Maarten. I find his work refreshing somehow. Viewing it is like returning to my basic roots, if that makes any sense.

I loved this story and the work being produced. Exploring how things are done helps the rest of us. Thanks Sean! Also Hats off to Marrten and team.

28:47 my favorite part

It truly is all in how you look at it. What wonderful work. What outstanding insight. At the risk of offering a cliche, "If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."

I love his enthusiasm!

Beautiful film Sean. Maarten has a great story and I love how he has such an inspiring way he tells his story, his tips, and how his path is obtainable. Thank you for making this, I love your docs on other creatives just as much as I love your other styles of videos. That upside-down walking shadow shot! Wow.

Thank you for making this video. Maarten Rots work is beautiful and I probably would never have come across his photography without your recommendation.

Another great vlog. Thank you for bringing Maarten to a wider audience. Loved every minute and word in this excellent video.

Maarten has really great energy. Fun video, thanks for sharing!

I really enjoy this video and photographer; thanks so much for featuring him. When he is talking about the zone and getting into the zone it’s very much like he is describing flow state. It sounds very similar to what I would feel when cycling or riding a motorcycle on back country roads. Total immersion in the activity.

Thanks, as always, for an engrossing video - especially at a time when I can't leave the house due to being on lockdown here in Spain. It also helps with thoughts I've often had about my own work. I've realised over the years that I'm not drawn to photographing people - I've never been inspired to make portraits, and despite trying to force myself over the years, don't really enjoy doing street photography as it is often defined. I often struggle to give myself permission to make photographs which are just aesthetically pleasing photographs as Art rather than having to 'mean' something. Thanks, as always, for giving food for thought. All the best - stay safe and well, Owain.

Thanks for creating this video Sean, I enjoyed hearing Maarten talk about his artistic process and lifestyle.

Wonderful video. Thank you Sean!

Thank You so much, Sean! I absolutely needed to here some of those things. For some time now I have been struggling with street photography because I thought that it matched my personality. It turned out to be very frustrating because I ended up taking utterly boring pics which looked like stock photos. Listening to your friend gave me courage to shoot more abstract, architecture focused photos. Thank you!

Fantastic work! The combination of the music of your video and those powerful images at the end literally sent chills down my spine!

'.. play closer attention to my world..' my ethos for Street and Architecture. Thanks for sharing.. thought provoking, as ever. Plus I travel and live in a van 365 days a year... For years.. what a lovely guy, thanks for showcasing...

Thank you Mr Tucker to bring us all this inspiring guest since day one.

This is such an inspiring video! Thank Sean Tucker for promoting other amazing photographers and sharing inspiration all around.

That's some dedication to your craft right there!

This guy is just high on life, bravo...

Great video, really enjoyed Maarten’s perspective on life and art. As always, plenty of food for thought, so thank you once again Sean

What a wonderful story, it touched me very deep, because , perhaps, in the inside I would do that. I'm really happy for Marteen, his wife and they wonderful fur kid! Wish them the best and enjoy always your freedom!!!!! Thank you Sean!

Thank you Sean for introducing such great gems. Maarten you are amazing and your photos have stories of colors. i can see it and i can feel it.

Cool guy - lovely philosophy and approach to life. “Who says?” Indeed

Thank you for introducing me to this artist.

Oh, finally the video you've mentioned to me about! As always lots to learn, thank you Sean :)

An inspiring interview! I got really pushed to print my work, to take chances and expose my self to vulnerability. I appreciate these series, I love to have the chance of "meeting" human beings that generously offer an insight into their individual path.

Probably one of the most enjoyable and informative videos/films I have seen about photography. Superbly done. An additional bonus for me was the footage of my country. I live in the US, but was born and grew up in Portugal.

Thanks Sean for not only a great video but also bringing Maartens work to our attention, superb :)

What a beautiful multileveled documentary. Sean, your documentation of interesting photographers is so important and so well done. From exploring combat photography to Maarten’s search for mystery and wonder in the everyday, each one of your series expands the possibilities of living a image creating life for every viewer of your important work. I’m also struck by how good you are at handheld Cinema Vérité coverage. I’m particularly thinking of your coverage of Maarten taking us on a tour of his van. You are in a dance with your subject, constantly but subtly adjusting your framing and your position. It’s really good. You don’t usually work that way. I hope you do more of it in the future. If done well, as you are, Handheld adds energy to a sequence. I was also knocked out by your flipping the shot of the shadows of Maarten and his wife so they were upright and the road wasn’t. Trancendent love was present in that shot. You illustrate well how truth can emerge from abstraction as well as from realist coverage. Would you consider a future documentary on your documentary technique? I would love to hear the questions and prompts you asked Maarten but cut out in the edit. Congratulations on a big step in your work. @seantucker @seantuck

"Enough is enough" - I like that

In my own evaluation of what I enjoy photographing AND others' abstract art/photography, I think you can categorize what "value" abstract images have by what part of the brain they excite and what part of the brain that we GIVE to the image. SOME art... the images that we MOST commonly describe/label as art... are very cerebral and do tell a narrative, as you say. But the value in OTHER art MAY be because they excite another, possibly more primitive part of our brains. Just as we react to a tiger jumping out at us microseconds before we even recognize it as a tiger... THAT part of the brain (thalamus? 🤔) reacts to different stimulus QUICKER and on a visceral level. We FEEL that! It has a different but just as valid value to us. It is like eating ice cream when you're actually already quite full of Foie gras. This is exciting, Sean! Thanks!

Another great video! Thank you so much Sean!

Hay Sean ,even to listen to your talk it would be like a philosophical and to listen to Maarten it was like as if I'm sitting in a church for a serman .you guys changed the world worlds understand about art and photography..your aspect will take art and photography to the next level for next generation...Bravo 👏 👏 👏

Great portrait. Love for photography and life just pours out of Maarten. Very uplifting. Very inspiring.

Wow another Sean Tucker amazing short film. This photographer is actually living out many photographers dream. Being immersed in what he loves to photograph. That creates the art and you can see and feel his passion in the images. Besides a life on the road with your soul mate and a dog named Leica life is complete. 😉

Amazing powerful interview! Thank you so much!

Brilliant thank you Sean & Maarten ❤️

Thank you. I am really enjoying these insights into other photographers.

Very inspiring video. So genuine so down to earth. I was already following Maarten after you showed his work in an earlier video. Amazing how he can make such beautiful art out of such simple scenes. The eye for detail and composition he has is superb.