Giving myself the 'Magazine' Challenge (and introducing PARABLE) 

As a blind photographer, I want to thank you very much for voicing over your magazine this will make all the difference to me. Thanks again I’m now off to your website ❤

This means nothing to Sean, but it does to me by saying that this dude, Morten Hilmer & Jonna Jinton are the only channels on YB that i have bell notifications active for

I am just a hobbyist, but I find if I put my photos on my open Instagram account, I think of the work more critically (even though nobody really sees it 🙂). Just the act of putting it out there makes me grow as an artist faster.

Your philosophical approaches to photography are my favorite parts of your channel; I think it truly sets you apart and makes your content special. Thank you.

I’m very eclectic. I like tech content like MKBHD. But if I would only have one channel to watch for all the years to come, I’d stick with yours, Sean. I really appreciate how soulful and meaningful your content is.

As a dyslexic thinker, having an audio file makes your wonderful written work accessible to me. Will go and have a look!

As an ex-photojournalist I can fully relate to this discussion. To this day I still take pictures relating of various themes that have sparked my interest across the years. It's really about storytelling. Good luck with the things you've decided to photograph.

Thank you Sean for pointing back to a body of work, a self assignment as such in my case. I live in a windy part of the United States and some years ago thought of a theme of "You can't see the wind!" Thanks for the kick start here. I appreciate you and your words.

Parable: highly crafted, artistic images and what a beautiful prose. May it be a successful endeavor. Can‘t wait for your next issue. And yes, thanks that your are thinking of us - on the continent…

I have recently received and read my copy of issue 1 of Parable Magazine. Firstly it wasn't what I expected. In hindsight I should have expected this, it's not just a book/magazine of 'window light' images, it is a musing on photography, philosophy and windows. It does indeed have a range of quality imagery, some stand alone and some that have benefited from pairings. There are a range of feelings expressed from the various shots, some focus on subject while others focus on theme or even light itself, but they all have a tie in to the text of the magazine. The text has a number of parables within, whilst simultaneously educating a little on the history of the window from when it was a medieval opening to being the showcase viewing medium for consumerism. I appreciated the last section the most, having enjoyed the earlier chapters a lot. It asks the question as to what does or can photography do for our lives, our mental health and our 'Joie de vivre', this may well be different for everybody, but one thing is for sure, photography can be the binding 'discipline' that provides the focus, the freedom and the force to enable us to be creative in the way we write, take exercise or even think. I look forward to the next instalment.

So glad to watch your channel, Sean. Thank you for everything you do and your approach to photography, it helps us a lot! 💜

So excited for you for this new direction in your work. You ARE a great story teller already so your focused mindset for this year is going to lead to great visual stories!

I'm so glad I found your channel a couple years ago. You've been such a huge source of inspiration and positivity in my life. Thank you Sean and the best of luck in this new project. I'm going to enjoy my download now :)

Sean, this video couldn't be more timely at least to me. Thanks for being always such an inspiration to me

Can't help but to love this!

Just bought and enjoyed the digital version of Parable on my iPad. I love the audio narration because you have a way of delivering your own words that convey the conviction behind them. Thank you for putting your work and your encouragement out there for us to be inspired. In writing, in videos, and in thought. They’ve all made a significant difference to me. 🙏💪

This video was very timely to me Sean. I have just been thinking pretty much the same things myself, but in my case, about my painting rather than photography. This has helped with extra inspiration.

You may have gotten me to take the next step because of this video, thank you. For years I've written something I call "Morning Musings" and posted it to Facebook on a regular basis. It so happens I have a book by the same name that can be purchased on Amazon but that's not the point. The point is that for some time now I've been thinking about how I could add a photo to my written work but never do. Fifty years ago I had visions of becoming a photographer for National Geographic and for a brief period of time studied photojournalism. Then life got in the way and changed everything. Thankfully I have grandchildren who are active in sports and for some time now have been taking my cameras to photograph their events. In fact, today I sent off the photos for my first photo book to give to one of my granddaughters' exploits playing basketball. Only hours later I'm listening to this video and before it's finished I've ordered "Parable" in PDF format. My writings, musings, are almost always random thoughts that seem to want to be written out and are seldom thought out beforehand. This video and your words have me thinking about becoming a bit more deliberate at least on occasions. Thank you for giving a 73-year-old guy in Phoenix, Arizona something of a kick in the butt to start thinking a bit more outside the box. Be well.

Immediately went and purchased the Parable magazine, and I can’t wait to see it. This is an amazing idea Sean, and one that I may incorporate into my own photography life. Thank you again for being such an amazing guiding light, you truly are an amazing individual.

Just had my copy of Parable delivered, absolutely love it, great work, and a real inspiration to someone like me that tends to shoot random stuff without much direction. I see my own magazine just for me in my not to distant future. thanks Sean

I love this idea of the self-assigned assignment as a way of creating direction. Sean, you are so good at self-reflection and being brave enough to be honest, and then figure out the next steps. Changing it up and taking a risk in order to grow. Well done and thanks for sharing your journey 😊

Again this resonates with me. The body of work, a grouping of images moving in one direction, story has been on my mind for the past year and at times distracting. I will be a subscriber to PARABLE sounds just what you need to focus and move into the stories, wishing you huge success with this. I can see it spinning off into a gallery show, talks and connected narratives. Thanks Sean, looking forward to seeing Parable.

The 2 videos you mentioned (about highlights and shadow), are one of my favourites on your channel. Can't wait to read the first number of your magazine.

So excited for this Sean. Reinforced something I’ve been thinking about regarding the direction of my work too. Such an inspiration 🖤👊

This is such an amazing video. I have been moved and inspired and entertained at the same time. 👏🏾

Purchased! Can’t wait to read it Sean, if it’s anything like your book it will be phenomenal.

I don't know how you do it but a single video of yours like this elevates my motivation to do photography from 0 to 200%. Thank you!

Thanks Sean so much, my photography journey only started a year ago but your ethos and work inspired me to start. I notice my work falls into themes and it has its own personal feeling. No aspirations for a large following, if one person sees an image and likes it that’s good enough for me.

Always enjoy your content. I think acknowledging where we can grow in any parts of our life help propel us forward and keep pushing us to learn new things. Cheers!

Thank you, Sean. I have the magazine and I'm looking forward to following this part of your journey.

Meaningful (body of) work … resonates strongly. Congratulations, Sean. In my eyes thats amongst your most important moves. I am excited to see how you will present the stories/themes which matter to you.

This is incredible idea, I can’t wait for the future of this new ways of sharing your work.

Great video, yet again.

This magazine is just wonderful. Just the right amount of words and images. I hope you make more, Sean! And I hope others will consider the print versions. I hate to 'promote paper' considering the state of our planet, but there is nothing better than really sitting with these photographs - they simply belong on paper. As always, thank you Sean.

This video couldn’t have come at a more perfect time for me. Thank you 😊

Seriously, you're one of the five people in the world who inspire me to keep reaching. Thank you.

Really great Sean - resonates very much.

Wow, I have to say this was so well put into words and actually motivated myself to shoot again. I was really feeling in a slump with my film photography but this idea of being your own commissioner is brilliant!

Humility is important. When I see your work I see a great Portraitist . You’ve got the soul. And sensitivity. But of course there’s nothing to stop exploration of other genres. I love your magazine idea. I will purchase the hard copy. Best wishes.

Thanks for creating PARABLE, Sean. Can wait to read it and become inspired to create my own stories and bodies of work.

I just ordered a physical copy to Ireland. Hopefully it will arrive soon! I don't care about the import tax..... Especially when it's supporting the legend that is Sean tucker! 👍

This is wonderful Sean. Godspeed to you Sir! Creating a body of work gives you a purpose which we all like to have in life. Great message Sean.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. To set up categories or themes that I will work towards. I feel that just the thought gives me more inspiration and creativity. Once again, thank you for your good videos that illuminate more aspects of photography than just the technical.

Ordered and looking forward to this journey

Sean, what a brilliant idea. What a wonderful name for your new project. Most important your latest move is in line with the emergent paradigm of our current era. Your project moves from a hierarchical perspective to a flattened hierarchy perspective. Rather than relying on editors in New York, London, or Paris to you, the individual photographer connecting directly with your community. This development has been going on for some time. It isn’t going away. Good luck with the venture.

So many awesome thought approaches. Your content is very inspiring. I am currently reading your book and your magazines will be right next to it on my bookshelf.

What a perfect combination for your exceptional skills and talents! Ordered.

Awesome!

Great timing as we are off to North Devon for half term. Last year I took your book and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to a nice read and some inspiration. Keep up the great work, you have one of the best photography channels on here. Not a bad first name either!

You couldn't have chosen a more appropriate name for this new publication, Sean. I love how your motivation and decision to pursue this new challenge aligns perfectly with the message in the Parable of the Talents. I'm happy to add these to my collection!

Congratulations on the new magazine...I hope it becomes a huge success

The tactile feel of a book is always great but I think your idea of a digital version with you reading is a brilliant idea. Wishing you every success.

Hai Sean. Great video, I agree completely. I'm in a very different line of bussiness as a personal empowerment consultant, but I'm starting a online magazine this year as well. For the same reasons as yours. So this video was a sort of confirmation 😊. Have fun creating and telling the story! Sandra

You’re a real gem. Have followed you for awhile now.

Thanks Sean. Very timely for me.

Hej Sean - today “Parable” was delivered to me here in Danmark. It’s wonderful! Thanks. Regards Christian

I went to Snowdonia to shoot landscapes this weekend and yesterday I got talking to a local photographer in his gallery and we discussed the importance of creating bodies of work. Very good / coincidental timing for you to release this video Sean. Good luck with your magazine

I can't wait to dive into this.

Wow, didn’t see this coming. Instant purchase for me. Thanks and good luck with your magazine, Sean!

Happy travelling/sailing/whatever with this new venture Sean. I look forward to receiving a copy of Parable.

I love this idea Sean. I have been shooting themes but not collecting them into a body of work, more multiple images of a single subject (such as chipmunks). This idea would give an end point or specific direction for the work, a magazine of each theme. I think I have a few themes I can collect and set a goal to collect more for a specific publication. Thank you.

We support you Sean ❤️

After reading a few comments -ditto!! I'm enjoying engaging with Parable. It is sparking my own sense of creative edges, especially around life, light, love, humanity, connection, community, creation and Creator. . . . . I'm so glad you've brought together your capacity for words and images - and heart and connection. It matters . . . .

Thanks Sean. Just ordered my copy. Cheers

I started out my photographic journey as a traveler with a camera. It was only over the last few years where those things flipped for me. I look back on my time in Africa and Central Asia where the photos told stories of where I was. They were a body of work with a narrative. I stopped looking at things that way when I started submitting photos for competitions. The theme or the single photo good enough to win drove everything. I ignored the stories around me. Watching yourself and others you mentioned in some of the comments, I feel myself going back to what gave me joy originally and I thank you for that.

I gain so much that automatically I just have to like before watching, thanks for always sharing your knowledge, am glad I came across your video, it speaks so much much to me💯

Like it. You've inspired me because I do this already but been struggling lately. Thanks.

Hi, Sean. Thank you very much for this video. I am photographing for almost 40 years. Saying this I am feeling the years in my body. And, yes I develop my own film in my darkroom. But what you told me made me think. It is a different approach that I never thought about. I am disabled but I still can do this kind of work. And as you say, not about the money but the challenge. Thank you again, my friend, for this inspiring video. Greetings from the Netherlands, Antoine.

Just received "Parable". What a fantastic, interesting read. Well done Sean. Im looking forward to more magazines.

Just ordered the physical copy and what a great idea!

Congratulations Sean... Love from Bangladesh.

God bless your new endeavor.

Great idea Sean... putting folders on my desktop labeled with the topic I want to shot.. Thank you for sharing.

Great idea, Sean! Looking forward to reading. Thanks for making the digital version. I live in Albania and have difficulty getting things shipped. Great name by the way.

This is fantastic, great approach. Ive been struggling to figure out a direction with my photography and trying to improve it. I'm currently on a trip through Asia try to find answers. Thank you for the video!!!

The idea of commissioning oneself to go out and create a body of work is a wonderfully empowering antidote to the current commercial landscape Sean - great stuff 🙌

How timely this came! I am going through a similar evolution with my photography (although I am definitely not as experienced as Sean).

Good luck with your new endeavor. It must have been like 7-8 years, since I started watching your channel. It is myy favorite photography channel, since everything is well made and it's actually about photography and not gear or settings. Your input early on was very very helpful, since you talk about the mental and psychological aspect of photography, the hard part. At the same time on the real world I begun to take photography classes 6 years ago. After the first year the technical issues are no real issues on photography, nor is gear. The real problem is what you do with it. You buy cameras, you buy famous monographs, you see photographs of the great photographers online, you read books on photography by photographers (Ghirri) you respect or try to look into interviews of photographers you like, in an effort to peak into their minds. You start reading books the let you pick on the minds of other greats of art (Kandinsky, Tarkovski). And you take pictures, more pictures, and more pictures. But as you say in your video, these photos are without meaning (yet). The Instagram is without meaning. That is an ego platform. Where does your photography begin? What do you have to say? Almost 2 years ago, due to a project we have been doing on my photography class I stumbled on a project I am currently working. It all started with one photo from my archives. And that photograph found another one and that one found one more, etc. Personally can't photograph anything outside of this project anymore. Everything seems dull outside of it. Don't know if it is right or wrong. It's just the way I am living the whole process. As time goes by the project changed. It changed because every click comes from some real stressful searching inside. You may note take a photograph for days but you are really looking for it. Everybody takes photographs. But photographs are so easy to make these days that they lost their meaning. They are like words. Just a photograph can't create something unique these days, when there is abundance of people photographing. We need to start putting photographs side by side. As they were actual words. And thus create something solid, unique, like a story only us could say. Monographs are like literature books or poetry, they just use photographs. Time will tell which will if they have their own life. I did check your site and I did read the description of the new magazine. I think you are on the path of going deeper and find your first story. From the description on your site I understand it's more of an exercise. A thematic selection of pictures with windows, shades and lights. Anyone following your channel knows u like light, shadows and geometry. I hope that the magazine process leads you to finding that story you are looking for. I don't know if the fact that you are living from photography is good or bad on your search. Being active on Instagram, RU-vid, trying to meet expenses takes away too much energy from other processes. Sorry for the huge wall of words, but I sympathized with your words at the beginning because I had the same thoughts, until recently. It's reflexes writing this text, so I hope that it makes sense. I hope we see your first monograph soon.

Just ordered. Your body of work with little direction is amazing, can't wait to see what you fill the folder of ideas with. You should add a subscription tier.

AMAZING

Thank you!

Long form, narrative photography, that results in printed works and is built up over extended periods, has become my own focus for the last year or so. Late last year I produced for the first time a 'proof of concept' A4 magazine on my 'Small People' project that emphatically demonstrated to me that this narrational approach, pivoting around a unifying theme, was exactly right for me. My Instagram account is dead bird now and my social media presence cut right back. Just my Canon 5D III and Sigma SD Quattro H remain from my digital kit and most images are now via my Leica M3, Leica IIIf, Topcon RE Super and Fuji GL690. I feel this evolution has established a home that I'm happy to live in and enjoy, as I build up and expand the translation of my imagery into what photography was always supposed to be - a physical, analogue embodiment that you can touch, hold and experience. Wish you well with it Sean.

Just bought a copy of the printed version. Always a sucker for a new magazine 😊

My printed copy arrived today :) It’s a fascinating concept well executed. Great too that it’s available as a pdf, which I could carry around on my phone. I am looking forward to the next issue already (no pressure ;) Thanks Sean

Thank you Sean. We do not hear enough about the importance, challenges, and communication potential of bodies of work. Hitting an 'Instagram Banger' is all well and good but is transient and does not constitute a commitment to the subject matter or show the real skills and talent of the photographer. I have just purchased a hard copy of your magazine and hope to be inspired to create similar. Best of luck. David

This video is so inspirational. I've been doing serious photography for around two years now but have been a casual shooter for decades. I still class myself very much an amateur and still shoot allsorts though I do like black and white. I love your idea of having desktop folders and shooting a theme. It makes photography exciting and interesting, and it gives purpose, direction, and motivation when you go out. Oh, I bought the magazine too 😁

Dang that was so cool. These are the photography videos I like

Good luck with your magazine, certainly a lot going on in the UK at the mo. (A bit of crafty blue and orange going on in the video)

Great advice & suggestions for photographers & videographers alike...

I'm looking forward to read and listen to it.

Very inspiring. Thank you

This video is where I am now. My father was a mid-century artist. I'm writing about him, showing his art but also using my photography. Thanks

Good luck! Ordered a physical copy just now.

I feel inspired and motivated to go out and create. Thanks.

Good luck with the magazine!

Thank you for your channel and this video. I decided to jump start my photography with a 52 week project focusing on one subject (a local pond). Maybe by the end of the year I’ll have enough good photos to put together a zine.

💥💥💥💥💥💥❤💥💥💥🙏🏾yassssssssssss Sean. Yassssss💥

Very timely video, because I got stuck at roughly the same step. Thanks a lot. Seriously

I absolutely love the idea of 'commissioning yourself'. It's a wonderful way to help refocus one's photography in a meaningful direction, instead of constantly going out to look for instagram 'bangers' in the CBD every Friday night. Thank you, Sean, I will definitely be looking deeper into this. Meanwhile, your comment regarding import taxes and Brexit was the main reason why I held back from ordering your fantastic book on the day you announced its availability. Being in Australia, postage and taxes were almost double the price of the book. If I knew that money was going to you, I would have paid it to support your channel without a second thought, but I would rather wait, than line the pockets of irrelevant third parties for the privilege of being an early adopter. Fast-forward two years - having the book be available through Amazon Prime Australia, and waking up to it arriving at my front door literally 10 hours after ordering it in bed the night before, really made my day - and my week.

Sean, I really enjoyed your videos, the one about collections v single images, and also the one about local photography and the review of Tish Murtha's work. I haven't traveled for 10 years and have rarely gone more than 50 miles from my home in a small university town in Iowa. I've developed a few themes that I work on. The downtown of my local town which I've been shooting for nearly 15 years, I've already made one book of the images and am gong to make another one. My other themes are rural Iowa, that's when I explore the surrounding rural area. I usually explore the country side on the weekends and now I am developing two subset themes, river towns. There are old river towns here that were once vibrant and are now in decay to a great part. And recently I started driving down back gravel roads and that is a new theme for me "Iowa back roads". Lastly I love to shoot trees and shoot in the local woodlands. Again I've created a new subset theme which is winter trees, I am fascinated by shooting trees in the winter without their leafs. Many years ago I read an article by Ken Rockwell about shooting themes and it's always driven my photography. He said in the article that haven a theme gives you a focus when you go out to shoot. By the way I still like your idea of creating an annual collection and you've inspired me to do this. It's mainly for me so that I can enjoy my own work and see my photographic journey for each year. I want you to know that you videos have really influenced my work, the one on local photography made me realize that not traveling and focusing on my local area was a gift. I am actually from England but live in Iowa and love sharing this unique place with the outside world.