What it really means to be 'Competitive' (a thought for makers) 

I have some experience to share. No one will give you a leg up in business. I've had a couple of on line business that took a couple of years to establish. Found out the hard way. No one is there to help you. No support, no favours, you are on your own. However.....I have found the photography world a completely different story. I sell my own prints and have a wedding photography business. I could never have achieved it without the support and doors open for me by established photographers, even sharing their hidden secrets. It's great to then inspire each other. Healthy competition is a good thing. It inspires innovation. Embrace it and build on it. Never fear it, just improve with it. Thanks as always Sean.

Art is a free value, everyone has a path in it. It's nice to take a walk together even It's only a small part of it❤️

Perfect video. I always thought it would be healthy competition where, as a collective, we all benefitted each other. The reality has been very different though and I have made far fewer friends in photography than I thought would happen. Coming from a background where collaboration and camaraderie was a part of everyday life, my current solitary life is unsustainable.

This was a fantastic video! I never understood seeing other artists as a threat. One of the main reasons I started getting back into film photography was because the community seems so fun to be a part of and I've met tons of other artists online that have inspired me greatly!

One of the best advice any artist can take. By sharing, it's only us who is beneficial.

Listened to you on the Candid frame podcast (12/2022) and realised your videos have not been surfacing on my feed. Still think you are creating great thought provoking content!

Sean, this subject is so timely. Given the current world affairs, economic condition and all that is challenging us, we as artists can use some unity. Compete, yes but also be supportive of each other. A few words of encouragement does not cost anything!

As always, thoughtful and food for thought. This is why when local photographers make a meet-up or photowalks are made, make it a priority to come out and meet each others.

So true. Another wonderful video. Another misunderstood definition is passion: “What you are willing to suffer for” It’s not what you always enjoy.

Never realised that meaning before, a totally different perspectice thank you

Competition is good for growth! "As for the exact thoughts in Alexander's mind, I am neither able nor concerned to guess them, but this I think I can state, that nothing common or mean would have been his intention; he would not have remained content with any of his conquests, not even if he had added the British Isles to Europe; he would always have searched beyond for something unknown, and if there had been no other competition, he would have competed against himself." Arrian, Alexander's Expedition, 7.2

🥰

Yushy ❤

Wow I’m early

In my last musical project on 9/11, the most difficult people to deal with were the photographers who captured the day. So much ego. So little generosity. So many unnecessary boundaries that disallowed their work from being shown and shared. It was the antithesis of a community and it saddened me. I walked away wondering why. We have traces of that in the music producing world for sure, but it was a new level of frustrating dealing with the people who took photos. In the end, I just hired an oil on canvas impressionistic painter who was 10000% easier to deal with. He donated his work and refused payment even when I offered it multiple times. A world of difference. Both were creating images, but one was generous and the others were heavily guarded and “above” the work I was doing. This is NOT a judgment. Just an observation.

Totally agree. Photography can be such an lonely job. Community opens ideas, creativity, sharing, happiness, and even business.

"Seeking together." I love this outlook. I am lucky enough to have several photographic friends who do this very thing.

My photography made its greatest strides when I was a member of an artists cooperative of photographers, painters and printers. Critique was supportive and on point and I miss it today. Another point that I have realised is that true masters of their art aren't scared of competition or afraid to share how they do things, indeed they are usually the ones who are most willing to share.

This need for this type of competition would help the entire World, not just photography. Good food for thought, thank you.

Art is subjective and photography the same my view is help everyone - never be a competitive person welcome all

Always love your insights Sean! Thank you for being a calming light in this world of madness.

Thank you, Sean - a brief share of a similar discovery I had years ago in my former life as clergy: conspiracy, seen in the original, is not the evil thing it's often painted as. "Spire" - to breathe; con+spire, to breathe together. If we breathe together, wonderful things can happen. Cheers.

Nice video with a click bait title... You knew very well what the modern connotation of competitive is. You should have used collaborate in the title.

I agree. I would love to communicate more with other photographers. I note that you don't mention camera clubs. Do you think they provide the wrong kind of competition? I am not a fan of them perhaps there is room for an alternative.

I believe the title is a bit misleading, it should be "Artists Should be More Collaborative", as discussed in the topic.

Perhaps one of your most valuable videos for me to date. Thanks Sean.

Thank you for highlighting real meaning of competition. Anyone here to compete with me?

I'm all for getting together and cooperate. After all, sharing is caring.

Sow the seed and watch it grow. That is what I get from most of your videos Sean and congratulate you for being a master gardener of thought. I wish you well sir.

I found myself saying 'yes' audibly for much of this video Sean. Bravo for reading the industry and subtly suggesting how we may work better together, because that really is our collective superpower.

Beautiful message. I see this kind of supportive competition in the fingerstyle guitar and bluegrass communities. When the tutors at Steve Kaufman’s Acoustic Kamp jam on stage, you can see that it’s a highlight of their year. And at places like the Ullapool Guitar Festival, where I’m going to next weekend, it’s such a delight to see the artists coming together again and seeing what kind of impromptu collabs are coming together. It’s magical.

Yet another brilliant (and inspiration) video, thanks Sean!! Please keep this type of content coming 🙏 cheers

Regardless of etymology (actually with a delicious dual meaning: competitio & com-petere), fully agree on the priceless friendship in Photography. The journey is enriching for both, with eventually a good photo, or not. Always with too much coffee as well ;)

Thanks - great message, I’m part of the Aviation AVGeek community- I found that we all support each other, and ask lot of question on how one gets “that” shot of a particular aircraft - without question the photographer will give all the details and even offer suggestions on how to get the shot. Very refreshing change from the “negative” Photo community/club “- that tend to be very critical.

You have no idea how valuable this video is, I agree 100%, I'm an amateur learning photography and LOVE your videos, but more than the photography side this style of "vision" videos are awesome. I'm also a Software Engineer ready to Com-pete with like minded people!

The right type of competition adds fuel to the fire. Iron sharpening iron. There is no room for jealousy in photography.

Holding "The meaning in the making" in my hands I just revisited this video. I am really glad and grateful I found your channel and your work. It really inspires me to rethink the way I use video (in my case). Thank you very much for that.

Thank you for the amazing thoughts and advices, Sean !

Thank you so much for this, which makes me appreciate my own community of photographers/artists that are often far away, yet united by a love of what we do individually. I live in a small university town where there are possibilities for finding support but, for whatever reason, I have not found the kind of competition you describe (and that I am experiencing for almost 10 years now) here, but that is okay. Locally, I do get support from some fellow photographers, but not to the degree or in the way that I do from my friends who are far away, but that is okay. I appreciate all the support that I get, no matter from who or what kind. This video of yours made me grateful that I get so much support in different ways and from so many well intentioned, insightful, caring, humorous sources. Thinking about it just now, I am convinced the variety of support I have been getting (and also giving, since it is about both the giving and receiving) helped me. BTW: I try not to let preconceived notions of what support and community should be keep me from appreciating and accepting and participating in the different kinds of support and community available to me. As always, great post. Thank you.

What a great video and refreshing perspective. Thank you! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Great content Sean, as always. I would point out that some people would refer to this as co-opetition or cooperative competition. It is a healthy way to ensure not only business growth but industry growth as well. Thanks again.

Sean you are constantly inspiring those who watch your videos. Compete, support and take joy in the success of our peers creates such a positive aura in our area of practice is the best way to be successful. Thank you for your encouragement and inspiration.

First thing thank you for creating this channel 🙏. I as i am sure many others out there do struggle to mix with others on a daily basis no mater how hard we try. Im a very solitary person but wish I wasn't. I struggle to mix and talk to new people if I find my self in a crowd (invited or not) I can ofter disappear so far into the back ground I find im no longer in the crowd. Im over the road or down the street im away from the chat, the action, the mixing and then start to feel whats the point. This happens way too ofter for my liking and no mater how I try to solve it I can not mix. I wish from the bottom of my heart I could but I can't Again thank you for this channel. Channels like this are my companion channels like this are my friend your images and storeys keep not just me but others like me going. You and others keep my head above water on a daily basis Thank you

Great subject but you have to admit that these are a total different breed of people, these people were/are doers with a creative curiosity to do stuff, different generation. They had/have a hunger to learn, not only about their craft but also about other crafts. Today's "photographers" (I would say 80% based on what you read in comments all over the place) they are busy crying about autofocus, framerate, 4K, 8K raw video, back display, menu, silly lens stuff , iPhone, and of course the biggest thread to them now is AI. They couldn't produce decent material without slapping a LUT, filters, or presets on it. I have yet to meet people with a skillset that are not happy to talk about their work and share their knowledge and experience. There is no difference between the photography and any other business. Cheers, Happy Monday :)

You're right Sean, many photogs are creating in a vacuum. I think its from so many self taught photogs who havent had the classroom experience to work with others. Also, many creatives are introverts who don't seek out those they don't know Soo many of the greats actually knew and hung out with each other. Musicians, producers, etc This is great when you don't have back stabbing or jealousy.

There's a bit of "chicken and Egg" feel about this ... for example Gregarious people , extroverts etc - will naturally gravitate towards genres like Family/wedding/portrait/event photography (and join in meet ups etc ) ... more introverted types go towards Street/landscape/architecture . You tubers are a slightly different category as their photography is mostly secondary to the entertainment side of their art. I love collaborating with other shooters but I often shoot solo female models and having a second photographer there seems to dampen down their willingness to get involved in the creative side

Great video. I'm currently working on setting up a media cooperative in Norwich so that we can create a dedicated group who believe in this idea too. As a side note, I think you'd really love the writings of Abdullah Ocalan and Murray Bookchin. Similar thinking about a wider issue. Thanks for the work you do.

Another phenomenal perspective. Competition is challenging but it doesn’t have to be. I wonder how much do our cultural context and market place industries influence the embrace or complications of competition. The States have a totally different value for competition that has harmed many people. I love your thoughts on this Bro. …. Quick question: When you zoom back and forth in your videos, are you using two different camera? Or are you just zooming in and out in post production in the same video angle?

You don’t want to walk your photographic journey alone. It’s much more rewarding when shared.

Excellent Sean. Your message will resonate for many, and hopefully make us all think more deeply about our relationships in the wonderful community of photographers. Hope your lecture/talk series is the big success it deserves to be.

We create in solitude but like myself and many others, we do come together every week, in Camera Clubs, all around the country. My club for instance, last week was a practical night where we share knowledge and this week is titled "Distinctions and Salons - How to Enter and Who Did Well" and next week is the Challenge Shield and we also have guest speakers who share their experiences and knowledge, so sharing and competition is rooted deep in camera clubs, competitions is a great way of learning, when all the images from a competition is assessed by a RPS trained judge. In short we support and work together to improve our photography

Sean, another great piece of advice and encouragement to make photographers look at each other as friends and collaborators rather than people in the way. I go out with friends from time to time, one in particular because she knows the best places in London, the markets, the streets of East London which I know very little of. So I get to locations I would never have gotten too in my entire life and she gets to see how I approach street photography. And it's not a one-way street either, I learn things back and shots I don't see because I'm busy looking in the other direction. Every day is a school day I tell myself. Your talks are good, I'm going to miss the one in York but as I mentioned before, I was at the Sheffield one. I had to do a presentation to a photography group I'm in and under my influence, there you were. Because it's not just the Ricoh GRll that you turned me on to - a camera that gets used by me every day - but the mental approach to the craft of street photography as well. As always, thank you.

I was a member of my local photography club. I had a great time and was Club President 3 times. I only sought to improve on my own work and did my best to cultivate a Spirit others work.

My husbands Great Grandpa Sherman Trease, started with other artists, a community in Balboa Park. I can only imagine the support they gave eachother how they were able to grow because of eachother.

Could not agree more.People don't realise that this creative journey is much better to do it with people around you who can support you and criticise your work or vice versa. At the end of the day is a win win for everyone involved. Hope this times we are living it make people and creatives to stand all together that's be great!!Thanks for the inspiration Sean!!

Thanks for your thoughts on this, Sean. I was disappointed that I wasn't available for your meet-up in York. If you are coming to Scarborough anytime feel free to drop me a line there are some places there that I think you will like although I know you've explored the area on your own a little already.

Your seriously one of the most influential talkers I have come across online. Your so true to yourself and what you believe in. Keep up the great work.

Sean, I've always enjoyed your videos and your sharing of the journey you've gone through. Thank you!

Ignore my username it’s old but I just want to say, This video has given me a sense of new perspective, I am started university this week and felt overwhelmed by classmates who were ahead of me within photography, and I felt as if I was making a bad decision and that I couldn’t compete, but now I see it differently and hope to better my photography with a community and class of others who just want the same!

I appreciated this video and ideally aspire to find a group that is supportive through time. Clearly some are able to maintain their uniqueness. So many examples of artists who improved through expansion. Are you coming to the States?

The current most common meaning used for 'competition' has swayed away from the working definition you have described.

If you go through the etymology of some of the very common known words, how those words are origined will quite surprising in first look. But after looking more closely to the words it will seem like the current understanding and usage of those words maybe slightly feel like kind of silly. If we see why those changes happen in meaning, in most cases those words are used for commercial purposes. By the word commercial it does not only imply on the money-oriented perspective. Popularity and many other cases like also be considered.

We are so afraid of judgement that we’d rather not seek out other creators and hear their opinions and feedback/tips. I believe this is all thanks for social media where everyone claims to know it all judge people with a simple stroke of the keyboard 🤷‍♂️

Great video as always. I truely believe in competitive friendship. By the way, to plan to give a talk in Germany, too? Greetings from the Palatinate, Michael

Love that Whitby B-Roll! One of our favourite places to go, beside The Lake District of course haha.

I like the video and a message for support and co-operation between artists, but I disagree with you because the context of the meaning of the word "compete" has diverged from its origins and it exclusively means to contest, to vie or to rival - terms which champion outcomes of elimination of all other participants.

Love you Sean. My heart is filled every time I come here 💛

Great video Sean. Truly inspiring. I hope someday you come to Spain for one oh those talks.

"A rising tide raises all boats" has been a saying I've loved for a long time. Long story short, when I was shooting weddings, I worked hard to maintain relationships with fellow photographers in my area and we would refer clients to each other all the time.

I was just watching an anime called Vinland Saga, which I am going to quote from. “No one is your enemy…there is no one you need to hurt”. Photography will risk losing value once we focus and fight for fame, money, or power. Thank you for clarifying the definition of competition.

I most definitely agree tho to an extent I don't have it not dew to my own effort tho 😅 but baby steps, it's definitely a problem with the social media generation tho and truthfully I think it's gonna get worst hmmmm 😔

All of the great art innovations of at least the 19th and twentieth century were not accomplished by solitary geniuses but rather groups of artists who inspired each other and worked with and off of each other.

There is a place for "ethical competition" in that collaborators in the same space or even working toward a similar goal can still work together separately without actively working against one another. Boxers do this all the time, sparring with one another to prepare for fights, even though they may end up fighting each other one day. The best approach will always be to recognize that we all get better when we all get better, and competition can facilitate that mindset. Excellent content, Sean.

Hey Sean, Thankyou for sharing your aspect on this matter. This really cleared my mind on how to manage creative friendships and to grow from them 💪🏻🤌🏻.

Well said!

Thanks for the reframing. As soon as anything feels competitive as we generally understand I’m out. I hate that aggressive, push pull space. But that reframing - seeking together - now that I thoroughly relish!

I really enjoyed this video. Thanks for making it! Every photographer should watch this!!

Great perspective! Thank you for sharing.

Massive thanks for your inspirational videos from a loyal supporter!

Wow. My mind is blown away, again... Thank you Sean

Sean, love your videos. There's not a single video you've made that I haven't sat through the entire thing and just thoroughly enjoyed what you've created. Thank you!

How I wish you lived closer to us Aussies! Please please please come to Australia!

Bravo and Thank you for this topic Sean! ❣

The problem is all these instagram photographers that have become famous is they are not humble at all

Your videos always offer a fresh perspective that I really appreciate! Thank you for not good getting caught up in product reviews and keeping it honest!

Wonderful video and more importantly a great message

The real competition is with yourself.

Amazing video, as always. And I totally agree!!!

Much love, Sean.

Great post, Sean, love it -- thanks. :)

Great message here. I was particularly intrigued by the etymology of “compete.” The idea of seeking together versus the the common meaning of compete in our own time is quite a journey. I’m curious how that happened, how that usage morphed, there must be a story there. Also I note the message of your talk and your origins in the Christian ministry - perhaps your calling hasn’t changed as much as one might think.

Nice to remember us the meanings of the word competition. In these days we are loosing the reel sens of our vocabulary. Nice topic, thanks.

Sean, i've always enjoyed your take on photography along with your observations of the mental state that one must be in to truly achieve their goals. Whether it be fun or art or the profession, or all three. I don't need photography to put food on the table, but this one was very personal as it applies to so many things we do in our daily lives and how we engage with others of like mind especially as we pursue what gives us pleasure. Your illustrations of collaborations/friendships from great creators was really the icing. I hope you make it to LA in your travels as I'd love to join you and others in a meet up. I'm a native and moved back after 9 years in NYC, and I can safely say this is not an easy town to make these types of connections - unlike NY. Maybe the problem is so few people are actually FROM Los Angeles. I'm trying....Thanks again for a thought provoking episode.

Phew, much needed. I’m usually really positive towards other people, but at times I’ve found that I have that knee jerk reaction of not wanting to share a certain technique or knowledge with someone less experienced because maybe it took me over a year to develop it, and I would be able to pretty much teach them within 10 minutes. (Sure, they’d still need to practice, but it would be a huge shortcut. There is such a thing as a genuine breakthrough in learning.) I realize that this is motivated by fear - fear of them getting ahead of me with hardly any effort when I had to put in so much work and teach myself through lots of trial and error. What’s worse: I think there’s that fear that someone else might be more talented than me and they’ll get ahead simply because they’re BETTER than me. Of course I can’t let that happen, so I should guard my secrets with my life! How pernicious is that? But the truth is: oftentimes I would’ve been able to learn things faster from someone more experienced than me. Nothing I do involves "industry secrets" by a longshot. I just didn’t ask. But I sure appreciate every bit of helpful advice that I’m offered. So I should be happy to share what I know with others! We’re all better off for it if we support each other. Thanks Sean for the sermon 🙃

you plan doing 4k videos?

This was great Sean, something I have been thinking about a lot recently and you put it perfectly! Thank you for creating and putting your thoughts and work out there.

this is another great video, hope all artist are helping and caring each other.

I can learn in a day working with other photographers what would take me like 3 months to figure out on my own shooting casually. The most fun I ever had in photography might have been an all day workshop I did in Mexico doing fashion shooting. I learned so much and it was a blast hanging out with professionals who had some big accomplishments under their belts.

I think this is one of the top five Sean Tucker videos.

Sean glad to see you back on the screen, I agree what you say its the only way you can grow with your hobby or profession, at 84 years old I am always learning from young people.