“Put things out…, every failure becomes a learning experience . . .” - Sean Tucker

It is that time of the year again, the snow is slowly melting, spring is almost knocking at the door and Sean Tucker is releasing a new book.

Well, this was my intro a month ago when I received Sean’s book and was preparing this review. A lot has happened in the meantime and I had to spend three weeks in isolation. However, as they say, "Every cloud has a silver lining" and I was able to get through the majority of my projects and prepare a lot of videos/articles. Today I am happy to show you Sean Tucker’s "Collection IV."

You can let me know on my Instagram your favourite image from the book, for a chance to win a copy.

It always amazes me what someone can produce if he goes out and shoots day after day after day. The previous book, The Collection III is sitting on my table reminding me every time I look at it that if you keep a focus on your goal you can achieve anything you want to achieve. And producing 90 photographs that are worth printing is, for sure, not an easy goal. Especially when we take into account how complicated it was for us photographers to go out and shoot during 2020.

Sean Tucker is a photographer, filmmaker, and writer, based in the United Kingdom and he shares his photography journey on his YouTube channel, which I'm sure a lot of you have already seen by now.

Now, a book like this is not made overnight. I have always believed that planning is very useful and a great system can help you to achieve even greater goals little by little. Each collection is built every year, picture by picture with Sean using his system, his way, to build it. Sean goes out shooting multiple times per week and from there he selects 365 images (366 every now and then) that he posts on his Instagram.From there he selects about 100, maybe 110 images, which he prints, and starts picking the ones he would like to use as well as sequencing them. The result is one limited collection every year which is not reprinted again.

Now, let’s talk about the images. There are 45 black and white as well as 45 color images. The sub-theme let’s say, is usually a little different every year depending on what Sean focuses on each year. The main theme of Sean’s photography is light and shadow. And I am pretty sure you already know that if you follow Sean on Instagram. They are not your typical reportage street photographs but there is still something unique about Sean’s style and how he takes photographs.

“a lot of street photographers would say what I do it's not street photography, street photography is traditionally more about shooting subjects or individuals I don't really do that I kind of look at interesting lines and the subject is kind of incidental...” - Sean Tucker

I believe, if you like this type of photography and are looking for some inspiration, this book might be a good pick for you.

I like Sean’s books because they remind me that just like Rome wasn’t built in a day, perseverance is the key to whatever goal you might be chasing. Following people chasing similar goals will help you on your way to the top. Maybe this type of photography is not for you or maybe it is. Either way, the message he sends out inspires me every year. After all, he truly lives by what he says:

“The act of shooting will make you a better photographer much faster than having a fancy camera.” - Sean Tucker

Sean's links:

Instagram

YouTube​

Website​