Balancing the Emotional and the Rational (a thought for makers)

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Music licensed with Epidemic Sound:
'Himalayan Moon' by Aerian
In this video I talk about the need to balance our rational and our emotional sides as makers of things. I also read an except from my latest book, "The Meaning in the Making".
#creativity #philosophy #thinkingvsfeeling

[@dartagnanpascaljoseph3985]

"Art is at its best when it's delivered from one heart to another" Thank you, Sean.

[@pauloliveira1989]

That line make my day.

[@pal2tech]

That other side of my brain is spinning right now. Great video! 👍

[@danoncho]

You are one of the most inspiring people I've ever listened to. Thank you for everything Sean!

[@JasonLA]

Ditto this…

[@ingabett]

Didn’t expect to be crying when watching a photo video! That story about the boy was so touching ❤ Thank you for the insight about finding a balance between heart and head, I now know what I have to work with.

[@my.penny.wagers]

I learned this from a Disney animator and all around brilliant guy: refining your work requires oscillating between the head and the heart. Iterating is a process of making finer and finer adjustments, either to the emotional or rational aspect of the work, to get closer to the perfect balance. But you don’t start with this balance in place: you probably started with the emotional or rational, depending on how you’re built. He uses a spiral to illustrate this, halved in the center with one side depicting emotional tweaks, the other the rational, as you encircle the goal of your finished work. Always liked that explanation. To me I think it applies not only to the course of our work over time, but to a single image: from first noticing or getting the idea, to all the work you do to get ready to hit the shutter.

[@seantuck]

Great analogy

[@abelardojeda]

My two cents: When I was studying graphic design, there was this theory about the black box designer vs the crystal box designer. The first one starts sketching right away without any boundaries, later, the document or design can be corrected with a framework/grid to balance and even to discover if the design do not fit the requirements. The crystal box designer works in the opposite way, by starting with the framework and then designing every step to snap every element. The black box is the emotional side, the crystal box is the rational side… either way, you need to use both, but you choose the right one for you. I personally work faster by using the black box method. In photography, I use this by looking for the mood first (the light and meaning) and later in the composition. 🙋🏻‍♂️

[@chriscard6544]

very interesting, I start contemplating with my emotions as if it was my last time to look at the place, street or people, then I compose by substraction to minimalism. so im a crystal box with emotions how to shape the diamond, so I have a cube that I turn into a sphere with emotion

[@robertsherrow3627]

I primarily do portrait work with emerging artists in the music industry and before the photo shoot with a new client, I arrange to meet over coffee or lunch to discuss their goals for the project and how we want to proceed. This gives me the opportunity to connect with the person behind the music, tap into the emotional fuel I need for the inspiration of the shoot. During the actual photo session, whether in a studio or on location, a more rational side emerges as I use my experience and skill set to guide them through the process, but allowing room for spontaneity and discovery so that the emotional element and connection with my subject is never lost. So yes, for me there is a definite balancing act of the two.

[@larrybell5144]

Your insights and the way you explore and examine the process and inspiration related to creating art and expressing our experience of life is always moving and motivating!

[@LukeRBrady]

I agree 100%

[@geoffmphotography9444]

I already know 'how to'. I have all the kit I need without any desire to change. So it's good to view a channel that looks more deeply into things, be it photography or any other creative medium.

[@joshatyt]

This is incredibly moving Sean Thank you

[@davecarrera]

3 years into my photography I have joined a local Camera Club and already benefiting by sharing what I do and accepting the constructive criticism given. I can not believe that little old me am now sharing my film shooting, developing and enlarging skills I have learned with a couple of the fellow club members. Its great to have a focus in photography. As always Sean I wish you well.

[@bikecommuter24]

Procrastination so true. Not just photography I also do fitness mostly walking-running and Bicycling I sometimes don't feel like doing them but I get up and do it anyway and feel a lot better after doing them.

[@carbonejack]

I'm a "feeler" on Myers-Briggs. My feelings are inside, introverted. I'm sentimental to a fault. I can go off into daydreams in an instant. Moreover, I'm a bit of a perfectionist, which keeps me looking for the perfect, and so, I struggle with translating those feelings into photography. I can sit around thinking about going out and photographing, but never get to it. So, this video hits me where I live. It's the thinking, rational part I lack. The discipline that will make me get up out of my chair and away from the computer screen and go out and create. Once I make the decision to get out, and I begin, things fall into place. Making decisions is my weak place. That's where I need to focus, and create the balance you speak of.

[@katefalconer]

You're not alone, Jack.

[@sheilagatehouse7589]

Ditto to what Kate said..... you're not alone....been going through that especially these last few months....being rational takes up a lot of energy but when I do get out I'm always glad to have made the decision...

[@filmguy3d]

Thank you, Sean. From the heart.

[@benjidoerr]

I have learned so much about this from my practice in music.

[@e.conwaybryansr.8626]

My dear Brother, as usual you take us on a life-learning journey. I'm so encouraged to watch you and your body of work grow through the years. Peace and HOPE. ...stay on the wall.

[@Jeffswildlifeadventures]

You always make me think, which results in me getting better, more balanced and stronger as a story teller. Unfortunately I still have a long ways to go but am enjoying the process like nothing else I have ever experienced in my life. Thank you!

[@davidletz9123]

Absolutely superb.

[@UncleTerry1001]

very well said and presented with obvious conviction. Thank you.

[@AleRodrigues]

Anyone here who already read the book also cried again when he quoted that boy’s story again?

[@DenisDolisy]

Thank you for your insights and thought provoking video. You've just made me realize how I approach my work and how I'm going through a process of change at the moment. Being an INFJ as you are, I always approached my work from the thinking side (which I didn't even realize) and am only now slowly allowing my feelings to impact my work (going along with other changes in my life).

[@yybigfish]

Thank you Sean. Your heart is so soft.

[@yybigfish]

Thank you, Sean. Your heart is incredibly tender.

[@rafaelgade3316]

This topic reminds me of an idea by Fernando Pessoa (a Portuguese poet), he mentions often in his books that we should "Feel with our thinking" :) Thanks for another great video!

[@GoranSlika]

Great stuff

[@alicejwho]

Thank you. As an INFJ 4w5 enneagram type, this really resonates with me 😊

[@chipsoutre]

Wow. Being a teacher myself, I could relate so much to this little story about the boy and it moved me to tears! I'm glad I came across your channel - such inspiring input! Thanks for sharing, Sean!

[@frederickarcala4749]

Thank you for your insights into growth and creativity.

[@teocrawford]

Every video of your’s makes the amount of thought you put into this medium and the art of photography so clear and sparks further thoughts for myself, thank you so much Sean🙏🏼

[@ChristineWilsonPhotography]

Fabulous winter images Sean and great advice as always

[@boristahmasian9604]

Thank you Sean for this video. I think you opened a Pandoras box with this video. I can easily see an entire symposium or gathering of the masses (artists) to discuss and explore what you have so casually and elegantly articulated. I for one can speak and share my thoughts, emotions, and experiences for hours on end and I am sure those experiences would resonate with many as we all struggle with the very two areas you cover in your video. I am much older than you and feel like I am running out time to say (photographically) what is in my heart. I had to invoke the rational side of me last year to get off my butt and go do it! Some 150+ keeper (five-star if you will) images later, I think I am ready to present what my heart told my mind to do and the mind, begrudgingly I might add, obliged. We shall see if the viewing audience agrees. THANK YOU AGAIN.

[@katefalconer]

Boris, Are you showing them online anywhere? I would like to see what you have wanted to say.

[@boristahmasian9604]

@@katefalconer Hi Kate, I am in the process of the final selection and edits. I do not have a website yet but will have one set up by the end of April. I have not decided what social media platform I am going to use. Are you an artist? If so, do you use social media and what do you suggest.

[@shyun4313]

I thought a lot about the topic of today's lecture. Thank you for showing us a good video 🙏

[@ibarrabenjamin1]

Sean. Thanks for this wonderful video. Strive to be a more balanced person, that’s everyday’s challenge. You are truly an inspiration.

[@ant0nde5u]

Finding the "wise mind" (the healthy balance between the emo and ratio mind) is the essence of dialectal behavior therapy (DBT) and one of the skills called "opposite acting" is literally explained at minute 3. It's eye-opening to get this theory explained in terms of art in particular.

[@jpotter229]

I’m so glad @thephotographiceye recommend your channel! You truly have helped me more then words! 🙏🙏🙏

[@zvitkovits]

Very inspiring, indeed. Thank you.

[@shannond4142]

I come to your channel when I feel like I need a deeper conversation, when I just need more than the average daily interaction can provide. That type of thoughtful interaction is largely missing from our culture today. Well, for me at least... Thank you.

[@alexlee3227]

As a painter who is trying to learn photography, this resonated with me as I *do* need to be more “thinky” and conceptual with my art, in all the forms that comes in, and I’ve known it for a long time. I’m actually an art teacher but can be a little bit too obsessed with materials and how to show emotion through process and experimentation, when I could definitely focus more on ideas. Communicating my feelings with raw emotion has a value, but the balance you talk about is absolutely essential to progress and become a better creative. Luckily photography is helping me to do that and feeds back into the painting. It’s nice to be given a push and a reminder of the things I could be better at by watching this video. I truly love every single video you make Sean, there’s a wonderful mixture of technical guidance and philosophical thinking. Reading the comments beneath your videos (as I often do), it’s clear you’re getting through to so many people and I hope you can see that we’re all grateful for your time. Thank you.

[@asantatrafm]

Thank you to put words on the process to "make/do" an image. I'm more a rational phototographer. It starts with construction of the image: thinking what, who, when and how ? Then I'm looking for situations which bring emotions to me and others people too. By this way, I'm not always satisfy because I "overthink" 😅. That's why sometimes I need to look first something that make emotions, then thinking how I can take the picture to "write" à good meaning... 😊

[@emanuelbief7088]

I need more order in my character and emotions because i always want to share inmediatley my photos

[@dennislee8253]

I really do love all these inspirational videos. The interviews and these thoughtful process talks. Great work Sean, thank you and please keep them coming.

[@JonathanRobinson11]

Thank you for this. So great.

[@markuswipfler2995]

Another video bearing an awesome „depth“. Thank you, Sean.👍

[@melvinshuster]

Thanks Sean.

[@user-yr8qu4ec1u]

I really enjoy your videos, I find them very uplifting!!

[@david_allen1]

Fantastic topic, well addressed. Although I never thought about the Myers-Brigg test the way you describe, I think you are right -- we're both thinking and feeling and I tend to be like you -- thinking is my fallback, so I need to focus on the feeling side more. Perhaps that will help me find more inspiration in making inspired images where I live, where I normally think of the area as lacking interesting subjects as it is so rural. Thank you! I'm glad I took Alex Kilbee's advice!

[@helmoh]

Thank you Sean.

[@sarrarnaser9038]

Thank you sean

[@FlyenNun1]

This was wonderful, Sean. Thank you! Walk in your truth ❤

[@broken12367]

Beautiful as always Sean

[@LyndseyMacPherson]

Thank you, Sean. So needed to hear this.

[@_andy_gibb_]

That's a great message and as someone steeped in a thinking career I've found that it's been very rewarding to cultivate more feeling in my creative endeavours. Thanks Sean.

[@swedesrus25]

As always, thank you. I am reading your book now and finding it as inspiring as your KZbin chats. Well done!

[@tomjsmith000]

Wow. What a video. I'll be ordering your book.

[@sk8r4l3f]

Making my journey toward the rational side is difficult, but your words made me even more inspired to do so.

[@sewdramatic5587]

ty. I need to do some video editing, today. I was feeling very bleah because I find it hard to get my inertia moving and working for me. This helped me move forward, in a better head space

[@AB-qh7zm]

Hey Sean,thank you for these videos man. It helps people like me to have depth and substance in life. I appreciate it brother.

[@GeoChild]

Great message. Thank you Sean.

[@tonymorrison1145]

Love all your videos

[@gavinthomas6257]

Thank you

[@giuseppecalabro6873]

Love the way you explain

[@a97b18b]

A favorite quote of mine is, “ action comes before motivation “.

[@quanietrichards5132]

Great video....exactly the space I am in at the moment....was having this exact conversation with my wife recently...thank you 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@bcegerton]

Wonderful story Sean, great video too

[@jtinoco9859]

Balance is the real struggle.

[@angelamaloney4871]

Sean . . . If you can recognize that the lack of self awareness is a weakness, then you’re already more self aware than most people. I think you may underestimate yourself. Perhaps your work on the weakness has paid off. As for me, I’m an INFP. I always do well at the feeling and expressiveness part of making. I’ve never had anyone tell me that my photos lack emotion or fail to emotionally move them. And I think that photography is so important to me because it allows me a way of expression. But I’m very close to being an INTP instead. I’m barely an F. I think that allows me to pretend to be unemotionally thoughtful, even when the feelings, and sometimes a definite lack of discipline, are what really carry me away much more often. A close friend who knew me well once called me a glassy calm atop a stormy sea. And I think that’s about right.

[@MundtStefan]

❤ Thank you for the inspiring video 😊

[@ryanlawnphotography]

Great message.

[@josephearl]

Brilliant.

[@christopherbarber9351]

Thank you, Sean. It might be interesting to consider the Enneagram types and how those personality types influence the approach to work.

[@migueljohnson432]

Thank you!

[@RickB500]

As Hesse said in the Glasperlenspiel: "Wir sollen nicht aus der Vita activa in die Vita contemplativa fliehen, noch umgekehrt, sondern zwischen beiden wechselnd unterwegs sein, in beiden zuhause sein, an beiden teilhaben." But is this not to much illusion and a dream of harmony? No, as you said it, you have to work for it, work on your weak side. Good luck too!

[@katefalconer]

Beautiful, reassuring, and inspiring, Sean. And the story you read was powerful. I am heading off to look for that book now.

[@seantuck]

Thanks Kate:)

[@romiemiller7876]

Engineer R. Buckmiestrer Fuller said that monological thinking seeks single answers, and therre are none. I got a painting like that several decades ago. I had it framed & put it on the wall. Remember Kiereggard's (spelling?) "When a woman makes an alter cloth"?

[@christianavilesruiz4691]

Hello Sean! Since I found your suggested videos on KZbin, your content is one of my favorites on the platform. Your videos have been a great source of learning and inspiration. I really love the quote about Nietzsche at the beginning of the video, could you share which book or writing do you took it from? I would love to read more about that. Thank you for all your teachings!

[@TravisHenson777]

“There are two types of people in this world; those that divide people into one of two groups, and those that don’t.”

[@frankc3834]

This is great. Would love to hear your thoughts on loneliness and creativity.

[@tititatiti]

I don't think that the "rational"people do rational things just for the sake of logic or rationality. They operate this way because they ultimately seek a feeling (success, fulfilment, joy etc). So it's always about arriving at a positive feeling state. Thanx for another great video!

[@MakersTeleMark]

Sean: I find your own analysis so limiting in an ironic way. My 2 decade old job requires me to balance perfectly the emotional with the uber rational, and I've been shooting for 35 years, and my photography mimics the same personality trait. It's massive bipolar between the analytical and the purely emotional. This carries on through my personal life as well. I can plan a perfect plan on any front, then go home and ball my eyes out given the gravity. Perhaps that is what my style is which I am very confident in, pushing the edge between composition and emotion. Clinically perfect, messy af at other times. Life, in all of its expressions is a matter of spectrum. There are no hard lines. Just like you and your divorce and your spiritual practice. I once years ago did a photography project called Not B&W. Some C41, some B&W, a BIPOC documentary. I think that applies globally. I understand your intention with the video, but it is deceptively oversimplified. I represent abused people in court. Think about that balance required. It ties in perfectly. Balance the spectrum, like taming a sine curve. That is my life. I know others who shoot who are on the tops and bottoms, the lefts and rights. I can understand, but not relate.

[@DiviPhotos]

very nice video

[@storysupport]

Good stuff Sean. I think that we can USE our strengths to complement less-strong talents. For instance, your thinking and discipline can be used to consistently put yourself in the position (mental, physical, opportunity) for your creativity to exist. A practice & routine can & will be used to remind your mind/body/spirit when it is time for creativity. I think creativity, and its inspiration, can be strengthened like a muscle, so your thinking/discipline talent brings forth the opportunity for you to exercise your creativity, reliably. They work together, all the time, so don’t turn OFF your strength, use it for support.

[@storysupport]

This is, of course, my respectful opinion. “You” = any/everyone in this case, including myself.

[@mrdev9843]

👍👍

[@frankieg7575]

food for thought...

[@tristanharmsen7796]

Great video! I've never heard creativity explained like this. Can you explain please what you mean by "self-indulgent" in this video? I'd like to understand because it might be a problem that I have haha

[@quentinwhitfield4762]

I wish I had seen this video 40 years ago.

[@farazshah1740]

I’m in my late 40s and have been watching you since you appeared on stage at a photo conference many years ago talking about using available light. While I enjoy the quotes you include in your videos I can’t read them on mobile screen because the font is too small for me. Can you please increase the font or just read them out

[@tom_ko8070]

Brother in arms in the constant struggle…

[@Notmy00000]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@kennethakennetha]

please make another video of interviewing a street photographer

[@alexsteiner7544]

Why do we need to be consistent? It's an area I'm discussing with a few photographers now and why can't we just go out with a camera and take photographs. If I want to do some landscape one day, street the next and then a bit of portraiture is that a bad thing?

[@seantuck]

No. Do whatever you want my friend. However if you want to go pro, work for clients or produce work to sell as an artist one day, it will be something you may have to consider.

[@alexsteiner7544]

@@seantuck I get from a professional point of view consistency matters as you need to have something to show as your work to clients so they know what they are getting but the vast majority of people never go pro and at most sell the odd image here or there yet this idea of needing to be consistent is always thrown around and I just think it hurts more than helps in that situation

[@seantuck]

@@alexsteiner7544 I have a whole video on this topic of consistency my friend. I won't repeat it here, but watch it if you're interested. I don't think it's a good or bad issue. Employ it if it's right for you, ignore it of it isn't. Don't overthink it.

[@alexsteiner7544]

​@@seantuck thank you I will look it up. I don't think it's a matter of overthinking it I just think that sometimes the message from many KZbinrs and other photographers is this need for consistency and I just don't agree. I don't spend my life campaigning it though haha will have a look

[@seantuck]

@@alexsteiner7544 if you listen back you'll hear me say 'IF you feel like your work isn't consistent enough, then...' There's no prescription in anything I've said here. It's up to you to decide what's important, and if consistency isn't, then don't worry about it... no matter what any KZbinr says.

[@tobycunningham797]

This 84th message is unlikely to be read by Sean (or anyone else) but to a degree I think you are wrong. As adults we all have traits that are baked in (whether we articulate them in Myers-Briggs terms or not) . No-one is wholly complete and we are one or the other on a sliding scale. I am not a completer finisher, terrible at it. I can complete and finish but it’s painful and I don’t annoy it, rather than spending all my days trying to become something I’m not the light bulb moment was to know what I am like and that there are others who can do the things I can’t. I think your better of spending your energies being your best self, concentrate on you strengths and make the super powers rather than dwelling in the failure of what you are not. My tuppenceworth.

[@Buttercup697]

You felt that connection to the little boys artwork because you created a connection to the little boy. It was about the connection the boy, not the art. (Edit: I’m a former art teacher… I have a small box of really bad, really meaningful student art 😉)

[@seantuck]

Of course. But it's still the art which communicated that connection. I hope you didn't hear me say that all kids art is profound?

[@34136TS]

Hmmm, ADHD / motivation / dopamine. It's not quite as easy from the inside.

[@storysupport]

It may be different, but not necessary harder. Different is good, we just have to find OUR way. 😉

[@34136TS]

@@storysupport

[@graemeallan7883]

So, according to your own assessment, and that of Whole Brain Thinker/Researcher, Ned Herrmann, you have an A-B Quadrant thinking preference with some D Quadrant - Creativity - mixed into that combination. To suggest that we need to be 'rational' in our creative, also read 'photographic endeavours', makes me puke which explains why I stop now and leave the room :-)

[@marike1100]

“Maker” has to be among the most pretentious, self-congratulatory terms in use today. Other than that, good talk.