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The Meaning in the Making: The Why and How Behind Our Human Need to Create
Become inspired, find your voice, and create work that matters. Why are human beings driven to make? It’s as if we collectively intuited, long before science gave us the language, that the universe bends toward entropy, and every act of creation on our part is an act of defiance in the face of that evolving disorder. When we pick up a paintbrush, or compose elements through our camera viewfinders, or press fingers into wet clay to wrestle form from a shapeless lump, we are bending things back toward Order and wrestling them from Chaos. But making things is often not enough. We also want the things we make to be filled with meaning. We’re each trying to describe what we know about life, to create a collective sense of “safety in numbers.” When we reach the end of our traditional descriptive powers, it’s time to weave collective meaning from poetry, painting, writing, dancing, photographing, filmmaking, storytelling, singing, animating, designing, performing, carving, sculpting, and a million other ways we daily create Order out of the Chaos and share it with each other for comfort. On this journey we need a creative philosophy which will help us find our voice, discover our message, deal with the responses to our work, maintain inspiration, and stay mentally healthy and motivated creators as we strive to find “the meaning in the making.”
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Order
Chapter 2: Logos
Chapter 3: Breath
Chapter 4: Voice
Chapter 5: Ego
Chapter 6: Control
Chapter 7: Attention
Chapter 8: Envy
Chapter 9: Critique
Chapter 10: Feel
Chapter 11: Shadows
Chapter 12: Meaning
Chapter 13: Time
Chapter 14: Benediction
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Order
Chapter 2: Logos
Chapter 3: Breath
Chapter 4: Voice
Chapter 5: Ego
Chapter 6: Control
Chapter 7: Attention
Chapter 8: Envy
Chapter 9: Critique
Chapter 10: Feel
Chapter 11: Shadows
Chapter 12: Meaning
Chapter 13: Time
Chapter 14: Benediction
328 pages, Paperback
Published August 7, 2021
263 people are currently reading
861 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
September 6, 2021
As a huge fan of Sean’s videos on YouTube I instantly pre ordered this book as a show of support for the amazing content he’s shared over the years.
If you’ve watched his videos you’ll recognize the voice this book is written in. It’s one that concise clear and easy to understand. He’s taking some universal truths about creativity and making them wonderfully easy to digest.
I’d recommend this book as a great gift to any creative but especially those just starting on their journey
If you’ve watched his videos you’ll recognize the voice this book is written in. It’s one that concise clear and easy to understand. He’s taking some universal truths about creativity and making them wonderfully easy to digest.
I’d recommend this book as a great gift to any creative but especially those just starting on their journey
November 15, 2021
Sean Tucker has been the first artist I really felt connected to on YouTube for speaking the truth without embellishing reality and pushing me to look for something deeper than short-term success or shallow recognition in my photographic journey.
'The meaning in the making' embodies Sean's philosophy about art, but also about life, and it has been a invaluable and cherished companion that helped me through a time of questioning in my projects and creative vision. This has undoubtedly been my most refreshing and inspiring read for a while and I highly recommend it for anyone engaged in any artistic endeavors.
'The meaning in the making' embodies Sean's philosophy about art, but also about life, and it has been a invaluable and cherished companion that helped me through a time of questioning in my projects and creative vision. This has undoubtedly been my most refreshing and inspiring read for a while and I highly recommend it for anyone engaged in any artistic endeavors.
September 11, 2021
Read This
If you are a thoughtful artist, this book is for you. It folds philosophy, theology, and psychology into the creating art. I cannot recommend this book enough.
If you are a thoughtful artist, this book is for you. It folds philosophy, theology, and psychology into the creating art. I cannot recommend this book enough.
February 2, 2022
This is a beautifully written book that I would recommend to any creative. The gentle way Tucker encourages everyone to find their meaning in life and shares his own missteps so we can gain from his wisdom.
He's got such a great outlook on life and what matters when it comes to being creative. Including self-doubt, criticism, and how to silence your inner demons. It's a fantastic philosophy and this book will act as a great guide to anyone pursuing a creative pursuit.
He's got such a great outlook on life and what matters when it comes to being creative. Including self-doubt, criticism, and how to silence your inner demons. It's a fantastic philosophy and this book will act as a great guide to anyone pursuing a creative pursuit.
September 17, 2021
A beautifully written and compelling book
Once in a while, a book about creativity comes along, that smacks you in the mouth and compels you to introspect and engage. This book by Sean, is definitely one of those.
Once in a while, a book about creativity comes along, that smacks you in the mouth and compels you to introspect and engage. This book by Sean, is definitely one of those.
December 30, 2022
This book was good…. But I don’t think it tells any mind bottling info… it also seems repetitive and gets a little long. I was fairly disappointed by it.
Still, I finished it, and I’m glad I did. But was definitely hoping for more.
Still, I finished it, and I’m glad I did. But was definitely hoping for more.
October 28, 2021
Sean Tucker has a rare blend of talent, perspective, life experiences and humility.
Even if you don't consider yourself a creator, this book is a worthy read for all.
Even if you don't consider yourself a creator, this book is a worthy read for all.
January 16, 2023
Most effective if you follow Sean's content on Youtube. Although content is widely applicable to the creative artist context, I can assess that it is very helpful to photographers in particular.
So many insights and great phrases to capture. This is by far one of the most highlighted books I have now.
Treating Sean as the guy he claims to be (on Youtube) and not as a formal full-time book author, the writing style is very pleasing. Some paragraphs probably could've been deleted, but still a good read.
He goes full force deep and wide on the struggle-joy paradox that involves creating content for yourself or others. From a very personal approach, he traces what could be a very decent theory on creating art. Using beautiful metaphors from photography, mixing psychology theory, and some pastoral underlying compassion -all of Sean's background story- he manages to take you for a ride on what's really important and gives you clues of how to circumvent and sometimes strait-cross the inevitable and necessary obstacles that you'll encounter when creating.
Definitely a great read.
So many insights and great phrases to capture. This is by far one of the most highlighted books I have now.
Treating Sean as the guy he claims to be (on Youtube) and not as a formal full-time book author, the writing style is very pleasing. Some paragraphs probably could've been deleted, but still a good read.
He goes full force deep and wide on the struggle-joy paradox that involves creating content for yourself or others. From a very personal approach, he traces what could be a very decent theory on creating art. Using beautiful metaphors from photography, mixing psychology theory, and some pastoral underlying compassion -all of Sean's background story- he manages to take you for a ride on what's really important and gives you clues of how to circumvent and sometimes strait-cross the inevitable and necessary obstacles that you'll encounter when creating.
Definitely a great read.
January 7, 2022
I was in the Piccadilly line (London) when I saw a man around 70 reading this book, and as a good reader, I just wanted to know what that book was talking about.
I searched it on Amazon; after reading just 2x reviews I ordered it immediately.
I have nearly finished it and to be honest, I cannot recommend it enough to those who are struggling with their creative process, especially for those who are stuck in the evil circle of social media's judgements.
I'm a photographer too and reading those pages it feels like I wrote that book myself. I face the same issue thinking that as an artist I'm not that good just because I judge the number of followers and likes on my works.
Social media is just a bonus, it doesn't determine how good you are as an artist, regardless of your type of art.
It opened my mind and as a spiritual person, I can find many sentences very close to my point of view regarding life itself as a creative.
I told him personally that this book is a bridge between heaven and earth. it is more than a masterpiece. it's the modern artist's bible.
It helped me to let it go and helped me to detach from this unhealthy cycle of waiting for others to judge what I love to create.
I searched it on Amazon; after reading just 2x reviews I ordered it immediately.
I have nearly finished it and to be honest, I cannot recommend it enough to those who are struggling with their creative process, especially for those who are stuck in the evil circle of social media's judgements.
I'm a photographer too and reading those pages it feels like I wrote that book myself. I face the same issue thinking that as an artist I'm not that good just because I judge the number of followers and likes on my works.
Social media is just a bonus, it doesn't determine how good you are as an artist, regardless of your type of art.
It opened my mind and as a spiritual person, I can find many sentences very close to my point of view regarding life itself as a creative.
I told him personally that this book is a bridge between heaven and earth. it is more than a masterpiece. it's the modern artist's bible.
It helped me to let it go and helped me to detach from this unhealthy cycle of waiting for others to judge what I love to create.
January 16, 2022
Sean Tucker is a portrait photographer who also likes candid street photography. He has one of the newer camera models I bought (RIP, 2021-2021). I found out about him through the sidebar on YouTube searching some of my camera features.
This book is pretty much a philosophical discussion about why we make art, and what makes art resonating. The conversation is generally grounded in photography and other fine artwork examples. I don’t think anything said in this book is groundbreaking. But his ideas on how to be honest and expressive in creating seem pure. It was inspirational to read and I really hung onto the words and finished reading it pretty quickly.
FFO: Joel Meyerowitz, Fan Ho, & Henri Cartier-Bresson
This book is pretty much a philosophical discussion about why we make art, and what makes art resonating. The conversation is generally grounded in photography and other fine artwork examples. I don’t think anything said in this book is groundbreaking. But his ideas on how to be honest and expressive in creating seem pure. It was inspirational to read and I really hung onto the words and finished reading it pretty quickly.
FFO: Joel Meyerowitz, Fan Ho, & Henri Cartier-Bresson
May 19, 2023
Love Sean Tucker’s YouTube channel, this book is a great extension on his philosophical videos about photography. It’s refreshing to read something that focuses on creativity for creativity’s sake. 4.5 stars :)
June 10, 2022
a very beautiful book about the process of creation of just about any piece of art. really loved the poetic play of words about the human psyche and pain.
January 3, 2022
This book exceeded my expectations by oh so much. I’ve been following Sean Tucker for a short while, curious about his progression as a photographer, an inspiring voice in the community, an interesting personality.
Not expecting Sean to be a great writer, I was surprised and delighted to discover an engaging, deep study into the creative process, struggles, hurdles, various aspects of an artist’s journey.
Both truly deep and broad, “Meaning in the making” is also very personal, yet humble, easy to relate to, brave where it needs to be, modest where it doesn’t.
At all times a great read. Sean Tucker sure is good at the “writing” part. But the key messages of the book are hitting home not because of the wordsmith mastery but a deep connection to reality, personal experience, coming from a place of honesty, generosity, and goodwill.
Thank you, Sean!
Not expecting Sean to be a great writer, I was surprised and delighted to discover an engaging, deep study into the creative process, struggles, hurdles, various aspects of an artist’s journey.
Both truly deep and broad, “Meaning in the making” is also very personal, yet humble, easy to relate to, brave where it needs to be, modest where it doesn’t.
At all times a great read. Sean Tucker sure is good at the “writing” part. But the key messages of the book are hitting home not because of the wordsmith mastery but a deep connection to reality, personal experience, coming from a place of honesty, generosity, and goodwill.
Thank you, Sean!
November 23, 2021
One of my favorite photographers (and YouTuber) wrote a book that isn't really about photography. This isn't a "how-to" but a "why-to" guide to the creative process. I would highly recommend this for anyone, as myself, who struggles with finding meaning to a craft, and the inspiration to write, shoot, paint, what have you. It's about trying to create order out of chaos, and speaking your capital T truth.
October 20, 2021
You never want this book to end. Well written and inspiring, an essential read for any creative person out there.
If you've enjoyed Sean's videos over the last few years, show him support and get this book now 👍
If you've enjoyed Sean's videos over the last few years, show him support and get this book now 👍
November 21, 2021
This book helps to answer questions about why are we making things, what can we do to deliver meaning with our creative process. Sean is a great writer, thoughtful and bright, I highly recommend this book.
June 7, 2024
Order
p.5 – If you’re a scientist, you believe in Entropy. The second law of thermodynamics tells us that, left to its own devices, the universe and all things will move into greater states of dis-Order over time.
p.6 – Let’s start by trying to answer the question, “Why are human beings such creative creatures?” Why are we compelled to make?
My humbly offered answer to that impossibly large question is that we make because we are constantly trying to pull Order from Chaos.
I think we collectively intuited, long before science gave us the language, which way the universe is bending, and every act of creation on our part is in defiance of Entropy.
p.7 – Every time we pick up a paintbrush and choose complementary hues to apply to the canvas, or arrange elements through our camera viewfinder to create a pleasing composition, or press fingers into wet clay to wrestle form from a shapeless lump, we are bending things back toward Order and wrestling them from Chaos. […] bending the universe imperceptibly away from disorder and toward life.
We are driven to create because it comforts us in the face of impending disorder. We know that no matter how much we make, we cannot ultimately turn the tide, but we can make things to help us make sense of life. We can make things to ward off the darkness.
Logos
p.15 – Whereas Science tries to provide us with solutions and data, Art isn’t concerned with neat answers. Art is neither careful nor certain. It isn’t trying to prove anything, and it isn’t certain of much. It usually isn��t trying to work things out; instead, it contents itself with describing the way things are. The truth it talks about is the existential, capital “T” Truth, which we human beings intuit but can rarely voice.
p.16 – I think that on the broadest level, we’re moved by created Order.
p.30 – art is most powerful when we are speaking the Truth with the things we make and speaking Order into the collective Chaos.
This is the art that elicits a deep response from us.
p.32 – All art is Logos, and when one of us gets it right, even a little bit, the rest of us feels less alone. We are figuratively holding hands, admitting we won’t ultimately win our war against Entropy – and somehow that’s OK.
Time
p.296 – Carl Jung popularized the idea of the “two halves of life” as a way to describe the progression of human lives, using the analogy of a day split in half by the noonday sun. In the morning, the sun rises until it reaches its zenith at noon, and in the afternoon, it sets, neatly splitting our days in two.
p.297 – He suggested that understanding this progression is important because it can teach us how to respond to the various stages of our lives and to welcome the changes that will inevitably come as “good omens” instead of fearing them.
p.305 – Carl Jung summed it up like this: “The first half of life is devoted to forming a healthy ego, the second half is going inward and letting go of it.” He also suggested that in the afternoon we begin to focus more on the things that count, like the people in our lives and the state of the world at large. Our spirituality expands and becomes more inclusive and less rigid. We become less interested in polarizing politics and have a more flexible view of the future. We’re more open and less insistent about finding neat or simplistic answers in life. We start to let go of out compulsion for control, and we begin to accept where our influence begins and ends. We start to make friends with uncertainty and paradox.
p.5 – If you’re a scientist, you believe in Entropy. The second law of thermodynamics tells us that, left to its own devices, the universe and all things will move into greater states of dis-Order over time.
p.6 – Let’s start by trying to answer the question, “Why are human beings such creative creatures?” Why are we compelled to make?
My humbly offered answer to that impossibly large question is that we make because we are constantly trying to pull Order from Chaos.
I think we collectively intuited, long before science gave us the language, which way the universe is bending, and every act of creation on our part is in defiance of Entropy.
p.7 – Every time we pick up a paintbrush and choose complementary hues to apply to the canvas, or arrange elements through our camera viewfinder to create a pleasing composition, or press fingers into wet clay to wrestle form from a shapeless lump, we are bending things back toward Order and wrestling them from Chaos. […] bending the universe imperceptibly away from disorder and toward life.
We are driven to create because it comforts us in the face of impending disorder. We know that no matter how much we make, we cannot ultimately turn the tide, but we can make things to help us make sense of life. We can make things to ward off the darkness.
Logos
p.15 – Whereas Science tries to provide us with solutions and data, Art isn’t concerned with neat answers. Art is neither careful nor certain. It isn’t trying to prove anything, and it isn’t certain of much. It usually isn��t trying to work things out; instead, it contents itself with describing the way things are. The truth it talks about is the existential, capital “T” Truth, which we human beings intuit but can rarely voice.
p.16 – I think that on the broadest level, we’re moved by created Order.
p.30 – art is most powerful when we are speaking the Truth with the things we make and speaking Order into the collective Chaos.
This is the art that elicits a deep response from us.
p.32 – All art is Logos, and when one of us gets it right, even a little bit, the rest of us feels less alone. We are figuratively holding hands, admitting we won’t ultimately win our war against Entropy – and somehow that’s OK.
Time
p.296 – Carl Jung popularized the idea of the “two halves of life” as a way to describe the progression of human lives, using the analogy of a day split in half by the noonday sun. In the morning, the sun rises until it reaches its zenith at noon, and in the afternoon, it sets, neatly splitting our days in two.
p.297 – He suggested that understanding this progression is important because it can teach us how to respond to the various stages of our lives and to welcome the changes that will inevitably come as “good omens” instead of fearing them.
p.305 – Carl Jung summed it up like this: “The first half of life is devoted to forming a healthy ego, the second half is going inward and letting go of it.” He also suggested that in the afternoon we begin to focus more on the things that count, like the people in our lives and the state of the world at large. Our spirituality expands and becomes more inclusive and less rigid. We become less interested in polarizing politics and have a more flexible view of the future. We’re more open and less insistent about finding neat or simplistic answers in life. We start to let go of out compulsion for control, and we begin to accept where our influence begins and ends. We start to make friends with uncertainty and paradox.
November 4, 2021
أنا متابع قديم للكاتب على قناته باليوتيوب - يجسد هذا الكتاب مقاطع الفيديو الخاصة به بشكل مثالي، وهي مكتوبة بانسجام مع الدروس من قناته. أحببت كثيرًا الطريقة التي يربط بها بين خلفيته (في الكنيسة أو في الفرقة الموسيقية) و بين إبداعه وتصويره. دليل آخر على أن التنوع والقاعدة الصلبة في أي شيء يعطي منظورًا فريدًا في وجهات النظر – خاصة الإبداعية - بالحياة .
بينما التصوير الفوتوغرافي هي مجرد هواية لي ومستواي بالتأكيد أقل بكثير من مستوى الكاتب ؛ بصفة أعمالي الإبداعية البسيطة بالـ١٠ السنوات الماضية ، لا أستطيع أن أقول إن كل أفكار الكتاب «جديدة» ، حيث يغطي الكتاب جميع المراحل ومن ثم الاكتشافات التي نمر بها نحن كمبدعين في سوق العمل والدراسة. أجد أن هذا الكتاب مناسب جدًا لأنشخص بدأوا للتو مسيرتهم الإبداعية. يستحق 5 نجوم كاملة في بنائه الجميل للكلمات التي شرحت ما نحاول - نحن البشر - القيام به: البحث عن نظام في عالم من الفوضى.
I have been following Sean’s YouTube for years now. The book perfectly embodies his videos, completely well written and in harmony with the lessons. I extremely love how he connects his background (in Church, or in a band) to his creativity and Photography. Further proof that diversity and a solid base in anything gives a unique perspective in later views of life, especially creative.
While my photography is a hobby and my level is surely way lower than Sean’s; as a humble creative for 10 years, I can’t say the ideas are ‘new’, as The Meaning in the Making covers all the stages then discoveries us creatives go through – I find this book fits best to people who moved recently to creative careers or early in their field. However, he deserves full 5-stars solely in his beautiful construction of words explaining what we humans are trying to do: find Order in a world of Chaos.
بينما التصوير الفوتوغرافي هي مجرد هواية لي ومستواي بالتأكيد أقل بكثير من مستوى الكاتب ؛ بصفة أعمالي الإبداعية البسيطة بالـ١٠ السنوات الماضية ، لا أستطيع أن أقول إن كل أفكار الكتاب «جديدة» ، حيث يغطي الكتاب جميع المراحل ومن ثم الاكتشافات التي نمر بها نحن كمبدعين في سوق العمل والدراسة. أجد أن هذا الكتاب مناسب جدًا لأنشخص بدأوا للتو مسيرتهم الإبداعية. يستحق 5 نجوم كاملة في بنائه الجميل للكلمات التي شرحت ما نحاول - نحن البشر - القيام به: البحث عن نظام في عالم من الفوضى.
I have been following Sean’s YouTube for years now. The book perfectly embodies his videos, completely well written and in harmony with the lessons. I extremely love how he connects his background (in Church, or in a band) to his creativity and Photography. Further proof that diversity and a solid base in anything gives a unique perspective in later views of life, especially creative.
While my photography is a hobby and my level is surely way lower than Sean’s; as a humble creative for 10 years, I can’t say the ideas are ‘new’, as The Meaning in the Making covers all the stages then discoveries us creatives go through – I find this book fits best to people who moved recently to creative careers or early in their field. However, he deserves full 5-stars solely in his beautiful construction of words explaining what we humans are trying to do: find Order in a world of Chaos.
January 3, 2024
I've always enjoyed Sean Tucker's youtube videos, as he touches on what artists (photographers in particular) are searching to create - Something with meaning. A lot of other 'youtube photographers' (and creative social media presences in general) are vapid creators making videos about physical things (lens reviews anyone) that ultimately have little bearing on the art they create, but they rarely delve into the actual process of finding yourself through your art.
I've generally looked up to him on account of that, so it was great to hear someone truly open up and spread their innards on the page for everyone else going through similar motions. Talking about his failures, his tumultuous journey to get where he is today, and his current Truth and Chaos helped to humanize him, not just as 'a content creator on youtube', but as a complex individual who understands himself deeply through his art (and others'), and wants to bring others to a similar understanding of themselves.
To see some of his short-form content expanded upon in this book was incredibly helpful, with a lot of poignant advice. I am about as anti-established-religion as they come, so when he started talking about his past as a man of faith, I almost bailed out on the assumption that it was going to be heavyhanded on that messaging. I'm glad I heard it through though, because many 'online personalities' don't engage in their audience in that way. His vulnurability of opening his past only made me respect him more than I already did. Again, as a complex person - not a 'content creator'.
He narrates his own audiobook making it an even more intimate and raw experience (plus, I just like his voice)
I've generally looked up to him on account of that, so it was great to hear someone truly open up and spread their innards on the page for everyone else going through similar motions. Talking about his failures, his tumultuous journey to get where he is today, and his current Truth and Chaos helped to humanize him, not just as 'a content creator on youtube', but as a complex individual who understands himself deeply through his art (and others'), and wants to bring others to a similar understanding of themselves.
To see some of his short-form content expanded upon in this book was incredibly helpful, with a lot of poignant advice. I am about as anti-established-religion as they come, so when he started talking about his past as a man of faith, I almost bailed out on the assumption that it was going to be heavyhanded on that messaging. I'm glad I heard it through though, because many 'online personalities' don't engage in their audience in that way. His vulnurability of opening his past only made me respect him more than I already did. Again, as a complex person - not a 'content creator'.
He narrates his own audiobook making it an even more intimate and raw experience (plus, I just like his voice)
December 28, 2021
Landing on Sean’s Youtube channel was an interesting experience. I find he’s good at giving perspective, while sharing a bit of his life and helping to improve your own photographic style. The book fits well in his work as a whole (the chapters are a good mix of some of his life experiences, the way he sees the world and his thoughts on art). I deal with art like I deal with hunger, so it’s challenging to not just feed it but think about what and why I’m actually doing it (or not doing it). In this society where being "successful" seems to be measured in likes, views and money, it’s nice to have a voice telling you it’s ok to just enjoy what you do.
Sean shares his ideas well, he’s good at storytelling, has an interesting background and a pleasant writing style. The book is also surprisingly well ordered with one main idea by chapter but a good continuity all along, which doesn’t seem easy when you mix art, thoughts and some autobiography. I wasn't a fan of the moral (religious) compass I saw here and there and I disagreed with some ideas, but I'm probably not at the best place to review them, as I don't believe anymore in meaning or purpose. Anyway, I engaged a lot with some parts, which is a good thing, and I suppose the book will work nicely for those who don't struggle with life or those who follow the author's work. On my side, I picked it by curiosity, had a pleasant time reading it and found that it completed nicely the other formats (I enjoy quite a lot the Youtube channel and the podcast made with Jeffery Saddoris).
Sean shares his ideas well, he’s good at storytelling, has an interesting background and a pleasant writing style. The book is also surprisingly well ordered with one main idea by chapter but a good continuity all along, which doesn’t seem easy when you mix art, thoughts and some autobiography. I wasn't a fan of the moral (religious) compass I saw here and there and I disagreed with some ideas, but I'm probably not at the best place to review them, as I don't believe anymore in meaning or purpose. Anyway, I engaged a lot with some parts, which is a good thing, and I suppose the book will work nicely for those who don't struggle with life or those who follow the author's work. On my side, I picked it by curiosity, had a pleasant time reading it and found that it completed nicely the other formats (I enjoy quite a lot the Youtube channel and the podcast made with Jeffery Saddoris).
October 22, 2022
"The Meaning in the Making" is a gift to every creative person, but especially to those standing at the crossroads of deepening their artistic passion or shying away from the bumpy road that lies ahead. It sheds some light on the human need to create, on carving "logos" from "chaos", and the importance of treating inspiration as an active, but not pressed process. It talks about finding the right balance between your ego and the need to keep it under control, about the dangers of wanting to impress the wrong people and all the seductions and shortcuts which might hinder you from finding your own voice for some meaningless short time satisfaction.
"The Meaning in the Making" wants to offer some guidance on how you could find the capital "T" Truth for your work so you can identify your inner "deep gladness" and meet it with "the world's deep hunger". It provokes challenging questions which you finally have to ask yourself, since this is – thankfully! – not yet another book on "How to become a better photographer in 10 Weeks" and neither a "This is how it worked for me, so it must work for you" self-help literature scam.
"The Meaning in the Making" is some honest and humble but profound advice. It offers philosophical and personal, sometimes even intimate perspectives that might reassure or surprise you. I hope it resonates with you as it did with me.
"The Meaning in the Making" wants to offer some guidance on how you could find the capital "T" Truth for your work so you can identify your inner "deep gladness" and meet it with "the world's deep hunger". It provokes challenging questions which you finally have to ask yourself, since this is – thankfully! – not yet another book on "How to become a better photographer in 10 Weeks" and neither a "This is how it worked for me, so it must work for you" self-help literature scam.
"The Meaning in the Making" is some honest and humble but profound advice. It offers philosophical and personal, sometimes even intimate perspectives that might reassure or surprise you. I hope it resonates with you as it did with me.
February 28, 2025
Sean’s words in this book struck me like a lightning bolt—an unexpected jolt of encouragement when I was at my lowest. I’ve grappled with the meaning of my photographic journey, caught in bouts of depression and the nagging whispers of self-doubt that remind me I haven’t monetized my art or gained the clout expected of a “real” photographer.
Have you ever wondered if skill is truly measured in likes and follows on social media? I once sold my work, but those days feel like a distant echo. Now, my images are often eclipsed by sleeker, more popular creations. Coming to terms with the idea that I might only be “okay” rather than great was a bitter pill to swallow.
This harsh realization forced me to redefine my craft—not just its purpose, but the very connection I forge with the world. It brought me back to the raw, passionate reason I picked up a camera as a wide-eyed teenager in the mid-’80s. My art was never about chasing validation; it was about truly seeing, feeling, and capturing the unpredictable chaos of life.
This book reminded me to embrace change, confront difficult realities, and, most importantly, keep moving forward. I may never be popular, hailed as a great photographer, or even remembered. But that won’t stop me from seeking deep joy in creating images that might feed someone else’s hunger for order and meaning amid the chaos.
Have you ever wondered if skill is truly measured in likes and follows on social media? I once sold my work, but those days feel like a distant echo. Now, my images are often eclipsed by sleeker, more popular creations. Coming to terms with the idea that I might only be “okay” rather than great was a bitter pill to swallow.
This harsh realization forced me to redefine my craft—not just its purpose, but the very connection I forge with the world. It brought me back to the raw, passionate reason I picked up a camera as a wide-eyed teenager in the mid-’80s. My art was never about chasing validation; it was about truly seeing, feeling, and capturing the unpredictable chaos of life.
This book reminded me to embrace change, confront difficult realities, and, most importantly, keep moving forward. I may never be popular, hailed as a great photographer, or even remembered. But that won’t stop me from seeking deep joy in creating images that might feed someone else’s hunger for order and meaning amid the chaos.
March 3, 2022
Sean’s book isn’t one of those didactic how-to books. Instead he focuses on the why. He encapsulates his philosophy about art and life in a way that many of us can relate to. It’s a book that makes us question why we are makers and to think about the more important aspects of being creatives. He helps us to look deeper.
It’s easy to read and Sean utilizes his real life stories to help demonstrate his missteps so we too can gain from them. He shares some very personal stories and everything comes across as honest, humble, and always out of goodwill.
His book has helped me realize the true [deep] reasons why I create and to no longer pressure myself to focus on a direction that I felt I “should” be doing, rather than what I want or need to be doing in my creative life. Perhaps one of the most significant things I’ve come away with from what he has written is to trust my own personal evolution. This is one of those books you hang on to, pulling it off the shelf from time-to-time, and re-read certain chapters or segments over and over again.
The Meaning in the Making is chock full of gem after gem. I’d recommend this book to anyone involved as a maker or creative, no matter what the medium may be. It would also be a great gift for any creative.
It’s easy to read and Sean utilizes his real life stories to help demonstrate his missteps so we too can gain from them. He shares some very personal stories and everything comes across as honest, humble, and always out of goodwill.
His book has helped me realize the true [deep] reasons why I create and to no longer pressure myself to focus on a direction that I felt I “should” be doing, rather than what I want or need to be doing in my creative life. Perhaps one of the most significant things I’ve come away with from what he has written is to trust my own personal evolution. This is one of those books you hang on to, pulling it off the shelf from time-to-time, and re-read certain chapters or segments over and over again.
The Meaning in the Making is chock full of gem after gem. I’d recommend this book to anyone involved as a maker or creative, no matter what the medium may be. It would also be a great gift for any creative.
April 24, 2023
I often struggle with books of this nature - they all start to feel like the same information being regurgitated with new personal stories attached. Sean Tucker's story is unique, his background and voice are so engaging, and the fact he isn't telling us HOW to do anything is so inspiring.
This is a book where I feel you'll get out as much as you want to get out of it. So many times while listening I had to pause it to sit and think about what he was sharing, about how it relates to my own situation. So much resonated deeply with my own situation and trying to figure out where I fit in my own creative process.
It's not only a photography book, it's a book for any artist - any individual pursuing any sort of creative process, be it writing, painting, podcasting, photography, or even simply put "being a maker of things" - to help you find your voice and navigate the changes certain to happen on our journey's.
I loved it, gave it 5 stars, but can also completely understand someone else checking this out and it not connecting personally because I feel like books on the creative process are VERY personal in terms of what voices will resonate and what voices will fall flat - even if they have a similar message. But I loved it.
This is a book where I feel you'll get out as much as you want to get out of it. So many times while listening I had to pause it to sit and think about what he was sharing, about how it relates to my own situation. So much resonated deeply with my own situation and trying to figure out where I fit in my own creative process.
It's not only a photography book, it's a book for any artist - any individual pursuing any sort of creative process, be it writing, painting, podcasting, photography, or even simply put "being a maker of things" - to help you find your voice and navigate the changes certain to happen on our journey's.
I loved it, gave it 5 stars, but can also completely understand someone else checking this out and it not connecting personally because I feel like books on the creative process are VERY personal in terms of what voices will resonate and what voices will fall flat - even if they have a similar message. But I loved it.
May 6, 2023
It took me a month to read this book not because it’s not interesting - on the contrary, I needed small breaks to allow myself time to digest what I’ve just read and to mull over the content.
This book doesn’t provide definite answers for the thesis in the title. It doesn’t give you any clear guidelines.
It’s more like an afternoon with a more experienced friend or a person you respect, spent on discussing things that matter equally to you both, sharing thoughts and memories and getting inspired by each other. No judgements and no criticisms.
I’ve decided to get this book as a hobbyist photographer who struggled to find meaning behind the things I do or enjoy and the way my life turned out in general. It helped me greatly to fight the hasty assumptions I had about creativity. Inspired me to “embrace my shadows” and “protect my highlights”.
Thank you for that.
Also, a little detail that I loved - some chapters provide a qr code at the end, and these codes lead to photographs, videos and other resources mentioned in the particular part of the book. That’s a beautiful addition helping to sink the meaning of the words you’ve just read, without bulking up the book with printed pictures.
This book doesn’t provide definite answers for the thesis in the title. It doesn’t give you any clear guidelines.
It’s more like an afternoon with a more experienced friend or a person you respect, spent on discussing things that matter equally to you both, sharing thoughts and memories and getting inspired by each other. No judgements and no criticisms.
I’ve decided to get this book as a hobbyist photographer who struggled to find meaning behind the things I do or enjoy and the way my life turned out in general. It helped me greatly to fight the hasty assumptions I had about creativity. Inspired me to “embrace my shadows” and “protect my highlights”.
Thank you for that.
Also, a little detail that I loved - some chapters provide a qr code at the end, and these codes lead to photographs, videos and other resources mentioned in the particular part of the book. That’s a beautiful addition helping to sink the meaning of the words you’ve just read, without bulking up the book with printed pictures.
December 4, 2021
After getting back into photography a few years ago, I went down a rabbit hole of youtube photographers. Many great channels comparing gear, giving tips on editing photos, etc. But one channel immediately stuck out to me, with its more existential approach to photography. Sean's views on creativity and expression struck a chord with me from the get go. When I saw he was putting out a book I didn't hesitate to pick it up.
This book was exactly what I expected, and that's a good thing. Part biography and part philosophical ruminations on the act of creating art, it was thought provoking in all the right ways. As a hobbyist photographer, it inspired me to trust my own personal evolution, and not pressure myself to be something I'm not, or more than I am; to follow my inspiration wherever it takes me, as far as it takes me.
Sean uses his experience in photography to contextualize many of his life lessons. I especially found the chapters on embracing shadows but protecting the highlights poignant. But you do not need to be a photographer to get something out of this book, just a creator. If you engage with self expression in any form, I recommend this book!
This book was exactly what I expected, and that's a good thing. Part biography and part philosophical ruminations on the act of creating art, it was thought provoking in all the right ways. As a hobbyist photographer, it inspired me to trust my own personal evolution, and not pressure myself to be something I'm not, or more than I am; to follow my inspiration wherever it takes me, as far as it takes me.
Sean uses his experience in photography to contextualize many of his life lessons. I especially found the chapters on embracing shadows but protecting the highlights poignant. But you do not need to be a photographer to get something out of this book, just a creator. If you engage with self expression in any form, I recommend this book!
January 30, 2023
Came for the photography, stayed for the philosophy.
This book is unlike any other photography book I’ve read in over 40 years of doing so. What I found here wasn’t about how to photograph, or when, or where, or what with. It was about why. I had never really thought about why, focusing my attention on the other four more physical aspects instead. I cannot recommend this book highly enough to do it justice. I’ll simply say this - buy the book. Read it. If you think it isn’t going to benefit you, stay with it anyway. It will. I promise. It may or may not improve you photography, that’s up to you. But it may certainly improve your life, your thinking, and how you engage your world. Read it if you’re young or old, new to your craft or experienced, whether you write, make pottery, paint, or create films. Whatever you choose to create, let this book grow your mind and expand your consciousness. Simply outstanding work by Sean Tucker, and something he will long be remembered for.
This book is unlike any other photography book I’ve read in over 40 years of doing so. What I found here wasn’t about how to photograph, or when, or where, or what with. It was about why. I had never really thought about why, focusing my attention on the other four more physical aspects instead. I cannot recommend this book highly enough to do it justice. I’ll simply say this - buy the book. Read it. If you think it isn’t going to benefit you, stay with it anyway. It will. I promise. It may or may not improve you photography, that’s up to you. But it may certainly improve your life, your thinking, and how you engage your world. Read it if you’re young or old, new to your craft or experienced, whether you write, make pottery, paint, or create films. Whatever you choose to create, let this book grow your mind and expand your consciousness. Simply outstanding work by Sean Tucker, and something he will long be remembered for.
December 26, 2022
I watch Sean Tucker's videos on YouTube fairly often and this book is actually very much like the videos. I imagined the words as if Tucker was saying them while I was reading the book and it made perfect sense.
This is not a book about photography. It is about philosophy and how to think about your creations and what they mean to you and might mean to someone who sees them. There is nothing in the book that will help you become a better photographer, technically, but maybe it will help you become better at composing images that carry a meaning that is important to you.
I enjoyed the book, but I found my mind wandering as I tried to read sometimes, because I could relate to so much in it that I would start thinking about my own attempts at photography in the context of the book. So it took longer than normal to read, but it was worth it.
This is not a book about photography. It is about philosophy and how to think about your creations and what they mean to you and might mean to someone who sees them. There is nothing in the book that will help you become a better photographer, technically, but maybe it will help you become better at composing images that carry a meaning that is important to you.
I enjoyed the book, but I found my mind wandering as I tried to read sometimes, because I could relate to so much in it that I would start thinking about my own attempts at photography in the context of the book. So it took longer than normal to read, but it was worth it.
August 18, 2022
Followed this particular photographer when I first picked up this hobby and the videos were quality then, 2 years ago. But now reading this book has made me see any art a bit differently. So learning about his experiences and what his perspective is on the subject of making art, being authentic and how to control yourself to being more in control of creating art that you feel personally connected to is refreshing. Some of the chapters I will need to go through again to actually soak it properly but overall I enjoyed the read throughout and learnt something new every chapter so it seems no page was wasted. Highly recommend it for making art and it can be applied to life in general 🙂
April 2, 2022
This book takes a different spin on photography and art in general. It helps you to find the source of creative power within you, and shield away the external validations.
Writing “I’ve been looking for a book like this for years” is probably cringy, especially because I wasn’t. But I was feeling like something is wrong, something is missing, something is draining my energy and money as I try l to fill in the gap. This book pointed what this gap is and why it is there, now it’s my job to fix it right.
Writing “I’ve been looking for a book like this for years” is probably cringy, especially because I wasn’t. But I was feeling like something is wrong, something is missing, something is draining my energy and money as I try l to fill in the gap. This book pointed what this gap is and why it is there, now it’s my job to fix it right.
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