What's nice about your videos is that you stay yourself. You do not like the photo you took, people would have said anyway: wow it's great. But no, you do not want to show it because you are not satisfied with it. And that's just fine. What's is great is that you explain why, why you do not want to follow the 'pressure' of the trend of social medias, as you said and give some contents. Again, telling what equipment was given by companies, and saying you do not want to finish your video with a dull image is just you. And that's why I (we) like your videos. Thanks Thomas, do not change ;)
Cascades de France Very well put indeed. If there's one thing Thomas has, besides phenomenal talent, is honesty. But besides always being honest with his viewer he is also very honest and true with his art. This man has integrity by the bucket full and if there were a few more Thomases around professional photography would have nothing to worry about.
I think you're at home when you're out there alone. With all these people around on such a tourist spot you're not at ease, and you have a hard time finding an image. Maybe the next time when you feel stressed, discomfort, out of balance, out of rhythm and out of place make a photo about these dissonant feelings.
Not only are you a great photographer Thomas, you're a great story teller. You provide a unique perspective to our craft. Thank you for sharing every thing you do.
I don't watch your videos with the main purpose to see gorgeous images. I watch because I like to hear your thoughts about landscape photography, and to hear you share your thoughts about a half bad image was great for me - totally something I can relate to. Looking forward to more videos from you. On a sidenote: I would very much like to know, why you use a full frame camera instead of a smaller one or maybe even a Pentax K1 medium format. It seems to me a smaller camera like maybe the new Olympus E-M1 II would make an easier travel partner and at the same time still be able to get you high resolution results. And the Pentax medium format is almost the same form factor as your Canon but has all the benefits of a larger sensor. Just curious on your thoughts - really not out looking to start a big debate on gear!
Thank you for your comment, which is very encouraging. With regards to full frame etc, for me bigger is better. The image quality of a larger sensor is why I shoot full frame rather than cropped. The Pentaxt K-1 looks amazing, but it's not MF. I almost bought a 645Z, but the salesman was so incredibly rude & the camera was too heavy, so I put my credit card away. I would love a MF Mirrorless camera, such as the Fujifilm GFX50, but it isn't cheap. I have also just invested in a 4x5 film camera, which should yield some incredible results!! The digital camera market is a mine field & even I get confused & lost when it comes to upgrading kit, which is why I stick with what I know. Perhaps I will make a change soon, who knows. I have yet to commit to a new camera to replace my 5DIII.
You're completely right - I mistook the K-1 for the 645Z! I work with communications and mostly shoot people, events and such for my articles, but I've begun to dabble in landscape photography - mainly because of your videos. I have an Olympus E-M5 (micro 4/3), but it's getting old, and I'm considering my next camera. I'm shifting back and forth between staying with micro 4/3 and get the new E-M1 mark II which is very portable can shoot 50 mpixel RAW and 18 fps w. cont.autufocus and then maybe a Sony A7 of some sort with that larger sensor. I can't figure out which would work out better for me, and it's driving my wife nuts because I talk about it a lot, and she's the only one here to listen! Regarding this minefield of new digital cameras and formats you mention. Aren't you worried about the future of DSLR with new and better mirrorless versions popping up? I imagine you have a lot of high quality lenses for the Canon system. On the other hand, you could of course just use the lenses on a mirrorless with an adapter if you decided to switch sometime in the future.
I'm not worried about the future of any kit. It's all just a tool and I shall roll with the times. I'd double check the E-M1II fact sheet, I've never heard of a 4/3 camera shooting 50mpixels.
I have no doubt about that. I've always liked that you have a traditional and practical take on photography. The E-M1 II has a 20 mpixel sensor, but actually has a cool feature where it moves the sensor around and combines a lot of images into one. It can't be used for handheld shooting with moving objects, but it should be very good for landscapes or product photography. I would really like it for shooting portraits too, if my subjects can sit still a bit. It would be really awesome for when we make large posters.
The 50mp mode composes 8 or so photos into one image. I have it in my E-M5ii and it works well in ideal conditions. Thats the key word. If your subject moves it can cause odd little mismatches which can be seen upon close inspection. I would say if you're buying the camera for that feature alone, full frame or otherwise might be a better choice. However, it has it's other benefits, portability being a huge one.
Thomas, it is YOU that holds your videos together, not just your images. It's your effort, vision and journey that is the inspiration. When it works, and you share an image you are happy with, thats the icing on the cake :)
You're a good man Mr. Heaton. We've all made an image in a beautiful setting that didn't work out - it was more about being in the moment and at least capturing something. Keep up the GREAT work.
I love your honesty and genuine care about the final image as well as the beautiful view. I always learn something new from your videos, thanks for being humble and honest.
The honesty is what I respect the most about you. Everything you put out is as genuine as humanly possible. Thank you for the inspiration and information from every video/instagram post!
I love the long episodes, they make me feel like going out and shooting some landscapes. Thank you for creating and sharing great photography videos Thomas.
I don't watch your videos to see your released images, neither do I read your blog/book because of them. For me it's all about your journeys. The way you're presenting, the adventures you're sharing. I love the funny moments, the bloopers, the ideas and thoughts you're sharing. Please don't get me wrong, your images are awesome. But it's everything around them which inspires me the most!
Thomas, your channel is in my opinion the best out there in this genre. I really admire your honesty and ability to tell the story! Huge inspiration! keep it up:)
I watch your channel because of your passion for photography, the venture you go through to get the photo you are looking for, the story you tell the reason you are taking this photograph and the fact you are happy with the photo. Everything is subjective when it comes to a photograph one person may look at it and love it the next person may shrug their shoulders and say not bad but they aren't you and if you're not happy then what is the point of presenting a photo to the people who follow you, the day you start compromising your photography is the day you might as well stop doing the youtube channel because at that point you become like so many others that just settle for the sake of content and the sake of followers the channel and the photography are about what makes you happy. Keep up the great work Thomas Heaton I thoroughly enjoy following you, thanks for all your effort.
Thanks for the plug Thomas, and I can very much relate to your process of staring at the scene for a while and trying to figure out how to photograph it. I've done a LOT of that on the East side. Angels Landing is one of those places that is an absolute blast to hike, but it's difficult for photos to do it justice. When the light IS very good, I would be very hesitate to do the hike just because I wouldn't want to be up there in the dark. I finally looked at my film from my trip, and I have some photos that I'm very happy with, but others simply fall on their face. Since I end up sharing every photo I take via the film reveal videos, I figure even a bad photo is worth sharing because there is a lesson behind it. Those photos are shown in the videos, but never shared on social media. Where it gets confusing is if there is a photo I absolutely hate, yet everyone else seems to think it's good. Then I don't know what to think.
I've watched a few of these sorts of videos from various different photographers over the last few years and you're the first to openly admit and show something you personally regard as a failure. Most will say "You don't always get something" but then inevitably put forward a facade of them always getting the image. This was such a great ending. Thanks!
Love your photos. You are a brave man climbing up those cliffs. As beautiful as that scenery is, there is no way I would go up there. Makes my knees weak.
Your uniqueness and honesty is what makes your content great and inspiring. Keep making your story exactly how you want. It helps shape the way we see social media and carve our own paths instead of following the norm or expected. Thanks for always inspiring us Thomas!
Love all your vids, always learn something new. I went to Zion a couple years back, just for a day, and found it difficult to photograph. Steep canyons blocking the light, constantly shifting weather, treacherous hazards all around you, hordes of tourists to wade through... I didn't get a single image from that day I felt good about, but I enjoyed the views & hikes anyway!
Thank you so much for your videos and amazing tips and trips. Thank you for sharing your moments and your thoughts, I really appreciate how you stay yourself and how you don't just take photos to take photos. What you're really showing us is a part of yourself, particularly when you don't want to show an image you're not happy with because you make images for you first and not for us and that's what I like in your videos. Thanks you again for your time and inspirational videos.
Thank you for your honesty in your closing comments. It is very refreshing to see someone with your ability put your hand in the air and admit you got a dud. As I've just recently launched my own Facebook page, I have become aware of the pressure to release images and your words that 'that'll do isn't good enough' is a timely reminder for me. So thank you for that, thank you for reminding us that everyone has bad days and thank you for reminding us to be critical of our own work and to maintain our standards. Your willingness to share your off days is what makes this journey we take with you all the more real and enjoyable, so let me join Cascades de France is saying, don't ever change that!
I am astonished that with a new camera like the 5DMk4 you would even need to carry this cap. I had assumed that most high end cameras would have a viewfinder shutter built in like the Nikon D810 and D500 I use.
You would think...however Canon tends to reserve that for its 1D series. Likely a feature to entice a buyer to spend 3 or $4,000 more on the flagship model.
My old Nikon D7100 required one of these caps. It's a damned nuisance, very fiddly and easy to lose. I would not have thought a built in viewfinder shutter would have been a big ask on £3.5K camera.
Precisely why I jumped ship from Canon after using them for 25 years. More than a few people have been asking Canon to add an eyepiece shutter on the 5D series since the very first edition. Requests were just ignored. Nikon put them on their D800 series - bingo!
Ill buy you beer and dinner if you show me around when I come out there! Definitely want to get away from the tourist side of things. @onthebrinkphotog
Am going back in time to view some of your old posts as I'm a fairly new (little over a year maybe) subscriber. I love this video and will be eternally grateful for "That'll do WILL NOT DO". The applications of this Thomas Heaton quote are inexhaustible and came at such a synchronistic moment for me. Thank you for your ever real self and as always informative work. Cheers
Welcome to my neck of the woods! I enjoyed this video very much, seeing you face the same challenges I face shooting in this area. From trying to find the composition in all the texture, to trying to find someplace that isn't too touristy, to dealing with cockleburs in your socks it just gave me so much delight. It's amazing how difficult it is to capture the depth you see from those canyon vistas. Obviously the mid-day light will make them look more flat, but even in ideal lighting they never quite seem to capture the feeling of depth you have when you're standing there. I think it is caused by a lack of mid-ground elements; you can have close-up interest and then you have distant cliffs, but in the mid-ground you only have air. Trying to capture the perspective of space falling away from you takes a lot of creativity.
You've hit the nail on the head. I couldn't show the true scale and it is most likely due to poor lighting and no middle interest. Thanks for your comment.
Your image at 4:45 is the right kind of chaos. Firm and squiggly lines going many directions. The eye wanders all over the place, not quickly but instead meanders. Massive color too. Congratulations and a good lesson to slow down to find a great composition. I would imagine this making terrific metal prints.
Love your honesty and integrity. We are definitely similar types of photographers. Truly enjoying your videos. Currently binge watching them when I get the chance. Keep inspiring us landscape artists, Thomas.
I find equally interesting to hear why a photo works and why it does not. It makes your videos more complete to show both what goes really well, as well as what fails to meet your expectations.
I hadn't really thought about the pressure to post content, but now that you've talked about it, I can see it. Thank you for your wonderful videos! I'm always learning from you.
You have inspired me through your videos to be a better photographer and to always look deeper for the best images, and end pieces like that just highlight to me what makes you a great artist! Sam
You say "cheesy" about the music when you release a photo but I absolutely love it. It is such a great compliment to your work! I can't be the only one that appreciates your music choice for your editing!
Another great Vlog Thomas, thank you for sharing. The piece at the end is the best bit. Being true to ourselves, being honest and being open is all important in a world of photoshoped images and spin. Let's face it, life doesn't always, if ever, go to plan, and neither does photography. It's all about the story, or the journey, not the destination or the image!. Looking forward to watching and being inspired by your next story!
Thomas, as a native of the great state of Utah and having lived in Cedar City, Utah, I truly enjoyed your video. As a young man, my family would have Sunday picnics in Zion, Bryce, and Cedar Breaks. Even then I appreciated the beauty of these places. As far as not getting the image you wanted, I am reminded of an expression my grandfather used to describe such situations: "Somedays you get the bear and somedays the bear gets you." Carry on.
Awesome. Probably my favorite photography channel. Love the passion and honesty man. Also, love that you explain your process. There are a ton of channels with tech info, photo fundamentals, and samples, and while I find those enjoyable too, I honestly get more out of your videos...even without the final shot.
Another great video. Really enjoyed your explanation at the end and totally agree with your words. Thank you for taking the time and effort to share these with us.
That is one thing with photography, there is a lot of photographs I've taken and failed big time along the way. But then there are those moments where everything comes together and that "WOW" Photograph was finally pulled off. Over the years I love going back to some of those photos I've have taken, when looking at them that amazing feeling I had at that split second in time comes right back to me, that is what makes Landscape photography so rewarding! keep up the good work and love the videos!!!
Bad day at work, we all get them. I follow several other landscape photographers and a couple of them post such videos once or twice a year but go through the photo and point out why it does not have the love for them. Thanks yet again for sharing a great video.
Thank you for a great video Thomas and the tip! As well its nice to see the reality in landscape photography, one simply can't always produce a great image or one that we feel is a keeper or should be shared. The description you gave about releasing content just to release makes a lot of sense and self critiquing is something that is a very good lesson. I think that is what separates your content from a lot of others. Thank you for the honesty and great video.
Totally accept your honesty Thomas! I'm really enjoying your videos, I love how you take us along on these different journeys. Very generous of you to share what you do. cheers.
"I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”- As a rookie photographer, this is something I have to tell myself after every failed photo shoot. It's nice to hear of times when even the best struggle with similar problems. Awesome video man, and thanks for the candid, honest take. Such great motivation to keep on trying to get better :)
Comming from middle europe, I was like Alice in Wonderland in Zion, we visited all the big parks in the south west, but Zion was the best. I would never thought that I would be so fascinated by such a dry landscape, the beutiful dead trees growing from colorfull rocks. I spend both nights just shooting nighty-sky landscape, miss that place a lot.
I agree Thomas, That final image has the same problems that most of my 'i'm hiking hoping to get a picture maybe' photos. it is a technically good photo, but it is flat or lacks that special something that makes it an artistically good photo, or a photo I'm happy with. Trying to get good photos when I have someone else hiking with me is also difficult because I always feel like I'm holding them up. My best photos are taken when I either go alone or tell them to go on without me once I've found my 'spot'.
Thanks for sharing. Last week I had the opposite problem - I went on a wild camp anticipating a greyed-out sunset but suddenly found myself in this amazing place in beautiful light on Arms Tor in Dartmoor. Had to interrupt my video recording to go and grab the camera gear. Will publish the video on Friday.
Truly enjoyed that video! It brought back many great memories of Zion National Park and reminded me how hard it is to take a good picture from Angel's Landing.
Great video Thomas! I like all the tips you provide but especially your insights. Thank you for your honesty about how things can go wrong sometimes as well. I was there in July and I give you extra credit for hauling all that gear up a BRUTAL hike (at least for old guys like me).
I do the same thing. I went out and shot a nightscape and it took so much effort and planning to get out of the house at 2am before I had to even go to my day job that morning. In the end I didn't take a single image I felt was publish worthy even on Facebook. But I did learn a ton of good lessons and things I will pay attention to and try on other outings. I appreciate your taking time in the video to address this because I hope anyone that takes themselves half serious as a photographer will be proud of anything they give to the public. I love your channel and look forward to more of your content.
Hi Thomas loving the videos. We all have times when we don't get a image but the best part of your videos is the passion and story that go into capturing the picture it's never a bad thing to be honest and say that won't make the grade.
I love your videos, they show the core, the passion of landscape photography. Keep the great work, i think that most of the viewer watch your videos for "spiritual" inspiration rather than only produced material.
I am so excited! I'm going to Zion for the first time in a couple months! Taking 2 weeks off, my friend is setting up his RV as a base camp in Moab, and we will be exploring all over Utah from there!
I'm sure someone has already mentioned it but you do have wifi so you can view your composition on your phone and even take the photo from there too. I love my 5D4!
While I can't speak for others, I liked how you ended the video. I agree the trip up was worth showing to people and the tip about the eyepiece cover is about to send me to Amazon to pick up a couple. But mostly, for me, it's just nice to see that it's OK if you go out to shoot and come back with nothing you're happy with, nothing you want to show off. That makes it valuable to us. Thanks!
I moved x-country two months ago and I had a chance to plan a route that took us through Zion, Monument Valley and Arches before hooking back into I-70 for the long grind to the east coast. I was so excited. I've wanted to see these places since I was a kid (a LONG time ago lol) and so I thought to myself "I've always wanted to learn photography. I'll buy a decent camera and I'll take these AMAZING BEAUTIFUL pictures" simply because of the landscape I was going to be photographing. So three days before the trip I get a camera lol The day comes when we arrive at Zion. I'm so incredibly charged up. I can't wait to get in the valley and start taking pictures. I'm not even thinking about a simple hike anymore like I would have just five years ago. All I can think about is "getting the shot." It's mid-afternoon when we arrive and as you can imagine, I'm unable to find anything to photograph. I say to myself that's OK, I'll just shoot a million pictures and I'll familiarize myself with how to get the results I want. With that perspective in mind, I went back to the hotel without a single image worth showing. But I learned a LOT and I'm relatively happy. I still have the morning to get out and with my new "experience" I should be just fine. Well I learned the camera but I didn't learn the art and I got a handful of pictures that are aaalllmost good. The same thing happened at Monument Valley and Arches. Part of the problem was being pressed for time and feeling rushed. Like I had to just get it all, fit it ALL in and of course you just can't do that. And of course most of it was inexperience. I look back now and I see so many simple things I could have done that would have given me a few portfolio shots. Had I only moved across the river and up the bank for this one, and the like. And for a while after the trip, not being able to get a picture... Well it soured the trip for me. Then I realized how selfish I was being about it all. I was just on a drive through Zion, Monument Valley and Arches and I was letting such a small concern take away the pleasure of the memory. Now, several weeks later I am still cropping and dragging sliders on a handful out of 1700 or so pictures and every time, I get a little bit better at criticizing my "work" and seeing what I could have done at the location and at learning Lightroom. Sure; I may not have gotten the photo of a lifetime, but it certainly was the trip of a lifetime and such a valuable lesson about perspective. I've shown a few of the pictures on Reddit and they've gotten a good response and that feels really REALLY good. But I am looking forward to the day when I take my first portfolio picture. I can't wait. Thanks for all the valuable knowledge you share on your channel.
Chin up, Thomas. You're human, and you tried. Bravo. As a creative myself, we're critical and protective of our work, and if we deem personal work not up to snuff, then it's not up to snuff. Mistakes and failures are what push us creatively to new heights. I LOVED the fact that this video didn't end as I might have expected - it makes it that much more real and encouraging to me. Keep up the incredible work, effort and storytelling, mate!! You're an inspiration :)
In regards to the articulating screen issue, you could use the Wifi for controlling the camera. I got used to that when I did a timelapse/hyperlapse on a GoPro. I use it the odd time with my Canon 6D now.... On a serious question, wild animals in a national park you've never visited. How do you account for encountering a mountain lion, bear etc.. We don't have them in Ireland so I've no worries for that kinda thing, but I had thought for elswhere in the world where they do, how do you account for that?
Thomas I loved this vid, Zion is a Fantastic location. I loved the first image it's fab. I agree with what you said about shooting for yourself I agree a million percent. Keep them coming.
Good for you Thomas for being honest and being true to yourself first. Most of the world lives a life that doesn't fulfill these basic tenants. The pressure of an online presence is to gloss over the mundane or the mediocre in the hopes that others will think better of us. In this case I think much better of you for rising above it.
What's nice about your videos is that you stay yourself. You do not like the photo you took, people would have said anyway: wow it's great. But no, you do not want to show it because you are not satisfied with it. And that's just fine. What's is great is that you explain why, why you do not want to follow the 'pressure' of the trend of social medias, as you said and give some contents. Again, telling what equipment was given by companies, and saying you do not want to finish your video with a dull image is just you. And that's why I (we) like your videos. Thanks Thomas, do not change ;)
That was a great comment to read, thanks for taking the time to write it. It makes me feel better about what I shoot.
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Cascades de France Very well put indeed. If there's one thing Thomas has, besides phenomenal talent, is honesty. But besides always being honest with his viewer he is also very honest and true with his art. This man has integrity by the bucket full and if there were a few more Thomases around professional photography would have nothing to worry about.
cheers man keep up the good work chin up foot forward and onto the next adventure
I think you're at home when you're out there alone. With all these people around on such a tourist spot you're not at ease, and you have a hard time finding an image. Maybe the next time when you feel stressed, discomfort, out of balance, out of rhythm and out of place make a photo about these dissonant feelings.
I like your talking about the process you move through and the thinking behind it. That's a big part of the value I find in your videos.
I share your thoughts.
Same here 👌
Not only are you a great photographer Thomas, you're a great story teller. You provide a unique perspective to our craft. Thank you for sharing every thing you do.
I don't watch your videos with the main purpose to see gorgeous images. I
watch because I like to hear your thoughts about landscape photography,
and to hear you share your thoughts about a half bad image was great
for me - totally something I can relate to.
Looking forward to more videos from you.
On a sidenote: I would very much like to know, why you use a full frame
camera instead of a smaller one or maybe even a Pentax K1 medium format.
It seems to me a smaller camera like maybe the new Olympus E-M1 II
would make an easier travel partner and at the same time still be able
to get you high resolution results. And the Pentax medium format is
almost the same form factor as your Canon but has all the benefits of a
larger sensor.
Just curious on your thoughts - really not out looking to start a big
debate on gear!
Thank you for your comment, which is very encouraging. With regards to full frame etc, for me bigger is better. The image quality of a larger sensor is why I shoot full frame rather than cropped. The Pentaxt K-1 looks amazing, but it's not MF. I almost bought a 645Z, but the salesman was so incredibly rude & the camera was too heavy, so I put my credit card away. I would love a MF Mirrorless camera, such as the Fujifilm GFX50, but it isn't cheap. I have also just invested in a 4x5 film camera, which should yield some incredible results!! The digital camera market is a mine field & even I get confused & lost when it comes to upgrading kit, which is why I stick with what I know. Perhaps I will make a change soon, who knows. I have yet to commit to a new camera to replace my 5DIII.
You're completely right - I mistook the K-1 for the 645Z!
I work with communications and mostly shoot people, events and such for my articles, but I've begun to dabble in landscape photography - mainly because of your videos. I have an Olympus E-M5 (micro 4/3), but it's getting old, and I'm considering my next camera. I'm shifting back and forth between staying with micro 4/3 and get the new E-M1 mark II which is very portable can shoot 50 mpixel RAW and 18 fps w. cont.autufocus and then maybe a Sony A7 of some sort with that larger sensor. I can't figure out which would work out better for me, and it's driving my wife nuts because I talk about it a lot, and she's the only one here to listen!
Regarding this minefield of new digital cameras and formats you mention. Aren't you worried about the future of DSLR with new and better mirrorless versions popping up? I imagine you have a lot of high quality lenses for the Canon system. On the other hand, you could of course just use the lenses on a mirrorless with an adapter if you decided to switch sometime in the future.
I'm not worried about the future of any kit. It's all just a tool and I shall roll with the times. I'd double check the E-M1II fact sheet, I've never heard of a 4/3 camera shooting 50mpixels.
I have no doubt about that. I've always liked that you have a traditional and practical take on photography.
The E-M1 II has a 20 mpixel sensor, but actually has a cool feature where it moves the sensor around and combines a lot of images into one. It can't be used for handheld shooting with moving objects, but it should be very good for landscapes or product photography.
I would really like it for shooting portraits too, if my subjects can sit still a bit. It would be really awesome for when we make large posters.
The 50mp mode composes 8 or so photos into one image. I have it in my E-M5ii and it works well in ideal conditions. Thats the key word. If your subject moves it can cause odd little mismatches which can be seen upon close inspection. I would say if you're buying the camera for that feature alone, full frame or otherwise might be a better choice. However, it has it's other benefits, portability being a huge one.
Thomas, it is YOU that holds your videos together, not just your images. It's your effort, vision and journey that is the inspiration. When it works, and you share an image you are happy with, thats the icing on the cake :)
You're a good man Mr. Heaton. We've all made an image in a beautiful setting that didn't work out - it was more about being in the moment and at least capturing something. Keep up the GREAT work.
I love your honesty and genuine care about the final image as well as the beautiful view. I always learn something new from your videos, thanks for being humble and honest.
The honesty is what I respect the most about you. Everything you put out is as genuine as humanly possible. Thank you for the inspiration and information from every video/instagram post!
Your closing segment is a most valuable lesson. Thanks, Thomas!
I love the long episodes, they make me feel like going out and shooting some landscapes. Thank you for creating and sharing great photography videos Thomas.
I don't watch your videos to see your released images, neither do I read your blog/book because of them. For me it's all about your journeys. The way you're presenting, the adventures you're sharing. I love the funny moments, the bloopers, the ideas and thoughts you're sharing. Please don't get me wrong, your images are awesome. But it's everything around them which inspires me the most!
That's very kind, thank you.
Thomas, your channel is in my opinion the best out there in this genre. I really admire your honesty and ability to tell the story! Huge inspiration! keep it up:)
That's very kind, thank you.
Michal Pietraszko Cant agree more
I watch your channel because of your passion for photography, the venture you go through to get the photo you are looking for, the story you tell the reason you are taking this photograph and the fact you are happy with the photo. Everything is subjective when it comes to a photograph one person may look at it and love it the next person may shrug their shoulders and say not bad but they aren't you and if you're not happy then what is the point of presenting a photo to the people who follow you, the day you start compromising your photography is the day you might as well stop doing the youtube channel because at that point you become like so many others that just settle for the sake of content and the sake of followers the channel and the photography are about what makes you happy. Keep up the great work Thomas Heaton I thoroughly enjoy following you, thanks for all your effort.
Don't fret Thomas, it's all about the journey not the destination ;)
Thanks for the plug Thomas, and I can very much relate to your process of staring at the scene for a while and trying to figure out how to photograph it. I've done a LOT of that on the East side. Angels Landing is one of those places that is an absolute blast to hike, but it's difficult for photos to do it justice. When the light IS very good, I would be very hesitate to do the hike just because I wouldn't want to be up there in the dark. I finally looked at my film from my trip, and I have some photos that I'm very happy with, but others simply fall on their face. Since I end up sharing every photo I take via the film reveal videos, I figure even a bad photo is worth sharing because there is a lesson behind it. Those photos are shown in the videos, but never shared on social media. Where it gets confusing is if there is a photo I absolutely hate, yet everyone else seems to think it's good. Then I don't know what to think.
I've watched a few of these sorts of videos from various different photographers over the last few years and you're the first to openly admit and show something you personally regard as a failure. Most will say "You don't always get something" but then inevitably put forward a facade of them always getting the image. This was such a great ending. Thanks!
It happens a lot. I think that making a bad image is nothing to be ashamed of, it's just a learning process. I show my failures more often.
Thanks.
I haven’t watched you for a while, but every time I do I enjoy them. Always love your attitude and how your “mind” works.
Last couple of minutes were exactly what I needed to hear after having a 'not so great' sunrise this morning.
I really appreciate the honesty and to show that not every photo taken is perfect
"That'll do will NOT do." A true artist. Love the authenticity in your videos!
That's very kind, thank you.
Love your photos. You are a brave man climbing up those cliffs. As beautiful as that scenery is, there is no way I would go up there. Makes my knees weak.
Your uniqueness and honesty is what makes your content great and inspiring. Keep making your story exactly how you want. It helps shape the way we see social media and carve our own paths instead of following the norm or expected. Thanks for always inspiring us Thomas!
Thank you.
Love all your vids, always learn something new. I went to Zion a couple years back, just for a day, and found it difficult to photograph. Steep canyons blocking the light, constantly shifting weather, treacherous hazards all around you, hordes of tourists to wade through... I didn't get a single image from that day I felt good about, but I enjoyed the views & hikes anyway!
Lots of amazing inspirational tips here. Thanks very much for sharing.
Thank you so much for your videos and amazing tips and trips. Thank you for sharing your moments and your thoughts, I really appreciate how you stay yourself and how you don't just take photos to take photos. What you're really showing us is a part of yourself, particularly when you don't want to show an image you're not happy with because you make images for you first and not for us and that's what I like in your videos. Thanks you again for your time and inspirational videos.
Angel's Landing is such an incredible and fun hike!
Thank you for your honesty in your closing comments. It is very refreshing to see someone with your ability put your hand in the air and admit you got a dud. As I've just recently launched my own Facebook page, I have become aware of the pressure to release images and your words that 'that'll do isn't good enough' is a timely reminder for me. So thank you for that, thank you for reminding us that everyone has bad days and thank you for reminding us to be critical of our own work and to maintain our standards. Your willingness to share your off days is what makes this journey we take with you all the more real and enjoyable, so let me join Cascades de France is saying, don't ever change that!
Never knew about the cap on the neck strap for the viewfinder, always wondered what it was for as well! Thanks for the tip.
That is to stop any light that goes through viewfinder, when you do long exposures in daytime.
I am astonished that with a new camera like the 5DMk4 you would even need to carry this cap. I had assumed that most high end cameras would have a viewfinder shutter built in like the Nikon D810 and D500 I use.
You would think...however Canon tends to reserve that for its 1D series. Likely a feature to entice a buyer to spend 3 or $4,000 more on the flagship model.
My old Nikon D7100 required one of these caps. It's a damned nuisance, very fiddly and easy to lose. I would not have thought a built in viewfinder shutter would have been a big ask on £3.5K camera.
Precisely why I jumped ship from Canon after using them for 25 years. More than a few people have been asking Canon to add an eyepiece shutter on the 5D series since the very first edition. Requests were just ignored. Nikon put them on their D800 series - bingo!
I LIVE FIVE MINUTES FROM ZION! So cool that you're here
Ill buy you beer and dinner if you show me around when I come out there! Definitely want to get away from the tourist side of things. @onthebrinkphotog
I enjoy your open and grounded views/advice. It's pieces like this one , that help validate this opinion. Thanks Mike
Am going back in time to view some of your old posts as I'm a fairly new (little over a year maybe) subscriber. I love this video and will be eternally grateful for "That'll do WILL NOT DO". The applications of this Thomas Heaton quote are inexhaustible and came at such a synchronistic moment for me. Thank you for your ever real self and as always informative work. Cheers
Beautiful trees and landscapes!
Amazing First Zion Pic!!! Going next week [Oct 28 2024] for the first time-cannot wait!
Thomas- thanks for sharing. Love the adventures. Make me want to get out for more of my own. Keep on truckin...
Welcome to my neck of the woods! I enjoyed this video very much, seeing you face the same challenges I face shooting in this area. From trying to find the composition in all the texture, to trying to find someplace that isn't too touristy, to dealing with cockleburs in your socks it just gave me so much delight.
It's amazing how difficult it is to capture the depth you see from those canyon vistas. Obviously the mid-day light will make them look more flat, but even in ideal lighting they never quite seem to capture the feeling of depth you have when you're standing there. I think it is caused by a lack of mid-ground elements; you can have close-up interest and then you have distant cliffs, but in the mid-ground you only have air. Trying to capture the perspective of space falling away from you takes a lot of creativity.
You've hit the nail on the head. I couldn't show the true scale and it is most likely due to poor lighting and no middle interest. Thanks for your comment.
Your image at 4:45 is the right kind of chaos. Firm and squiggly lines going many directions. The eye wanders all over the place, not quickly but instead meanders. Massive color too. Congratulations and a good lesson to slow down to find a great composition. I would imagine this making terrific metal prints.
Love your honesty Tom - a great view does not always mean a great photo. Another great video!
Fantastic adventure, gorgeous 1st image, and a great experience and "solid" 2nd image to document your climb of Angels Landing. A good day indeed!
Love your honesty and integrity. We are definitely similar types of photographers. Truly enjoying your videos. Currently binge watching them when I get the chance. Keep inspiring us landscape artists, Thomas.
Totally agree with you Thomas! Good video.
Excellent tips...Thank you Thomas !
I find equally interesting to hear why a photo works and why it does not.
It makes your videos more complete to show both what goes really well, as well as what fails to meet your expectations.
Zion is one of my dream locations. Can't wait to go there someday
Wonderful story, thanks for all the effort!!!
I hadn't really thought about the pressure to post content, but now that you've talked about it, I can see it. Thank you for your wonderful videos! I'm always learning from you.
Autuminal. Always makes me chuckle!
Looking forward to the other videos from the trip!
You have inspired me through your videos to be a better photographer and to always look deeper for the best images, and end pieces like that just highlight to me what makes you a great artist! Sam
I do admire your integrity there Tom, your videos always inspire me to get out and shoot, result or not
We got to keep on walking on the road to Zion, man!
I now have that song stuck in my head thanks to this amazing video
You say "cheesy" about the music when you release a photo but I absolutely love it. It is such a great compliment to your work! I can't be the only one that appreciates your music choice for your editing!
Another great Vlog Thomas, thank you for sharing. The piece at the end is the best bit. Being true to ourselves, being honest and being open is all important in a world of photoshoped images and spin. Let's face it, life doesn't always, if ever, go to plan, and neither does photography. It's all about the story, or the journey, not the destination or the image!. Looking forward to watching and being inspired by your next story!
Thomas, as a native of the great state of Utah and having lived in Cedar City, Utah, I truly enjoyed your video. As a young man, my family would have Sunday picnics in Zion, Bryce, and Cedar Breaks. Even then I appreciated the beauty of these places. As far as not getting the image you wanted, I am reminded of an expression my grandfather used to describe such situations: "Somedays you get the bear and somedays the bear gets you." Carry on.
Awesome. Probably my favorite photography channel. Love the passion and honesty man. Also, love that you explain your process. There are a ton of channels with tech info, photo fundamentals, and samples, and while I find those enjoyable too, I honestly get more out of your videos...even without the final shot.
Another great video. Really enjoyed your explanation at the end and totally agree with your words. Thank you for taking the time and effort to share these with us.
your photography vlogs relax me, and recently i've seen a lot of channels starting landscape photography
thanks for explaining the "behind the scenes"- it helps understand your logic and learn more about photography
That is one thing with photography, there is a lot of photographs I've taken and failed big time along the way. But then there are those moments where everything comes together and that "WOW" Photograph was finally pulled off. Over the years I love going back to some of those photos I've have taken, when looking at them that amazing feeling I had at that split second in time comes right back to me, that is what makes Landscape photography so rewarding! keep up the good work and love the videos!!!
Bad day at work, we all get them.
I follow several other landscape photographers and a couple of them post such videos once or twice a year but go through the photo and point out why it does not have the love for them.
Thanks yet again for sharing a great video.
Angels Landing in the best hike I have done. I hate heights but it was worth it for the photos. Great to see you there!
Thank you for a great video Thomas and the tip! As well its nice to see the reality in landscape photography, one simply can't always produce a great image or one that we feel is a keeper or should be shared. The description you gave about releasing content just to release makes a lot of sense and self critiquing is something that is a very good lesson. I think that is what separates your content from a lot of others. Thank you for the honesty and great video.
This past week I've had a nagging desire to go backpacking this spring in Zion, and then this drops. I'm going to take it as a sign....Thanks Thomas.
Do it!!
Totally accept your honesty Thomas! I'm really enjoying your videos, I love how you take us along on these different journeys. Very generous of you to share what you do.
cheers.
Great to hear your perspective on Zion! I look forward to the other videos.
Love the Rembrandt in the end part of the video...😀
Thank you very much for your time and effort.
"I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”- As a rookie photographer, this is something I have to tell myself after every failed photo shoot. It's nice to hear of times when even the best struggle with similar problems. Awesome video man, and thanks for the candid, honest take. Such great motivation to keep on trying to get better :)
Thank you. Photography is a process of elimination and refinement. Great comment.
I love your dedication!
Comming from middle europe, I was like Alice in Wonderland in Zion, we visited all the big parks in the south west, but Zion was the best. I would never thought that I would be so fascinated by such a dry landscape, the beutiful dead trees growing from colorfull rocks. I spend both nights just shooting nighty-sky landscape, miss that place a lot.
It's great you talk honestly about your successful and unsuccessful images. Great video!
I agree Thomas, That final image has the same problems that most of my 'i'm hiking hoping to get a picture maybe' photos. it is a technically good photo, but it is flat or lacks that special something that makes it an artistically good photo, or a photo I'm happy with. Trying to get good photos when I have someone else hiking with me is also difficult because I always feel like I'm holding them up. My best photos are taken when I either go alone or tell them to go on without me once I've found my 'spot'.
Love the honesty and integrity!
Thanks for sharing. Last week I had the opposite problem - I went on a wild camp anticipating a greyed-out sunset but suddenly found myself in this amazing place in beautiful light on Arms Tor in Dartmoor. Had to interrupt my video recording to go and grab the camera gear. Will publish the video on Friday.
Sounds amazing.
Truly enjoyed that video! It brought back many great memories of Zion National Park and reminded me how hard it is to take a good picture from Angel's Landing.
Thomas, Beautiful autumn colors!
Are the two camera bags your "go to" bags for long hikes (LowePro) and short walkabouts (Manfrotto)?
I really like your message from this video Thomas. Good one.
I'm appreciate you "keeping it real" - where life's not perfect.
Great video Thomas! I like all the tips you provide but especially your insights. Thank you for your honesty about how things can go wrong sometimes as well. I was there in July and I give you extra credit for hauling all that gear up a BRUTAL hike (at least for old guys like me).
This is your best video so far. Man, I love your honesty!
I do the same thing. I went out and shot a nightscape and it took so much effort and planning to get out of the house at 2am before I had to even go to my day job that morning. In the end I didn't take a single image I felt was publish worthy even on Facebook. But I did learn a ton of good lessons and things I will pay attention to and try on other outings.
I appreciate your taking time in the video to address this because I hope anyone that takes themselves half serious as a photographer will be proud of anything they give to the public.
I love your channel and look forward to more of your content.
Hi Thomas loving the videos. We all have times when we don't get a image but the best part of your videos is the passion and story that go into capturing the picture it's never a bad thing to be honest and say that won't make the grade.
Great video and insight into your thought process.
I love your videos, they show the core, the passion of landscape photography. Keep the great work, i think that most of the viewer watch your videos for "spiritual" inspiration rather than only produced material.
I am so excited! I'm going to Zion for the first time in a couple months! Taking 2 weeks off, my friend is setting up his RV as a base camp in Moab, and we will be exploring all over Utah from there!
I love your honesty and all the experiences you share - keep on, keeping on! Also enjoying your book! Cheers!
Thank you and thanks for buying the book.Glad to hear you are enjoying it.
Love your high standards Thomas,keep it up and totally agree.
Thanks a lot.
I'm sure someone has already mentioned it but you do have wifi so you can view your composition on your phone and even take the photo from there too. I love my 5D4!
Great vid as usual... and great advice, "real", and from the heart. Couldn't have said it better myself!
While I can't speak for others, I liked how you ended the video. I agree the trip up was worth showing to people and the tip about the eyepiece cover is about to send me to Amazon to pick up a couple. But mostly, for me, it's just nice to see that it's OK if you go out to shoot and come back with nothing you're happy with, nothing you want to show off. That makes it valuable to us. Thanks!
Thanks a lot.
Great video Thomas!! Awesome message at the end. I'm with you.
i like your videos, really nice to listen to on a day off work. inspires me to travel more solo lol. thanks!
Interesting closing note. I understand your concerns and it is only fair that you can decide if and how you release an image!
Keep up the good work!
Loved the video, your right you need to be happy with your work to be happy to show it. Keep up the good work
I moved x-country two months ago and I had a chance to plan a route that took us through Zion, Monument Valley and Arches before hooking back into I-70 for the long grind to the east coast.
I was so excited. I've wanted to see these places since I was a kid (a LONG time ago lol) and so I thought to myself "I've always wanted to learn photography. I'll buy a decent camera and I'll take these AMAZING BEAUTIFUL pictures" simply because of the landscape I was going to be photographing. So three days before the trip I get a camera lol
The day comes when we arrive at Zion. I'm so incredibly charged up. I can't wait to get in the valley and start taking pictures. I'm not even thinking about a simple hike anymore like I would have just five years ago. All I can think about is "getting the shot."
It's mid-afternoon when we arrive and as you can imagine, I'm unable to find anything to photograph. I say to myself that's OK, I'll just shoot a million pictures and I'll familiarize myself with how to get the results I want. With that perspective in mind, I went back to the hotel without a single image worth showing. But I learned a LOT and I'm relatively happy. I still have the morning to get out and with my new "experience" I should be just fine.
Well I learned the camera but I didn't learn the art and I got a handful of pictures that are aaalllmost good. The same thing happened at Monument Valley and Arches. Part of the problem was being pressed for time and feeling rushed. Like I had to just get it all, fit it ALL in and of course you just can't do that. And of course most of it was inexperience. I look back now and I see so many simple things I could have done that would have given me a few portfolio shots. Had I only moved across the river and up the bank for this one, and the like.
And for a while after the trip, not being able to get a picture... Well it soured the trip for me. Then I realized how selfish I was being about it all. I was just on a drive through Zion, Monument Valley and Arches and I was letting such a small concern take away the pleasure of the memory.
Now, several weeks later I am still cropping and dragging sliders on a handful out of 1700 or so pictures and every time, I get a little bit better at criticizing my "work" and seeing what I could have done at the location and at learning Lightroom. Sure; I may not have gotten the photo of a lifetime, but it certainly was the trip of a lifetime and such a valuable lesson about perspective.
I've shown a few of the pictures on Reddit and they've gotten a good response and that feels really REALLY good. But I am looking forward to the day when I take my first portfolio picture. I can't wait.
Thanks for all the valuable knowledge you share on your channel.
Chin up, Thomas. You're human, and you tried. Bravo. As a creative myself, we're critical and protective of our work, and if we deem personal work not up to snuff, then it's not up to snuff. Mistakes and failures are what push us creatively to new heights. I LOVED the fact that this video didn't end as I might have expected - it makes it that much more real and encouraging to me. Keep up the incredible work, effort and storytelling, mate!! You're an inspiration :)
Very good reflection about pressure of posting images!
In regards to the articulating screen issue, you could use the Wifi for controlling the camera. I got used to that when I did a timelapse/hyperlapse on a GoPro. I use it the odd time with my Canon 6D now.... On a serious question, wild animals in a national park you've never visited. How do you account for encountering a mountain lion, bear etc.. We don't have them in Ireland so I've no worries for that kinda thing, but I had thought for elswhere in the world where they do, how do you account for that?
Thomas I loved this vid, Zion is a Fantastic location. I loved the first image it's fab. I agree with what you said about shooting for yourself I agree a million percent. Keep them coming.
100% agree with your words. Great video as usual!!!
Thank you.
Good for you Thomas for being honest and being true to yourself first. Most of the world lives a life that doesn't fulfill these basic tenants. The pressure of an online presence is to gloss over the mundane or the mediocre in the hopes that others will think better of us. In this case I think much better of you for rising above it.