I Can't Believe What I Woke Up To | Photography Roadtrip Scotland

With a forecast for some extreme winter conditions, I packed up my 4x4 camper van, grabbed my Nikon Z7 II and headed to the far north of Scotland to indulge in some winter landscape photography. This is exactly why I purchased and built my Mitsubishi Delica camper van. 10% off your first Squarespace website or domain: www.squarespac...
My Landscape Photography Book: thomasheaton.c...
Playlist of Photography Videos from Scotland: • Landscape Photography ...
Binge Watch My Entire 'On Location' Catalogue: • Binge Watch EVERYTHING...
You Might be Interested in These:
My Website: www.thomasheat...
My E-Book: geni.us/onlocation
My Facebook: / thomasheatonphotography
My Instagram: / heatonthomas
The Gear I use & Used to Make These Videos. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘴.
Main Video Camera: geni.us/for-video
Tripod: geni.us/ELJmb3x
My Full Kit List: bit.ly/tomsgear
The Music in These Videos from Artlist & Epidemic Sound: 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬s
share.epidemics...
artlist.io/art...
#LandscapePhotography #Scotland #vanlife

[@mashfy6314]

After a long tiring day, this is what I need. Can't express how much I appreciate you Thomas. You rose the urge in me to get out there, feel the nature and shoot whatever I can.

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed this instalment. Thanks for your kind comment.

[@derbruynematthis5489]

@mashfy6314 so damn true

[@rooman715]

I was about to write essentially this same comment, and there it was at the top of the feed. Relaxing, inspiring, and infectious to see you so excited about the conditions and images. It is a great way to end a day, thanks.

[@stuartgelo8846]

I didn't even like trees until I started watching Thomas Heaton master of Fine Art, Nature and Landscape Photography!

[@kayakcoder]

You have shown us the light. The "Reed" image is one of your best. When I saw it I said to myself " I wish I had taken that picture". "Experimental indeed" I say with a smile

[@mvw5721]

The last image is absolutely stellar.

[@ericlamont4130]

I sit here watching, while rushing between meetings at work, and can’t help but think… that must be the life. Travel, exploration, and photography, I know it’s work, but man. It HAS to be better than the hamster wheel I’m on. 😂 Lovely images from my ancestral homeland, Thomas! Thank you for all you do for your audience.

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

I am sure there is a lot of truth in what you say, for sure, I am very lucky, but none the less, i too am on a massive Hamster Wheel. The grass isn’t always greener.

[@ericlamont4130]

@@ThomasHeatonPhoto oh I’m sure. Gotta feed that algorithm. I did wedding photography for a few years and it nearly killed my passion for photography entirely. As a lifelong introvert thrust into a role that has me leading a never ending series of conference calls, I’d be happy to trade wheels for awhile though!

[@Marvhead]

@@ericlamont4130 it initially appears idyllic, but when you look at the amount of work Thomas puts in to make a living it's quite daunting.

[@gudbrandgulbrandsen]

@@ThomasHeatonPhoto 0

[@ommm8]

These little films are utterly addictive, and the photographs you get are bloody amazing 🌟

[@willemfloris]

I am sure you heared it before, but I am a amateur photographer since I was 12 (now 64). I dreamed for many years about photgraphing these images. But you do it. You go early and go late. Search for light en nature and with a great 4x4 an go for it. Respect Thomas!

[@richardpainter2935]

The final shot of those reeds came out perfect - there is an instant album cover image for someones ambient eurorack music.

[@timnalichkin]

Thomas, I love your content. The car is beautiful, my dad has the same one. I am writing from Russia❤️🇷🇺🤙

[@garyverstick1620]

The beautiful reeds shot is prima facie evidence that we always have to be prepared to set aside our strongly-held preceptions and be open to the magic of the moment.

[@texas8322]

As much as I liked the island pictures, the reeds photo is by far my favorite.

[@Chreeeys]

The stroy telling has gotten so great over the past years. Good stuff!

[@guycl2381]

The reeds : triple thumbs up !

[@EricFosterMedia]

One of the things I like about your videos is that your sequence shots of your "getting to" are framed as if they were landscape shots on their own. Well done. Thanks.

[@peinmilan]

4:40 Steve O'Nions already took that picture and I prefer his version :) This tree is the Eiffel Tower of Scotland, every tourist have a picture of it. :)

[@gschweiger]

The color gradient in the reed shot is magical.

[@ScottishVanTrips]

Wow. Stunning and inspirational. That reeds shot was brilliant! Thank you for that escape.

[@IanDavidBrown]

Been following you for years Thomas and it must be so difficult to keep these vlogs going and be of interest to a wide audience. But I feel the reason you achieve this is because of your skill as a photographer, but also your likeable demeanour and the way you engage with your subscribers. Top work as always. Thanks again Ian

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Thanks, Ian. Much appreciated, and yes, it’s tough to make meaningful content, week after week. In the early days, it was a lot easier because so many topics had not been covered, but now everything has been discussed/taught/reviewed. All that’s left that is original are my own little trips in the van :)

[@gladysperrier4270]

The reed image is outstanding and as always I love your way of describing the view before you.

[@juanitakelly3082]

Always appreciate the extra time you take to set up the filming of yourself driving and hiking around that makes us feel like we are there with you. And I actually enjoy the occasional voice over when it's a good speaker such as yourself. It's much better than listening to poor audio!

[@DimiFerrest]

Great video. As always. ‘When in doubt, simplify.’ I’ll definately keep that in mind!

[@philsam4913]

As a Lochinver village resident I wanted to say I like the majority of your photos and videos which takes a hell of a lot of patience for hours and hours and sometimes not even getting the desired shot in the end, you've come up here at a perfect time and it being so calm,especially when you get up early morning and it's totally silent and fresh, It is great living here next to the water opposite the marina across the bay,I hope you will make it out safely and just to let you know it's called "Suilven" not Sullivan as you were told for some reason?

[@crowtheri]

I was going to say the same thing, "Suilven"!! Arggghh!

[@labibhaddad]

God I love your videos, and this one did not disappoint. Thank You

[@PhutureproofUK]

That reed shot is the best. Great to find the less obvious shots like this.

[@riccardofenu1348]

There's nothing that I enjoy more than watching your videos at the end of the day. There's always something to learn from them and, as a beginner trying to make his own way through photography, I find your channel really helpful. I love all your works. Thanks man, you're a source of inspiration.

[@JohnTomasella]

From watching your videos, when you got to the loc and then walked away I said to myself, I can't believe he's not going to take a picture of those reeds.

[@ppBizU]

The frame in 13:28 is amazing. This is the kind of photo I wish I could do of myself.

[@ashleywilliams9890]

No footprints at 9:06 ... Well done Mr Heaton. It doesn't go unnoticed :)

[@paulmarjoram2258]

Not that you didn’t work for all your images on that day but I feel the last is where You really got involved. Teaches us all something I’m sure.👏

[@KngsPwn4]

You should include a cooking segment in your videos. Maybe some recipes, equipment you like to use on the road, types of food you find to be travel friendly and proper storage!? Just a thought…love your videos!!

[@theeaselrider4032]

Beautiful part of the world. As I'm sure you've already discovered, the right tires ( sorry, tyres ) are more important than 4 wheel drive. The right tires and two wheel drive will take you more places safely, than 4 well drive and the wrong tires. I enjoyed that video - even with the technical difficulties.

[@neildethridge9455]

Best thing I’ve watched on the tv today . Beautiful Scotland truly beautiful

[@treehousebrewco]

Love the image at 11:10. Engaging comment, as always.

[@jirojiro1029]

the mountain image in fact is better than the tree island.

[@JohnHPettigrewFujishooter67]

Thanks for sharing Thomas, great video with some nice images of home, just what I needed on Burns night! Really like the experimental image,always good to experiment. Thanks again.

[@artbreve]

The 5 second exposure of the reeds is fantastic! I’d say the experiment was a success. Bravo!!!

[@tomjohnson3728]

Have you not had an apology from the Rode Mic Corp yet? WOW the reeds! Banger shot! I love the images that are hard to tell between a photograph and an art image.

[@Lasermanprint]

Makes me want to get to Scotland asap but unfortunately I live in Australia Haha! Great images though.👍

[@victorlim5077]

The 2nd image @6mins was wonderful. The reflection of the tree on the water was the lead in line which worked really well. 👍

[@57northphoto32]

Last image is a belter 👍🏻

[@coreycorey9611]

My opinion is that the first pano of the mountains was one of your best ever photos. Thanks for sharing.

[@syanhc]

Also if you cook kippers for breakfast in that van, you’ll have that taste in whatever you eat or drink for the day….just to let you know…

[@roadshoulderphotography683]

I'm not sure I can watch your videos anymore..... That smooth soothing dreamy music between the talky parts relaxes me so much , I fall asleep and I have to back track the video to catch up on what I missed.. I like your technique to do this to me to make me watch for longer period... hope I help you financially by watching longer. LOL

[@RussWeymouthPhotography]

I was at the same location by Loch Assynt last September. It's a challenge to get a clean composition, but a fun challenge. You were lucky to have a calm day! Love that square composition with the tree island, which I think was your favourite of the day.

[@AndrewMacdonaldPhotography]

ughhhhhh....making me homesick dude....great stuff

[@bburchellphotos]

I know those group of trees! I took a picture of them myself back in October 2021! Assynt is a wonderful area, I wish I had more time there.

[@MountainManJohnFilms]

Jelous of that trip. I don't take pictures, but those hills and my Delica....and the winter scenes. Awesome...... A great watch 👌

[@TimHodgesofEdinburgh]

I know that car park with the view of Suilven very well. Great spot for a panorama. It's also handily placed for a visit to the Lochinver pie shop which is always a good way to lift morale if the weather isn't playing ball.

[@cynthiaisenhoff8777]

Love the last image Thomas, I would have even like the "actual" scene showing the reflected clouds and reeds you filmed in the video

[@jonathanorleyi6600]

I see you were lucky enough to catch a pack of photogs in the wild (7:25)!

[@markbonham]

Oh man, living the life and love the enthusiasm. Great update as always.👏👍

[@El-Tel63-Terry.]

After you photographed Sullivan, you arrived at a Loch where you said there were tree islands ... but there were at least 4 ! ... 🤷🏻‍♂️ Van life and photography = perfect.

[@tonymckeage1028]

Great Video (as always) 3:19 almost monochrome, the snow on the trees is sculptural, the colour just warms the scene up a bit! 6:01 stunning, a beautiful image, by far the best so far! 8:011, brighter, more colour but not as good as 6:01! 11:20 beautiful light, I still prefer 6:01 17:30 as much as i hate to admit it! this is the best image in the video very graphic and abstract! thanks for sharing

[@wolcensykes5158]

The last image is fantastic

[@phynx2006]

SPACE the final frontier 🤣 to shoot what no one has shot before 👍😎 That reed image is sweet, I didn't think it would be that cool but dam, I like it better than the Misty Island image, way to imagine the compilation👍looks like someone took a black ink pen and made a bunch of lines on a coloured pastel canvas 👀👍

[@AleRodrigues]

I'm really enjoying this trip so far Tom. As you, I also prefer the second photo, more isolated, more minimalistic. Cheers

[@mannymota3442]

After many years, I have gained so much from watching your videos. I have gained inspiration, laughed at your humor, learned outfitting a van as a camper, and of course knowledge of landscape photography. I now add music to my list. The song at the open credits is absolutely fantastic, one might say EPIC. I paused your video (sorry) and looked in the description but it was not listed. I then went back to the opening credits and using Shazam discovered that is "Paradigm Shift by Gavin Luke" and you can listen to the song on KZbin, Soundcloud, etc. Thanks for yet another gift. By the way, I did go back and watch the video to the end. Enjoyed it as always.

[@trevorbrooks813]

For sure you were right about the best shot of the day but by heck I love that final shot of the reeds, very Kandinsky but without his extravagant colour palette. All very special and what a day in a great location. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@johnfranzenphotography]

The way you just see things that most of wouldn’t even consider is amazing

[@Sashman077]

You are very talented. We also need to recognize the amount of effort your are putting into your videos. Part of it I was thinking that I was watching a movie. You must spend a lot of time capturing drone footage and planning contextual scenes with yourself in it. Very nicely done!

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Thanks, Denis. I do put thought in to my contextual scenes, but not the drone footage. I am a nervous pilot, terrified of annoying wildlife and anyone else who may be within 500 yards, so I fly, grab a few shots and bring it home.

[@tompetersphotography]

A very hard image to beat, love the island image

[@Stov11]

I watch a good handful of photographers videos on this platform and they are more similar to my shooting style BUT as much as I enjoy it and wish to improve , the aspiration to inject more Tom heaton into my work grows bigger and bigger. Last shot for me of the reads I’d have missed but loved it

[@chuckgmanleyphotos7197]

Glass half full is needed in your kit. Most of the time you have what you have. Purple/magenta sky and water is cup runneth over

[@kenford2877]

Love all your videos Tom. The first image of the tree island in the mist is a fine shot. However, in this episode, I really, really like the last shot, the sharp lines and angles of the reeds against the soft pastel colors of the reflection of the sky in the long exposure water. Brilliant.

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Thanks, Ken. I’m glad you liked this image. I assumed people would either love it or hate it. Happy to hear you are the former.

[@messier4033]

Love the reeds shot 👏📸

[@aleksander8659]

really like this episode, and I really really like that image of the reeds

[@dianneturner4874]

Gosh...the landscape is just amazing! It's so exciting waiting for your next video. And your shots are amazing! Must say it's rather refreshing to see snow when sitting in stifling heat!! Can't wait for the next one!

[@marilynhoon1031]

Personally, I love the color in your first shot…

[@johncampbell3628]

Actually really love the reeds image Tom

[@jeg569]

Brilliant video Thomas, Assynt is one of our favourite places to holiday, the scenery especially climbing the mountains are very special. In the pronunciation of Assynt, there isnt a hard i. There isnt an i after the L in Suilven.

[@SanaurRehmanShahmir]

Great sharing as usual! Lot of love and respect from a solo mountain hiker from the Lower Chitral District of Pakistan!

[@davidwilson9821]

Absolutely stunning Thomas and such a beautiful part of the world.

[@scotty4418]

Enjoyed your selection of images this week Thomas, the abstract one at the end was very eye catching. Looks like the Delica is handling the conditions well too

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Many thanks! Yes, the Delica didn't skip a beat. Everything performed 100%... Apart from a blown fuse in last week's video 😕

[@ianiles6430]

The view from Suilven makes it more than worth the climb. If you get the chance, head up to at least the col.

[@davidskinner274]

Both your likes, I like!

[@brentthompson6718]

Bravo from Canada - but these are far from "blizzard" conditions I must say! Thanks for your commitment to this channel. Just ordered your new book to support your work!

[@MarCus-su4rr]

Love those reeds! It's got a weird sense of symmetry (the reflections) and chaos (randomly placed reeds) to it at the same time... Nice one!

[@WillsWhereabouts]

Another throughly enjoyable video matey! Scenery looked epic 🏔️

[@marthaguenther9827]

I love hearing your thought process as you set up a shot. The reed image was so different from what I expected and did look like an abstract painting. It’s always tough for me to find different shots from my expectations of a sight. I learn so much from your process!

[@thomasrollinson8630]

Just watching your video for the first time in my new iPhone 14 pro Thomas. 😍 OMG amazing, your images were mega before, but Jesus they look absolutely amazing with the new resolution on this phone. 👌🏼

[@GrandWalkingTours]

I always enjoy these videos, they make me want to go out more and more and record videos and take photos , i would love to be able to go full time , however it would need a mass following , much as yourself and i know its not just KZbin as your income , you work extremely hard and do so much work , and bring us all entertainment but also words of wisdom and knowledge of books , Hope to bump into you one day out in the field

[@Rob.1340]

Thank you. All the best. 👍📷😎

[@LadyTracyOfTheDisk]

A good photographer gets the nice shots of the mountain and tree island, but a great photographer sees the reeds in the water and makes a cool sermi-abstract composition. Well spotted, Tom!

[@mjcatto]

Special video tonight Tom. I have watched your channel for years and appreciate your stuff very much. The last image was excellent. I know you have excelled in Chamonix, Namibia, Iceland and South America, to name but a few. Those reeds just really involved my senses with a significant impact.. Outstanding! Mark, Cullercoats Ex-Pat living on Vancouver Island...

[@richardpesce5325]

Thanks Tom, The reed picture is particularly outstanding!

[@danviridian]

Hey man you seem happy on this trip. The reed shot is excellent, really. My fiance and I enjoy watching your vids and appreciate all of your work. Cheers from Edinburgh :)

[@FrasSmith]

One of my favourite parts of the world, though I've never been there in winter. Also, fun to hear your unique pronunciations. ;)

[@hungrybearphotography]

Every landscape photographer exactly knows the feeling behind the grin by Thomas when he said: "I can't believe there is no wind"

[@Luigi13]

What makes your videos interesting to me Thomas is the journeys of each trips, your narration and story telling, your lifestyle while you drive and all the other things with your van and some of the images you take of course. But most of all is the journey and the stories that you create. These are what makes me click to the site and give you a thumbs up. Honestly it is refreshing as you create your contents, and it is inspiring that in all odds you do go out and create some images. Of course in the end it keeps the channel alive isn't it? Anyway your input here on KZbin is very much anticipated by me and I am sure many could feel the same way.

[@FrancescoCarucci]

Your experimental photo is by far the best of the video. Great job.

[@derekcampbell4413]

Great vid Thomas. I loved the image with reeds. You certainly are an inspiration. Thanks

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

I am very sure you never watch my videos, but i was there in October but i had nasty blue sky... i would love to have had that weather..

[@kodimolly6082]

Lovely photos and great sharing!

[@joshloan]

Wow you’ve gotten really good at this episodic format and intros 👏🏼

[@marvinshaw6756]

Hello, on one of your recent videos you shot with Thor, you had a camera mishap that involved a camera that had fallen and resulted in lens damage, and was believed that the lens was a gonner, Thor fixed it, I also had a 18-55, that my granddaughter dropped, after hearing you talk about how Thor said it could be repaired, so I tried it, it worked, sometimes even when you think why bring this up someone may need to hear it, it saved me from buying a new lens for my wife. Enjoy your day.

[@pskourides]

Your videography, ( Production, editing, etc. Better than mainstream media) is exceptional and these images are just incredible, many Thanks Thomas Heaton. Rated and Respected. !!!! btw may I ask where you got the hat and gloves pls ? The Reeds photo would do well in a Modern Art Museum. The others were gorgeous, some of your best work :)

[@chipsrafferty8362]

Changing lense outside in the cold damp boggles my mind.

[@jackbrown2325]

love NW scotland , and really like this T . However for me Scotland is dominated by its light and i personally am obsessed by it . Keep up the good work .

[@RoseKerin]

I must say this video really touched my emotions. I just love being in the snow. I enjoyed your wonderful saying about simplicity. Thanks for such inspiration.

[@davidburchettephotography6513]

Another great one Thomas. Thanks again for taking us on a little journey with you.