My Best & Worst Photography from 2023

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Videos of My Top 10 Images
Frozen, Snowy Lock w/ Trees: • Winter Photography Roa...
Arctic Fox: • I Got to Shoot Wildlif...
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Snowy Tree Island: • I Can't Believe What I...
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#landscapephotography #2024

[@matteorolfi6906]

The one with the ice falling is truly another level.

[@MikeUtah]

Agreed, that photos is epic. I was trying to figure out what was going on for a bit.

[@alexnail]

Hi Thomas, when you print Smooth Cotton (or any paper with curl) I would recommend bending the paper by hand in the opposite direction of the curl, particularly at the corners. You can also set the print head a little higher which certainly helps, but I guess you may have already tried that. I printed a whole portfolio at A2 on Smooth Cotton and after curling the edges the opposite way I had no problems, and I use the same printer. Hope that helps!

[@jameskezman]

I absolutely agree with this method of gently bending the the edges the other way before you load and print. Don't wait, though, as the corners will start to re-curl!

[@brucetreloar3200]

Plus avoid leaning the paper up against the wall. The weight of the paper will encourage curl.

[@glensumner3425]

I also had to clean my bottom plate on my printer as was always leaving a smuge on on corner edge

[@MrSindriSvan]

It might also be worthwhile seeing if there are any AM1X files available for the paper/printer combo as that takes in the media height.

[@jameskezman]

One last point - if this behavior continues, call the service department of the manufacturer. My original 3880 was replaced because the print head was scratching the surface of the paper on every print unless in manually set the platter gap - clearly incorrect behavior. Epson was very good about the whole process & im sure Canon would be as well.

[@dross24MA]

My only "negative" to this? It should have been top 12 and we'd find a way to turn it into another calendar. Hahahahaha!!!! Seriously,the shots are exquisite. Thank you! And, thank you for explaining what you felt was wrong with your non-favorites. Indeed, it was an education.

[@gschweiger]

Sigh. Thomas’s embarrassing image would be one of my best if the year. Those last two are outstanding images. The Scottish mountains deserve a large panorama print.

[@incorporeal3793]

Lucky you, my best doesn't even come close to his worst. 😮😂

[@pjcornelius]

Personally, I find it difficult to believe that those were actually his ‘worst’ photos of the year. I could be wrong but I think he must have taken some actually bad photos because everyone does. I think rather he chose pictures for his ‘worst’ that were otherwise good but disappointed him personally as they didn’t live up to his hopes or expectations. If this is true I wish he would admit that because it is a disservice to the community to show really nice photographs and say they are terrible. It could easily dissuade people from getting out and shooting as it makes them feel inferior and useless.

[@LadyTracyOfTheDisk]

This is why you have such loyal fans, Tom--along with your best (and really fabulous) images, you're willing to show us the fails. But those fails come from your willingness to look hard for images and to try new things. No shame in that!

[@OrangeBrick8]

6:53 personally, I love this shot.

[@mm8276352]

My favourite bad one is the nice light illuminating a pile of dirt.

[@chris_2112]

I’d happily buy one of those images with bent corners, would still look amazing framed and on the wall!

[@Karthwarr]

‘For every good picture I got 50 bad ones’ and yet, we saw more good pictures than bad. The good photos we all saw in the field videos - when you took them. I would have liked to see more of the bad images and maybe talk about where you think it went wrong.

[@DavidMNewbold]

That last image looks a lot like an infrared image. I really like the thought you put into that one and the final way in which you processed it. Very nice!

[@tobiasyoder]

that iceberg shot is fire. Gives off super strong 'Persistence of Memory' vibes by Salvador Dali

[@fab-mh7vz]

Happy new year everyone!!

[@alanclark9691]

Once again, I commend your inherent openess and honesty. It's what defines this channel.

[@danienelphoto]

Very cool! The last image, snowy tree one, is like a Game Of Thrones scene, North of the Wall.

[@mikeyjhn]

I really enjoyed the blogs from Andalusia but wanted to applaud you for putting a link to all the other commissioned photographers under your video. Have watched a few of the other guys videos and none of them link any other photographer. 👏

[@ChrisHunt4497]

Love the last image and the lily pads. ❤❤❤❤. The leaf image made me chuckle. Been there, done that. 😂😂😂

[@FromShetoMe]

I’m obviously not a photographer because I really like the one from Spain.

[@don_sharon]

Having been deeply invested in photography for over 30 years, I admit I learned a lot about myself and my photography from this video. Thanks for your open and sincere discussion on what and why of your experiences this past year. New subscriber.

[@lisazhao3227]

I like the 3rd image in the collection the most 🙂

[@NeilArthurs]

Hahaha the voice over of the leaf in the snow 😅 A wonderful set of images.Roll on 2024, happy new year mate! 👍

[@dianecotton9531]

Sooo love the last 2 especially the tree, which l had been looking at & wanting to see all video.

[@ianjefferson694]

I love your enthusiasm, it was like watching a little kid on Christmas morning opening his presents

[@pauljakeman]

Great pictures. Ngl your “worst” pictures are better then my best!

[@maciejlewandowski114]

those few last sentenses of this video is all there is about photography :) whether it is about landscape, woodland or anything else.. just go and shoot - it's always a pleasure.

[@petesuchon7340]

Thanks Thomas, looking forward to a new year of videos.

[@philh.4906]

@Thomas Heaton The issue with the corners and smudges occurs on thick papers when "paper abrasion" is not set. You should find the setting in the printers settings. Good Luck and to many wonderful prints in 2024, hope the setting helps out 🙂

[@juanitakelly3082]

I'm sure you could sell them as "seconds" as the bad edges could be covered with a frame and people would be thrilled to have them! Very interesting critique!

[@itonuoro3813]

Interessting video, thank you! One annotation to printing: You are not alone with your problems with your printer. In the meantime I am finally tired of permanently servicing my desolate canon printer, which produces the same issues like yours. I am not the servant of my printer, so I gave that broken thing away and use a professional printing service now. It takes a little bit of time before I see the results, but it saves my nerves so much. Never a canon product again!

[@brianbeattyphotography]

such a great idea to look at the 'unsuccessful' images instead of just the "top 10." I get not wanting to sell something sub-standard, but those corners will likely hide behind a matte or frame anyway. If you do decide to list them I'd still be interested! Great set for the year. Maybe this year I'll get a printer and do something similar!

[@Hirsutechin]

I loved that pano from the north of Scotland when you showed it all these months ago and agree it's one of your very best from the past year. All the best for '24!

[@steveking6204]

To print from a roll on the Pro-1000, give an extra 2 in on each end and roll the paper backwards for a couple days.

[@brianmillerthomas]

Ben Loyal is perhaps the most photogenic mountain in Scotland. Well it's definitely one of them!

[@romiemiller7876]

The one where the ice seems to be falling off is kind of Daliesque. I like or.

[@rmetzger7368]

Hello Thomas! New subscriber, a novice photographer that hit a slump. But like a breath of fresh air, I stumbled upon your incredible site. I have binge watched many so far, and the way you present your photography, well, it's top notch. Your personality, woven thru your pics, sets the bar high for other professional photographers to follow. The manner in which you deliver the "how's" and "how not's", is so easy to follow. Glad I found your site. Incredible pics!!! I like your passion for photography. It's rekindled my flame. Thanks for being YOU. We're watching over your shoulder from Port Angeles, Washington, USA!

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Great video and fantastic photos from 2023 👌

[@paulus0109]

I agree with your choises Thomas.

[@Peter_Reed_Photography]

Your current printer headache is precisely why when I decide to print any of my best, I'm going to a lab. I can see home printing being too frustrating for me. As for the best images, I must say your one of Ben Loyal in the Scottish Highlands is my favourite. It has everything I look for, atmosphere, mood, interest. It's one I could happily study for some time.

[@rfalconator7896]

Interesting, mostly winter images.

[@andyblessett1951]

Spot on 'Boss', you don't have to reject/dump your so called 'failures'. Send them to Gavin so that he can continue to chase more awe. As someone who after decades of trying, still hasn't reached your standard. I would have any one of those pictures on my wall!! All the best for 2024.

[@curthostetter187]

The joy and pride you express about your favorite images is almost as entertaining to see as your easy self-deprecating chuckle at those stinkers. I feel like I've taken those very same shots--the clunkers, that is. I was just at the place in Hornstrandir where you shot the arctic fox. (I'm fortunate to live in Iceland.) The images you share show a simplicity and unique moment that brings us right into it with you. Just marvelous. Thanks. One of your best vlogs of the year.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

I've said that for years, printing your photos is a great way to improve your photography. Cheers and happy new Year!! 🤠😸

[@alangauld6079]

I normally do a calendar for family and friends of my best shots of the year. I send it off to a print company and get reasonably good prints back, but it costs over £100 each year. So this year I invested in a calendar-making kit from Amazon and created a template in my desktop publishing app and printed them myself. Cheaper, and the quality (colour, dynamic range etc) was far better (after a few misfires!). Not practical in time terms if you are doing lots of calendars professionally but, for the 10 or so that I produced, it was only 1 day's work and the prints look so much nicer than the screen images on Flickr. I also do a single print of my best shot each month and put it in a click-frame on my study wall, again there is a satisfaction to that paper print that I don't get online. However, it does also show up any blemishes and technical flaws.

[@nigelwest3430]

Really love the Artic Fox image

[@Clownsareus]

The still life with flowers was far superior to all the rest I thought .

[@markattardo]

Enjoyed the video. I see you retained the shadow detail on the trunk in your favorite image. 😉That was a fun video to watch as well👍👍

[@Hassi1972]

That "ice falling" image from Svalbard - absolutely sensational :)

[@pm-ec1fc]

You could print a bit smaller and trim the edges to solve the problem if you cannot found a better solution

[@zigatretjak75]

Tongue in cheek-how about a workshop teaching me taking your worst shots. Would leave happy, happy! All the best in 2024

[@MikeUtah]

Excited to see you thinking about selling prints. You have many I would like to own. I would like for you to have them all on a website that would allow me to pick the ones I want to buy.

[@gary.kenyon]

Gorgeous shots.

[@davidcrighton3431]

We all know that pros do not shoot prefect shots every time but seeing the duffers make you human, and more relatable. 👏👏👏 I have a Canon Pixma printer. Lower level admittedly and prints pretty good but boy is it fussy about what paper it will happily print on.

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Terrific shots! (Yes, and some that should go to the pixel bin.)

[@robertomorgenstern907]

Excellent video Thomas, very honest.

[@brianmckeever5280]

I don't know, put come gaussian blur on the rejects and I think you've got a couple of Rothkos! Maybe use the ICM you've demonstrated earlier when you're trying to make image out of nothing? Just spit-balling. Your keepers are bangers, cheers! HNY!

[@macronencer]

2:16 I hung your calendar four days ago and was greeted by this image. It really is very special! I love the geometry of the patterns in the foreground - they are so pleasing to my mathematical tastes.

[@michaelsurratt9593]

Absolutely beautiful images though!

[@nevilleholmes1324]

I have a smaller canon printer and have difficulty with paper cut from a roll. My best solution to date is to precut the paper with a knife and ruler then lay it flat under a weight overnight. I now keep precut paper between flat sheets for later use. The corners are the issue and easily damaged and have had no success reverse rolling. As you show, there is nothing like seeing your best images printed on nice paper. Keep up your excelent work.

[@anthonyalongi3432]

You forgot one…..the shot from Arran of the lighthouse with Ailsa Craig in the background. Easily my favorite from 2023! Happy New Year.

[@bifcake]

I've been doing abstract photography for the last thirty years. It's really hard because you can't rely on the subject matter to carry you or to mask when your composition or your lighting is off. Abstract photography is all about lines, patterns, color and light and everything has to interplay harmoniously or there needs to be some dissonance, which could be interesting. On the other hand, doing abstracts can make you a better overall photographer because if you think about it, all photography is abstract. It's all about lines, patterns, color and light even when the subject is recognizable. Great images of 2023. You should be proud.

[@robertwhitemoto]

It's why I started watching you so many years ago... Stunning work Tom!!

[@randyschwager2515]

Fun to see the good, the bad, and the good ugly! Thanks for taking me along!

[@Aetx]

Please sell the ice falling one!!! I would love to have a picture of that!

[@johannaknowles8569]

Thanks again 😊shame about Svalbard but maybe you’ll find something equally cool.

[@willchen3185]

I wonder if stacking the foaming river pic with a 1” long exposure might have made it more interesting

[@StuBobsGhost]

That Spain shot was so close as far as I can see. Crop the annoying rock in the foreground and a bit from the side to keep the proportions and I think it might work.

[@romiemiller7876]

Printing images with very high key whites and might grays can be very difficult. I have two or three that took a lot of time. I printed the on Hahemuhle semi-gloss paper.

[@johndurrant9929]

Hi there Thomas. Shame the printer messed up the mountain pano shot..... absolutely beautiful....... if you are giving it away let me know, I would be only too happy to oblige!😊

[@Dr.GeoDave]

I applaud your emphasis on printing

[@kojw7100]

Even your “bad” shots are great. I’d happily take any of your photos with bad corners 😊.

[@jamesmonte9214]

Great images Thomas and Happy New Year

[@timrosenburgh8597]

Hi Thomas, I commend you on your honesty again for showing your mistakes in your image's that you took and not happy with. Out of all the prints that you showed us in the video, my favourite one was the second last one with the Mountain's with the light on them. Look forward to the next video.

[@kevinburke6446]

Honest fun! Good or bad, it is a journey.

[@retirewithjames6745]

I'm looking forward to watching you in 2024!

[@BraveNewWorldAH]

I would happily buy one of those images :)

[@thepiratecats801]

Lovely to hear Neil Arthurs voice. 😂

[@josephwanyoike3566]

I truly relate to this subject the journey through the unsuccessful to successful images. Yes indeed, simplicity is not easy to shoot. Thanks Thomas.

[@KoenRH2803]

That last image is truly magical! Well done!!

[@Zanagash]

Amazing pictures ! I can’t help but noticed that they are almost all wintery pictures… YOu’re going to have to take more pictures in the spring/summer months ! 😉

[@georgfritz]

Happy New Year

[@MarkoCoomo]

Just moved to Scotland and can't wait to get my landscape photography back up and running again after a lull in motivation. Great photos Thomas. 👍

[@daniellichota2227]

Hi Thomas, Let me share with you some tips on printing panorama ona canon pro 1000. I did some printings from the roll and... I had a lot of issues with vertical streaks at the beginning and at the and of the picture. Because Pro 1000 can prong panorama, but can't handle printing the paper from roll which is not flat. So I cut the roll to the length I wanted but I add around 12 cm on each side and put it on the floor with parchment / soft paper on top and than books which under pressure made it quite straight, Than I had no issue - problem was solved. The roll makes paper rounded / curved and that makes ekstra pressure and curves. That demand some other kind of paper management inside the printer. I believe it's about paper abrasion settings. Fingers crossed for your next printings.

[@MarkRLeach]

Not much colour in 2023 then… 😂. Keep up the good work!

[@millymucci]

"shockers" 😂 but your best - wow. very special images.

[@kimberlydoolittle3724]

You could give them to me. Lol. I love your work

[@pgtips4240]

Thanks Thomas, I really enjoyed watching this video. I liked all your images but some of them are outstanding like the one of the Scottish mountains, that's an absolute beauty. I am looking forward to see what you capture in 2024, I have no doubt they will be awesome.

[@AmorLucisPhotography]

I sometimes get a similar bits of ink towards the edges on my P-1000. Doing a deep head clean should help. Never had the corners catching, though.

[@mikebartow9415]

Thanks and good luck in 2024! Yes light is fleeting. Recently it was foggy on an early morning, great light. I drove to a grist mill with the water mill and the fog would have been great. A quarter mile from my destination the fog lifted. It was as if a trap door went from underneath me. I still got a good photo but it palled if I had gotten it with the fog.

[@dwite3657]

So happy with my calendar, love your work so much man. Probably my biggest inspiration out there ✌🏼

[@petergordon2471]

Stunning images mate. The last one is especially nice ..

[@elithunder]

Geez, the day photos like these become my "worst" is the day I'll be a happy man!! 😁😅

[@ChristopherGrantHarvey]

Love it. Your worst shots are shots I’d be happy to take. 👍

[@M31glow]

All great images! Well done. You seem to prefer minimalism... color that is almost Black and White.

[@guillaumeobinphotographie]

Such a great video ! Thanks for your honesty, it's good to show the truth behind landscape photography !

[@julianmcwey866]

By the way the lilly pad image is wonderful

[@mortenthesbl5535]

great video - love to se your best and worst shots. That last one I thought was an IR photo til you held it up. Great shots thx!

[@paultaylor5513]

This is your best video of 2024 by far!

[@cliftonwhittaker260]

The Scottish Mountains image was the best one of the lot IMO. Wonderful composition of a very interesting scene and this one was printed with enough density to make the lighting and details and color tones work. Most of the rest of them need more printing experience and density. Good images that failed in the printing , except for the water lily abstract. It had good color"pop" because the density and contrast is correct. I certainly don't wish to be a troll about this because I am a great admirer of your work and have been for a long time. I never miss a Wednesday post. But one of these days sometime in the future after you have been printing a few years (and maybe invested in a different printer), you are going to look back on this group of prints and think, "What was I thinking".

[@jeffschreifels8651]

I very much appreciate that the 'bad' photos you posted actually were kind of bad. I was prepared to feel depressed because you'd be showing me photos that are better than anything I have ever taken in my life and talking about how awful they were. Well, the one from Spain was better than anything I have from 2023 but some of those other ones were meh even by my standards. For the first time, my best photos are now somewhat better than Thomas Heaton's worst. That gives me hope! 😅

[@_Chris390]

I thought the one you weren't keen on of the mountain in the sunlight was quite nice. The last two also great, and the one of the floating plants.

[@isaiahherve]

If you ever decide to get rid of the damaged prints. I would take the frozen tree in a heartbeat

[@scotty4418]

Quite a collection of stunning images Thomas but also a good balance in discussion in respect to those times it didnt work out. Im sure you will get the print issue figured out soon and can see some practical solutions being offered up in the comments