What Pro Photographers Never Share With You

In this video I give lots of landscape photography tips, tricks and advice by showing you not my best images, but my worst ones. Many photographers will showcase their best work and explain all the things they did right to get the shot, but today I am going to show all things I did wrong. This can be just as helpful when learning landscape photography.
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𝐌𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤: thomasheaton.c...
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#Photography #TopTips

[@jameswilliamson4508]

This concept of showing a bad image, explaining why it's bad, and then showing a similar image that doesn't have those flaws is *fantastic*. Learnt a lot - thank you!

[@BenDurham]

This so much! I think people learn a lot more from "failures" than "successes".

[@ZiggySheppardUK]

What James said!

[@danielalbala3119]

I agree very much. Thanks

[@leeolver3778]

Totally agree. Great video!

[@demon-pt]

Agree, do more pls :)

[@rachelw3533]

Thank you for the video! The format was not overly edited or fast paced, which made learning about the photography errors much more easy.

[@alangauld6079]

One of the things that made me subscribe to your channel was that you weren't afraid to make a video of a failed shoot. Even if you didn't take a single image. Its the reality and that's what I liked. Don't feel you need to produce a great image every time. It makes you human.

[@miguelm6307]

One important reason why this kind of video works: it helps those aspiring photographers see that those they look up to still make mistakes. Im often at awe of my favorite photographer's work and tend to forget they're just like me, just much more skilled, but still prone to messing up a shot, or the focal point, etc. Great work man, love the video

[@Tom_Graham]

Thomas. This video blew my mind. Thank you for showing and explaining the good and the bad photos. This will help me so much. Tom

[@ritamayachattakhandi6732]

Just from the chair, this so much looks like Granpa Heaton's Fireside Photography Stories. Loved the premise. Can't wait for the Nepal videos!

[@Adrian_Mason]

I like the way you are showing us what not to do. I learn much better from wrong, than from right. Thanks!

[@fx7295]

That's actually one of the most useful video! Easier to correct mistakes than trying to reach the perfection in one shot

[@keeskoertshuis1419]

Great video. Learned a lot with your comments, combined with your thoughts at the time taking the image. This is something you cannot do when commenting on other people's work. Thanks for making this video!!

[@WayneUpchurch]

yes.. your first "rubbish" example reminds me of the advice of an old news photographer cohort's... ah.. suggestion. "Nah... it needs a clock. No one's gonna hang it on his wall unless there's a clock." Love your channel, Thomas.

[@Marc-yy9mo]

Thanks Thomas. This video really taught me stuff. Fantastic work. Photographers such as yourself take such jaw dropping images that anybody with a heart beat can see that it is good. As such you don't learn anything. This kind of video is rich in knowledge. Please more of type. It's fantastic sharing. For me this is what photography is all about. How so much effort can be put into a shot and one item is overlooked and the whole photo comes tumbling down.

[@robertmanak]

I like honesty in this video :) It can be hard to publicly criticize your own work, but by showing us "bad" examples i can learn to improve. Thanks a lot Thomas and keep it up!

[@bryanleaman5942]

"If I'd had a chain saw" -- love it! I've made the same comment to my wife who gives me a hard time if I move some pine needles off a mushroom. Accuses me if "editing nature".

[@MarionWalsh]

Really enjoyed the video! Would love to see more like it. I also liked the first image. The empty space in the middle forms a heart. Crop it to a 4x5 taking off the sides and it’s even more obvious.

[@itaylorm]

Wonderful choices for images to learn from including similar examples that do work. Wish more photographers shared information like this. It is how we best learn

[@rodneytopor1846]

As a former teacher, I completely agree that it is necessary to show the wrong way to do things as well as the right way to do things!

[@sarahwiltshire5851]

This has been so helpful - thanks for being so honest, it's really appreciated!

[@luciechu4777]

I wish to say “ Thank you “ Thomas for sharing this video ! I actually learned a lot from you : the reason why those images were bad and how to avoid it by comparing to & learning from the others which were better. It truly added value for my understanding of what a good image looks like . Please share more of this type of real life lessons ! Cheers 🌈

[@vedarius]

Dear Thomas, thank you for this video! I liked the last frame as a starting point to do a good image! I wonder why you didn't mention cropping as a method of improving questionable shots. In that last case I would propose 1 of 2 possible crops: 1- horizontal, to get rid of empty spaces and distractive details in the foreground, giving the image panoramic look and better focus on cliffs, or; 2 - cutting off empty left part and sacrificing a portion of foreground (that is not very informative and important too) to create 1:1 proportion with cliffs in the centre and nice lower left to upper right diagonals. I'd prefer the seconf option. I masked your image on my screen, as I described, and it looked pretty good to me! Cold nordic atmosphere, good balance - nice shot! Igor

[@michaelglavanis4160]

Great video and one of your best for helping people rationalise the difference between a good and bad video

[@dirtywater5336]

The color cast of your videos are so much better on the Fuji. The Canon was so cold and contrasty. The Fuji is much warmer and inviting

[@noeldavis618]

Yellow tree example is perfect, both the bad and the good. Glad to hear you’re not out pruning the forest to make your images cleaner, too!

[@nicolahguy]

Fantastic video. Thanks for sharing your photos and breaking everything down for us; very useful.

[@rogergroover4971]

Really appreciate the educational aspect of this video and learning from your mistakes! I’ve got a few hundred BAD examples if you need some, and now I know why. Ha! Keep up the good work!

[@rolandbrooks467]

I class myself as a 'snapper' as I only shoot with compact cameras but,,,, I've learnt a lot from this vid, so it's a big thank you from me , keep doing what your doing Thomas, their a joy to view.

[@JBGuarino43]

Subscribed on this video! Excellent points and tips. Very appreciated your humility and humble attitude and great pictures. Learned quite a bit 🙏🏾 thank you.

[@Chazthefurr]

Lord Snowdon had best advice for photographers trying to get the perfect picture - take a LOT of photos at the time and then choose the best ones. He once had a famous photoshoot of the Queen, Queen Mother and Princess Margaret together and took 200 shots on film to get the perfect one. Think the best landscapes are taken by the guys who get to the most fantastic locations, especially when this involves exotic travel or being up there at dawn (or whenever) to be rewarded with interesting light.

[@susanrockliff2182]

Thanks for this video. Good examples for learning. If you do something like this again I am going to stop the video and look at the picture to see if I can work out what is wrong before I listen to you.

[@gregkiserphotography]

Awesome video and I applaud you for showing your bad images. They were bad...but makes me feel much better about my trash pile of images. Always enjoy your videos and appreciate your inspiration.

[@tonedune3456]

The leaves hanging down to the water pic would make a great stock photo

[@neerajnarwal9558]

that first image will make a great website background.

[@johannestornquist]

For the second image, could you maybe have taken a wide angle lense, walk close so the closest trees no longer block it and but the camera way down on the ground so you have the beautiful moss leading up to the majestic yellow tree, now in a hero shot, towering above you, just framed between the two trees? That's what I would have tried I think

[@johngibson1072]

Thanks for showing us the other side. Very helpful.

[@Jerry10939]

My time as a photographer was in the 80s 90s . I shot many rolls of film. Only to have one or a few photos from each contact sheet. It’s still like that now when I shoot photos.

[@BenjaminLeBoutillier]

the most impressive bit of this video for me is saying you wouldent even remove a twig to better a shot. thank you i appreciate that you dont more than any photo you have taken.

[@42632034]

Great idea, explaining what’s not working... thank you!

[@MrJudopizza]

Thanks for the tips Tom! Can you please do a video on Negative space?! or Negative VS Empty space.

[@ChrisCook]

Great video Thomas. A professional photographer willing to share their “bad” images and explain why they are bad and how they could be fixed is refreshing and very instructive. More like this please.

[@DerVagabundli]

Another video that shows me just how much I've got to learn. Thanks for that! Also, you've been quite a significant factor in getting me interested in landscape photography in the first place, so huge thanks for that, too!

[@TheSH1N1GAM1]

I would really like a negative vs empty space video! I’m not a landscape photographer, but I still find your videos very useful and enjoyable! Hope the Nepal trip was a success!

[@paula-mariez.5367]

Very honest and very educating. Well done and thank you very much!

[@macronencer]

This is a great way to illustrate the topic. Brilliant! Also, "cat sick" is my new catchphrase.

[@romiemiller2485]

The yellow tree might have worked better as a verticle. Move closer to give more space between trees & yellow tree so the branch isn't cut off. (?) Increase contrast & raise highlights some (?).

[@terrygoyan]

Fitz Roy peak must be named after the captain of the Beagle, Darwins transport. New Zealand? Thanks for this video.I can usually tell a great image. I'm not however able to explain why one image works and another does not. This video helps me to understand and to quantify the differences in clear concise language. Much appreciated!

[@scotty4418]

Loved the candidacy in the episode Thomas and I have always been of the opinion there is learning to be had when things don't go plan. Used that approach in my professional career as it ensured we sought to improve for the future and apply the same ethos to my photography.

[@martinsarre]

Great video, Hammering home the need for a focal point and balance. Looking forward to seeing how you get on with the Fuji, I don’t think you are going to like it.

[@martynstevenson5372]

Great video hope you do some more like this , has been a real help thanks very much

[@GPYCROFT]

Great video, I think I learned more from this than all the videos showing the impeccable photos being shot. More please !

[@doumepatrice7597]

one of your best vidéo, education for all photographers! Tks Thomas

[@chir0pter]

I think the mountain photo would have been really cool if you could have solved the dark sloping foreground. I like how the peak is in a band of shadow

[@stuartdrury5990]

Great video, this concept of showing us the reasons why a photo is CRAP, works. Being honest and with a little humour held my attention, and look forward to seeing more of the same.

[@54Mizery]

Candid honesty. Thank you.

[@dacoole]

sounds like we all need a Focal Point Balance and Composition in Life !

[@duaneswaby622]

Really great video. Thanks for letting us learn from your mistakes!

[@joanegert4276]

Great inspiring and instructive video, brilliant idea to post bad images, thanks!

[@everyday_bw790]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@ianhawke]

Did you make a video of the difference between negative and empty space in the end?

[@saschafuchs185]

Thanks Thomas - true, more educating.

[@proach3]

Being able to self critique is so important. So often I am amazed that a photographer has no idea his/her image is bad. we all take crap- just need to recognize it.

[@martin.kuchar1]

I could watch video like this for hours. Thanks.

[@MetaphorTravel]

Actually a very interesting and informative video. We always learn more from our mistakes. Thank you for daring to share some of the 95% of your images that never see the light of day!

[@gate2soumyajit]

Thank you Thomas. This is very useful

[@itswrongtokillanimalsifyou2837]

Bad composition, lack of focal point, split focal points and distracting elements are probably what prevent most pictures from working well. A stupendously effective shortcut for me was the discovery of minimalism (which basically uses only the fundamentals of visual art). After that, you see things very clearly. It's like in The Matrix, when Neo learns to see the world in (green) code!

[@kangeroobru]

Quite interesting you last picture with the balance issue and the sea. If you had shot it from the edge of the sea looking towards the mountains and had a slither of the beach showing, do you think it would have helped? You would have had the sea crashing on the rocks then

[@tekrite]

Brilliant topic and brave of you to share! Would love to see more of this to help guide why photographers throw things away

[@Chreeeys]

Much respect for this one!

[@metrixc]

Really interesting and helpful video. Looking forward to more like this :)

[@damish141]

Always surprising when a professional just drops his pants like that in a desire to help us lessor mortals. Thanks and cheers!

[@raymondlaflamme1749]

one of your best video. thank you

[@jeteli74]

Great vlog. Thanx for sharing some bad images...learn from it...

[@sbl2051]

Excellent information, thanks.

[@johnscratchley3288]

Great video. Some great advice to ponder.

[@AndreAraujo_]

Man... your videos are fantastic .... you inspire and show many interesting things.... helo and congrats from Brazil!

[@moreapropos]

Color, lighting, framing, subject, and most important, the moment. If you miss the moment, you miss everything.

[@nickpov3y]

I think the last image would work as an album cover, you could put text or a logo in that empty space with a low opacity and it would look great

[@sebastianspringbett9785]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing this.

[@kenimrie4977]

thanks Tom. great vid.

[@richardshorephotography]

Bloody hell Thomas, I would hate to hear what you would say about my images!

[@marcd7332]

Cicada 3301 It’s a joke

[@JayFunningham]

Have to say, in the image at 3:00 the 2D effect created by the fog made me view it almost like a pattern on a piece of cloth. I didn't really feel the need to "fill" the space because there wasn't a great sense of depth in the image for the "window" to lead.

[@robertgiragossian5255]

great video , very informative , thank you 👍

[@gfnlopes]

I learned a lot, thanks!

[@TheLiamGordon]

Super useful! I mostly shoot street but might be moving out of the city in a few months so landscape might become more accessible:)

[@nordeaster1971]

I bet the first little yellow tree in the woods was really pretty when you happened upon it.

[@martineverett7469]

Cheers Thomas loads of great tips as per usual. All taken on board 👍

[@md3631363]

Great video! Great information, thanks! :)

[@katelikesrectangles]

Hello! Thanks for the video :) Eight minutes in, I'm wondering, do you only photograph trees?

[@yonishperling1531]

BTW, what could or how can it been catch it during versus post? Ipad or a bigger screen?

[@Jensrnsholt]

Brilliant! I did have a feeling that you had somehow to make your 2019 autumnal series concerning the lonely yellow tree.. Glad to see now that you admit the outcome want that fantastic...

[@Jensrnsholt]

@Cicada 3301 wasn't... Thanks

[@dazzlingdeb8427]

This was fun. I’ve taken crap shots like this. The scenery looks so beautiful, but it’s a nothing photo when you put the camera up to your eye. I was thinking that your yellow tree shot and your ocean shot issues could have been solved by moving the camera and shooting from a different angle.

[@peterthart531]

Only ever share you BEST work. This is the best way to improve or be seen to.

[@wolnyczlowiekpolski]

You have a nice heart-shaped window on the first photo :)

[@udaykumarmane007]

This is one of my favorite videos.

[@Ericbjohnston5150]

at the 14 minute mark the mountain leads down to the unkown sea. I like the photo the way it is.

[@SteveBott1963]

Great to see this video as on the odd occasion you showcase an image in a vlog, and I think it is poor, so good to see that sometimes you also feel the same.

[@LordArioh]

Literally every pro photography channel at some point in time: "Taking look back at my bad photos."

[@stevekaschak9442]

Thank you, this video really helped me to see!

[@Mcguppy]

Great video, made me have another look at my own images, some of them are seriously lacking eagles.

[@palnovakphotography]

We need to think about those things which distract during the process 'buy a pocket chainsaw' I had this kind of headache about 2 month ago. It was on point :D

[@mikerupertus2326]

My 2 cents - regarding the yellow tree picture, remembering the rule of thirds, it might be better if the yellow tree was not centered but off to one side

[@henrikryhle1536]

love the messy one 😂