Landscape Photography | Things I Wish I Knew Earlier

[@AleRodrigues]

One of the best endings of all your videos so far! LOL

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

I don't know how I feel about that 😂🤔

[@Jimages_uk]

@@ThomasHeatonPhoto Scared?

[@JevVan]

I almost clicked off right before, but I scrolled down and saw this comment. Thanks for the lol @thomasheaton.

[@bradzaruba9686]

The gang is back. Can't wait to see all the stories from various perspectives.

[@mikeysteam]

The ending. So good I forgot everything you said previously....

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Damn. Unintended consequence.

[@davidmedeiros7572]

Focus is such a mine field of conflicting information for new shooters. And even for long time enthusiasts like myself, it can still be a real struggle to decide on what approach to actually take for a given shot. I keep notes on things I've learned or worked out re composition or shooting techniques and have the following for focusing styles: 1) focus on infinity: when there is no specific subject or immediate foreground. 2) focus on subject: when there is a specific subject and no close foreground. 3) double distance focus: shots with specific foreground to background compositions. Find distance to nearest subject that needs to be in focus, double that distance to focus for best DOF (sort of a compromise between hyper focal and focus at 1/3). 4) focus 1/3 into frame: general shots with no specific subject and some fore ground interest. Can be replaced with DDF. 5) hyper focal distance: magic. also for showing off math skills to newbies. Of no practical value in the field :P 6) focus stacking: how to focus like Thomas Heaton! Thomas, I'd love for you to devote a video (or two!) to the practical application of some of your various techniques for picking focus (beside focus stacking), on scene with real images that require different focus methods. I think seeing the thought process worked out in real could be a real time help to groking focus (for me anyway).

[@joeysanchez5094]

As someone new to landscape photography, I really appreciate your videos as a way to learn and inspiration. There's definitely a lot I underestimated getting into it

[@shanesmithphotography]

I'm STILL laughing at that ending. Truly HAS to be the BEST ending to any video. Its fantastic to see all the gang back together! Can't wait to see all your adventures together. Enjoy guys :)

[@oscarmike47]

dude i gotta say your videos have inspired me. i have just recently gotten back into photography and my fav kind of photography is landscape. i have watched a ton of your videos over the last couple weeks. you put a lot of time and effort into them and it shows. i discovered from your vids that you have been through some rough spots. all i can say is just keep being yourself and doing what your doing because its totally inspiring. and i have a suggestion. why not keep a grand or so in a jar somewhere and if you feel like your heading on another downward spiral then break out that jar and use it to go somewhere amazing again, like you did with the canadian trip. keep up the good work mate. i hope one day ill be able to visit some of the places you have photographed.

[@Noealz]

Boy can I relate - I think this is actually one of your best videos to be honest. I mean I love the vlogs and all that but you be helping alot of people just starting out with this vid, anyways have a good one

[@CostaMesaPhotography]

You're hanging out with the funniest gang...looking forward to future posts. I also wanted to say how much I enjoyed your talk in this one. For simply being on the road without a presentation in front of you, the information was very well organized and presented. I would take exception to your last point about confidence and there being no secrets to getting the great images...specifically you said if someone was next to you, they'd get the same great images. That much is true, but you sell yourself way short by that over-simplification. It's GETTING THERE that is equally important to all the other things you cited...light, composition, subject, lens, focus... You work very hard to go to places, and being there at uncomfortable times, and then working just as hard to get compositions. If there was a point to be made about confidence, it would be that once you've mastered the elements of gear, location research, timing, and compositional skills, then you can go anywhere and create amazing photographs... you have, and you do. And that's what makes you such an amazing and successful landscape photographer. And those goofball friends of yours have clearly achieved that same level and together with you are a winning combination.

[@juttakarin]

OH My Goodness!!!! I laughed so hard at the ending of this!!! All your expressions were PRICELESS!!!! Funny stuff right here!!!!

[@Christie2878]

Your last point is one of my biggest struggles, and I'm relieved to here someone who takes incredible images like yourself had that issue too. OMG the ending.... so damn good.

[@dirkboy07]

Thanks for all the tips from a beginner. I have followed you for years, even before I had my Canon 450D You have helped me through depression In the past 👍

[@curiousgeorge684]

Always good to hear/reinforce the basic stuff. Glad to see you are on your second beer. Cheers

[@KellyPettit]

So glad I stuck around until the end! hahaha. Looking forward to you clowns and your latest vids. I have a friend who suddenly wants to be a pro photographer and thinks all my photos are 100% post. Keeps asking me, "So that's a great photo. Teach me how you did that in post". I just don't reply. Hopefully one day he will get it. However, from here forward I'm sharing this video. :) Thanks again Thomas.

[@dougspence6710]

Y'all are just too funny. Great reminders of the simple things we all need a reminder of from time to time, and a great laugh at the end. I cant wait to watch all the content the four of you make on this trip.

[@JosephSeagerPhotography]

There is so much truth in what you say mate. It's great to learn from our mistakes and pass on that knowledge, so thank you.

[@bryancouch9482]

Pretty sure every photographer goes through this same list! I just upgraded my tripod...game changer not having to fiddle with it every shot! One thing I will say though is that working with the soft lenses, flimsy tripods and subpar gear, you learn how to use what you have and find the limit of what you're using. You can still make a great photo with inexpensive gear if you stay within those limits.

[@blivieriphoto]

Have to admit, I knew this was coming. I saw Nick's video earlier today. LOL But still hilarious! Great tips too. I felt the same when I started. Tough pills to swallow after finding out how much things cost. Starting out with a crappy old Olympus (which I think is defective) and upgrading to a Nikon DX was such a huge boost in my confidence. I slowly accumulated money and bought some second hand good glass at half the price and I'm very happy. I think one other thing that I wish I knew earlier is that photography is NOT cheap. It's downright expensive, especially if you are not making any money at it. Looking forward to you next videos!

[@00Skyfox]

I think another good tip is to go out and shoot often. If you go out shooting, and then go out again a few weeks later, and then go out a few months later, you won’t remember anything you learned the previous times out. You have to practice often if you want to stay sharp with the knowledge and techniques or it’s like starting from scratch every time.

[@SethPay]

Nicks face was priceless 😆🤣😱

[@michalstoch]

L bracket is a good one 👍 Really changes how you take your vertical images, makes it so much easier !

[@DavidMeggers]

One secret you almost mentioned towards the end is that you are not going to take any amazing photos unless you actually get out there and take photos. Cheers Thomas, great video

[@jasonblackman]

Thomas, you said in the last episode that it would be worth it to watch until the end. It was worth it. What you failed to mention was that it would include His Highness, Lord Nick Page!! Now I can't wait to see what my 2 favorite landscape photographers do in the next one.

[@thepaintedlady4637]

I love your points on how the lens will determine the quality of your image. I really hate it when photographers (rather smugly) say the 'gear doesn't matter'. While it's true that the gear alone won't automatically make you a good photographer, it does matter depending on what you want to do. I use mainly kit lenses, and will never get anywhere near the sharpness/detail that I would like to have but am well aware of what is possible with more expensive and better quality lenses.

[@andychattaway5620]

What a pleasure to watch, Tom. I'm not new to landscape photography, but it was great reminiscing. Cokin Filters - been there, Kit Lenses done those and Cheap Tripod - got the T shirt. And photographs I'd rather not remember (bet they were worse than yours). But I have enjoyed the journey and the learning along the way. ✌️

[@grantlawrence7917]

Brilliant, uncle grumpy and his mates at the end, love it. Great video though, I'm quite new to landscape photography, your chanel has inspired me to get out and shoot images whenever I can and has helped me to improve my photography as has uncle grumpy and the other nutcase living in Canada so thanks to you all.

[@MaliDaviesPhotography]

Brilliant! Lenses changed everything for me. My L bracket needs to go in the bin tho, don’t buy too cheap! The faces at the end! 🤣 classic!

[@remykemner]

Lol what a ending! Hahahahaha very nice! Love to see the video's off the other guys!

[@SamDurber88]

Haha, great ending to a cool informative video. Im just starting out in video/ film and actually discovered your channel through an earlier video of yours where you talked about gear and b roll. This was also useful to me. Time to binge on your content a learn a load more. I will look forward to more videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@karyleianawildernesscapes]

Yes! An L-bracket! _Game Changer_ 💯🙌🏽 I didn't think it was worth it or necessary...how very wrong I was lol! In addition, I'd say add a "camera clip"; or whatever works best for you to have your camera OUT while walking/hiking/kayaking, etc. I was horribly inefficient when I'd pack my camera in my bag, esp for hikes, I'd have to stop, fumble around to get it out of the bag, put it back; that start-stop would have me choose to miss shots bc of the hassle of getting my camera gear out. Having the camera clipped to my pack strap, I get way more images!

[@stevehubbard8459]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. If only you were around a few years ago when _I_ bought the exact same model of Sigma APO 70-300, and wondered why I couldn't count the hairs on a fly's nadgers, handheld, F8 at 300mm. Such a lot of sense and wisdom for a short video. Apart from the ending that is - I'm still laughing. Genius.

[@mathieufortier1826]

I love this little photography crew you guys have !!! Great Video!!

[@TheCowLand]

Great video. One thing that took me a while was understanding what contributed to good light; eg high altitude clouds making for a good sunset. A video about weather and light would be great

[@billgordon7240]

Ha Ha Ha!!! that ending was sooo funny.... Brilliant!

[@stefankuhn6887]

😂😂😂! After explaining my neighbors why I was laughing so loud, I can now write a comment 😁. I think your last thing is the most important. The probability to get a good photo (and to build up confidence) increases with the number of trials - you get more experienced (gear) and the chance to have good light becomes higher.

[@nickbristol3457]

That was great! Such a cool ending and really just a joy to watch! Thanks Thomas!

[@dennishollinghurst7220]

As usual another great video from you. I smiled when you videoed from the deck of the ferry showing the other small ferry heading in the opposite direction as it was the Lismore ferry. Lismore is lovely small island you pass on the way to Mull and my daughter used to stay on Lismore.

[@Rumenix]

Thanks for the great advice, Thomas! That ending was absolutely fantastic! The Landscape Squad is back! Super excited to see you boys back together for some more adventures. Just be careful if you let Nick drive 😂

[@scotty4418]

Looking forward to seeing your images from Mull. Enjoyed few visits there when I worked in the area and visited the island for business. As for the advice, L-bracket is a permanent feature on my camera and bought mine after watching one of your vlogs a while back.

[@pgcknaphill1892]

My secret formula..... don't try to fit photography in with a family holiday..... create a proper opportunity.

[@johnhaynes9910]

I always watch your stuff but must have missed this one, glad I found it though. I can certainly echo your comments on lenses, I too went through that "What fool would spend that amount of money on a lens !" but I learned in the end. A friend of mine asked me why I didn't trade in my two Canon DSLRs and buy the latest "whizzo bang" mirrorless gear ? All I did was point to my collection of Canon L glass and said "That's why, you can have a 'worse' camera body but you can't compromise on the glass ! "

[@MovingTargetOne]

That guy sounded really proud of his ferry, and all its life aiding things

[@Ulrich.Bierwisch]

Almost like he is so confident about the safety measures in his ship, that he secretly hopes the event of the sinking takes place in the foreseeable future.

[@paoloportillo7700]

Hahahaha yeah

[@stevebanks484]

Definitely agree about the L Bracket - so easy & reliable to turn to portrait mode & all the weight is still on top of the tripod instead of the side, especially for portrait-mode panoramas. Great ending to the video & so looking forward to videos from the gang while you're all on Mull. 👍

[@crowtheri]

Haha, you nutters! The pastel coloured houses at Tobermoray are awesome - oh and the whiskey is something else! Enjoy and looking forward to Sunday Vlog :)

[@philduch]

Hello, As a french speaker I was wondering about that famous "hell" bracket... but now did understand the L meaning. Anyway that looks really handy and I probably get that one of these days. Awesome at the end made me laugh for good hahaha Philippe From Belgium

[@Jumpeex]

J’ai bien ri Philippe :D J’ai acheté un L Bracket y’a 1 mois et ça change vraiment la vie

[@SteveP_2426]

I was going to suggest calling the episode "Lesons for you my Padawans" but after that ending...well maybe "The Return of the Crazy Gang" is more appropriate! Seriously some good tips and the focus on infinity (generally) really got me thinking. Hope Nick can cope with warm beer!

[@davidipema7898]

and now there is focus stacking , so you can take the 3 images and make a even better photo 😁time fly,s sometimes 👍

[@dawngore2059]

This is just what I needed after a pretty c**p day at work. Thanks Thomas. Another great video full of useful tips. Can’t wait to see what the 4 of you have been getting up to.

[@catweazle7393]

Tom, I have seen a lot of your stuff . I appreciate that very much! But this one for me is the best. So important basics in that simple way. Trank you for that! For you it is common knowledge. But for many of us it is that what gives it that extra something. But, oh my god, the end was a horror!!! 😂👍🏻

[@tammymellertphoto]

LMAO oh man I did not expect that at the end....BRILLIANT!!!! So now I have to watch eating or drinking on your videos too.....almost spit my drink on the screen LOL!!

[@TypeR-]

I think learning these lessons is a rite of passage of all landscape photographers. Couldn't help but shake my head in agreement throughout the video. But dude, I have photovan envy. Man.

[@wesleylow3632]

Hope you enjoyed Patagonia! I think it would be interesting to have the Gang Of Four in a video discussing where to focus for the best DoF because you seem to have a range of different focusing methods amongst you all. Love you videos and images! Grandpa Wes

[@BullitTom]

You mention about where to focus for landscapes, hyperfocus distance etc. Do you have a separate video for that?

[@fototripper]

Killer mate. I seriously think that Baron Von Page should have been naked though ;)

[@QuietLightPhoto]

That's really disturbing, I love the idea

[@fototripper]

Well of course you do ;) @@QuietLightPhoto

[@Tinfoilnation]

Experience matters but you're right - it's impossible to overemphasis the importance of *good glass* For Canon shooters go buy a used *L* series lens off ebay or craigslist or whatever is popular in your area. You'll save tons and the quality of the images produced by them is the difference between good pictures and amazing pictures.

[@JulioCesarEirasMelanda]

The end of the video was sooooo Monty Python! I love it hahaha

[@CelineAndDennisMurillo]

Epic ending Thomas!! HAHAHA!! Can’t wait for the next episode with the gang! 😁

[@jefffiles9209]

And there I was thinking it was going to be the normal ending...so funny, the begining of many a laugh I am guessing! Love it when you 4 get together.

[@davidrippin9222]

Ha-ha... loved the ending! Also just spotted your van registration. You must have been chuffed to bag that one! Looking forward to the next video with the gang in tow.

[@Askorbian]

I love Mull. Looking forward to visit it again next year 😊

[@ahmonon4352]

The day I switched from Canon to Sony, my landscape Photography game has been changed dramatically . The strip type banding out of 5d 3 camera was so annoying when I push shadows , now life is so easy with Sony's superior dynamic range.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

What a brilliant way to make the trip easy. Talking to yourself (us) lol. I need to ask you how have you mounted your camera to the dash to face you and I take it that your using the M50 for that. Love the faxing forward GoPro as well I k ow how you do that remember you saying in a video once haha.

[@Snowcatnz2]

Great video great advice, and loved the ending. Seeing Gavin's face in the dark is enough to scare anybody LOL!!!

[@macronencer]

Yes, I had the 'no cheap lenses' epiphany too. I've never really bought a top-drawer lens as they're out of my budget range, but I soon realised that you need to spend more than £80 :-\ I was last on Mull in 1990 - I wonder how much has changed? I look forward to the videos. That ending was superb, by the way - you totally got me :)

[@andymacdougall6593]

My favourite moments of KZbin for 2019 🤣🤣😂😂

[@andrewsgray]

I think we all started on those "red" Cokin filters, they were shocking! 😂 Driving past the family farm I grew up on at 1:08 😉

[@alangauld6079]

Probably because they were the first square filter system and that was such a huge step forward that we accepted it as an acceptable price for the flexibility they brought.

[@davidhayler4133]

great ending.....!!! not so when your in a quite lunch time office ,,,????

[@chewbokehl1435]

Stumbled upon this video and really enjoyed it - thanks Thomas!

[@meredithpottery]

Thanks so much. Thomas. Excellent advice and another reminder to buy an L bracket was just what I needed. And while you are tightening up that l bracket, work on some of those loose screws you hang out with! So funny!

[@AlessioMichelini]

Ahaha I had the same Cokin filters, I bought two of them so I could stack them, they were horrible :D The moment I put them for the first time in the holder they were already scratched, and the purple casting was insane :D

[@glowingeye]

Great tips, this helped me A LOT! And the end, hilarious...

[@frankottopedersen8241]

Hahahahahhahaha! That is just brilliant!!! You just couldtn hide your smile just before you switched the lights off! Love it!

[@jeffreywatson396]

Brilliant ending! My wife said "did he not know they were there" 😂

[@goldrace10]

Ha Ha .... Yours Too !

[@AmritrajLaishram]

I have that Sigma 70-300 lens and was so proud of it 10 years ago

[@lsdragons123]

Great video -- every single item is right on. Saving a bit now for a really good lens. L-Bracket - priceless.

[@WayneRobertsonPhotography]

Nice multitasking with driving and making an interesting video! Very funny ending haha, I bet everyones throat needed a soothing hot drink after that 😂

[@ChrisKoehn]

Everyone has technical knowledge thanks to the Internet, but it still takes practice to develop some meaning in your images. It's strange to talk to people who deeply understand camera specs etc... but have terrible pics. I think I'm slowly emerging from this space myself.

[@DiegoMcCartney]

Shirt idea? ‘’It’s always infinity’ 🤷‍♂️

[@jasonsutton9385]

"to infinity, not beyond"

[@3082frank]

Lol. Had a feeling of creepiness. Oscar for supporting creepiness. Nick P

[@MrJohnr47]

My first camera was an old AE1 with just a 50mm. I always wanted a zoom and when I got a small35-70mm, I initially thought I had made it. The 50 prime constantly made great images while the short zoom was a struggle. I finally ditched the short zoom and got a Vivitar Series one 70-210mm with a great macro on it. To this day, I believe it was my best setup I ever had.

[@MrJohnr47]

Live and learn

[@russellschundler6559]

There really is a major secret ... BE THERE and bring your camera! (and HAVE FUN)!

[@hweeboontan5199]

In my humble opinion, other than the L-bracket, I felt one should have a nodal rail in his/her bag especially if he/she took pano very often. I do understand nodal rail is not really require if all the subjects in the frames are at a distance from the camera, but one will appreciate how much it make your life easier during post processing when you have both foreground and background subjects in the images.

[@ianbachanek2538]

Awesome! L bracket goes on my birthday wishlist!

[@chadbaber8342]

I have never laughed so hard watching one of your videos before! The ending, I didn't even see it coming!

[@allansisson355]

Hahah that was unexpected. I am going to do your street experiment with every lens. Just to see the limitations of them. Great idea

[@indy311c]

Always great to have a refresher on the fundamentals. Insightful as always!

[@chriss2761]

Another brilliant video Tom👍 loving the van👌 that ending was priceless 😂👍 looking forward to seeing more vlogs of the mull trip 😉

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Thanks a lot. Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@wendyarthur3941]

Great video!! Glad you arrived safe and sound. OMG I almost wet my pants LOL You guys are awesome!!

[@jowb575]

Oh boy, here we go!

[@nigelmorley8092]

At my desk doing paperwork and look what pops up..Good evening Mr Heaton...! (you never told me you didn't have a driving licence !! :-) ...thought for a minute it was going to be a 12 minute car park manoeuvres video !!)

[@MSACoachMike]

He had his seatbelt on everytime he backed up!

[@Estradarsaysmoo]

Your video is, as always, fantastic. But please don't record while driving, there are enough distracted drivers out there as it is.

[@Jimages_uk]

I honestly get where you are coming from, but having spent the last 40 years as a professional driver, I think what he is doing would not be a distraction, in it's own way, it could help keep him alert on a long drive.

[@robertlavers1121]

I bought the same Sigma lens last year as a lightweight alternative to my 70-200mm f2.8, and although it says "macro" its isn't a true 1:1 macro lens, I even got a polarizer which cost half as much as the lens! It is strange the way the lens keeps telescoping out but I was surprised to get a really sharp photo at 300mm after resting it on a parapet. The colours are flat but that can to an extent be sorted in Lightroom, it's not my favourite by any means but it serves as a "just in case" lens when I don't want to carry a load of kit. It was a toss-up between that and a 200mm prime and I thought it would be more versatile but as I am moving more to primes I am finding they are less restrictive than expected, much lighter and give fantastic results so regret not choosing the other.

[@randallmarchant3443]

Brilliant ending! So unexpected from a Heaton vid.

[@seoirse68]

The ending was like a trailer for the shenanigans that are about to follow in your next few videos!

[@MarkusSenior]

Yep, love the ending :-)

[@BubbleGendut]

Excellent 😂😂😂 love the Hammer Horror ending.

[@DavidSenteno]

Sage words from The Master of Landscape Photography.

[@chadhinz4456]

I almost clicked off the video at the end and then..... hahaha awesome 👍😀

[@stegotron]

Once you master the confidence bit is that when you can say "absolutely stunning" about everything. Also, Nick Page's face! 😁

[@dawngore2059]

Michael Cowin Only if you are THE master photographer!! 🤣

[@stegotron]

@@dawngore2059 Think you missed the fine art nature landscape bit. At least now I know what to aim for 😁

[@Noksus]

This was a good video. I don’t watch all your videos nowadays because I don’t feel like I get anything out of them. Mostly it’s just taking pictures and not much explaining.