Moving away from Big Landscapes

In this video I focus more on intimate landscape photography as I move away from the big landscapes I had been photographing for the past couple of days. I am with James Bell and we explore a small section of woodland and an overgrown tarn in Grizedale Forest in the Lake District.
It's really good to stretch your creative photography muscles by focusing more on details and textures and this is exactly what we do in today's video. I also give a great demonstration of how to use a polariser.
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#Photography #Intimate #LakeDistrict

[@antonoat]

So glad you did this video, perhaps people can realise one doesn't need to travel the breadth of the planet to create amazing photographs or to even copy photographic scenes which have already been photographed tens of thousands of times!

[@colliescameraaction8944]

Exactly what i was thinking. Lots of time spent driving and hiking to a specific location with a preconceived photo in mind, and being very conditions-dependent. Much of it time wasted. Plan for this weekend has changed now :-)

[@molopez619]

This was a much needed video.

[@TheMoodyPhotographer]

@@colliescameraaction8944 that sounds the same to me, I really want to go out and search for small things and play with my nifty fifty 👍

[@roediej]

So true

[@PointBlankZA]

This is so true. Having made it my mission to photograph more locally, I have stumbled upon so hidden gems that I had no idea even existed so close to home because I have been so focused on the popular big vista types, meanwhile the more intimate selections were right here all along ;)

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

I think the pine needles in your 3 leaf composition is a welcome addition. They add a bit of visual interest and signify the context of the ‘pond’; eg in a pine forest. Nice work for a day out.

[@molopez619]

Dimitris Tsagdis great breakdown of the image bro!

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

@@molopez619 Tnx

[@johnmansfield4468]

I agree and like the darker water as well

[@moritzgyssler]

@@johnmansfield4468 Me too

[@AlergicToSnow]

John Mansfield ditto

[@fafnorcal]

Indeed, intimate landscapes are the perfect antidote to grand landscapes. Shoot landscape long-enough and you come to one or more of these realizations: 1) you are simply re-shooting that which has been shot innumerable times before, 2) you wish you shoot more than two hours per day (the golden hours), 3) you desire to capture not only the colors of the landscape but also the evocative textures and the details. Keep it up!

[@infocalypse3754]

As someone with a chronic lack of convenient visas lying around, this look at 'small' photography is much appreciated!

[@PhilT993]

Welcome back to the "good old days" :-). I miss these types of outings that you used to do more often. I watch all of your videos and they are all fantastic, but i find that I can relate to, and get more out of these ventures compared to the breathtaking vistas from mountain tops around the world. I learn more when you can pick a great image from 3 lilies floating in a pond or snow covered branches by the side of the trail (campervan epic fail) or frosty leaves at your feet by the side of a car park :-) Cheers, Phil

[@joelspencer900]

It's nice to step away from the grand vistas and do some intimate landscape photography sometimes. Definitely feels like it has it's own therapeutic way about it. Looked like a tranquil and calm location at that lake.

[@molopez619]

Joel Spencer well said Joel!

[@dreamcatcher3622]

You never realise how long tens seconds is until you use a self timer.

[@molopez619]

dream catcher facts! Lol

[@TheMoodyPhotographer]

I can agree hahaha

[@mika2666]

Waiting for 10+ second exposures is hell too :(

[@Denmarkone]

@@mika2666 Waiting for 10+ minute exposures is even worse lol

[@jillianhorsley5985]

Hi Thom, I enjoyed this very much. I watch all of your content and for a few weeks in my opinion I have watched you struggle....please relax and stop trying to perform for us fellow photographers, it will burn you out. There is so much beauty around us to capture do more of this and less stress will ensue. My comment is heart felt and is not meant to be nasty...enjoy your days as they take up time and that's the stuff that life is made of.

[@chiranjibghorai6950]

"Aaah... My legs!" Relatable :P

[@davidmedeiros7572]

Small and intimate detail shots are a great way to deal with limited time and resources for big trips to epic locations. When you start to think more like you are in this video, I think you begin to open up many more possibilities, especially those closer to home. And I think there's more to learn for us watching on our computers as well. When you walk us through an obviously amazing epic mountain scene, I don't think the small decisions you are making really come out. But here it's more obvious how what you see in your mind ends up as the shot. Cheers.

[@johnpouw3352]

Excellent vlog. I found myself in a bit of a rut for a month or so during winter where conditions were grey, not even stormy, just drab. So instead of giving up and hibernating for winter, I bought a macro lens which is opening up a new world. It wont change my core passion which is landscapes, but there is a lot to be said for popping out to the garden or the park on a drab dreary day and finding a wealth of subject matter beneath the foliage in the form of insects. Thanks again for posting the vlog. John Pouw, NZ.

[@mohammedamalik3859]

I always thought of my photography like my food, variety is essential for good health.

[@1young-geezer]

Very generous of you Thomas to allow James' image as the better - but I don't agree. I love the flotsam floaters, and the movement blur of some energize the surround. I also like the angle you got from being in the water w/ the broader leaves from being more straight up above them, and I particularly like the position of the composition you achieved. Very nice image. Also really liked the other image. And I do appreciate the effort you've endorsed to change your game up - and take a wonderfully measured look into the smaller scene. Nicely done.

[@GeoffBeattie]

When you said "I like the idea" of taking a photo of the scene, I see so many situations that I think will work as a photo, but it's often a challenge translate that scene to a good image. Love the trees & lillys.

[@OgetID]

When I watch your videos mr Tom, I just want to go out as soon, do adventure, making video, capture image and enjoy the life. Relay enjoy your adventure videos mr Thom.

[@waterman308]

Very nice. Sometimes you just get bored doing the same thing over and over. There is so much beauty in the world where you live, enjoy all of it. And it says alot that in all that space you both saw the same image. Fascinating!

[@Marco030]

Great, because even in seemingly boring places you will always find beautiful motifs 👍🏻

[@molopez619]

Marco Hartig that is a sign of a master photographer! 🙌🏽

[@bikecommuter24]

I have to admit some of the best times I had in the UK involved putting on Wellies and going into the "wilds". I could sit by that pond for hours and enjoy every minute of it. Nature walks are just relaxing. Whenever I do business in England I try to add a extra day or three to enjoy a walk in the woods, hire me a car or more preferably a motorcycle and wander around.

[@AlKulla]

I do this all the time. It's very therapeutic.

[@stuartschaffner9744]

Really nice, Tom! I’m not surprised that you both saw the same composition, because both of you were looking for small compositions and both of you know about the rule of odds. Taking a ‘polarization stack’ was pure genius. Now that you have invented it, the rest of us will try it too. One thing I do a lot when I am trying to stretch or get out of a rut is to play a lot in Lightroom and Photoshop. For example your picture of all the lilies plus the tree shadows is simply stunnin’ but by severely cropping you could try out hundreds of arrangements of one, two, and three lily pads. Of course the results wouldn’t be publishable, but they could give you ideas for when you come back with a longer telephoto. I presume you know about KZbinr Toma Bonciu (Photo Tom), who is going through a similar phase.

[@Bazzo61]

Type of video well over due. Can see you are much more relaxed and enjoying the experience. Can totally relate to this type of more intimate shoot. Loved it.

[@bolleolympus]

The image to the right is clerest and deffinately best

[@debbieb9815]

I really like both of your images. Glad to hear you will be shooting more intimate images in the near future. You really have a great eye for it. Can’t wait to see more!

[@CostaMesaPhotography]

Really nice video...stretching creative muscles and watching you doing that was informative and enjoyable. I especially like that you were able to include a side-by-side of your images and James's image. What are the odds that you would both notice, and photograph the same three leaves in that area. I also think it shows a lot of respect, and self-evaluation to be willing to say you think James's image was a more successful result that yours...you're a quality guy.

[@molopez619]

CostaMesaPhotography classy guy for sure!

[@barryjames3747]

More of this please. Thank you.

[@fachiro1]

The lily pad photo is absolutely beautiful

[@AlergicToSnow]

I’m so very happy you’ve expanded (condensed?) your horizons. I work full time so I don’t have the opportunity to keep going back to a tree or mountain hoping for the right light. It’s a colossal waste of my resources to get up in the middle of the night, travel for hours, only to turn around and go home because the sunrise didn’t happen. I love landscapes and I love getting out to experience new parts of the country, but I need to come back with some great images whenever I get a chance to go out with my camera.

[@colliescameraaction8944]

Really enjoyed this one! Thanks Thomas. It has helped me to think about what I plan to shoot this weekend (with gloomy damp weather forecast) without feeling the need to venture somewhere faraway with huge vistas and hope for golden light and colour catching clouds. As you suggest, intimate landscape photography doesn’t require grand viewpoints, interesting skies and golden lighting - the local woods or riverbank will have loads of little details that tell a story, with bright but diffused light still offering shadows, reflections etc bringing high levels of texture and colour interest on a small scale. I think there’s a big benefit to slowing down, and losing the idea that we have to venture somewhere far away and famous to find an impressive big shot. Does it really matter if those Lilly leaves are in a generic suburban pond or in a well known highland lochan or upland tarn? Not really. I find that travelling and then hiking deprives of us valuable time in the field and we often end up rushing to try and find a composition during the 30-60 minutes of golden/blue hour. Sometimes the most creative work comes out of arriving at a location and not knowing exactly what it is you will photograph. Too many times I’ve pre-planned, gone to the location, taken my shot, come home, and then realised that I could have done so much more with the day and come home with more of the unexpected. Again, a great video from you!!!

[@emilycross4527]

I like the one with the pine needles, they add texture and interest without being distracting.

[@deborahhammond8576]

Great sentiments. I prefer the Image without the pine needles, but I prefer the composition and colour of yours, so half and half,

[@TheMoodyPhotographer]

I'm really so glad to see this video, I have a lot of these places near my house, rivers, small lakes, a lot of trees and a lot of chaos, and it's really so hard to take a photo there with an ultra wide angle or something like that, you encourage me to go there again and try to search for small things with my lovely nifty fifty. Thanks a lot for sharing 🙏

[@StephenPlimmerPhotography]

another great video, thank you for once again showing us that it is not all about exotic locations and big vistas. That some times its the simple subjects close to home that really turn out to be the enjoyable shoots

[@chopster01]

Loved this video. Proves you can infinite variety of shots on a smaller scale.

[@jstallings2070]

I like the more painterly feel of the photo James took. Pretty amazing that you both found the same image along the pond.

[@JamesBellLandscapePhotography]

J Stallings thank you. That is the look I go for.

[@ScottJWaldron]

Nice video. This is a little closer to my usual style of photography than your other work. I love those simple casual photo outings in nature.

[@zyiola]

Each photo at the end both have their own things that make them amazing. I love James' and being able to see thru the water and grass in it. Yours I like because of the color contrast, the bright green on the black background.

[@scotty4418]

Simplicity can be stunning and absolutely loved the 2nd image Thomas as this was a great example of it

[@molopez619]

scotty4418 simple hits hard when done right!

[@Ryan.Chapman]

How ironic... I just received my Capture Lakeland book by James Bell and my Thomas Heaton 2020 Calendar in the mail... and now it is all on my screen on KZbin. Must be a good episode!

[@JamesBellLandscapePhotography]

Ryan Chapman thanks for your support Ryan. I hope you enjoy your book.

[@romiemiller3093]

Actually, I really like yours with the movement in the pine needles. I've seen a lot of photos similar to James's, but yours is unique, and expresses the atmosphere at the time better.

[@griffithjoe1]

this is a great video for those of us who like to photograph nature but don't happen to live in (or travel to) areas with those vast, sweeping, mountains in the background type locations. thanks! I hope the kfc lived up to expectations!

[@captain_barnacles]

Some of my most satisfying results are details - they certainly make you consider your subject carefully and how you create a representation you feel meets your intent. Do more!

[@LadyTracyOfTheDisk]

"No back on my lens. You can tell how much I look after my gear". *fails to put back on lens he puts in pack* LOL Nice images, Tom, both of them. I admire your devotion to getting the exact shot you want, even if it risks getting water in your boots!

[@HighOnYouDroneBoy]

Cracking video mate. I think what you say about just enjoying the moment and appreciating the environment is really key advice for any area scout. I gain so much from your channel dude, thanks! :)

[@ScottWalton]

Thanks for making a video like this Tom. By far my favorite style of photography. I think it’s nice to have an experience in the landscape that lasts a bit longer and one which you can savor, rather than chasing the more fleeting, ‘epic’ moments. Both have their place of course but I much prefer this kind and it’s great to see you encouraging us to pursue it.

[@phurbadukpa4375]

Fantastic photography Sir. ..I respect your hard work and you are the inspiration for us. .thank you.

[@undercoverbearmusic]

Yours is heaps better! Getting in the water made all the difference.

[@raulluis7052]

Truly find inspiration through your work!,... Thank you very much Thomas!,..;

[@marklevine1100]

Funny, but I thought the pine needles made the shot, they make a more interesting background for the plants.

[@mpactdesignmedia]

Love the owl @ 5:23. Great epi, TH!

[@PaulGJohnsonphotography]

Catching up . Great video. James is a genuine guy and a good mate. Re your comment on sounding pretentious. After watching you for almost 3 years, I was just saying to James last night that despite your success , you still come across as down to earth and relatable. Keep up the great content.

[@joanneoconnor247]

This video is so inspiration sometimes you can’t always go Long distances and it certainly makes you look closer around your surroundings 😍

[@killer120070507]

This type of nature photography is my favorite. It's rare that I have the time or opportunity to visit grand vistas at sunrise, so I too, just started going out in overcast weather and shooting details.

[@pnmather123]

Loved this one. Great to see you in a slightly different environment and really looking. It has inspired me to go out and see some of the smaller details that you can sometimes miss when you have a summit or viewpoint in mind for a shot.

[@frazhassan]

And you have a new Garmin Watch. Instantly noticed that. Welcome to the club. Congratulations

[@johnsmith1474]

If you attach a strap long enough to reach to the ground to the bottom of the center column (on the weight bag hook), you can stand on it, and tension the tripod down to the soft Earth (also works in the wind). You didn't say what the shutter was, but if it was long, the water was quivering and will be fuzzy. If you know you are going to a pond, wear hip waders.

[@ChrisRoutledge]

Those "pine needles" are from larch, which is a deciduous conifer, so although it's similar to pine, it loses its leaves in the Autumn. They were introduced to the Lake Counties as a commercial crop in plantations in the nineteenth century, and Wordsworth hated them. I love their softness.

[@johnguillory7759]

Very nice narration/reflection on your thinking through the image you want.

[@ottersphotography304]

Nice video, great to see these intimate compositions.

[@jamespeirce2582]

Thanks for this video. Good reminder to step outside the box. I like your composition of the leaves, more, in terms of the angle you worked to get. His simpler still image is delightful.

[@DezSUrban]

Love this video, far better to clear the mind and get down and personal

[@JoDaniels]

With this video you are “meeting” very closely all those photograhers, including myself, who are living nearby such forest and do not have the urgent need to travel far. It seems that you arrived in an interessting “ New Photography home”. I am looking forward to the next tour in your new home😊

[@Yamanotefy]

I do have to say, I like yours better, the dark background let the lilly pads stand out clear, the moving needles give a bit of dynamic while the pads stand perfectly still. Well done Thomas!

[@starsearchreject]

Oh! Hello, Thomas. Thank you from saving me from Twitter and the news. I'm feeling so much better now. 😁 I love these more intimate images (yours are lovely by-the-way). I find myself doing this quite often, as a lot of the rural Florida landscape doesn't offer grand views - it's very much about the details. Great video - looking forward to the next!

[@edcook3040]

I much prefer your image over Mr. Bell’s but that is what’s so nice about photography, albeit when you’re a professional you might feel a bit more pressure to followed the typical norms of photography...the rule of thirds, “capturing” the light, etc, etc. Given that I’m not a professional photographer I don’t feel constrained to follow those norms and take photographs that I like recognizing that I might not be able to capture what my minds “eye” sees. I have a koi pond in my backyard and trying to capture, i.e. photograph, those colorful fish stretches one’s abilities but the results can be rewarding as well as abysmal. Keep up the good work!

[@johnpunnett1426]

Great shots - I could so see your 5D4 or you falling in the Tarn ... was just waiting for it to happen...

[@stuartschaffner9744]

John Punnett , I was thinking that he has phases where he longs for a new camera...

[@adamrussell6442]

Honestly my favourite type of videos.

[@bcegerton]

What a great video, you’ve given me some ideas and thankfully I can go numerous places locally. I’ve a small Local Nature Reserve about 10 minutes walk from my house ( 5 minutes for most as I’m disabled but thankfully not too much ), and I also live in Horwich, Bolton, with the whole of Rivington and some of the West Pennine Moors within 10 minutes drive of me. The Lilly photos were both amazing and at first glance I preferred yours, but after closer inspection I have to agree with you, James just takes the prize. I do like the slight vintage feel to his image too.

[@deedling]

I actually prefer your version of the image.

[@TheCoolkriss]

Same, the contrast and the shape of the leafs are what I like better in particular.

[@derVlogdahalt]

Me too, the contrast and the colours are way clearer in Thomas's version. The other image looks like an old photograph with these fainted colours.

[@williamshakespeare9815]

​@@derVlogdahaltI thought exactly the same about the faded colours. It's also a little too overexposed. I like the blacks in Thomas' image. They are both really good photos and lots of people will prob prefer the other one.

[@esphilee]

You are being humble.

[@thornton]

18:50 I actually really like your one. Thanks, as always, for talking to us about photography and how we don't all need to go to Lake Bled and get the same photo. You have been a huge inspiration to me in my 5 or so years making content, and I just released a USA coast-to-coast without flying travel video, if any of your fans would care to leave me some feedback I would be so appreciative.

[@JeffandLeslie]

Thisis exactly the type of photography my wife and I do. Mainly we're doing wildlife bur intimate landscapes are my joy and what I look forward to photographing. Thanks for sharing.

[@chriss2761]

Nice video with autumn coming up Thomas, Beautiful image love it 👌🙏

[@molopez619]

Chris S just in time for autumn vibes 🙌🏽

[@MateoWieland]

Freaking love your videos! So inspiring! Keep up the great work Thomas!

[@molopez619]

Mateo Wieland you and me both!

[@dr.feelicks2051]

Two artists perspective on the same object is, well....., a fascinating subject.

[@michaelclarke8066]

Awesome video and photography work as usual Thomas! I think the often overdone popularity of so many of the "epic" spots has in many ways forged a path for intimate landscapes being the more unique visual art form nowadays. Cheers and keep up the awesome work! I do think your playing with fire (or water in this case!) by not using a camera strap, even though they can flop around I definitely find comfort in being able to hold the straps at times and especially when the locations are precarious, but it's ok to live on the edge too.

[@cgriggsiv]

Love you video is always Yes Thomas it is absolutely fantastic for the mind to just simply walk around small ponds and streams finding shots I have done this so many times on the trail And the shots you can get our sometimes absolutely stunning

[@dh1895]

I really enjoy your recent videos ...

[@paulus0109]

YES... so recognizable! That's what it's all about! Such a good vlog Thomas. Thnks spaircase!

[@bryanc8636]

Those animals at the background noise :), I saw the slim benro tripod(my only tripod) you left in the car, which is perfect for my mirrorless and has weight advantage for hiking and airplane hand carry luggage, but not heavy duty though. Nice topic and good vid,exactly what I'm looking for as I'm doing an experiment for this kind of shot lately.

[@Johnnycbtx]

I prefer yours. I find the pine needles just add something. I find the reflection of the trees limbs in James's a little distracting but both are nice and would great as B&W images.

[@valdius85]

Thank you for that video. I limited taking the camera with me on family little trips as we go middle of the day. I need to start taking this 70-200mm I like so much and look for detailed photos ;)

[@soccerjockey]

great video! this is something I've found myself gravitating more towards this year. Even living in Colorado, where there's no shortage of grand vistas to photograph at golden hour, I've been drawn more and more to finding the intimate details in the landscapes that I'm hiking in, especially flowers and fallen trees. And I love that first composition with the reflection!

[@bradzaruba9686]

Another winner Tom.

[@leetrry]

I like photographing the scene within the scene. Especially in areas that are heavily photographed. Well done!

[@chuckstrange8832]

Love the change of pace, it inspires me to try different styles. Your videos are instructional without seeming so.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

As I live in a heavily-populated, flat area with a paucity of epic views, some of my best images have been intimate closeups. Just a week ago I was frustrated by a rather boring seascape, but came away with a nice image of the exposed, glacier-scraped bedrock I was standing on. That said, I look forward to my upcoming Maine vacation which I hope will indeed lend me some wonderful vistas.

[@Memories4lifemedia]

pls more of this love your others but this is great thanks. Agree with you verdict at the end but yours has merit as well, thanks for all the uploads love watching them thanks

[@clarkbarrow6750]

It looks like two completely different lily pads. James,s pads look longer. Nevertheless, I like the one on the right best. I like the pine needles in the shot.

[@raiman432]

I love that type of photography, there will always be something different and minimalist as landscapes around my area was getting difficult to find something unique to photograph because everybody has the same photo and you have to hike for miles to find places less photographed which you need time for and hope the weather and light is your favour. love your work👍

[@debrareither4682]

Loved both shots! Thank you for sharing Thomas & keep on with your photo journeys. You just get better with age & experience. 🤩

[@johnjon1823]

Good work with a real-life scenario -reality.

[@LuisHernandez-rf6ru]

I started following you years ago for that unique vision that you had (and I had not seen before in other photographers) to photograph details that for the rest would go unnoticed. You have helped me a lot in these years to train my eye and not only see the obvious landscapes that are photographed with wide angle. You are a magnificent photographer, whatever you photograph, but in fact, this type of intimate images are more your style. By the way, I think you also had a certain influence on my last acquisition of photographic gear. I am still in the process of understanding if I did it wrong, but I acquired a 200-600 lens to make landscape photography..... hahaha I know, it sounds crazy, but you made me love using telephoto lenses for landscapes. Also maybe the most appropriate option would have been a 100-400, but I will accept the challenge of the extra 200mm

[@anildamodaran]

Such a great video. Felt like I was right along for the walk with James and you! Also, thank you for picking new music for your video.

[@achimuhlrichfotografie]

very inspiring

[@PMCN53]

I like both images for different reasons. Sometimes the beauty is in the detail. :)

[@derekgillan7314]

If you put your waterproof trousers over your wellington boots the water cannot go over the top, It gives you about 30 seconds before leaks.

[@hughwolfe1176]

Wonderful subject Thomas. Expansive landscapes are nice, if you’re lucky enough to be there, without the hoards of people typically associated with these popular well known locations... However In my mind it takes more creativity to “see” what’s right in front of you.

[@PamelaMarshall]

Love James Bells work. It’s great to slow down once in a while.

[@JamesBellLandscapePhotography]

Pamela Marshall thank you

[@alsokennisan]

Really enjoyed watching this. Please have more of them coming 😍

[@nickbristol3457]

This was so nice to see! I enjoyed the calm feel this had and that is exactly why I love photography like this. You both came away with nice images and it was interesting seeing the difference in them. Nice job Thomas.