Landscape Photography Slump | Don't Want to Leave the Van

[@gedm7949]

The submerged image was simply stunning. I would have been trying to get the mountain reflections 🤣

[@sammyjaketucker]

Agreed. Love that image

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Lol, it's funny because I initially went for the mountain reflection, but it was so bland, so I moved on. Glad you like it.

[@davegrenier1160]

Yes, terrific photo. I'd say "very unique" but that's bad grammar!

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

I was thinking the exact same thing. When he stopped there I tought he was going to shoot that 🤣

[@1337Jogi]

@@ThomasHeatonPhoto Fantastic shot. Easily one of the best from the last weeks.

[@CalebWeston_dubland]

I can't even imagine the challenges of creating weekly videos even during a slump. But it's refreshing to see the everyday struggles, because it's easy to focus only on the good days/trips. I did enjoy the submerged tree. Keep on slogging 🙂

[@AustenGoldsmithPhotography]

Imagine knocking out one video every week for months and nobody ever watching them ! I know that pain !! Last one had 3 or 4 Hasselblad portfolio keepers. I guess it wasn't a total waste of time . KZbin Motivation rather low right now . I should leave the video stuff to the handsome dudes and focus on my camera , big fan of mr Heatons work

[@pauldlewis3138]

The sunken tree image is a masterpiece imo, worth the whole trip in itself ... nice one Thomas

[@paulsimpson1680]

I really enjoy your videos. For me there are three enjoyable parts to your story - The travelling in the van which I love, the cooking and the photography.

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Lol, calling it cooking is a bit of a stretch. Glad you like it though 👍

[@esphilee]

Yep, 3 in 1.

[@amalieemmynoether992]

I'll subscribe to a ridge-monkey, van life cooking channel with Thomas 🤣

[@scotty4418]

I would say there is a key message here for aspiring photographers Thomas in that there will be days where the photography wont happen for various reasons as sometimes it can be construed that every day will be a winner in terms of images. That being said the Scots pine image was beautiful and the abstract image was stunning and you certainly looked like you had your enthusiasm back the next day

[@benstephens2924]

I thoroughly enjoyed this piece, Tom. You cover so much of the joys and disappointments in photography: from experiencing and ultimately accepting “off days” to pushing to find the hidden gem of a scene. Honestly, your last image is breathtaking and your vision inspiring. As the video pans across the loch, I couldn’t help but leap at the more obvious, grandiose vista image of the snow capped mountain and reflection. I thought “ooh, that is the image that jumps out at me!” But no, you acknowledge it’s beauty as part of the setting, but not the story of the loch. Instead, you honed in on the fallen tree partially submerged underwater, something I may have missed if I had been there. It defied my instinct but quite honestly, your image far surpassed what I envisioned for the scene. It told a more compelling story of life, death, endurance that is the story of nature. Thank you for sharing this process. I love seeing new ways of seeing a scene.

[@masterxyr]

In this day and age of face/insta 'perfectness', it feels cosy and human to see those other sides of things and they're always welcome. Never bleed your creativity juices - or lack thereof - for content filling sakes. No pictures? Have a chat with us, tell us a story of yester times or just simply brew more tea, or whatever else boats your float. Myself, and I believe many others, also come here for you too. cheerio

[@masterxyr]

oh, also just to add - since I finished watching your film only after having written the previous comment - that I really enjoyed the pictures and that last one was superb!! And isn't it just serendipitous that the polariser's lack of full coverage actually contributed to adding a wee (since it's Scotland) extra layer of a more intimate window into that beautiful tree you spotted?

[@alexbpunkt1875]

Admit it. You only use your photo trips as an excuse to secretly experiment with your cooking skills.

[@PrimalOutdoors]

I have had many of those days, they happen more often than not these days. Actually enjoyed this video quite a lot as I sat comfy in my van with a hot cup of coffee. The last image was very pleasing 📷 Jason

[@DarrenJSpoonley]

Even tho you made not have felt the feeling on this trip, it was very enjoyable as always to go on the adventure with you , that sunken tree image was sweet and I can see it appearing on a future calendar for sure... perhaps you need a change of scenery mate, time to jump on the ferry and bring the camper on a tour over here :-)

[@coreycorey9611]

That last image of the tree branches in the water was one of your best ever in my opinion.

[@alexandrastevens8892]

I absolutely love the submerged tree , actually more beautiful than if it was just growing in the ground even if that would be nice as well.

[@LifeStorymbJayed]

Make some cocking video . Love to watch ❤ you are one of the best photographer teacher. I always watch your videos

[@RobBowesPhotography]

Fair play to you for getting out of the van in that weather , great video as usual , what version of Rab jacket did you have on there ? looked ideal for the weather

[@dcurleyifa]

Thanks Thomas for being honest and human, so many other utube photographers pretend that every shoot has to be great and produce wonderful shots, when we all know it’s not that easy, though you do show with skill you can get the results. 👍🏻

[@chefforone]

David Curley my hat goes off to you for you freedom honesty and photography key points to Many to mention we get put in a Place of fear to comment on peoples posts but old Thomas here is a good sort and does it well like you keeping it true

[@mrcassioo]

The last image was beautiful. I love this format btw, following your journey from the very beginning of the trip!

[@prospekt_1]

Thomas, I’m hoping you would consider selling the image of the tree in the water as a large print. I want it badly. Love your channel

[@AdamMatthewsPhotography]

A few thoughts that I had while watching this... - I really appreciated you revealing how long the drive was. Living in the American Midwest, sometimes if feels like you can get anywhere in the UK really quickly (5hrs is the drive from Chicago to St Louis). But I know I have a lot of great variety within 5 hours! - A temperature of -2C is a really pleasant winter day here 😂 It is always the wind chill that gets you though. - Turning a bunch of the video into "van cooking" episodes was hilarious. Love the experimentation! - I could totally empathize with just not feeling it because you haven't slept well or at all. The images you did take were still fantastic! - I'll 100% be back for the next video. Been a subscriber and avid viewer for years now, and the honesty you bring to your photography and videos under all conditions is what makes this my #1 must-watch channel.

[@ProfessorAB]

Early morning breakfast + your vlogs, couldn't be better ♥️

[@cliftonwhittaker260]

I think I enjoyed this adventure more than any I've been on with you, Thomas. Reminds me of so many photo adventures I was on in years past. One thing is good to know, you're not any smarter than I was at your age, but you're not any dumber, either. My grandparents and all of our neighbors never thought I would live to be 30, but in another week I'll be 80 and I have so many more memories and pictures than all those wussies who played it safe and stayed at home. BTW, I loved the Scotts pine picture with all the snow coming down. My favorite from this trip.

[@kevjaffray]

Another great video Tom, giving some insight into what it's really like to be a professional landscape photographer. How are you liking the Rab Resolution? I've had mine for 3 or 4 years now and the velcro fastenings on the front have lost their "stickiness" plus there are cold spots on the sleeves which weren't there before washing.

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

It's been great, but I have never washed it. Maybe that's the difference? I hate washing down.

[@RainSound222]

*_The person who is reading this comment , i wish you great success , health, love and happiness_*

[@628DirtRooster]

See you next week

[@iwanderphotography]

James Martin move over here comes the culinary Tom Heaton brilliant, loved the B Roll videography Tom.....

[@wanderlustdiscoveries]

I absolutely loved this video! The honesty on a slump day really hit home! Some days are just incredible and you’re so happy to be out and about and everything just works… but other days you just need to sit, chill, eat and sleep it off! Loved all the photos you captured on your trip and even on a slump day you’re still out and about with nature ❄️☃️ looking forward to the next one 🙌

[@JohnHPettigrewFujishooter67]

Great video Thomas, I had to make sure I watch all of this one since you were in Scotland, Dare I say it but in my humble opinion the image at 23.01 is one of your finest.Thomas A couple of years ago I watched a video of yours where you showed your basic editing of a woodland scene using HSL, wonder if you could share in a video some other editing tips, maybe on some winter scenes or indeed the fine image I mentioned earlier, Thanks for sharing.

[@orange13]

these chocolate digestives are my absolute favorite cookies. Haggis, on the other hand, well,...not so much...

[@SanaurRehmanShahmir]

Brilliant Sharing friend! Lot of love and great respect from a solo mountain hiker friend from the Lower Chitral District of Pakistan.

[@ChrisEdgecombePhoto]

Lovely ambient music in this one Thomas; what piece is playing at 11:37? Great photography, cinematography and story telling. We all get in a slump sometimes, I certainly find that making YT videos around photography helps to motivate and gives me purpose but I can also understand that I might not feel the same if there was added pressure of meeting a schedule as you professional photographs seem to have here on YT.

[@BigfootDigger]

Enjoyable video as you say not every trip is n epic journey love the realism and the final shot into the loch.. one thing though don't having your lense next to all that steam and food without a cap on bit dodgy stay safe shall be out and about myself in my Delica this week, looking forward to the next adventure..

[@carolynspohrer8493]

Walking, talking, shooting (and cooking) with Thomas. Wednesdays are great!

[@thekylehampton]

"Outdoors, in the open fresh air, with a camera: To me, that's landscape photography. .....Unless you're shooting animals, then it's nature photography.." 😂

[@dmitrijkroock7683]

Last photo was breathtaking!😍😍😍🔥🔥🔥👏👏👏 Thank you for giving such a wonderful feelings. Good luck and take care ! 🤗🖐️

[@karenr67]

Just started to watch. Enjoyed it very much. Pictures were amazing. Good eye.

[@giannisac1978]

Min 5.02… An Italian is dead! A part of this, I really love you adventures. Thanks for sharing! 23.08 absolutely stunning!!! May I ask how you processed it? Maybe you show it us in a video.

[@oxeneers]

Last image was SO good. Congrats on all the success Tom! Just got myself a GFX50S II thanks to all your work inspiring me to do more. Looking forward to more!

[@bbrown6574]

Enjoy all your content, photos, pioneering vanlife, but most of all honesty. Branch in pond was inspirational. Take care.

[@gswan666]

Welcome to Scotland....the Glen Coe Ski area car park was being abused.....in 2020 on one night they had counted over 40 campers /. cars overnight in car park and got less than £5 in honesty box and to add insult to injury had to clean up the mess left behind......People just spoil it for themselves...🤬

[@grantbulloch]

I've literally just come back from that very spot. I thought I was doing well getting away from everyone and finding that tiny lochan, well off the beaten track, but little did I know that TH had already been there! The fallen tree didn't work for me as the wind was rippling the water, but its a place worth exploring for sure.

[@TitouanDebray]

Haven't commented here in a while but wow, that last image was simply stunning.

[@alexbergamini8134]

OMG!!!!!that is not a pizza !!!!from italy

[@philshaw439]

You're right. From the narrative , it came from Aldi!

[@painteddog27]

Thanks for another great video! I'm traveling to Scotland in May. Very excited!

[@delhardy71]

Hi from New Zealand. Thomas, that is fantastic scenery. Driving & sleeping in a van in snow in palces like that, what a dream!!!! I'm no photographer but man I love the photos you take, and the process of getting those shots, I don't understand any of the "lingo" but I just love what you do. That submerged tree was absolutely stunning. I love your van, I'm trying get one for myself, so I can go away and use my drone to capture awesome images like you do with you cameras. Also, from 15:17 in your video resonated with me, as I lack motivation everyday to do what I want, but I still try, and like you said "the truth is you don't nail it everyday" and that applies to every aspect of life for me, but still keep on keeping on. That said, your videos are my "go to" when I feel a little down. So keep up the great work, and maybe oneday I'll understand photographer "lingo" Sorry for the long comment. Just started following you on Instagram, and Facebook too.

[@chrisnewman5772]

The best pictures are always taken within a 6' radius of where you park. No need to get outside the car (van) just wind the window down 4 " stick the lens thru the open window, focus and then wind the window up thus tightening on the camera lens. This saves much time erecting a tripod and will hold the camera steady. More fussy photographers can wrap a towel around the lens to avoid scratches. We need a small photographer's travel book of the best spots for car window shooting perhaps called "The lazy Photographers Guide to Thru Car Window Landscape Photography". You could write this book bit by bit each time you stop for your main shoot. A better idea has just come to me and that is, why not have everyone living in the UK contribute to the project. The books' first edition may only have 100 photo spots listed but by the 5th or 10th edition you should be up to 1000 or more photo spots. This book would be wonderful for old folks as well because if they wandered into the woods they would never be seen again in many cases. When the book starts to get too big to manage then you have to break it into different regions within the UK. If in fact (I'm really thinking now maybe it could be a loose-leaf book where just a dozen pages could be mailed to subscribers twice a year. The subscribers would pay you an annual fee in advance. Before long you will have French, German and Italian editions out. Just put me down for 7% as I would come up with new and equally instructive ideas for the future. I'm so tired gotta go to bed. Goodnight from Sarasota, Florida where we had a tornado today (Wed). I always look forward to your postings Thomas. Sorry for any typos.

[@jsimes1]

That last image was worth the 5 hour drive to Scotty land! 🙂 My wife from the sofa ... "Haggis, tatties, and eggs! Get in!!" The Glaswegian contingency would be content if you just cooked Scots food in your van! 😁

[@raunak.u]

Love the Thomas Heaton drive videos. But the last image steals the show. Lovely colors and perfect composition.

[@Bimmly]

We all have times like this, but great for sticking it out .... By the way, you could have hidden your white "Toilet Bottle" mate!!! 😂😂😂

[@ibettergthan_life6371]

Winter is making beautiful spectacle of nature. ps: please to appraise my short movie about Frozen lake in Primeval Nature. Thanks watching

[@thomasmargis9808]

Here's a new german word for you which discribe the light snowfall: Graupelschauer 😊

[@romiemiller7876]

How was the pizza? * Wow! That looks like a great Winter coat! * 0 degrees C. is 32 degrees F. I think. Just freezing. So that's not too bad. Not too good either! :-) Chill factor would be terrible. I need a camera with old geezer wobble stabilization! * At 25:40- All you needed with that dinner was green chili & salsa! :-)

[@martinwilliams470]

Shoulda given me a shout... I'm just down the road from Affric, take care yersel. :)

[@peterdixon6807]

The restorative power of Haggis Egg ‘n’ Hash? Enabled you to spurn the J Arthur Dixon postcard for a cracking submerged tree trunk.

[@macronencer]

Good to see you enjoying yourself more at the end there, and you got a super image at that lochan. I thought the first two were great too, especially the pines in the snow. I really like those magnetic filters you're using, must look into that at some point (I expect they aren't cheap though...) Oh, and that "is this snow or hail?" situation is quite familiar to me now that I've spent a winter in Aberdeenshire. Welcome to Scotland :D

[@icanhaspizza616]

Yes! A new video from my favorite cooking channel! 😅 All jokes aside, thanks Thomas. A pleasure to tag along as usual.

[@TheMrericmichel]

Photography, video skills are outta this world. Your cooking skills need some serious work though! Haggis , mash and eggs!? 🤢😆

[@steventaylor1649]

Thanks for the video…made my ironing fly by. Really interesting the way you found a way to shoot the submerged branch …lovely image.

[@BrasicOne]

You nearly lost me when I spotted brown sauce on your pizza - it’s what I miss most in Belgium (Closely followed by pasties and pork pie’s), so I began salivating and tuned out of the conversation for quite a while..You got my attention again at the beautiful image of the submerged tree…tasty shot even without brown sauce !

[@dirtywater5336]

Winter is my least inspirational time for photography. It's such an uninspiring time of year for me. Unless you wake up to a winter wonderland, everything's dead, gray, and boring. I don't envy you having to pump out weekly videos

[@ivanstevens]

Awesome video again Thomas. If ever the motivation with the photography lapses slightly you can always do a cooking video from your van with a Ridge Monkey, looked good and even Delia or Nigella would have approved. Nice images 👍🏻

[@GlenBarnett]

Have to agree about the lack of motivation on really bad weather days. Nobody wants to be out in stormy weather, so we’ll done for braving the elements 👍 I would add that your photography has certainly taken a turn of recent. The days of shooting grand vistas seem to be long gone and it’s certainly something I for one, miss. Having said that, the last shot in this video of the submerged branch was exceptional. Keep on keeping on mate 👍

[@tleej26]

Stunning scenery, you would love New Zealand in the winter with the Hoar frosts🇳🇿

[@Cunabula_Adrian]

What with one thing and another this winter and the bit into spring have been hard on the motivation front. Not wintery enough with extended stints of blanket grey and drizzle. Waking up at stupid o'clock to find it wasn't worth it happened a lot. I do like videos like this that show the reality of what it can be like on off days. The 'it's not just me'ness of them is strangely heartening. However, I must write to complain that the usual geometric precision of your cooking segment was sorely lacking. I can't be the only one who enjoys the "Thomas Heaton cooks square or triangular dinners" bits. Actually it could just be me, but they are ace :)

[@TomRivers-w2u]

Is it possible the 20 to 30 degree below was the culprit? I've heard of issues with lithium batteries failing in the coldest environment.

[@AliasJimWirth]

@25:00: It is because of you that I don't go home. Thanks for your many encouraging videos and helpful instruction.

[@andyblessett1282]

"Please come back" 😂😂.... absolutely love the images you came away with.👍

[@paulonuno1973]

Great video! thanx for sharing. planing trip to Scotland with friends. The tree under the water photo looks amazing!

[@michelebullock9867]

Tom - great video. I like the total package and diversity you provide. The great, good, bad, ugly honesty is a benefit to me. You are master with the “monkey” too and the Meal prep was fun to watch. Keep doing what you do and how you do it. Thanks.

[@NicolasAlexanderOtto]

Even though I've lived in the UK for a time and been shooting there multiple times I always think you're driving on the wrong side of the road. :-D

[@laurelb8372]

Can’t be perfect every time. Thanks for video anyway, always enjoy your stories

[@SteveP_2426]

That's exactly why I don't think I could go pro as a landscape photographer. These days you seem to have to be on KZbin to get known and I know if I was just going out because I felt I had to I'd quickly give up. For a pro having the freedom to just go when the weather is right is great but so is just deciding as an amateur that you don't feel like it and do something else. Hats off for keeping it going Thomas.

[@teh1103]

Really enjoyed this video. Seems like the disappointment of the first day might have inspired you for the second. That last shot of the submerged branches is beautiful and perhaps a bit of a metaphor for the journey you made to taking it? Nice work.

[@oldad73]

" Except when you're shooting animals - then it's nature photography." No, it isn't. It's huntin'!

[@ronaldstump4248]

Not sure I would have much energy or motivation if my tea consisted of a 270 calorie pizza, maybe worth having a look at your diet?

[@elwick_photo]

OK, so unrelated, but this episode has me confused about my tripod. After doing research I bought the same tripod as Tom, and god is it a good tripod, but recently I realised the tiny spikes it comes with arent replaceable with more significant spikes which means it isnt as stable as it could be.... ...or so i thought, as i see now as tom is getting out his tipod, full sized spikes! Tom if you see this, how!?! I cant seem to get mine off, would love to know your solution!

[@guints9671]

In the morning I was waiting for "I've had about 3 hours sleep and I have a face like a Gavin Hardcastle in the morning." 😆

[@urtzivera6775]

Beautiful that one last image!! Regards from The Basque Country 😊

[@davidskinner274]

Loving the rich brown tones on the submerged log against the white above. In streams and rivers with that brown colour in Australia where I come from, it would be from tannin, particularly woth ti-tree in the surounding bush. I don't know what causes the colour in Scotland.

[@cragdoo71]

End of the day we're all human, yes even KZbin content creators, and we put so much pressure on ourselves to either 'be the best' or 'produce the best' or 'take the best shot', that we forget that there needs to be a balance of downtime and there will be 'mediocre' days ...although we shouldn't call them mediocre, as they are just as , if not more important, than the 'great' days. Cut yourself some slack, you're allowed to have these kind of days. Thank you for sharing, and helping show the watchers the effort that is required to produce quality content, keep up the great work.

[@sylvainp1786]

Great video Thomas! And that last image of the submerged trunk: Gorgeous! ;)

[@srgordons]

Hi Tom, I’m a long time viewer of you channel and have learned a lot from watching your videos. I am 6 foot 4 and in dire need of a new tripod and noticed yours is quite tall and I like the leveling feature for the ball head but I can never quite see the name of it. Could you possibly let me know who makes that. Many thanks Tom. All the best. Steve Gordon

[@danieleekfoto]

A good video as always. It’s a bit of ordinary life and thats all you need. I’ve been following you for years now and I have never been dissapointed. Of course there are better and less so among them all but you create them from heart and with a good intetion. I think this was one of the better. 😊 And the pictures… well I think the last one is my favorite even though I’m in for trees my self. But this made me think of all the times I miss a good picture because I look elsewhere. Thank you for all your inspiration and the struggle you go through to make all this. 😊

[@FredericBonneauPhotography]

Your content is getting worth and worth! Just unnecessary pressure to try to rack some 💷 Seriously you consider being a photographer and all you do is self video in the van and cooking!!! Time to wake up and see your videos from the past so you can see how bad it’s getting.

[@garykuiken6191]

I have fond memories of Glencoe some fifty years ago. Great landscapes, warm beer and the pub near the hostel closing around fiveish so men could or had to go home for supper. I think that has changed. Greetings young man from the home of Abraham Lake. Stay safe.

[@johndagricola]

Please give a link for that “ridge monkey” as you call it. I must have one! Here in the states I’ve known them as mountain pie makers, but they are not like yours. Thank you for your great video!

[@johnhillman2619]

Beautiful third image - but I am wondering what the grad contributed to the image. Unless I misunderstood something, you seemed to imply that it somehow helped with the polarisation.

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

Thanks for a really nice video. I appreciate it takes ages to set up walking driving shots. Running ahead setting up the camera, walking past, then dashing back etc. The final photo was beautiful. I hope you took a mountain reflection photo too. Just to get it into the photo bank.

[@mikebudd9301]

Thomas your carbon monoxide alarm, if it is not a dual on (CO / LPG). I think you have it too low in you Delica.

[@russeli1941]

If you're no moved then you're not moved. Drop the guilt over not shotting that much and just take the quiet time you have been blessed with to recharge you. Not just your photography but the whole you. You will be moved soon enough.

[@eltinjones4542]

For me, sometimes it's more the act of taking the shot than the photo itself. However as a professional, you have to sell the prints and I don't . So it can be more frustrating for you I guess? I'm sure the trip was worthwhile all the same? 📷👍

[@RonK]

Probably the only guy to get ten percent "Thumbs Up"s just for sitting in a van and eating cookies...

[@esphilee]

This kind of weather….. best stay in the bed with thick blanket. Yet, Thomas didn’t skip a B-roll.

[@JPWaldron5]

whether or not a animal is in the frame, it's still landscape photography, don't be a snob, just kidding or am I?

[@mikeissharp]

I know that ski hill you mentioned, even used it once myself for a park up. Shame they don’t let anyone park overnight anymore. Love the submerged tree though.

[@remccarthy2898]

Hey Thomas, can you do a video that takes us through your process of taking the image to what you do with the images after. I do a lot of landscape photography as a hobby and I have been following your channel for a little bit. You mentioned how the channel has helped you get your work out for people to see. Do you sell any of your work to stock photography sites? If you can do a video on the different ways you make money doing landscape photography that would be great. Keep up the great work!!

[@DubYahJohn]

Haha! I thought this video was going to end up being a Thomas Heatin' food video but wow that last image was a cracker. Well worth waiting for.

[@trevorpayne2749]

Love the log shot. Its the brownish tone which makes it. If it was simply grey I'm not sure I would like it so much. Thanks

[@Jordiephotography]

I know the feeling about pushing yourself to a good image. Because I am an amature in this I feel thus alone, I always have the feeling I have to proof myself.But in the end I an doing it for myself and to clear my head and enjoy nature. Today I stood still by the fact that I am now 1 year on this hobby, I looked my pc and had thousands of onsorted images that I had to look into. Well I was surprised that I didn't know that there were very nice images among them. So if I feel that way what you had I just sorted my maps. but I am honest by myself and still I have a lot to learn.

[@jpdj2715]

At Glencoe latitude you are already farther to the north than Ushuaia is to the south of the equator and, another comparison, the Southern most points of Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand are in the Athens-Milan band if you project their latitude onto Europe.

[@thevisionaryelitist]

All worth it for that last shot, absolutely beautiful 🤩 and among your best work IMHO.

[@xieryan2116]

Why hasn't Bilibili been updated for a long time?😭😭😭