I have been photographing lightning for years. I have done some crazy things for photos but what I love the most is that often it is only me with the storm in the late hours of the night and I am able to record and capture scenes no one else will ever see in person. I have a multitude of images from my hobby but nowhere to share them without the risk of them being stolen. I have managed to get some amazing photos from less than desirable conditions. Experience and knowledge about the mechanics of storms and meteorology in general have allowed me to develop a sixth sense about storms. I repeatably am able to frame my composition in just the right way to catch bolts in the best setting. I need to get back out there but it's winter now. Nice to see someone experimenting with the field of lightning photography.
Listened to your recent podcast with Nick Page. Love the authenticity, helps us amateurs realize that great images are always possible and the frustrations/burnout we experience are experienced by the pros too.
I'm sitting here, watching your video, and I can feel the wind, and smell the ozone in the air, it was so real.... and then suddenly, with a clap of thunder, I realized that we were having a storm roll in as I'm watching your video! Goodness! goosebumps! And perfect editing towards the end there, building the climax to the image show. Topnotch! Thanks.
What you experienced is typical, in the summer, late afternoon weather here in the Savannah, Georgia area. We love these storms as they roll through. Sometimes they are accompanied by high, gusty winds, but most often with lots of lightning and thunder, and heavy downpours. Me and my 4 Doodles just sit in the window and watch. Hope you get to experience more , moderately severe weather in the future. It makes for awesome landscape and sky photography. Love your videos. Keep them up, please.
Superb vlog Tom, like a mini-disaster movie! I can hear the adman with a gravel voice now "He came for a photo!...he didn't bring a flash!...BUT GOD SENT HIM ONE! thanks Thomas, see you next time Del.
that part with the train in the beginning was nice. Your filmmaking skills are getting so much better than when I first started watching you. Keep up the great work and motivating people. Awesome, Tom!
That storm came over me in North Yorkshire and it was crazy. Never seen lightning like it. I tried to take a picture of it but failed miserably. I saw Simon baxter had abandoned also because of it. Really glad you documented it, you can’t beat a bit of jeopardy to add to a shoot.
Loved the video Tom and that's showing the real side to photographing nature and know the feeling about thunder and lighting, can be very scarey. Keep the coming mate, cheers.
The couple in the 2nd image makes the shot for me... just brilliant, the first image was my favorite of the images. Being the tallest thing on the beach was eeLly dangerous, man
Storms certainly can be exciting. Down here the fatalities (and there are plenty) from strikes tend to be greater on wide beaches, swimming next to wide beaches and on golf courses. Not to mention sheltering under trees. These are all excellent places to depart Planet Earth. Having a Faraday cage handy (car, van etc) is a life saver. A sure indicator of imminent danger is hair rising on your skin (induced like charges on the skin and hair cause repulsion of the hair). I'm very glad you are still with us, Thom :-)
Hi Thomas! Great video! I'm a storm chaser living in Colorado and it's interesting to see severe weather in other countries, as well as your approach to storm chasing. I must admit that I'm jealous of your trailer and being able to wait comfortably for storms to initiate. I'm DEFINITELY jealous of oceanside beach shots. If photographing storms is something you're going to be doing more often, you might look into a mobile radar app. However I'm not sure what you have available in your neck of the woods. Being able to determine storm motion, distance, and speed helps out immensely for both photography and safety sake. If you ever find yourself in the Denver area during chase season, let me know! :)
This video is really an inspiration for anyone out there who are giving reasons for not going outside and taking photos (including me). It was an eye opener for me. Thanks for the video.
I am a new photographer and videographer and have watched alot of photographers and your are probably the must real and passion person. I absolutely love watching and learn9ng from you! Thank you for these videos!
Another great video Thomas, I had almost same experience last Friday at Sunderland air show while I was trying take some photos, but looking I wasn’t far from the car, you are very inspirational.
I like the fact that you put so much effort in your videos and photographs. I really appreciate the way you show the arts of landscape photography to all of us. For me you are one of the real photographers on youtube. Keep it up! :D
Remember a while back you did a vlog in weather that was awful but this took it to another level Thomas. Loved the images you shared and this episode had loads of drama and glad you made it back to the van safely
Your channel, which I heard about from a friend from the channel PolandInTheLens, is good to watch. You take great pictures and put a lot of heart into it. Greetings from Poland
I am amazed by your skills, you can make a great shot come from any weather. The skill of a photographer is not one who can shoot great photos during golden hour, but one who can shoot brilliant photos in a downpour. Fantastic job.
Tom, another cracking video and great images showing how again how beautiful Northumberland is even in the worst of weathers. I chose to sit indoors with a cuppa and watch the storm, probably why I'm not a pro photographer!
I live on the coast down the way from you. We are on the top 3rd floor of a small block of flats. I had my canon 5d mk4 setup are ready, but I wouldn't open the door to go out when the storm really hit. Just sat looking out the French doors at the turmoil. FANTASTIC!!
Love this! :) I myself loves the thrill of shooting lightning photograph. So much is up to chance but when you get that magic picture it feels so much better :)
Hi Tom, I saw your trailer on Twitter yesterday. I was really looking forward to this video. It did not disappoint! Awesome! I've photographed a few storms here in the States and it's a hell of a scary adrenaline rush. Glad you got out of there when you did. Thanks for sharing -
First, I love your compositional eye... the rock and castle combo was stunning as it was. Second, welcome to the nightmare fun house of lightning photography. Getting a good shot, safely, is truly challenging. One thing I would suggest is that you think of this like nature/animal photography: Consider a 'blind'. Somewhere where the target doesn't see you (safer from the weather, like a porch, an eave, or a cover attached to the van. Good luck, and happy storm chasing!
Brilliant editing Thomas! I know it's a photography channel but your video editing has came on leaps and bounds over the years! There was so much drama in this "episode", hats off to you for going out on those conditions to shoot. It was definitely worth it going by the photos.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Inspirational. I plan to take a trip to the stormy Oregon/washington coast this winter so this inspires me to to for sure
It's amazing, while it was thundering and lightning here in the peak district and i was huddled up inside keeping safe, you were actually trail blazing it up and chasing the images! that's what i aspire to do, it' just taking me a little time to get there.
The two things I love shooting more than anything are sports, and lightning. There's nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of capturing an breath-taking bolt exactly where you planned.
As an editor myself... I gotta say: your videos are beautifully conceived, shot, and edited. And a pleasure to watch. Most professional productions would be envious of the production values and thought that goes into them.
Wow! That looked scary but a lot of fun at the same time. Very well done for trying and I think you got still got some great dramatic images. Really enjoyed the video. Very exciting 👍
I have been shooting lightning for over 10 years & even I felt a little anxiety watching you out in the open, so exposed during a storm. Getting a lot more opportunities for lightning here in Kentucky, I made it my number 1 rule to always shoot lightning from the relative safety of a hard top metal vehicle. I have ball heads that clamp on my side car windows and look for compositions in which I can safely shoot that way. My car has been struck twice in the last 10 years, but I've never been struck myself...knock on wood I never do.
Man, you sure had a productive day! You have some really solid shots. The last is my favorite with that beautiful foreground, and how the blues of the sky are reflected so beautifully in the midground pool. I just love how that reflections transitions to the mud ripples.
Ben Horne Thanks Ben. Yeah, those blues. You wouldn't believe that I earned my WB up to about 6500K there or there abouts. "Blue Hour" doesn't quite cut it.
Dont let the 1st Chase be your Last, Keep at it. Cant tell you how many Times I've gone out with little to show for it, but you'll get that one Perfect Storm in between those Bad chases and it'll Blow Your Mind, you'll never want to Stop doing it. I can only imagine what your Knack for Beautiful Compositions and a Stormy Sky Behind it, it would be Amazing.
I'm one of those in Oklahoma where alot of our storms happen. I love chasing storms but not really work for one of our Television local channels. I really in enjoy your photography and video bro.
Quite enjoyed your efforts trying to capture the lightning. We have enjoyed the experience of several lightning storms when we have been away in our caravan ⚡
I love being in storms
Played With .
Good for you!
Same.
Maaan. The photo at 7:28 is pure joy. It is literally giving me chills. Very nice job!
I have been photographing lightning for years. I have done some crazy things for photos but what I love the most is that often it is only me with the storm in the late hours of the night and I am able to record and capture scenes no one else will ever see in person. I have a multitude of images from my hobby but nowhere to share them without the risk of them being stolen. I have managed to get some amazing photos from less than desirable conditions. Experience and knowledge about the mechanics of storms and meteorology in general have allowed me to develop a sixth sense about storms. I repeatably am able to frame my composition in just the right way to catch bolts in the best setting. I need to get back out there but it's winter now. Nice to see someone experimenting with the field of lightning photography.
Listened to your recent podcast with Nick Page. Love the authenticity, helps us amateurs realize that great images are always possible and the frustrations/burnout we experience are experienced by the pros too.
Nothing more terrifying than being caught in a thunder storm. Had the experience once on a golf course. Glad you are OK and lovely shots as usual.
I'm sitting here, watching your video, and I can feel the wind, and smell the ozone in the air, it was so real.... and then suddenly, with a clap of thunder, I realized that we were having a storm roll in as I'm watching your video! Goodness! goosebumps! And perfect editing towards the end there, building the climax to the image show. Topnotch! Thanks.
What you experienced is typical, in the summer, late afternoon weather here in the Savannah, Georgia area. We love these storms as they roll through. Sometimes they are accompanied by high, gusty winds, but most often with lots of lightning and thunder, and heavy downpours. Me and my 4 Doodles just sit in the window and watch. Hope you get to experience more , moderately severe weather in the future. It makes for awesome landscape and sky photography. Love your videos. Keep them up, please.
This is my new favorite upload from you. Keep hunting that strike over the castle, it will happen again. Thanks and good luck.
The last shot was great. The blue distance, warmer foreground with nice textures in the sand and blue reflections in the water.
Superb vlog Tom, like a mini-disaster movie! I can hear the adman with a gravel voice now "He came for a photo!...he didn't bring a flash!...BUT GOD SENT HIM ONE! thanks Thomas, see you next time Del.
Ahhhahahaha that's some catchphrase!!!! :) 10/10
Im italian,i discovered your channel recently and i really love your content and your photos..thank you Thomas and keep going!👍👍👍
that part with the train in the beginning was nice. Your filmmaking skills are getting so much better than when I first started watching you. Keep up the great work and motivating people. Awesome, Tom!
That storm came over me in North Yorkshire and it was crazy. Never seen lightning like it. I tried to take a picture of it but failed miserably. I saw Simon baxter had abandoned also because of it. Really glad you documented it, you can’t beat a bit of jeopardy to add to a shoot.
Loved the video Tom and that's showing the real side to photographing nature and know the feeling about thunder and lighting, can be very scarey. Keep the coming mate, cheers.
Another great video Tom especially exciting at the end......you got the storm you went for. Keep them coming...please.
Inspiring, all your videos are inspiring. The combo of outdoor adventures and photography such gratefully shared in the moment. Love it! Thank you!
We have these kind of storms almost every day in Florida. You are brave to be out there, great images!!
The couple in the 2nd image makes the shot for me... just brilliant, the first image was my favorite of the images. Being the tallest thing on the beach was eeLly dangerous, man
Storms certainly can be exciting. Down here the fatalities (and there are plenty) from strikes tend to be greater on wide beaches, swimming next to wide beaches and on golf courses. Not to mention sheltering under trees. These are all excellent places to depart Planet Earth. Having a Faraday cage handy (car, van etc) is a life saver. A sure indicator of imminent danger is hair rising on your skin (induced like charges on the skin and hair cause repulsion of the hair). I'm very glad you are still with us, Thom :-)
Hi Thomas!
Great video! I'm a storm chaser living in Colorado and it's interesting to see severe weather in other countries, as well as your approach to storm chasing. I must admit that I'm jealous of your trailer and being able to wait comfortably for storms to initiate. I'm DEFINITELY jealous of oceanside beach shots.
If photographing storms is something you're going to be doing more often, you might look into a mobile radar app. However I'm not sure what you have available in your neck of the woods. Being able to determine storm motion, distance, and speed helps out immensely for both photography and safety sake.
If you ever find yourself in the Denver area during chase season, let me know! :)
An epic episode! Amazing to see what all you do to get a photo, but stay safe Tom, we want to see more videos!
Images and the video just kept getting better and better... Great experience
This video is really an inspiration for anyone out there who are giving reasons for not going outside and taking photos (including me). It was an eye opener for me. Thanks for the video.
I love your honesty, thank you!
I am a new photographer and videographer and have watched alot of photographers and your are probably the must real and passion person. I absolutely love watching and learn9ng from you! Thank you for these videos!
You have always inspired me in taking pictures. your clips and clicks always helped me exonerate from burdens of the real world.
Wow, what a storm! I would be sooo scared in such a bad situation....but you get some incredible photos, well done Thomas
Another great video Thomas, I had almost same experience last Friday at Sunderland air show while I was trying take some photos, but looking I wasn’t far from the car, you are very inspirational.
Seriously Tom - One of your nicest images yet at 7.17. The reflected mood in the wet sand is insane! Love it!
Regards
Ewan
This remains one of my favourites of yours Thomas
That first image is absolutely gorgeous I love it
I like the fact that you put so much effort in your videos and photographs. I really appreciate the way you show the arts of landscape photography to all of us.
For me you are one of the real photographers on youtube. Keep it up! :D
Remember a while back you did a vlog in weather that was awful but this took it to another level Thomas. Loved the images you shared and this episode had loads of drama and glad you made it back to the van safely
do you not find you get more of a buzz out of it than ever .. like a russian roulette thing .. it may be me
Your channel, which I heard about from a friend from the channel PolandInTheLens, is good to watch. You take great pictures and put a lot of heart into it. Greetings from Poland
Nice pics and a great vid, Tom! Loved watching it, looks like quite an adventure.
What drama... fantastic storms and great images, gotta love the British weather!
That was so exciting! Good for you for sticking it out and filming it for us!
That last shot is just unreal, I love those blues!
I managed to just get home before it all erupted! Was incredible watching it going over, but I'd never go out in it! Great photos as always.
I loved the cinematic music! Provided so much drama and enhanced the feel of the climate
Your photography is getting better and better. I really like the understated simple, almost minimalist style you’re developing.
I am amazed by your skills, you can make a great shot come from any weather. The skill of a photographer is not one who can shoot great photos during golden hour, but one who can shoot brilliant photos in a downpour. Fantastic job.
Excellent Thomas. Really admire your work and commitment.
Epic vlog Thomas! Weather and photography, my 2 favourites all in one video....brilliant!
Tom, another cracking video and great images showing how again how beautiful Northumberland is even in the worst of weathers. I chose to sit indoors with a cuppa and watch the storm, probably why I'm not a pro photographer!
I love that photo with the walking couple. It makes the photo complete :)
Definately the most entertaining video so far! I love a good storm and this one looked very dramatic.
I live on the coast down the way from you. We are on the top 3rd floor of a small block of flats. I had my canon 5d mk4 setup are ready, but I wouldn't open the door to go out when the storm really hit. Just sat looking out the French doors at the turmoil. FANTASTIC!!
Love this! :) I myself loves the thrill of shooting lightning photograph. So much is up to chance but when you get that magic picture it feels so much better :)
I'm terrified of thunder and lightning, had to watch this one from behind the sofa! Glad you survived the storm.
What an experience! I loved the first and the third images! The colour was sublime!
The way you direct your video I like very much, it tells a story and specially background music or sounds.
Great video again Thomas! I think it falls into that “beware what you wish for” category, huh? I’m impressed how wet all of your equipment can get.
I enjoyed that i often go out on wild weather days to see what I can capture , thanks for sharing ..
Hi Tom, I saw your trailer on Twitter yesterday. I was really looking forward to this video. It did not disappoint! Awesome! I've photographed a few storms here in the States and it's a hell of a scary adrenaline rush. Glad you got out of there when you did. Thanks for sharing -
Love the music during the storm 🎶🎵
Awesome video Tom, it looks quit scary! It's always surprising to see how quick the condition can change by this kind of weather.
I love your style man :) . For me it feels so painterly the photos you take!
That was amazing, really enjoying your photography.
Always well done! Thanks for putting these together,,, I am learning so much!
Great one! Enjoy watching you in action! Dramatic!
First, I love your compositional eye... the rock and castle combo was stunning as it was. Second, welcome to the nightmare fun house of lightning photography. Getting a good shot, safely, is truly challenging. One thing I would suggest is that you think of this like nature/animal photography: Consider a 'blind'. Somewhere where the target doesn't see you (safer from the weather, like a porch, an eave, or a cover attached to the van. Good luck, and happy storm chasing!
What a great way to start a Monday here in the Philippines! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Wow! Thank you so much for Sharing this experience and process
Thanks for video Thomas glad you didn’t get struck by lightning.
One of the best videos you have made! Nice work Thomas
Crazy storm, glad you made it back to the van safely!
One of the best yet. Love it.
Brilliant editing Thomas! I know it's a photography channel but your video editing has came on leaps and bounds over the years! There was so much drama in this "episode", hats off to you for going out on those conditions to shoot. It was definitely worth it going by the photos.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Inspirational. I plan to take a trip to the stormy Oregon/washington coast this winter so this inspires me to to for sure
It's amazing, while it was thundering and lightning here in the peak district and i was huddled up inside keeping safe, you were actually trail blazing it up and chasing the images!
that's what i aspire to do, it' just taking me a little time to get there.
Great adventure and very good pics in adverse conditions. Always enjoyable.Well done. Rgds, JA.
The lengths we go to' to capture an image, part of the fun! Great video mate!
Great video Thomas! Perseverance is such an important aspect in photography..you just showed us the very definition of that..keep up the good work! 💪
What a video. I'm really blown out by your dedication Tom.
That was an awesome video Thomas, great work ⛈
A cracking episode mate. Love the atmosphere you captured in your images and the footage of the storm was truly awesome. Great stuff 👍☺
The two things I love shooting more than anything are sports, and lightning. There's nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of capturing an breath-taking bolt exactly where you planned.
Thomas, that was amazing, big respect to you....
This is so fun and exciting. You should do more like this! Just stay safe of course.
That square crop is your trademark, ,loved these shots, especially the first one.
As an editor myself... I gotta say: your videos are beautifully conceived, shot, and edited. And a pleasure to watch. Most professional productions would be envious of the production values and thought that goes into them.
That’s the Thomas Heaton I love to see..love being out in weather like that!! 👌🏼
your vids are the highlight of my days... amazing
Insane! Loving the images! Keep up the good work!
Jaw dropping episode Thomas! Your video editing skills are just as amazing as the still images you create.
I love your content, it's so peaceful.
Oh the drama!! Had me hooked... well filmed.
Wow! That looked scary but a lot of fun at the same time. Very well done for trying and I think you got still got some great dramatic images. Really enjoyed the video. Very exciting 👍
The last photo was amazing!! I´d really like to try some storm photography as well.
Thanks for the video!
Absolutely fantastic shot on the 3rd one. Definitely worth the effort!!
Great video as always.
Loce it! :-)
Man, that was one productive storm shoot, wonderful images.
I have been shooting lightning for over 10 years & even I felt a little anxiety watching you out in the open, so exposed during a storm. Getting a lot more opportunities for lightning here in Kentucky, I made it my number 1 rule to always shoot lightning from the relative safety of a hard top metal vehicle. I have ball heads that clamp on my side car windows and look for compositions in which I can safely shoot that way. My car has been struck twice in the last 10 years, but I've never been struck myself...knock on wood I never do.
Man, you sure had a productive day! You have some really solid shots. The last is my favorite with that beautiful foreground, and how the blues of the sky are reflected so beautifully in the midground pool. I just love how that reflections transitions to the mud ripples.
Ben Horne Thanks Ben. Yeah, those blues. You wouldn't believe that I earned my WB up to about 6500K there or there abouts. "Blue Hour" doesn't quite cut it.
Full on action video, thats what we like, 10/10 for hanging around out there, some cool images to remember the trip with.....
I love the fact that you actually included "run away from camera" in the technical specs. Great upload as always.
Dont let the 1st Chase be your Last, Keep at it. Cant tell you how many Times I've gone out with little to show for it, but you'll get that one Perfect Storm in between those Bad chases and it'll Blow Your Mind, you'll never want to Stop doing it. I can only imagine what your Knack for Beautiful Compositions and a Stormy Sky Behind it, it would be Amazing.
I'm one of those in Oklahoma where alot of our storms happen. I love chasing storms but not really work for one of our Television local channels. I really in enjoy your photography and video bro.
Loved it Tom, thanks, Bob
Quite enjoyed your efforts trying to capture the lightning. We have enjoyed the experience of several lightning storms when we have been away in our caravan ⚡