Thomas, I really liked this video. Yes, it's great video about photography, but what really sets it apart from other videos is you talking about the mental side of photography & roadtrips. I could really feel what you were going through. And I think it's great to show this in a world where photography in social media is this never ending chase for perfection - when in reality, life & photography is a journey of ups & downs.
@@garyverstick1620 I think we ran into some misunderstanding / language barriers here? I basically implied the same thing you said :D The "sets it apart" wasn't meant to be a comparison to himself, but rather to the general trend I mentioned in my last sentence :)
Let’s take a moment and appreciate all the work involved in setting each camera shot! I really appreciate your work! Keep it up man! You are an inspiration for everyone ❤
Not many adventure landscape photographers share the truth as you, Thomas. It's not always amazing. Most of the time nothing happen. Looking for inspiration is damn hard sometimes.
The travelogue maker in you, with beautifully filmed and edited drone and selfie work, balances out your grumpy landscape photographer side by always leaving us anticipating what exciting things we know you are going to find! We appreciate your honesty about how hard it can be.
I really appreciate that you include the frustrating part. Everyone has these moments - even professionals like you. This helps a lot to know you're not the only one. Taking a breath. Relax. Stop forcing it. Creativity is natural. If you're happy and relaxed, you Images will reflect that. ❤
Ah, photographing busy spots is such a burden for landscape photographers. Sure you can clone folks out, but let's be honest that's pure cheating. I like to use the in-camera approach. Calmy walk over to the person in your frame and very politely push them, not aggressively, but with enough force to knock them over. This makes them much less visible in your frame. If they stand up before you get the shot, simply repeat the process until you get the images that you like! :) Nah but in all seriousness, great video Thomas! I loved the way you filmed this!
Putting such high expectations on yourself while doing such an epic adventure puts one on the edge of losing patience at the least thing, it's natural.
Fascinating account of travelling in a van in Iceland, taking photographs together with the frustrations and negative feelings. Makes it all so much more real. So good to hear that Icelandic campsites charge a fraction of the amount demanded by UK campsites, which are ridiculously expensive considering all you need is a quiet parking spot for most campervans
My wife and I took a year out travelling when we were 30, before having kids. We’re talking about getting a campervan this year for precisely this type of thing, but on top of that, you’ve really awakened my desire to just get a bit of solitude now and then. I love my kids and family, but I think some of us, now and then, just need to get away from it all if we can.
I know this is an older video but in case you do read this...I really enjoyed your bravery in taking us along with your journey in Iceland. An amazing trip surely but filled with pressure as a professional who needs to perform. I do understand. But for me, inspiration sneaks up and surprises me when I'm not looking. That's when I force myself to pull over and make it happen no matter what the cost. Waiting for the turnout never works! When you see the shot, you gotta stop! But for me, driving around looking for it never worked. Much love...
I would watch youtuber Kraig Adams' videos on solo hiking and on many of his videos there aren't many other hikers. The views are amazing and I'm thinking wow, landscape photographers should be all over these places. But I guess because you need to be in good shape to get to these places. I'm just saddened that many landscape photographers aren't hiking to more places similar to where Kraig hikes but instead keep going to the same Lakes or Iceland etc.
It’s amazing how you take the drone shots on this solo trip .. very cinematic and feel like seeing a movie.. Amazing and I have been following you for many years now 👍🏽
Once again, your approach to making these videos just resonates perfectly with me. I love hearing your thoughts and feelings while you are on these adventures and composing these images. I love seeing you cringe at having to take video or stills with other people around and know it is exactly how I would feel! How many times have I framed a dream shot only to curse the existence of people in general as random wanderers ruin my composition! Nice to know I'm not the only one who wishes there was a switch on my camera (or my life) to make people temporarily vanish! You obviously feel pressure to always find beautiful images, but don't sell your videos short! The video footage you share of the areas you travel is always stunning, and your narration is always entertaining and makes me feel part of the journey! Love the images as always, and loving the adventure to and through Iceland!
Thomas, I’m always stunned how you manage to shoot such incredible footage of you arriving at and departing park-ups. And the drone tracking shots this time around were incredible. I have the Mavic 3 Pro, and I can never get the vehicle tracking to work smoothly. How do you do it, man!? Thanks for another spectacular adventure story. 👍🦘
@@ThomasHeatonPhoto Ugh…I suspected it might be. The Air 2 was much better at subject tracking than the Mavic 3 or 3 Pro. Thanks for replying, Thomas. 👍
4:10 Damn I've experienced this a lot too in my life and it's quite annoying not being able to enjoy the sights because you just have to get somewhere otherwise the anxiousness will not go away.
I get this as well… I thought it was just me… sometimes in I’m on a long road trip from France to Italy for example, I get total mission focus to get to where I’m going, to the pint I only stop for fuel and forget to even eat and drink… even when I do force myself to stop the stress the get going again always wins 😂
I know the feeling of constantly moving. I'm the same. Two night in one place is more than enough for me. As an amateur photographer (aren't we all?), I used to hate people in the shot then, I accepted it and actually waited for people sometimes as they give places scale.
Haha, it's so funny to hear your thoughts and listen to your moaning 🤣 - I completely understand how annoying it must be to see idiot tourists like that just not care about their garbage... anyways, it's also interesting to see your approach to some of the different locations I've just visited 😁
A good friend of mine used to say "Don't force something that has to be inspired" and that's exactly what those spectacular places will do, don't put pressure on yourself, your content is fantastic and I just admire how you document/tell the story. Wishing you a great adventure out there and enjoy!
Always happy to watch videos on Iceland - probably my most favourite country in the world to visit. I'm not a landscape photographer, but the landscape certainly adds a dramatic background when working with models.
Tom, I get that "I need to go" whenever I am on a road trip and it takes all I have to just SLOW DOWN and STOP to capture images and enjoy the whole reason I am doing the road trip.
Another great Video Thomas, as the previous comment mentions the mental state and the way you have to get into the correct frame of mind to produce your best work, and the images you took were beautiful cannot wait for the next episode, take care.
Hi Thomas - Darren Here from Stockton-on-Tees, As a keen landscape photographer myself try and see the landscape without any pre-conceived ideas for THE shot. See what the landscape offers then start composing. Enjoying the series. Good luck.
I like the couple in the doorway. I like images with people doing people things. Like your video shots with you in them. Of course, I like learning about landscape photography too.
Thank you for sharing honest videos. Trying to get back into photography, I've felt a lot of frustration and anxiety, and seeing countless videos online from photographers showing perfect experiences yielding perfect photos and nothing else makes me doubt my talent and love for the craft. I appreciate seeing you struggle like a normal human being (I mean that in a good way) and I really like it when you share photos you're not happy with and take the time to explain why you don't like them and how you would have improved them.
I recognize the struggle in myself and i don't like it either, worrying about things that might go wrong with the car before anything happened at all or that really unproductive restlessness of not being able to be in the moment but instead thinking of where i need to be next and missing the whole point. I love the vast solitude of northern countries in the low seasons, it's just magical knowing theres no soul arround you for miles when all you do in your day to day life is being surrounded with hundreds to thousands of people within a square mile at any given time all day and night long. Some great photos of yours, loved the glacier shot.
No need to apologize for being grumpy. I get that way often when people just don't pay attention to someone trying to take a photo. They just walk right into the frame with no concern, let alone the pigs that let their garbage fly out of the car and litter the landscape. Keep up the great work. I really enjoy your videos!
Thank you for saying "my lighthouse" that means your kind heart is in the right place. So you're always welcome to Iceland and you'll have your official Íslandsvinur stamp 🇬🇧❤🇮🇸
I felt the sentiment in this video Thomas. When the amateur Instagram/content generation fades away I'll go back to Iceland but the place was a circus last time we went - in the dead of winter 2017! The difference in the number of people (who totally disregard the ropes around paths etc) compared to 2014 was remarkable.
The world is full of people. It is hard to go anywhere and be "alone" these days - especially so when it's somewhere that is scenic and attracts tourists and photographers. I had the same experience in Iceland in 2018. Just something we have to live with now.
People suck. I just started getting shots of an egret standing on a handrail with autumn colors behind it when a guy walking his dog looked at it, then me, then ran directly at it to scare it. Then he turned back and smiled. All I said was "really?"
Nice Thomas, I'm back from Iceland (trip end of July) and I also got to the Highlands seeing just 2 cars in an afternoon of driving. Pity you weren't able to take more photographs from South-East Iceland but I guess you were on a time budget. The reception/kitchen of the Vik campsite area has free WiFi by the way. Kind regards & looking forward to your next video
It’s funny you mention lacking inspiration or excitement, I have been subscribed to you for I don’t know how long (got to be 5 or 6 years). For the past 3 of those year I’ve not had any inspiration to take photos, or engage much in photography related media. But I’ve recently become (last week or so) inspired again, and this video has only amplified that. Love the content, keep it up.
Appreciate your honesty in describing your feelings, and of course it's always enjoyable to see Iceland's scenery. Looking forward to next week's video.
Hi Mr. Heaton, your videos are amazing! It’s because of this that I have taken up photography. I always appreciated photography but now I am inspired to start taking pictures, so thank you for your inspiration.
Thomas- thanks for sharing your adventure into Iceland. We have been there 3 different times May/Aug-Sep/ and Sep-Oct. I originally thought that we would like the longer days of summer with mostly clear skies but not so. The best times to capture stunning landscapes is when the weather is more adverse during the end of Sep and into Oct. Lots more interesting skies and weather- say nothing of way thinner crowds. The drawback are that the highlands close around Sep 1st and many of the campgrounds close during the winter as well. This time we are holding our breath for a new volcano eruption in the highlands so we are headed that way first. One question I have for you is- why do you change the dimensions of the pic if you can just go to post and crop the image there? Looking forward to you comment.
Really appreciate how you explain your thinking concerning sizing up a photo. The aspect ratios you choose are often not what I had imagined but then when I see the final result I truly learn somethings that are valuable. Thank you!
Great video, faf and all. My first day in Iceland I felt much the same. I attributed it to the reality of finally being somewhere I always dreamed of going, only to feel bottled up due to the pressure of making it count.
Great to see you back out and photographing again, a little bit grumpy in the beginning but you know that feeling you have your whole life I am the same. That feeling of needing to get going and getting frustrated must be due to your change in your plans and you'll be going towards the crowds where you expected peace when going north, at least you'll finish by going north at the end of this adventure before driving back home. I look forward to seeing what you produce from this trip and using your Hasselblad as well. Hi from Australia it is 2:20am here :)
I think the key to Iceland (was there in July) or anywhere popular is be there when the crowds aren't. I did Skogafoss at 6am and got the whole waterfall to myself...such a difference.
Thomas Day 2 in Iceland and your van is still clean and shiny? Some years ago we did the very same trip from the Ferry hatbox to Eglistadir and then the gravel road short cut of the southern ring road. We had some rain and recognized the wind coming from the rear with the sane speed we drove. The windows went dark and we never saw the color of the car for the rest of the trip again.... But great photography and adventure ...
I’ve had the same issue, at some point grumpy and just not feeling it. Then it hit me. I wasn’t drinking nearly enough water! I was dehydrated and it caused all sorts of mood swings. Don’t be shy, a toilet can always be found
So many travellers think that because they find gravel roads, they are seeing something special. In reality in Iceland, there are incredible waterfalls, geysers, and glaciers which are tourist attractions. The beauty is not diminished because others are there.
Ah Destination Addiction; had it all of my life. Tomorrow isn''t better and the grass isn't greener somewhere else ... which as a landscape photographer you should know. (Unless you shoot on Fuji-film or cameras then the greens really pop...). Thomas you need some mindfulness in your life. If you're always chasing rainbows, you'll miss the seashells at your feet. Think I need to write a self-help book for photographers with analogies like that 🤣🤣🤣
Thomas, this has been a very difficult trip for you so far. I'm looking forward to your change of location and seeing you some beautiful and dramatic pictures in the highlands. Your have been very lucky to capture of couple of nuggets in your current location. The terrain on the south coast reminds me more of driving around on an ash heap, which what in effect you are doing. Kind of reminds me an autumn trip I made to the mountains one year and ended up driving in an area where the coal strip mines had destroyed the sides of the mountains and left miles of huge, raw scars and rubble. I got some beautiful shots later after I changed locations and drove to another mountain area that was pristine and natural. The same thing will happen for you when you get to the highland and the north side of Iceland. Wishing you the best of luck.
Totally relatable about there being too many people around. I live in Utah in the states and until about 5 years ago there were a lot of beautiful secrets but it’s since blown up because of social media. It’s hard to go anywhere and get a unique picture any time of day.
I have a rule to never get aggravated in photography. Even if I start to, I stop it and say no, not allowed in this part of my life. However, people are usually the only thing that annoy me in photography. For example, the other day I was in the grocery store. I wasn’t doing photography, but do use my cell a lot to document things during my day. I noticed the shelves in one section of the store were completely empty. Coke Cola is on strike here. A man was out of frame from my shot but saw me raise my phone up to take a picture. He walks right in front of my shot and says Coke is on strike. I said I know, that’s why I am taking the picture to show it to people. He just stays there and doesn’t move. So yeah, the only thing that annoys me about photography at times is people. So in that way, I can relate to some of your frustration in this video.
i'm from south Devon on the outskirts of Dartmoor, which i have always loved and think is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, i have been lucky enough to travel the world and see many many beautiful landscapes, i have always looked at each and thought , Dartmoor is still the best, ... until i visited Iceland! I was truly blown away by its beauty, and by the people more, a fantastic place. You are truly lucky, great videos, i'm addicted!
Really enjoy your photography and ability to tell a story as you travel and photograph. Looking forward to continue traveling with you as you explore Iceland.
I did a similiar trip some years ago but tenting with a hire car. Had exactly the same experience at the start with little motivation to photogragh or anything else other than drive. An encounter with Icelandic horses and watching Curlews in a field changed all that and snapped me out of the travel tunnel. I found it amazing how one little experience completely changed the trip. Enjoy
Hello Thomas. Catching this video a couple of days late. if you are still in Southern Iceland, take a drive down Rt 211 (East of Vik off Rt 1). There is an abandoned farm with the Mýrdalsjökull glacier as a background. I think you would enjoy photographing it. It's about 5 km down Rt 211 on your right.
I just came from dolomites, any landscape pic with my camera, or million of influencers or huge caravans ruining the landscape. Solution, avoid summer or pics with the drone. Love your videos.
I had no problems with other people while I was out there in June and July, though in fairness I was mainly photographing Iceland's birds and I'm used to seeking out quiet places for wildlife photography. A lot of the places I explored I wouldn't bump into anyone all day though anywhere with good numbers of puffins was busy.
I can see how a trip like this can make you feel the need to hurry yourself. Maybe start to practice being present in the beautiful landscapes you go to. Meditation in these spots would be amazing! Let life flow as you mentioned half way. Hopefully one day I may visit and experience it 😊
I've been to all of these locations before, and feel the same when there are many visitors aimlessly walking around. I constantly gnash my teeth. Somehow I'm always able to achieve the compositions I want shortly after accepting that "they too, deserve to have their time in the sun, in nature and the enjoyment and oneness of it all". I try to remember that, while we may disagree to their approach to nature or 'oneness' or aimlessness, at the very least it is comforting that they aren't sitting on an apartment couch on an ipad (or similar). Their curiosity of the natural world, albeit not as potent as the likes of us, did lead them there, and perhaps that is enough. There is always another pull off, a spare 5 minutes to wait for them to scramble, the clouds to reshape and reform, the light to hit your subject right, the time to hit the shutter with peace in mind.
14:29 - Earlier, when you told about the prices for the ferry etc., I was thinking «OMG, what a pressure», so not surprised to hear that you do feel that… So very human! Glad you don’t let it affect your creative process though! The world needs great photographers! Thanks for sharing, loved the videos I have watched, so happy that TH-cam offered me your videos! Nature Photography is not my thing, but all things photography is inspiring!!! 🩷📷🩷📷🩷
How do you always get the best drone shots while driving!? Like I know drones have GPS and stuff but your b-roll always amazes me. What's your process for all that? Must be so much backtracking for every shot. It's like you've got a camera crew, I so often forget you're on your own.
I really appreciate your emphasis on simplicity in composition. I would 100% have included the icebergs in the shot, but your composition that focused exclusively on the glacier is much better. Hope you enjoy the the highlands!
Hee Thomas Great to see you here, and very beautiful and calming. Idd people are getting more and more and outrageous that they don't clean up their mess, I always teach my son that. Maybe a generation passes that they find out that we only have 1 earth and that they will appreciate that. Great to see and look after. Regards and see you soon, Martin
For me, the most beautiful shot was just after the lighthouse when you were taking drone shots of the van, going down the road. That landscape is the stuff that my posters are made of! 8:05 ish
HI! Been a subscriber for nearly half a decade. Love your stuff and take on it all. I'm a working photographer in Bend, Oregon. I also own an alpaca store. You're too often cold. Alpaca keeps you warm. Very warm. But not stinky and sweaty. And its soft. Almost illegally soft. Softer than clouds. Get a hold of me, let me gift you some alpaca stuff! And holler if you're ever in the area.
I know this "anxious go go go" feeling well. For me it's because I know that there is SO much to see in this world, and time is, unfortunately, usually short.
I think that it is important to differentiate between over tourism and bad tourists. Everyone has the same right to visit these amazing places whether they be casual tourists or “professional photographers“. No one has the right to ruin or mistreat the land. Regarding over tourism, it is up to the country or government to put in place the the processes to reduce the impact of over tourism.
It's so easy to get overwhelmed with scenery in Iceland. You either thunder around to a few preselected destinations or stop every mile. There are so many cliché opportunities but there's a million photos already probably taken in better weather. Missing stuff is just a reason to go back.
Haha, I've had so many messages about that snorkel. Here is my final decision: forward for fast miles, backwards for the gravel roads when travelling more than a few miles... Or when in heavy rain.
Correct. Face the snorkel backwards. Where do you think all those bugs, moths, locusts etc go ? Right into your air box and clagging up the air filter. Turn it backwards and mostof the insects will not be sucked in. This makes a massive difference. I also have fitted an oiled foam pre filter over the air filter. Just occassionally clean the prefilter, and the air filter lasts forever. The prefilter works geat. Fyi, I was a surveyor in the remote parts of Oz, all over the Northern Territory (NT) of Oz, amd central Australia for several years, 90k kms pa, and nealry all dirt roads, or tracks. You havent seen dust untill you come up behind a 50m long roadtrain on a dirt road doing 80kmh in central Oz.
Some people just never been housebroke. I've had people deliberately try to foul up my photos. Aggravating. I used to say that cold is a four-letter word. Then I realized tdhat warm is also a four-letter word. I like warm! * Your shot will not look the same even if it was shot from the same place.
In 2004 we did the same trip, the ferry Narrona , at that time stopped at Shetland, so we got a Northlink ferry to Lerwick from Aberdeen . We were away 5 weeks , fantastic trip and photo opportunity . We were in a Land Rover Freelander and stopped at farms and hostels . Fantastic holiday !
Was there the week before you Thomas, loved the long exposure of Vestrahorn and “Batman” to its left, I photographed them from the other side (west) and was really pleased with the images I got. The glaciers are incredible and as you say you can see them for miles whilst travelling along the south coast. My daughter and I travelled through the Highlands from the north to south along R35 and there were times when we didn’t see another human being or car for hours, absolute bliss. Our trip this year produced my best ever images to date, Whales, Puffins and epic landscapes with gorgeous light. Iceland never fails to deliver 📷👌🇮🇸 look forward to the rest of your trip 👍
That first gravel road was a tricky one for me, when I was driving the opposite way to Egilsstadir in a vw polo. Alongside having very little traction on the gravel road; it was also pitch black, cold, and I had very little fuel left too. This only added to the whole Iceland experience though. Glad to see you enjoying it out there! Keep up the good work!
Great location Talk in the background and show scenery in the forefront. Like what you have to say. However you are thousands of miles from the rest of the worlds near the arctic circle. The scene attention of viewers is four to seven seconds. So far five minutes of Iceland and 15 inside the van. Not brutal complaining, you a little to think about. Love the trip. Will do next year on my motorcycle, fog and all. Safe travels.
THe adventure continues TH! Alway love your VLOGS, enjoying the adventure with you vicariously ...... as usual. Cheers from Australia. PS .... I'm heading to a place called Cradle Mountain in Tasmania next week to do some of my own adventure photography for 3 days. Looking forward to next week's episode. :)
Nice start to the trip, and I like the self deprecation regarding the moaning and other tourists. Looking forward to the following videos and seeing who else is going to the highlands with you and Thor.
Such a relatable video. Just this past weekend I visited a couple of national parks that i had not been to before. I always feel pressure to make some nice images there because it is a national park for a reason. It can be such a struggle however with so many other people either at the spot I want to be, or in the frame that I am shooting. I both love the fact that the outdoors and these amazing places are accessible to so many but also hate it at the exact same time and just want to be there by myself. I also have the same feeling of "I need to get to 'X' location" and have no idea why. I could have 8 hours to drive 30min and still feel the pressure and won't stop images at times or will rush things just to regret it later. It is so nice to see content that actually shows these struggles and not sugar coating or hiding them. Looking forward to the next ones Thomas.
Great inspiring video Tom. As usual. I love watching your road trips and feeling part of your journey with the honesty of commentary about your feelings and expectations. I felt similar mixed emotions when I visited Iceland solo in 2018. Driving from the airport in heavy low visibility mist and constant rain I thought what am I doing here? How am I going to enjoy any landscape photograhy in this weather for the next 4 weeks. It rained or drizzled for almost the whole time I was there. Wettest summer in the last 100 years. Soon as I accepted that this is Iceland weather and started to immerse myself in the beauty and solitude of the landscape I felt free and inspired. My mood was no longer overtaken by my high expectations of capturing that perfect landscape photo or the bad weather. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your adventure. Have you ever thought of making the trip to Australia to check out some stunning outback landscapes? Let me know if you do.
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Thomas, I really liked this video. Yes, it's great video about photography, but what really sets it apart from other videos is you talking about the mental side of photography & roadtrips. I could really feel what you were going through. And I think it's great to show this in a world where photography in social media is this never ending chase for perfection - when in reality, life & photography is a journey of ups & downs.
LOL, “sets it apart”? Methinks you don’t watch Thomas’ videos. Part of their charm is his constant struggle with self-induced mental anxieties. 😄
@@garyverstick1620 I think we ran into some misunderstanding / language barriers here? I basically implied the same thing you said :D
The "sets it apart" wasn't meant to be a comparison to himself, but rather to the general trend I mentioned in my last sentence :)
@@Leonsimages I wondered if you meant other photographers when you said other videos. 😄
Yera, he's just taking photos, like it's a big deal
the difficulty on such trips is to slow down and get in the mood of relaxation
Yeah, I took me 2 weeks 😂
Not hard to slow down in Iceland. The speed limit is only 90km/h
Let’s take a moment and appreciate all the work involved in setting each camera shot! I really appreciate your work! Keep it up man! You are an inspiration for everyone ❤
Not many adventure landscape photographers share the truth as you, Thomas. It's not always amazing. Most of the time nothing happen. Looking for inspiration is damn hard sometimes.
The travelogue maker in you, with beautifully filmed and edited drone and selfie work, balances out your grumpy landscape photographer side by always leaving us anticipating what exciting things we know you are going to find! We appreciate your honesty about how hard it can be.
I really appreciate that you include the frustrating part. Everyone has these moments - even professionals like you. This helps a lot to know you're not the only one.
Taking a breath. Relax. Stop forcing it. Creativity is natural. If you're happy and relaxed, you Images will reflect that. ❤
Ah, photographing busy spots is such a burden for landscape photographers. Sure you can clone folks out, but let's be honest that's pure cheating. I like to use the in-camera approach. Calmy walk over to the person in your frame and very politely push them, not aggressively, but with enough force to knock them over. This makes them much less visible in your frame. If they stand up before you get the shot, simply repeat the process until you get the images that you like! :)
Nah but in all seriousness, great video Thomas! I loved the way you filmed this!
Putting such high expectations on yourself while doing such an epic adventure puts one on the edge of losing patience at the least thing, it's natural.
Fascinating account of travelling in a van in Iceland, taking photographs together with the frustrations and negative feelings. Makes it all so much more real. So good to hear that Icelandic campsites charge a fraction of the amount demanded by UK campsites, which are ridiculously expensive considering all you need is a quiet parking spot for most campervans
Still after 7 years I'm waiting for your videos every week and great video again of course.
Legend 👊
My wife and I took a year out travelling when we were 30, before having kids. We’re talking about getting a campervan this year for precisely this type of thing, but on top of that, you’ve really awakened my desire to just get a bit of solitude now and then. I love my kids and family, but I think some of us, now and then, just need to get away from it all if we can.
I know this is an older video but in case you do read this...I really enjoyed your bravery in taking us along with your journey in Iceland. An amazing trip surely but filled with pressure as a professional who needs to perform. I do understand. But for me, inspiration sneaks up and surprises me when I'm not looking. That's when I force myself to pull over and make it happen no matter what the cost. Waiting for the turnout never works! When you see the shot, you gotta stop! But for me, driving around looking for it never worked. Much love...
I always admire your discipline for simplifying the scene. Makes for a far more soothing and yet intriguing image.
I would watch youtuber Kraig Adams' videos on solo hiking and on many of his videos there aren't many other hikers. The views are amazing and I'm thinking wow, landscape photographers should be all over these places. But I guess because you need to be in good shape to get to these places. I'm just saddened that many landscape photographers aren't hiking to more places similar to where Kraig hikes but instead keep going to the same Lakes or Iceland etc.
It’s amazing how you take the drone shots on this solo trip .. very cinematic and feel like seeing a movie.. Amazing and I have been following you for many years now 👍🏽
Once again, your approach to making these videos just resonates perfectly with me. I love hearing your thoughts and feelings while you are on these adventures and composing these images. I love seeing you cringe at having to take video or stills with other people around and know it is exactly how I would feel! How many times have I framed a dream shot only to curse the existence of people in general as random wanderers ruin my composition! Nice to know I'm not the only one who wishes there was a switch on my camera (or my life) to make people temporarily vanish!
You obviously feel pressure to always find beautiful images, but don't sell your videos short! The video footage you share of the areas you travel is always stunning, and your narration is always entertaining and makes me feel part of the journey!
Love the images as always, and loving the adventure to and through Iceland!
That's a really nice comment to read. Thanks for being so thoughtful 👍
Thomas, I’m always stunned how you manage to shoot such incredible footage of you arriving at and departing park-ups. And the drone tracking shots this time around were incredible. I have the Mavic 3 Pro, and I can never get the vehicle tracking to work smoothly. How do you do it, man!? Thanks for another spectacular adventure story. 👍🦘
I have just purchased the Air 3, and it's effing incredible. I couldn't recommend it highly enough. It's literally idiot proof.
@@ThomasHeatonPhoto Ugh…I suspected it might be. The Air 2 was much better at subject tracking than the Mavic 3 or 3 Pro. Thanks for replying, Thomas. 👍
4:10 Damn I've experienced this a lot too in my life and it's quite annoying not being able to enjoy the sights because you just have to get somewhere otherwise the anxiousness will not go away.
Yeah, for sure. It happens to me all the time.
I get this as well… I thought it was just me… sometimes in I’m on a long road trip from France to Italy for example, I get total mission focus to get to where I’m going, to the pint I only stop for fuel and forget to even eat and drink… even when I do force myself to stop the stress the get going again always wins 😂
I know the feeling of constantly moving. I'm the same. Two night in one place is more than enough for me. As an amateur photographer (aren't we all?), I used to hate people in the shot then, I accepted it and actually waited for people sometimes as they give places scale.
Haha, it's so funny to hear your thoughts and listen to your moaning 🤣 - I completely understand how annoying it must be to see idiot tourists like that just not care about their garbage... anyways, it's also interesting to see your approach to some of the different locations I've just visited 😁
A good friend of mine used to say "Don't force something that has to be inspired" and that's exactly what those spectacular places will do, don't put pressure on yourself, your content is fantastic and I just admire how you document/tell the story. Wishing you a great adventure out there and enjoy!
Always happy to watch videos on Iceland - probably my most favourite country in the world to visit. I'm not a landscape photographer, but the landscape certainly adds a dramatic background when working with models.
I like the old saying "leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures"
That glacier shot at 23:40 is one of the best shots I've seen in your videos, absolutely stunning.
Tom, I get that "I need to go" whenever I am on a road trip and it takes all I have to just SLOW DOWN and STOP to capture images and enjoy the whole reason I am doing the road trip.
Glad to know it's not just me. I did eventually calm down, but it took weeks.
Another great Video Thomas, as the previous comment mentions the mental state and the way you have to get into the correct frame of mind to produce your best work, and the images you took were beautiful cannot wait for the next episode, take care.
Hi Thomas - Darren Here from Stockton-on-Tees, As a keen landscape photographer myself try and see the landscape without any pre-conceived ideas for THE shot. See what the landscape offers then start composing. Enjoying the series. Good luck.
I actually really liked the composition of the lighthouse shot in the end, it captured a nice moment for that couple!
Just sad they’ll likely never get to see it.
I like the couple in the doorway. I like images with people doing people things. Like your video shots with you in them.
Of course, I like learning about landscape photography too.
Please start noting your settings again. It's always nice to have a reference. Love your videos as always!
Thank you for sharing honest videos. Trying to get back into photography, I've felt a lot of frustration and anxiety, and seeing countless videos online from photographers showing perfect experiences yielding perfect photos and nothing else makes me doubt my talent and love for the craft. I appreciate seeing you struggle like a normal human being (I mean that in a good way) and I really like it when you share photos you're not happy with and take the time to explain why you don't like them and how you would have improved them.
I recognize the struggle in myself and i don't like it either, worrying about things that might go wrong with the car before anything happened at all or that really unproductive restlessness of not being able to be in the moment but instead thinking of where i need to be next and missing the whole point. I love the vast solitude of northern countries in the low seasons, it's just magical knowing theres no soul arround you for miles when all you do in your day to day life is being surrounded with hundreds to thousands of people within a square mile at any given time all day and night long. Some great photos of yours, loved the glacier shot.
No need to apologize for being grumpy. I get that way often when people just don't pay attention to someone trying to take a photo. They just walk right into the frame with no concern, let alone the pigs that let their garbage fly out of the car and litter the landscape. Keep up the great work. I really enjoy your videos!
Thank you for saying "my lighthouse" that means your kind heart is in the right place. So you're always welcome to Iceland and you'll have your official Íslandsvinur stamp 🇬🇧❤🇮🇸
I felt the sentiment in this video Thomas. When the amateur Instagram/content generation fades away I'll go back to Iceland but the place was a circus last time we went - in the dead of winter 2017! The difference in the number of people (who totally disregard the ropes around paths etc) compared to 2014 was remarkable.
The world is full of people. It is hard to go anywhere and be "alone" these days - especially so when it's somewhere that is scenic and attracts tourists and photographers. I had the same experience in Iceland in 2018. Just something we have to live with now.
People suck. I just started getting shots of an egret standing on a handrail with autumn colors behind it when a guy walking his dog looked at it, then me, then ran directly at it to scare it. Then he turned back and smiled. All I said was "really?"
Nice Thomas, I'm back from Iceland (trip end of July) and I also got to the Highlands seeing just 2 cars in an afternoon of driving. Pity you weren't able to take more photographs from South-East Iceland but I guess you were on a time budget. The reception/kitchen of the Vik campsite area has free WiFi by the way. Kind regards & looking forward to your next video
Tourists complaining about tourists always fascinates me.
Friendly fire💀
It’s funny you mention lacking inspiration or excitement, I have been subscribed to you for I don’t know how long (got to be 5 or 6 years). For the past 3 of those year I’ve not had any inspiration to take photos, or engage much in photography related media. But I’ve recently become (last week or so) inspired again, and this video has only amplified that. Love the content, keep it up.
Great videos, great photography, keep them coming! I would never have thought about combining photography with a personal therapy session.
Appreciate your honesty in describing your feelings, and of course it's always enjoyable to see Iceland's scenery. Looking forward to next week's video.
Hi Mr. Heaton, your videos are amazing! It’s because of this that I have taken up photography. I always appreciated photography but now I am inspired to start taking pictures, so thank you for your inspiration.
Thomas- thanks for sharing your adventure into Iceland. We have been there 3 different times May/Aug-Sep/ and Sep-Oct. I originally thought that we would like the longer days of summer with mostly clear skies but not so. The best times to capture stunning landscapes is when the weather is more adverse during the end of Sep and into Oct. Lots more interesting skies and weather- say nothing of way thinner crowds. The drawback are that the highlands close around Sep 1st and many of the campgrounds close during the winter as well. This time we are holding our breath for a new volcano eruption in the highlands so we are headed that way first. One question I have for you is- why do you change the dimensions of the pic if you can just go to post and crop the image there? Looking forward to you comment.
Really appreciate how you explain your thinking concerning sizing up a photo. The aspect ratios you choose are often not what I had imagined but then when I see the final result I truly learn somethings that are valuable. Thank you!
Great video, faf and all. My first day in Iceland I felt much the same. I attributed it to the reality of finally being somewhere I always dreamed of going, only to feel bottled up due to the pressure of making it count.
Great to see you back out and photographing again, a little bit grumpy in the beginning but you know that feeling you have your whole life I am the same. That feeling of needing to get going and getting frustrated must be due to your change in your plans and you'll be going towards the crowds where you expected peace when going north, at least you'll finish by going north at the end of this adventure before driving back home. I look forward to seeing what you produce from this trip and using your Hasselblad as well. Hi from Australia it is 2:20am here :)
Whoa! You should be sleeping 😂, but I appreciate it none the less. Thanks for your kind comment.
I think the key to Iceland (was there in July) or anywhere popular is be there when the crowds aren't. I did Skogafoss at 6am and got the whole waterfall to myself...such a difference.
Awesome video! I appreciate you including the frustration reality check and working through it.
These are the videos that I love the most from Thomas. Exploring, enjoying where you are and letting us tag along.
Those Delicas are such a good looking vehicle, and your camper conversion is on point.
Thomas
Day 2 in Iceland and your van is still clean and shiny?
Some years ago we did the very same trip from the Ferry hatbox to Eglistadir and then the gravel road short cut of the southern ring road.
We had some rain and recognized the wind coming from the rear with the sane speed we drove.
The windows went dark and we never saw the color of the car for the rest of the trip again....
But great photography and adventure ...
I’ve had the same issue, at some point grumpy and just not feeling it. Then it hit me. I wasn’t drinking nearly enough water! I was dehydrated and it caused all sorts of mood swings. Don’t be shy, a toilet can always be found
You could be on to something as I also wasn't drinking enough. Like, 2 cups of tea a day and that was it.
Loved that circular glacier photo. Moody & amazing. The one thing you are missing from your camper is a hot water shower set up.
You are such an adorable worry wort and I love your authenticity. The work just put into these videos is impressive, and quite the road trip.❤
So many travellers think that because they find gravel roads, they are seeing something special. In reality in Iceland, there are incredible waterfalls, geysers, and glaciers which are tourist attractions. The beauty is not diminished because others are there.
Ah Destination Addiction; had it all of my life. Tomorrow isn''t better and the grass isn't greener somewhere else ... which as a landscape photographer you should know. (Unless you shoot on Fuji-film or cameras then the greens really pop...). Thomas you need some mindfulness in your life. If you're always chasing rainbows, you'll miss the seashells at your feet. Think I need to write a self-help book for photographers with analogies like that 🤣🤣🤣
Thomas, this has been a very difficult trip for you so far. I'm looking forward to your change of location and seeing you some beautiful and dramatic pictures in the highlands. Your have been very lucky to capture of couple of nuggets in your current location. The terrain on the south coast reminds me more of driving around on an ash heap, which what in effect you are doing. Kind of reminds me an autumn trip I made to the mountains one year and ended up driving in an area where the coal strip mines had destroyed the sides of the mountains and left miles of huge, raw scars and rubble. I got some beautiful shots later after I changed locations and drove to another mountain area that was pristine and natural. The same thing will happen for you when you get to the highland and the north side of Iceland. Wishing you the best of luck.
Totally relatable about there being too many people around. I live in Utah in the states and until about 5 years ago there were a lot of beautiful secrets but it’s since blown up because of social media. It’s hard to go anywhere and get a unique picture any time of day.
I have a rule to never get aggravated in photography. Even if I start to, I stop it and say no, not allowed in this part of my life. However, people are usually the only thing that annoy me in photography. For example, the other day I was in the grocery store. I wasn’t doing photography, but do use my cell a lot to document things during my day. I noticed the shelves in one section of the store were completely empty. Coke Cola is on strike here. A man was out of frame from my shot but saw me raise my phone up to take a picture. He walks right in front of my shot and says Coke is on strike. I said I know, that’s why I am taking the picture to show it to people. He just stays there and doesn’t move. So yeah, the only thing that annoys me about photography at times is people. So in that way, I can relate to some of your frustration in this video.
i'm from south Devon on the outskirts of Dartmoor, which i have always loved and think is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, i have been lucky enough to travel the world and see many many beautiful landscapes, i have always looked at each and thought , Dartmoor is still the best, ... until i visited Iceland! I was truly blown away by its beauty, and by the people more, a fantastic place. You are truly lucky, great videos, i'm addicted!
Really enjoy your photography and ability to tell a story as you travel and photograph. Looking forward to continue traveling with you as you explore Iceland.
I did a similiar trip some years ago but tenting with a hire car. Had exactly the same experience at the start with little motivation to photogragh or anything else other than drive. An encounter with Icelandic horses and watching Curlews in a field changed all that and snapped me out of the travel tunnel. I found it amazing how one little experience completely changed the trip. Enjoy
Hello Thomas. Catching this video a couple of days late. if you are still in Southern Iceland, take a drive down Rt 211 (East of Vik off Rt 1). There is an abandoned farm with the Mýrdalsjökull glacier as a background. I think you would enjoy photographing it. It's about 5 km down Rt 211 on your right.
I just came from dolomites, any landscape pic with my camera, or million of influencers or huge caravans ruining the landscape. Solution, avoid summer or pics with the drone. Love your videos.
I had no problems with other people while I was out there in June and July, though in fairness I was mainly photographing Iceland's birds and I'm used to seeking out quiet places for wildlife photography. A lot of the places I explored I wouldn't bump into anyone all day though anywhere with good numbers of puffins was busy.
I can see how a trip like this can make you feel the need to hurry yourself. Maybe start to practice being present in the beautiful landscapes you go to. Meditation in these spots would be amazing! Let life flow as you mentioned half way. Hopefully one day I may visit and experience it 😊
I've been to all of these locations before, and feel the same when there are many visitors aimlessly walking around. I constantly gnash my teeth. Somehow I'm always able to achieve the compositions I want shortly after accepting that "they too, deserve to have their time in the sun, in nature and the enjoyment and oneness of it all". I try to remember that, while we may disagree to their approach to nature or 'oneness' or aimlessness, at the very least it is comforting that they aren't sitting on an apartment couch on an ipad (or similar). Their curiosity of the natural world, albeit not as potent as the likes of us, did lead them there, and perhaps that is enough. There is always another pull off, a spare 5 minutes to wait for them to scramble, the clouds to reshape and reform, the light to hit your subject right, the time to hit the shutter with peace in mind.
Awesome video Thomas, and what a trip. Thanks for including the lows aswell as the highs. Your really inspiring mate.
14:29 - Earlier, when you told about the prices for the ferry etc., I was thinking «OMG, what a pressure», so not surprised to hear that you do feel that… So very human! Glad you don’t let it affect your creative process though! The world needs great photographers! Thanks for sharing, loved the videos I have watched, so happy that TH-cam offered me your videos! Nature Photography is not my thing, but all things photography is inspiring!!! 🩷📷🩷📷🩷
How do you always get the best drone shots while driving!? Like I know drones have GPS and stuff but your b-roll always amazes me. What's your process for all that? Must be so much backtracking for every shot. It's like you've got a camera crew, I so often forget you're on your own.
Those drones have a follow mode which centres the car or person and can circle or move automatically.
I really appreciate your emphasis on simplicity in composition. I would 100% have included the icebergs in the shot, but your composition that focused exclusively on the glacier is much better. Hope you enjoy the the highlands!
Most amazing place on earth IMO. It’s beauty is incredible, so new and raw. Going back next year.
Hee Thomas Great to see you here, and very beautiful and calming. Idd people are getting more and more and outrageous that they don't clean up their mess, I always teach my son that.
Maybe a generation passes that they find out that we only have 1 earth and that they will appreciate that. Great to see and look after. Regards and see you soon, Martin
I love the longer format episodes! Also your music is wonderful. That female singer is magical
Great “real world” video! Thanks for taking me along!
For me, the most beautiful shot was just after the lighthouse when you were taking drone shots of the van, going down the road. That landscape is the stuff that my posters are made of! 8:05 ish
Neat Thomas. I'm so impressed by the internet quality you've had for these spectacular videos. Anyway, that wrap-around glacier shot is gorgeous.
HI! Been a subscriber for nearly half a decade. Love your stuff and take on it all. I'm a working photographer in Bend, Oregon. I also own an alpaca store. You're too often cold. Alpaca keeps you warm. Very warm. But not stinky and sweaty. And its soft. Almost illegally soft. Softer than clouds. Get a hold of me, let me gift you some alpaca stuff! And holler if you're ever in the area.
Way to Go Tom, Onward & Upward as they say!! Tune your attitude in.Lets see some of your Awesome SHOTS
Wow! A couple of real stunners in this Thomas.
Always love your honesty Thomas, I think letting go of pressure to perform like you say and allow creativity to flow to experiment with different
I know this "anxious go go go" feeling well. For me it's because I know that there is SO much to see in this world, and time is, unfortunately, usually short.
I think that it is important to differentiate between over tourism and bad tourists. Everyone has the same right to visit these amazing places whether they be casual tourists or “professional photographers“. No one has the right to ruin or mistreat the land. Regarding over tourism, it is up to the country or government to put in place the the processes to reduce the impact of over tourism.
It's so easy to get overwhelmed with scenery in Iceland. You either thunder around to a few preselected destinations or stop every mile. There are so many cliché opportunities but there's a million photos already probably taken in better weather. Missing stuff is just a reason to go back.
Still laughing at the sheep attack. Hiding in the van and waiting until you turned your back was brilliant of them.
I hear you on rushing. I’m always the same. Always rushing, but for what? No reason, just how I am
A landscape photographer hates people who knew lol
Turn the snorkel back the other way. That way is very cool but it’s a dust trap - exactly one of the reasons you fitted it to circumvent.
Haha, I've had so many messages about that snorkel. Here is my final decision: forward for fast miles, backwards for the gravel roads when travelling more than a few miles... Or when in heavy rain.
Correct. Face the snorkel backwards. Where do you think all those bugs, moths, locusts etc go ? Right into your air box and clagging up the air filter.
Turn it backwards and mostof the insects will not be sucked in. This makes a massive difference. I also have fitted an oiled foam pre filter over the air filter. Just occassionally clean the prefilter, and the air filter lasts forever. The prefilter works geat.
Fyi, I was a surveyor in the remote parts of Oz, all over the Northern Territory (NT) of Oz, amd central Australia for several years, 90k kms pa, and nealry all dirt roads, or tracks. You havent seen dust untill you come up behind a 50m long roadtrain on a dirt road doing 80kmh in central Oz.
Some people just never been housebroke. I've had people deliberately try to foul up my photos. Aggravating. I used to say that cold is a four-letter word. Then I realized tdhat warm is also a four-letter word. I like warm! * Your shot will not look the same even if it was shot from the same place.
In 2004 we did the same trip, the ferry Narrona , at that time stopped at Shetland, so we got a Northlink ferry to Lerwick from Aberdeen . We were away 5 weeks , fantastic trip and photo opportunity . We were in a Land Rover Freelander and stopped at farms and hostels . Fantastic holiday !
Was there the week before you Thomas, loved the long exposure of Vestrahorn and “Batman” to its left, I photographed them from the other side (west) and was really pleased with the images I got. The glaciers are incredible and as you say you can see them for miles whilst travelling along the south coast. My daughter and I travelled through the Highlands from the north to south along R35 and there were times when we didn’t see another human being or car for hours, absolute bliss. Our trip this year produced my best ever images to date, Whales, Puffins and epic landscapes with gorgeous light. Iceland never fails to deliver 📷👌🇮🇸 look forward to the rest of your trip 👍
I loved seeing the batman mou ntain from this angle!
That first gravel road was a tricky one for me, when I was driving the opposite way to Egilsstadir in a vw polo. Alongside having very little traction on the gravel road; it was also pitch black, cold, and I had very little fuel left too. This only added to the whole Iceland experience though. Glad to see you enjoying it out there! Keep up the good work!
Great location Talk in the background and show scenery in the forefront. Like what you have to say. However you are thousands of miles from the rest of the worlds near the arctic circle. The scene attention of viewers is four to seven seconds. So far five minutes of Iceland and 15 inside the van. Not brutal complaining, you a little to think about. Love the trip. Will do next year on my motorcycle, fog and all. Safe travels.
THe adventure continues TH! Alway love your VLOGS, enjoying the adventure with you vicariously ...... as usual. Cheers from Australia. PS .... I'm heading to a place called Cradle Mountain in Tasmania next week to do some of my own adventure photography for 3 days. Looking forward to next week's episode. :)
Nice start to the trip, and I like the self deprecation regarding the moaning and other tourists. Looking forward to the following videos and seeing who else is going to the highlands with you and Thor.
That curvy glacier shot is simply outstanding. Such moody light. Enjoying these videos of your trip.
10:21 Sometimes it’s more about the process of taking the photograph than the final result… Soul Food is what Photography sometimes is… ❤📷❤📸❤
Such a relatable video. Just this past weekend I visited a couple of national parks that i had not been to before. I always feel pressure to make some nice images there because it is a national park for a reason. It can be such a struggle however with so many other people either at the spot I want to be, or in the frame that I am shooting. I both love the fact that the outdoors and these amazing places are accessible to so many but also hate it at the exact same time and just want to be there by myself.
I also have the same feeling of "I need to get to 'X' location" and have no idea why. I could have 8 hours to drive 30min and still feel the pressure and won't stop images at times or will rush things just to regret it later. It is so nice to see content that actually shows these struggles and not sugar coating or hiding them. Looking forward to the next ones Thomas.
Great inspiring video Tom. As usual. I love watching your road trips and feeling part of your journey with the honesty of commentary about your feelings and expectations. I felt similar mixed emotions when I visited Iceland solo in 2018. Driving from the airport in heavy low visibility mist and constant rain I thought what am I doing here? How am I going to enjoy any landscape photograhy in this weather for the next 4 weeks. It rained or drizzled for almost the whole time I was there. Wettest summer in the last 100 years. Soon as I accepted that this is Iceland weather and started to immerse myself in the beauty and solitude of the landscape I felt free and inspired. My mood was no longer overtaken by my high expectations of capturing that perfect landscape photo or the bad weather.
Looking forward to seeing the rest of your adventure.
Have you ever thought of making the trip to Australia to check out some stunning outback landscapes? Let me know if you do.