How I've Lost the Ability to Take Good Photos
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- Опубліковано 21 бер 2023
- In this video I analyse my latest landscape photography shoot and try to figure out why, when conditions were so good, I was not able to make any good photographs. 10% off your first Squarespace website or domain: www.squarespace.com/heaton
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You're absolutely brutal on yourself Tom, but what I love about your channel is your honesty about when it doesn't work out. The ones where you're struggling are often my favorite as they're so relatable.
I appreciate that and yeah, I'm my own worst critic.
@@ThomasHeatonPhoto You are the best composition expert I have seen
The spot where you climbed the ladder over the stone wall was gorgeous, photo right there, snowy tree, snow covered ladder, dark contrasty wall...lol.
One of the joys of doing photography is starting to see the world as art. The majority of that art will only be in our heads. The more we view the world that way, the better chance we’re going to get at photographing truly amazing things. And the more we bring our awareness to our surroundings the more chance we have of finding beauty.
Videos like this one are what help make your channel so good. Yes, there are plenty of times when you go out and get spectacular results; when everything works in harmony. But often, we are our own worst enemies. Showing that this sort of thing happens to even the most accomplished photographers makes the rest of us (well...ME anyway) realize that we all have those kinds of days.
Absolutely! I couldn't agree more that photographers are their own worst enemy. I know I am.
That's your best video to date! Mainly because we have all been there, and too many UA-cam photographers pretend that life is amazing and everything works out as intended and do the big 'reveal' shot of the hero photo at the end. It's nice just from a psychological point of view that you have shown that vulnerable and negative side we all have from time to time! Thank you!
100000% agree! We need more of real life scenarios and not only that social media fueled fake syndrome of constant success
wow really!
I always tell my students that the worst thing to do is to go out looking for something specific to photograph. Then I go out looking for something and miss the obvious. Passed a Snowy Owl one day 5 minutes from home on my way to look for elk. NEVER found the elk, but 5 hours later and a lot of driving I found the owl again. Could have saved myself gas, driving, frustration. Some day I will take my own advice.
Great advice. I'm guilty of this all the time, although I've never seen a snowy owl 😮
@@ThomasHeatonPhoto Come over to Alberta Canada next winter and I will take you out. We will look for Elk so we can find the owls 🤣🤣
Sometimes I find the opposite. I tell people to shoot with a specific project or series in mind. It helps train our creative mind, rather than leaving it up to chance to stumble upon an image, but rather make the image have to work. I find this trains well for client projects
When I started photography I shot the shit out of everything that I saw resulting in some good stuff. When I became somewhat better I started to second guess things. Big mistake.
maybe cause you always go for your First Choice Photo and neglect the beauty in front of you
Watching Tom has almost inspired me again. I use to watch him religiously. When Coved came.. to me the world change. My country changed, people changed. Allot of hate and anger in the world somehow extinguished my artistic side. Not to mention that there are millions of great photos and who needs to see mine. I share this only to share on the theme; The struggles photographers face and how to overcome them. Luckely photography is about the jouney if getting a shot. Im not sure I can revive my previouse self.
I love the last shot of the wall in b&w. I've told myself that I should shoot more b&w again. But, yeah, I think we all have expectations regarding what we are going to shoot. When my nephew was young, I gave him a camera and took him with me on a day of shooting. While I was shooting in one direction, he was taking photos in the opposite direction of things I never would have photographed. Some of his shots were interesting. Just shows how people see differently and we need to be open to the environment around us.
I’ve found in my 67 years of living that there’s good days, bad days, and great days!!!!! Unfortunately there are more bad days than good and the great ones are far in between!!!!! Plus there is that demon called horrible days in there every once and a while!!!
I’ve also found that photography is a lot like that too!!!! So I just trudge through both!!!!! Thanks Thomas!!!!!
Perhaps one of the most insightful videos you have made.
For me the image captured at 3.54 you didn’t like is far more interesting and appealing than your two preferred examples. The balance is immense. Great topic for a video. Thank you for your content Thomas
It's always good to see the bad along with the good Thomas. Don't hesitate to publish videos like this one. Sometimes we learn just as much or more from the failures as we do the victories. Was very enlightening to hear your commentary throughout as to what went wrong on this one.
You never lose the ability Thomas.📷
Svalbard!!! Let's get it, bro :D
You are SO relatable! Found myself laughing at how much I could hear myself thinking and saying the same things.
It seems since CVD lockdowds in the UK I have struggled with any photography at all. I went from being that guy that had a camera on me all the time to being the guy that's looking for excuses not to go out. Its really getting to me. I'm on hols for 10 days now so I'm charging the gear up as a write this and am going to make an effort to fall back in love with the outdoors and if I get an image along the way then all the better. Thanks for the inspiration Thomas. It's guys like you and a few others that still keep me interested in photography. I shot a wedding in October and I really didn't enjoy it I used to love doing weddings. Landscape was where my passion was, and I need it back.
Today I learned to put out the third leg on my tripod...no seriously though, this is a really important video that highlights not only the importance of keeping the spirit of curiosity close to heart, but also honesty. Bless you!
I do appreciate the wisdom and insights you share from personal experience. It gives permission for us all to live with imperfection.
Whenever I decide to go take some photos I always say I'm taking my camera for a walk and we will see what we see. I suppose I don't have the pressures you have but it works for me. I don't have any expectations and therefore I am not too disappointed if I come away with nothing of note. I'm sure you'll get you mojo back for the next one, so good luck for that.
One of your best videos. So important to be self aware and question your own behaviour. Yesterday a delivery truck got stuck in the snow beside my driveway. He missed the drive completely but refused to admit to himself that he failed. I said "your boss doesn't care that you got stuck, stuff happens, he cares that you learn how it happened and don't repeat". I shoveled him out, then put sand under his wheels, then I pulled him out with my own truck. I don't think he learned a thing. Best!
I think this is one of my favorite videos of yours, Tom. So true what you said about really getting out of your own head and just looking. I have had numerous occasions where I've packed up and was walking back to the car and then found the best scene of the day. Great advice.
I smiled all through this video because I could relate to everything you said. There was a lot of "yeah, I've done that before". :-)
‘So that it feels i am productive’ hahaha, i love that! It’s what i always do when things don’t turn out as planed on a shooting trip: scouting for possible images. If i found one… it will make my day.
At 9:00 "i haven't seen an image" it's right behind you!! We've all been there and only belatedly notice it, hell that snow covered gate which wouldnt open for you would fave made a fantastic image in tiself... great video with great inspiration and motivation, you do wonderful work.
Loved this - I just love the way you capture and tell the story.. And you just keep getting better. Thanks Tom
Hi Thomas, I too has lost some of my talent for taking pictures, it started several years ago when I decided to try to unhook myself from GAS, because the lens that I had been so looking forward to turned up at a price I cannot justify, recently I saw an advert for a secondhand one for about two and a half K and again I am tempted. No hurry tho' like you I now feel I have a much better understanding of just how much preconditioning can interfere with art, for a long time I have said that one of my favourite aspects of nature photography is the repeated lessons in humility!, nature is not there you give me what I want, I have to accept what I am given!.
As you continue I keep getting little indications from you of feelings that are a bit too familiar, the funny thing is I was thinking that my condition was due to getting old and tired. Recently this year I have been feeling more positive about what I might find to photograph this spring, just the first new green shoots. To some extent I know I cannot go back to where I was, I think I must wait for what comes next from wherever these things come from, here I do totally agree with you, one cannot forces these things, I know now that all decisions made under pressure in a hurry fail to deliver satisfaction, it just takes quite a lot of patience to do nothing until the 'right' thing comes along.
At the end you also note that in the end you only re-learn what you already knew, oh how many times I have been there and done that!.
Cheers, Richard.
Nice to see your wee van working out so well. If that was your old van you wouldnt have even bothered. Yes... clearing your mind helps etc. but giving yourself every opportunity to go out and give things a shot is almost just as important. Sometimes we need to fail and shoot the obvious to appreciate other subject. If I am feeling uninspired I shoot more - not less. First step... forget the tripod.... just start snapping. I honestly believe you just need to take a certain number of photos to get back in a groove.... and when you shoot something hand held and you get the "ooh" feeling... reach for the tripod, try to make the perfect shot. This was just the end I needed to a crap day... thanks for still posting the video.
I like be reminded of mistakes that are easily made. I confess I've gone with an image in mind. Threw me off when the conditions were not correct. Great video by the way.
Fantastic fun edit Tom! I love you catching yourself mid-sentence in freeze frame to tell us that you're doing it wrong. A great lesson and role model. Thanks dude!
Ah so true! That said, the stile you climbed over on the second morning looked promising.
It looked like you had so much fun jumping that gate 😊
I too planned my day around this very same snowy weather. A day out on the moors mixed with a wander through the woodlands the border them. However... that sweet, sweet blizzard near my home, left the moors unreachable on many roads and when i finally got there after a long walk, it was very patchy with huge snowdrifts in places and exposed grasses everywhere else. It was simply ugly. Same with the woodland. Patchy carpet of snow, and nothing like a shining gossamer lattice to bring the trees to life. Not even a hint of white on twig and branch. So i jumped into some enormous towering snowdrifts as the day progressed and the sun came out, and focussed on abstract, wind carved patterns that the sun kindly revealed as she headed towards the horizon. Day saved! (but only just). Additionally, it was the most severe snow i've seen in over thirty years. Still not as deep as the winter of 77-78 though. That one just blanketed everything.
Nice one Thomas. We have all been there. Loved the image of that DAM wall!! The clouds in the sky complimented the other shapes very well.
I was in the lake district last week during that snow! I arrived at the beginning of the week when it was wet and miserable and then over the space of 24 hours it completely changed. I really enjoyed it as I took me by surprise. Got a handful of nice images too.
I’ve believe I’ve heard you make comments about the pressure you put on yourself to capture a good/great image for each episode. It might be you carry this “pressure” with you and it influences your approach and hence your results. All experienced photographers know that photography is like fishing… sometimes they are biting and sometimes they are not. It’s the times when we catch a trophy that makes all the less successful trips worthwhile. We need to relax, enjoy the process and take what the conditions give us. Setting pre-determined expectations can restrict our creativity. I for one enjoy watching you work, whether you catch a big one or come home empty handed. There are things to learn in both instances. Thanks Thomas.
That's me all the time....I have something in mind and it doesn't pan out. Ugh! But all was not lost, that last image was so nice. Wish I could sign up for that trip in June, amazing price and sounds like a great experience.
A great take on “failing” to get “the shot.” This video reminds us all that failure is OK and it happens to all of us. Thanks for posting!
Thank you Thomas for sharing your objective self-reflection. This is one of the best photography videos on UA-cam recently. Cause it first shows that also professionals are only human and second that it may remind all of us and - maybe myself the next time I cannot find an image - to step back and let go of a fixed idea. At least to think of letting go. I think I’ve been running into the same trap not only once and only a few times came to that conclusion. Thanks again, Thorsten
That was helpful. I’ve been there, the state of mind always comes out in the photos. Thanks for sharing.
14:58 sir Tom like you said so many shapes and layers 😊❤ Amazing job, what a dramatic change in mindset cheers
Thanks for the honesty. I do this too and not just in photography
Common problem well presented! Nice to see it’s not just me experiencing this issue! Thanks for taking me along!
Of all the hundreds of TH videos I've seen here this has to be one of the most instructive and valuable - how often do we not meet our photographic expectations precisely because those expectations close our minds off to the breadth of opportunities at our chosen location. This video shows how it can happen to the most experienced of us, and also gives a clear demonstration of how the things going on in our heads determine the success or not of our endeavours, not the actual location / subjects themselves. Really good, I don't think I have seen this aspect of photography covered before, at least not this compellingly. Some photographers swear by pre-visualisation, which clearly can work, especially if you're in control of all the elements, but here is a demonstration of how it can stifle creativity if you don't realise it is happening. I have always admired your "go with the flow" approach, the number of times you've headed somewhere and admitted you don't really know where you're going or what you're going to shoot, yet you find and create really good images regardless and to me that is far more inspirational than having everything planned to the nth degree because that's generally my experience of photography too.
Now this is the kind of video you learn from.
Really great insights there Thomas, thank you for being willing to be humble and allow us to share in your learning as well. Must admit, I think I would have been the opposite and reeled off a load of shots in those conditions as fresh snow is my absolute favourite, so it's finding that middle ground somewhere I guess. And that's why you're the pro and I'm not lol.
What's up Thomas? I love this video. It goes exactly to what I've always said; " waite sometimes till the shot finds you." Hunting for one thing closes of the other possible great shots you walk pass all the time. In the words of Doug Garner, "Its not about the photograph, it's the Wild Photo adventure". God, I really miss his UA-cam channel. But, you get the picture. Enjoy the walk, enjoy the fresh air; let the shot find you! God bless you my friend! Peace!
You are such an excellent story teller. 😍
Hi Thomas, good self reflection ! I guess the Iceland trip is still working its way down psychologically ? Love to see you regain the love for photography and taking good images in the end ;-)
Your storytelling is truly impeccable 👍
The Square Space, Benny Hill salute, was the best bit. :)
weather warnings are definitely a double edged sword. great for convincing to get out and shoot, but also creates an expectation in the destination will look like. that scene at 3:56 has awesome potential if you created a panorama of just the top half of the ice.
I love the insight you provided upon reflection of your shoot. This is probably my favorite video you have published.
Great video! Your honesty is much appreciated and may be one of the most important you've made. Not every photo expedition will be worthwhile. A trick I will sometimes use to try to "get my head in the right spot" when exploring for a photograph is just to take a couple of frames right away - just to say I did something. Usually, those pictures aren't more than "snapshots." But sometimes I'm surprised when I look at the a few days later and see an element that can be played with in post.
what a wonderful video, we all at some point find ourselves in these situations and you brought that up on this video beautifully Tom, just by your honesty and understanding that is the first step to make great images. Truly wonderful video man!
I don't need to make a comment, Thomas. Your analysis of the situation covered everything I might have said of the situation. i really did like that b&w image of the wall. The contrast was perfect and created a 3D effect. So, what I always say is when in Rome shoot Roman candles. When you can't shoot what you want then shoot what you can and just enjoy being outside. Much less pressure than trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. 😝
One of the rare time when I watch the ad/sponsor bit of a video, that pose was just hilarious :D
Silly comment apart, I love how you are open and willing to share your shortcomings to help us in our journey
Often fall into the same trap and even worse when I get so focused on a desired image that I don't bother to go out at all unless conditions are favorable for it.
Great self criticism and so many common faults I can relate to. I think it's cyclical and we'll continue to make such mistakes and have these mindsets again and again; and that's ok. We just have to keep reminding ourselves how to get out of it whenever we feel it come on. Been watching for a few years and this is one of your best vids.
It is always good to review the mind path and try to think in a different perspective like this video does. Nothing is straight up perfect. We all need to walk the way patiently. Glad you can do this kind of video Thomas. 😊
I have an idea for something I want to photograph this weekend that I found last week, by chance, while walking the dog in a nearby park. I have been looking at it this week too on subsequent walks with Buddy the Beagle, and it definitely has potential, provided I set up in the right spot and use an appropriate lens to go beyond potential foreground clutter. I have only been out with my phone, so far, and will go out with just the camera, tripod and filters to give it a go on Sunday. I am conscious of the fact it may not work and I could be setting myself up for disappointment. Fortunately, in this park and woodland, there is a ton of other things I can try and, every time I walk there, I see something new. It’s taken me a long time, but I have reached a point that if the photography isn’t happening, I put the camera away and enjoy a walk and engage with nature. Once in a while, on such a walk, I stumble across something unexpected and I come away with something much better than I had originally planned. But if I don’t come back with anything, then as long as I’ve enjoyed the walk and engaging with nature, it is enough for me.
We have ice storms here in OK, US and they present the same dilemma. They happen so infrequently that I tend to look for the perfect photo that I miss the not-quite-perfect photo.
That's just so fantastic! I think that's one of the factors that separate good from great photographers. Ability to analyze and grow on the mistakes we make is crucial in actual development. It's even nicer to see someone as good as you still being able to do this and always be aware of any shortcomings you might have!.
It's terrible to see how some amazing photographers try to sell the idea of their failed photos as something good
Great video! I always appreciate you being willing to show the off days and not pretend that every excursion will lead to a portfolio image. Really enjoyed this one ✌🏼
Back of my mind going through the video, I thought you need a 'break' or do another form of photography to re-stimulate your senses.
Your chase for perfection is taking a toll on you but I get that it's important that we try to out-do ourselves every time we shoot so that we don't fall into a comfort zone. I also think sometimes we romanticise photography and overlook the logical aspects of things and vice versa.
Love how you articulate your thoughts which reflect the struggle you go through as a photographer and as a creative. Definitely learn a lot from this video.
We all seem to agree that the videos where you allow us to see the struggle are some of our favorites. For me I think it is because they are the ones where I learn the most. I might see that the leaf mass under the ice image isn't a favorite, but I might have difficulty picking out why (the lack of color and texture interest didn't pop out to me, but once you stated it I thought, yeah, I get that). Thank you for being an engaging teacher guiding us through some learning with our weekly entertainment and encouragement!
You went all Great Gatsby at the beginning and I loved it!
Such a mature approach to a difficult subject.
I feel like we should advocate more for the fun of photography, rather than perfection in photography, if that makes sense. As in, it’s okay to take photos for the fun of it, even bad ones. That first shot of the plants under the ice, I agree it didn’t really work compared to the other examples you showed. But if you had fun in the moment (and/or in the editing), that matters! Social media is making us believe that only perfection matters and nothing else. But the truth is that the fun of photography is super important and that you can aim for that instead. (I’ve been doing this for years and photography is still my favorite hobby.)
Great video. It was interesting seeing when things don't work out as planned.
Nice video, auto critics is great, but i still feel you’re underestimating your talent. You moving in some scenes are great landscape photos as well.
Watched this on my TV and liked it so much I got my phone out to find the video so I could leave a comment. What a lovely, contemplative video. It’s helped me reflect a bit on some frustrating days recently. Cheers!
I just watched your latest video about your recent photo trip, and I have to say, compared to your last adventure in Hornstrandir, it looks like this one was a walk in the park... well, a 'summer vacation' at least! 😅
Despite not meeting your expectations, I found the process of "failure" (if you can even call it that) in this trip to be very enlightening and relatable. Your openness and honesty, which you are well-known for, is greatly appreciated. I'm looking forward to applying your tips on my next photo walk and can't wait to see what you have in store for us in your future videos!
I like wildlife and as you call them, the smaller scenes. A mix of both together in the right scene is fantastic, but not always possible. I don't think I pick expectations anymore since switching to digital. On a nice walk, I'll take about 80 to 100 shots. Those megapixels are free, and while I always get a majority I don't care for, they'll be a small majority that turned out to be decent, and a few that actually amaze me. Things such as realizing that a squirrel who was about 60 feet away from me, was also staring back at me. I hadn't realized he had looked and found it quite humourous afterwards. One month later that tree fell down and that scene no longer exists. Hence, wildlife and intimate scenes. Oh, also the squirrels still live nearby. Might be time to get out of the snow for a bit. Drive carefully. Those roads are crazy.
Great video buddy, full of useful tips and snippets of information as always!
Reactive photography is the way to go Tom. Don't have a specific image in mind but instead react to the conditions and scene on offer
This. Often times I go to a location with either a vague goal that allows a lot of creative freedom or no goal at all. When I get home I am generally quite happy with the results I get
The fact that you learn something even ( sometimes ? ) when it goes wrong and how you showed that was great. Well shown
This damn video is excellent. I shoot mostly street and very little landscape, regardless your insights are so useful and inspirational.
As always the honest video we've come to expect. Showing that it' doesn't/won't always go to plan and I'm sure most of us can relate. My only real concern was wiper motor anxiety when you cleared the snow off the screen. That Delica really is a tough thing.
Good, honest and self reflecting video. I put a ton of pressure on myself as an aspiring street photographer. Usually, if I can get a shot early in the session that I’m proud of, I can let myself relax after that.
I just love this video!❤
jeepers the photos are all around you!
This video is a reminder, personally to me. As I also did in a trip of mine to be tunnel-visioned on an idea in my head and discarding the ordinary making me miss opportunities. Also this frame in 10:48 is a gorgeous image for a wide environment shot! Very lucid and abstract as you stated.
When you brutally cleaned the windshield with the wipers from the inch-thick snow I finally felt great pain, too 😣
Without doubt the pressure of UA-cam….I’d imagine? Well executed content though making a half glass empty to one half full. Thanks Tom 🙏
Hugely enjoyable and hilarious, but also wonderfully educational. As a viewer of yours for years, I'm pleasantly surprised at the directions of deployment you've taken, and this is just such an example. Thanks, lots of fun. And I totally agree..................
13:17 Yes; I can't count the times I've gone out with high expectations of taking wonderful photos (I live in Finland) and being bitterly disappointed, only to find the beauty again immediately after having given up altogether and was headed for home.
Tom, you're a meditation to watch. And you are fun, lots of humor. This video is why I woulden't want to be a pro. If I see something I like I take a photo. It's freeing and gives me joy. But I really like your channel. I think that ladder and stone wall with the tree would have made a nice photo as well before You stepped on it.
Thomas, big thanks for your video! You describe the state of my mind in such a lot of similar situations so well!
Super video Thomas! Every time I'm now in a landscape where my expectations are clouding my judgement I always think of your "lucid but abstract" thought process. It calms my mind away from capturing big epic vistas and allows me space to craft simpler, more intentional compositions. Real pleasure learning from you in person in Lanzarote and through your videos. PS: I would also absolutely jump on the Svalbard opportunity if I could (we're committed to photographing a wedding)! I hope you guys fill the boat and get to go.
Love this video! It really shows how we can get into our own heads too much. I'm sure we have all been there at some point. I have some of my better images when I wasn't even looking for them specifically. You need to have that 'free state' of mind to keep the creativity alive. Thanks for sharing!
Another great video, I think a shot of the stile with the snow would have worked. Plus I liked the one sided squarespace Moose you did for 6 seconds😁
LOL Thomas, the Squarespace promo was perfect.
Greatest sponsor message ever!
This is really great. I love the way you revisit your thoughts in your videos. I am also always balancing the pressure of art and how it affects me be it photo, video or painting and drawing. Getting that random freedom we give ourselves is a interesting concept and something Im always looking for. The other day I picked up a spiral bound sketchbook and felt so free because if I wanted I could just rip a page out haha. Thanks for the effort and videos Thomas!
A great video on helping everyone learn from that situation!
I feel like its going around. I haven't taken a photo I've "loved" since December, and have felt desynchronized from my creativity. "Make vs. Take" is good advice, and I'll definitely be carrying that with me from here on out. Thanks for that.
Thank you. All the best. 👍📷😎
A very enjoyable watch.
Great video and good advice Thomas
I actually enjoyed the video as I recognised what you were going through..forced photography, taking photos because you think you have to...its happened me many times, but as you found out, once the pressure or expectation is done away with then creativity can begin...many thanks
A really ingenious way to incorporate the sponsor message! Nearly perfect timing … 😂