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 :)
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.
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...
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 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.
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.
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!
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 UA-cam offered me your videos! Nature Photography is not my thing, but all things photography is inspiring!!! 🩷📷🩷📷🩷
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
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.
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 ❤
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 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. ❤
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!
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.
Oh Tom, you missed two cracking waterfalls on that drive, Folaldafoss and Skútafoss. I would have loved to see your take on those. Especially Folaldafoss in the mist. You are still the most watchable of all the UA-cam photographers and I really like that you don't use the word epic too many times 🙂 If you head for the West Fjords I know of a series of beautiful waterfalls I've yet to see on any of the other You Tubers channels and nothing on Flickr.
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
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.
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.
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 !
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 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.
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 😊
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 😂
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.
So funny that you said you wouldn't complain; I thought that was part of your video style. I've stood waiting for people to clear "my" shot to no avail. Thank goodness and Adobe for generative fill. You did get some great images as always.
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 👍
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, 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. 👍
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!
Great video as always Thomas. Loved the glacier shot! But one thing bothering me. At around 16 minutes at campsite. You have parked and claimed one and only(?) table for you with help of your van. Think about those with tents who would like to cook on a table and sit for a while. Yes, there wasnt any tents showing on the video. You have clean and dry place in a van at anytime.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Hello Thomas, thank you for sharing your experience and giving your insides . I can understand your frustrations about bad behaving tourists and packed camping grunds - I dislike both too. I wish you a wonderful further yourney and hope you will find the peace and solitude you are look for. Keep up the great work and prviding advice to your viewers. Last not least, I wish you can turn out the commercial succes you need as a side effect. Hans
DIY Mitsubishi Delica camper van.Looks Good. Nice little place to camp Home Cooked Something we didn't get to See thee menu. It's A Big Deal about what you eat when your in (their Country) , stay at the 1st Glacier view
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.
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
LOVE LOVE LOVE this video. You're on my list of inspiring photographers and one that I would love to meet one day! Also, loved the AeroPress!! Use mine OFTEN!!
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.
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!
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.
That was funny when you said about the tourist you said "Hello" and they blanked you, that makes me very angry, LOL. I'm Scottish and we say Hello to the sheep. Thanks for another great video.
Great video. I fully understand the pressure that can come up. I stayed at Vik camp ground twice in July. Honestly it looks only half full in your video. 😅 It can be even more busy. Looking forward to your next video. 😊
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.
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 👍🏽
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.
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
I know what you mean about that anxiousness to keep going. Took me over 30 years to find out I have ADHD that went under the radar. I believe this was "hyperactivity remains as a symptom, leading to, for instance, extreme restlessness and feelings of always being on the go or driven by a motor."
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.
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!
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!
Things will get better when you move away from the south coast of Iceland; it is notoriously busy with visitors. Heading north, it will quieten down. Snaefellsness and the north-west fjords are also well worth a visit. There is a good car ferry crossing from Stykkisholmur across the Breidarfjordur to the north west fjords and this cuts off a lot of road driving. Really enjoying your videos, Thomas, and looking forward to seeing your adventures unfold as you travel into the interior.
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
The incessant need to always go. I have felt this on my solo adventures. I think it is rooted in survival and the need to rid yourself of the uncertainties. I can't focus on being creative until I have all the questions answered and one of them for me was the same as yours, "Where am I camping tonight?" I don't want to be setting camp in the dark or trying to figure out the route at the end of the day. These thoughts will distract me from the goal which is ultimately the complete opposite of those thoughts, which is freedom and exploration. It is something I struggle with. That and sleeping outside by myself in an isolated area. If you have any good tips for that one, let me know!
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.
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
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.
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...
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 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.
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.
That glacier shot at 23:40 is one of the best shots I've seen in your videos, absolutely stunning.
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!
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 UA-cam offered me your videos! Nature Photography is not my thing, but all things photography is inspiring!!! 🩷📷🩷📷🩷
Loved that circular glacier photo. Moody & amazing. The one thing you are missing from your camper is a hot water shower set up.
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 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.
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.
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 ❤
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.
Please start noting your settings again. It's always nice to have a reference. Love your videos as always!
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!
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.
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.
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 ...
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.❤
Still after 7 years I'm waiting for your videos every week and great video again of course.
Legend 👊
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. ❤
I always admire your discipline for simplifying the scene. Makes for a far more soothing and yet intriguing image.
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!
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.
Oh Tom, you missed two cracking waterfalls on that drive, Folaldafoss and Skútafoss. I would have loved to see your take on those. Especially Folaldafoss in the mist.
You are still the most watchable of all the UA-cam photographers and I really like that you don't use the word epic too many times 🙂
If you head for the West Fjords I know of a series of beautiful waterfalls I've yet to see on any of the other You Tubers channels and nothing on Flickr.
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
Most amazing place on earth IMO. It’s beauty is incredible, so new and raw. Going back next year.
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.
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.
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 !
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.
The tube glacier shot is spectacular. It inspires such a feeling within me.
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.
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 love the longer format episodes! Also your music is wonderful. That female singer is magical
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 😂
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.
The detail in the glacier pic is wonderful!
So funny that you said you wouldn't complain; I thought that was part of your video style. I've stood waiting for people to clear "my" shot to no avail. Thank goodness and Adobe for generative fill. You did get some great images as always.
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!
Love this video - exactly the dream I'm working hard towards - get back to Iceland, find the remote spots and shoot some cotent! The dream!
That glacier shot was an absolute banger. That would look awesome as a massive blown up print.
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, 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. 👍
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 👍
Great video as always Thomas. Loved the glacier shot! But one thing bothering me. At around 16 minutes at campsite. You have parked and claimed one and only(?) table for you with help of your van. Think about those with tents who would like to cook on a table and sit for a while. Yes, there wasnt any tents showing on the video. You have clean and dry place in a van at anytime.
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.
Way to Go Tom, Onward & Upward as they say!! Tune your attitude in.Lets see some of your Awesome SHOTS
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.
You can only control the controllables mate. Don’t stress about what is out of your control 😉
Loved the first long exposure 👌
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
I can totally relate to the go-go mentality and trying hard to SLOW DOWN. It’s hard! Looking forward to next week’s video. 👍✌️
Great “real world” video! Thanks for taking me along!
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.
That glacier shot I think is my favourite of the shots in this video. But all were stunning.
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.
Looking forward to the next one. Keep warm.
Hello Thomas, thank you for sharing your experience and giving your insides . I can understand your frustrations about bad behaving tourists and packed camping grunds - I dislike both too. I wish you a wonderful further yourney and hope you will find the peace and solitude you are look for. Keep up the great work and prviding advice to your viewers. Last not least, I wish you can turn out the commercial succes you need as a side effect. Hans
DIY Mitsubishi Delica camper van.Looks Good. Nice little place to camp Home Cooked Something we didn't get to See thee menu. It's A Big Deal about what you eat when your in (their Country) , stay at the 1st Glacier view
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.
I hear you on rushing. I’m always the same. Always rushing, but for what? No reason, just how I am
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
LOVE LOVE LOVE this video. You're on my list of inspiring photographers and one that I would love to meet one day! Also, loved the AeroPress!! Use mine OFTEN!!
I call that glacier, 'Heart Glacier' and have shots taken of it at intervals over about 50 yrs. lots of changes
I really like the wide glacier shot, great work. Good call on cropping the icebergs in the foreground.
Peaks and troughs....one of the most important lessons for photographers! Thanks, Thomas.
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.
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!
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.
Great videos, great photography, keep them coming! I would never have thought about combining photography with a personal therapy session.
I like the old saying "leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures"
That was funny when you said about the tourist you said "Hello" and they blanked you, that makes me very angry, LOL. I'm Scottish and we say Hello to the sheep. Thanks for another great video.
That curvy glacier shot is simply outstanding. Such moody light. Enjoying these videos of your trip.
Great video. I fully understand the pressure that can come up.
I stayed at Vik camp ground twice in July. Honestly it looks only half full in your video. 😅 It can be even more busy.
Looking forward to your next video. 😊
Thank you!
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.
Wow! A couple of real stunners in this Thomas.
Interesting video. Also, I really like the second 10 stop shot in the last glacier curve shot, beautiful. I look forward to your next video.
Great Video ! Very informative , vanlife, travel, photography, videography such a perfect combo! I am curious about your DRONE SETUP looks stunning!
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 👍🏽
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.
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.
Wow, that photograph of the sweeping glacier is magnificent…
I know what you mean about that anxiousness to keep going. Took me over 30 years to find out I have ADHD that went under the radar. I believe this was "hyperactivity remains as a symptom, leading to, for instance, extreme restlessness and feelings of always being on the go or driven by a motor."
Lovely shot of the lighthouse. Just needs a James Popsys preset to make it great 😉
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.
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!
Those Delicas are such a good looking vehicle, and your camper conversion is on point.
Awesome video! I appreciate you including the frustration reality check and working through it.
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!
Things will get better when you move away from the south coast of Iceland; it is notoriously busy with visitors. Heading north, it will quieten down. Snaefellsness and the north-west fjords are also well worth a visit. There is a good car ferry crossing from Stykkisholmur across the Breidarfjordur to the north west fjords and this cuts off a lot of road driving. Really enjoying your videos, Thomas, and looking forward to seeing your adventures unfold as you travel into the interior.
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
The incessant need to always go. I have felt this on my solo adventures. I think it is rooted in survival and the need to rid yourself of the uncertainties. I can't focus on being creative until I have all the questions answered and one of them for me was the same as yours, "Where am I camping tonight?" I don't want to be setting camp in the dark or trying to figure out the route at the end of the day. These thoughts will distract me from the goal which is ultimately the complete opposite of those thoughts, which is freedom and exploration. It is something I struggle with. That and sleeping outside by myself in an isolated area. If you have any good tips for that one, let me know!
10:21 Sometimes it’s more about the process of taking the photograph than the final result… Soul Food is what Photography sometimes is… ❤📷❤📸❤
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.
You always include the frustrating parts and plan changes. Hope the light gets better for you.
Great to see the actual goings on regarding the work involved to get images .