Dear Mr. Heaton, I’m a long-time subscriber, first time commenter. What makes me a regular of this channel is what I get from it (for free): the knowledge and the insight, so intelligently brought to the comfort of my living room. It’s much more than pretty pictures, it’s the story telling, the experience, the perseverance when things don’t go as one would like, how to look at a stormy day and thinking: “The drama is not being stuck inside, the drama is outside and I’m going to get it on camera, or film, or phone, paper, stone or whatever”. What you and other talented people are doing for photography is honourable. The importance of noticing the small details. Appreciate nature and the company of others while exploring familiar or strange new lands. Showing people how to turn a rock into something pleasant to look at. Simply put, it’s all about going out and do something that brings joy to oneself and to others, always keeping in mind the beauty and fragility of our planet. In my humble opinion, your channel deserves all the praise it gets and so does your published work. Please excuse any wrong wording, English is not my first language. Cheers!
This is what I love about you and your channel, the honesty and how you share the path and the experience. Like you said, this is not a portfolio channel. I’m a long time subscriber and I saw the videos where you didn’t feel inspired about taking pictures, I saw the videos where you were starting to love using long lens, the panoramas, the large format experience, all of that journey. Not everything works, and not everyone will like it. But it was and it is a learning path, and we the viewers and we the aspiring photographers need to realize that it will not be butterflies all the time, and that it takes a lot of work, time and experience to find what we enjoy shooting and how we enjoy shooting. Thanks a lot for your channel. PS: I bought the book and I’m loving it because it brings back the memories of watching all of your videos 🙂
Love the honesty in saying that the photographs from the videos don't necessarily end up in your portfolio. It brings us viewers to the reality that great photos don't really come that often and it really takes a lot of work and some stroke of luck. Thank you.
Thomas, I learn a lot from your videos because you show what works and what doesn't and the decision making process you employ. Don't change your approach.
As I am a beginner I have learned a lot from you because you not only shows your success but your failures too and you accept your failures with sincerity which helped me a lot as a beginner. Thanks a lot for posting your experience. Big fan of your work.
As a relatively new but enthusiastic photographer, I have been devouring videos by you and other great photographers (Gavin, Andy etc.) in an attempt to learn as much as I can. You all have so much to teach and do so in very different ways. What I really appreciate about you is your humility. It's been refreshing watching you learn how to use the Hasselblad, while I myself learn along side you on a Nikon D850. With regards to this particular video, you openly admit that you are still learning and prone to mistakes. But more importantly, you are learning from these mistakes, which is what we all must do in order to better ourselves. It is very encouraging to know that even a seasoned veteran like yourself can continue to learn, develop and grow. And yes, I watched to the bitter end. I am a true fan!
Thomas, I am not a photographer. I'm a landscape painter and find your channel most educational in developing concepts for paintings. Because of the kind of minimalist work you show in this video and others, I am thinking more about paintings with the same subtle elegance. Thanks you and keep up the good work!
The purple cast isn't something that's with Portra. I always overexpose my Portra with 1 stop. However, if you're scanning with Epson scan for example, it does have a strange way of making your images a bit magenta. I would suggest either using Silverfast (with their negative profiles), or Negative Lab Pro. These two have consistently given me correct results. Sorry if I'm completely off with what you're using. :) Otherwise, nice video!
@@mattmaber You can get great results with a flatbed as well, it just takes a bit more practice or work. Honestly, scanning them as positives and using NLP has been a game changer for me!
Ummm, been using Epson scan, Vuescan & Silverfast on & off for some years now and would disagree with that. In general, however it is very easy to get scans wrong, so, colour casts are frequent. Am I the only one however to think that the scan with the 'purple' cast is more pleasing than the 'base' one and in fact very similar to Velvia. In fact I might be so bold as to say that the first 'correct' scan has a Green cast?
@@CornishMotorcycleDiaries Id just rather see him have decent scans and none of the faff. I dont mind the more subtle purple ones myself too. I just find flatbed such a pain and would rather a lab do it 'properly'.
Thomas, continue to enjoy your book. Love your honesty and passion for photography which is why your videos are amongst the best. Exploration is one of the keys to live “never give up, never give up”.
And that right there is exactly the reason why I enjoy watching your videos! Just like myself my UA-cam is not my portfolio, but it is a journey where we try different things. Sometimes what we try doesn’t work even though it seemed like it in the field, other times it seemed terrible in the field... and it’s still terrible when we come home 😅
There are not too many UA-camrs who can sustain one's interest through 18 or 19 minutes of commentary. Your thoughtful and humorously self-deprecating review of images is both engaging and instructive. The analysis of "near misses" can teach everyone a good deal, and your comment that "UA-cam is not my portfolio" puts the review of the photos in context. Cheers.
Even if all your film images were crap (which they're not), the fact that the process is inspiring you so much would make it worth it. Keep doing what you want and people will keep watching.
I shoot medium format, and 4x5 film, along with digital. Feel at home with both, but that wasn't always so. Can't remember who told me this, but it stuck with me. "You have to make a whole lot of bad images, before you start making good images." You are the master with what you do Thomas, but what I appreciate most about your channel is, you're not afraid to show the bumps and bruises too. Keep up the great work!
Everything is better with a story. What makes Heaton's work so different, is that he shows you the journey/story that accompanies each image. With a lot of pictures you see on instagram you often wonder what went into that, or what the conditions were, he shows you...and that imo, takes the art to another level. That photo has been documentarized.
I love your “process” chats. They have experience and insight, and you are clearly a person who doesn’t demand agreement. I’m not interested in copying your process, just learning from it. Nor am I interested in doing film myself, but your experiences are fascinating ... and I’m learning from them. I have noticed that there is a certain personality type that feel they must pass absolute judgment on everything others do. I find that confounding, since I’m always changing my mind, both on my own work and others. However, the process of thinking about and analyzing them is healthy. So, well done and keep it up, please!
Your video made me smile. I started in photography in 1960. I have used every brand, type, and size of film. One of your primary skills was matching your film to the desired end result. Color films varied significantly in their rendition of images. I really like digital since I have far more control of the processes that lead to the final image. Good video Thomas.
My recommendation is: try to use the "profoto" profile in your scanner while scanning. This profile was firstly designed to scann and eliminate the coloured mask of colour negative film. This is why it has a 1'8 gamma (not 2'2). To be safe doing your scannings, normally you have to prepare 5 negatives of the same shooting with different exposures, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, and save the different corrections used for all of them. If your scanner "understands" automatically when the negative is over or underexposed it will apply the correction for a better result in the future. In case it is not so clever, you can use those values after scanning. That colour deviation is normal. Excuse my English, it's not my native language.
I lost my interest to take photos after I stopped as a portrait photographer (kids). This channel sparked my interest again. Thanks for that. Always loved that fact that you share everything. I learned a lot
Thomas a very refreshing attitude to dealing with UA-cam comments and a very mature response to those you disagree with and those who dislike your work - an attitude that some other Landscape UA-cam content providers would do very well to emulate.
I love your philosophy that your UA-cam channel is not your portfolio. I also love that you don’t title your videos “The X Things You Should Be Doing to Blah, Blah, Blah!” Your honesty keeps me coming back, and I’m not even a landscape photographer.
I can't begin to tell you how much I have learnt and grown as a photographer since finding your channel 2 years ago. I love these sit down videos and looking at images you love and ones that you didn't love as much and why, I now tend to reflect more on my own not so great images and really critically evaluate what would make it better. I also want to try out film sooo badly 😭
The difference between an amateur and pro photographer is often the percentage of ‘keepers’. There are countless amateurs, many professionals, but few true artists. As an artist, you envision a scene, calculate the settings, composition, etc., and finally make the image. You are often your own harshest critic. If it were easy, anyone could do it. In the end, it is a process, and thank you for bringing us along.
My friend was an artist and done a book about the creative process of his art. He wrote in the foreword that the book "was not so much a how i did it, more of a why i did it". This video reminded me of that quote. Thanks again Tom, great viewing.
It's weird how people can come to expect a singular type of result (image/song/writing, etc) from artists... My favorite artists are always the ones who adapt and grow. It seems like you fully embrace the different "moods" of your art, which is fantastic, because I think without that innovation, art can grow stale. Keep up the good work, Tom.
A truly honest video, very well said Tom. This is one of the reason I watch your channel good honest comments showing your sucesses and failures. Keep it up.
been watching your channel for couple+ of years and I have to tell you that the way you portray your approach to photography is absolutely captivating. like a true coach/mentor, you are honest and build on your success/failure while you keep challenging yourself. you should do more inspirational photography related videos - you got it!
thomas you can't please everyone, keep up you videos cause at the end of the day your doing them for yourself and the people want to learn and grow with you, i'm an off-set printer by trade ,i can remember the good old days of film to plate etc, miss them as every stage has a place, and not done correctly has a flow on effect. I like the direction you heading and the way your mind and thoughts are growing with trail and error, today is such a flow away society, in every way, buy a camera, expect perfection every shot, then take what ever amount of shots to get a good one, people nowadays need to stand back, take a breath , and take life in, ever in the nz down in the deep south give me a bell and i'll take you to the most not visited places
Great video as usual. If you are interested in "minimalist" landscape photography, Freeman Patterson is a good example. He is (and has been for decades) a big proponent of seeing the image within the larger landscape.
I've never switched off any of your videos and never would. You are Entertaining and helpful. As you said YOU CAN'T PLEASE EVERYONE. That's true I would say that as much as I love your work not every photo you take is my cup if tea. Having said that.... most if them are stunning. No doubt if you got 10 photographers and told them to shoot a scene of their choice not all photos would be interesting. But it doesn't mean the ones that are not interesting are failures to everyone. Some people might like them. We only show our best work but even the stuff we don't like may be brilliant to some people. Keep it up and thank you for getting my interest of film back.
I am a beginner photographer and appreciate that you explain the process including the good and the bad. Trying new things is how we can grow. Negative troll comments says more about the person writing them than you. I don’t use film, but it is still interesting to watch and learn.
Don't worry about "alienating" any of us with discussions of film photography! Thank you for walking us through EVERYTHING you learn. Always appreciated!
Hi Thomas, I totally love your channel. I totally agree that photography is subjective and I 100% agree that when trying to impress everyone you'll impress absolutely No One. Even if sometimes your final image will not be to some people's taste, one must not only consider the journey you took to take these photos but also understand that in nature there's only one way, and that's mother nature's way, and what she gives, we either take it or leave it. Keep it up Thomas, I wish you all the best.
Could you imagine if all in-person conversations were like comments on UA-cam ...we would have no friends and many bloody noses. I enjoy the conversations with Thomas, the fact it's about photography just makes it even better...
Hey Thomas, I love your photography and I can say that you are almost solely the reason I decided to invest in photography and its given me a huge appreciation for doing work for myself and not for others. Your passion really gets conveyed in every video you make almost and it is very inspiring to me. Before I found your channel and your takes on how to look at the environment. I would just go out looking for the shot and ignoring the world around me on the hikes or trips and your videos have helped me sit back and pay attention to the places I am going. Keep up the amazing work!
I have to say that this might be one of my favorite videos from you, and this is why. This is the most honest and open I've heard you speak about the real difference between your photography and your UA-cam channel. It was great to hear and see that the videos represent the process that might or might not result in an epic image. I' m telling myself that hanging out with Alister Benn and Adam Gibbs has had a profound affect on how you view your art. At the very least, the influence of being around those who speak about light and contrast almost as a bi-product of their soul, can't help but to stick with you. Thank you for this wonderful, peaceful, open and honest video. I look forward to where you go from here.
Hi Tom, its reassuring and clarifying to me as an amateur photographer to see you not stick religiously to one style of photography or editing. I guess as you mentioned here you do it for yourself it's not essential for a consistent body of work (your work is consistently in the regard of being good, just in case you hadn't noticed :) the fun for me is the freedom to shoot what interests me in the moment, and process it in the same way. Although this may not help me in regards to a possible career it allows me to enjoy the art for what it is and that is invaluable to my well being. Keep doing your thing!
Great Vlog, I agree running a channel is not about producing popular images it's about showing your process and inspiring and influencing others. It's great you create discussion and opinions about your work. A the end of the day the images are yours and you should please only yourself. Thanks
When I was learning photography, there was only film. Your learning curve reminds me of the articles in photo magazines back in the day. Of course, now we have the internet and UA-cam channels to share information. Keep on shooting and learning and enjoy your photography.
Hey Mate, re the purple color shift, most color films (negative or positive) have an inherent color bias & this effect is amplified with extended exposure time & is classified as, reciprocity failure. To control the color effect Fuji has a reciprocity failure chart that provides the appropriate SS & FILTER required to balance the exposure.
I enjoyed this video a lot - I like the way you always look to learn & move on - never formulaic , and willing to listen & respond to questions & opinions.
Your ability to blunder and discuss is what keeps me coming back. If you sucked it wouldn't be interesting but you genuinely end up with good stuff over time.
Completely agree that people asking why you don’t use a digital back on the Hassy don’t understand. I’ve started shooting film as well and I have to say I absolutely love the challenge. It’s not for everyone but for those of us who “get” film it’s hard to describe why using film is so special.
I have always appreciated the honesty that your videos embody. It makes your channel all the more appealing and trustworthy. Many know they can rely on it for accurate info. On a separate note, the T-shirt. I presume it represents a rock climber traversing an overhang, however I playfully suggest it could also be someone falling from a hang glider, or even a crocodile wrestler. Have fun with that. :)
Another open and honest video. Having shot with Velvia since it came out on 35 mm, 6x6cm and 5x4 inch large format I've learned that Velvia has a colour balance toward magenta. It's tendency to shift towards magenta with reciprocity failure at shutter speeds over 5 seconds can be managed. I loved your minimalist images from Iceland but I preferred the look of the image on the Hasselblad fresnel screen than the processed version, to my taste the magenta cast was just a tad too strong. I love your book by the way I pre-ordered and it was worth the wait. I really appreciate that you show learning from your mistakes. I had to switch to a light weight system because I have a degenerative back and neck problem. I chose the Fuji system which has enabled me to continue with landscape photography.
Film makes you more conscious of what you are doing. I find it makes me think more about the composition, light etc. It is helping me improve my digital photography. Gone back to using my old Olympus and have just bought a Nikon F75. Even started processing my own B&W film. It will help to hopefully improve all aspects of my photography
I’ve watched most of you videos for past month and really enjoyed them. I like how you made them interactive two way conversation. Just would like to put a couple of my thoughts. “I’m fairly new to new film camera … and I’m making mistakes all of time…” That made me smile. Guess what? I’m shooting landscapes for over 25 yrs (80% on film, mostly Velvia) and I’m still making a lot of mistakes all of time! Each time you’re trying to push yourself on higher level both emotionally and spiritually, and the price you pay is usually mistakes. But, as you said, this is how we keep learning. About your strange “purplish” Portra images. Cannot say much since I rarely use Portra for landscape, and if I do, never overexposed more than +1 stop. If you overexpose Velvia +2 stops it’s going to be totally ruined. However, you need to remember that the Portra is Daylight Balanced film, which means it’s balanced for 5700K. At foggy conditions the color temp is about 8500K. And I think that a warm up filter could help to balance the color. Bigger sensor or more expensive camera won’t make you better photographer. Your choice of X-T3 for travel was absolutely right. 26 MP is more than enough to yield a very high quality 13x19” print. How often do we need larger one? Using my scanner I can scan 6x7 slides to70 MP. And so what? What am I going to learn from that? Does your calendar have photos shot on film :)? Take care Tom. Hope to see more of your videos
Of course you can't please everyone 🙂 there is no reason to anyway. I enjoy watching your videos Thomas because you add value by going through your thought process and the flow is easy to follow. Also the fact that you are very passionate about what you do is very evident and in itself is extremely inspiring. Cheers 🍻
Hi Tom. Great videos, which i enjoy watching every time. Just want to touch base with my experiences with Portra film. I have been shooting film for years for fun and family/travel. I have occasionally noticed magenta casting on film and not just the Portra stock. I found that most of the times if i adjust my colours a bit at the scanner level, i can get tiffs which are much easier to work in post. This usually sorts our my magenta issues. But you are absolutely right, the Portra film can handle overexposure, it just depends on scences and lighting. Sometime it falls apart pretty badly. Getting the exposure nailed is also applicable to film like it is for digital. You get far more natural and stock intended colours/contrast when you get the exposure spot on. Keep up with your great photography journey and good luck!
What you said 11:20-11:30 is so very true Thomas. As I said before....apart from the 'green volcano' image the photos were not to my taste but if you as the photographer wanted to take them then good for you and all of us have a choice as to whether we watch/view them or not. Interested you talked about having phases in photography as I had noticed that.
mate another very refreshing video so well done. I thin personally people think that because you make a living from taking photos your photos should be amazing and when they see that they are not all the time they question it all.... i do agree that a lot of landscape photos seem as though they could be taken with an iPhone - taking a photo of something that is already amazing isn't really creating anything i feel. Thanks again mate
First of all, I absolutely love the photograph of the green vulcano, the split is just perfect. Well done! Second, whenever I get lucky enough to sell one or two of my photographs, it is always never the ones that I expect. I have never been good at predicting what people like, being photography or music. I just follow my gut, like you do. Keep up the excellent work mate!
Sometimes I find I’ve captured an image that really speaks to me and I share it on social media and get nothing for comments, then I put up a “snapshot” type photo and get tons of likes and comments. I’ve come to the conclusion that it isn’t about who or what people like as much as I enjoy sharing the beauty I have captured because I was fortunate enough to be at the right place during the right time. I have enjoyed your channel because of your detail on the how and why of capturing your images not really the final result, although most of your images are wall hangers. Keep doing what you do best and, to me, that’s sharing who you are in the field behind the lens. Likely I’ll never get to many of your locations,as you may not get to many of mine, but we can both experience those places through the images you share.
Hi Thomas. There’s a good reason for your continued increase in subscription growth. Open and honest content and delivery is a wonderful way to inspire and encourage those of us seeking to improve our photographic skills. I’ve always learned far more from my mistakes and welcome constructive criticisms in an open forum as it forces me to look at creative efforts from a different perspective. I’ve never enjoyed shooting “for likes”. It has always been far easier to “enter the flow “and get lost in the process when I shoot for myself. All the best and thanks for another great discussion.
Yours is a photography channel about photography not a channel about one particular brand of gear or style of photography I’ve been here from the start for basically entertainment and more importantly inspiration. Your channel inspired me and I’m sure many other creative types to start their channel. Keep doing what makes you happy and use whatever kit you want it’s the experience that matters📷
Thanks Tom, I love when you comment on your commenters. Not only is it a learning experience, but I think your ability to absorb criticism is an inspiration on par with your actual photography. I have trouble believing that any talented photographer would take the time to write negative comments on another photographer’s Y/T video, but hey... that’s probably how I would respond if I had a Y/T channel and got those comments, so it’s probably best that I don’t. Good for you man. (For the record, I’ve loved all these Iceland videos from you and Adam and Alister, whether every pic was one of my favorite TH works or not. You’re always teaching and I’m always learning. Cheers.)
I like the comment about taking photos for you self and not to worry to much what other people think about them. A few years ago I signed up for a photography course, and while I feel I did learn a lot about processing film etc the instructor was only interested in the student that followed his passion for studio work. So I soon decided to take only what I needed from the course, while this didn't really upset me I felt as an instructor he was blinkered to the needs of the students on the course. Also may I congratulate you on the images of Iceland also having the privilege of visiting a number of times can see what you were aiming for and still see the scenes in my mind as well as my images thank you
Your videos ALWAYS hold my attention! I click off on videos frequently but yours always hold my attention beginning to end. I learn something from each one.
Found your channel a few month ago because I was interested in shooting medium format film, I really enjoy your videos even though I’m not really into landscape photography I really like your stuff, keep up the good work.
You're videos are always excellent, this one was one of the best. You're honesty and self critiquing of yourself is balanced by the fact that your skills are so awesome, and gives you confidence in yourself. You show the depth that landscape photography can achieve. It's not just pretty trees and mountains. Outstanding!
Film is stunning, you have to understand the landscape in order to be comfortable enough to go ahead and shoot. In my opinion, your videos got better with the Hasselblad and I love the minimal stuff, keep up the amazing work.
I agree with your statement about pleasing everyone. I also believe that if you aren't pleasing yourself then you will never please anyone else. I also have a Hasselblad that I have started using again. A 500C built in 1965. I'd like a digital back for it but I'm not ready to plunk down the kind of money that would take for what is essentially a hobby for me. Like you I also like the fact that film makes me slow down and be more deliberate in what I do rather than blazing away and hoping for the best. I must admit that the green mountain with the black sand field isn't my favorite either. There is something about the sand field that doesn't seem to be a part of the overall image. It looks like two separate images to me. I get caught in the sand swirls and that doesn't lead me to the mountain.
I agree with everything you said. This video is helping me because I am struggling with my own photography. I get caught up in the need to please rather than photographing for myself. Yet, I am lost right now and have felt like giving up my photography. I haven't, so I feel like I need to somehow get back to why I am photographing or what is important to me. Anyways, thank you for this video.
After watching your channel for the past few years I’ve come to appreciate it much like a serial adventure. Not all the episodes are compelling though the ones that are compelling do engage me at a sensory level. I mostly like the images and so it is with art. There’s squadrons of subs here who return week over week to follow where your artistic adventure take us next. We are compelled.
Mr.Heaton I’ve been watching & I’ve been inspired by you for a long time now. I may not like a few of you photos over the years but I do appreciate the the time, effort & patience it take to not only take those photos but to document it all. Mr.Fro may only take RAW photos but you tell it RAW, straight up & honest, this is why I watch you & your channel. I also like you new cameras and the journey of learning you are going through 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙏🏾. My absolute favourite photo of yours just happens to be the one on the front cover of you book👌🏾👌🏾 I can’t decide though colour or black and white 🤷🏾♂️believe me if I had the money I’d order one colour one black and white.
I stared out with film camera, Minolta XGM if I am not mistaken. Loved it. Actually still have it. My niece likes shooting film so I passed it down to her. I think they both have their times/places for use. I enjoy hearing your process chats Thomas. And I like that you share what works and what doesn't work.
Every viewer brings their own viewpoint and skills. It is hard to know if the critique has value since you don't know the viewer's background. I appreciate your discussion of images that you know have weaknesses. I learn more from that than seeing a "perfect" image.
Well, I loved the green volcano above the lunar terrain! It brought an idea to wake up before dawn in our Irazú Volcano to see what the eye can capture!
I used to take images with film and what I learned was that "what you shoot is what you get" the ISO is fixed, the dynamic range is fixed, the grain is fixed, the colours are fixed, and the only flexibility you have is selecting the aperture and shutter speed to get the exposure correct. If you go into the darkroom you only have a few things you can adjust to get the image you want, the exposure to the paper, the paper itself and the chemicals you use, temperature of the chemicals plus dodging and burning. You have to take time to compose, take time to gauge and meter the exposure and are limited to taking a few frames unless you have rolls and rolls of film. You don't see the results until you get the film back from the developer so going back to the location at the same time with the same lighting is difficult if you made a mistake originally. So it requires a discipline that you don't need when shooting digital. Conversely I found that with digital I was shooting like it was film and this led to me taking too few shots and then dismissing shots that were perfectly ok if adjusted in Lightroom. Sometimes I tried to use techniques I used in film for special effects in digital cameras and basically it doesn't work. The digital sensor does not work the same way as the chemicals on film. In digital, just take the shot making sure you have the composition ok, take loads of shots, use shots for HDR and focus stacking, and then post process in Lightroom until you get exactly what you want. I wont go back to film but I admit there is a sense of nostalgia but I also remember the frustrations and limitations of film and i am glad digital came along.
Thanks for showing the process it is the reason why I watch. Tell you truth I moved away from photography due to film being to much of one. Back in with a less expensive Sony A7 2 and back enjoying it again.
I'm glad I got to learn photography using film 30 plus years ago. It gave me a discipline for understanding exposures and making sure you where spot on before you clicked the shutter. (film cost was always a mindset don't waste exposures) I love digital but it has made the discipline of photography sloppy. I love that there seems to be a trend of photographers going back to film and are learning with new excitement.I still photograph digitally like it is film in the number of exposures, hard to let go of that habit good or bad.
Film or DIgital I think the most important is the moment. Sometimes the nasty comments can take a toll on you... but remember why are you doing this. I have the same issues. I'm starting with photography, experimenting, and doing a lot of mistakes. In the end, I'm doing this for me, I want to capture that moment in time and remember with pleasure the places I've gone to and the people I've met. I hope one day I will have at least half of your skills. Keep doing what you do. Is AWSOME.
I used to work at a one hour photo processing lab back in the 90s and early 2000s. When we calibrated our machines for printing, we had a folder full of negatives of different types of films that we used to calibrate the machine. The image on them all was a studio shot of a mannequin surrounded by a color calibration chart and a grey target in the middle. Each negative strip had three shots of the scene: underexposed, correctly exposed, and overexposed. We used to print each and then measure these prints on a color densitometer. We had to change the color balance for all three shots because the color balance would shift slightly depending on exposure. So your experience isn’t unusual.
Fantastic videos Thomas, please keep them coming, wonderful content and expertise. I enjoy the journey, the adventure, and the personal insights, and of course you being truthful and passionate is what makes you stand out so much, looking forward to your next adventure. Martin from N. Ireland
Just keep doing what you like man. As you said, it's subjective. Take the constructive criticism, but always stay true to your own vision. I wasn't really a huge fan of the first of those images, but I really like the pink/purple cloud one.
I just released a new music video and someone called me and thrashed the video to the core. Just when I was thinking I cannot please everyone, just then I saw this video. Beautiful coincidence. Completely agreed
Another great video Thomas. Cant see myself going to film but I must say Im enjoying watching your journey and its making me think about my own photography journey differently. Keep it up mate.
Hi Tom, As a big Hasselblad fan get your self a prism finder, I like the 45 degree and the 90 degree units. You will get better focusing and is just easier to use with the prism finder.
Hi Tom, "its hard to please everyone video", I like it and you take the negative comments on the chin. Putting ones work online for the world to see and judge is not easy and for sure you will never please everyone. It takes a lot of guts, hard work and huge effort to do what you do. Lets not even talk about the stress of being self employed in doing what you are doing. What people don't see is the school of hard knocks in business that you have had to learn and endure. My hat is off to you! I like your honesty and your charm shines though in your videos. In the world of photography, most of the time one has to do what the customer wants, weddings, new babies etc,. what you do is your own thing, and let me tell you that is very difficult to do. Let me give you a pat on the back, along with an "atta boy". I grew up in Whitley, but now live in Canada, Calgary, Alberta. Great to see the local photos!
Dear Mr. Heaton,
I’m a long-time subscriber, first time commenter.
What makes me a regular of this channel is what I get from it (for free): the knowledge and the insight, so intelligently brought to the comfort of my living room. It’s much more than pretty pictures, it’s the story telling, the experience, the perseverance when things don’t go as one would like, how to look at a stormy day and thinking: “The drama is not being stuck inside, the drama is outside and I’m going to get it on camera, or film, or phone, paper, stone or whatever”.
What you and other talented people are doing for photography is honourable. The importance of noticing the small details. Appreciate nature and the company of others while exploring familiar or strange new lands. Showing people how to turn a rock into something pleasant to look at. Simply put, it’s all about going out and do something that brings joy to oneself and to others, always keeping in mind the beauty and fragility of our planet.
In my humble opinion, your channel deserves all the praise it gets and so does your published work.
Please excuse any wrong wording, English is not my first language.
Cheers!
This is what I love about you and your channel, the honesty and how you share the path and the experience.
Like you said, this is not a portfolio channel. I’m a long time subscriber and I saw the videos where you didn’t feel inspired about taking pictures, I saw the videos where you were starting to love using long lens, the panoramas, the large format experience, all of that journey. Not everything works, and not everyone will like it. But it was and it is a learning path, and we the viewers and we the aspiring photographers need to realize that it will not be butterflies all the time, and that it takes a lot of work, time and experience to find what we enjoy shooting and how we enjoy shooting. Thanks a lot for your channel.
PS: I bought the book and I’m loving it because it brings back the memories of watching all of your videos 🙂
Love the honesty in saying that the photographs from the videos don't necessarily end up in your portfolio. It brings us viewers to the reality that great photos don't really come that often and it really takes a lot of work and some stroke of luck. Thank you.
You really handled the criticisms professionally and with class... Impressive and admirable!!
Thomas, I learn a lot from your videos because you show what works and what doesn't and the decision making process you employ. Don't change your approach.
As I am a beginner I have learned a lot from you because you not only shows your success but your failures too and you accept your failures with sincerity which helped me a lot as a beginner. Thanks a lot for posting your experience. Big fan of your work.
"If you try to please everyone, you will please no-one."
Damn so true
@@timelyseeker That's an oldy.
Might be an oldy as Jeff says but that's because it's been true since the dawn of humans!
Same goes for group sex.
Don't shoot for... But rather shoot from your heart Thomas. You are doing great!
As a relatively new but enthusiastic photographer, I have been devouring videos by you and other great photographers (Gavin, Andy etc.) in an attempt to learn as much as I can. You all have so much to teach and do so in very different ways. What I really appreciate about you is your humility. It's been refreshing watching you learn how to use the Hasselblad, while I myself learn along side you on a Nikon D850. With regards to this particular video, you openly admit that you are still learning and prone to mistakes. But more importantly, you are learning from these mistakes, which is what we all must do in order to better ourselves. It is very encouraging to know that even a seasoned veteran like yourself can continue to learn, develop and grow. And yes, I watched to the bitter end. I am a true fan!
Thomas, I am not a photographer. I'm a landscape painter and find your channel most educational in developing concepts for paintings. Because of the kind of minimalist work you show in this video and others, I am thinking more about paintings with the same subtle elegance. Thanks you and keep up the good work!
The purple cast isn't something that's with Portra. I always overexpose my Portra with 1 stop. However, if you're scanning with Epson scan for example, it does have a strange way of making your images a bit magenta. I would suggest either using Silverfast (with their negative profiles), or Negative Lab Pro. These two have consistently given me correct results. Sorry if I'm completely off with what you're using. :) Otherwise, nice video!
Yeah. It hurts seeing Thomas scan with a flatbed
@@mattmaber You can get great results with a flatbed as well, it just takes a bit more practice or work. Honestly, scanning them as positives and using NLP has been a game changer for me!
Ummm, been using Epson scan, Vuescan & Silverfast on & off for some years now and would disagree with that. In general, however it is very easy to get scans wrong, so, colour casts are frequent. Am I the only one however to think that the scan with the 'purple' cast is more pleasing than the 'base' one and in fact very similar to Velvia. In fact I might be so bold as to say that the first 'correct' scan has a Green cast?
@@Jonaseneskar They're inevitably kinda soft though, and its such a ball ache.
@@CornishMotorcycleDiaries Id just rather see him have decent scans and none of the faff. I dont mind the more subtle purple ones myself too. I just find flatbed such a pain and would rather a lab do it 'properly'.
Thomas, continue to enjoy your book. Love your honesty and passion for photography which is why your videos are amongst the best. Exploration is one of the keys to live “never give up, never give up”.
And that right there is exactly the reason why I enjoy watching your videos! Just like myself my UA-cam is not my portfolio, but it is a journey where we try different things. Sometimes what we try doesn’t work even though it seemed like it in the field, other times it seemed terrible in the field... and it’s still terrible when we come home 😅
There are not too many UA-camrs who can sustain one's interest through 18 or 19 minutes of commentary. Your thoughtful and humorously self-deprecating review of images is both engaging and instructive. The analysis of "near misses" can teach everyone a good deal, and your comment that "UA-cam is not my portfolio" puts the review of the photos in context. Cheers.
Even if all your film images were crap (which they're not), the fact that the process is inspiring you so much would make it worth it. Keep doing what you want and people will keep watching.
I shoot medium format, and 4x5 film, along with digital. Feel at home with both, but that wasn't always so. Can't remember who told me this, but it stuck with me. "You have to make a whole lot of bad images, before you start making good images." You are the master with what you do Thomas, but what I appreciate most about your channel is, you're not afraid to show the bumps and bruises too. Keep up the great work!
It’s really you and your storytelling that keep me watching. All the awesome locations and amazing photos are a bonus 👏
Everything is better with a story. What makes Heaton's work so different, is that he shows you the journey/story that accompanies each image. With a lot of pictures you see on instagram you often wonder what went into that, or what the conditions were, he shows you...and that imo, takes the art to another level. That photo has been documentarized.
I love your “process” chats. They have experience and insight, and you are clearly a person who doesn’t demand agreement. I’m not interested in copying your process, just learning from it. Nor am I interested in doing film myself, but your experiences are fascinating ... and I’m learning from them. I have noticed that there is a certain personality type that feel they must pass absolute judgment on everything others do. I find that confounding, since I’m always changing my mind, both on my own work and others. However, the process of thinking about and analyzing them is healthy. So, well done and keep it up, please!
I couldn't agree more!
Your video made me smile. I started in photography in 1960. I have used every brand, type, and size of film. One of your primary skills was matching your film to the desired end result. Color films varied significantly in their rendition of images. I really like digital since I have far more control of the processes that lead to the final image. Good video Thomas.
My recommendation is: try to use the "profoto" profile in your scanner while scanning. This profile was firstly designed to scann and eliminate the coloured mask of colour negative film. This is why it has a 1'8 gamma (not 2'2). To be safe doing your scannings, normally you have to prepare 5 negatives of the same shooting with different exposures, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, and save the different corrections used for all of them. If your scanner "understands" automatically when the negative is over or underexposed it will apply the correction for a better result in the future. In case it is not so clever, you can use those values after scanning. That colour deviation is normal.
Excuse my English, it's not my native language.
I lost my interest to take photos after I stopped as a portrait photographer (kids). This channel sparked my interest again. Thanks for that. Always loved that fact that you share everything. I learned a lot
Thomas a very refreshing attitude to dealing with UA-cam comments and a very mature response to those you disagree with and those who dislike your work - an attitude that some other Landscape UA-cam content providers would do very well to emulate.
I love your philosophy that your UA-cam channel is not your portfolio. I also love that you don’t title your videos “The X Things You Should Be Doing to Blah, Blah, Blah!” Your honesty keeps me coming back, and I’m not even a landscape photographer.
I can't begin to tell you how much I have learnt and grown as a photographer since finding your channel 2 years ago. I love these sit down videos and looking at images you love and ones that you didn't love as much and why, I now tend to reflect more on my own not so great images and really critically evaluate what would make it better. I also want to try out film sooo badly 😭
The difference between an amateur and pro photographer is often the percentage of ‘keepers’. There are countless amateurs, many professionals, but few true artists. As an artist, you envision a scene, calculate the settings, composition, etc., and finally make the image. You are often your own harshest critic. If it were easy, anyone could do it. In the end, it is a process, and thank you for bringing us along.
My friend was an artist and done a book about the creative process of his art. He wrote in the foreword that the book "was not so much a how i did it, more of a why i did it". This video reminded me of that quote. Thanks again Tom, great viewing.
It's weird how people can come to expect a singular type of result (image/song/writing, etc) from artists... My favorite artists are always the ones who adapt and grow. It seems like you fully embrace the different "moods" of your art, which is fantastic, because I think without that innovation, art can grow stale.
Keep up the good work, Tom.
Your camera’s Over Heaton :-) loves this weeks video mate.
🤣🤣
What- he's not shooting with a Sony!!! Lol
That’s exactly how he would say it too
@@kevindickinson3600 this hurts me on so many levels
Really appreciate your reasoning and openness
A truly honest video, very well said Tom. This is one of the reason I watch your channel good honest comments showing your sucesses and failures. Keep it up.
been watching your channel for couple+ of years and I have to tell you that the way you portray your approach to photography is absolutely captivating. like a true coach/mentor, you are honest and build on your success/failure while you keep challenging yourself. you should do more inspirational photography related videos - you got it!
thomas you can't please everyone, keep up you videos cause at the end of the day your doing them for yourself and the people want to learn and grow with you, i'm an off-set printer by trade ,i can remember the good old days of film to plate etc, miss them as every stage has a place, and not done correctly has a flow on effect. I like the direction you heading and the way your mind and thoughts are growing with trail and error, today is such a flow away society, in every way, buy a camera, expect perfection every shot, then take what ever amount of shots to get a good one, people nowadays need to stand back, take a breath , and take life in, ever in the nz down in the deep south give me a bell and i'll take you to the most not visited places
Love your journey, and enjoy spending time with you. Thanks.
Great video as usual. If you are interested in "minimalist" landscape photography, Freeman Patterson is a good example. He is (and has been for decades) a big proponent of seeing the image within the larger landscape.
I've never switched off any of your videos and never would. You are Entertaining and helpful.
As you said YOU CAN'T PLEASE EVERYONE. That's true I would say that as much as I love your work not every photo you take is my cup if tea. Having said that.... most if them are stunning. No doubt if you got 10 photographers and told them to shoot a scene of their choice not all photos would be interesting.
But it doesn't mean the ones that are not interesting are failures to everyone.
Some people might like them. We only show our best work but even the stuff we don't like may be brilliant to some people. Keep it up and thank you for getting my interest of film back.
I am a beginner photographer and appreciate that you explain the process including the good and the bad. Trying new things is how we can grow. Negative troll comments says more about the person writing them than you. I don’t use film, but it is still interesting to watch and learn.
Don't worry about "alienating" any of us with discussions of film photography! Thank you for walking us through EVERYTHING you learn. Always appreciated!
Hi Thomas, I totally love your channel. I totally agree that photography is subjective and I 100% agree that when trying to impress everyone you'll impress absolutely No One. Even if sometimes your final image will not be to some people's taste, one must not only consider the journey you took to take these photos but also understand that in nature there's only one way, and that's mother nature's way, and what she gives, we either take it or leave it. Keep it up Thomas, I wish you all the best.
My 2 cents, what you are doing is why I am watching - all the way to the end. Thanks
Could you imagine if all in-person conversations were like comments on UA-cam ...we would have no friends and many bloody noses. I enjoy the conversations with Thomas, the fact it's about photography just makes it even better...
Hey Thomas, I love your photography and I can say that you are almost solely the reason I decided to invest in photography and its given me a huge appreciation for doing work for myself and not for others. Your passion really gets conveyed in every video you make almost and it is very inspiring to me. Before I found your channel and your takes on how to look at the environment. I would just go out looking for the shot and ignoring the world around me on the hikes or trips and your videos have helped me sit back and pay attention to the places I am going.
Keep up the amazing work!
Great video as always. Really refreshing to someone address the negative comments with respect as well as the positive ones.
I have to say that this might be one of my favorite videos from you, and this is why. This is the most honest and open I've heard you speak about the real difference between your photography and your UA-cam channel. It was great to hear and see that the videos represent the process that might or might not result in an epic image. I' m telling myself that hanging out with Alister Benn and Adam Gibbs has had a profound affect on how you view your art. At the very least, the influence of being around those who speak about light and contrast almost as a bi-product of their soul, can't help but to stick with you. Thank you for this wonderful, peaceful, open and honest video. I look forward to where you go from here.
Hi Tom, its reassuring and clarifying to me as an amateur photographer to see you not stick religiously to one style of photography or editing. I guess as you mentioned here you do it for yourself it's not essential for a consistent body of work (your work is consistently in the regard of being good, just in case you hadn't noticed :) the fun for me is the freedom to shoot what interests me in the moment, and process it in the same way.
Although this may not help me in regards to a possible career it allows me to enjoy the art for what it is and that is invaluable to my well being.
Keep doing your thing!
Great Vlog, I agree running a channel is not about producing popular images it's about showing your process and inspiring and influencing others. It's great you create discussion and opinions about your work. A the end of the day the images are yours and you should please only yourself. Thanks
When I was learning photography, there was only film. Your learning curve reminds me of the articles in photo magazines back in the day. Of course, now we have the internet and UA-cam channels to share information. Keep on shooting and learning and enjoy your photography.
Thanks for bringing us these videos. I try to watch them all and usually do end up watching the entirety.
Good video. Agree with your comments. Journey is more important than the destination.
Hey Mate, re the purple color shift, most color films (negative or positive) have an inherent color bias & this effect is amplified with extended exposure time & is classified as, reciprocity failure. To control the color effect Fuji has a reciprocity failure chart that provides the appropriate SS & FILTER required to balance the exposure.
I always love your videos. The way you explain your photos makes it feel like we’re hanging out and talking over a coffee or something!
I like the theme you chose. You really can't please everyone, and that's a fact. Keep doing what you do. Your customers will find you.
I enjoyed this video a lot - I like the way you always look to learn & move on - never formulaic , and willing to listen & respond to questions & opinions.
Your ability to blunder and discuss is what keeps me coming back. If you sucked it wouldn't be interesting but you genuinely end up with good stuff over time.
Completely agree that people asking why you don’t use a digital back on the Hassy don’t understand. I’ve started shooting film as well and I have to say I absolutely love the challenge. It’s not for everyone but for those of us who “get” film it’s hard to describe why using film is so special.
I have always appreciated the honesty that your videos embody. It makes your channel all the more appealing and trustworthy. Many know they can rely on it for accurate info.
On a separate note, the T-shirt. I presume it represents a rock climber traversing an overhang, however I playfully suggest it could also be someone falling from a hang glider, or even a crocodile wrestler. Have fun with that. :)
Another open and honest video. Having shot with Velvia since it came out on 35 mm, 6x6cm and 5x4 inch large format I've learned that Velvia has a colour balance toward magenta. It's tendency to shift towards magenta with reciprocity failure at shutter speeds over 5 seconds can be managed. I loved your minimalist images from Iceland but I preferred the look of the image on the Hasselblad fresnel screen than the processed version, to my taste the magenta cast was just a tad too strong. I love your book by the way I pre-ordered and it was worth the wait. I really appreciate that you show learning from your mistakes. I had to switch to a light weight system because I have a degenerative back and neck problem. I chose the Fuji system which has enabled me to continue with landscape photography.
Loving your videos as always, great input from yourself after the fact as a sort of retrospect, also loving the interaction with your viewers!
Thanks Thomas. Always enjoy the genuine content.
Film makes you more conscious of what you are doing. I find it makes me think more about the composition, light etc. It is helping me improve my digital photography. Gone back to using my old Olympus and have just bought a Nikon F75. Even started processing my own B&W film. It will help to hopefully improve all aspects of my photography
I’ve watched most of you videos for past month and really enjoyed them. I like how you made them interactive two way conversation. Just would like to put a couple of my thoughts.
“I’m fairly new to new film camera … and I’m making mistakes all of time…” That made me smile. Guess what? I’m shooting landscapes for over 25 yrs (80% on film, mostly Velvia) and I’m still making a lot of mistakes all of time! Each time you’re trying to push yourself on higher level both emotionally and spiritually, and the price you pay is usually mistakes. But, as you said, this is how we keep learning. About your strange “purplish” Portra images. Cannot say much since I rarely use Portra for landscape, and if I do, never overexposed more than +1 stop. If you overexpose Velvia +2 stops it’s going to be totally ruined. However, you need to remember that the Portra is Daylight Balanced film, which means it’s balanced for 5700K. At foggy conditions the color temp is about 8500K. And I think that a warm up filter could help to balance the color.
Bigger sensor or more expensive camera won’t make you better photographer. Your choice of X-T3 for travel was absolutely right. 26 MP is more than enough to yield a very high quality 13x19” print. How often do we need larger one? Using my scanner I can scan 6x7 slides to70 MP. And so what? What am I going to learn from that?
Does your calendar have photos shot on film :)? Take care Tom. Hope to see more of your videos
Thanks for another great video Thomas! Appreciate your content, its consistently been the one that has helped me evolve as a photographer the most!
great video as always Thomas....honest and reliable stuff which apart from some excellent images is why i watch and listen.
Of course you can't please everyone 🙂 there is no reason to anyway. I enjoy watching your videos Thomas because you add value by going through your thought process and the flow is easy to follow. Also the fact that you are very passionate about what you do is very evident and in itself is extremely inspiring. Cheers 🍻
Hi Tom. Great videos, which i enjoy watching every time. Just want to touch base with my experiences with Portra film. I have been shooting film for years for fun and family/travel. I have occasionally noticed magenta casting on film and not just the Portra stock. I found that most of the times if i adjust my colours a bit at the scanner level, i can get tiffs which are much easier to work in post. This usually sorts our my magenta issues. But you are absolutely right, the Portra film can handle overexposure, it just depends on scences and lighting. Sometime it falls apart pretty badly. Getting the exposure nailed is also applicable to film like it is for digital. You get far more natural and stock intended colours/contrast when you get the exposure spot on. Keep up with your great photography journey and good luck!
What you said 11:20-11:30 is so very true Thomas. As I said before....apart from the 'green volcano' image the photos were not to my taste but if you as the photographer wanted to take them then good for you and all of us have a choice as to whether we watch/view them or not. Interested you talked about having phases in photography as I had noticed that.
mate another very refreshing video so well done. I thin personally people think that because you make a living from taking photos your photos should be amazing and when they see that they are not all the time they question it all.... i do agree that a lot of landscape photos seem as though they could be taken with an iPhone - taking a photo of something that is already amazing isn't really creating anything i feel. Thanks again mate
First of all, I absolutely love the photograph of the green vulcano, the split is just perfect. Well done! Second, whenever I get lucky enough to sell one or two of my photographs, it is always never the ones that I expect. I have never been good at predicting what people like, being photography or music. I just follow my gut, like you do. Keep up the excellent work mate!
Sometimes I find I’ve captured an image that really speaks to me and I share it on social media and get nothing for comments, then I put up a “snapshot” type photo and get tons of likes and comments. I’ve come to the conclusion that it isn’t about who or what people like as much as I enjoy sharing the beauty I have captured because I was fortunate enough to be at the right place during the right time. I have enjoyed your channel because of your detail on the how and why of capturing your images not really the final result, although most of your images are wall hangers. Keep doing what you do best and, to me, that’s sharing who you are in the field behind the lens. Likely I’ll never get to many of your locations,as you may not get to many of mine, but we can both experience those places through the images you share.
Hi Thomas. There’s a good reason for your continued increase in subscription growth. Open and honest content and delivery is a wonderful way to inspire and encourage those of us seeking to improve our photographic skills. I’ve always learned far more from my mistakes and welcome constructive criticisms in an open forum as it forces me to look at creative efforts from a different perspective. I’ve never enjoyed shooting “for likes”. It has always been far easier to “enter the flow “and get lost in the process when I shoot for myself. All the best and thanks for another great discussion.
Yours is a photography channel about photography not a channel about one particular brand of gear or style of photography I’ve been here from the start for basically entertainment and more importantly inspiration. Your channel inspired me and I’m sure many other creative types to start their channel. Keep doing what makes you happy and use whatever kit you want it’s the experience that matters📷
I started watching your videos exactly because you are showing the process. And I like your personality. :)
Thanks Tom, I love when you comment on your commenters. Not only is it a learning experience, but I think your ability to absorb criticism is an inspiration on par with your actual photography. I have trouble believing that any talented photographer would take the time to write negative comments on another photographer’s Y/T video, but hey... that’s probably how I would respond if I had a Y/T channel and got those comments, so it’s probably best that I don’t. Good for you man. (For the record, I’ve loved all these Iceland videos from you and Adam and Alister, whether every pic was one of my favorite TH works or not. You’re always teaching and I’m always learning. Cheers.)
I like the comment about taking photos for you self and not to worry to much what other people think about them. A few years ago I signed up for a photography course, and while I feel I did learn a lot about processing film etc the instructor was only interested in the student that followed his passion for studio work. So I soon decided to take only what I needed from the course, while this didn't really upset me I felt as an instructor he was blinkered to the needs of the students on the course. Also may I congratulate you on the images of Iceland also having the privilege of visiting a number of times can see what you were aiming for and still see the scenes in my mind as well as my images thank you
Your videos ALWAYS hold my attention! I click off on videos frequently but yours always hold my attention beginning to end. I learn something from each one.
I love all the new photos. Your new view of minimalism through photography is inspiring. Great job and beautiful photos!
Love your honesty and that you stick to your principles. Great work and thank you for sharing 😀👍
Found your channel a few month ago because I was interested in shooting medium format film, I really enjoy your videos even though I’m not really into landscape photography I really like your stuff, keep up the good work.
You're videos are always excellent, this one was one of the best. You're honesty and self critiquing of yourself is balanced by the fact that your skills are so awesome, and gives you confidence in yourself. You show the depth that landscape photography can achieve. It's not just pretty trees and mountains. Outstanding!
Film is stunning, you have to understand the landscape in order to be comfortable enough to go ahead and shoot. In my opinion, your videos got better with the Hasselblad and I love the minimal stuff, keep up the amazing work.
I agree with your statement about pleasing everyone. I also believe that if you aren't pleasing yourself then you will never please anyone else. I also have a Hasselblad that I have started using again. A 500C built in 1965. I'd like a digital back for it but I'm not ready to plunk down the kind of money that would take for what is essentially a hobby for me. Like you I also like the fact that film makes me slow down and be more deliberate in what I do rather than blazing away and hoping for the best. I must admit that the green mountain with the black sand field isn't my favorite either. There is something about the sand field that doesn't seem to be a part of the overall image. It looks like two separate images to me. I get caught in the sand swirls and that doesn't lead me to the mountain.
I agree with everything you said. This video is helping me because I am struggling with my own photography. I get caught up in the need to please rather than photographing for myself. Yet, I am lost right now and have felt like giving up my photography. I haven't, so I feel like I need to somehow get back to why I am photographing or what is important to me. Anyways, thank you for this video.
After watching your channel for the past few years I’ve come to appreciate it much like a serial adventure. Not all the episodes are compelling though the ones that are compelling do engage me at a sensory level. I mostly like the images and so it is with art. There’s squadrons of subs here who return week over week to follow where your artistic adventure take us next. We are compelled.
Mr.Heaton I’ve been watching & I’ve been inspired by you for a long time now. I may not like a few of you photos over the years but I do appreciate the the time, effort & patience it take to not only take those photos but to document it all. Mr.Fro may only take RAW photos but you tell it RAW, straight up & honest, this is why I watch you & your channel.
I also like you new cameras and the journey of learning you are going through 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙏🏾.
My absolute favourite photo of yours just happens to be the one on the front cover of you book👌🏾👌🏾 I can’t decide though colour or black and white 🤷🏾♂️believe me if I had the money I’d order one colour one black and white.
I stared out with film camera, Minolta XGM if I am not mistaken. Loved it. Actually still have it. My niece likes shooting film so I passed it down to her. I think they both have their times/places for use. I enjoy hearing your process chats Thomas. And I like that you share what works and what doesn't work.
Very timely video for me. Thanks Tom
Every viewer brings their own viewpoint and skills. It is hard to know if the critique has value since you don't know the viewer's background. I appreciate your discussion of images that you know have weaknesses. I learn more from that than seeing a "perfect" image.
Well, I loved the green volcano above the lunar terrain! It brought an idea to wake up before dawn in our Irazú Volcano to see what the eye can capture!
I used to take images with film and what I learned was that "what you shoot is what you get" the ISO is fixed, the dynamic range is fixed, the grain is fixed, the colours are fixed, and the only flexibility you have is selecting the aperture and shutter speed to get the exposure correct. If you go into the darkroom you only have a few things you can adjust to get the image you want, the exposure to the paper, the paper itself and the chemicals you use, temperature of the chemicals plus dodging and burning. You have to take time to compose, take time to gauge and meter the exposure and are limited to taking a few frames unless you have rolls and rolls of film. You don't see the results until you get the film back from the developer so going back to the location at the same time with the same lighting is difficult if you made a mistake originally. So it requires a discipline that you don't need when shooting digital. Conversely I found that with digital I was shooting like it was film and this led to me taking too few shots and then dismissing shots that were perfectly ok if adjusted in Lightroom. Sometimes I tried to use techniques I used in film for special effects in digital cameras and basically it doesn't work. The digital sensor does not work the same way as the chemicals on film. In digital, just take the shot making sure you have the composition ok, take loads of shots, use shots for HDR and focus stacking, and then post process in Lightroom until you get exactly what you want. I wont go back to film but I admit there is a sense of nostalgia but I also remember the frustrations and limitations of film and i am glad digital came along.
Really enjoying the Sunday review videos.
Thanks for showing the process it is the reason why I watch. Tell you truth I moved away from photography due to film being to much of one. Back in with a less expensive Sony A7 2 and back enjoying it again.
I'm glad I got to learn photography using film 30 plus years ago. It gave me a discipline for understanding exposures and making sure you where spot on before you clicked the shutter. (film cost was always a mindset don't waste exposures) I love digital but it has made the discipline of photography sloppy. I love that there seems to be a trend of photographers going back to film and are learning with new excitement.I still photograph digitally like it is film in the number of exposures, hard to let go of that habit good or bad.
Film or DIgital I think the most important is the moment. Sometimes the nasty comments can take a toll on you... but remember why are you doing this. I have the same issues. I'm starting with photography, experimenting, and doing a lot of mistakes. In the end, I'm doing this for me, I want to capture that moment in time and remember with pleasure the places I've gone to and the people I've met. I hope one day I will have at least half of your skills. Keep doing what you do. Is AWSOME.
I used to work at a one hour photo processing lab back in the 90s and early 2000s. When we calibrated our machines for printing, we had a folder full of negatives of different types of films that we used to calibrate the machine. The image on them all was a studio shot of a mannequin surrounded by a color calibration chart and a grey target in the middle. Each negative strip had three shots of the scene: underexposed, correctly exposed, and overexposed. We used to print each and then measure these prints on a color densitometer. We had to change the color balance for all three shots because the color balance would shift slightly depending on exposure. So your experience isn’t unusual.
Fantastic videos Thomas, please keep them coming, wonderful content and expertise. I enjoy the journey, the adventure, and the personal insights, and of course you being truthful and passionate is what makes you stand out so much, looking forward to your next adventure. Martin from N. Ireland
Just keep doing what you like man. As you said, it's subjective. Take the constructive criticism, but always stay true to your own vision. I wasn't really a huge fan of the first of those images, but I really like the pink/purple cloud one.
I just released a new music video and someone called me and thrashed the video to the core. Just when I was thinking I cannot please everyone, just then I saw this video. Beautiful coincidence. Completely agreed
Another great video Thomas. Cant see myself going to film but I must say Im enjoying watching your journey and its making me think about my own photography journey differently. Keep it up mate.
Hi Tom, As a big Hasselblad fan get your self a prism finder, I like the 45 degree and the 90 degree units. You will get better focusing and is just easier to use with the prism finder.
Hi Tom, "its hard to please everyone video", I like it and you take the negative comments on the chin.
Putting ones work online for the world to see and judge is not easy and for sure you will never please everyone.
It takes a lot of guts, hard work and huge effort to do what you do. Lets not even talk about the stress of being self employed in doing what you are doing. What people don't see is the school of hard knocks in business that you have had to learn and endure. My hat is off to you!
I like your honesty and your charm shines though in your videos.
In the world of photography, most of the time one has to do what the customer wants, weddings, new babies etc,. what you do is your own thing, and let me tell you that is very difficult to do.
Let me give you a pat on the back, along with an "atta boy".
I grew up in Whitley, but now live in Canada, Calgary, Alberta. Great to see the local photos!