Hey guys, I have just landed in South America so please excuse me for not replying to comments as we have a pretty full schedule here. Hopefully my next upload will be from the field. Hope you enjoyed this video. See you all soon.
Yes I enjoyed it actually, you are so real to yourself, I love your chanel and your content, maybe this is what I want to hear in order to push me more for RU-vid 👍
5 лет назад
Open and honest video, really liked that one!! Have a nice trip, stay safe!
I think if someone doesn't feel free to do what they need/enjoy without the blessing of their other half then possibly not the right woman/man. Obviously this becomes more difficult with children but I know people who seem to leave behind adventure and their hobbies because of a relationship and/or children and that saddens me.
Thomas - don't worry with the things you can't change. Enjoy the moments and memories you are making. Your channel keeps getting better as you share more about yourself (and of course your photos as well)
Idk how this video ended up in my feed but I’m glad it did. I’ve only had a RU-vid channel for about a year but I can definitely relate to what you’re talking about. It’s a multifaceted experience - a good one but a lot going on! Responsibility but in a positive way. We just have to have downtime sometimes. I’ve published a video every day since Jan 1 and this was the first week I’ve taken a few days off. Glad your passion for photography has remained throughout :)
I loved every bit of this video - thanks so much for sharing! I'm at a point of my life where you were 4 yrs ago - a chapter has just closed and a new one is beginning, and I have no idea what the journey ahead has in store for me. It's so important to do what you've just done: to sit down and reflect, see how a certain period in your life has affected you, how you have changed and grown, what you can take away from all this. And also in the other direction: what do you expect from the next 4 years, what are your main goals, how you want to achieve them, etc. I think the single most significant sentence in your speech was "In a way I already feel I've won the lottery". You are able to recognize and appreciate the gifts you were given and your own talents - that is no small thing! I also liked that you talk about the difficult parts as well. Even "living the dream" comes with challenges and sacrifices, and that's what everyone should realize. You have to live your dream to be happy but get ready to work for it. It's no pleasure cruise. Thanks for your channel Tom, and for the biggest gift you're giving to the world: your art.
I was a teacher. Obviously dressing and behaving professionally was required but, in all other respects it would have been dangerous to have cared what others (pupils especially) thought of one. The desire to be liked is a fatal flaw in a teacher - pupils would rip them apart!
You are living the dream! And I am happy that you are sharing it with us so we can live it too, if only for 20 minutes at a time. Stay real with yourself and looking forward to your new adventures!
One of the most honest videos on RU-vid Thomas .. hard work gets results and you certainly have put in the work.. Delighted for you mate that you get to live the dream
An absorbing video Tom, I've only just watched it, revealing and up front monologue, and totally on point. You commented near the end, that you didn't know what the point of this video is, well its full of valuable points, general and personal. Thanks for another great video Tom.
Another heartfelt vid Thomas. I so enjoy how down to earth and honest you are. Way to keep it real. You are Charlotte are lucky to have each other and the support of each other. Look forward to Wed and Sunday evenings to catch your videos. Like you I haven't hit the notification bell as I just come to the channel. Safe journey and have a great time in Patagonia.
So refreshing to hear the voice of transparency and honesty. We all should take note and do a self-evaluation of where we've been, where we are, and where we're going. And most important, who we are. Thank you for the insights.
Yours is the first photography You Tube channel I subscribed to a few years back and one of the few I still watch regularly. Clearly, you are doing something right. Enjoy your trip.
The way I see it tom, you’ve grafted hard for every single thing you are thankful for. You truly do seem to be a canny fella. Hats off for following your heart and making this one life count
Oh my goodness South America!!! How Awesome! That is definitely the dream job! I have definitely been doing reflection on the old me as a photographer compared to the new me as a photographer. I love that you posted this!
I’ve got to say I haven’t watched you in a while because I’ve been off photography, but I saw this on my notifications and had to watch. You have always been my favourite RU-vidr and thanks for inspiring me
Thanks Tom for keeping it real & being so open and honest as you always do. Such great , deep questions about all those changes since you started RU-vid! And yes , even with all the success, freedom,better gear, travel - that contentment that you seek as we all do comes from within! Anyone who's creative - from actors ,musicians , artists , photographers always crave more. Have an amazing time in Patagonia 😚
You are YOU! And all that change and the change to come is the real story you get to share through RU-vid and we get to appreciate as an audience. Thanks so much for sticking with it Tom and can’t wait for more from Patagonia! 👏🏻👋🏻
Whenever my enthusiasm for photography wanes, I watch a Thomas Heaton video. Your passion for landscape photography is infectious, and I thank you for sharing your enthusiasm while providing real-world photography instruction. After I watch your videos I am excited about getting out and taking my next photo. Please know you are making a difference for many people you'll never meet.
Hi Tom. I’ve followed you for a while now because I admire your honesty. When you’re down, you don’t put on a front. You come across honestly in your videos, eg. this didn’t work or that didn’t come out well. I’m sure there are others who wouldn’t even publish those videos but you show your followers that photography isn’t roses on every shoot. I know now that even someone as talented as you can have bad days in the field so it’s not just my ineptitude and I should throw my camera away. Of course, I also like watching the good times to aspire to. I am looking forward to the videos from your new trip. Keep up the good work. All the best, Mark.
Hey Thomas, this was a very useful and reflective VLOG. I love your honesty and that is what I think attracts so many to your channel other than the wonderful content. I'm retired in my mid 60's and finally have the freedom to pursue my passion for landscape photography. It is interesting that I possibly shoot less now than I did when I was working. Family commitments and other life activities always need to be put before my own needs. Life is an interesting journey and the creator of life has given us one life to live so we should make the best of it. I hope your travels to South America are fantastic as it was last time. A place I would love to travel to some day (time is running out for me). My list of places gets longer as my life expectancy gets shorter, Ha! You also must have an amazingly supportive wife and life partner giving you the freedom to pursue your passion. I have loved watching your journey since 2014 and hope it continues to grow and expand. The channel gives photographers the world over encouragement and enjoyment every time we tune in. I pray for your safe journey and return home. Cheers!🇦🇺
I really like what you said about not caring about what people think about you and being content. I am still searching for that as well. You do what makes you happy and that is exactly what I love about you and your content. Tom ever since I started following you, your videos have inspired me on so many levels. And you are right as landscape photographers we always evolve and I myself feel the same about pursuing more of those quieter images. What drew me was your use of lovely calm music in your videos and how you talk about getting the shot. It just makes me dream a bit of how maybe I can have that someday. I do photography as a hobby and love it while I have a 6-3 IT support job which allows me to have plenty of free time after work to do photography but yes if I need to go somewhere I have to plan these things ahead of time and use vacation hours. We always chasing after that feeling of content; it's the spice in life. Looking forward to your future videos as always.
An excellent perspective on your life as a photography RU-vidr and a photographer. An excellent perspective on life itself. Thanks for taking the time to compile this.
Hi Thomas, I follow your channel since the video "Solo Wild Camping & Landscape Photography on Location - Lake District Cloud Inversion" and I really enjoyed most (over 90%) of the content. It was really fun to see your development as a content provider and all this years I learned so much from you. A bit THANKS for that. I can only say that I admire people like you who are brave enough to do such step. I wish you a great time in Patagonia and always good light.
I truly believe that you will only get that feeling of satisfaction as you are making progress in your life. Your goal is not a point or a state that that can be reached it is the progress you make compared to the past. Maybe?
I think it's beautiful to hear your honesty and humbleness. That's surely a gift. May you continue to share it. With admiration of your stunning work and openness. May good things follow you everywhere.
Thanks for this video. Your ability to openly express your growth experience is wonderful. In certain points in one's life, an individual is confronted, such as yourself, with challenges or considers significant life-change. You have dared to boldly step into the unknown. This is an inspirational video.[IMHO] Looking forward to images of your latest adventure in South America!
Hi Thomas. I’ve been following you now for the last 3 years and have witnessed your growth in all 6 points you’ve talked about. Here’s to many more years mate. Cheers
I am really looking forward to the next videos. The hard work we see on your content must be the tip of the iceberg for all the work/editing that goes on behind the scenes. It took my along time to realize that happiness is not something you see in the future but feel now in the present. Happy travels.
Great video. I have worked for myself for 26 years, supporting IT in schools mostly, and so much of what you said resonated deeply with the feelings and thoughts I’ve had over the years. It’s been great fun and the best thing I ever did was to become responsible for my own destiny. I guess to do that you have to have that dream and if you dream then you’ll always dream for more. Am I happy after 26 years? Yes. Am I content? No ... because there is always something more to be done even better than before. Thanks for telling us how you feel and thank Charlotte for her support in what you’re doing. It’s probably hard for her at times and we need that someone to be there for us. Have a great trip.
Really interesting to hear your thoughts. I am just past my first year making videos and discussed a little bit of this in a recent video. I think the potential danger with RU-vid is that a complete and edited video can make things look wonderful (which they often are!) but it just doesn't show the hard work and other stuff that is involved. Making even a short video can sometimes take more time than a lot of people would realise when you take everything into account. Then of course you have the business side on top of that and everything else in life we all have to deal with. Anyway good luck and I hope you find what you are looking for, I am sure you will! Anyone else who does similar appreciates your efforts.
fair play to you for getting your dream...you deserve it...You certainly put the work in! All the very best sir! Looking forward to the videos from your trip!
Good video. I like what you’ve shared. It’s much like what I’m experiencing and thinking, though I’ve yet to make this full time. I’ve just begun to have some travel opportunities and collaborations with companies. I can relate to this... the journey, the dreams, goals and challenges. Contentment. Keep going Tom. 👍
Content is the key to happiness, and it's paying off for you my friend! In five yr I'll be retiring and for me it's going to be my new vlogging and photography career! Staying true to yourself made you who you are not youtube.
Hi Thomas, all your work for your channel and its subscribers, be it in the field or in the office, on or off camera, is very much appreciated. ❤ Have fun in Patagonia. Lots of love from Germany. Katja
Watched all your videos and been a long time follower and even had the pleasure to speak to you briefly and its fair to say Thomas you have worked hard to get to this point. The combination of your honesty, the content you produce and the images you have shared has brought pleasure to many people, inspired many more to get out there and as such your rewards are well deserved.
I've been watching for a few years now and I always enjoy your work. As a wedding photographer, I love seeing your perspective and ideas. Your slow methodical approach to each image (when compared with a hectic wedding day) is refreshing and relaxing to experience. It makes me want to get out there and try it! Thanks and keep it up.
Hey Tom, I have been following channel for a number of years now and would just like to say I match preferred the old you. I can't say I am a fan of these videos of you rambling on about yourself or what gear you have broken and are replacing and what clothing you wear, Its soap opera content that I don't give a toss about. I can't say I remember soapies like this in your earlier years. What I have always been drawn to is your landscape photography on location videos. In my humble opinion that's the meat and bones of your channel and the only content on your channel worth watching. It separates you from the men and the boys because you do it so well, and with such passion. Your photographic style is unique and interesting, and your videos are professional, inspiring and presented so well. It is informative educational and sets you apart from all the other channel out there. That said I eagerly await your videos from South America, bring on good in the field content.
The biggest thing whether you still aren't totally free, is that you are doing what you "want" to do for a living. That makes what negatives there are like you mention way more livable than when you aren't doing what you "want" to do. While I don't wish to be big like you are a few other photographers I follow, I do wish I could do some photography for money versus just as a hobby like I do now. I know people will say there is nothing stopping you from doing it but myself. Even though I have people tell me my pics are great and I should do it, I still don't feel like they are. Look forward to your epic pics from the trip. Stay safe.
I’ve always enjoyed the channel throughout whatever relative ups and downs you may have had... I say allow yourself to be more flexible with the content upload schedule. You’ve given us quite a lot over the years, and if you need to take a break for a week or two (or four) every now and then, by all means do it. That’ll help keep it easy going and fresh since you’re not stuck on a such rigid creative schedule... we’ll be here when you get back. 👍 Cheers
Good video, Thomas. It’s all about the journey, not the destination ... And when you were talking about “hating your voice”, I so totally heard you ... I always thought “I don’t sound like that” ... it only got better when I started recording and editing videos ... the more I hear my own voice the better it gets (or rather me hearing it ;) )
Well that time has flown; production values have improved, but the content is the same. Still makes me jealous when I'm sat at work watching you hike the Alps, still inspires when the weather is crap and the photos aren't coming out as you hoped. Here's to another 4 years!
You should check out some of Ryan Holiday’s books on Stoicism and some classics like Seneca’s “On the Shortness of Life.” It helps a lot. I live the “dream life” too as a long-term digital nomad who travels constantly and has been to 60+ countries. But we’re all human and need context and ways to cope with challenges.
Always healthy to look back to see where you started from, I've just started my channel, but not for fame/money/ etc etc but to a cure for the creative itch!
What I love about your channel is that you're not like the other photographers with loud music, quick cuts, fancy drone shots, flexing gear/lifestyle, and heavily manipulated edited photos. Keep up the great content!
Count me as someone who will always like you irrespective of the content. You made me understand the true sense of photography since the last couple of years. That is enough for sticking around.
Very refreshing “near-confessional” and what appeals from your video, in this era of extremes, on so many fronts is your sense of balance and perspective...now go bring us some more great content from Patagonia. Enjoy...and thank you.
Great video Thomas. You the most engaging photography you-tuber. I like your informative, engaging, honest and easy going style. I also learn a lot from you. Keep it going. I hope you have a wonderful time in South America.
Just finished a 8 hour shift ,just watching the video right now ,very true words you have progressed with confidence into a well known RU-vidr but I cannot help but think of your older content when it was just you with a go pro exploring new locations which I loved , life changes for the better but my thoughts are with the old you.
Tom.. You seem like such a nice person. Although the delivery and equipment has changed since you first started , you humble and kind attitude has not. Congratulations on you're winning the career lottery. You deserve it
Thomas, As a photographer for over 50 years and having lived my life through great tragedies and great rewards, I can attest that the inner self we all have is consistent and provides the grounding we all need to keep us moving forward. We will always want what we probably don’t really need, thinking it will make us happier than we are now. Truth is, we are only as happy as we allow ourselves to be, only as successful as we choose to recognize. Your channel has allowed many of us to live a bit vicariously through you and in that you have positively affected many lives of those you will never meet. No matter what happens in your future you are one of those who make a difference.
Having all the time I want for sports, travel, and creative activity like photography during retirement has been great. By setting goals, I can keep motivated and am happy to continue to accomplish. BUT ... the one thing I miss now is something that was very true of working (before retirement) ... and that is the social aspects of working on a team, meetings in a conference room, taking a coffee break with others, accomplishing a group objective and celebrating shared success. So, in the end, I think the trick to being happy and having positive energy is to always look at the plus side of whatever you do and enjoy! BTW ... I do miss office friends, but it really helps to be able to share my photography life with local club members AND with my RU-vid vloggers. Thanks for sharing you techniques, approaches to creating compositions, and your feelings.
Your my down to earth kind of guy. Have a great trip. Enjoy every minute. Appreciate your wife even more when you get back. Hope you find that elusive contentment.
As much as I like your channel, your photography and your personality... it may sound hard yet in fact you also described egoism. Anyway, I really appreciate your openness. You are on your way. Keep going, keep searching and you'll finally find content and calmness. 🙏
Yes, its the same thing my dad told me, when you work you put your tools down and go home at the end of the day, but when you have a business, you never switch off.
Great an honest video Thomas, really like your down to earth character! Keep m coming! Have a great time in Patagonia, looking fwd to the images. Cheers, Vincent
As an artist, contentment can stall your creativity. Drive gives you the edge needed to excel. Just remember, appreciating the journey is paramount a to happy life. The key lies in knowing when to stop and smell the roses. Thank you Thomas, for the great content you provide to our photography community.
Thomas! I've followed you for over two years now, and the thing with you and your content is that inspires me, every day. It doesn't matter if you're going on a worldwide trip or just into your backyard, you always find something worth picturing and that inspires me to go out and shoot. Every now and then I look at my pictures and think "This one reminds me a bit about that one Thomas once took", which I find comforting. Don't worry though, I'm not trying to copy your work! To me, photography is all about getting rid of all the stress and the pressure. I've made decisions to quit instagram and told myself that I don't want to make any money out of it, just to be able to do it for myself. I'm at university right now, studying to become a teacher and I really love the profession of teaching. But I also know that my spare time is really valuable to me, and I am so grateful that you and your videos help me make, not the most but a little bit more out of that time. I really enjoy watching your videos, but that's not the main point. The main point is that you make me want to go out and shoot, it gives me ideas that makes me go out in bad weather, in good weather, in early mornings and late evenings and really enjoy myself. Thank you for that.
The thing you said about always looking for more and just wanting to be content, its all in your mind, that never ends, every human alive always wants more there are no exceptions, once you decide for yourself you have everything that's important you will stand a far better chance of being content, that may sound like a fortune cookie, but I think the answer is really that simple, as usual, great video Tom good luck on your trip
This video almost makes me want to carry on with my channel... Can relate to most of this, plus i have been subbed since 15000, so i remember your early videos well, your first Iceland video blew me away! I went on my own journey of self discovery a few years back. I think to feel content is perfectly fine, i feel more content than i ever did now, and thats what life is really, we all have worries, i still worry and obsess over things but i also know that things could be much worse than they are now, and i should be grateful for everything i have achieved and earned! I still really love your videos, though i rarely watch your office based videos now, this one being the exception, your landscape videos are still gorgeous and mesmerising!
Its a weird thing feeling content, only had the feeling more and more over the last few years. Always wanted more and more and feeling I should create something, a new shoot, new pictures. But I am feeling more and more content with my current job where I feel happy about helping others choose the gear they need to get the shots they want. I sometimes think to myself; has your drive gone or shouldn’t you be doing something? But to be honest I would rather feel content than the feeling of unease I have been feeling all by life. And I do still do my own projects that I am happy about, but I do them firstly for me and I am a much happier and more satisfied person now. Thank you for your great videos, been here since the beginning.
Have a good trip to South America Thomas,look forward to seeing your snaps when you get back. Must mention about the trip you did to the glacier, in the background,that it was actually done about 100 yrs ago from exactly that spot that you used and it shows how much the landscape has eroded . I did send a comment a while ago explaining about the coverage in one of the Sunday supplements-a good article,but you must have missed it!
Dreams have a funny way of coming true (for people who work hard and are dedicated and passionate), just not always in the way you'd expect. Great words of heart felt wisdom in this one, thank you for sharing. Probably not comparable, but as time gets more and more scarce and you add in the photographers "need" to document the work, I sometimes do my best to make time to go camping without making a video from it, when all is piling up. Just me, photography, river, fire and no outside pressure. That works for me when I'm stressed. Although, this may qualify as a holiday :) No more than 20 days!!
@Thomas Heaton, Your videos are incredibly informative practically, and yet also food for my creative soul. I can't thank you enough, or express my gratitude adequately. The first video I saw I had to pause half way and subscribe. Keep doing what you're doing brother.
Everything has pros and cons, but it seems you're in a good place. As the first photographer I found on RU-vid, you have inspired and taught me a lot on my very short photographic journey. (I only started 3 years ago.) So, thank you.
I really miss those old videos. They were super authentic and raw. I could relate more to you then. Happy for your success though. It is well deserved.
Its no secret working for yourself is a 24/7 job, the clever people are the ones who designate the work to somebody else, but in your case you cant very well send someone out with your camera and tell them to take some good pictures! Being happy and content is a different matter its all about how you feel inside. Personally I have never been interested in becoming a Pro photographer all the jobs I done in life I enjoyed, and they had nothing to do with photography, photography was a way of getting away from it all and what I did on holidays! The pictures that I have taken will be shown to friends and some of the local groups where I live, but I don't do that anymore. I have been following your channel for some time now and I really enjoy how you do things and I am so happy that you have made a success of things, some of the locations where you have been are simply stunning and you have pictures which are stunning too, each week I look forward to seeing your latest episode. Have a good trip on your next adventure, stay safe, and I am sure everybody will be waiting to see some stunning pictures of where you have been.......Now that's put a bit more pressure on you has it not!.......Thank you for sharing your photography with us.....
If you want to focus on travelling, I've visited a few locations that to me are amazing for photography. Tasmania I could keep talking about for hours, and I've already advised you strongly to go there. New Zealand I won't bother it's a classic. In Canada, there are two places I've found amazing. One is Gaspésie, a peninsula that's part of Québec. The whole peninsula is amazing : the inland mountains, the coastal cliffs, the wildlife, the scenic roads... Another one is Nova Scotia, more specifically Cape Breton Island. Sure, the national park is quite popular, but there are so many secret spots, just like in the British Isles... Plus if you go there in the off season, like autumn or winter, it's amazing. Finally, in the US, there are obviously stunning places. The classics are classics for a reason : Yellowstone, the Tetons, Yosemite, the whole of Utah... And finally, as a fellow traveller, I think one of the most important things is : don't underestimate travelling close to your own country. You don't have to go far to be in another world. For you that'd be Ireland, France, Spain, those weird islands like Madera or the Canary Islands, Italy, Portugal, Finland... And don't worry, we won't reject you despite Brexit, we might just tease you a little bit =)
