Sleeping in my Van Illegally Rather than Pay for Campsite - Why? 

Who else breathed a sigh of relief when Tom raised the book and it wasn't "Chasing Awe" by Gavin Hardcastle 😊

You are not “sleeping overnight”, you are simply arriving ahead of time and waiting for the right time to complete your work - better to arrive a few hours early (traffic problems etc) than be 10 minutes late.

I'd love to know more about the specifics of the law that says you can't sleep in your Van. - Can you sleep in a car? Is it vehicle specific? (e.g. only sleep if your vehicle is under 3 tonnes) - Is it illegal to sleep during the day or only at night? - Is it the "sleeping" or "just being there at night" that is illegal? - Is this law in contradiction to postered advice to take a beak if your tiered? - Is it down to local bylaws rather than national regulations? - And perhaps the most important question; what is the penalty for sleeping? Is it a traffic offence that goes on your license as an endorsement or a civil offence of some kind. Sorry if these questions have obvious answers, but I haven't lived in the UK for about 30 years and clearly some things have changed! Back then I was driving trucks and if you *didn't* pull over and sleep you got fined.

It's illegal in Germany to with one exception though: "Fahrtüchtigkeitswiederherstellung" (gotta love that language). What it means is: Restoring the capability to safely operate your vehicle. Basically you are allowed to sleep in your car for a night, if you feel you are to tired to continue your journey or make it home safely. England might have a similar exception.

Thomas, one of the reasons I enjoy your photography is because you share your best work and your mediocre work. There’s not a lot of photographers who are willing to share it all, but that’s what makes you stand out. You’re also a great story teller and that makes some of your images come alive.

The oft misunderstood life of an artist! Keep doing it your way, Thomas. Your work is truly worth the effort and sacrifice!

According to my understanding of the law in Austria, Germany,... it's only camping when you put a chair or table in front of the car. As long as you sleep or spend time in your car and parking is allowed, no one can say anything. No one can prove that you don't need this break. After all, you're not allowed to move a car if you don't feel fit enough. Of course, using an awning and armchair is not allowed. But where there's no plaintiff, there's no judge ;-)

Thomas, this is certainly one of your best videos! Indeed, your honest and sincere attempt to accurately describe the ART of landscape photography is very refreshing. All too often people are reluctant to share their true unabridged thoughts and experiences! Keep up the great work my friend!

As always, love the subject matter - and the beautiful shots you captured. You are an artist and you are responsible with your parking spots and practices so you do you!

at 2:26 that hit me in the feels, such a stunning picture

always enjoying the calmness of your videos, the honesty and the impressive shots. Keep us bringing more of this, Thomas!

You are an artist Thom. Not all photographers could produce that second island shot. Beautiful, just beautiful!

you're such an amazing landscape photographer, I just wanted to let you know. everytime I watch your videos I get reminded of the gap in our skill levels and how much more I have to learn and improve as a photographer. you inspire me to chase excellence in my work

The photos you have taken and shown in the video are definitely pieces of artwork. Thanks for sharing.

If someone comes asking; just say you're resting in the van because it's dangerous to drive drowsy. Never say you've done something "illegal" and show it. just... pointing out there😅

I enjoyed you discussing the struggle with art… I was given More Than a Rock for my birthday and a great read it is too!

I totally agree with your sentiments and the articulate way you put it across.

That pano... ridiculously good. So beautiful!!!

Loved the first image. Beautiful soft colors. Seeing how a good image is made, is the best motivation for me. Keep up the good work.

Stunning images as always, very much needed a calming video after today. Thanks for all the great content

As soon as you read that passage, I ordered the book! Brilliant.

I love that pano shot so much. the light was so interestingly draped on those trees.

Thankyou Tom for another informative and encouraging video... you always seem to inspire me and give me a reason to get back out there with the camera... really appreciate it 🙏

Great video mate, that first shot was beautiful. The light just makes it’s

Man! Thom, that pano is gorgeous! Such a perfect balance in composition and lighting. Bravo!

That blue tone pano is just delish! As always thanks for sharing!

Excellent video...and that island pano. What a stunner!!!

So pleased that you’re thinking about your art and not just the technical capture of an image. I think you have something more to say and I’d like to hear it and see it in your work.

Really enjoyable Thomas, love the great outdoors. I must say that 2nd image of the small island is outstanding. Thanks for sharing

Honestly man your images are top tier! Keep on doing exactly what are doing to get quality photos like that.

These views! Omg wow thank you so much for sharing these beautiful breath taking images! Some would never experience these if it wasn’t for people like you

Awesome video, as ever! Your photography is undoubtably art. Even without any lightroom/photoshop magic to clone out distractions or adding filters in post, it's still art. You're choosing how to represent the scene with composition, depth of field, shutter speed and even the time of day is an artistic choice. There's so much variety these artistic choices, from 'this is what it really looked like,' to 'look how amazing I can make this scene look in photoshop'. It's all art and it's all subjective. For me, the only problem comes when people misrepresent their work, denying they did any post processing/photoshop to an image, using sky replacements or compositing in a perfectly exposed moon and claiming that it was SOOC!

Love, love that second image (panorama)!!!

Love you, Man! Still, my very favourite RU-vid Photographer whom I have followed from the very beginning. Tremendous location loving those steely grey and colours. And what a view...

Beautiful morning shots and each location = art!

The silhouetted island loved how subtle the light was on the trees behind the island and the golden ratio positioning the island in the pano, magic! The light on the fells and the shadows in the gullys was awesome in the third shot, the pastel shades in the first fine art you photogartist. 😉

That pano at 3:58...just wow!!! I find myself wondering the magic you could have done with your GX617 for that shot. But wow, that shot is awesome. May be a calendar shot?? Thanks for taking us along on this adventure Thomas.

More than a rock. Best photography book I’ve read since Ansel Adams’ books back in the mid 80’s. Really made me think and in many ways, liberated my photographic art to be exactly what I wanted it to be. One day, I’ll make my van posh like yours Tom. Trouble is, the wife will then want to join me 😁

Great watch as always Thomas 😃

Great as always Tom

I really enjoy watching your videos and this one is an absolute masterpiece!

Very refreshing videos you post all different thanks for posting

If an image shows what was there -> documentary. If an image shows what you felt -> art. For me art is expression of feelings.

Gorgeous shots... as always

Hi Thomas. Great video. Faithful follower. I've recommended Guy Tal's book to fellow photographers with much enthusiasm. His "Another Day Not Wasted" is equally impressive. I go back regularly to review his essays and take away new messages every time. I'm sure he would appreciate you mentioning his writings and I am happy to endorse both you and he at any time. You've both contributed much to the art of photography and I for one, am most grateful. All the best and happy shooting. Cheers, Dave G.

The photography is excellent. You are a artist

Just a great video - thank you. Amazing photography.

Love the island panorama!

I'm bound to my couch after a ski accident and you let me enjoy the great out doors

Second shot is an absolute stunner, good job.

Thomas Heaton always keeping it real! very nice!

Thomas Heaton you are most definitely an Artist

I totally agree with intro statement.

Great set of images to kick off with. Also, as an old VW van owner, and campsite avoider, I'm with you on that aspect, too. As for art v photography, these are just labels that have no real affect on me or how/what I shoot. First and foremost for me is the pure enjoyment of getting out there and taking photos... for my own personal pleasure. Once I get that bit right, the rest simply doesn't matter. The only determining factor that I can see (in my very amateur experience of such matters) is whether you are working to a specific brief or not and what the intention of the specific photograph is.

One of my first steps in my Lightroom workflow is to "Create Virtual Copy". That way I have one raw file that I can use to recreate the scene as closely as I can remember it actually being. And another with which I feel free to take all the poetic license I want. I think we should be limited only by the amount of storage we have for our digital files. As always, love your work Mr. Heaton!

Lovely pics too.

Some great pics there Thomas

Thank you for bringing that book to my attention. That’s a sure buy!

Another enjoyable video Tom, especially liked the pano image, also I enjoyed your contribution in the Amateur Photographer this week.

stunning places

Thomas... to me this was one of your best video vlogs! The photo's are portfolio worthy, a bit of phylosophy is on his place (it's what i have been wondering myself), the hike, the enjoy of being on yourself and with others, enz... But the coffee looks like the ditch neer my house man! Thnx, Paul

The struggle is real my friend, stay the course.

Our park 4 the night scheme is restarting in Scotland. Park from 6pm-10am completely free of charge in certain carparks dotted around Scotland. I already have my favourites and can’t recommend it highly enough. 👍🏻

Extraordinary good photography The intro was out of this world 🌍 some great life coaching advice for photographers too 👏👏

I love the Ansel Adams saying "The negative is the score and the print is the performance." I have recently started doing everything in B&W and really exploiting the light that is there. It's a ton of fun and I feel like my images are much better. I also remember seeing several prints made by Ansel Adams over the course of years and they literally looked like two different scenes of the same mountain. He was known to go back to old prints and print them differently as his techniques changed over time. I do draw the line at adding or replacing objects/sky, but I have no problem cloning out that obnoxious post in the background :-). Take care and I look forward to your next adventure.

Another great video tom! Have to say the delica is still looking good despite the off-roading lol and I would say that photography is art, it’s the same as painting a picture just using a different tool.

always love ur work, so simple and yet peace and beautiful u r always a successful photographer and artist

All great shots...but absolutely loved the first one - totally beautiful and totally justifies illegal camping 😁!!!

Guy Tal, and his book, are some of the more underrated and unknown treasures of the photography world (At least the "Photography social media world", because he chooses not to engage with those mediums) I'm currently slowly making my way through the same book at the pace of about a chapter a week, taking my time to inwardly digest each chapter as I go. I'm also looking forward to picking up his new book sometime soon, "Another Day Not Wasted".

Art is effort that is appreciated - ( quote by me ) love your stuff Thomas and it is most certainly art !!

I think this is something I dont think much of when it comes to where I live in Alaska. There are campsites you have to pay to stay but there are also tons of places to park off the road and settle in for the night and I am sure it's not illegal (if it is I have never seen it enforced) There are also lots of camping areas in rural areas where you don't have to pay and the people who do stay for the most part are decent enough to clean up their area and trash they find. Again, its something I've never actually thought about. Fantastic video Thomas as usual. Cheers!

This my friend demonstrates your committment and effort and exactly why you currently have over half a million followers, great film, inspiring and very worthwhile and enjoyable viewing, mega images too! Cheers.

Great shot of the atmospheric Island, camp fire looked cosy.

Your van makes total sense for what you need and what you do is photography AND art! There answered that one, done, simples.

Beautiful pano, and I like your camp style, which is easier to practice in the Nordic countries, where it normally is legal.

Thomas, thanks for another great video. I’ve been addressing the issue of “is photography art”/retouching… I will have to check out that book. Love your work

Lovely video and big fan of your exploits Thomas, and so know that mic thingy lol, been there a few times, cheers Paul

Your island photo is next level!!! As is the Grand California. I've had a Delica for well over a decade and am currently drooling over the Grand California. As for art and photography, I was lucky enough to be in Wellington NZ when a professional photographer's competition was being judged. You could sit in and watch the judges. There were some photos which I would have considered 'throw-away', which the judges loved. One was a bird coming in to land on a bland looking shed, all a bit blurry and not in a very nice pose in flight. It really taught me that photography doesn't have the be 'picture perfect' to intrigue viewers. It made me think of taking images which I would not have considered previously.

Awesome stuff!

Your videos are awesome!

Looks beautiful

Great shots on this trip Tom. I particularly like the pano of the lake. But let's have some appreciation for the B roll too - the video shot at 1:10 is beautifully framed! When you mentioned being unable to leave a camp site at 4 a.m. due to engine noise I immediately thought of electric camper vans. As an EV driver I've been watching to see when they actually become a practical option. At the moment there are probably still issues of price vs range, but perhaps one day you'll find yourself leaving a camp site almost silently in your nice new electric camper... who knows?

Love the island pano

@ 1:38 - A great location - look behind you, ;) or rather at that amazing reflection on the lake line .....

Oh my goodness, that pano shot is damn beautiful!

Awesome plan!

That campsite at Seathwaite, borrowdale is really only a field , there is a toilet but no showers and last time I was there (when I went up Great End) the fee was a very reasonable £5 for a full day and just a little more to camp overnight. Brilliant, and you can access several great peaks.

Loved the lake pano

Hi Thomas. When we are in the field everything is reflecting light, well some things transmit it like the sun, light bulbs, and flashlights, but this light is traveling and passing through our lens and onto our film or light sensor. This light from different ares in a landscape can have different intensities, like light from a shadowed area is less intense than light traveling from the sky or sun which they say is "very bright". These brightnesses can be measured with a light meter. A camera has a very unique ability in being able to actually change the intensity of traveling light; opening your aperture the more bright these "luminance's" become, or a longer shutter speed the same effect, and vice versa, closing your aperture/less shutter speed the less bright. It's actually an added or subtracted effect I suppose but we can call it changing the lights intensity. Filters can also have an effect on changing light intensity. Now there in lies the art of photography, being able to chose what intensity of the light we want to portray in our final print. More than that changing the lights intensity of a scene can create different "emotional impacts" in your final print to a viewer. You know how your large panoramic black and white image creates a dramatic response due to its contrast; that could have been done with less exposure and more development bringing the "higher" areas "up", expanding contrast. This is done perhaps without thinking about it in (Photoshop); in the digital world. There is a "catch" with this process in that more "detail" is recored when longer than "normal" exposures are made, and vise versa but I don't want to get into that now. I learned this from Ansel Adams who developed a system to very accurately control his outcome. Most of his later prints demonstrated this control by doing what he termed "departing from reality"; his visualization and final print "execution" was always different than the actual scene, something which once learned and calibrated is such a joy to use; I know why he wanted to share his techniques with the world through his work books. It makes me think that he was an astute student of the (Camera Obscura) movement. Bob.

What si fine art? I never know…your videos are so peacefull

I thought the island picture was superb and so well spotted, and as somebody below so aptly put it wow.

Beautiful images.

Loved the photos, esp the pano.

I don’t know the laws in my country (France) but I think it is less restrictive. But as you said, as long as you don’t disturb, block, destroy and you are responsible, so I get your point and I would do the same. Love the first shot ! Thank you for your work

Well said 👍

great work

Thomas aka "the microphone" Heaton 😋👍🏼 great work as always!!

Another very enjoyable video Thomas, Probably illegal over here in Canada too, but I plan on upgrading my vehicle to an SUV large enough to sleep in for all the reasons you mentioned. As for Art v Photography in my opinion photography is art no doubt about it. Hope you enjoyed that beer.

Hey Thomas. SOme lovely images there and you raise a very valid point. Photography or Art. Its a great book, myslef having been put onto it by SImon Booth, and it certainly resonates with all who struggle with where that imaginary 'line' is... if it even exists at all. Lovely vid. Kind regards. Ewan (NZ)

Brilliant and wise