The End Of My Channel...Winter Wonderland 

My New Book: www.fototripper.com/stories-within-stories-landscape-photography-book/

Please we don’t need another gear focus channel

Technique, editing and laughs.👍

PLEASE . . . PLEASE . . . . . PLEASE . . . . don't turn in to a channel about "gear"!! I enjoy what you're doing right now - the humor is awesome!

When you and Adam worked together, your videos were unique, you both worked off each other and it was natural, like a double act. I think it brought the best out of him as well as you. The viewer could see that the both of you were really loving your photography and the banter was all part of it. I was disappointed when they stopped, I'd guess a lot of people were.

I think a big reason why your channel kind of stopped trending upward was your move out of Vancouver. The videos with Grumpy, Brent all the guys you filmed with there were amazing. I know you have to move on to do your thing but in my opinion I think that is a big reason. I'll still always be a loyal watcher though. 🤗 from Colorado.

I used to watch your channel religiously, partly for the locations (you lived near me when in BC), partly for the fun, but mainly for the “how to” content. I find your videos over the past year or two have become more about the shenanigans and less about the photography. While I love your sense of humour and think you’d be amazing to sit and have a beer with, I miss the photography content.

Techniques, tutorials, destinations all yes. Gear and "in the bag" vids I usually skip. Unless it's a specific "I found this, it's been a game changer and you ought to know about it"

Not in favor of gear focus. I think a mix of instructional videos and fun travel photography like your Ireland trip is the best. I do miss the interaction of you and Adam Gibbs. The chemistry of you two is so entertaining. I still think of the whole lens cloth episode as one of the funniest I have ever watched. Don’t give up on the channel! We still enjoy your shenanigans!

We don’t need more gear, we need more Adam !! Ship him over … 😄

Missing your adventures with Grumpton very much :)

Don’t change a thing. Your channel is as unique as you .

Please do not change too much. It's great to find a photographer who does not take himself too seriously and is not afraid to goof around on camera. Your vids are very entertaining and informative. Keep up the great work!

I don't see anything wrong with your channel. Keep going on location and showing what you are trying to achieve. Maybe a yearly what's in my bag episode, and tutorials are great. I stopped watching Simon and Mark Denney because they never leave their desk. Out in nature doing your thing is the best, and I'll still be here watching what you decide on.

Good balance should be the key. A good blend would be the way to go. 👍👍

Don't listen to any of us in the audience your setting yourself up for tearing your hair out in the future.... Keep on just making the content that you love and we'll be here 😊

You two are already the perfect blend, humor, a big laugh, very usefull tips and info, and, like the cherry on the icecream, AMANDA!!! please change nothing!!🙏🙏🙏

The show is just fine, shenanigans and all!

I enjoy the humor, photography (not necessarily the tutorials), and your photography companions. As others have pointed out-focusing on gear will dilute from your outstanding channel content. RU-vid is over-saturated with photography channels, but yours stands out and is one of the best; so it’s not you nor your content it is the fickleness of viewers who prefer quantity over quality.

As for what I'd like to see, I'm here for your shenanigans. Your relationship with Amanda reminds me of my relationship with my Mrs. The photography has become a background element to my enjoyment of your videoes.

Please don't change the channel, it's about perfect as it is. In fact it's the only photography channel I watch every week without fail.

You should do what you enjoy most, that shows through. I also enjoy when you show shooting on location, how to find sites to shoot, how to prep the day before the shoot, and Composition at the site, ... ? I enjoy your channel and have no expectations other than fun, and your expertise, fun is always a part of that.

Gavin I look forward to when your videos are released. Your sense of humor is what keeps me interested and your landscape locations are amazing and inspire me!

You asked for advice, so here goes: Silly Shenanigans staying is great, but not the meat of why I watch your channel. What drew me to your channel and others, like Heaton & Page, were the "How To" episodes that guide us through what scene you're after, how do you size it up once you're there, creating your composition and why, positioning of the camera and why, which settings and why, then to see the end result. Some post production would be nice. Might want to make that a teaser for a follow-up video for the images you capture. Always show the final images from the first video on the first video, but the processing can be a separate video. Amanda is so cute and fun. You are a lucky man Gavin. Use Amanda as much as you can in the videos to compliment what you are doing. Have her ask questions that we might have. Have her narrate some, telling us what it's really like tagging along and helping you out. Even a serious commentary occasionally about how it is for her to support you and have her describe her honest opinion about your passion and what you try to bring to your viewers. When people like you, Heaton, and Page stray away from the "How To" videos and focus on gear, it's not as good. Tell us what you use and why, but keep it short. I currently use the Nikon Z system, so I don't care about the other brands and will tune out. There are several great brands and models, but I'm not going to watch a video about another brand when I tuned in to watch how beautiful images are captured. Also, limit the getting ready to go out and shoot. I don't mind a little, but I don't want to watch someone fake waking up, making coffee, eating breakfast, packing their day pack, etc for 5-10 minutes. I already know how to do that. You don't do much of that, but there are some who think we want to see all that. Too much wasted viewing in my opinion. Your new book? I guessed what it is about, then confirmed it by reading the description after clicking on the link. Your quick ad gives the title, but go ahead and add a verbal sentence to tell us what it is. You might get more clicks on the link. I personally love the stories behind capturing an image. I have mine and you have yours. It's a big part of what makes an image special and is one of the biggest reasons besides the "How To" for watching your videos. One more thing: Tell the audience that many people question why they should go after an iconic image and capture it as their own. The answer is simple. It's the story behind what you went through to get your own version of it. Even if it was relatively easy. You still made the trip and likely overcame some obstacle to get it. It may have involved having someone you love be with you, or whatever. It's always better if you captured the image yourself, rather than just buying someone else's. That's enough from me. Keep up the good work and tell Amanda Hi from one of many fans!

Bag the gear idea, I have systematically abandoned all the gear centric channels I once subscribed to. Instruction and composition insights a definite thumbs up 👍

Really like your channel the way it is. Others I follow on you tube appear to be experiencing the same issue. Just be yourself. That’s more than enough!

If I tried to walk like Amanda, I'd be in traction for 2 months. No matter which new direction you take on your channel, I can only hope you never stop your death defying feats of madness that you use to get your very unique landscape perspective... always entertaining... and very humbling.

I’d prefer to see you focus on instructional videos. The reasons I follow your channel are your eye for composition, your capacity of giving useful tips within a story (not just a tips list), your storytelling capacity including the funny and recurring characters you involve in your adventures, your sense of humour and the beautiful landscapes you’re traveling through

I watch the channel for the outdoor shoots in beautiful settings and for the humour.

Its a great channel. I'd like to see more post processing of the raw image. The humour can be a bit much, but certainly separates you from other channels. Good luck growing the channel, don't change too much.

Gavin, I love your channel more than any others. I enjoy you letting us into your private world with Amanda and you as you travel the world. As for the future I dont know why the channel has been slowing its growth. For me I loved when you did videos with Adam he was the perfect foil for you. So finding someone on a regularly basis on the east coast to be your foil might be an idea. I also realize that is harder said than done. My other idea comes from the bloopers/outtakes. I laugh so much when I see the fun and joy you are having, so instead of showing some BTS stuff at the end, make most of the video about you laughing and having fun. I think we should not underestimate the power of laughter. I dont know if this is really helpful at the end of the day, just some thoughts from a fan.

I'd like to see another group photography trip with all the usual guys e.g Thomas, Uncle G etc love watching them!

I love seeing your videos in beautiful locations.

I need to watch your technique and I need to vicariously experience the gorgeous places you hike around. My favorite things about your channel are your humor, your explaining compositions and techniques, and watching you hike around and chatting with people and almost falling to your death and wading waist high in lakes and sitting on cliffs and rushing through forests.

Hiking in the nature. Looking for compostions. That would be great.

I love when you travel and show us beautiful spots to be photographed! I do kinda miss Uncle Grumpy🤪📸.

My vote for the future of your channel is UBU. Don’t ask what we want. Do what moves you and people will follow.

Please not another gear channel. You excel at composition so expand this skill and explain your thoughts.

Definitely technique, composition and location over gear. There is one significant problem with gear vlogs IMO: As a hobbyist or someone just dabbling in photography - which I suspect would make up the largest demographic of viewers of most photography channels - there is often a limited amount of funding available for purchasing new/updated equipment, so the videos would tend to target a much smaller base of your audience. When I was starting out on my own photography journey (again, as a hobbyist), I did seek out a lot of equipment review video content. It wasn't long before I realized that I had spent a lot of money on items that I seldom, if ever, used. It also led to some confusion as different content providers had greatly varying opinions on what they deemed "best". It's just a messy topic, again, IMO. Guidance on developing technique, however, costs nothing for the viewer (beyond a like and sub!) but almost always provides some positive takeaway. I really enjoy seeing how you apply your much greater level of experience and vision to the art of composing and developing your photos. And of course, a bit of shenanigans just makes it that much more enjoyable! 😊 Thanks for sharing your time and talents with us on a regular basis, Gavin! BTW, I generally prefer some movement blur in the water. Frozen in time can work with a large, majestic fall (think Yosemite, Skogafoss, etc), but in an intimate scene, it feels very jarring and unnatural to see the water frozen in place.

I must agree with many of the comments. I was disappointed in your move away from Vancouver. I still look forward to every video you release, but I miss the jaw dropping scenery from the Canadian Rockies and western USA. I also miss Uncle Grumpton and Bret, those videos and shenanigans were epic. I really don’t believe it’s your content, in fact your comedic shenanigans are what makes your videos so entertaining and different from all the other RU-vid photographers. Don’t change it. I follow over a dozen RU-vid photographers, and your content is the one I always look forward to the most. ❤

We need you going to other photo locations and having fun adventures you kind of been stuck in Nova Scotia. We need to see you driving everywhere in the United States, Norway, Iceland, Portugal, New Zealand. Thats what I’d love to see. Don’t stop Having adventures!

I really liked your instructional videos. I think your style was distinctly different and the level of detail yoy share is spot on.

Please not another gear focus channel, go with some tutorials, I beg you, don't go gear focused. I watch this channel, because its unique and photography focused... with some shenanigans

First things first, Silly shenanigans are the most important! 🤪The mixture of photography & comedy channel... Please never change this! And a nice mix of different techniques, be it shooting to editing e.g. photo stacking in photoshop and gear I think would be the perfect blend. Thank you for your effort and work Gavin, best regards from Bavaria...

I do enjoy seeing photos being taken in the field. 😊

Do not change your style,no one makes us laugh like you. Call me a blasphemer but how about delving into other realms of photography beyond just landscape. Regardless,best of luck in the future. Going to follow in some of your footsteps on Skye in May,super excited. Loved your first book Quiet Light,top notch. 😁

I originally found your channel a few years ago when I was saving up money to buy my camera. I was looking for instructional videos to show how things are done and your channel stood out as a great way to not only learn but see how you use these techniques in practice. I'm guessing a nice combination of instruction videos along with the occasional gear video accompanied by your trips to amazing locations should do the trick! Best of luck, Gavin.

Don't chase the algorithm and don't force yourself to do things to please others/everybody. Just ask yourself what actually fired up your passion for photography and subsequently making videos on YT. Do what makes you happy and being honest with yourself. Life is a journey, enjoy where it takes you.

i think a lot of people miss the banter with you and grumplestilskin... that been said your channel is by far my favourite, enough vloggers doing gear stuff, but i do like when you explain how you took a shot, general settings etc, keep up the toilet humour its brilliant.... oh and where is Cletus? lol

I think uncle Grumpy is missing! I watch all your videos, but the best ones is with Adam. Though also those with Brent is really good.

I enjoy your channel just as it is. The explaining what you are doing and showing what your composition is great. The entertainment is fantastic. Never miss a a video.

Gavin! No more shenanigans with Grumpton, Thomas, Nick, Michael, Alex or Simon? No! Love your photography and tips, but I love you with the guys, too.

Just be yourself and remember the algorithm has changed making it more difficult to grow your channel. Just keep a good mixture of topics.

I love the on location videos that take me to places I've never seen. It doesn't have to be Iceland or Mongolia..lol. also... please explain "dragging the shutter"

pls not another gear focused channel, your channel is has a pretty unique approach, i like it, dont waste you talent and possibly joy.

Gavin, you are an expert at photoshop. When you look at growth, and how quick subscribers can grow you only need to look at some newer channels who are almost at 300,000 subs mostly based around their tutorial videos. Your videos focus on you capturing the raw image, and you always show us the finished edited image “if the shots any good” that is. We want to see more edits and tutorials. Please don’t sell yourself out and be one of those people who give biased reviews. There is a particular RU-vidr who is unethical and unrealistic. Just be you. Love your channel still.

Gavin, for me, I don't care about gear videos, or instructional ones. I like to watch actual photoshoots, maybe a little instruction in it, by explaining the exposure settings and composition, but really as a byproduct of taking us along on one of your shoots. Just so long as we still get the shenanigans :)

Variety, I’d love to see, humour, gear, technique, travel. I’ve been watching your channel for years now, I find it best when we have different videos each week 🫶

Hopefully you’ve gotten some good ideas in these comments Gavin! It’s your hysterical personality storytelling and super solid photo skills that keep us coming back. Thats a unique combo on RU-vid. Great laughs, cool people, amazing destinations, and gorgeous images. Thats pretty awesome. It seems like the other shooters I’ve been watching for years are starting to buckle under the relentless pace /race to feed the you tube algorithms. As you know, You gotta stay true to what makes you smile the most. Hopefully that will sustain your numbers. In a more selfish note, I would love to hear you talk a bit about your planning process. Like how you decide where to go and when to go. I haven’t seen anybody talk about this. But organizing one’s time, money and travel logistics to be at the right place at the right time is something that’s passed over mostly and critically important. Especially for hobbyist shooters with full time jobs. One last thought: your on location shoots are informative and FUNNY, and your instructional vids are greatly informative. Thats quite a spectrum of offerings. Dont over extend yourself. Just keep teaching inspiring and making us laugh, for as long as that interests you!! Thanks for all that you do!!

That channel is just perfect. A lot of practical info plus good humor. I treat youre channel as a comedie sitcom. Specially when you have a guest 😂. Keep going and please ... we dont need next gear channel.

Must admit Gavin that I always imagined that you, Grumpton and Thomas Heaton would end up like a photographic Last of the Summer Wine. Dispensing your Yorkshire wisdom in a gently amusing manner. I can hear the music now. You in your wellies and Thomas with an overcoat hung over his arm, while Grumpton would be the one organising your latest adventure. Although, I can't quite imagine Amanda as Nora Batty. Even if she might chase you off her doorstep with a broom. I don't think it's anything you've done Gavin. Things change, and you're more your own man now. I think you'll find your way.

Love your videos, don’t need gear info,but love the laughs and the effort you make to get the picture. ❤

More shenanigans! I miss Adam with you also. 😂 Would love to see tutorials and I am ok with gear reviews as long as you incorporate it in your own special way. I miss the old tripod giveaways even though I didnt win but they were hilarious and fun. Cheap giveaways would be cool but the tutorials will be sweet.

I don’t care what you do as long as you do it , skills and technical ability are beyond reproach but your sense of humour and interaction with Amanda and other photographers you feature are the best and have genuinely made me laugh out loud- Amanda’s inward shout out loud is my favourite clip!

Keep doing this channel!! Please. I can’t find a better photography channel than yours.

What I like best about your videos is the pacing. I don't get bored. I am entertained, learn composition and techniques as you verbalize your thought process, and I see new vistas vicariously. Your videos are not repetitive. The ones with guests are fun, and the ones with just you and Amanda are fun. You motivate me to take photos in all kinds of weather and conditions since you always seem to pull off great shots when I would have given up. I don't watch as many photo vlogs as I once did, but I never miss yours. Do what you love, remain authentic, and success will follow. (PS - After watching the rest of this video on the waterfall, I don't see how a photo vlog could be any better. Find ways to promote your channel without changing what YOU want to do.)

Winter is truly a magical time for a photographer. Snow, icy landscapes, frozen lakes, and icicle-covered waterfalls create incredible and picturesque scenes that are perfect for photos.🎥🎥👍📸📸

I’ll have to admit, I miss you in BC with Adam. You guys really had a connection. Kinda like Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Along with BC seemly having more exciting and beautiful locations to shoot. Don’t get me wrong, I still love your videos.

More Amanda less of the other guy 😂 To be honest I look forward to them every Sunday. Love the humour and the photography. You have a good balance. Not so keen on the gear idea as I’m really only interested when I’m looking to buy something and maybe that would put me off Instructional would be good but more advanced stuff would be a bonus Wish you well with it Gavin

Always love the motion blur!

I’ve been hearing stories of slow growth from other channels I follow too. Chasing the algorithm seems like a no win proposition. I’d vote to mix in more collabs with other people, maybe a little more personal stuff within the bounds you’re willing to share, and certainly some of your next level editing techniques. Happy to support the channel - just ordered the new book. The first one was great!

Unbiased gear reviews, shenanigans, locations, with a sprinkling of technique. I'm sure whichever way you go mate, it will be great. 👍

For me, there is no one else on RU-vid except Thomas Heaton :-) who explains his knowledge of compositions so well in the field of landscape photography. It would be a great pity if there were fewer of them. I'm not that technically minded when it comes to equipment. But I know that many are very interested in technique. And as for your humor just 10 out of 10. just my kind of humor I love. Thumbs up and best regards from Germany.

I enjoy the sense of adventure, going into the wild, and using skill to capture beautiful shots. Do talk about gear and techniques, but don't lose the adventure or the comedy

I know it's not what the algorithm loves, but personally I actively skip gear videos. There's too many, they're all the same, and they gain me nothing. I'm here for the adventures, instruction, and shenanigans. :)

I watch your videos, every day, or as a background sound, because finally there is someone who does not talk about cameras, but enjoys the photography itself and the possibilities given by nature.

Just keep it going Gavin. I think your channel is brilliant. It's inspired me to get out there. Sundays will NOT be the same without Fototripper!

Your move from the mountains to Nova Scotia is probably part of the issue. The scenery is beautiful, but not as spectacular as you regularly captured out West. Maybe more travel to interesting and different places would make a difference.

Your videos are perfect Gavin. I would welcome videos where you try other brands as well .

I’m not sure if I would change anything. I would enjoy seeing you and Uncle Grumpy together again.

The shenanigans are fun, but maybe reduce the quantity in each video. Your instructing, particularly composition tips, are most interesting to me personally. Gear reviews are everywhere and not why I watch fototripper. Keep it real, keep it fun and give Amanda her camera back :)

Firstly I love your channel. What I personally like is the connection I feel to you guys, plus the others that feature on your channel. The connection I feel with the locations you visit. I like to feel part of the whole experience, almost like a TV reality show, behind the scenes so to speak, as if visiting friends. I love the humour. The factual side of the photography or gear etc is great but more importantly is the immersion into the experience you guys are having and all the little normal bits that go with it. I think that way each video will stand on its own without becoming too systematic so to speak. Personally I am happy with the way things are, Love it 🙏🙏🙏

I for one, enjoy your content just as it is. I've learned many good things along with enjoying some shenanigans. Your content is what I find to be enjoyable learning, and appreciate your sharing your skills and knowledge.

I liked your composition series of videos and was disappointed you didn't take it further and produce more. I think i'd like to see echniques with shenanigans (and the other people who appear in them now :) ) And the development of the chruch/house of course :)

For me, the arsing-about has come to overpower the photography such that there are other “go-to” photographers that I’ll watch first, then see if I have time on my hands to watch Fototripper, which is a shame since the actual photography is very good.

It's great just as it is. Maybe let Amanda talk a bit more. Yeah. More Amanda...

These videos helped me through very difficult times when I had no energy to watch anything else, but Gavin, Amanda et al!

I like the slow shutter speed on the waterfalls.

I just come for the comedy, there is too much photography on this photography channel.

Gavin, I don’t get why your channel is losing interest… You are the most unique and diverse all around photography channel there is. I subscribe to Matt Granger, he gets to gear centric which can be outside the realm of what I would be interested in as a hobbyist. I learn so much from your videos and insight it’s a shame people aren’t watching you more… You are never boring like Thomas Heaton ;). Be funny, be yourself and teach, teach and teach never preach!!! Big fan - Jeff

In the interval of a comedy show in Bethnal Green talking to Bobby Davro another guy joined us. When Bobby went back in we ended up talking about you. Small world. I love your videos and will watch whatever you decide to do. Love to you both.

Personally, what made me fall in love with photography and addicted to your channel, is the adventure to your location, the humour along the way, and then the tutorials where you really go through what you’re thinking and how you make the image. I still find myself going back though older videos for that.

Gear and techniques and your humor

a blend of both would be great

I first fell in love with your channel while watching your shenanigans with Sir Grumpy. I continue to watch and *love* your content since, but there was something special about your relationship with him that 'clicked'.

Instructional videos and topics please Gavin, I need to learn to improve my photography.

Hi Gav I agree with others we don't need another product review blog or technical advice. The problem you face is there are now so many others doing the same thing which has now got a little old & out dated . Maybe some new jokes instead of the old your face looks like .....and the selling of your book will turn people away . People don't like things being shoved in their face every 5 mins . Try street photography 📸 mix it up Gav ....portrait photography etc . Variety is the spice of life mate 👌 😍

Possible reasons. 1. You moved away from the Pacific Northwest around a year ago and your locations are not as inspiring. 2. Grumpy is no longer a regular. Many liked the person friendship and made people feel like they knew you. 3. You seem way less excited when you find a location.

I think you should do a mix of all of your suggestions so it stays varied please. We do miss Uncle Grumpy and I thought the scenery was better on the west coast but that is by the by now. Keep up the good work

I was looking for a new channel that is not gear or tutorial based, you came highly recommended as a fun and humorous channel about photography. Please we do not need any more gear channels, keep being yourself!