I had wondered where your video was Tom. Really enjoyed this. Gear doesn’t matter but passion does and you have it in bucket loads! Here is to 2019 👍

Too funny mate ''I'd rather be out taking rubbish pictures''. Never a truer word was said. 95% of what we shoot is total crap and yes there is pressure to always be delivering the goods. One thing you'll always have Tom is your integrity. As long as you're happy with the content you create, that's all that matters. I was talking to Adam Gibbs about this and we both agreed that even if you don't capture a killer shot, the story of how you tried is what makes great content and people do love to see others out and about doing what they love. Inspiration is inspiration, whatever form it comes in.

And there he is, the Thomas I signed up for. Be true to yourself and they will come :-)

It's almost 2021. I just bought my first decent camera and after exhausting quite a few nerdy gear-related videos I've stumbled upon your channel. I sometimes fall into these niche YT rabbit holes that help me zone out, be at peace, and learn about my new hobbies. E.g. ambient guitar pedals, primitive technology, video game play-throughs, etc... I'm so happy you do what you do, and hope that if you ever feel discouraged again, know that these videos will live on forever and you never know what joy you will bring to the younger generations of curious and contemplative artists. - Sincerely, your new fan from Florida, Austin.

Five minutes in and I am so proud of you Thomas, This is why I have been following you for last 3 years. Honesty and being true to yourself always wins. Have an amazing and adventurous New Year!

Your one of the top KZfaq photography channels for a reason. Ignore negative comments! Trust your instincts 👍🏼👍🏼

"You'd be blessed to have any camera." Couldn't agree more. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

Thanks Tom for all that you've given me in the last year. Best wishes for 2019

You are always honest, disciplined, passionate and inspirational. That’s why I fell in love with this channel in the first place. In no way are those content boring to me. Sometimes people can be quite mean. I hope you have a great new year.

Way to go Thomas. Most of us watching cant afford the ££££ D850's, Z7, EOS R etc. Were watching because like you, we like going into the outdoors and wild places to trying and bring a little piece of the emotion we felt and saw back, to show others and remember it in years to come. Most of us with whatever photo gear we have. I get the feeling that if you strip away KZfaq, the KZfaq followers, guided workshops and if it wasn't your job, you would still be going into the outdoors and taking landscape photos. Your passion will guide you in 2019. Happy New Year.

So glad you’ve been able to resolve the conflicts that have caused you stress. Much of the reason I enjoy your channel is that the enjoyment of what you do comes through in your videos. I wish you well in the new year. No matter what camera you use your photographs are inspirational.

It's refreshing to hear such a real, down-to-earth perspective. Keep up the good work!

I think more people than you'd think watch the channel because they enjoy seeing what you have been up to and enjoy that content regardless of gear or even if you've taken a great photo or not. I have to admit, I've learnt a lot about photography from your channel, but mostly I just like your vids as they are a nice way to chill out on a Wednesday & Sunday evening

Really admire your frankness, honesty, and self-knowledge. Great video, and thanks for all the superb material this year. Have a fantastic 2019 and don't worry about missing an upload if the schedule is burning you out - we'll all be here for the next.

Happy New Year Tom, and many thanks for the thoughts and the words of encouragement for everyone going out, making images, and loving photography more than cameras.

“The best camera is the one in your pocket” as the saying goes. We all lose our way from time to time. Good for you in identifying it early and correcting the course. Keep walking. :-)

3 minutes in and I was like ready to support your attempts to review cameras because once in a while we all need some honest opinions... but then, I've been feeling it too as a multiple year watcher of your channel... the last several I found myself feeling like you were struggling for content and yes even questioning if I was going to continue to watch twice a week. So your feelings are true about the spirit of this channel. Here's what I get most from your channel in order of importance to me: 1) See what you see. I fancy myself a landscape photographer and I've always thought I had a pretty good eye, but then to see how you see compositions and can pull amazing shots out of nothingness is why I tune it to learn. 2) Your honest, low key, guy next door, zero judgement character... its like we could have been friends our whole life (I have a few years on you though). 3) your settings and methods, for example focus stacking I learned first from you. I'm alway curious, and I wish you did it more often, when you discuss your camera settings for each shot. THESE do so much better when you're in love and passionate about them, so thank you for coming back home. I will continue to watch twice a week :-)

"you'd be blessed to have any camera". Love that. ☺

Really happy to see you finding your way back to doing what you love. Great stuff! Getting to share that wonderful sensation of a warm meal, ever so slightly too late, on a cold and wet day almost makes me feel a bit warm on the inside myself. Capturing those moments really is something you do better than most anyone.

I don't care what camera you use... You are my inspiration to get my butt up and go out and get some photography... And I enjoy it to the limit.. Cheers Thomas.... Happy new year to you and looking forward to see more of you this 2019.... Feliz año nuevo mi amigo....

Never mind the camera, the pad to sit on is inspired!

That quarry wall really reminded me of the desert varnish in Utah, but with a really nice and cool color palette. The mossy hill and trees atop it really do give it a sense of life which is great. Also, it's great to see the clips of picking up the bits of rubbish left by others.

Mad respect bro! This is why I subbed your channel in the first place. Keep it up!

You know what I love Mr Thomas, almost as much as your images and adventures, is your down to earth honesty and integrity. And that image is subtle yet stunning - great work.

As ever, read our comments, consider them, but for your own sake don't let us control your direction too much. KZfaq comments are like ocean currents; sometimes we might carry your ship in the right direction, other times we might be opposed. You've steered the ship well so far, and I know you'll continue to do so. Thanks for staying true and honest to yourself and to us.

I stumbled across your videos when looking for inspiration and something to fill lonely hours spent on the sofa convalescing...... The camera was put in a cupboard. I became a sofa surfer, hooked on your videos and binged. Admired your honesty and your gentle humour and your passion. It gave me the chance to see places I might never get the chance to visit and learn how you create your beautiful images - the way you compose an image and how you are prepared to get soaked by waves, rain and rivers. You have inspired me and made me determined in 2019 to get out there and try landscape photography. You have nailed the truth Tom. Its not all about the perfect image. I took 2 years and 18 days to get a shot of a kingfisher. I practised on Red Arrows along the way. But what it taught me is that it is the journey and the passion for doing the thing you love. Its the friendship and companionship of others who make photography so rewarding. Its being one with nature and celebrating the seasons and the storms. The image is part of the journey but its the little bits along the way, from getting wet, to cursing when you have forgotten the spare battery and the person in the hide who helps with settings, that coalesce into the reward and joy of the final image. Keep doing what you do so well. Inspire, encourage and help us to become better photographers as we share your journey and you become part of ours. You got me through some dark, lonely months and now I can't wait to get out there. Thank you and I wish you, your camera and van many adventures in 2019.

This video is precisely why I love this channel. There are only a couple of places around KZfaq where photography content is driven by the final image. This channel is the king of those. When I watch your videos, Thomas, all I want to do is get out, experience nature and take photos that help me share what I feel when I’m out. A huge, huge thank you for that. Have a great 2019 and I look forward to what you share then!

Congratulations Thomas. You're back!! You have remembered why we all started following you. You took us to great locations and invariably took 1 or 2 great images. We follow you because of the way you are able to seek out good compositions and that's what we learn from you. Also remember, many of us enjoy landscape photography too and we all know from bitter experience that conditions when we go out are more often than not, not "epic". What is inspirational about your photography Thomas is that you are still able to make great images even when lighting conditions may not be great. Certainly true of the image in the quarry which was great. Keep up the great work!

Probably your best and most important video you have created Thomas. Very brave and true to yourself. Congratulations. Looking forward to the next couple of years of great down to earth photography from our leading landscape photographer (no pressure). You should be proud!

There he is!!! The reason I subbed this channel was for videos like this and although I enjoyed your videos up to now I have to say I'd certainly skip through or not bother after the first few minutes. This sounds like a really positive step and I'm looking forward to seeing where you go next. Happy New Year Thomas

Bravo Thomas. You can see the honesty and the genuine love for what you do in this video. Happy new year from Australia.

This is exactly why I started watching your videos- because your love for the outdoors and natures shines through and it's a joy to watch. I like hearing about camera technique and settings whilst out in the field but I totally agree- videos just talking about cameras are boring and unhelpful. Keeo up the great content and Happy New Year to you :)

Hooray Thomas, you're right, the camera doesn't matter.what matters is the enjoyment we get in the process of and the taking of the image.

He's back! And as a true English gentleman he brought an umbrella, you never know right ;) Stay outdoors Heaton, that is where you belong. Happy New Year!

Frankly...I did really enjoy you in front of the camera and expressing all the honestity you have within you,you thoughts,rechanneling yourself,putting yourself back together to be able to start a new year full of fresh new ideas.I did spend two days in THE LAKES too,right before new years eve and I came back home with the most beautiful sunset captured in my memory card.Such a great time, what a GIFT the Lakes had given me...Thanks Tomas for sharing your great vlogs and I wish you all the best for 2019!!

Just be you, enjoy what you do and continue presenting the reality of landscape photography. That's what I'm here to watch.

Dude. We may be anonymous KZfaqrs but we give a damn about what happens to you. All the Best for 2019!!!

"We blessed to have any camera." Respect!

Happy New Year to you, Thomas. I hope you enjoy the fresh start in terms of video philosophy. I actually wondered if I might see you or the van out in the lakes today after watching this, but alas not. All the best to you, keep getting out and about, and stay happy!

Welcome back ! I now realise what makes your videos so watchable is your enthusiasm,your skill,your honesty and seeing the risks you take to find what drives you. On the gear front...still find your van enviably fascinating!!

Although I've been a subscriber for over 2 years and watch every video, I very rarely comment as I think my comment would get lost amongst the hundreds you get. However, I relate to this video and wanted to say thanks for re-setting TH as it's your time in the landscape, seeing you find and capture compositions has certainly inspired me. I now have my own YT channel where I release videos mainly from the flat Fens, and am loving doing them, but would never want it to take over and make me feel pressurised to release content. Your morning there depicts Landscape Photography for me - relaxing, peaceful, being at one with nature and getting the odd keeper in a bonus! Thanks Tom

I started to unscribe a lot of channels which are only advertising gear (gear reviews) I‘m so happy that you aren‘t going to be just another ad-channel here on KZfaq.

Good thing to start in 2019! I was getting bored by every photographer out there starting to endlessly discuss camera and which one to use. But it's not about which gear you use, it's about being used to your own gear. And this channel is showing us the real landscape photography thing, being out there, enjoying the beautiful countryside and maybe oder maybe not having a nice picture afterwards. Go on!

Starting the new year right! Thank you for always being yourself. You have been a huge inspiration to me. Love your honesty. You have taught me to go out there and just have fun and love photography. Happy New Year!!💖

Thomas, you are not alone. I've been a photojournalist and a nature photographer off and on for forty years and the one question guaranteed to drive me nuts is "What camera did you use to take that picture." First off I don't take pictures I make them. Second off as you often point out any decent camera is fine as long as you actually know how to use it. And finally the camera does not deserve the credit for a good nature/landscape photo God does...and I might deserve a pat on the back from time to time as well. Lastly, I make part of my living running charter boat trips in Acadia National Park here along the Coast of Maine and I get a lot of photographers on board. If I've said it once I've said it 1,000 times, setting out on a photo trip always expecting to get great photos is a prescription for disaster. Enjoy the total experience and if some great photos result so much the better!

I enjoy the gear videos, as well as the non-gear ones

There are to many gear heads putting out gear reviews and all that. Your channel is awesome watching you in the field going out and doing what you do and taking us along. I don’t watch every video and I bounce around with what I watch but I’ve been a subscriber for a long time and I bing watch you stuff. I need to remember to hit the like button cause sometimes I forget. Always enjoy your content. I think trying to come up with content would be tough after awhile. Better to just do your thing and not worry about it quite so much.

Sometimes a walk in the woods is all it takes to clear your head and move forward with the things that actually matter. Happy New Year, and I hope to see you hit 1M this year...you deserve it!

I'm so glad to hear this Thomas. I haven't enjoyed the past couple of videos because you sounded so negative and didn't seem true to you. There's a million YT camera gear reviewers who do a bang up job at it. but there are so few who have your creativity and eye for photographer. I want to see more of your creative journey and images. I truly think you'll be so much happier doing what you love, rather than worrying about growing your channel with other types of content.

Thomas your channel is one of my favs! Excited to see what you bring us. But hey outdoor gear and van talks are always good!

Thank you for being so open with your own journey and experiences. It's a reminder for me to simply get out there with the gear I have and experience the world out there, and possibly capture an image of what I see and what calls out to me.

Never commented before, but I wanted to say that I'm glad you are doing what makes you happy. Sometimes we have to get a little lost to know what truly makes us happy. Thank you for inspiring me to have my own photography adventures. Hope you have a great new year!

Very honest and humble video. I, for one, appreciate all of your content but looking forward to seeing what you do in 2019, good luck & happy new year

Now your talking -- absolutely agree with directing your attention to photography and adventure.

Good to have You back from your lost ways. I love your quiet trips boosting with passion over an intimate composition in the Forrest or by the sea. Every image can’t be a portfolio bucket list shot. It’s the journey and process of getting an image we all love so much. Happy new year and thanks for sharing.

Also having commented on some of your latest gear related videos I was unsure of the path you were taking. Seeing and hearing you focus again on the stuff that really makes you different from other KZfaqrs renews my interest in your person as a photographer, your channel and your content. Your most interesting videos not only tell a story (as you said) but also describe the process behind it, which was always kind of educational and inspirational for me. Not only the fun parts but also the ugly and miserable parts. That is what inspired me to go out more often and think more about what I am doing in the field and why and not worry about the gear so much (and I love gear)! Thank you for your great attitude and all the inspiration! Have a great 2019!

Devil's advocate: I wouldn't scruple about diversifing content. At least, as a gear guy myself, I enjoyed the gear talk. If that's what's going on in your headspace, why not? At any rate, do what you enjoy.

Onwards & upwards doing what you love in 2019 Thomas . It's easy to get sucked into what you Think folk should want to watch , going back to your roots is a great way to end the year. Looking forward to more next year , wishing you & yours a Fabulous New Year x

Your honesty is awesome, raw and genuine! ! Your experience with gear videos was the way to find out what you didn't like. I don't think you've lost your way, you are discovering the grit that really drives you. Always an inspiration, Thank you Thomas.

YES! Do what you love man.. the OG Thomas Heaton vids are so soothing and meditative to watch. Can't wait to see what you've got coming!

HEY! HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT NEW GFX????? Just kidding. I appreciate you vocalizing what was deeply bugging me deep deep in my brain. I've always gone out to shoot for myself...but recently have been concerning myself too much with the pressure of future videos. Cheers. And keep doing what you're doing.

Tom I'll tell you what. I found your channel because of the EOS-R video. But I subscribed because of the outdoors / landscape videos. I never subscribe to camera review channels. Why would I? I bought my camera now I don't need to know about new ones until it's time to buy another new one. Probably a few years from now. On the other hand I have your landscape videos. I am really enjoying them and I'm going back through watching your old videos. In other words. Throw some gear in once a year or every six months to get new peoples attention but keep the core content coming because that's what gets us to stay. P.S. Tom when you record audio in a quiet van please put your phone on airplane mode. Can hear the signal.

So happy to see you going back to your roots and finding the joy in photography again. I noticed you included more sounds and b-roll. I can see your cinematic style developing in your videos. We're all very fortunate to have you in the photography world. You're one of a kind.

Happy New Year! Was good to see your thoughts and struggles about gear, the meaning of photography and your own passion. Keep on doing as you think, honesty is rare and precious.

Well done. Your humility is a large part of what makes you such an inspiring artist. I always look forward to your next video and will continue to do so with increasing respect and curiosity. So many gear reviews and tests out there - stay with those rare things you do so well: Feeling and seeing. And your unique, intelligent descriptions.

Glad to see you back at what you do best (and what attracted me to your channel).

Happy new year. Don’t worry about what camera you use. It’s the pictures and methodology we watch plus your approach. Have fun and make great photos.

Really enjoyed this post, I enjoy your channel Thomas, best of luck for 2019 and look forward to seeing more.

I love the earlier stuff but I do enjoy the van stuff, the camping bits and the gear stuff. Maybe one video old style and one different one each week ???? It's all good Thomas.

Thanks for bringing the channel back to the basics! Cheers..

Thanks Thomas! I been missing your out and about photography videos. Videos like these inspire me so much more then those about technical stuff. Happy new year to you!

This is why I LOVE your videos so much. Your honesty. Your humility. Your passion for photography. In a field full of videos from "photo bros," your channel is an inspiration that never fails to get me out in the world taking photos. Thank you for that.

‘You’re lucky to have any camera....’ Ahhh! There you are! Wondered where you’d got off too! Like your content. LOVE your images. Cheers.

Today you reached the point, you are an inspiration for most of your followers as for me too , I started to be interested in all of the history around each photo and all your techniques to improve the results, about the camera it’s clear for everyone that a good camera helps a lot, but there are lots of people that follow you to learn how to go out and take good times photographing, even with entry level cameras, I think the pleasure comes from the techniques learned from you and the contact with nature that you inspire. Please, give us always a Photo in each video even if you don’t like the results, some of us hope always to see the result of each video in a photo! As you do your best, sometimes even the worst results can be used by you to show us what can happen in certain conditions that are not the best conjunction for a good photo! Wish You all the best in the new year!

Loved this video! I subscribe to your channel, but some how missed this video! For me, as a photographer and fellow human being it’s nice to see a video that brings me back to some basic reasons as to why I go out and shoot. I love the adventure, Mother Nature, and the feel of a camera in my hands. A few years ago I gave up on expectations of trying to get the perfect image & realized that for me perfection is an illusion. My images are much more enjoyable to me, and shooting for myself, that’s really all that matters. Another viewer liking & even buying my work is an added bonus. A Big Thank You! A belated Happy New Year!

Thomas - you are really a breath of fresh air for me and my photography. Thanks for sharing your journey.

Good for you, Thomas. I think that you are at your best when it's just you, hiking somewhere whilst taking some photographs. There are enough people out there reviewing gear, we don't need more of that. I'd prefer a video of you taking photographs, with good or bad weather, any day of the week. That's what inspires me to go out and shoot more often. All the best for 2019, that you may keep following your heart.

Well done, Thomas! You ended your year with a terrific video. You're absolutely right; you're camera doesn't matter. I'm so happy you have "gone back" to find your true place and to what matters: making compelling, engaging, and beguiling _photographs._ I was also out yesterday photographing the sunset over San Francisco from Treasure Island with two friends. It was a beautiful evening, we actually had clouds, so we had lovely color. We were shooting with Canon, Nikon and Fujifilm, but there was virtually no discussion about what camera anyone was using; it was just about three friends being out together and photographing a beautiful evening. I didn't come away with my best-ever San Francisco from Treasure Island sunset shot, that's fine, but...it was just great being out shooting on a beautiful evening with friends. Remember: technology is transient, art is timeless. No one cares what brushes Vermeer used to paint _The Girl with the Pearl Earring"._ Best, Stephen

Thomas, wishing you a very happy new year. Glad you've got your Mo Jo back. You are dead right. A camera is just a box that captures light. It's what you decide to capture is what matters. The more I see you taking photos, the more I want to do the same. Keep them coming in 2019.

Hi Tom, nice to see you back ! All the best for 2019 !

I’ve really become a huge fan of yours lately. Binge watched over 30 videos. You have a very unique personality and I love watching your videos. Weirdly enough, when I watch your videos, it’s like talking to a friend. I love watching your videos because I want to see YOU! See what shot you may capture, see the beautiful places you go to. Keep being you. Don’t let social media get to you. That being said, I still like some gear videos like talking about how you print your prints on a Canon printer or maybe a particular good travel tripod. So as a viewer, it would be nice if you still mentioned some great camera accessories you use.

Your Intro was in my humble opinion Spot On. I have felt like saying something in the comments on your last few Videos but that sort of felt , well not my place. Bit like an apprentice questioning the Master. BUT now you have raised the lid on the subject here's is my opinion. You got me into Landscape photography and it was your out in the field enthusiasm that did it. Now I know you are becoming much more than just a KZfaq Vlogger. International photography lectures, Workshops, new house etc , your workload is growing and growing so the pressure on you to produce a weekly Vlog must be immense. So the odd Office based video on gear well i'll accept that but yes the channel has lost just a tad of its shine recently and you can tell that you were not that enthused in delivering those videos. Glad you made this and i'll be following and watching. Happy 2019

Thank you for getting back to the type of content that inspires me to take photos. Seeing your work really drives me to do better. Thank you

What a glorious moody shot. Well done. Thanks for what comes across as a brutally honest and very personal video. Really enjoying your channel so truly hope you’ll find your mojo again. It’s really all about being out there enjoying what you do. Everything else will follow from there. Good luck for 2019.

YES, YES!!!! THANK GOD :) I reeeeally miss this. I did love to go outdoors to shoot landscapes when I lived in UK 2 years ago (Lake District, Peak District, Northumberland, Cornwall and sooo many amazing locations) When I saw you there I had a very special feeling, it was wonderful living through you moments very similar to the ones I had had myself. Thomas thanks for being back. I missed this. I reeeally hope you become again my number one channel. You already have with this video!! Have a great New Year mate :)

I don't think you need to appeal to "Nikon and Fuji people" You only need to appeal to photographers who are passionate on Landscape. I've been using my D7000 for 7 years now and I'm still happy with it: It's more about adventures and experiences

Spread the word,,,,Thomas Heaton is back!!! Favorite video of the year!!!!

Welcome back. Good year ending as you are being seen here 3 min before new year. Happy new year Tom.

Very honest and one of your best videos this year. Looking forward to your content in 2019.

I really don't know how you manage to film such a great vlog in the morning and put it out in the evening!!! Really enjoyed this video Tom, we generally couldn't care less about the gear, technical stuff etc. life's too short and the view in front of the camera is much more important than the camera itself. It's your honesty, passion and character that has always drawn us to your videos in addition to your sublime photography, and to be honest you could make a video about photographing a blank wall with an iPhone and we'd probably still love it! Hope you have a very happy new year! Sam.

I watched your videos since you started filming back in 2014. You've inspired me and so many other photographers that it's not about the gear, its about the experience and enjoying nature. I'm really glad you made this video. Cheers to a new year!

Good for you Thomas! KZfaq is all about experimentation, reassessing and re-evaluating. Keep up the amazing work, whatever direction you head in!

As a chap a fair bit older than you Tom I learned a long time ago that you cannot please everyone all the time and your as important as any of them. Do what you do best matey and enjoy yourself. Makes for better content no matter what subject your covering as long as you have passion for it. I've not seen a shyte video yet to be fair I e enjoyed them all, have a splendid new year 😀

Very bold video mate, don't sweat it too much though. Your content quality is still evident and we'll all look forward to you sharing more of what you want to share.

I recently joined you fan club :) Your brutal honesty and change of direction is uplifting to say the least. I loved your videos from start to finish. Even if medium format camera was never an option for me I got a lot from the recent video. How to get the settings right what to look for in the compositon. So don´t be to harsh with yourself. I think you tried it and realized it is not for you and moved back to your "purpose" It is a joy to watch thie intimate moments how a photograph is really created. You document really well the story behind it . Have a great 2019!

After a couple weeks I had to watch this video again. One of my absolute favorites. I am really happy that you returned to the origin of this channel. This video really gives me joy in finding simple compositions. Keep it like this. Thanks Thomas

Bravo. I know as a content creator you need to experience constant growth and maintain a rigid release schedule to be able to receive a steady stream of income when this is your profession. So going back to your roots and sticking with creating content you're passionate about may be the more challenging path, but I think in my opinion the best thing for your channel. No one can ever take away from you the fact that you have inspired many individuals like myself to go out and experience nature and if you're lucky come back with a nice image or two. No one gets inspired by the folks sitting in an office talking about gear. Lastly, when it comes to KZfaq comments remember this: "Those who "can't" criticize those who "can". Happy 2019 Tom.

I absolutely LOVE your introspection. For me, photography has always been about emotion and feeling. I love that you were able to be a little vulnerable and share your failures and losses as well as your successes. I am guessing that you will look back on this video as a turning point. Thank you, thank you. It feels right again.

FINALLY! I'm glad your reflecting, let's get back to having fun and enjoying our time outdoors!

Nice recovery. I am delighted that you got the “gear” message out. So many of the people I know count pixels, and focus points,and ... the list seems never ending. Being out and part of the world is so much more important. Well done sir. Geoff B