Last Updated on 11/02/2019 by Mark Beckenbach
Thomas Heaton shares some great advice in one of his latest videos.
Landscape photography is really one of the most enjoyable genres to practice. There’s nothing better than heading into the great outdoors, connecting with nature, and then being able to capture all of the beauty surrounding you. Landscape photography isn’t supposed to be stressful, but I hear more and more photographers complain about having to get this shot or that shot so that they can get the likes on social media. Thomas Heaton is a fantastic landscape photographer, and in one of his latest videos, he explains why it’s important to shoot without expectations, and why you should practice patience. Join us after the break to hear more.
One of the main reasons many of us got into photography is because it’s a ton of fun. Not only is it fun, but it also allows us to be creative in many different ways. The advent of social media has changed photography, though, and not all for the better. Often, we find ourselves thinking about what we can do to get that next banger of a shot, so we head out with a specific image in mind so that we may share it online. When that shot fails to materialize, we often end up feeling defeated and sometimes like a failure. It’s time for that to stop.
In his latest video, Thomas Heaton explains how he was putting so much pressure on himself to find the ideal location for the perfect image that it made him perform below his usual standards. The added pressure he was putting on himself also made him dislike his photography. I think we have all been there. We live in an age where instead of trying to do things for ourselves, we end up just trying to impress the millions of people on apps like Instagram (or in Thomas Heaton’s case, YouTube). Social media platforms are both a giver and a taker of joy, and at times, they can be exhausting.
I highly recommend you follow the advice of Thomas Heaton. When you go out to shoot, do so without expectations, and be patient. Instead of rushing to get one shot from one location, pick an entire area to explore, slow down, take it in, enjoy your surroundings and see what you can see. You’ll have much more fun, and you’ll be under less self-imposed pressure.
Go out and shoot images for you. Shoot what you like, forget about what Instagram’s algorithms want. If you don’t get a shot from that trip, no big deal, at least you got out and about and took in some fresh air. If you do see a scene you want to capture when the conditions are better, you’ll have somewhere to return. Photography is supposed to be enjoyable, and it shouldn’t be measured by an algorithm. Lose the expectations and just see what you can find. At just over 30 minutes, the video is a little longer than Thomas’s usual videos, but it’s well worth the watch. If you would like some extra tips on how to make your landscape images really sing, check out this handy tip sheet.
