Really well put Tom. Completely agree - everyone has a right to be there. Doesn’t make it any less frustrating though... 🤦‍♂️ I have to say that in the lakes this week I found there to be a lot of very considerate photographers 👍

@ThomasHeatonPhoto

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks dude. I heard you were knocking about the Lakes. We must have missed each other by a couple of miles.

@NigelDanson

5 жыл бұрын

Thomas Heaton yep - running workshop - stunning few days.

@robcarr1899

5 жыл бұрын

Awesome looking tripod. I'm no professional by any means so i know that some guys who are have a proper attitude when they see me with my canon 70d or 1200 d. They look at me with a disgusted look as if to say HA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? One guy even took the time to speak to me. He said I STARTED OFF WITH A WATER PISTOL TOO, BUT NOW I'VE GOT A PROPER JOB. I just smiled and hoped he'd drop his camera in the sea. I dont like to ask folk to move. I just find another competition untill the coast is clear. Great video again Tom thanks.

@robcarr1899

5 жыл бұрын

Sorry i ment ANOTHER COMPOSITION.

@AlexBerger

5 жыл бұрын

This sentiment from both of you guys is part of why I enjoy your content and approach so much. The photography community, as with any, is so heavily influenced by the mentors and voices folks look to. Living and showcasing / teaching and advocating for a relaxed and friendly inclusive humble approach is as powerful as it is valuable. Thank you!

Thomas, you made my day in the last video. You should never apologize for being kind and giving photographers a good name.

Just shows why you are so admired… a more recent video where you took care to move around a beach to not leave footmarks was just incredible to see. Respect Tom.

You're a gentleman....total respect you for your comments....makes me appreciate your work more !

I really admire how humble you are. And I even saw tears in your eyes when they came in your shot which I can completely understand. Keep up the good work...

Your Character is the best picture you can share with the world, Thomas. I'm a subscriber before the first 10.000 and i'm glad you have not change since then! Your love and respect for the surroundings is still the same! Keep up the great work! Cheers from Greece. 🤗🤗🤗

Love your comments on gear and people. Cheers

Thank you for reminding all of us that character is the true measure of a person, regardless of their station in life.

I have watched everyone of your videos and admire you as an artist. But today, my respect for you grew several folds...

Great advice Tom. Good to stay humble and also allow others to enjoy the landscape as much and we do.

Such respect and humility... you’re a good guy Thomas Heaton

🧡 Enduro Tripods. Bought the travel tripod (GTT204M2) last year. I’ve had the 304 carbon fiber version for 5 years. Sturdy, no maintenance, and east to take apart and clean. The one you have is a monster !

Great to see the patience and humility to accept that you're not entitled to take the shot. In an era of instant gratification and point and shoot photos, it's nice to see someone exhibit the patience or simply accept that you may not get the shot on that day. As for the knackered Manfrotto tripod, try carefully drilling the old bolts out and should be able to find some replacements. Keep up the great content Tom, great job

You are right. And I remember how cautious your where in one of you're earlier videos ... when you did your best not to put your tracks in the sand on the beach ... Nice of you! To be polite, and care about other photographers! Thumbs upp!

@ThomasHeatonPhoto

5 жыл бұрын

Ah yes, I must return to Harris. Beautiful beaches :)

@kingkenny2635

5 жыл бұрын

Completely agree. Stay true to you Tom 👍

I love how humble you are Thomas! Great inspiration :)

For many many years, I've used the same Manfrotto that you used to use. Manfrotto makes spiked feet for it, which have the added advantage of also letting you use rubber feet. Since this is my only tripod, I can use it with spikes in grass or with rubber on the wood floors of my house. Weight is the biggest issue for me, so I prefer the lighter weight of the Manfrotto. I also strap it to the side of my bag and it fits nicely into one of the side pockets, which the Induro will not do. I occasionally have needed the center pole, and shoot at a very fast shutter speed to compensate. Finally, you can put the Manfrotto to the ground by sliding the center pole up and to the side. It's a bit awkward but its workable. I also rinse it off with fresh water after every trip where it might have picked up mud or salt.

This is how i feel about things, as a wildlife/macro photographer you get what you get, you can't always control everything, its the challenge of getting the shot that makes the whole process worthwhile.

Good for you sir! I love your perspective!

Had similar experiences. Last year other “professional” got too close to a snowy owl nest. Scared them away ruining it for every one. Many experiences with others moving in front of every one else. Your comments are right on.

Thomas, I’m so glad you said exactly how I feel about that crowd! They’re the primary source of litter too!!

THANK YOU. I was literally SHOVED out of the way by some older dude with a big camera at a public viewing platform. He walked up and just pushed me aside so he could stand where I was. Seriously. These guys still exist and where they are mouthy to men they can be more physically demanding to women, esp small women when they think they can get away with it. I told him off and made him move, but it sticks with me. What would have happened if we'd have been alone. He didn't even ask me to just move for a moment, which I would have done. He just wanted to be where I was, where I'd gotten up early to be.... , and I'd not been there long, never mind hours. He just walked up and pushed me to stand there. You are completely right. It is selfish to think a photographer is the only one who has the right to anywhere out in nature. Yet a polite request for just a quick minute out of the way is totally fine. I even often offer and stand aside when I see someone trying to get a shot. As long as they aren't set up expecting us all to wait hours without enjoying the spot ourselves. Thank you for teaching good behaviour.

@ErynKnight

3 жыл бұрын

That's atrocious behaviour. He's not worth your time dwelling on him. Everyone should respect each other and you were obviously prepared to share your spot. Some people eh? Keep doing what you do and keep being awesome!

Wow! Heaton bought something that I’ve been using for 3 years now. I am really happy about my Induro GIT304L. I’ve got two of the bases: one for landscape and panoramas and the other for my wildlife setup, with the Wimberley head mounted to it. I truly love the fact that you can completely disassemble and clean it. TMI, but I’ve had a few showers with that tripod now. You will really enjoy this piece of kit Thomas.

Nice to hear your thought process of asking people to move. I probably would've been patient as well. My ears perked up when you mentioned Hunts. I grew up a couple towns away from their first location which started as a pharmacy. There's quite a bit of history in the company....clipped from their website: Begun as a pharmacy in 1889 and acquired by pharmacist Solomon Farber in 1952, Hunt's began building its camera business during the 1950s under the visionary leadership of Solomon's son, Jack. As interest in photography grew, Hunt's began shifting its emphasis from the pharmacy business to the business of cameras and accessories. By 1993, imaging equipment became Hunt's primary focus. Last time I was there, the pharmacy was still a small part of daily operations.

Another great wee video Tom and I think deep down a lot of us are a bit shy when it comes to asking strangers to kindly move or pose or whatever but handled absolutely correctly. New tripod looks fab and indeed very stable, good luck, may you get many happy years from it, thanks for sharing.

Totally understand where you're coming from Thomas! Thankfully I live in an area where people are super nice and won't mind moving for a few moments so I can get a shot! I've stood in the middle of a street with my tripod( it wasn't that busy of a street) but when cars passed me they all waved and said hi! I think it all just matters on the culture and environment you're in at the time! Love your work! Keep it up!

Hi Thomas! As always, great content! Your are my greatest inspiration for getting out for photography and you have helped me so much on my own small journey trying to capture great images. This might be the first time I slightly disagree with something you said. Not about avoiding being an entitled, big-tripodded photographer, but about asking people to move. Albeit dependent on the situation, asking a few people to move to get the shot does not fall into that category. I find that if you ask politely people are more than happy to move and most often it's because they didn't notice that they were in the shot. If, however, this is what people are actually thinking about me when I ask, I might stop doing that. Anyway, your deeper message about not owning the landscape, I fully endorse!

Really like all your videos Thomas! You've inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and try to film my own blog. We'll just have to see how it works out. Thanks again and keep the great videos coming!

A sane and sensible attitude to photography and life.

I admired your attitude towards those other photographers- you are a true gentleman. Well done!

I've used a couple of Induro tripods for several years and can confirm that they are great and reliable long term. The twist clamp connections are also really easy to disassemble and clean and you won't have any corrosion issues with them as they are all plastic and carbon fibre.

Absolutely spot on Tom.

I recently picked up a smaller Induro Stealth. Without a doubt, best tripod I have ever owned

I've used your new tripod's little brother for about seven years and I think you'll come to really appreciate it. I've never had a problem, it's rock solid and I love mine. FYI that removable center core allows you to replace it with something known as a centering column, which is probably more interesting for video than still, but it lets you level the camera on the tripod without the hassles of trying to tweak each leg and getting it right. all in all, a good purchase if you ask me.

Really enjoyed last weeks video Thomas! It was initially bugging me you wouldn't bother politely asking them to scoot because they almost certainly would and probably wouldn't think much of it.... but you really changed my opinion shortly after when you clarified that they have just as much a right to be there as you do. I think you explained yourself perfectly well the first time around but thanks for sharing your story! It's a good part of why I think your photography channel does so well! Keep it up, hope to see you in the field some day!

I am planning to get the MT055CXPRO3. What are your views about it?

Well said. I've run into photographers on both ends of the spectrum and the good ones are always so much better to be around.

Very very well said Tom, a great example to us all

Very enjoyable and informative video, most of all your pertinent message about sharing the scenery. Nice to hear you found a good tripod at Hunt's Photo & Video; I first purchased from them back in the 1980's and 90% of my current gear is from their Manchester, NH store. I always look forward to seeing your next video.

Im with you on this Thomas

I have the same one and love this tripod, use it for both my gimbal head with my 500 f/4 prime and my landscape gear.

Thomas, you lucked out on your tripod choice. I did lots of homework and have the same one (My wife and I share 3 Induro sticks of different sizes.) We had a quiver of RRS sticks and heads that have all been sold and replaced with Induro Sticks and three different brand heads: 1 for ball head (Arca Swiss Monoball), 1 for gimbal (Mongoose 3.6 Gimbal Head), 1 for pan/tilt (Manfrotto 405.). I have the ball head mounted on the standard base plate, pan tilt mounted on a center column and the gimbal on a leveling base. All of them drop right in that awesome wide stable module Grand base. It is the best "System" we have found and have a lot of hours pounding them into submission in pursuit of the shot😎🤙 Our Induro sticks spend time in knee deep salt water which we try to rinse before collapsing them if we can find a beach shower. After a while, I find they are very easy to pull apart and drop the whole kit in a warm bath to soak. Keep up the good work. Oh, yea! I find it easier to clone out than confront. I am personally glad to see people out enjoying the scene I am trying to capture and feel saddened if I am the only one around to enjoy it. My wife and I were shoulder to shoulder, tripods nested with 30 other photographers taking a sunrise shot of Mesa Arch, we both got fantastic shots, but the best part was talking with photographers from around the world. Enjoy life, enjoy people, and get the shot if you can.

Thankfully most Photographers I meet are polite with an awareness of others and the surroundings, and so it should be.

Thomas, you are a good example. Unfortunately in this day an age people rarely consider others, it's refreshing to hear your attitude, good on you. cheers.

Wonderful first class response Thomas ..... as we say in Italian ... Alla grande ! Sei proprio un bravo esempio.

Nicely put words regarding some other photographers and people being in a shot. Be we photographers, tourists, walkers or whatever we are all equal and no more important than anyone else. I think it’s important to respect others and the landscape itself. The tripod looks like it would be very stable, think you made a good purchase there 👍🏻

Great comment about “owning” the scene. Also, my experience is that for every situation where a person is “in the way” I have 25 cases where people graciously, and on their own, move out of the shoot.

Totally agree with you Tom, and you just confirmed my already great opinion of you! Great attitude!

Well said. Everyone has a right to be there but they also have a duty to be considerate of others. Asking politely to be able to get the shot is a reasonable request in my book and I am also very aware of other photographers when I get to a site. There's enough room for everyone if we are just considerate!

You are right on with your regard to asking people to move and the aggressive photographer.

Thomas, I have the same Manfrotto tripod as your old one. If you ever fix it, you could also change the feet for rubber feet with retractable spikes (Manfrotto 204SPK3). The spikes are a little short and, because they’re threaded to allow movement of the rubber domes, you need to keep them clean. But otherwise I’ve found them to be a decent upgrade to the tripod.

I didn't read the comments on the last video, but I totally understood where you were coming from. I was glad you got your shot too!

You know... I'm the type to plonk down a massive sentry gun type tripod, and I totally have the massive car to go with it. BUT I love nothing more than talking with amateur photographers. I do talk about gear, and swap stories, but I love amateurs the best. They're just starting their journey and whether it's a hobby for them or they're learning it as a profession, they ALWAYS remind me why I got into it. Their enthusiasm, and their totally fresh perspective is amazing to listen to and learn from. I've lost count of the amount of times some self-described newbie has blown my mind with the little tricks they thought of or their innovations that solve problems we as professionals just aren't aware of. It's brilliant. We should all take the time to enjoy the photography and learn from one another, otherwise it's just a race to the bottom, and that's no fun at all. Love your videos Thomas, best wishes.

very good points, I once rappelled off Corona arch and the great thing is there are many different angles to photograph it. When encountering a group of people at a famous site or location I've found it can be a great opportunity to challenge yourself to compose the image more uniquely, (.e wider anger, differs view point, long exposure, etc)

Very glad to hear your take on photographer entitlement to location from last weeks video. I was surprised at how many replies there were in that last video that seemed to suggest the photographers use of these locations is some how primary to anyone elses use. I know you've said Nick was very polite when he asked the group to move, and I think that's a fine approach if you can strike the right tone and circumstances. But it also seemed clear to me from his facial expressions in that vid that he felt less deferential towards them than you did. I think I prefer your instincts to Nicks, I hope you don't start to compromise on that too much.

You are so right. Thanks for sharing.

Good choice of tripod Thomas! I think you'll be happy with it over the long haul. I purchased a similar Induro tripod several years back and it has served me very well. Never had any quality issues with it and it's still working as it did the first week I had it. I wouldn't hesitate to by another Induro product in the future.

You couldn't be more on parr. So very true. Before I took the hobby up, I didn't like getting that look from some person asking me to move for a shot, But wants u clean away from area, for many minutes. They feel like they own even my time. So well said.

I totally agree. Your enjoyment was getting a shot, theirs was the enjoyment of being there. You being there wasn't spoiling their view, so it's right to wait. You can usually tell who is a good photographer no matter whether they are using an iPhone or a Hasselblad. They take time to compose a shot.

Great video Thomas!

A special like for the first part of the video.. Being a humble human being is more important than getting an image.

Well said life’s too short to stress about having fun. There will be other opportunities for sure. Nice tripod I’m sure it will treat ya right. Thanks for sharing

Very practical. I’m a fan of you now 🧡

You are a great ambassador for landscape photography.

Tom, I really appreciate your thoughts on the situation in the last video - I think its a very good application of the golden rule - all to rare these days. Also, I've had that model Induro for a while and think its great. I hope it serves you well.

I bought my first tripod at Hunt's Photo back in 1988, a Bogen 3001 with a 3 way head. I paid a good price for it and believe it or not, I still have the tripod and it still works like the day I bought it!

Crazy, years back I bought an 055 Magfiber (similar to your 055) and about a year ago I bought a Induro GIT404XL. Just like you, I realized how insanely stable it was nearly instantly. I think you'll be happy with it. I'm just a little sad, as its hard to travel with mine. I have to take checked bag for short trips because of the length, but I may buy a GIT305L if I see a great price and keep short trips to carry on. One other thing, their warranty is second to none. A quick call and a picture, and they send you a replacement segment to bolt on. Great company.

Loving the look of the new studio. Some acoustic treatment when you get a moment would really help. I am with you on not moving the people who were "in the way". I have just come back from Whitestable Bay, I had a lovely composition in mind but there was a family having a picnic right where I wanted to stand. I wouldn't ever dream of asking them to move. Keep up the good work.

Very nice to hear a viewpoint like your explaining Very rare now for sure Respect my friend

Much respect! You are a true gentleman.

Fantastic tripod Thomas, I have the same model and love it. A favorite among wildlife photographers as it became obvious as an alternative to Gitzo at half the price.

I enjoyed your explanation about asking people to move. I am also reluctant to do that and totally agree with you that they have as much right to be there as I do. Sometimes, though people are rather unthinking and/or just unaware that there are photographers trying to shoot the scene they are blocking. No matter what, it's tricky, and Nick did an admirable job. Nice solid tripod, the Induro, though it looks like the legs are spread a little wide when it's closed up. It certainly looks solid as a rock. Cheers, Bob.

I always try to be aware of what's going on around me and I often, not always, initiate conversation with other photographers to determine if I'm in their way, and then we work something out that makes us all happy.

Thomas, a little blue Loctite (non-permanent thread sealer) will do the trick on the screw-in tripod feet. It works the keep them from coming out accidentally, but is non-permanent if you need to swap-out for the spikes.

Thank you.....thank you ....thank you .... first 5 min = most valuable lesson ever !!!

When I got back from Moab, I definitely had non-buyers remorse because I didn't pick up one of the Induro tripods. I was going to try to put off purchasing another tripod for another six months or so but my current tripod decided to self retire. I ended up buying a different tripod but the ones at the conference really looked and felt nice. I'm glad you got one and i hope it gives you years of useful service.

I second the recommendation for Hunt's. They're my local store here and they've always treated me fairly well.

Hi Tom I’ve had an Induro tripod for about 7 years & it’s great.

Nice shout out to Hunt's Photo! I've been a customer of theirs since they were in Malden Ma (now many locations). First class people and originization!

Your comments were wonderful. Kindness is its own reward.

I hear what you're saying about asking people to move although I was surprised when you mentioned in the previous video that they were all photographers. With that in mind they should have had the knowledge to keep out of someone else's shot, especially as they were so close by and could see you both standing there with tripods set up and waiting. It's not about owning the place, it's just courtesy. You've travelled a long way and hiked there with your gear as the other people did so surely they would understand. Thankfully they did in the end and were fine about it. Best of luck with the new tripod - it looks a beast!

man that is one big tripod! :O thanks for sharing all this beautiful content with us! really enjoyed watching this

I have to agree with you. I'll typically wait patiently for people to move. I either go really long exposure if they are milling around and hope they don't show up, or try to get them where I can remove in post. However, a couple of times, if it was just one or two people, I have asked them to move just long enough to get the shot and thank them when they do. I'm very polite and ask nicely.

Thomas you are a great photographer, with first class manners! There is nothing wrong with that and you should be proud! Keep up the good work. Very nice looking tripod by the way!

the spikes are awesome, I used for mine Locktite to keep them secure....!

Love it. Great observational content (made me laugh) and a good straight forward review.

I've only ever asked people to move one time. I was taking one of the best images of my life, a singular sunset at the Grand Canyon. I had studied the weather in general for a couple years and in that season specifically for two weeks to pick the right day to drive over from Los Angeles. It was a once in a lifetime perfect weather situation. There was a couple sitting in the frame. There was really only one spot for the right composition. I politely explained the situation and asked for two minutes. They obliged. I think it's ok if it's a rare enough circumstance but when I mean rare I say I've been shooting landscapes for more than a decade and I've only ever done it once.

Thank you for saying that, Thomas. I've encountered "that type" of photographer several times, and I always have a similar reaction, and fear that everyone else will associate me with them, simply by the fact that I have a camera. It's a bit irrational, but still a fear. Anyway, thanks for sharing. It truly made me feel like less of an outcast.

You get a long way in life with a smile and asking politely =) I was very skeptic when you bought that light benro tripod but congrats with the new “heavyweight” =)

I enjoyed listening to your personal thoughts on people being in the way, I think it reasonable to ask politely if people can temporarily move especially if the shot is moment specific....it can be done if a quip or charm . If they won't then a "fair enough " and a smile and no one is none thd worse.

by the smile on your face i know you had someone in mind when you were telling about those photographers. but Thomas, what a big tripod you have.

Well said, Thomas. Consideration for others.

Totally get this. What I encoutered on Isle of Skye is the other way around. A lot of tourists see someone with a tripod setting up, so there must be a beautiful photo there. And they just walk up to you, right in front of your camera, because you know "it'll only take a minute"...

Well said. Much respect.

Well done Tom, I have the exact same tripod (from Dale Photographic) and agree with your conclusion about its stability. One word of warning though, don't undo the leg locks too far. I did this once on the Montparnasse building in Paris, the leg came apart and a very important looking shim fell out and disappeared down a decking gap! Having said that I got a new one, from the very helpful Induro UK people :-)

I had one and I loved it, very good tripod for the money. Great in rivers!

You're a good man, Charlie Brown. 🙂

Funny you mention and show the Hawaii lava flow by the ocean. I'm often out there by myself for several hours set up in a spot where the only way anyone can be in front of me is if they're quite possibly going to die and it never fails come sunrise someone does it. That's why 99% of the time I hike somewhere so difficult to reach there's no chance of ever seeing another human being. If you go to the ocean entry from sunrise to sunset it's going to be crowded. Especially when its easy to reach. Those ropes are often set ridiculously far back. Up until recent years, they never roped ocean entries off. Where those two women were sitting wasn't any more dangerous than where you were at the rope at that time but, they shouldn't have done that while others are trying to view the ocean entry. But, it's not for you, me or anyone else other than park rangers to be policing what others do out there. If I know its a rare opportunity for a shot I'll politely ask people to move for a minute or two. Only on a rare occasion do I have to throw anyone over the cliff into the ocean :-) It's the idiots who show up and spend the entire time talking loudly to each other or on the phone that is annoying. Worse yet, tour groups and the obnoxious tour guide. When shooting video I often polity ask anyone near me if they could give me 30 seconds of quiet so I can get a short clip. Only if I was already there when they arrived or it's not a huge crowd. I thank them and we all enjoy the outing. I've been shooting there since 1991 so, I know what's coming every sunrise at the ocean entries unless its just so far of a hike I'll be alone. The good old days it was just me, myself and I at ocean entries. No lava now so, no worries on crowds. Bottom line, if it's easy to reach expect crowds and many annoying people so, hike where others won't go. I've made a career doing just that. Both of those tripods are huge...Wait until you hit 50. Your tripod won't weigh more than 3 lbs.

Love your approach. Way too many people think that a camera gives me special rights above others

You know, I love the outro music you have on your videos...I always listen to the end just to enjoy it...Doing my part to up your audience retention stats ;)

I appreciate your patience, it’s a characteristic of a very good landscape photographer but I like Nick’s approach. It’s how you ask people that defines whether you’re acting like an entitled douche bag or a polite photographer that was in the middle of a timely setup. Nice explanation and congrats on the new tripod. Looks like a winner! Cheers!