Strategic Direction: 2026
As we enter 2026, I am implementing important changes regarding my YouTube channel and the content ecosystem I provide.
As many of you know, first and foremost, I am a working professional photographer. Recently, the demand on the agency side of my business has grown significantly, with long-term contracts securing my schedule for the foreseeable future. This is excellent news, but it requires me to be pragmatic about how I invest my remaining time.
I have never been interested in playing the "YouTuber" game—chasing algorithms or producing superficial content just to fill a schedule. My passion lies in deep, technical accuracy. I am interested in the kind of engineering-level detail that helps you make better decisions, and the advanced photographic techniques that empower the dedicated expert to utilize equipment to its full potential.
To ensure I can continue delivering that level of quality without compromising my professional commitments, I am establishing a clear focus on depth over frequency.
I’m pleased to present you the new operational model:
1. New Live Seminars
I will be hosting high-level, deep-dive Live Technical Seminars. These will be substantial, lecture-style sessions covering specific technical and practical topics for those willing to go far beyond the basics of photography.
The "Live" Window: These streams will be open to the public while we are live (and for 24 hours afterward). This gives everyone a chance to learn and engage for free.
The Archive: After 24 hours, these sessions will move into the Seminar Archive. Only Channel Members with "Seminar Access" (Tier 2 and above) will retain permanent, on-demand access to this growing library of knowledge.
2. Restructured Channel Memberships
To support the production of these high-quality lectures, the channel membership structure is evolving into three distinct tiers:
Tier 1: Supporter (formerly labeled “Channel Membership”): This retains the priority chat badges but removes access to the video archive. This tier is for those who simply wish to support the channel's existence while enjoying priority replies to their comments and live chat contributions.
Tier 2: Seminar Access: This new tier grants full on-demand access to the Seminar Archive (the library of past and future lectures).
Tier 3: The Board: This exclusive tier provides "Strategic Partner" status. It includes all previous perks, plus a substantial 30% discount on all digital products in my shop, and premier opportunities to vote on upcoming Seminar topics.
All membership levels will also receive access to a yearly Channel Member Briefing, where I will discuss the year ahead, provide valuable industry insights, and share my personal equipment recommendations.
3. Specialized Resources & Store
I’m consolidating my written technical guides and reviews. While I will continue to discuss these topics publicly on YouTube, the detailed instructional data and "how-to" assets are moving to my online store as premium resources. These are designed for professionals who need reference-grade materials without the fluff.
Consequently, the legacy "Technique" and "Articles" sections of the website transition into a dedicated digital archive, accessible for a fee.
This shift allows me to stop "feeding the feed" and focus entirely on feeding your technical curiosity with the best possible information.
I want to thank you for being here. Whether you join the live sessions, become a Member, or simply read the blog, I appreciate your commitment to the craft.
Sincerely,
Thomas Eisl Photographer
