A PASSSION PROJECT

WHAT’S SO GOOD ABOUT HIKING & THE GREAT OUTDOORS ANYWAY?

• I get such a buzz by witnessing truly awe-some natural scenery;
• It’s great exercise – so keeps me fit 🙂
• I often go walking with others – so it’s a great way of socialising and catching up with people
• Often there are no phone signals in the wilds – so it’s a good chance to unplug from the digital world, have a break and recharge 
• I usually do a new walk every time – so it’s exciting to discover lots of new & interesting places 
• And finally the fresh air, natural surroundings, sweeping vistas, and awesome views are a great tonic for the mind – I always feel better, refreshed, recharged and uplifted after being in the outdoors

There is something really special about being amongst natures great landscapes – all I can say is it just lights up something inside of me and always makes me feel good. I hope my photos get across in someway this special feeling of being amongst nature’s awe-some beauty

WHAT PLACES I BLOG ABOUT:

PHOTOGRAPHIC STYLE & EQUIPMENT

I’m not a pro-photographer and photography is just a hobby I’ve had for many years. I’ve learned by myself through trial and error, and to all those fellow photography enthusiasts out there – I’d still say most the photos I take are still duffs, with a few gems in amongst them I just take loads of pics and usually end up with some keepers – which is my advice to anyone – be snap happy and don’t get too disheartened when a lot don’t work out.

My photography equipment is quite basic, and to be honest for the purposes of blogging and travelling light, I’m increasingly drawn to use good compact cameras and my iPhone that I can just whip out and take pics with quite quickly. People sometimes ask – “what camera do you use? It must be an expensive one?” thinking it’s the equipment that makes something look good, when I’d say the most important thing is being able to recognise a good view when you see it and the true photography skill is having a good eye for composition ie. how you compose the scene in your lens – that’s the key skill for any photographer to learn I feel (how do you learn that – well just assess the photos you love and be analytical and try and work out what’s good about them from a composition and subject point of view)

In terms of my style, well I’d say I don’t really have one! It’s just important for me to have my photos looking quite naturalistic and true to what the eye see’s – I’m more concerned with showing a landscape in all it’s glory – rather than showing off a particular personal style. I’m no fan of over processed, filtered or digitally manipulated images that look like they belong more on a computer game rather than being a reflection of reality and the actual experience, and that’s important for me, because increasingly my trips into the outdoors are more about the experience and enjoying the outdoors. Some people like to go into the outdoors to get a photo of a particular view, get all set-up for a dramatic sunrise/sunset – and if the money shot doesn’t happen – it’s mission failed and disappointment. That used to be sometimes, now it’s all about just having a good time in the outdoors, being snap happy, accepting whatever happens and if I can grab a few good photos for the memories and to share with others – then bonus!