SO WHAT’S THIS ALL ABOUT THEN?
Hello! I’m Stuart Hodgson, the fella behind all this. Thanks for taking an interest in my outdoor adventures, which is just a big hobby of mine really.
I share my stuff to try and help others get out into the great outdoors, discover some amazing places and reap the many physical & mental health benefits of being outside in nature.
I’m happy to say the blog regularly get’s over 20,000 visitors a month and it’s really satisfying to know people have visited new places because of what I’ve shared – someone even once got in touch to say they had proposed to their wife at a Lake District viewpoint I had blogged about – brilliant!

A PASSSION PROJECT
This website gives me a platform to share two big passions of mine; hiking & photography, hence the name which seemed rather too obvious not to use – The Hiking Photographer! Maybe I should have been more original haha but at least people know what it’s about! Although the site does now cover many more related outdoor activities such as the likes of wild camping, wild swimming and health & wellbeing.
This website by no means tries to give extensive list of all walks in a given area (there are better sites for that) – so I try and focus on my absolute favourite places where you’ll see some truly stunning landscapes which also make for impressive views & photos.
I live up north so that’s where most of my featured walks are – The Lake District, Yorkshire & Northumberland! I also try and promote a range of walks no matter what your ability, experience and fitness levels so as many people as possible can find it useful.
DONE FOR THE LOVE OF IT
This website is my hobby, which has existed in some form since its humble beginnings in 2013! and I thought I’d do things differently and have no annoying ads on the site. The online world is very commercial – with websites full of more and more annoying and invasive ads – trying to always sell and promote something. The only thing I’m promoting is the outdoors! It’s funded out my own pocket and I’m just trying to give something back and do a bit of good for people. If you want to show a token of appreciation for that – you’ll find a ‘buy me a coffee’ link below- but don’t feel obliged. The biggest reward for me is knowing someone has went on an outdoor adventure because of this website!

WHAT’S SO GOOD ABOUT HIKING & THE GREAT OUTDOORS ANYWAY?
- It’s such a buzz by witnessing truly awe-some landscapes and natural scenery;
- It’s great exercise – so keeps me fit
- I often go walking with others – so it’s a good way of socialising and catching up with friends & family – walking promotes talking!
- Often there are no phone signals in the wilds – so it’s a good chance to unplug from screens and the digital world, to have a break, reset and recharge
- I usually do new walks every time – so it’s exciting to plan trips and 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. If you’re new to hiking – try it for yourself and see how you feel after a hike.

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 not that extensive, and to be honest for the purposes of blogging and travelling light, I’m increasingly drawn to use 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!

COLLABORATE WITH ME, SUGGEST IDEAS OR GET IN TOUCH
MY OTHER STUFF

By day I’m a graphic/web designer, with over 20 years industry experience. I love working with like minded people – and if you like this website and have any design projects you need help with – then give me a shout!

GraphicSound is a little online shop I run to sell poster prints or various artwork I have created