Journal

We arrived to explore Hafren Forest, located in Mid Wales. I packed my camera bag the night before—camera check, memory card check, battery check… or so I thought.

Fast forward to arriving at Hafren Forest. I grabbed my bag out of the car, went to take my first photo… and shock—no charge in my batteries.

So, back to the car we went, and we resumed the walk with no camera—just the action cam and my phone. Forgot my camera battery… but maybe that’s exactly what I needed to be present.

We headed to Seven Breakneck Falls in Mid Wales. Most people stick with the crowds, but we took the yellow route and found a different kind of magic.

Sometimes missing the perfect shot is the best way to really see it.

I spend so much time chasing photos, I forget to just be there. Today pulled me back.

Last week, I headed out with a few others from

@tiptoncameraclub to try something different: light trail photography.

The conditions were perfect—the sky was clear, providing a sharp, dark backdrop for the action. We found a great vantage point on a bridge, looking directly down a dual carriageway. After setting up our tripods and getting ourselves centered, we began experimenting with our settings. 

I used ISO 100 to keep the images clean and noise-free. I varied my aperture between f/8 and f/16 to control the depth and brightness of the trails. With the shutter open for anywhere between 8 and 30 seconds, the ordinary traffic below changed to vibrant ribbons. It became flowing ribbons of colour.

The night threw some fun surprises my way, too. I ended up with some really interesting results in images 2 and 3, where ambulances sped through the frame. The extra flash of blue light added a completely different energy. It contrasted with the usual red and white streaks. It was a great exercise in patience and timing, and I’m really pleased with how these turned out.

We escaped the West Midlands for a week on the Norfolk coast, chasing beaches, wildlife, and classic seaside charm.

Our base was just minutes from Mundesley Beach, which showed off its ever-changing moods. One morning, the sand was dusted with snow, giving the sea an almost magical feel. Another day, bright sunlight turned the beach golden, perfect for a slow stroll and lens testing.

Horsey Gap was a highlight of the trip. On our first visit, the sun was out, and pups snuggled in the sand. We also made a short drive to Horsey Windpump, a striking landmark against the coastal backdrop. The week’s trip ended perfectly with fish and chips, a proper taste of the seaside to round off the trip.

We returned to Horsey Gap later in the week during rainy weather, which gave the seals and beach a raw, dramatic energy — a completely different experience from our sunny visit.

For a dose of stormy drama, Walcott Beach delivered, with crashing waves and moody skies giving the coast a whole new energy.

From snow to sunshine, seals to surf, Norfolk reminded us why the coast is worth exploring — every visit felt different, every beach had its own story, and every moment was one worth capturing.

The week’s trip ended perfectly with fish and chips, a proper taste of the seaside to round off the trip.

The day unfolded like fog — slow and soft.We left the ship and boarded a smaller vessel to cruise through Nordfjord. The water barely moved. It mirrored the grey sky so perfectly, it was hard to tell where one ended and the other began.

Mist clung to the mountains.They appeared and disappeared like passing thoughts — half-formed, poetic, quiet. I didn’t take many photos. Some moments are better remembered by how they felt, not how they looked.

Ålesund welcomed us with calm streets and the sound of gulls. I wandered with no plan. Past painted houses, quiet harbours, and puddles that reflected the sky. There was no ‘main attraction.’ Just stillness. A town breathing at its own pace.