Author Archives: admin
A Photographer’s Ramblings: Levens Hall
Welcome to my latest rambling after having grabbed some late Autumn sunshine yesterday. Always worth a visit at any time of year, I let my camera loose in the gardens at Levens Hall… Levens Hall is famous for it’s amazing … Continue reading
Lighting Up Lancaster
Photographing the annual ‘Light Up Lancaster‘ weekend was extra challenging with heavy rain on Friday night. I got soaked to the skin in pursuit of some rewarding photos, the only thing that stayed dry was my camera which enjoyed the … Continue reading
On The Search For A New Camera!
I very rarely get ‘technical’ about cameras and am most certainly no ‘techy’, so my search for a replacement camera for my trusty old Nikon D200 was a challenge I have been putting off for too long (a case of … Continue reading
A Photographer’s Ramblings: The Right Attitude For The Job
There’s never been a more challenging time to be a photographer, in my opinion. The continuing fall in prices of good digital cameras has turned just about everybody into would-be photographers. Whilst that’s great and no one more than me … Continue reading
A Photographer’s Ramblings: Black Combe
Welcome to the first in my serious of days out without a car but with camera (of course)!… Black Combe is Cumbria’s most south westerly fell and at 600m is a handsome hill overlooking Walney Island and Morecambe Bay. It … Continue reading
A Photographer’s Ramblings: Cruising The Firth Of Clyde
Back in my native Ayrshire this week, I boarded the famous Paddle Steamer ‘Waverley‘ at Ayr for a trip up the Firth of Clyde. Built in 1947, this fascinating and historic ship, the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer, is a … Continue reading
A Photographer’s Ramblings: Following The Sun & Wind Down South
It’s especially interesting when a photo commission takes me further afield from my home patch and I’ve just finished working on photos from a two day industrial shoot down South for AGR group who install wind turbines and solar energy farms. … Continue reading
A Photographer’s Ramblings: Snapshot Of North Devon
During recent travels, I spent a few days enjoying the delights of North Devon. The undoubted highlight was a visit to beautiful Lynmouth. I like to think that I take ‘thinking man’s holiday snaps‘! Photography is just so easy these … Continue reading
Morecambe Carnival Is Back!
After a break of many years, Morecambe Carnival returned to the town today. Having photographed it during my newspaper days, it was a nostalgic experience getting my vantage point and pointing the lens, although this time without the pressure of … Continue reading
Exploring Photo Finishes
Following a recent pre wedding photo shoot in the Lake District, I took to experimenting with some different finishes and effects using my preferred software, Photoshop. My leaning has always been towards genuine ‘organic‘ and quite ‘conservative’ photography with very little … Continue reading
Recording History; Cumbria’s First Same Sex Marriage
It was a privilege and an honor to photograph Cumbria’s first ever same sex marriage on Saturday. The event took place at Wordsworth’s former home, Rydal Mount near Ambleside and the couple were Cathy and Alex. The weather didn’t dampen … Continue reading
‘Susie’ A Tribute In Photos
I dedicate this blog to anyone who has lost a much loved pet; where the bond between animal and owner have developed a greater depth and meaning than many would think possible. I acquired Susie and her sister Sasha as tiny … Continue reading
A Photographer’s Ramblings: Edinburgh Zoo
Following on from a fairly recent visit to Barrow’s South Lakeland Animal Park and with a particular interest in seeing the well publicised Chinese pandas, my latest trip was to Edinburgh Zoo. Unlike with many of the animals, thanks to … Continue reading
The Boardwalk/I Do Bridal Wedding Fair
One of the most enjoyable and best organised wedding fairs I’ve been involved with this year was the inspiration of a recent wedding customer of mine; Dawn Thorpe of ‘I Do Bridal‘. With hand-picked wedding service providers it was sure … Continue reading
A Photographer’s Ramblings: Heversham & Hincaster Railway Walk
Near the border between Cumbria and Lancashire, the trackbed of the old branchline from Hincaster Junction to Arnside is now partly walkable. I found amongst the trees, the site of Heversham Station at the start of my walk and roughly … Continue reading
Valentine’s Day; Love Is In The Air!
I like to think that there is a lot of love in my work. As a wedding photographer, I certainly hope so. Capturing it in photography requires skill & experience and I try to avoid ‘over-posing’ a shot, with only … Continue reading
A Photographer’s Ramblings: Zoo Snaps In Cumbria
Like many, I have very mixed feelings about zoos and don’t often go. That said, I love watching animals and even more, trying to grab a few good shots of them. A special offer at South Lakes Wild Animal Park … Continue reading
‘Journeying Together’ Photography Commission
Given that I already do some voluntary work for Age UK Lancashire, being awarded a photographic commission to record some of their ‘Journeying Together‘ events was especially rewarding. The series of social events and art workshops, run in conjunction with … Continue reading
A Photographer’s Ramblings: Quick Snapshot Of Manchester
Manchester is rich pickings for a photographer. My visit was a brief one on a dull day. But rather than keep my camera in it’s bag and go for a coffee, I had a go to see what I could … Continue reading
A Photographer’s Ramblings: Exploring Winter Sunlight
The long shadows, sparkling light and often short periods of afternoon winter sunshine make great subject matter for the wandering outdoor photographer. This walk took me up into the Lancashire hills over the very popular beauty spot of ‘Nicky Nook‘ … Continue reading
A Photographer’s Ramblings: Exploring Le Havre
In the last of my trio of mini photo features, I called at the French port of Le Havre. A surprisingly interesting city with striking architecture created after the city was rebuilt following mass destruction in the Second World War. … Continue reading
A Photographer’s Ramblings: Bruges
Welcome to my brief visit to the historic and picturesque Belgian city of Bruges, which I visited recently. I start my snapshot of the city with this classic postcard view of Bruge’s typical Flemish architecture and the landmark Belfry tower. … Continue reading
A Photographer’s Ramblings: European Winter Cruise
Having just returned from a short weekend break, I thought I’d share a few holiday snaps with you… For a short cruise, there’s no better way than to travel in style on the world’s largest ocean liner, Cunard’s Queen Mary … Continue reading
30 Years Behind The Lens: ‘Hard News’
With us almost at the end of the year, welcome to the last of my articles reflecting on my 30 years as a photographer and in particular my newspaper career. This time we shall focus on what’s known as ‘hard … Continue reading
A Photographer’s Ramblings: River Lune In Autumn
My favorite time of year has arrived for landscape photography and today was the perfect lighting. With camera over my shoulder I cycled up the Lune Valley cycle track from Lancaster. I wanted to capture the Autumn sunlight coming through golden … Continue reading
A Photographer’s Ramblings: Lancaster Castle Fireworks
As per last year, very blustery conditions created a challenge to capture some good shots of Lancaster’s big annual fireworks display. I chose Skerton Bridge again as my vantage point, well away from the crowds and with the advantage of … Continue reading
Exhibition Attracts Publicity
With much of my photographic career being about giving publicity to others, I am feeling especially ‘spoiled’ the last few days with the amount of publicity my exhibition and talk has received! With generous articles so far printed in the … Continue reading
30 Years Behind The Lens: Photographing Children
Welcome to my third reflection of 30 years behind the lens, in the run-up to my exhibition. Just 10 days away now!… Children have been the mainstay of my photographic subject matter, throughout my press photography career and they are … Continue reading
A Photographer’s Ramblings: South Ayrshire Coast
My home county of Ayrshire has some stunning coastal scenery, especially on a clear day towards the Clyde coast islands. My brief tour of the south Ayrshire coastline, started at the sleepy little fishing village of Maidens. The mountains of the Isle … Continue reading
30 Years Behind The Lens: Sport
Welcome to the second of my nostalgic looks back at 30 years of photography. This time I am focussing on sport. One of my earliest and proudest sports photo shoots was from the touchline at Southampton FC’s compact and atmospheric … Continue reading
Stepping In To Help Out: Rehearsal Photos
I stepped in at the last minute the other day, to help Fylde Stage Academy and fellow cast members, with their rehearsal photos for their third big fundraiser ‘A Concert For Christies’, which was on at Lytham’s Lowther Pavilion. … Continue reading
A Photographer’s Ramblings: Abbots Bromley Horn Dance
My rambling took me slightly further afield this week, into Staffordshire to see the famous and historic Abbots Bromley Horn Dance. Before the dancers assembled I took a look round the ancient village and noted the different architecture compared to Lancashire; … Continue reading
