December newsletter: A new limited print and daily practice
Here’s my new limited edition print!
Workshops this month
How to photograph beer with your smartphone, Bath, Monday December 16th 6-8pm – Essential controls on your smartphone - How to create and light a set-piece memory - Make a can or bottle of beer look interesting! - How to create the perfect beer selfie – Useful strategies that can be used when you are making portraits of others - Instant editing techniques. See here for more information and booking.
I have released a new limited edition print!
If you are looking for the perfect Christmas present for someone (or for yourself!) I have just released a new limited edition print. The original image was made on a beautiful, sunny day when I was walking by my local river, called the Bybrook. I was fascinated by the tangles of the trees and spent a peaceful hour capturing these, gazed on by some curious, (and clearly artistic!), cows. I hope people can lose themselves in the snarls of branches and feel calm and rested from the warm colour palette.
What I’ve been up to this month
I enjoyed a couple of days walking in the Welsh Black Mountains with my wife this month. We timed the weather brilliantly and enjoyed walking in snow and ice under sunny skies but returned home before the forecast 60mph winds. I did not bring back any great creative thoughts from it but it was nice to be out in wild areas again.
Otherwise, it has been a steady month. There have been no great creative breakthroughs. But I always make a daily edit and write two or three creative lines. I also made a small handmade book of some of my creative images. It did not quite turn out as I hoped but it was a valuable learning experience.
I have also been doing some behind the scenes work on my website. I am looking forward to telling you more about this soon.
What I learned this month
I learned not to expect great progress all the time. Sometimes one needs not to be trying to create great creative outputs all the time. However, I also learned that it is surprising how much one can achieve with a daily few minutes of images editing and writing. My daily work has resulted in a surprisingly large body of work with much to be proud of.
I also learned that over-thinking technology can delay projects! There is usually a simpler solution than the one you are working on!
What are my plans for next month?
I plan to take some time out at Christmas and spend time with family and enjoy the outdoors. I’m sure that I will still have a camera with me though!
Before then, I plan to continue working on my website. Much of this will be behind the scenes. But hopefully it will result in a better user experience. I’ll tell you more next time!
I would also like to learn from my errors and create another handmade book.
What I’ve been writing about this month
My latest blog asks What do your images say about you. Please do read it and I would really appreciate your answers to the question at the end of it.
What have I listened to this month
This month I have been revisiting the work of PJ Harvey. It is interesting to see how each album is very different to her previous work. In interview, she has said that she always wishes to push herself to create something new. I think that photographers should bear this desire in mind.
What have I visited this month
I made a visit to London and was blown away by the Francis Bacon portraiture at the National Portrait Gallery. This is an exhibition that I highly recommend. Bacon’s way of seeing and re-imagining is incredible. One can also learn a lot about colour and size.
Upcoming workshops and events
All for 2025 – gift vouchers available
If you want to find out more about any of my workshops to decide if they are right for you or have any questions, please hit reply to this email.
Photography walks and workshops
Individual creative mentoring online – I help you develop your creative vision. I have trained in brain friendly training and these sessions are designed to help you develop a practical path forward and an action plan. Each session is completely unique and tailored to your needs. See here for details.
NEW Create great still lives with your smartphone - Live workshop, Bradford-on-Avon, 25th January. Create beautiful images of treasured possessions, make stand-out product images and be inspired to enjoy creative photography inside. There will be plenty to learn here, even if you normally use a different type of camera. We cover composition, (very) simple lighting and easy editing. Full details and booking here.
Smartphone photography walks and workshops Bradford-upon-Avon and Industrial Bath with a smartphone day – come and meet me in Bradford-on-Avon on 8th February or in Bath on 1st March and learn how to take impressive pictures with your smartphone. This full day workshop concentrates on getting the most out of your smartphone, visiting some interesting locations and receiving personal feedback. We cover editing and lunch and great cake is included! You also receive two art prints of your work. See here for more information and booking.
Editing and advanced editing with your smartphone online – we meet on Zoom for a half day of learning how to edit with your smartphone. I sometimes take images from my traditional camera and choose to edit them on my smartphone. Find out why. What makes these sessions different is that I cover editing vision as well as how to edit. You also receive two art prints of your edits. See here for introductory editing and here for advanced editing.
The Vision: A five-week online workshop – I am running this with Rob Knight and it is aimed at those who wish to expand their creative vision and be inspired to try new ideas. I am really excited at how this is shaping up. Starts 16th February. See here for more information and booking.
Make sure you keep in touch
You can follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Mastodon as well as Bluesky. Please also e-mail directly: I really appreciate receiving personal e-mails from you. Please share images and projects send me recommendations for reading, listening, exhibitions, blog articles and more!
If you liked the newsletter, please do share it with friends and encourage them to sign up.