Knole Park 25th Jan 2026

You may have heard of Vita Sackville-West, she was a famous writer (9 March 1892 – 2 June 1962). She was nobility, upper class and loaded. She was also bisexual and had numerous affairs with men and women. Her family owned Knole park, near Sevenoaks in Kent. If she had been a male she would have inherited it. It was not to be, this was a source of much friction in her family and the male heir that eventually inherited Knole didn’t even want it.

I went for a visit despite it being a horrible grey rainy day. You can almost hear the history of the place, the scandals and the money. It is a wonderfull place, with grandure, land and a heard of deer of several species. It was difficult to get any decent shots because of the light and rain

The yearning
To want and be denied, is poetry and pain.
The history of time depletes the soul, my life goes on but not for Knole.
Genders fair and lust continues, in hush and silent witness.
A wealth agreed, a new home found, castles keep thy secrets.
The heart, she yearns, the twisted joke of birth.
My anger burns, it simmers close.

London January 24th 2026

I don’t like to go into London too often, it is too busy and to full of people. But once in a while I venture into town to take in a show or see some sites.

They guard the soldier, loyal servants to a forgotten time.

To wander amongst the stones and feel the air.

Photography Courses, Folkestone 2026

I host photography workshops around the Kent area. There are lots of places to see and things to do. Folkestone is an interesting place, I have family there and so like to visit often. Here are a few shots of the street class that was held there.

We need a very big bag of chips

Wassail Jan 2026

Wassail! The pagan cries of druids that walk among the apple trees. Wassail is an ancient ceremony to bless the orchards. It’s a kent tradition and I was lucky enough to go on one. The images are all night shots,s o you will have to forgive the quality.

The torch lit walk to the orchards way, when fires burn, the words were said.
To bless the tree and please the gods, Wassail was spoken.
The people bellow, to scare the demons run.
To drink the gold and celebrate the history of old.
The crackles heat and warmth of friends, to cheer another year.

Margate January 2026

I haven’t been to Margate for a very long time. It is right at the end of the M2 motorway and you have to want to go there. Margate is on the East side of the UK right where the North sea and Thames meet. Christmas was over but I wasn’t back to work yet and had some free time, I grabbed my camera and off we went.

The water slips into the sand as tides retreat.

It was a lovely crisp day with really nice light. It’s a lovely place for a visit.

Rainham January 2026

I host photography classes for the Maidstone Photography Club, I take people to various places around kent that are photogenic depending on the subject I am covering. For this day it was Landscapes and Seascapes. I went to the coast near Rainham, in kent. It is where the Medway rivers and Thames meet before hitting the North sea.

I went back a few weeks later just to see how the change in light effects the shots.

The 2nd visit was better because the light was better, this shows that going back to a good spot many time often reaps much better images.

Boxing day, Folkestone, Kent 2025

I stayed down my sisters over Christmas, it’s easier for all the family to meet there. One Boxing day we went out for a walk along the coast. People were mad enough to go in swimming, brrr.

Bedgebury Pinetum Dec 2025

The world makes for troubled minds. I don’t think people are designed for the modern world, it is too fast, too changeable and too troubling. We all need to slow down, become more mindful, feel nature and bathe in it. With that in mind I recommend Bedgebury National Pinetum in Kent. It’s a place where they have planted lots of different species of trees. It doesn’t sound like much but to walk among them, is a joy.

To stroll amongst the trees is to feel the Earth and know.

Sit and stare, listen to the wind. For it will tell you tales of old.

Wintersong, Tenterden Dec 2025

Well Christmas is here, carols are being sung and mince pies are being eaten. I went recently to Wintersong at the main church in Tenterden, Kent. There was a choir, some readings and lots of booze. Jan Francis from “Just Good friends” did a reading, it was a good night.

Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats Dec 2025

I like goats, and I support a local charity called Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats based near Sutton Valence in Kent. I visit often, they are lovely animals and they need our support.

It’s a great place to take the kids, feed the goats, support them.

Maidstone November 2025

Maidstone in Kent is one of the bigger towns, I often hold photographic courses for black & white and street there. Today I went for a stroll with Liam, my second born, he is a professional videographer but wanted to do some more stills, so we went out for a walk around to let him practice. Here are some shot from the day, Maidstone like all places has good and bad areas, I took a few shots to show urban decay to try to give you all an idea of what the place is like.

Norfolk October 2025

We recently went on a mini-break up to Norfolk near Cromer with the grand kids. Its a nice part of the world. We explored the coast, went to various seaside towns and eat lots of chips

Hampton Court Sept 27th 2025

I decided to go to Hampton Court, A place I hadn’t been since I was a child. I knew a bit about the place but it would be interesting to see and feel the history. For those of you that don’t know, it was Henry the eighth’s residence. He was a notorious womanizer, and generally not a nice chap. Here are a few pictures from the day and the journey to the palace in south west London. It’s quite easy to ignore the ordinary when you are out and about, so I took a few shots of the journey up to London, soaking up some of the atmosphere. Hampton court is on the Thames, we had some lunch whilst watching the boats and people. Then we went in and had a look around. It’s not that grand compared to many palaces around the world but you can feel the history, almost see old Henry still in the place. It’s a good place to go and spend a day.

The Street calls 13th September 2025

I recently hosted a Street photography class for the Maidstone photographic Group. It rained, as is the norm for this time of year, but we carried on anyway. Street photography is really just like any other form of photography, its about emotion. You walk around looking for a moment, a moment that speaks to you, makes you laugh, smile, ask quesions. Street is about capturing the moment. here are some shots from the day.

A couple strolls along the river bank with only pigeons to see them.

Annie, taking shots by the river bank

It was a good day out shooting despite the weather. I really enjoyed it. I will be hosting other events in September and October so keep an eye out.

Master you Camera, a Beginners Guide to Shooting in Manual mode - workshop 19th July 2025

I will be holding a beginners photo workshop in Rochester, in association with the Maidstone Photography group on the 19th of July 2025. Come and learn how to get the most from your camera, get out of auto mode and learn how to take better pictures. I will be covering the exposure triangle and how that effects the final image, composition, and working with natural light. It will be an informal class, and there will be a little walking as we explore a bit.

You can book the class here:

https://www.maidstonephotographygroup.co.uk

Workshop title “Master you Camera A Beginners Guide to Shooting in Manual mode

Beginners Workshop 5th July 2025

I will be holding a beginners photo workshop in association with the Maidstone Photography group on the 5th of July 2025. Come and learn how to get the most from your camera, get out of auto mode and learn how to take better pictures. It will be a small group, so places are limited. Subjects I will be covering are the exposure triangle and how that effects the final image, composition, and working with natural light. It will be an informal class, and there will be a little walking as we explore a bit.

You can book the class here:

https://www.maidstonephotographygroup.co.uk

Workshop title “Shooting in Manual Mode“

Film VS Digital

We have all heard about AI. it continues to improve almost daily. Why bother taking photos when AI can just create them as needed. This my friends is a real problem for digital photography, it basically means that digital photography days are numbered if not dead already. AI is fake, it is tallentless, easy and therefore valueless.

The only solution is to make your images authentic and unique. This can be done with film. Film is the answer to AI, a film negative cannot be made by AI, it is a real thing produced by a photographer, made from a real scene.

This also means that camera manufacturers are going to go broke unless they embrace film again. Leica already has, Pentax is experimenting. Others will have to get on board with film or go broke. Mark my words, film is returning big and only those that embrace it will survive.

So go out my friends, get a film camera, brush off those old skills that film needs and get shooting.

The Leica M6, a classic film camera that is still made today.

Madeira April 2025

For a spring break we went back to Madeira again. Here are some shots from the trip.

A city break to Vienna

We recently decided to take a short city break to Vienna to take in the Christmas Markets and to explore the city. I took the X100V with me to document the trip. We were due to fly from Stansted airport, to save hassle we went up the night before and stayed at the Radisson Blu hotel nearby. I have to say the hotel is brilliantly designed and very comfy, can recommend it.

The weary travellers sing the same old song, a bed and rest for tired eyes need sleeps sweet comfort.

We were up early the next day and on to a Ryanair flight to Vienna.

Together we rest until the days adventures begin.

The joyous seats and comforts rest. Like cattle sits and waits for death.

A Vienna view as the blue winds silent

We went for a walk and found the towns Cathedral, we went inside to take a look around.

Baroque and blue, Vienna’s build and call the names of pilgrim travelled.

She hides her secrets, the spirals curl and mystery reveals.

The light shines upon the stone. A cold and quiet place rejoices.

I love old buildings, especially churches, this one was massive and impressive. The Pipe organ made the place vibrate, a wonderful place to visit.

Remember those who cannot.

Commerce calls, Christmas bekons, to taste the smells of foods and wine.

There are loads of large and small Christmas Markets open this time of year. We found most of them. This was the biggest one, next to the main town hall buildings.

Fun be had, and drink the wine of life. The spin and laughter of cold night air.

A street like any other, but Vienna’s class and history’s tale leaves it mark.

There is tons to do in Vienna, we decided to take a look at Belvedere Palace, it’s easy walking distance close to the centre of town.

A summer palace, build for princes. To walk and see the wealth of nations.

They look upon the crowds, indifferent and aloof. Eternals rule the sky’s.

Beware the hand of gods.

Shadows dance amongst the stone.

Oh Vienna..

While you are there, you must taste the local delights such as Gluwein and Quittenpunsch.

Drink the wine, to warm thy frozen heart.

Mozart spent much of his life in Vienna, he left his mark.

Mozarts view in mirrors, the music plays and genius revealed.

Take the time to wander, there is beauty everywhere.

The lion guards, it growls with teeth that glisten.

The street alive, we wander and admire the stones of distant minds.

To walk and see the site of history.

The beasts trot by, to pull the wheels of commerce.

A dome against the sky, regal structure still in time.

Auf Wiedersehen, until we meet again.

Vienna is a wonderful place, I recommend it to anyone who wants a city break. It’s not too expensive and there is lots to do. All shots were taken with my X100V.

Hastings November 10th 2024

It’s nice that I don’t live too far from the south coast. On this SUnday we decided to pop down to Hastings for a day to grab some chips and walk along the beach front. It was a grey overcast day, the light was flat and since it’s now out of season the place was almost empty. Coastal places always take on a sad tone in winter, with all the colour and excitement of tourists just a memory.

The calm deceives, the anger will soon return.

We got down there and parked right by the beach, this was the scene that greeted us. A single boat floating on a flat sea, very surreal.

To stand and watch oblivion, to know that life’s a gift. To smile and nod and say farewell then set thyself adrift.

She smiles and laughs at natures jokes, take care of those that walk within your soul.

The lovers lay and chatters, together is all that matters.

Machines that rust in silent protest until the fire returns.

Come my friend, the work begins. To feed the mouths and crush thy hunger.

The strangest trees sprout forth among the stones.

The silence deafens

They sleep in hoods of darkness until the light returns.

The beach of souls, it calls to distant minds. The crunch of stones beneath thy feet reminds of happy times.

The tangled webs of steel, the pier resists the march of time.

I stand a look at Hasting beach, the people gone another year. Time to sleep and hide from winters rage until the light returns.

Hastings has lots of fond memories for me, I spent many a happy holiday here. Sitting on the beach, the pebbles in my shoes. The winter always make it look so sad but soon the summer will return and life will flow once again.