Why here? Why now? What is going on?!

Thank you for visiting my website and taking time to see my macro, wildlife, architecture and landscape photography.

I try to capture what I see, without editing the images to oblivion - I prefer the photographs I take to be as close to what I saw as possible.

Sometimes that needs software, not to alter the image excessively but to bring it to life. The camera is a dead eye - the brain takes the real image, although I will admit that Lightroom et al can help to realise it.

I don't believe in using AI extensively, and preferably not at all. It has made its way insidiously into most photography software, but can be tamed, acknowledged and often avoided.

What I will never do is use it to create part or all of an image - there is no point in taking photos if we all go down that path.

Enough of the philosophy. I hope you enjoy the photos.

About me

I am an amateur self-taught photographer. I came to photography through a love of the natural world, and a desire to document what I see and want to share.

Like so many photographers, I spent too long comparing myself to others (the Curse of Instagram...) but decided my best images were good enough for me. Rather than let them gather metaphorical dust on a hard drive, I decided to stick my neck out and share them.

I live in East London with my patient wife and surprisingly father-tolerant son, but have my roots in the Midlands (UTV, for the initiated) - so, like most other London residents, I'm from somewhere else. There are worse places to live - there is wildlife even here.

I hope you find some images you like and I would encourage anyone who takes a photo to keep doing so, ignore any self appointed online experts and enjoy photography for yourself. Haters are going to hate, whatever one does. The photos I take for my own pleasure, without thinking of who might see them, are usually my favourites. They come from the heart not the head, even if the latter needs to set the exposure...

Why photography?

Well, I hate golf. I'm rubbish at DIY. And I love wildlife. It is a short step from staring through a scope to peering through a camera and trying to capture that beauty.

I have dabbled with photography for years, with long fallow years when I only used a point and shoot. Why? No idea, other than I got so far with it and was never satisfied I was good enough. Then I decided to try to ignore the imposter syndrome, because occasionally I take a photo I am proud of, that is what I wanted it to be. And I have learnt that everyone takes many dud images for each keeper that goes on display. Digital cameras let you learn much faster than film, in my view - you can take umpteen rubbish photos but not stand the cost and delay of only finding out when they come back from Snappy Snaps (other photo developers are available...)

I want to get better, but I don't want it to be a pressure and suck the joy out of what is a perfect hobby for an introvert who is very happy with spending time alone, absorbed in the moment.

Some people like some of my images, some don't get it, but it isn't personal. Do you like what you photograph? Then it is good, and if you can break through that wall of doubt to share it with others you will find an audience. Not a living, sadly, as I think AI will do for that, but human creativity is uniqueness and strength. AI is 1's and 0's, dead patterns as a lame facsimile. Elon won't agree, which suits me fine.

Take some photos - it will make you smile.