One of my favourite things when it presents itself is an impromptu vehicle photoshoot and the conversation that sometimes follows with its’ owner. During late September 2023, I was lucky enough to have one of these moments, when I spotted this 60’s Volkswagen transporter driving through Croyde village, and wondered where it would park up. After walking down to the beachfront, sure enough I spotted it in the pay and display off Moor lane and set about capturing some shots.
Read MoreChecking out Bodhi's Surf Bar, May 2023
Bodhi’s Surf Bar is the brainchild of Chris, a great local guy, who had dreamed of opening his own bar for a long time. He thought it would be something that would happen further down the line, but when the opportunity arose, he and his partner Vicky jumped at the chance.
With an extremely strong and pleasing brand and a name taken from Chris’ love for the film Point Break and all things surfing, Bodhi’s was born. It has the most amazing location, and even by other Croyde bars and pubs, this is quite possibly the best! Situated at Downend, Bodhi’s looks straight out over Croyde Bay and the rolling waves beyond. It is the perfect location to drop in, after a long walk, surf or to finish up your evening and enjoy the awesome sunsets that often grace this coastline.
Read MoreBarry Festival of Transport
You may have noticed a bit of a trend recently, but for those who haven't, car and automotive based photography has definitely featured more heavily in my personal work over the last year, and having the opportunity to spend a few hours at the extremely well attended Barry Festival of Transport on June 11th was a no brainer.
Like some of the other shows and car events I have photographed and documented in my blogs, I have visited this show on a number occasions over the years, because it always featuring lots of epic vehicles, and is also really diverse in what vehicles people bring along, which for me makes it a lot more interesting from a photography point of few, instead of perhaps having too many of one thing on display.
Read MoreBarryfornia Spring Edition 2023
Having attended both previous Barryfornia shows in 2022, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to visit the first show of 2023, namely the Spring Edition. I would say Bigger and Better would definitely some up the show, with it not only offering the same mix of sun, sand and all things Volkswagen, but now with a higher number of vehicles on display and a larger footfall. The crowds again flocked to see the stunning classic VW’s being shown by their proud owners on the sun soaked Barry Promenade. Rothfink industries by organising these shows you continue to do the VW scene proud!.
Read MorePortraiture at Wales & West Photography Show
Following up from the awesome first Wales & West Photography Show at the ICC in 2022, I was keen to revisit again this year, mainly for some amazing talks, great sponsor and camera brand stalls as well as the impromptu opportunity to shoot some portraiture.
There were a number of organised model photoshoot happening over the three days the show was being held, but I only managed to get to one of them which again was being held in the perfectly atmospheric underground car park of the ICC which when lit with some Rotolights provided the perfect backdrop and setting for these portraits.
Read MoreCardiff Transport Preservation Group Running Day, April 2023
Visiting old bus depots is definitely not my thing… but I’ve found with age comes a different openness, appreciation, interest and tolerance for trying different things. So when the opportunity came up to photograph some classic buses, engineering and old advertising, this definitely drew me to tag along with my brother Rob to this Bank Holiday Heritage Bus open day.
Set on a rainy day at the end of April, the old bus depot in Barry, South Wales is a cornucopia for people interested in vintage buses, with many examples permanently housed on the premises, it’s great they allow the public to venture in on occasion to view and marvel at the machinery from times past.
Read MoreThe General Stores at Mathry
I had seen a few photo’s off this location online and had added it to my list of places to definitely visit, but had then forgotten about it until a recent chance visit over the Easter weekend, when I finally stumbled across it in person.
For me, The General Stores featured here is the definite visual highlight in the village, aesthetically, it is the kind of subject matter that I personally aspire to find and actively search for. The rustic flaky paint, the vintage hand written shop signage, the red post and telephone boxes all add to the perfect picture of an old village caught in a timewarp.
Read MoreIlluminating the 183rd Anniversary of the Chartist Uprising
I’ve wanted to get to this event for a number of years, but with many things these days, other commitments or events inevitably get in the way, so it was great to finally get to the Newport Rising Torch Lit March on Friday 4th November 2022.
The torchlit march remembers and celebrates the Chartist Uprising also known as the Newport Rising that happened back on an infamous night in 1839. By replicating the journey made by the many thousands of Chartists, it gives people a sense of the importance of the rebellion made by the many and the sacrifices that many had to endure.
Read MoreBuilt for the Journey
Whenever I see a Land Rover, especially an older one parked in a cool location, which they often are… I feel compelled to photograph it.
For me it’s to do with seeing them in a remote or beautiful location, perhaps by a mountain or by the coast, and their association to outdoor activities be it mountaineering or surfing. It also has something to do with the Land Rover brand, the history, the nostalgia, the build quality and the ruggedness, and all that it represents. It’s pretty much a timeless icon of British design since its launch in 1948.
Read MoreA fiery reception at Down End
When visiting the coast there is nothing better than enjoying the last light of the day and inveitably after golden hour comes sunset.
Here are a set of sunset photographs quickly taken on Thursday 29th September after a sunny day exploring the Croyde coastline.
Read MoreA landscape scarred
After having some lush food at Baggy’s Surf Lodge and enjoying the view, we walked upto Baggy Point. This walk is essential if you are visiting and provides a wonderful vista out across the Atlantic. One noticeable difference on this trip was the landscape. Usually the coastline is rich in green vegetation, flowers, trees, shrubs, ferns, gorse, birds, sheep, insects, bees, butterfiles and more… but due to one of the many coastal grass fires that ripped through the UK countryside last month, it has now been transformed to what you see in these photos.
Read MoreDyffryn Gardens Open Doors Event
As part of the Cadw Open Doors 2022 scheme this September, we took the opportunity to visit Dyffryn Gardens for the first time since my birthday in March to make the most of the stunning gardens during some lovely late summer weather.
Dyffryn Gardens is a peaceful oasis on the outskirts of Cardiff, and covers more than 55 acres. The Edwardian gardens are a restoration garden, on a path to excellence. With year-round seasonal highlights the gardens feature the best woody collection in the National Trust. Check out my visit on a warm Sunday in September.
Read MoreA.S. Ockwell Ltd. Garage Peterstone-Super-Ely
After visiting the awesome Spring edition of Barryfornia in May, I took the scenic route back and ended up travelling through the small village of Peterstone-Super-Ely, where I was greeted by this wonderful garage and its vintage petroliana artefacts.
With its enamel signs, and original petrol pumps still on display, this garage gives a great insight into automotive garages from times past. Brands on display include Castrol, Duckhams, British Petroleum and Shell among many more, it’s a great place to visit, for anyone interested in seeing how garages used to look in the UK.
Read MoreA scorching Barryfornia Summer Edition
After the success of the Spring edition of Barryfornia, I was looking forward to seeing what would be on display for their Summer edition show, and let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint. With the August show again delivering a great mix of air-cooled and more modern Volkswagen finery. Here are some of the photo’s taken on the day at the second Barryfornia event hosted by Rothfink Industries.
Read MoreCardiff Shooters Portrait event at the Wales & West Photography Show, ICC Wales
During my first visit to the Wales & West Photography Show at the ICC Wales, I met up with the team from Cardiff Shooters to join in on an organised portrait shoot at the venue.
I’ve followed Cardiff Shooters on social media for a while now, and it’s always great to see the quality of images that come from their themed photoshoots and photowalks. I’ve been unable to get to an event before now, but it was great to finally meet up with the team who were in the middle of their photoshoot, and using the underground car park as an awesome backdrop as captured in these images.
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Read MoreBarryfornia Air-Cooled Event
The idea of a Cali-look inspired show featuring air-cooled and pre-90s Volkswagens absolutely got my attention, so myself and mate Tom took a drive down to Barry on Sunday 22 May to check out the first Barryfornia event organised by the awesome Rothfink industries.
Read MorePendine Sands Hot Rod Races May 2022
Having not visited car shows like most people over the last couple of years, I spotted an instagram story advertising this event and from that moment I knew immediately that I had to attend. So early on a Sunday morning we travelled down in my recently purchased VW T5 to Pendine for the ninth running of the Hot Rod Races for the ninth running of the Hot Rod Races and for a fiver we got to attend the racing for the day and also park directly on the beach… Winner!
Read MoreVisiting Solva Woollen Mill
The wonderful gem that is Solva Woollen Mill has been producing unique woven fabrics on its historic looms for over a century.
The mill is located a short distance inland from the village of Solva and sits on the banks of the River Solfach which was a necessity as a natural power resource for its water wheel.
Read MoreOld Pioneer Garage
Automotive garages such as this were once a common site in villages and towns up and down the country, but are now few and far between, with many have been knocked down or repurposed for other ventures, but if you look hard enough some still remain.
The Pioneer garage featured here was spotted on a recent road trip I made travelling from Cardigan on the way to Poppit Sands along the St Dogmaels road. Having driven past it I instantly made the decision that I had to stop and photograph it on the way back due to the strength of its photographic appeal.
Read MoreAbandoned Cwm Coke Works
The now abdanoned Cwm Coke works site is an impressive, historical reminder of the hard, dirty work that was carried out through much of the Welsh valleys in its proud coal mining heyday.
After watching a youtube photography video that focussed on the site by an American photographer, I felt compelled to give the Cwm site a visit for myself, and although no longer accessible through legal means, the exterior provides some great photo opportunities especially when explored with a lens with a decent reach.
I was lucky enough to test out the Canon R6 during this weekend and pair it with a number of different RF glass, including the RF 24-105mm f4 L series, RF 50mm 1.8 STM lens and the RF 600mm f11 IS STM lens.
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