One of a set of images of super talent model Taurai photographed recently at the Wales & West Photography Show, ICC Wales. Newport.

Portraiture at Wales & West Photography Show

July 14, 2023

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.

The General Stores at Mathry

April 17, 2023

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.

Looking towards the scaffolding wrapped Dyffryn House from its magnificent gardens set in 55 acres.

Dyffryn Gardens Open Doors Event

September 27, 2022

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.

The perfectly preserved A S Ockwell Ltd automotive garage located outside of Cardiff in Peterstone Super Ely, is a working garage offering a wide range of services.

A.S. Ockwell Ltd. Garage Peterstone-Super-Ely

September 25, 2022

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.

One of a set of images of model Amy Tatham photographed at the Wales & West Photography Show, ICC Wales. Newport.

Cardiff Shooters Portrait event at the Wales & West Photography Show, ICC Wales

September 11, 2022

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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Solva Woollen Mill is located around a mile inland from Solva, and is the oldest working mill in Pembrokeshire having been established way back in 1907. — Solva Woollen Mill is located around a mile inland from Solva, and is the oldest continuously working woollen mill in Pembrokeshire having been established way back in 1907.

Visiting Solva Woollen Mill

August 31, 2021

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.

The old Pioneer automotive garage located between Cardigan and Poppit Sands, is now an abandoned building but one that would have once been a busy workshop serving petrol back in its heyday. I adore the patina and vintage pieces still on display, giving us a reminder of a quieter and slower paced time.

Old Pioneer Garage

August 22, 2021

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.

The old Cwm Coke Works located in Tynant, RCT is a large scale abandoned site that now provides interesting subject matter for photography. This is the giant and imposing concrete coal bunker.

Abandoned Cwm Coke Works

August 11, 2021

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.