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.

A large crowd carrying fiery torches descend on Stow Hill, Newport 04.11.22

Illuminating the 183rd Anniversary of the Chartist Uprising

April 13, 2023

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.

A Land Rover Defender captured during some nice afternoon light. at Lassiters. 29.09.22

Built for the Journey

October 13, 2022

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.

A beautiful evening walk looking towards Down end. 29.09.22

A fiery reception at Down End

October 6, 2022

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.

A sad sight, but from destruction will always comes new beginnings. 29.09.22 *note below.

A landscape scarred

October 4, 2022

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.

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.

Click to read more…

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.

Wildings was a well known and established department store with a traditional shopping experience, much loved in Newport since 1874.

Wildings department store

August 7, 2021

What I have captured here is a small reminder that is still present today. It’s an awesome piece of signage that probably welcomed delivery drivers since the 1980’s or 90’s judging by it’s style. I love its age and patina which for me visually represents the tough times and ending that the store went through.

This is a nice visual urban piece which appeals to me as a photography subject, with the vibrant, but distressed teal painted doors present in the photos providing a nice juxtaposition between the industrial brick walls and the small hint outlined by the signage that there was a vibrant and successful business that thrived here for many years.

I captured a quick succession of photos on my Canon 5D MKii paired with a Tamron 24-70 f2.8 lens which led to an enjoyable 15 minute project that has spurred me into capturing and documenting more subjects like this going forward.