Of course for a photographer they also offer opportunities. On this cruise there were sea days, there frequently are on any cruise. With the sun shining bright it was the architecture of the ship that caught my photographic eye.

Lines, shapes and curves and a chance to enhance the contrasts in edit.

Time can sometimes feel slow on a cruise. That is a benefit of cruise life. a slower pace, nothing you can do about it so relax in to the moment. Or get the camera out and Compose- Expose-Edit with a structure that offers it self in shapes, curves and lines.

I’m not the first to do this and I wont be the last. But it passes some time and keeps the photography brain ticking over.

It is always good to see a good stock of towels!

And to admire structures.

However being on a ship provided the advantage of allowing me to carry a bit more gear (though no tripod) and the opportunity to take the longer lenses that I hoped might suit the landscapes of the fjords.

The chance to compose-expose- edit in these natural environments did not disappoint.

Being late Spring the weather was uncertain, quick changing and light dancing across the landscape. The warmer weather meant that water was flowing freely down rivers, over cliff faces and down the numerous waterfalls. I assume that come the summer some of these wouldn’t put on the same show.

There was some irony in reading whatsapp messages about the heatwave in the UK as we sheltered from a day long downpour in Bergen, a bowl of soup in the fish market as consolation.

But the rest of the week was much kinder. An opportunity view glaciers, to take a cable car in to the clouds and, what felt like, the top of the world. Endless waterfalls. To the point that the spectacular carries the risk of looking routine!

And of course some trees. Trees as features or trees in the wider landscape.

On this trip I carried the Nikon D850 and a classic trinity of lenses. In truth I was often using the zoom seeking to reach in to fjords or pick out detail as light played on the mountain sides. The passing weather fronts kept it varied and interesting.

Being on a cruise ship is a specific type of experience. No opportunity to immerse yourself in a location. Circa half a day to make choices about what to visit, what location to view or where to stroll. Accepting that something will be missed but taking the time to absorb some of the natural experiences on offer. For me this included taking my first ever serious cable car trip, “from fjord to sky in 5”, which was exhilarating and nerve wracking at the same time. Dawn takes the heights in her stride and I think takes joy in the fear on my face, as she strolls around the cable car.

But facing the fear was worthwhile.

Ships ahoy!

On top of the world.

These are simply early thoughts and a few quick edits. There are quite a few hundred images and all the editing options to work through.

Taak Norge.

But not with a camera in hand. The air was cool and moist, and rain passed through. While looking at the scenes before me I could feel the need for a more abstract mood. I decided that I would try and use the camera to capture it, to create beauty out of the bleak.

I knew that the images should be about mood and started to choose locations that might give layers of grass texture and then the cloudy sky beyond. After a couple of warm up shots I knew that my mood was searching for the impressionistic outcome.

As thew session developed I moved east from the Merthyr Tydfil common to Trefil, which claims to be the highest village in Wales and the land walked by the great Nye Bevan.

Here I started to see the combination of colours, cloud and mood that I had been seeking. It was also time to practice some ICM as I fancied it quite suited my objective for the session.

I was tuning in to the mood and this landscape. I noticed that a small river ran through the stream and thought it would add to the feel of the images.

My favourite of the session. Mood, colour and a compositional aid provided by the small river.

The air was clear, damp and inspirational. I tried to capture the moment and the mood.

It was another enjoyable outing of Compose-Expose-Edit and I returned home refreshed.

It felt good. Feeling a mood and then finding a photography technique to match. Its not all about clarity and technical precision, sometimes you just need to go with the feeling.

The wall that I hang over, a Nikon D850 in my hand, is a boundary wall of “Bryn Ffridd” a traditional stone cottage in Wales, on the edge of Parc Eryri, the Snowdonia National Park. Its aspect is however looking towards Y Llyn and out to Ireland over Caernarfon Bay and the coastline of south west Anglesey.

I have been spending more time here of late, life’s cycle and the roles reversing. Those who were cared for as children now become the carers for their parents. Perhaps it is the slow shifting of time that makes us a little more reflective, or just that spring flowers catch the eye. However being somewhat constrained in movement can bring benefits. I stopped looking at the big vista beyond the wall and took more time to look around my feet.

The idea formed that I should photo this beautiful spot of earth.

Gather some images for the memories but pictures that can also reflect the many hours of loving care I know have gone in to this cottage garden. Flowers, fruit and little spots for nature.

A garden that still blesses us with natures gifts.

There will still be strawberries and possibly a few apples. At this height and with the prevailing winds nothing can be certain.

This cottage is the folks home, it has welcomed grandchildren and now great grandchildren. It has seen my folks leave on cycling adventures across Europe and then return to its warm hearth. Life inside supported by a massive slate plinth above the fireplace. It has no doubt been a place of conversation about the changing events of life. It has always been a place of love and care.

It has often hosted gatherings with many more people than chairs, providing lessons in make do, home cooked food from the table, a glass of wine from the dresser. Parties that sometimes spilled out in to the surrounding small garden. Wash at the sink, compete for the small toilet. That is the humble, pure joy of a bwthyn like ‘Bryn Ffridd’. And for some 40 years it has been my folks home. It still is and its scale is now suited to their needs.

Poppies line the garden path.

The garden is tended by family, but perhaps not as keenly, but nature finds a way.

The colours of recent weeks have been both delicate and stunning.

Taking a few minutes to look at this small piece of earth through the viewfinder of a camera means the time to look at the stone walls and the boundary features, patches of ivy and at colours.

To see again the majestic hills in the context of this small cottage garden.

Before my folks made this their home to welcome family and friends we know that the wind blew, the rain fell and the sun set.

Today the wind blows, rain falls and the sun sets.

Over the garden wall -May 15 2026.

And in future the wind will blow the rain will fall and the sun will set.

Love and care continues.

Diolch - thank you “Bryn Ffridd”.

I find joy in several aspects of photography. Of course being out in the fresh air, wandering woodlands and hillsides, has the benefit of exercise, nature and beautiful scenes to compose.

Those scenes might be grand vistas or more intimate compositions. Hidden corners of ancient woodlands or even macro takes of specific details in texture and colour.

But I also take great pleasure on returning home, checking the memory card and getting on with the edits. For it is in edits that a variety of choices still await. Is the image to share precise details, a precision of focus and light? Is the image about mood and moment in which detail is less important?

After yesterday’s outing I decided to edit in both ways to offer a hint at the differences.

Trees overhanging the Afon Taf edited for a mood and left in a more natural image.

Perhaps there are some trees that lend themselves better to this approach. The shimmering of the silver birch can certainly lend itself to an arty edit.

My liking for the arty edge pushes an image in the paint brush direction. Less concern for the precise details and more interest in the feel of an image.

“A smudger” as photography friend Walter Waygood once commented.

Anyway smudger or not my next hobby vlog contains contrasts of these choices across my lovely walk in the Quakers Yard area of Merthyr Tydfil.

It also took me back to this splendid beech tree. The light wasn’t perfect but in this edit the idea was simple to try and work with and show the mighty beech and the incredible root system. I will return.

For too long my photography has ignored pine trees, things I had perceived as “boring”. In preparing for a photography club talk about trees and woodland photography I was surprised by how few images of pines were available for consideration

I challenged myself to put that right, a psychological reset, in which I would choose to visit pine trees and so expand my choice of images.

It has already been a rewarding couple of weeks.

A local pine woodland close to home came to life with some low mountain cloud. This was mid afternoon and the change of mindset I needed!

I tried several techniques including from low down to emphasise the height of the pine.

Inevitably some icm

The low void persisted for over an hour providing more opportunities.

Today I was driving through Wales and took the chance for a short detour through the wonderful Coed Y Brenin forest near Dolgellau. There are pine trees framing woodland lanes and fine, mature specimens.

The mix of pine and fresh beech lives made the forest feel alive, even though light was limited.

My mindset has changed. Pine is being added to the portfolio and, should another camera club call, it will feature more strongly.

It will also feature in my future zines.

Compose_Expose-Edit spent the afternoon through to sunset looking over a garden wall at the light over Caernarfon Bay, North West Wales and over to Ireland. It is always a pleasurable time watching the weather mood over Yr Eifl. An imposing set of mountains that always seem to separate the ancient lands of Llyn from the rest of North West Wales. The afternoon started with nothing special to report. A bit of cloud clinging to the summit and a suggestion of cloud creeping round on to Trefor.

Yr Eifyl -03/05/26.

I then tracked the light over the afternoon as it moved east to west over Caernarfon Bay as it headed for its resting place to the west over Ireland.

The headland at Trefor during afternoon light.

It was then a case of tracking the light as it moved towards a sunset.

There were some glorious colours and on today’s alignment the sun was setting over Ynys Llanddwyn, a well known location to UK photographers (and beyond), From my location a pylon comes in to play and I decided to embrace it rather than curse it! Indeed the light house and the pylon were neighbours at one point.

The sun then went behind a bank of cloud and the final images in the set were over Y Foryd and Newborough beach.

The had set. A project was complete. It was a project that took hours and was very enjoyable in the making.

Now to clean my gear again!!

In recent days I have been looking at afresh at small scenes in my home town of Merthyr Tydfil and framing images of this glorious spring. Now a few days of glorious sunshine helped and to wander around in a t-shirt very welcome.

A Welsh oak surrounded by splashes of dandelion yellow.

Yesterday I took the camera out for less than an hour and kept the photography local. The oak above sits adjoining the recently completed A465 road improvement and it is a blessing that it thrives.

Within the town there are scenes that would normally be roadside boundaries and borders that with the addition of some spring blossom have a new appeal.

Appealing road side scenes - perhaps needing a crop!

All in all a very satisfying way for spring to approach summer and to have an appreciation of the nature that is often closer to hand than people perceive.

Is it just me or is there some extra glow in the trees for Compose-Expose-Edit this year?

It quickly became apparent as I travelled through Y Bannau Brycheiniog, the Brecon Beacons in old money, that spring had arrived. The buds and young green leaves pathing the way of my drive and bringing fresh life to the hillsides. The green trees and the lambs providing that strong reminder of place and location.

The same through the rolling hills of Mid Wales and to Eryri, Snowdonia in old money, and the urge to get the camera in action overwhelmed. On the way north it was ‘just’ some roadside snaps. Little scenes on a small detour on the B4410 navigating towards Llanfrothen and then Beddgelert.

There was an extra joy in ignoring the large canvas of Eryri or the picture postcard shots of the Aberglaslyn pass. It was a small scene, grabbed by the side of the road, that took my eye.

The light fell kindly, there is a natural contour through the landscape and the green of spring sprinkles nicely across the scene.

To capture just one pleasing scene in a week is often reward enough but on this trip the return leg south gave me the time for two stops.

Coed Cymru - The Woodland Trust in Wales own and manage a site near Llyn Mair in the Maentwrog valley. I had around 45 minutes to wander, take in scenes and capture images, I even managed a short vlog. There was moisture in the air and scenes to die for. The following image is probably a favourite so far.

The way in which the plants (fresh blueberry?) tumble over the rocks and running from top right to bottom left. Enveloping a main character with a supporting cast of spring trees.

You can watch the short vlog here:

Hafod Y Llyn

Then onwards south on the A470 with another location in mind. I have had some ancient oak sitting alongside the River Wye, just north of Rhyader. They didn’t disappoint and the area deserves more time.

There is a Nature Reserve opposite and more opportunities.

A road trip that was guided by spring light and rain but gave more than three pleasing images and a shaort vlog.

a very rewarding contribution for Compose-Expose-Edit.

Even the shorts were on as I ventured out for an eclectic day of photography but determined to get the Welsh Oak in April into my Compose-Expose-Edit series.

Here it is in warm April air.

In truth and as I mention in my forthcoming vlog of this day this oak is not yet showing as spring like as I anticipated. There seem few buds and the shadow of winter seems to still hang over it. Perhaps it is a reflection of this slightly uphill location, sort of the foothill of Pen Y Fan, and a few more weeks will tell a different story.

Or perhaps this old oak has reached a different stage of its life cycle and will not bloom a canopy as in previous years.

We shall see!

On an otherwise eclectic day I took in reflections at a local reservoir:

followed by some upland scenes:

Looking down towards the village of Penderyn - home of Welsh whiskey.

before arriving at a town park, an urban park, in Aberdare. I spent a happy hour wandering among cheery blossom trees and ornamental species. However at the edge of the park I discovered a lovely grouping of large Welsh oak.

One was a magnificent size and though the light was bright I found a composition using both the tree and the reflection of the branches on the floor.

A pleasing outcome and a lovely morning of weather.

More please!

I recently penned a few words about retirement and luckily for me as that day arrived I was in Venezia. It was not a Compose-Expise-Edit visit but I was carrying my sturdy Nikon D850 and a small Sony RX100-V. Not too shabby.

I know that many creators advise not to rush the edits, but I can’t resist. And at this retirement age I may not get the chance to hang around 😂😂😂.

Having a few days in this incredible city meant a chance to ferry around the lagoon and just take in views. The warm spring air has awoken, I even felt a glow on the skin.

A couple of early edits have made it out. No doubt further editing work will follow.

Gracie Venezia.

The time is finally approaching for retirement. A word that in the days of my youth seemed far away, but that is very soon becoming a reality. I feel lucky to make it, as I know others who didn’t get this chance. I’m not sure that I expected to be working at 66 but, in reality, I don’t regret it.

The world of work has been a big part of life since 1983. Back then there were Cold War tensions (so little changes) and Google tells me the big hit of that year was ‘Thriller’. Liverpool won the league and the Baggies were a top flight team.

Work has provided friendships and love and helped to carry me through times of personal change. It led me to be a trade unionist and many years as an activist. There were workplace football teams, cricket teams and 5 a side teams. A few drinking teams!!

A journey from the Welsh Office Agricultural Department (WOAD), Snowdonia National Park (SNP), Gwynedd County Council (GCC), Cyngor Sir Ynys Mon, Welsh Labour and to more recently Senedd Support Staff. I was for a long time a MRTPI (Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute).

A grainy image of a young planner - taking part in an S4C programme.

But I will soon stop work feeling satisfied. If the epitaph is “at least he tried”, that will do.

There was always some form of parallel career(s) - the trade union activist or the party political candidate flying Labour’s flag even if the political winds blew in other directions. Nothing like keeping a few plates spinning!!

The aspiring political candidate - who later found work in politics. Here with Welsh labour leader Rhodri Morgan.

Senedd Cymru - The Welsh Parliament (25.03.26) in the sunshine.

I was a map room assistant, a planning assistant, a planning officer and the various grades that followed. I have always been interested in policy and the emergence of new ideas. I was lucky enough to have almost a decade working as the Policy Officer for Welsh Labour. Finally working a bit closer to the coal face of politics helping to keep a Member of the Senedd on track and support the many varied challenges of constituency work. There are a couple of days left in that role yet.

I took my camera to work - final day in the Senedd as an employee (25.03.26) - but not my final day.

After the usual effort at part time pub and shop jobs I entered a career based on a BSc in Town Planning from Birmingham Polytechnic. While in work gained an MA in Change Management and took many a short course to refresh learning.

A journey through the tools of main frame computers to the desk top, on to the laptop, the mobile phone and the tablet. There might even have been a Blackberry at some point! From massive paper print outs to that new thing, the internet, with data/graphics on a phone screen. It was certainly a time of constant technological change. As I leave work I reflect on the rise of AI and the nimble skill sets people will need moving forwards.

From PCS, Nalgo/Unison, Unite and GMB and back to Unison (parallel membership) I have always been proud to recognise that my progress in working life is built on the efforts and sometimes sacrifices of others.

What next? Well the hope, with health willing, it is time for the Grandchildren and family, travel, more photography, music and football. That is a good enough start.

Hopefully I’ll see you on the terraces, or knocking a few doors, because them old habits will probably live on. Failing that join me in a local woodland as my love for trees and woodland images continues to grow.

Thank you to all work colleagues and friends over the last 43 years. Sorry for any disappointments but hopefully the good times far outnumber any negatives. I will raise a glass to you all and to those no longer with us.

Right, where’s my camera….

The industrial past and modern transport needs also provides some engineering hot spots.

That is how this morning’s morning walk turned out. Parked up on the edge of the National Park but walking back down in to the Cefn Coed community in the Borough of Merthyr Tydfil. Here you can find centuries of human endeavour and engineering developments. A walk that is an engineer’s delight but with nature having a strong presence.

From the original stone bridges that crossed the Taff and it’s tributaries, like Nant Ffrwd, to the Victorian masterpiece of the Cefn viaduct and then the 1960’s road engineers recently overtaken by modern day engineering road building efforts.

It feels like the history of engineering exists in this one small area.

That was today’s walk and here are a few images that will find their way in to a vlog soon.

Before the A470 and before the viaduct - an early stone bridge.

200 metres away, a bridge over the Taff.

The remarkable Cefn viaduct built in 1868 to carry the Brecon and Merthyr railway. Now a footpath and cyclepath.

The viaduct has 15 arches and an elegant curve.

Then we reach the more recent road bridges and structures. The modern A465 road bridge was completed by the 1960’s but has been more recently absorbed within the Heads of the Valleys road improvements completed in 2025.

Black and white edits of today’s snaps.

I assume these structures are an engineer’s dream.

For me the story is the remarkable footprint left by human hands and ingenuity in this small section of a Welsh valley where the A465/A470 and a historic viaduct intersect.

But where nature is never far away to reclaim the land.

I was well rewarded for the choice.

The atmosphere and rain added to the mood and while the light was not strong it did provide sufficient opportunities to capture some pleasing images.

Title: The shy giants.

Of course I couldn’t resist the chance to also play with some gorgeous silver birch.

Images that pleased the eye and a youtube video as well. A good result for Compose-Expose-Edit and a reminder to be out in all conditions.

Follow the outing here: Atmospheric pines

For the first phase of 2026 I have found myself visiting Garwnant, near Merthyr Tydfil for some photography. Some may know it as being the location of a Forest Holidays destination and very pleasant lodges they are. Anyway advert over and back to trees.

In the cold of the New Year a Welsh oak adjoining this area caught my eye. Today in some Welsh mist and rain I found myself standing in this location once again.

The idea of a project formed. The chance to tell the story of this Welsh oak over 2026. We now have the cold of winter and a spring soaking in the bag.

One Welsh oak - One photo project.

I find this Welsh oak appealing. It has character and a maturity, Comfortable in its own skin and now ready to face the adventures of another spring, and then whatever weather nature throws at us.

I intend to return to this tree and tell it’s story. At the moment the images need a little crop as some wires pass behind the top of the tree. But I am guessing that as the canopy returns and grows the wires will not intrude. We shall see.

So from this little corner of Y Bannau, on the edge of the Borough of Merthyr Tydfil we shall follow this one oak.

See you back here soon!

Winter detail.

It is not the first time I’ve wandered this route and I keep telling myself to head a bit further down the valley (to the top left of this image) but that will have to wait another day.

On this hill side there are sights that speak to both the industrial past and modern day. Today we can quickly pass by the sound of tanks being tested.

The past is an abandoned farmstead and coal tip. This evidence of human impact on the valley is interspersed with ancient Welsh oak and gatherings of silver birch.

Nature above human settlements.

These walks are essentially photo logs. The light and conditions don’t always make for “best of” images but they are still a good reason to have a walk, to take in the air and get some views that help understand the local landscape.

Colours in the quarry face.

The ancient oak are always a good incentive to get in the steps, to think about the fitness needed for the coming Spring.

Until the next walk. Take care.

but the conditions for photography are not as calm, with articulated lorries hurtling by, about 2 metres behind me here!

However this soon calmed as I turned on to the lanes and back roads of Y Bannau: CwmGwdi, Cantref, Ffrwdgrech, Llanfrynach and Pencelli looking for characters in fields.

Peering over gates and fence hedges, not always sure I was capturing my subjects but enjoying the spring air, the sounds of the Welsh countryside and farmers going about their business.

The morning passed and after a lovely soup in TalyBont on Usk it was the homeward loop via Blaen Y Glyn. Not for the waterfalls and cascades but to check the hillside trees. After the driving of country lanes this was a chance to stretch the legs, to take in mountain air and enjoy nature at a slower pace.

Finding scenes and characters on a hillside is always a special joy. The physical exercise a bonus for the photography exercise. Compose-Expose-Edit.

Depth and detail amongst ancient Welsh oak.

A wander that can discover characters living on the edge. Soon to fall away as land forms change with the extremities of our weather.

On the edge

The hillside walk turned in to the practice of seeing. It lasted far longer than I intended. Time passing without worries, absorbed in nature.

Hawthorn filling a gap in an old stone wall.

Then the final drive home. One last hillside image as some horses crossed the mountain side.

A lovely day out with the camera, in nature and bringing back memories.

A new zine created out of a workshop with and a wander around Borrowdale.

Click the zine link to enjoy.

A Second Morning In Borrowdale

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Come on, after 7 hours on the M5/6 in pouring rain and traffic jams the prospects did not feel good. But after a comforting pint of local ale, some good food and a glass of red the mood was set for the next morning and a photography workshop in Borrowdale with Mali Davies (check Mali Davies photography on socials)

I woke up on Saturday morning to cloud, but no rain. Falling out of my hotel bed and fuelled by coffee I made my way to Bowder stone car park for a meet up.

The smiling face of Mali Davies awaited me and after a good hug and an opening natter he led me off on the footpaths of Borrowdale and towards Mansty. In spite of some heavy rain the river Derwent was behaving and the mild air put a spring in the step.

What followed was a joyous four hours chasing light and in awe at nature. Once again the idea that winter lacks colour was destroyed by the range, depth, tones and textures on offer in this small section of Borrowdale. Nature’s menu offering so much for Compose-Expose-Edit to work with.

Layers of mood and colour looing up the valley.

The rain held off, there were occasional, but not many breaks in the cloud , but nature was the comfort. As always Mali’s creative eye and mentoring helped me to see images. A gentle prompt, “in there” or “look in to the depth at the textures” helping me to improve my woodland photography.

Texture, tone and colours.

I may have said before but a photography workshop is a sound investment in the joy of photography. It may not deliver a new piece of kit, but it will provide insights and opportunities you might otherwise miss.

Winter colours as we turn towards spring.

With a workshop leader like Mali I find creative encouragement that overlaps with some shared joy at trees and woodlands. We listened to a woodpecker, hammering the morning air, the screech of a buzzard and the sights of farming life. All a context for some lovely photography and many joyous steps to keep us healthy.

Old characters in fields.

The wizard’s wand touching Castle Crag.

This was my third workshop with Mali as my photography journey unfolds. I have moved from some simple tips, like keeping subjects separate and arranged in my compositions, to getting a feel for the mood and creativity of images.

The workshop is still fresh and the jpegs here just a quick sample of the morning’s crop.

As with many outings time is needed to reflect, time to better pick up the mood of the images in a more meaningful edit.

Time well spent. A workshop with rich rewards.

Thanks Mali.

They were intended for family and friends, a nice way to share the outings amongst trees, in the woodlands of Wales.

(a recent outing amongst Welsh oak)

For technical reasons relating to my inadequacies they are appearing in reverse order. So here you will find Zine 3 (see previous post for zine 4).

The images are interspersed with some self penned poetry, or a few lines from other poets about trees. Compose-Expose-Edit in the woodlands of Wales.

Cad Goddeu 3

33.3MB ∙ PDF file

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