Mike's Photography and Travel Blog

Welcome to my blog, where photography is about more than cameras and travel is about more than ticking places off a list. This is a place for anyone who wants to see more, think more deeply, and tell better visual stories—whether you're exploring another country or simply walking around your own neighbourhood. Most people carry an incredibly powerful camera in their pocket every day, yet many never venture beyond the default settings. The result? Missed opportunities to capture truly stunning photos. The truth is, smartphone camera settings aren't as intimidating as they seem. Features like Portrait Mode, Night Mode, exposure controls, and HDR are designed to help you get better results with just a few taps. You don't need to be a professional photographer to use them—you simply need the confidence to experiment. Want sharper sunset photos? Adjust the exposure. Taking pictures in low light? Try Night Mode. Looking to make a subject stand out? Portrait Mode can c...

I have written twice recently about street photography. First, I considered what attracts us to photographing everyday life in public places — and some of the difficulties that come with doing so. More recently, I returned to the subject following the debate surrounding government guidance on photographing people in public. But perhaps we've been concentrating on the wrong question. We spend a great deal of time discussing what street photographers are allowed to do. Perhaps we should spend a little more time considering what we ought to do. Does street photography need its own voluntary code of conduct? The law is only the starting point The position in Britain is reasonably clear in principle. There is no general requirement to obtain somebody's permission simply because they appear in a photograph taken in a public place. There are qualifications, of course. Privacy can still arise in particular circumstances. Harassment and certain forms of intrusive photography can...

The law may give photographers considerable freedom in public places. Knowing when to exercise that freedom — and when not to — is another matter. You're walking down a street with your camera or smartphone when you see a photograph.  Perhaps it's the way someone is standing in a shaft of sunlight.  Perhaps it's an expression, an interaction between two people, or simply one of those fleeting combinations of people, place and light that will disappear in seconds. You raise the camera. Then someone says: ‘You can't take my photograph without my permission.’ Are they right? Usually, no. But perhaps that's not the most interesting question. When official advice muddies the water This issue recently became rather more topical when the Home Office published guidance about photography and filming in public places. The material, intended as advice for asylum seekers about behaviour in the UK, included the rather unequivocal instruction: ‘Do not photograph or fi...

Welcome to my blog, where photography is about more than cameras and travel is about more than ticking places off a list. This is a place for anyone who wants to see more, think more deeply, and tell better visual stories—whether you're exploring another country or simply walking around your own neighbourhood. Making your photos visually compelling is about combining composition, lighting, storytelling, and emotion. Here’s a practical breakdown you can follow, whether you’re using a smartphone or a DSLR. Start with a strong subject Decide what the photo is about. A single clear subject (person, object, or scene) is more powerful than clutter. Avoid distractions. Simplify the background or use shallow depth of field (portrait mode or wide aperture) to make your subject stand out. Use compositional techniques  You want to guide the viewer’s eye and create balance by using the  rule of thirds or the golden ratio, leading lines such as roads, fences, or shadows that al...

Welcome to my blog, where photography is about more than cameras and travel is about more than ticking places off a list. This is a place for anyone who wants to see more, think more deeply, and tell better visual stories—whether you're exploring another country or simply walking around your own neighbourhood. Welcome to my latest blog, which this week is about street photography. I am not exclusively a street photographer, although I do occasionally dabble. After a number of years as a photographer, and without any particular genre in which to pigeon hole my work, I am seriously looking at focusing on street photography as my sole interest. Street photography fascinates me because it sits at the intersection of observation, timing, and human unpredictability. Unlike studio work, nothing waits for you. It's unpredictable; it's forever changing.,The world simply unfolds, indifferent to whether you’re ready or not. That’s precisely what makes it so compelling. Thi...

Welcome to my blog, where photography is about more than cameras and travel is about more than ticking places off a list. This is a place for anyone who wants to see more, think more deeply, and tell better visual stories—whether you're exploring another country or simply walking around your own neighbourhood. This blog takes a look at some simple steps you can take to improve your smartphone photography. With the school holidays almost upon us, and the time when when you might be grabbing a well-deserved break with family or friends, and possibly heading off to new places, all of which you'll want to capture with your smartphone camera, now's the opportunity to improve your photos. It probably won't surprise you, but it's estimated that over 90% of all photographs are now captured on smartphones, making photography highly accessible for people of all ages. Here are some practical, easy-to-follow tips to help you get the best results from your smartphone...