Mike's Photography and Travel Blog

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...

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 week's blog is not quite a confession, but it could be contrued as one, even a betrayal, well maybe not that extreme or profound, perhaps. Judge for yourself. For years, I was insufferable about smartphone photography. I was the person who insisted that 'The best camera is the one you have with you.' I dismissed bulky gear as overkill, scoffed at camera bags, and rolled my eyes at anyone who talked about gear like it was sacred. My phone was always in my pocket, always ready, and, thanks to relentless advances in computational photography, more than capable. Or so I believed. And for a long time, I was right. Smartphones democratised photography. ...

Welcome to the blog—a space where photography and travel come together to tell richer, more meaningful stories. Here, you’ll find more than just destinations and images; it’s about capturing moments, understanding places, and seeing the world with intention. From practical shooting tips to reflections on the journey behind the lens, each post is designed to help you travel deeper and photograph with purpose. Whether you’re chasing light in a new city or learning to appreciate the details closer to home, you’re in the right place. If you travel regularly, you’ll probably understand the frustration: flight confirmations buried in emails; hotel bookings hidden across different apps; reservation details scattered everywhere. Before a trip even begins, it can already feel disorganised. That is exactly why I started using TripIt. This review focuses on the free version of the app — and after using numerous travel apps over the years, I can confidently say it is one of the most us...