Welcome to Walking with Pics.
Welcome to my new website. After a few years sharing my work mainly through YouTube and Flickr, I wanted somewhere that felt more like home — slower, quieter, and centred on the photography itself rather than algorithms and trends.
Most of my walks are spent with Elvis, my golden doodle, who’s a big part of what I do. He’s usually somewhere in the frame — waiting on a path, wandering ahead, or sat by my side while I line up a composition. It’s as much his journey as mine, and I can’t imagine heading out without him now.
You’ll still find my older walking village tour videos on YouTube, but all new video content will now be posted directly here on the website. I stopped making those tours because, as much as I enjoyed them, I found myself spending so much time on the video work (which was still relatively new to me) that my photography began to suffer. Although it might not look like it, the slideshows I make now are often even more work to put together, but they let me focus fully on the photography again — which is where my real interest lies.
I haven’t used social media for a number of years — I just don’t enjoy it. I’m not interested in chasing trends or playing the algorithm game, and I’ve no patience for all the endless scrolling through suggested crap I’ve no interest in. What I wanted instead was a proper space for people who enjoy photography in the same way I do — something to take your time with. A place to wander at your own pace, much like a quiet walk through the countryside.
Local photography has always been a big part of what I do. I’ve no issue with the well-known ‘honeypot’ spots — they’re beautiful — but for most of us, getting there isn’t always practical. Between work, distance, and life simply getting in the way, those trips can be few and far between. I’ve always believed there’s just as much satisfaction in exploring what’s around you — the lanes, fields, villages, and history close to home. Hopefully, this site might encourage a few others to do the same.
Black and white has become a huge part of how I see and photograph the world. I’ve always been drawn to it — even as a kid, looking through old family photo albums (which I still have) and seeing how much character those monochrome prints had. Around two years ago, I made the decision to shoot only in black and white — both on film and by setting my digital cameras to capture only black and white JPEGs, with no RAW colour conversions. It reminded me of what I grew up with, and what I loved about photography in the first place.
Over time, I plan to grow the site — adding walking routes, location notes, and the occasional gear or book review — all tied to the same idea of slowing down and enjoying photography close to home. I’d also like it to become a small reference point for anyone who enjoys quiet, rural photography and walks — not in a tutorial sense, but as a collection of shared experiences, small discoveries, and the odd bit of useful kit talk along the way.
Everything you see here is built around the same simple aim: to slow down, walk, look, and photograph what’s around me. Whether it’s a village church, a farm gate, or a single track through a field, it all matters just as much as the big views — sometimes more so.
So, whether you’ve followed my work for a while or just stumbled across it, welcome. Have a wander through the galleries, take your time, and enjoy the quiet.
If you’d like to be notified when new content is added — whether that’s a new video, a fresh set of images, or a blog post — you can sign up to the newsletter on the Videos page. It’s a simple way to keep up without using social media.
— Mark