Ashridge contains more ancient and veteran trees than any other National Trust property in the country. Bisham Woods may have inspired the Wild Wood in Wind in the Willows. Two extraordinary woodlands at opposite ends of the Chilterns, and between them enough subject matter to keep a photographer busy for years.

Black and white photographers whose work I admire and return to — Edwin Smith, James Ravilious, Fay Godwin, Don McCullin, Frank Meadow Sutcliffe, Adrian Vila and Christine Wilson — and why I make a point of not looking at them too closely before picking up my own camera.

The Sony A700 is a camera that was built to be used — and that's exactly why it still earns its place in my kit today. A second body that keeps me in the same Sony A-mount system, fits in the hip pack, and delivers smoother black and white JPEGs than anything I'd spend ten times the price on. Sometimes old is still good enough, even today.

More Than a Pretty Picture didn't start as a book. It started as a series of blog posts about why I photograph, what the practice gives me, and how it fits into everyday life. A couple were published, the rest were withheld, and somewhere along the way the decision was made to turn it all into something more permanent. This is how a collection of reflections became a first book.

I’ve spent years refining what I carry on a photography walk, slowly stripping things back until the gear stopped dictating the experience. This post isn’t about the latest cameras or must-have accessories, but about finding a setup that allows walking and photography to coexist naturally. From my Sony A350 on general photowalks to the more deliberate Sony A700 for book and print work, this is a reflection on simplicity, comfort, and learning to carry only what genuinely earns its place.

What separates a pretty picture from a photograph that truly matters? This piece explores intention, emotion, memory, and why the images we live with often say far more than the ones we simply scroll past.

Why do we pick up a camera? Photography isn’t just about images — it’s about noticing, creating, connecting, and remembering. This is a look at what draws us to the craft and why it matters, even if no one else sees our work.

Picking up the Sony A350 again has been like reopening an old chapter I didn’t realise I’d missed. My first digital DSLR after my film days, it brings back the joy of using a simple, stills-only camera — chunky, tactile, with a CCD sensor that gives black-and-white images real character. Slower walks, everyday routes, and a quiet rhythm of photography suit it perfectly. No expectations, no pressure — just a camera that lets me enjoy shooting again.