I walked into town the other day along the banks of the River Avon, i was caught up by one of my favourite things to spend time watching - and occasionally photographing - flowing water, the way it catches light, interfering with reflections, almost but not quite repeating patterns.

Most of us were taught we have five senses. In reality, we also have senses that help us read our body, movement, and internal state. Sunrise and sunset are perfect moments to practise them, because the world slows down enough for you to feel what is usually drowned out.

This video, with a very dour voice to start (sorry) is to inspire you to get in there and see the close-up beauty of Galanthus nivalis, and maybe take some photographs.

Has something happened this week that's left a deep darkness, or hurt. Search as hard as your soul will let you, for something good that happened. If you can't think of anything, than pick up your mobile, or even better a pen and paper, and write a kind note to someone else who's struggling. It will change you, as well as them.

Image One is the result of having the lens with nothing to stop the light bouncing around inside the lens, causing the same flare we've talked about before. But this particular morning there was something at stake - pretty cottages, a frosty field and a country scene.

Yet in the verges and in the shy corners of gardens, the first celandines (Ficaria verna) had appeared. Little sparks of yellow that lift the soul. Much like the local priest arriving with hot bangers, mash and BB, and banana custard afterwards, they quietly encourage you to paddle on.

Moving on to Image Two, again macro-photograph of the stamen and anthers. I've changed the angle of image with the result that these two parts are separated from the yellow flower by the green that occurs deep within. Although the anthers are slightly out of focus, their placing on the top horizontal 'third' makes them very much the visual focus, with the stamen, completely in focus, sitting on almost dead centre.

Here are a bunch of variations on the theme of being prepared. Have a read, does anything touch you? Let me know if it does. These boots are not for dancing; they’re for surviving meetings, with traction. Boots have a job: keeping me upright while life throws stuff. If you see these boots, assume the day has “terrain”.

I’m creating a small photography membership; not a course, and not a busy online group; but a calm, supportive space for people who want to slow down, notice more, and grow in confidence with their photography.   It values care over speed, encouragement over competition, and attention over noise. It’s built on the belief that learning to see takes time, and that the right environment makes all the difference.

Image Four, is just another image of the same chunk of rock, and illustrates what a huge choice of potential images can be gleaned from something you spill your coffee on, that you probably have never noticed.

I sent notification to my subscribers yesterday of a new Level within my Simple Photography Tips. If you've not read it, perahps have a look and see if it's of interest.

realised that the way the autumn leaves had landed in the bowl had combined with the structures that the freezing process had produced, to create some great opportunities for art images. Rather than looking for subjects, it's an opportunity to seek textures as well. Tiny bubbles frozen in the water add depth and a sense of time held still. Look for clusters, trails, and size changes. Cracks are like faults in a precious stone, they can reflect light at a different

Prayer changes perspective. It shifts you from replaying the offence to seeing a human being again — sometimes broken, sometimes blind, always accountable, but no longer in charge of your inner world. And it can change the other person too: softening what’s hardened, interrupting patterns, opening a door you couldn’t force.

Celebrating 2025 in Pictures is a stroll through some of the images I’ve used this year to illustrate the joy of photography. As I share and celebrate the year in photographs, I hope you’ll 'join the walk', the same quiet lesson I’ve been learning: to stop more, look more, and accept the images that waft into your awareness.

In some parts of the world, where it's warm and sunny - go and find a lizard and sit still, breathe slowly, and just watch it - two minutes, five minutes. Look at it, and notice things you'd never noticed before. Look around and notice. If it's wet and miserable, go and watch a branch drip, notice the light shining through, move a little and watch it from a different angle.

The weather is broken cloud, the sun peeking through, then hiding again. You’re in the mood for looking, for noticing. Seeking something quirky in this seemingly rather featureless wintery lane, as a diversion from Christmas 'festivities' perhaps. You might start to notice a few things; the way the recycled road material has formed a pebbly surface, with shapes and shadows. The trees either side of you, and the way their trunks sit in parallel up to the sky.

Friday Photo Inspiration. Simple Photography Tips “No-one But You Walks Your Journey”

Perhaps rather blunt, but sunrise and sunset photography centre around the appearance or disappearance of an immensely bright splodge of light, either appearing over the horizon or sinking below the horizon. There's nothing unusual about this, happens every day, has been for a few years now, and God-willing, will continue to. Photographically it's pretty boring, and it needs a number of add-ons to give it interest, certainly if you want to print it for others to enjoy.

It strikes me that many of the highest peaks, the best outlooks, and the ultimate goals all require zig-zags, the willingness to turn from the straight way, even if you can't see the reason. It may not be a cliff as in the picture, but you never know what lies ahead.

In summary; it matters whether the subject is moving into the picture or out of it. In terms of 'story', it changes how the viewer reads the story, feels about the moment and how direction changes this.

a quiet moment to end the week with inspiration through Photography and Words “Light doesn't ask permission — it just transforms.” Friday photo inspiration ;“A quiet reminder that the overall you is more important than the tiny details - don’t get too close.” “Nymphe couchée” (Reclining Nymph) by Léon-Ernest Drivier, Palais de Tokyo / Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris Not a simple photography tip as such, but more like inspiration through Photography and Words—a mix of visual with

The overall conclusion I'd like you to take with you is that there is very rarely a day devoid of photographic opportunity - you just need to stop and settle, and maybe imagine your'e a modern-day Monet, looking for the light to guide you.

I noticed a little “face” in this weathered plank of wood – knots for eyes, a small, tired mouth. Years of rain, sun and pressure have carved out something strangely human. It reminded me of a line from a prayer by Joshua Luke Smith: “You are both a work of art, and an artist at work.”

Out for a few minutes walk before meeting Favourite Middle Daughter for a before work coffee from Roc and Floss at the market. I was able to capture a short video demonstrating how to use existing objects to cut the lens flare that occurs from bright light entering the lens at the wrong angle - this is usually sunlight, but can also be streetlights etc.