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Travel Photography
In the Travel Photography Tips section of my blog, I share easy, practical tips to help you take stunning travel photos—no matter your experience level. Whether you're on a quick business trip or on holiday, these simple photography tips are here to inspire you, boost your confidence, and help you tell more compelling visual stories.
With mobile phone photography advice, everything is based on my real travel experiences. My goal is to show you how to take better travel photos.
Late summer. Now is the time for photographing butterflies if you've only a phone camera – Simple Photography Tips - video”
This blog is my first attempt at a video where I share a few thoughts on how you can get really stunning butterfly pictures here in the Uk.
Earlier in the year, I spoke of the need for long lens or long and macro.
This was based on the 'flittiness' of these beauties in the height of summer when they have much more energy due to the heat and sun,
As summer comes to the end, there is a late hatch, in this case, of Red Admirals Vanessa atalanta.
Michael Blyth
1 min read
“Waiting with Herons: A Photographer’s Opportunity to Slowing Down – Simple Photography Tips”
The geese had already left, there were a few mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) still snoozing, a handful of teal (Anas crecca) feeding, and a solitary grey heron (Ardea cinerea) slowly wading through the middle of the pond.
I had one of my Nikon Camera's, fitted in case you're interested with a 70-200mm f2.8 and 1.7 teleconverter.
If you have one of the latest iphones or similar, you could still make a good effort, as you will understand in a bit.
Michael Blyth
6 min read
Six months anniversary of simple photography tips
Today marks six months of my Simple Photography Tips - twice a week, with the "motto ut aspias, done videas" - that you may look until...
Michael Blyth
1 min read
seascape photography tips: How to use your i-phone to create emotive seascape photographs
Yes, sometimes my mantra of 'look until you see' is necessarily tempered by the desirability of not missing the moment - and experience with reading the signs helps. Grab the moment, and re-shoot if it gets better.
So two things I want to chat about, the first is the one addressed already, the need for character to produce emotive coastal images. The other is what lens to use with your iphone, other phone camera, or camera.
Michael Blyth
3 min read
Simple Photography Tips - Finding Inspiration Through Photography and Words - swans landing together
Doing things together isn’t only about striving forward; it’s also about arriving, resting, and being present with one another. Just as these swans settle gracefully onto the water, we too find strength and comfort in shared moments of calm. Whether it’s winding down after a busy day, walking in nature, or simply sitting quietly with someone we care about, togetherness softens the landing.
Michael Blyth
1 min read
Part two of the joyfulness that comes with adding colour – Simple Photography Tips on colourful fruit photography and the mental health benefits of creativity
If you look long enough, you'll see that it's actually a basket resting on a table - funny how the eye sees things differently sometimes!
It's an image that would be brighter but less rustic if you were to set it up using those ultra-bright fruits from a supermarket.
Michael Blyth
2 min read
Using a teleconverter on your camera – with Simple Photography Tips on Wildlife bird photography
We are all very aware of the environmental nego's around replacing our old toys, for a new one's, whether it's a car, boat, or latest phone. In my case it was the temptation of a new lens. Did I need to? Not really.
I did think it would be worth spending a little bit of time, for your sake as well as mine, seeing if there was much of an improvement to be made, without the material waste.
Michael Blyth
5 min read
Simple Photography Tips - Finding Inspiration Through Photography and Words
Whether you're a fellow photographer, a creative soul, or just someone who enjoys a quiet moment of inspiration, I hope these 'images with words' bring you something valuable.
Michael Blyth
1 min read
Simple Photography Tips - Finding Inspiration Through Photography and Words
“From the archives — a quiet moment to end the week.”
Michael Blyth
1 min read
Simple Photography Tips - yacht photography from the shore - Admirals Cup 2025
This image is only possible from a land base when the sea and wind conditions are such that it is of tactical advantage to the yachts to come in close before tacking back across the channel, or in this case a turn of a few degrees to avoid the rocks, but to remain close-hauled in the favourable water / wind conditions.
Michael Blyth
6 min read
Simple Photography Tips - The rule of vertical thirds
I'm forever referring to the 'rule of thirds', that series of imaginary lines that sit grid-like on any scene, and indeed not so imaginary on the 'viewfinder' of some cameras and phones.
Michael Blyth
5 min read
Exploring Graffiti and Street Art Around the World – with Simple Photography Tips
What does fascinate me is the range of imagery, and there is an increasing fascination in the whole genre of street art, and the artists involved, both well-known such as: Jean-Michel Basquiat, Banksy, Keith Haring, Shepard Fairey, and Os Gemeos; and the unknown "urban art guerillas"
Michael Blyth
5 min read
Simple Photography Tips - how to get your exposure right for Sunset photographs
A late evening preamble by the lake to the side of this wart, is an enjoyable experience, and we partook.
Aware of the difficulty with exposure in these conditions, where the eye/brain is so clever, but a camera is not, I took a short series of photos to help you sort your images, and to inspire you to experiment.
Michael Blyth
3 min read
Simple Photography Tips - How to photograph Toads
There was I wandering alongside one of the leats in the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen, an amazing place of grown-over sand-dunes which are used as a huge water purification system to supply Amsterdam, when I saw a toad.
Michael Blyth
2 min read
Simple Photography Tips - just sit and see what you notice
The scene, although not particularly photogenic as a whole, was one of fascination. The water in the canal next to us, was mostly sunlit, and over the period of time we sat imbibing, the angle of the sun on the water, changed, and with it the reflections, and clarity of the water, and what and how we saw.
Michael Blyth
5 min read
Simple Photography Tips - how to lead the eye in photographs
The Simple Photography Tips I want to share with you are based upon a handful of photographs I took as I walked down, and which centre upon using features to lead the eye.
Michael Blyth
4 min read
Simple Photography Tips - how to photograph that 'lazy Sunday' morning coffee
I thought about you, and wondered if you struggle to get a decent shot of that wonderful mix that hits your palate and sends yum signals to your brain.
So I took a bunch of images to chat about. Yes, a whole series of photos of the same cup of coffee! Forgive me if they're not perfect, I was in a rush - flat-white, if properly brewed get's cool quickly, and I DO NOT LIKE COLD COFFEE when it's supposed to be hot coffee!
Michael Blyth
3 min read
Simple Photography Tips - how to photograph Butterflies
In that fantastic time of year known as summer, we are blessed to see the wonder of the few remaining butterflies. Yes, miserably, in most parts of the world, our pre-occupation with pesticides and monoculture, along with climate change, means there has been a staggering decline in both numbers and species.
For those of us lucky enough to still see these beauties, and whom have the desire to try taking pictures of them, here are a few tips.
Michael Blyth
3 min read
Simple Photography Tips - beach photography, and improve your mental health!
In this case an early sunny summers' morning, and a shuffle along the beach. Why a shuffle? It's the best way to notice things, especially small things. Crouch down if you can, and you'll see a whole bunch more. Even better, crawl if it's sandy.
The whole business of looking until you see is really highlighted when looking at a beach, there are truly so many things that grab your attention, that it's really easy to miss the small stuff.
Michael Blyth
5 min read
More Simple photography tips for time in Seville - or elsewhere - Royal Alcázar Sevilla
Moorish architecture is beautiful, indeed stunning, and some of the best is to be found in the Royal Alcázar of Seville. Islamic modified by later Catholic Monarchs, it is one of the finest examples of Mudéjar architecture.
Photographing such architecture is challenging, and rewarding at the same time.
Michael Blyth
3 min read
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