Photography
An afternoon of bird photography at Gibraltar Point
I’m very fortunate to live a few miles away from Gibraltar Point, one of the best wildlife reserves on the Lincolnshire coast. This afternoon I took my camera for a walk, and saw a few birds despite the high winds. I love spending time in wild places, but I’
My photography – November 2019
Thanks to a combination of getting out more than usual and some excellent conditions, I’ve had a strong month for photography both on and off the mountains. In no particular order, here is a selection of images from November 2019. Tip of the hat to my brother James Roddie,
The Blue Hour
This year, I’ve been starting my morning walks half an hour earlier, and as autumn progresses I find myself a daily observer of that quiet time just before dawn. For the last couple of weeks now, darkness has characterised my morning walks – or so it appeared at first. I’
Ode to the Samyang 12mm f/2 wide-angle lens
Over the last few years, this humble lens has surprised me with its versatility – and risen above all others to become a firm favourite. In early 2016, I realised that my standard Fuji zoom lens was holding me back when it came to night-time landscape photography. It was competent, but
Lessons learned in the search for the perfect backpacking camera
It’s fair to say that, over the last few years, I’ve tried out a few different camera systems. Here’s what I’ve learned. A quick note: this is about my own personal needs, and a few lessons learned in finding them out. Your own requirements may differ.
The Decaying Alps: climate change and glacial retreat in the Playground of Europe
As outdoor writers and photographers, it’s time for us to be honest about the realities of environmental destruction – and how these realities affect the mountain landscapes we love. This feature was first published in On Landscape, October 2017 Think of an image depicting the Swiss Alps. Chances are, you’
Five images from this week’s walks
It’s been a week of colour after a monochrome month. Each morning, before I have breakfast and start work for the day, I drag myself out of bed and walk five miles around my local footpaths. I began this habit two years ago, and have kept it up – it’
Smartphone photography for outdoor writers
Tempted to use images captured by your smartphone for your next feature? Here are a few things to consider. A version of this article was first published in my Pinnacle Newsletter, March 2018. Modern smartphones have highly capable cameras, but most outdoor writers rely on heftier setups. DSLR or mirrorless,
My top five images of 2018
Trees, mountains and light In 2018, I captured 1,668 images. That’s nothing compared to some photographers, but even so, whittling down that list to a top five is incredibly hard. Right now, I believe the images listed here represent my best work; tomorrow I might change my mind.
Autumnal dreamscapes with the Pentax Super-Takumar 55mm f/2
A classic vintage prime lens with a distinctive aesthetic A few weeks ago, Mum found yet another bag full of my dad’s camera gear in a wardrobe. As I wrote in my eulogy, Ian Roddie liked photography and had many cameras, but we thought we’d already sorted through
