Photography can be an all-consuming passion; whether it’s stressing over whether to go for the 1.8 or 1.4 version of a lens, or tweaking a slider back and forth in Lightroom until you invariably end up where you started – we can sweat the small stuff. One of the things that most photographers can empathise with, is the question: what do I take photographs of?! Sometimes it’s simple, and life throws constant subject matter in your direction. Other times, we can grab our kit, excited by the prospect of having a day free of commitments, and were struck by an inability to decide where to go.
This summer I decided in advance to beat the creative block and venture somewhere I’d been aiming to visit for a while: North Wales. Motivated by the work of James Popsys and Kyle McDougall, I knew there’d be loads of amazing compositions to discover. So I spent the day travelling from home in Wiltshire to Snowdonia in North Wales. In deciding what to take for the journey, I decided on the Z8, the Sigma 35 f1.4 Art, the Nikkor Z 50mm f1.8 and the Nikkor Z 24-70 f4; I mostly used the 24-70 f/4.
I also took my tent, so I didn’t have to worry about expensive hotels, and ventured off with a list of spots I wanted to explore, (one of which was recommended by Kyle himself in a DM). The first thing I noticed was how quickly possible subject matter enters your sights as soon as you’re far enough away from home to feel a tourist. It’s taught me that perhaps sometimes need to just venture a bit further afield. The second thing I noticed was how exotic the landscape of North Wales felt; I’ve spent time in the alps and the outer-Hebrides, and this was just as good. I definitely want to go back there and continue exploring, there are so many different subjects to investigate. Of particular interest was Cwmorthin Quarry – one could spend the whole time just cataloguing abandoned structures!
The Z8 was of course indefatigable – the weather took a turn for the worse up a mountain, and the weather sealing proved its worth! Also, the 24-70 was a surprise hit – originally pitched as a kit lens, it’s the best damn kit lens I’ve ever used. I’m still considering investing in the 24-120 for the extra reach, but the 24-70 will do for now.
Eventually I plan to have some of these printed, (by the awesome Ian at Salisbury Photo Centre – https://www.salisburyphotocentre.co.uk/), but for now I’m still deciding which my favourites are.
The Gallery
