It was great to spot this 60’s Californian split screen bus, on vacation in Croyde. 29.09.23

Stunning 1963 Californian Splitscreen Bus →

May 13, 2024

One of my favourite things when it presents itself is an impromptu vehicle photoshoot and the conversation that sometimes follows with its’ owner. During late September 2023, I was lucky enough to have one of these moments, when I spotted this 60’s Volkswagen transporter driving through Croyde village, and wondered where it would park up. After walking down to the beachfront, sure enough I spotted it in the pay and display off Moor lane and set about capturing some shots.

Barry Festival of Transport

July 30, 2023

You may have noticed a bit of a trend recently, but for those who haven't, car and automotive based photography has definitely featured more heavily in my personal work over the last year, and having the opportunity to spend a few hours at the extremely well attended Barry Festival of Transport on June 11th was a no brainer.

Like some of the other shows and car events I have photographed and documented in my blogs, I have visited this show on a number occasions over the years, because it always featuring lots of epic vehicles, and is also really diverse in what vehicles people bring along, which for me makes it a lot more interesting from a photography point of few, instead of perhaps having too many of one thing on display.

Patina and chrome make a perfect combo at the Barryfornia Spring Edition show. 22.05.23

Barryfornia Spring Edition 2023

July 16, 2023

Having attended both previous Barryfornia shows in 2022, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to visit the first show of 2023, namely the Spring Edition. I would say Bigger and Better would definitely some up the show, with it not only offering the same mix of sun, sand and all things Volkswagen, but now with a higher number of vehicles on display and a larger footfall. The crowds again flocked to see the stunning classic VW’s being shown by their proud owners on the sun soaked Barry Promenade. Rothfink industries by organising these shows you continue to do the VW scene proud!.

Ken Morgan proudly in front of his 1949 Guy Arab bus at the CTPG Running Day on Bank Holiday Sunday. 30.04.23

Cardiff Transport Preservation Group Running Day, April 2023

June 26, 2023

Visiting old bus depots is definitely not my thing… but I’ve found with age comes a different openness, appreciation, interest and tolerance for trying different things. So when the opportunity came up to photograph some classic buses, engineering and old advertising, this definitely drew me to tag along with my brother Rob to this Bank Holiday Heritage Bus open day.

Set on a rainy day at the end of April, the old bus depot in Barry, South Wales is a cornucopia for people interested in vintage buses, with many examples permanently housed on the premises, it’s great they allow the public to venture in on occasion to view and marvel at the machinery from times past.

The General Stores at Mathry

April 17, 2023

I had seen a few photo’s off this location online and had added it to my list of places to definitely visit, but had then forgotten about it until a recent chance visit over the Easter weekend, when I finally stumbled across it in person.

For me, The General Stores featured here is the definite visual highlight in the village, aesthetically, it is the kind of subject matter that I personally aspire to find and actively search for. The rustic flaky paint, the vintage hand written shop signage, the red post and telephone boxes all add to the perfect picture of an old village caught in a timewarp.

Looking towards the scaffolding wrapped Dyffryn House from its magnificent gardens set in 55 acres.

Dyffryn Gardens Open Doors Event

September 27, 2022

As part of the Cadw Open Doors 2022 scheme this September, we took the opportunity to visit Dyffryn Gardens for the first time since my birthday in March to make the most of the stunning gardens during some lovely late summer weather.

Dyffryn Gardens is a peaceful oasis on the outskirts of Cardiff, and covers more than 55 acres. The Edwardian gardens are a restoration garden, on a path to excellence. With year-round seasonal highlights the gardens feature the best woody collection in the National Trust. Check out my visit on a warm Sunday in September.

The perfectly preserved A S Ockwell Ltd automotive garage located outside of Cardiff in Peterstone Super Ely, is a working garage offering a wide range of services.

A.S. Ockwell Ltd. Garage Peterstone-Super-Ely

September 25, 2022

After visiting the awesome Spring edition of Barryfornia in May, I took the scenic route back and ended up travelling through the small village of Peterstone-Super-Ely, where I was greeted by this wonderful garage and its vintage petroliana artefacts.

With its enamel signs, and original petrol pumps still on display, this garage gives a great insight into automotive garages from times past. Brands on display include Castrol, Duckhams, British Petroleum and Shell among many more, it’s a great place to visit, for anyone interested in seeing how garages used to look in the UK.

One of a set of images of model Amy Tatham photographed at the Wales & West Photography Show, ICC Wales. Newport.

Cardiff Shooters Portrait event at the Wales & West Photography Show, ICC Wales

September 11, 2022

During my first visit to the Wales & West Photography Show at the ICC Wales, I met up with the team from Cardiff Shooters to join in on an organised portrait shoot at the venue.

I’ve followed Cardiff Shooters on social media for a while now, and it’s always great to see the quality of images that come from their themed photoshoots and photowalks. I’ve been unable to get to an event before now, but it was great to finally meet up with the team who were in the middle of their photoshoot, and using the underground car park as an awesome backdrop as captured in these images.

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Solva Woollen Mill is located around a mile inland from Solva, and is the oldest working mill in Pembrokeshire having been established way back in 1907. — Solva Woollen Mill is located around a mile inland from Solva, and is the oldest continuously working woollen mill in Pembrokeshire having been established way back in 1907.

Visiting Solva Woollen Mill

August 31, 2021

The wonderful gem that is Solva Woollen Mill has been producing unique woven fabrics on its historic looms for over a century.

The mill is located a short distance inland from the village of Solva and sits on the banks of the River Solfach which was a necessity as a natural power resource for its water wheel.

The old Pioneer automotive garage located between Cardigan and Poppit Sands, is now an abandoned building but one that would have once been a busy workshop serving petrol back in its heyday. I adore the patina and vintage pieces still on display, giving us a reminder of a quieter and slower paced time.

Old Pioneer Garage

August 22, 2021

Automotive garages such as this were once a common site in villages and towns up and down the country, but are now few and far between, with many have been knocked down or repurposed for other ventures, but if you look hard enough some still remain.

The Pioneer garage featured here was spotted on a recent road trip I made travelling from Cardigan on the way to Poppit Sands along the St Dogmaels road. Having driven past it I instantly made the decision that I had to stop and photograph it on the way back due to the strength of its photographic appeal.

The old Cwm Coke Works located in Tynant, RCT is a large scale abandoned site that now provides interesting subject matter for photography. This is the giant and imposing concrete coal bunker.

Abandoned Cwm Coke Works

August 11, 2021

The now abdanoned Cwm Coke works site is an impressive, historical reminder of the hard, dirty work that was carried out through much of the Welsh valleys in its proud coal mining heyday.

After watching a youtube photography video that focussed on the site by an American photographer, I felt compelled to give the Cwm site a visit for myself, and although no longer accessible through legal means, the exterior provides some great photo opportunities especially when explored with a lens with a decent reach.

I was lucky enough to test out the Canon R6 during this weekend and pair it with a number of different RF glass, including the RF 24-105mm f4 L series, RF 50mm 1.8 STM lens and the RF 600mm f11 IS STM lens.

Wildings was a well known and established department store with a traditional shopping experience, much loved in Newport since 1874.

Wildings department store

August 7, 2021

What I have captured here is a small reminder that is still present today. It’s an awesome piece of signage that probably welcomed delivery drivers since the 1980’s or 90’s judging by it’s style. I love its age and patina which for me visually represents the tough times and ending that the store went through.

This is a nice visual urban piece which appeals to me as a photography subject, with the vibrant, but distressed teal painted doors present in the photos providing a nice juxtaposition between the industrial brick walls and the small hint outlined by the signage that there was a vibrant and successful business that thrived here for many years.

I captured a quick succession of photos on my Canon 5D MKii paired with a Tamron 24-70 f2.8 lens which led to an enjoyable 15 minute project that has spurred me into capturing and documenting more subjects like this going forward.