Upton Triathlon: Back to the Photography I Love!

Posted on by

There aren’t many things that get me out of bed for a 7am start on a weekend… but photography is definitely one of them. This weekend I went off to Upton Triathlon and it was one of those beautiful, hazy British summer starts quiet roads, early light, and that buzz you only get when on the way to an event, thinking of all the possible shots and wondering exactly what you are going to capture.. (You never actually know until you’re in the moment, that’s what keeps this type of photography so interesting)… I’d happily sacrifice a lie‑in for that feeling.

Image

If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know I’ve shot for a few local clubs over the years, and even had images published in a national tri magazine. But I’ve had a bit of a break for a few years. Triathlon has always had a special place in my photography world. I genuinely respect the sport you get all ages, shapes and sizes out there giving it everything. People in their 70s sprinting and making it look easy, serious pros gliding through transitions, and plenty of people doing it purely for fun. It’s such a good mix, and it means there are so many moments worth capturing.

Image
Image

And that’s the magic of triathlon for me: three completely different types of action shots in one event. Swim. Bike. Run. Each one with its own rhythm, its own challenges, its own emotion. For someone who loves atmosphere, storytelling, movement, and the challenge of tracking fast subjects, it’s the perfect combination.

Image

I’d agreed with the team at OP Events that they could use my imagery for their website imagery, social media posts, general promotion, or print the whole lot. So I went in with a relaxed brief and a personal aim: capture the atmosphere, tell a bit of the story, and of course grab some proper action frames. I think I managed a nice mix.

Image

This was a great race with a great atmosphere, I really enjoyed moving around and getting these shots, whether it was someone appearing out of the river with a smile, shooting through the leaves on the road to frame a cyclist in a different way or just snapping someone smiling as someone they knew ran into the distance, there were many photo opportunities!

…..I’ve churned out plenty of standard race shots over the years the classic “bib number, mid‑stride, mid‑race” frames. I used to sell them, and did pretty well with it too. But this time I really wanted to push myself a bit more. Yes, get the action, but also build a story around the day. The atmosphere, the nerves, the little interactions, the moments before the chaos. I wanted a set that feels like you were there, not just a gallery of fast shutter bog standard race photos. I wanted to release the images here first, as I’d genuinely love your feedback: what do you think of the mix? I hope you enjoy them I’ve got plenty more to edit!

😄

🏁🏊‍♂️🚴‍♂️🏃‍♂️

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

A Quick Walk On A Golden Midsummer Evening

Posted on by
Image

Hi everyone, how have you been?

It’s been a little while since I last sat down to write a blog post, so I hope life’s been treating you well in the meantime.

A few casual shots of the old hometown to share with you. 😁 They were just taken after an eight-hour day at work and a session at the gym. I fancied getting outside while there was still some warmth in the evening, so there I was stretching my legs, and taking my camera for a wander around Worcester. 🚶‍♂️ (mainly riverside).

Image

As the sun began to dip lower, the city took on a completely different feel. The light caught the old brickwork along the riverside, turning buildings that can often look dark and weathered into rich warm shades of gold. It’s funny how places you pass countless times can suddenly hit slightly differently just because the season and the light have changed.

This wasn’t the Worcester of crisp autumn mornings or misty winter evenings like I’ve shared with you before. This was midsummer. Warm air, calm water, and long shadows creeping across the streets. I thought you might like to see where I live in the current season. ☀️

Image

I wandered past the Cathedral, across Worcester Bridge, admired some of the beautiful brickwork along the river, looked towards the spire standing proudly above the rooftops, and paused for a moment to take in the familiar view down towards Foregate Street. None of these landmarks are new to me, but I do like to share with you guys so you can see them in real time. 🕰️

Image

One thing I really enjoy about evenings like this is how peaceful the city becomes. The rush of the day starts to fade, the paths along the river quieten down, and everything seems to slow to a gentler pace.

Image

I hope you enjoy this little collection from a warm summer walk around Worcester. As always, thank you for taking the time to stop by and have a look.

Image

A Burst of British Summer – Recent Floral Favourites

Posted on by
Image

Hi all!

I hope you’re all well? and If in the UK, surviving this UK heatwave. 🥵 It’s been absolutely roasting…..People from warmer countries always wonder why we start moaning the second it hits 30°C… until they actually come here. Then suddenly it’s, “Ohhh, I get it now.” 😂 Our houses are built to trap heat, not escape it, so once the temperature climbs, we basically slow‑cook ourselves. Add the humidity on top and it’s like living inside a warm loaf of bread. Stay hydrated, stay shady, and good luck to anyone trying to sleep at night…..

In other news – I’ve been out with the camera again, collecting a mix of floral favourites from the past few weeks. Just me practising composition, filling the frame in different ways, trying to get colours right, and making the most of whatever natural light is around at the time. Since I’ve been photographing more plants at work, that instinct has definitely followed me outside of work too. Now every walk turns into a mini photo mission because some flower or leaf will always grab my attention.

Image

If you’ve been here a while, you’ve already seen this blog move through every season with me: frosty mornings, autumn colours, spring blossoms. So it feels right to add a proper burst of British summer to the mix. Bright petals, bold shapes, sunlit textures all that stuff that makes you lift the camera, and think “yeah, that’ll do nicely”.

These shots are just a handful of the things that stood out to me recently. A bit of colour, a bit of character, some of those classic florals you’ll see over here in jolly England at this time of year! 😀 Hope you enjoy the set!

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

A Curious Face in the Somerset Countryside

Posted on by
Image

Happy Sunday, friends! how are you?

Sharing this one with you guys, from a recent walk…I always enjoy taking my camera out on countryside walks. You never quite know what you’re going to come across, and sometimes the simplest subjects end up making great photos. 🐑

While walking through the countryside, I spotted this sheep standing in a field and it seemed genuinely interested in what I was doing. It looked up, stopped for a moment, and gave me plenty of time to grab a few shots before wandering off.

One thing I’ve always liked about photographing animals is how much character they can show with just a look. There’s no posing or trying too hard just natural expressions or movements that make each animal different. This sheep had a curious look about it that immediately caught my attention. Almost like it wanted me to photograph it. 😆

The countryside is full of these photography opportunities. You don’t always need dramatic landscapes or rare wildlife to come away with a photo you like. Sometimes all it takes is a friendly-looking sheep, some nice light, and a lush green backdrop.

Yes, It’s a simple portrait, but one that reminds me why I enjoy photographing animals so much. They always seem to have their own personalities, and every now and then you’re lucky enough to capture a glimpse of it through the lens. 😁

Exploring Worcester Cathedral Through a Wider Lens

Posted on by

I had to do something with this time off didn’t I? haha, so on my first day off, I was looking at my old camera, and while about to put it back in the drawer I saw my 10-18mm lens and was like……….. ‘I haven’t used that in a few years’. While thinking of something to photograph with it, my mind shouted 🗣️ ‘WORCESTER CATHEDRAL!’… 😂 If you’ve followed me for a while you will know I’ve shared a few posts of this place, but never on a lens that would allow this much image in the frame, excitedly accepting my own challenge to show off the amazing architecture to you guys, in a slightly different way, off I went!

Image

So, that was the challenge I set myself with the little 10–18mm, I knew the shots would be darker, more gloomy and atmospheric, as the aperture on this lens doesn’t open very wide, about 4.5, but I was excited for the darker shots, in a building like this. I’ve shared photos of this cathedral with you before, but this time I wanted to show you the scale of the place properly. Going wide meant I could finally fit those soaring arches, endless columns and that incredible vaulted ceiling into a single frame instead of stitching things together in my head.

Image

The Cathedral has one of those histories that just keeps unfolding the more you read…. The earliest parts date back to 1084!!… and the building took several centuries to reach the shape we see today. I read something the other day that said, the people who started it would never have seen the end building and many, many generations down from that person wouldn’t have seen their end result either… THAT’s how long it took. Make you think, makes standing in there even more mind blowing. You can really feel that timeline when you walk through Norman foundations, medieval additions, Victorian restoration… it’s like stepping through layers of English history in real time.

Image

One of the highlights for me was visiting King John’s tomb, which sits right inside the cathedral. He reigned from 1199 to 1216, and he specifically asked to be buried here. Standing in front of his effigy, surrounded by all that stonework and stained glass, you get this strange mix of photography excitement and “wow, this is actual history right in front of me”.

Image
Image

I’m sharing a bunch of shots from the inside the sweeping nave, the choir stalls, the ribbed vaulting, and a couple of exterior photos too. The wide angle really helped capture the drama of the architecture, especially those tall Gothic lines that just disappear upwards.

Image
Image

Hope you enjoy seeing Worcester Cathedral from a slightly different perspective this time. Let me know which shot is your favourite I love hearing what catches your eye. 😊

Seb

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

Trusting the Detour 🇮🇪 Sometimes the Journey Takes a Different Route

Posted on by

Firstly, an apology to everyone who was looking forward to seeing photographs from my planned trip to Ireland this week.

Unfortunately, I didn’t make it.

There wasn’t one major reason or dramatic event that stopped the trip from happening. Instead, there was a series of small setbacks and complications in the lead-up that kept knocking things slightly off course. I stayed optimistic throughout and was determined to make it happen, but as more little hiccups appeared, the journey began to feel more stressful than exciting.

Eventually, I got that familiar gut feeling that the timing just wasn’t right or something was whispering “not this time.”

I’ve always believed that sometimes life gives you subtle signs. Not every obstacle means you should stop, but when things consistently work against a plan, it’s worth listening to your instincts. For me, this felt like one of those moments.

The good news is that Ireland isn’t going anywhere. 🇮🇪

This isn’t a cancelled dream it’s simply a postponed adventure. I’ll rearrange the trip in a few months and look forward to exploring the landscapes, wildlife, history, and photography opportunities when the time feels right.

While I won’t have Irish photographs to share with you this week, I certainly won’t be wasting the time off. I’m currently down south with Stan, who is taking the recent weather very seriously in his little raincoat, and I’ve still got my camera in hand. 📷🐶☔

Image

I’ve already captured a few things that I’m looking forward to sharing soon, and who knows, sometimes the unexpected route leads to photographs and experiences you never planned for in the first place. (I mean, for example yesterday I ended up in an Anglo Saxon replica building! 🤣 more on that to come!)

Not every plan goes as planned, and that’s okay. Sometimes the best thing we can do is embrace the alternative route, make the most of the moment we’re in, and trust that the destination will still be waiting for us when the time is right. 😌😊

Raindrops on Roses

Posted on by
Image

Hello, happy Saturday!

It’s been a pretty miserable, wet Saturday (the kind of day where you mostly stay inside and listen to the rain doing its thing). But when I stepped out for a minute, this red rose caught my eye. It was completely covered in raindrops, every petal holding onto its own little bead of water.

…As you know I always notice these things, and my brain tells me to get the camera, it just felt like a perfect moment for a macro shot. One of those everyday things that suddenly looks a bit magical when you actually notice it and the creative brain see’s an image before it’s even taken.

….So I grabbed the camera and spent a few minutes getting close, following the curves of the petals and trying to capture the way the droplets sat on them.

I love this set of images, exactly what I wanted to achieve, looks wise! A splash of colour doing its best to brighten up an otherwise grey day.

🌹☔

Image
Image
Image

Worcester To Holyhead To Dublin To Cork; Another Little Adventure Incoming

Posted on by
Image

……Somehow this one’s crept up on me quickly, but a week today I’ll be heading back over to Ireland, from the Monday to Friday, starting in Dublin, then catching the train down to Cork. Another little adventure, and one I’m really looking forward to.

Life’s been busy lately, so I’ve accidentally kept quiet about it, without meaning to, but the excitement’s definitely kicking in now. There’s something really cool about going back to places that are part of your family’s story. I’ve wandered the east, in Dublin, I’ve been out to the west in Galway, and now it’s finally time to head further south to Cork. Feels like I’m slowly stitching my way around Ireland, one little adventure at a time. I don’t really have fully formed plan yet but I definitely plan on:

  • Chatting with a few locals to get their recommendations
  • Visiting the Food Market
  • Maybe book onto a city tour to get my bearings
  • Wander around with my camera and see what catches my eye
  • Visit Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral!! (Really excited for that!)

I haven’t decided the rest, that’s part of the fun…. but I know a few days in Cork with my camera feels like exactly what I need. Can’t wait to share the photos and the stories when I’m back. 😁📸

It’s Not Just Me… It’s You Too

Posted on by
Image

My friends, this is a LONG one, but for good reason…

This week I hit two more huge blogging milestones! 🤯

People from 150 countries have now visited my site… and I’ve just noticed I’ve tipped over 100,000 views. (Almost a year since I wrote a post saying 50K to go! Works out about 160 ish views a day since then average – so it’s a slow, but continuous build, if you break it down) 😁

Image

This all absolutely blows my mind.

And the thing is, these milestones don’t feel like they belong solely to me. Without sounding cringe, they belong to us – and let me explain that….

Image
Image

Without people choosing to spend a few moments of their day reading my words, looking at my photos, leaving comments, sharing encouragement, or simply supporting from the sidelines, none of this happens. I completely understand that time is valuable, and the fact that people give some of theirs to this little corner of the internet means more to me than I can properly put into words.

Over the last few years, I genuinely feel like I’ve somehow built a small pocket community here filled with some incredibly kind, talented, creative people. I value so many of you just as much as my everyday “real life” friends.

That’s why I say this isn’t just my achievement it’s yours too.

You are the views.
You are the support.
You are the motivation when mine runs low.
You are the escapism on difficult days.
You are the kindness, the encouragement, the conversations, the inspiration.

So yes, while this is a celebration of my own blogging journey, it’s also a celebration of all of you too. My little WordPress family.

Photography has always been deeply tied to my life, but it hasn’t always been an easy journey.

When I was around 15, I had a lot of unfortunate things happening in my life, including some terrible loss within my family. Everything felt uncertain and messy, and I was desperately trying to find my feet. During all of that, the one thing that truly made me feel better was photography.

I loved it.

I wanted to study it at college, so I put together a portfolio with very little knowledge but a huge amount of passion. I used my last pocket money to print the photos and carefully put everything together.

Looking back now, were the photos amazing? No, probably not. But I was 15 years old and eager to learn.

I took the portfolio to the college and, long story short, the teacher told me it “wasn’t good enough” and described it as blind, mindless snaps. He also questioned whether I’d even be able to afford the course because it was “expensive.”

To be fair, he did say I could redo the portfolio and try again, but at that age, with everything happening around me and very little support at the time, I was crushed. I walked home crying and never went back.

I ended up going to another college and didn’t pursue photography there at all as they didn’t do it. I sat through “typical” A levels, uninspired and bored…

For a while, I left photography behind.

Then years later, I finally bought myself what felt like a “proper camera” and enrolled onto a professional photography diploma. This time, I went in with fire in my belly. I wanted to learn everything. I wanted to prove something to myself (and to that teacher 😅)

I completed the diploma, learned my camera inside and out, and that was when I finally started putting my work out there and creating this blog properly.

And wow… how things have changed since then.

Since those days, I’ve photographed weddings, been published, worked events, become a multiple sports club’s photographer, won competitions, continued shooting commissions, and even use photography within my work life in different ways.

I’ve done far more than that 15-year-old version of me ever imagined possible.

But throughout all of it, this blog has always been here.

Even during quieter years when I barely used it, it remained constant in the background.

A lot of my own determination and passion helped heal that 15-year-old kid who simply wanted a chance to learn and create. you guys have played a huge part in that healing too.

More than you probably realise.

I don’t share every part of my story on here, but over the years I’ve struggled badly with anxiety at times, and this little space this community has genuinely been a comfort and a safe place for me.

So as I head into this weekend smiling at these two milestones, I just want to say thank you.

Thank you for being part of this journey.
Thank you for the support.
Thank you for the encouragement.
Thank you for sticking around. 🙏

People often tell me that my work or words inspire them, but honestly, the feeling goes both ways.

Some people around me don’t really understand my attachment to WordPress because they’ve never used it themselves… but they truly don’t know what they’re missing.

Because this has become so much more than a blog.

It feels like home. 😊

Thank you thank you thank you! 🙏

Image

Blog Share #5

Posted on by
Image

Hi everyone! hope you’re all keeping cool if you’re here in the UK, because this heatwave is hotttttt!!☀️

This photo is just for attention for Blog Share #5, and I went for a black & white, almost HDR‑style edit to make the details pop a bit more. ☺️

The building in the shot is Glenmuick Parish Church in Ballater, a proper Victorian landmark. It was completed in 1874, built from local granite, and designed in that classic Scottish Gothic style with the tall spire and narrow arched windows. The clock tower is one of the most recognisable features in the village, and the church itself was part of the wider growth of Ballater during the Victorian era, especially as the area became closely associated with Balmoral and the Royal Family.

If you joined in with Blog Share #4, you’ll remember the idea: Use the comments on this post to share a link to your blog or your latest post, and tell us a little bit about what you write about and, if you want, a bit about you. It’s a simple way for people to discover new blogs, connect, and maybe get a few more eyes on their work. A bit of WordPress networking, it’s a great way to support each other!

Looking forward to seeing what you’re all creating this week…. I’m just catching up now!

Take care,

your friend, Seb