A revisit to a bluebell wood in Hertfordshire as part of an annual ritual. Cycling from London, I rediscover the woodland, capturing photographs of the bluebells and intricate details each year. This ritual fosters a deep connection to the place, leaving lasting memories and hopes for the same again next year.
Author Archives: Stephen Taylor
Exploring Second-Hand Photography Books Part 2
The second in a series of articles on second hand photobooks and a deep dive into “From the Photo-diaries of Mick Williamson” an ongoing project, capturing everyday moments since the 1970s, amounting to over two million photographs. Using a film camera, Williamson’s intuitive style emphasizes the beauty of fleeting moments.
Spring Equinox – a cycle ride through the Fens
Spring evokes a sense of promise, which I embraced during a cycle ride through the Fens near Cambridge at the Spring Equinox. The landscape offers vast openness, with dark earth ready for new growth and hints of green emerging. I captured this beauty in photographs and shared my route on Komoot.
Discovering the signs of Spring
Slowly, slowly the world wakes away. A few images taken of the early signs of Spring. These were all discovered near a landfill site, symbolizing the transition into renewal despite the contrasting environment.
Cycling out of London towards Spring
One Sunday I escaped the dreary, rainy atmosphere of London on a bicycle ride. Seeking brightness, I found a churchyard where snowdrops and early daffodils signal the hope of spring. While photographing the flowers, the clouds cleared, revealing sunlight and the uplifting sounds of bird song, marking a transition from winter’s gloom.
Exploring Second-Hand Photography Books
I love exploring second hand bookshops especially for the work of photographers. I love the physicality of printed images compared to digital formats. Here are a few of the notable photobooks I have purchased – works by Linda Connor, Robert Adams, and Andre Kertesz – and what they mean to me.
Discovering Winter’s Hidden Colors
Winter may seem bleak with short days and grey skies, but colour persists in unique forms. Bright sunny days, and the colours of nature; vibrant berries, lichen, and lingering leaves remind us of winter’s hidden beauty. Here are a few of my images from Christmas 2025 that highlight these colourful details.
A cycle ride on the day the clocks go back
The day the clocks go back brings a sense of disorientation. This is a story about how I overcame a cold and lethargy to go for a cycle ride, my destination the ruins of a church in Clophill, Bedfordshire. Old buildings evoke past lives, yet the church’s sad history includes vandalism and decline. Ultimately, cycling uplifts the narrator’s spirits, making the day worthwhile.
Embracing Uncertainty Through Flower Photography
Every year I create a calendar – it is a promise to the future but for 2026 I hesitated. Here’s why, and how I decided in the end I would create another calendar for another year.
Rose Garden
At the end of summer garden roses enter their last phases, the petals drying out and falling away.