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.
Author Archives: Stephen Taylor
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.
My Photography Experience on World Photography Day
On World Photography Day, I took my camera to a nearby park. Inspired by a quiet pond and purple-tipped reeds, I engaged deeply with my surroundings, experimenting with focus and composition. I also captured the beauty of thistles before returning home, reconnected with my passion for photography.
Exploring Cloud Types: A Photographer’s Guide
The significance of the sky and clouds in photography is highlighted, emphasizing their potential to enhance landscapes and subjects. The post reviews notable photographers like Leonard Misonne and Ansel Adams, who effectively utilized clouds, while introducing various cloud types and their photogenic qualities. A follow-up will address photographing challenging cloud scenarios.
How to fall back in love with photography: Overcoming Disappointment
One of a series of posts about how to fall back in love with photography. I’m waiting for film to be developed and it got me reflecting on the challenges photographers face when assessing their work. Here are a few ideas on how to bounce back from disappointment.
Revisiting the Hardy Tree
A return trip to the Hardy Tree in St Pancras Old Churchyard, associated with author Thomas Hardy. It was created when gravestones were piled around an ash tree during the 1860s. After contracting a disease, the tree fell in December 2022. This is what it looked in June 2025…
Exploring the countryside: Photography on Two Wheels
I find joy in combining cycling and photography, often exploring new routes while capturing spontaneous moments. On a May Sunday, I cycled through Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, stopping frequently to photograph along the way. It is a spontaneous and almost organic action, creating a vivid connection with my surroundings.
Mindfulness in Flower Photography
A few insights from a recent workshop on flower photography, tracing its historical roots back to early photographers. Key tips include selecting a compelling subject, managing backgrounds, experimenting with focus and lighting, and using accessories for enhancement. Photographing flowers is a great way to slow down and become more mindful in your photography.
Easter Sunday
On Easter Sunday 2025, I cycled through West Dorset, visiting small chapels and enjoying scenic views. I explored Buckland Ripers and Abbotsbury, witnessing environmental changes from ash dieback. I admired the valley of stones and concluded with a visit to a chapel in Corton before returning home, despite the overcast weather.