How is it October?!

Honestly I have no idea where this year is going.

I feel like I have blinked a few times and it is Autumn.

This must be a common feeling for many people, and I think it also applies to Landscape Photographers too.

With the seasons changing so fast, well Autumn is a little slower this year, and the dark nights drawing in, I thought it was about time I written a blog.

So, I'll get the boring bit out of the way, Work!

I am happy that I have a job which is completely different from photography.

I have tried to be a self employed photographer and it is very hard work, and it nearly ended my love for my hobby.

It is easy to think that you could have your dream job, watching all the YouTube Photographers travel around the world and getting paid for it, does sound like a dream, but I think it is only a dream if you are willing to give up so, so much.

Throughout the nearly 50 years I have been on this rotating rock, I have always wanted to be happy and I think I am finally there, I mean that might change in a week or two knowing me, but I am happy for now.

My job is completely different to being out in nature, and as a Health and Safety Advisor for construction, it feels good to have that gap in work and hobby.

After several training course, including some which have pushed me, I have finally stopped wanting to pursue a carer in something that is not realistic, and instead gone for something that I have a real interest in.

The good thing is that I can travel to some nice locations with my job, so I can take my camera, and stop if I want to, and after a meeting today in the New Forest I stopped by Dead Mans Hill for my lunch and went for a little walk.

Gear Changes

So with my new carer change, comes my change in cameras, again, in fact there has been about 9 this year. Starting with the Fuji XT5, Then the Fuji X100V, Sony A7II, Nikon D750, back to Fuji X100F, Nikon D7200, OM D5, Nikon Z50II and now back to Fuji.

I do love my cameras, but trying to find a camera that works for you is hard.

I know I have written about it is the eye of the person behind the camera, but it is also about how a camera makes you feel.

Out of those cameras I have just listed, the Fuji's have been the only ones that have made me feel like I want to take it out and shoot, I have nothing against the others, but I just don't get that feeling.

Fuji have always had a place in my heart, and I can't see myself going anywhere else but Fuji again. So Fuji, if you are reading this, let me loan a XT5 please..

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New Forest Photography Guide

Over the next few months, I will be putting together guide to the New Forest for all to use and this will share the best locations, how to get to them, when the best times would be to photograph them, as well as tips on setting and compositions.

I have been wanting to find time to do this for a while, and I will have a few hours each week to start putting this down and to go live in January. I am also looking at brining back my own photo guides, which is where you can spend time with me out in the New Forest, it's like a mini workshop but for a lot less.

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Favourite Images

I also wanted to share some of my favourite images from the past few months.

These are just some of the ones that you will find on my Instagram account which is where I post the majority of my work, and the odd reel.

So lets cut to the good bit and share my favourites so far.

Now some of these are away from the New Forest in Dorset and Portsmouth, but I do get about a little further when I can.

I am going to do a more dedicated Blog in the next week about my focus on the New Forest for the foreseeable future, not that I don't love other locations, but I want explore every part of this stunning national park and I keep feeling more and more drawn to it.

Thanks for reading, stay safe.

Matt