My New Digital Sidekick: How Gemini AI became my must-have assistant

Crikey, if you'd told me a year ago that I'd be raving about an Artificial Intelligence platform, I'd have probably given you a bit of a cynical look. I've always been one for tangible tools, but lately, something has genuinely changed the game for me, both in my daily routine and, crucially, in my creative projects. That 'something' is Gemini.

The Great Escape: How I ditched Adobe and built my dream photo workflow (for free!!!)

For years, like many of you, I was firmly entrenched in the Adobe ecosystem, specifically the Photography Plan with Lightroom and Photoshop. And, for years, I begrudgingly paid that monthly subscription, telling myself it was "just the cost of doing business" or "the price of professional tools."

But I'm here today to tell you: the shackles are off, and I've found true liberation!!!

The Alchemy is back: Why I upgraded to Nik Collection 8

If you’ve followed my posts for a while, you’ll know I’ve been on a bit of a journey lately. Not only did I successfully ditch the Adobe subscription package - taking a giant leap over to the superb world of Skylum Luminar Neo - but I’ve also found new respect for DxO, having recently sung the praises of their excellent noise-reduction wizard, PureRAW 5.

Upgrading to DxO PureRAW 5: My journey to even cleaner photos (and why you should join me!!!)

Welcome back to the blog!!!

Today, I’m absolutely buzzing to talk about something that’s been a real game-changer in my photography workflow: DxO PureRAW. If you've been following my journey, you'll know I'm always on the hunt for tools that make a genuine difference, especially since I waved goodbye to Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop and settled into the wonderful world of Skylum Luminar Neo.

A Wee Tribute to Pat Van: Our little campervan with the massive heart

Well, it’s high time I put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard, as it were) and shared a proper look back at the little chap who consumed a good six months of our lives: Pat Van.

My Little Nev: Conquering the Scottish skies (one gust at a time!!!)

It’s been a few days since I’ve put fingers to keyboard, but I wanted to share some thoughts about a rather exciting (and occasionally bewildering) addition I made to my kit a few months ago: my DJI Neo, affectionately known as Nev Drone (or just Nev for short).

Convergence of Analogue and Digital: To the limits of a £20 film scanner and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

The analogue photography revival is not just a trend; it’s a commitment to a deliberate, slower workflow and the unique aesthetic of film. My own journey has been happily centred around the glorious 6x6 medium format negative courtesy of my Agfa Isolette I, a scale-focus folding camera with a superb, classic feel.

​Stepping out into the sunshine: Three weeks off social media and feeling fantastic!!!

​Well, it’s been three weeks now since I decided to step away from social media, and honestly, the change has been nothing short of transformative. I wanted to share a little update because, quite frankly, I feel like a different person – and a much better one at that!!!

A couple of toggy bits......

You know that feeling when you've been eyeing up some new kit, you've done your research, and then, bam! You find it for an absolute song? That’s exactly what happened to me this week on Amazon. I’ve just taken delivery of two cracking new additions to my creative arsenal, and I thought I’d give you a quick first look.

These two gadgets couldn’t be more different, but they both scratch a major creative itch I’ve had lately: sharpening the quality and focus of my output.

A day among giants: The mystical Callanish Stones

You know, sometimes you plan a trip to a place you've seen in a book or on an album cover, and you just hope it lives up to the image in your head. For me, that place has always been the Callanish Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis. Even though I did manage to get to see them some 40 years ago, being a fan of Ultravox's "Lament" album for years – and that iconic imagery – finally getting back to see them was a bit of a pilgrimage.

The Great Unwind: one week out and how I'm really "trolling the scroll"......

It's been exactly one week since I made the deliberate, philosophical choice to step away from social media, and I can say this without a shred of doubt:

it’s working.

Turning off the subscription light to Lightroom?

Okay, let's talk about something that's been bugging me for a while: photo editing software.

Specifically, the dreaded monthly subscription model that seems to have taken over everything. Now, don't get me wrong, Adobe Lightroom has been a stalwart for many, and it's got its merits. But for me, the monthly fee just feels like a constant drain, and let's not even get started on its cataloging system. Seriously, it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack, only the haystack is full of half-edited photos you're not even sure you want to keep.

Pocket Powerhouse: A technical look at the Agfa Isolette I

Okay, following on from the last bloggy posty thingummybub, let's talk about a camera that seems to prove that big things really do come in small packages: the Agfa Isolette I.

Shelf Appeal: my unscripted adventure with the Lubitel 166+

There’s a special kind of thrill that comes with diving into a new photographic format. For me, that format has always been medium format. I absolutely adore the quality, the depth, and let's be honest, the glorious size of those negatives. Specifically, I've always been drawn to the square crop - a perfect 1:1 frame that forces you to compose in a completely different way.

Reclaiming My Mind and Body: Why I'm disconnecting to truly connect

Today, I want to share a deeply personal decision that has been brewing in my mind and heart for quite some time. It's a choice born out of a growing sense of unease and disillusionment, and it has finally culminated in a liberating step:

The Intentional Backpack: why my minimalist kit is essential for the Scottish Highlands at sixty

There’s a certain weight to experience, and I don’t just mean the cumulative knowledge gained from years behind the camera. I mean the physical weight. The Scottish Highlands and Islands - from the serrated ridges of the Cuillins to the vast, moody expanses of the Outer Hebrides - demand effort. They require you to climb, traverse, and often scramble. For a long time, I approached these landscapes with a hefty bag, convinced that redundancy was security. I carried two DSLR bodies, five lenses, and enough accessories to open a small shop.

I bought a VERY cheap Lubitel 166B medium format 120 film camera............I don't know why!!!

Right, let’s be honest, getting older is a bit like having a silent partner who insists on constantly raising the interest rate on your physical debt. You hit a certain age - let’s call it the hitting six-decade milestone - and suddenly, the years themselves start exerting a proper, non-negotiable gravitational pull. For most folk, this means slowing down, perhaps taking a sensible, prudent step back from life’s extremes.

Dezzy Bee............Dezzy what???!!!

Say hello to Dezzy Bee, my trusty companion and personal Crimson Highland Cruiser!!!

He's a little bright red 2012 Suzuki Swift, and honestly, he's quite the character.

Right now, Dez is the reliable little engine taking me to the most fabulous landscapes my adopted home of Scotland has to offer.

The Return: I'm Back (Don't Say I Didn't Warn You)

Okay, okay, calm yourselves.

I know.

I know!!!

So, I’m giving this whole weblog thing another proper go.

If you know me, you'll already know that I'm a notorious non-finisher, so feel free to place your bets now.

If you’ve been here before, you need to know: my life has completely changed.

We’re talking a massive shift over the last few years—a new life, new home, new country, new job, and a fantastic new wife.

That’s just for starters.