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I’ve had a Lumix TZ80 for a few years now. A great compact camera, full manual controls, fantastic zoom, but I found the low f-stop insufficient for my needs, and it was getting a bit old. My real issue with it was the viewfinder. It was small, and not great, especially for someone half blind. So, time to upgrade.

I wanted something that would work with my Lumix G lenses but small enough to go in a pocket or a smaller camera bag and with a good viewfinder. So, I went for a Lumix G100. It’s aimed at Vloggers, so has a lot of great video features, but they don’t really interest me. As a photographic camera it’s pretty much on a par with my G80. The only thing missing is in body stabilisation, but using it with my stabilised lenses I haven’t missed it. It’s also not weather sealed, again my G80 is, so not an issue for me. The viewfinder is excellent. As someone with 40% vision, I really need a good, well positioned viewfinder. The screen is also really good, I think it’s the same as my G80. I just wish it had a few more physical function buttons. It won’t replace my G80, (which to me is a more well rounded photographers camera), but it’s a perfect camera for taking anywhere, and along with the kit lens (12-32mm) it’s a powerful package in tiny form.

My wife asked me what it was about photography that I liked so much. The shortest, most honest answer was ‘it gets me out of the house’. Really, (for me) photography is just a bi-product of going for a walk. Let’s be honest a lot of the time going for a walk can be boring, especially if you walk in the same places fairly regularly. Some people listen to pod casts, some people to music – I take a camera, which I think makes me pay a lot more attention to where I am. I’m constantly looking around me looking for something that (I think) will make a good photo. Views, trees, animals, plants, birds. If I was just going for a walk I don’t think I’d see half as much.

On Sundays walk I had a particular photo in mind, which was looking up into a tree canopy. I’ve been thinking about it for a while but I can’t quite find the right tree so far. I got one shot, which I’m fairly happy with, but it’s still not ‘the’ shot. I need to get the right f-stop and the right tree. So, I’ll keep looking. It gets me out of the house.

Not everyone is lucky enough to live in the Lake District or the Dales, or the numerous other stunning places in the UK. We can’t all take regular trips to fantastic places to photograph either. I can no longer drive as I’m visually impaired, and life’s too busy for my wife to be driving me all over the country. So, I’m exploring what’s on my doorstep.

Luckily for me I’m in a rural village and I have some protected moors and wetlands within walking distance, but even though I grew up here I’ve never taken time to explore them until this weekend. I decided to scout for potential photography locations on Sunday afternoon, and I’m really pleased with what I found. There’s an abundance of potential here which will change with each season. It was too windy and bright for any decent photos, but I still managed to take over 120. Of those, six looked like they could be edited into something half decent, of those only these survived…..

Wind, rain, wind, rain, and repeat. I love autumn, it’s the best time of year. So far, it’s a wash out. I have a new lens to work with too, and I’m dying to get out there with it. Hopefully, things will improve soon.