Zestlight Photography

28/06/2025

Just bought a couple of second hand lenses from MPB, a website I highly recommend. Nice bright 28mm for cedarwood this year and an FX 70-300mm which turns into 105-450mm on a DX frame, so perfect for doing some wildlife photography this summer. If you're looking to get some gear, I've dropped a link below. It gives you £20 off on an order of £200 or more.

Get £20 off at MPB.

01/06/2025

Anyone who has come to Jesmond Dene with me will appreciate this, as you will have taken part in my "how many different fungi can you find" challenge. This is commonly known as Dryad's Saddle and is apparently edible. Not brave enough to try though. This is definitely the biggest fungi I've found, although the coolest might still be that beautiful coral fungi I found a couple of years ago.

17/05/2025

Today I met Maxis and his Dad in the Granger Market while leading today's street photography session. One of the things on our scavenger list was a pet, and you can't get any better than a big green African parrot. It also ticked my "pop of green" and "interesting person" on my scavenger list.

If you'd like to have a go at the scavenger hunt by yourself, here's the list.

Street performer
Pop of green
Interesting Character
Rest
Working hands
Communication
Contrast
Abandoned
Pet
Splash of colour

Today was a successful day with everything but communication ticked off.

15/03/2025

The City in Black and White session went great today. The last photo I took is hands down my favourite photo from the day. The light is the reflection off the glass building next to it which is out of this world beautiful.

15/03/2025

Sadly, someone had to drop out of today's really popular "City in Black and White" session, which means that a spot has become available again. It's not too late to book on. We will be meeting in Newcastle at 2pm. If you would like to grab that final spot, please head to the Newcastle photography group on the link below. The session costs £26.

https://newcastlephotographygroup.co.uk/

09/03/2025

As I was walking to the bus stop a few mins ago I was loving the shapes this tree was throwing in the sea fret. Lent itself beautifully to some black and white photography, making me excited for my "City in Black and White" session at the weekend. First fully booked session in a long time and definitely looking forward to it.
This is just on my phone, so I challenge you to go out this morning before it lifts and see what you can do with it.

09/10/2024

Why would a photographer want an old bike the no one else wants? Light painting magic!
Basically, I'm keeping the wheels and donating the rest to a local charity that do up bikes for their spares and repairs.

03/10/2024

Waterstones on Blackett Street is hands down my favourite building in Newcastle upon Tyne city centre. However is wasn't always my favourite bookshop and when it was built by Frank West Rick in 1903, it was the home of the Union Club, a gentleman’s club for Newcastle’s elite.

Waterstones is an example of some of the most beautiful architecture of the Edwardian period. It features classic elements such as ornament stonework and large arched windows.

The best way to photograph architecture like Waterstones is to focus on the facade. You want to go wide enough to get the full building within the frame while also avoiding barrel distortion to capture the entire facade, emphasizing its grand scale and symmetry. A great technique to use is a panoramic technique. With your camera in landscape, start from the bottom of the building and move up. You can merge the images within the desktop version of Adobe Lightroom or in Photoshop.

Which building would you like me to photograph next?

24/09/2024

Looking forward to heading into town on Saturday to wander around taking photos of some of my favourite historical buildings. The Theatre has been heavily photographed by myself any many others over the years, and for good reason. It's is hands down one if the most beautiful buildings in Newcastle. But if you'd like to know which my favourite building is, you'll have to book onto the session on Saturday.

The session Costa £26 per person. To book on please head to the Newcastle Photography Group website.
Hope to see you there.

https://newcastlephotographygroup.co.uk/book/18796/

09/08/2024

This has been the last day's hyper-focus. The logo for the new kids photography group. The name voted in is The Shutterbug Squad. Keep over the next few days for me info.

07/08/2024

What name do people like best for a kids photography group? Young Shutterbugs or The Shutterbug Squad?

22/07/2024

Just before meeting the guys on today's session, I spotted this beautiful dude just chilling on the other side of the bit of straight between lakes. I've had one of these dudes on my bucket list for a while. Harrington Park is definitely a great spot for some beautiful birds. I really need to spend a full day there at some point.