The Photowalk

• #490 Walking the perimeter of the UK!

  Quintin Lake is my guest today, sharing stories from the literal edges. From 2015 to 2021, he walked the entire coastline of mainland Britain, covering all 11,000 km of it, creating The Perimeter, a six-year photographic journey that explores light, isolation, design, and the quiet drama of the country's outermost margins. A fine art and architectural photographer, Quintin’s eye has always been drawn to form and structure. We also talk about his personal work, including Absent Pyramid, a study of Chernobyl 21 years later, and Cold War Spaces of Fear. Quintin’s work is marked by precision, stillness, and a deep attentiveness to place. In this conversation, we explore endurance and creativity, the solitude of long walks, and what it means to photograph with intention.  Also on the show today from the mailbag: Jade Lee has an idea for our 500th episode that allows you to participate, wherever you are in this world. Christopher Parsons shares how sneaking into the right place led to the shot, Bill Frische gifts us a new word you’ll want to make your own, and Reed Gidez explores an abandoned hospital with a camera in hand. Also, today, Gary Ramage invites you to take part in the new One Word Assignment for July. Links to all guests and features will be on the show page, my sincere thanks to Arthelper, who sponsor this show, plus our Extra Milers, without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

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• #489 Become wild with wonder

  This week, I’m walking with Thomas Nicolon, a National Geographic Explorer whose camera has led him through the dense rainforests of Central Africa and the tangled frontlines of wildlife trafficking in the Amazon. He’s a photographer, filmmaker, and conservation storyteller who studies some of the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems. Thomas spent five years in the Democratic Republic of Congo, working as a journalist before shifting his focus entirely to the natural world. Since then, he has collaborated with conservation organisations such as WWF and WCS, and published his work in Le Monde, Reuters, GEO, and Mongabay. Thomas has an insatiable love for photography, and that comes across today as he invites you to embrace your childhood wonder and see through the eyes of a nine-year-old. From the mailbag, Allin Sorenson reflects on his creative legacy, Patrick Gerke’s lost in a jungle of grass, and Michael Brennan delivers a heartfelt letter and boldly bins off social media’s pesky algorithms. I announce a special Photowalk meet up planned for July 30th and Paul Hutson invites you to take part in the One Word Assignment. Links to all guests and features will be on the show page, my sincere thanks to Arthelper, who sponsor this show, plus our Extra Milers, without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

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• #488 The lens cap that almost cost me my life!

  In this episode, I’m joined by a former frontline military photographer whose camera has been trained on the complexities of human nature through the lens of conflict and resilience over the course of three decades. But it was one small slip, a dropped lens cap, that nearly cost Gary Ramage his life. We discuss the moments behind the images, the weight of documenting conflict, and how one decision in a war zone can alter everything. We also talk about what it means to return from the intensity of conflict zones and adjust to the quiet normality of everyday life—how you make sense of war when the world around you carries on as if nothing happened. Also on the show and from the mailbag, John Kenny introduces the curious sport of shin-kicking (don’t try this at home), Tony Lorenzo tackles imposter syndrome with style, and 35mm film. Andrew Gardner tells a story with a radioactive twist, (perhaps), Graham Harries talks about urbex, and Paul Hutson sets June’s One Word Assignment. Links to all guests and features will be on the show page, my sincere thanks to Arthelper, who sponsor this show, plus our Extra Milers, without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

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• #487 This wondrous world of light

  In this episode, philosophical YouTuber Sean Tucker is back to talk with me about the parts of creative life we don’t often say out loud, anxiety, self-doubt, the “Is it good enough?” spiral, and what to do when you feel like giving up. It’s an honest, uplifting conversation about the why behind the work, and how we find our way back when the spark dims. From the mailbag, Paul Friday swears by checklists as an antidote to anxiety (with proper ticks, not the woodland kind), Lars Hegaard introduces a book that might just change your shelf forever, and Jason Ingram prompts me to consider the real nature of importance. Plus, Valérie Jardin returns for Teach Me Street, and we’ve got June’s One Word Assignment from Paul Hutson. Links to all guests and features will be on the show page, my sincere thanks to Arthelper, who sponsor this show, plus our Extra Milers, without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

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• #486 To SEE and be SEEN

  Today, I’m joined by world-renowned portrait photographer Platon. Known for capturing some of the most iconic faces in modern history, from world leaders to cultural figures, Platon shares an insight into the emotional depth of portraiture, human connection, and the responsibility that comes with photographing power. We explore how photography can give voice to the unheard, why vulnerability matters more than perfection, and what it really means to see someone.  From the mailbag, Mark Christensen shares the story of how his flash may have saved his life, Phil Ferris is looking behind the sofa for his mojo, Jade Lee’s filming snakes at her feet, and Allin Sorenson brings a poem to the path that ties beautifully to my chat with Platon. Plus we have a new assignment from portrait photographer and writer, Paul Hutson. Links to all guests and features will be on the show page, my sincere thanks to Arthelper, who sponsor this show, plus our Extra Milers, without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

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