Photography competes with being afloat around the Solent and its wonderful harbours, especially Chichester, Langstone and Portsmouth ... the best solution is to do both!

I have always loved seeing photographs. My father used to take his time in making them with his Leica, but seeing them projected from the old Aldis slide projector was always amazing. It was family entertainment to be shared with whoever would patiently watch. For me, even the same pictures, never failed to evoke a thrill, as colours, shapes and patterns excited my childhood senses.

Years have moved on a bit but the thrill is still the same. The Brownie box camera gave way to the Mamyia Sekor SLR, and then to the Kyocera, then the Panasonic bridge and then Nikon D80, D610, D750, D500 and D850 and now jumped to the wonderful mirrorless Nikon Z8. But one thing I have learned is that the shot is no better than the glass, so I try to get the best I can.

I am a lifelong student. There is still so much more for me to learn about light and composition and just being in the right place at the right time. The tripod helps to slow me down to think better. That is always the hardest thing to do. I love the exquisite detail of the natural world but I am trying to make fewer pictures of beautiful things, and more beautiful pictures.

Time is more compressed than in my father's day but there is no substitute for getting out there and shooting. It is a great relaxation because I relax when I focus. What is my genre? Well landscapes and seascapes are particularity satisfying, but birds and animals are fascinating ... as the old hymn says about all things bright and beautiful - the Lord God made them all ... and very well too!

If you haven't seen it, try my group Chichester Harbour