Forget the lab tests, today the Sony A7 V gets a real-world test in the Lake District. A day in the mountains, a few photographs, and an honest look at how this camera performs for landscape photography.

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Global camera shipments are down over 90% since 2010 and the industry is responding with some questionable tactics to separate you from your cash. From retro gimmicks to subscription creep and rising prices, let’s look at some of the more entertaining examples of desperation.

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We keep hearing the phrase “AI art”, but that idea falls apart once you understand what art actually is. In this video, I explore why commercial photography may be in real trouble, while the artistic, human side has never been more alive.

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It’s time to get up. Get up and take that first step out of the door with your camera in hand.

There will always be moments in life when things feel slightly off. You are distracted, irritated, restless. It is easy to sit with that feeling and let it grow. But something remarkable happens when you decide to make something instead.

The act of creating pulls you out of yourself. Whether it is walking into the hills with a camera, experimenting with light in your kitchen, starting a small project at your desk, or simply taking the first frame of the day, the shift is tangible. Focus narrows, the noise fades and we are left with a creative signal driving us. It is healing us.

Not every attempt results in a masterpiece. Sometimes the conditions are wrong. Sometimes the idea does not quite work, but that is not the point. The value lies in showing up, getting to work and choosing to engage with the world rather than retreat from it. It is healing us. It builds resilience. It strengthens perspective. It reminds you that you are capable of shaping something, however small.

When you make things consistently, you build momentum. Time and time again it proves true that one opportunity leads to another. Be a “do’er,” not a “gonna.”  I “did” this [insert interesting thing] will always make a better story than, “I’m gonna do [insert thing you’ll NEVER do] one day”

So get out there and make things. Not because it will always be easy, and not because it will always be brilliant, but because it will move you forward. It will reconnect you with what matters and provide fulfilment. It heals us.

And with that, we reach the end of 30 Tips in 30 Days. Thank you for taking the journey. I hope it has sparked ideas, strengthened your resolve and reminded you that creativity is always available to you. The next banger is just around the corner.

Photography is a roller coaster. One minute you are cold, frustrated and questioning why you bothered. The next, the cloud breaks, the light explodes across the landscape and you feel completely alive. That swing between the challenges and transcendent moments is not a flaw in the process. It is part of what makes it meaningful.

There is joy in the effort. In getting up early. In going back out after a failed attempt. In standing in wild conditions and feeling small against something more powerful. There is meaning in collaborating with friends, sharing the journey, laughing at the chaos and celebrating the wins together.

Photography can fulfil you because it asks something of you. It sharpens your awareness. It teaches patience. It encourages resilience. It gives you a way to explore your own emotions, tell a story and convey a feeling that words often cannot.

Not every photo will be a banger a banger. But when you allow photography to be more than the end result, so instead it serves as a source of creativity, wellbeing and connection; it becomes something far richer than a hobby. It becomes part of who you are.

Photography matters. It can be emotional, personal and deeply important. But taking yourself too seriously is a quick route to a joyless experience, alienating others and becoming pretentious. A sense of humour is is a superpower; not only does it keep us going when snow and ice fly sideways into our face, it also heals the soul.

When you pour your heart into your work it is easy to become defensive. Criticism stings. Gear fails. Other photographers can be unpleasant or act like gatekeepers. But most of it is noise. The moments that actually matter are the ones that create memories that last a lifetime. Out on the hill with a mate, laughing at the madness of it all, when suddenly light so beautiful bursts over the distant mountain and makes all the struggles worthwhile.

Have fun on your shoots. Spend time with good people who raise you up. Be willing to make mistakes and adapt when things go wrong, because they will. Laugh at yourself when you forget a lens, a memory card or a filter. Don’t be easily offended, you’re not in control of what other people say. The photographs are important, but the experiences behind them are what stay with you. If you can protect that joy, you protect your photography and your well-being too.

Find out more about Mali – https://maliphotography.co.uk/

Starting any business can be a daunting prospect, but in a world of Ai and abundant photographs, a career behind the camera is potentially more challenging than ever. But as a very successful businessman once told me, “If you want it, it’s out there.” So what can you do if starting a photography business from zero today?

First, make stuff and sell it. Products and services. Prints, books, physical work, and your services as a photographer. It might not be glamorous and it might not scale instantly, but it’s the foundation. You need proof that someone will exchange money for what you create. That market validation matters. Do it on the side first. Build something real before making any big leap.

Second, strategy and mindset. Be on the attack, not on the defensive. Don’t waste your energy worrying about competition, image theft or AI. In a digital world, files get copied. That’s reality. Instead of fighting it, channel that energy into creating new things, new ideas, new projects. Physical products are harder to copy. Experiences are harder to replicate. Momentum beats resentment every time.

Third, workshops and tours can be part of the mix, but go in with your eyes open. They are discretionary spending. When the economy tightens, they’re often the first thing people cut. They’re time-intensive, high responsibility, and not as profitable per hour as they might appear. But they can be collaborative, creative and deeply rewarding. Just understand the risk and the workload.

Fourth, start a YouTube channel. Even in 2026. Even if you think you’re late. It’s one of the most powerful marketing tools available. It documents your process, tells the story behind your images and builds connection. Everyone starts at zero. You will be awkward at first. That’s fine. Consistency and confidence matter far more than polish. In a world increasingly driven by story, showing up on camera can compound everything else you’re building.

Fifth, keep your business nimble. Avoid bloat. Know your burn rate. Understand what you need to earn each month. Don’t lock yourself into overheads you can’t sustain. Stay flexible so you can pivot, experiment and diversify quickly. Tough economies reward adaptability.

And finally, keep making pictures. This is the engine. Outwork the next guy. Show up more often. Take more chances. Do the things others won’t. There are no big breaks coming to save you. There’s just steady work, repeated effort and small wins that compound over time.

The opportunity is out there. If you want it bad enough and you are willing to put in the work, you can win.

Not all photography gear has to be expensive to be inspiring. In fact, some of the most enjoyable tools are small, affordable and a little bit different. They won’t replace your main camera or lens, but they can spark new ideas and push you creatively without emptying your bank account.

There are fun, alternative ways to experiment with photography that strip things back or change the process entirely. Simple, analogue-inspired tools can slow you down and make you think differently about light and composition. Small portable lights can open up creative possibilities in macro, product work or even subtle landscape accents. Little accessories and “trinkets” can solve practical problems and make certain techniques easier or more enjoyable.

Instant output is another underrated idea. Being able to hold a small print in your hand straight after taking a photo can change how you see your work. It adds a physical, tactile element to a process that is often purely digital.

Even second-hand or niche lenses can inject new energy into your photography. Trying something slightly unconventional can force you to see familiar subjects in a fresh way. And then there are the practical additions, like portable power or better storage, that quietly expand what’s possible behind the scenes.

The point is this: you don’t always need the latest flagship camera to feel inspired. Sometimes a modest, quirky or practical bit of kit is enough to get you excited again and back out making photographs.

Today’s tip is accompanied by two videos to expand on this concept and provide some ideas.

Woodland photography can feel overwhelming. You stand among beautiful trees, yet when you lift the camera it all turns into chaos. The reason is simple: you’re trying to translate a complex three-dimensional world into a two-dimensional frame. All that form, all those trunks and branches, start competing with each other.

One of the keys is simplification. Mist and fog are a gift because they provide separation from the background and reduce clutter, much like a shallow depth of field in portraiture. If you don’t have fog, you can still simplify by isolating smaller sections of the woodland rather than trying to capture everything at once.

Depth is crucial. Woodland images often fall flat because there’s no clear visual pathway through the photograph. Look for light in the foreground leading into darker layers beyond, repeating shapes that step back into the frame, or subtle separation between trees. A longer lens can help compress and organise the forms, while also removing bright sky that might distract from your subject.

Pay attention to edges. Bright patches of sky or messy branches creeping into the frame can pull attention away from the story you’re trying to tell. Sometimes simply shifting position a few steps left or right changes the the relationship between the trees and transforms a busy scene into something coherent.

And accept that not every beautiful tree makes a good photograph. You can be drawn to a single trunk or branch, only to find later that the surrounding chaos ruins the image. That’s part of the process. Explore. Move. Look up as well as straight ahead. Often the most interesting shapes are above eye level.

Above all, like the trees themselves, woodland photography is best enjoyed at a slow pace, thoughtful and patient. It is hard to come back from a day out in the woodland without feeling revived and fulfilled.

First, understand this: you are better than you think you are. When confidence dips, it’s rarely your ability that has disappeared. It’s your perception. Imposter syndrome creeps in, and it can happen to anyone. Even experienced photographers go through it. No one has life completely figured out. We’re all just having a go and trying to make the best of it.

Remember Ansel Adams’ idea that twelve significant photographs in a year is a good crop. Twelve. That’s one a month. When you measure yourself against that instead of an endless stream of online perfection, the pressure eases. You don’t need a masterpiece every weekend.

It also helps to step away from the algorithms. Social media amplifies comparison and distorts reality. Everyone appears to be thriving all the time. Ditching that noise, even temporarily, can restore clarity and enthusiasm remarkably quickly.

Another important truth: there are no big breaks. Awards, features, sponsorships, exposure. They’re nice, but they’re not the answer. Fulfilment comes from the long haul. From showing up repeatedly, making the work, creating the art, accumulating small successes that build into something meaningful.

And when you start to feel burned out, take the pressure off. Take a break. Or stop trying to be artistic for a moment. Indulge in something technical. Print your images. Try macro or water drops. Learn a new skill. Tinker. Have fun.

And if you need to hear this: get up! It’s always easier after that first step out the door.