We recently took a trip to Poland as I wanted to photograph Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II Birkenau camps.
It is recommended when you go to visit and pay your respects in these places that you employ a guide so that you learn more whilst you’re there and obviously they know their way around.
Picture: Property of @Paul W Baker Photography
We took their advice and went with a guide however being disabled, it was rather difficult to keep up and I missed a lot. The guide seemed to want to get the tour over and done with and was moving at pace and I personally believe missed a lot of the camp out.
I say this, as I have spoken to other people that I’ve taken the same tour and I’ve seen photographs of different areas of the camp, not included in our tour and facts that were given in the tour to others, not given to us.
Although the guide was informative, I have to say his ability as a guide, if that’s the right word, was found wanting. He clearly in my opinion, wanted to get away as quickly as possible.
I am not saying do not take a guide on these tours because I do believe it is required however I would suggest if you’re going to take a tour you return on a second day by yourself without a guide so that you can go around once again, looking at things that have probably been omitted from your tour for whatever reason that may be.
Today I found myself buying a smaller tripod, something I never thought I’d do. For years I’ve relied on sturdier, heavier tripods made by IFootage (I have 3) — reliable tools that give me confidence in all conditions. But the reality is, they’re getting harder and harder to carry onto a flight with all the restrictions now in place, we are also doing this as economy and therefore do not want to pay extra just to take a tripod on board especially on longer trips and when travelling light.
This new one is tiny. In fact, it’s so small that it will probably fit in my coat pocket. Made by Neewer, it extends to about 20 inches when fully set up, and when collapsed it’s only around 7 inches long. That’s a huge difference compared to what I’m used to.
The big question is reliability. With its light weight, I’m not expecting it to handle strong winds or heavier camera gear with ease. Still, it feels like a practical compromise, especially with a holiday coming up where portability is more important than anything else.
Will it stand up to the test in real-world conditions? Only time will tell. For now, it’s a handy little addition to my kit — not perfect, but perhaps exactly what I need for the kind of photography I’ve got planned.
O yes I did, o yes! And it was just stunning. The 5+ hour drive up to Norfolk went by surprisingly quickly, although quite how I don’t know. I was stuck in traffic, held up by accidents, and crawling through the endless roadworks.
But despite all of that, I got there — and Cromer Pier did not disappoint. Ooo she is a beauty!
I initially met up with Andrew Banner, a really nice guy, a very talented vlogger on YouTube, and photographer/videographer with a great eye. More than that, he’s just a good man to chat with — especially when the conversation turns to all things photography.
A sneak preview of Cromer – taken with the DJI Mini Pro 4
There’s something about Cromer Pier that draws you in. The structure, the sea, the atmosphere — it all combines to create something timeless. Standing there with my camera in hand, and after talking shop with Andrew, I was reminded once again why I love these long trips so much.
Sometimes, the journey is a test of patience, but the destination makes every minute worthwhile. Cromer Pier was one of those moments — the kind that lingers long after the shutter clicks.
After last weekend’s epic road trip to Stoke and back, I’m swapping stadium noise for something a little calmer — a return to the Norfolk Broads.
I’m not sure exactly where I’ll end up yet (half the fun is in the exploring), but the forecast says the weather’s heating up again. Perfect for boating (not that I do that), walking, or just sitting by the water with something cold in hand.
Of course, this is Britain, so “how long will it last?” is anyone’s guess. The sunshine could stick around for a week… or disappear before I’ve packed the car. Either way, I’ll make the most of it.
From the roar of the crowd to the ripple of the water — here’s looking forward to another weekend worth remembering, and the making of some great memories.
Some days, the ordinary drive home hides unexpected surprises. Today, it was a small red boat.
It was anchored just off the shoreline near Portchester Castle, a splash of colour against the muted blues and greys of the afternoon tide. The ancient stone walls rose behind it, weathered by centuries of wind and sea spray. For a moment, I wondered how many other pairs of eyes, over hundreds of years, had looked out over this same stretch of water and seen vessels passing by.
I couldn’t let it go. Back home, I wheeled out the e-bike, slung my camera over my shoulder, and set off to see if I could capture the scene before the light changed. There’s something exhilarating about the uncertainty—was the boat still there? Would the tide be too high, the clouds too heavy? It felt like a mini treasure hunt, except the treasure was a photograph I hadn’t yet taken.
Taken in early 2025
The ride itself is one of the joys of living here. From the quiet streets to the open water, you pass through layers of history. Portchester Castle (above) itself dates back to Roman times, originally built as a fort in the late 3rd century to protect the coastline from Saxon pirates. Later, it became a Norman castle, then a royal stronghold, and eventually even a prison for captured soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars. Today, it stands calm and patient, watching the harbour’s ebb and flow as it has for over 1,700 years.
Arriving at the waterfront, I saw it—still there, still red. The boat rocked gently on the tide, its reflection rippling in the late afternoon sun. Beyond it, the castle’s keep and curtain walls stood tall, as though guarding the scene. I crouched low for the angle I’d imagined from the car, adjusted my lens, and let the shutter click. A few times.
In the end, I don’t know if the photograph will be as perfect as it looked in my mind when I first spotted it. But that’s the magic of moments like this—you never quite capture them entirely. Some part of them lives only in memory, tied to the rush of pedaling towards a fleeting scene, the smell of salt in the air, and the satisfying hum of an e-bike rolling home at golden hour.
Once I have edited the images taken I will share them here on this post, if they do turn out I I envisaged them, I guess only time will tell!! – They are in tomorrow Vlog.
Portchester Castle – Quick Facts & Local Lore
Roman Roots: The site began as a Roman fort around AD 285, part of the Saxon Shore defences. It’s one of the best-preserved examples in northern Europe.
Norman Upgrade: After the Norman Conquest, William Pont de l’Arche transformed the fort into a castle, complete with a keep and inner bailey.
Royal Guests: Medieval monarchs, including Richard II and Henry V, stayed here before embarking on campaigns to France.
Prison by the Sea: During the Napoleonic Wars (1793–1815), Portchester Castle held thousands of prisoners of war—many from France, Spain, and the Caribbean.
Harbour Haven: Situated at the head of Portsmouth Harbour, the surrounding waters have seen centuries of trade, fishing, and naval activity.
Modern Tranquility: Today it’s an English Heritage site, popular for dog walkers, photographers, and anyone chasing that perfect combination of history and sea air
The Vlog will be out on the 09 August 2025 at 08:00 (BST) click below:
Last week’s vlog takes you with me on a peaceful ride along the Fareham coast road — a route I’ve long admired for its mix of maritime textures, quiet corners, and glimpses of history. My destination? The timeless Portchester Castle, perched proudly at the edge of the water.
But this wasn’t about the destination — it was about the journey.
🧭 The Route: Slow Travel, Visual Discovery
Using my e-bike (a real game-changer for someone like me managing leg problems), I set out to explore what the coast road could offer photographically. The freedom of stopping whenever a scene caught my eye meant I could truly take in the atmosphere — from wide coastal skies to weathered railings, small boats resting in the tide, and birds wading through tidal pools.
📷 What I Photographed
I wasn’t chasing dramatic light or long exposures this time. Instead, I let the route guide me. I looked for:
Subtle compositions — the kinds you only spot when moving slowly
Leading lines along the seawall and railings
Tones in the sky and water that played with the soft, shifting light
Distant views of Portchester Castle emerging through the haze
🖥️ Editing: Lightroom & Photoshop
Once back home, I processed the images using Lightroom and Photoshop. I focused on:
Bringing out the texture and light in flat skies
Toning to reflect the calm, introspective feel of the ride
A subtle, moody look — quiet, not overly polished
🎞️ Watch the Vlog
If you enjoy slow, thoughtful photography with a documentary feel — this one’s for you.
▶️ Watch the full video on YouTube:
📍 Final Thoughts
This wasn’t about epic landscapes or perfect light. It was about the value of simply getting out there — letting a familiar route offer new visual opportunities. Whether you’re a fellow photographer or just enjoy quiet visual storytelling, I hope this vlog brings a moment of calm and inspiration.
Thanks for watching — and as always, you can find the full gallery and updates at:
It is actually very frustrating, I have so much to do at home and I am attending the first game of the season this Saturday that I do not think I will be going out to vlog this weekend.
You may know? But I am a lifelong Stoke City supporter that owns a season ticket, well this first game of the coming season is on Saturday 9th August at 3pm and I am really looking forward to it.
I am also in the middle of painting parts of the home, the aim is to have that done before the weather turns, not that it is particularly good at the moment, ensuring we are bad weather protected throughout the property.
Some hours later – Painted (shed) white, looks nice and fresh.
And I have already mentioned this weather, it is poor, very overcast with a high possibility of rain! I was planning on doing the vlog today, but it is just gloomy and I felt it wasn’t worth the effort. Get the painting done, along with the football and venture out again next week.
So, apologies, I may try later today but it seems doubtful at this time. I will leave you with a photograph of the Spinnaker Tower taken on another more joyful day!
I have just added the photographs from Tysoe Windmill to the website, hope you enjoy them, please leave you thoughts in the comments section, Thank you.
Paul W. Baker Photography 
You must be logged in to post a comment.