Through the end of 2019 and early 2020 when I started designing my new range of cards, the environment was high on the agenda of people and politicians. I will print ‘Think far-travel near’ on the back of my cards to encourage people to think a little more that lovely images can be taken close to home. I think social media has played a massive (negative) role recently in encouraging travel and flying simply to get ‘the shot’ that everyone else has. Of course I am not innocent in this regards - there are a number of classic vistas both from the UK and overseas in my work and I was lucky enough to travel a fair amount in the days of innocence and ignorance before widespread environmental concerns and pressure; however many of the images that will feature in my range are non-specific in location and I believe that such amuse-yeux can be found close to home for most people. An open mind on what to photograph and an eye for the visual can be trained rather than simply copying what has been created by others before.

Of course, covid is rather putting any plans for travel into disarray for the foreseeable future. But this means that the principle takes on a new resonance. We will simply not be able to travel so will need to find something new in landscapes and scenes close by. Travelling to a different place often opens the mind to all that is new, exciting and exotic. We will need to find that fix through domestic and local travel opening our minds to seeing the space through new eyes.