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Earlier this week I headed out for a hike in the Peak District near The Roaches. It wasn’t just about the walking, though — I wanted to see how well a lightweight setup would work for photography on the trail. My kit of choice was the Nikon Z30 paired with the Nikkor Z DX 18–140mm lens.

This combination turned out to be a versatile companion for hiking. Below, I’ll share some thoughts on the setup, a few tips for shooting while out on a walk, and some reflections on balancing photography with the actual enjoyment of hiking.

The Hiking Setup

For this trip, I kept things simple: no tripod, just the Z30 and the 18–140mm. On a DX body, that gives an equivalent field of view of 27–210mm — a really useful range for anything from wide open landscapes, to far away details.

There are certainly smaller and lighter lenses I could have taken, but the flexibility of this zoom was hard to beat. Not having a tripod meant I had to rely on handheld shooting, which worked fine mostly. The only situation where I missed it was in darker, enclosed areas where high ISO was unavoidable.

If you know you’re going to be shooting in low light, a small travel tripod might be worth the extra weight. But for this hike, leaving it behind kept the bag light and the walking more enjoyable.

Planning Helps, but Stay Flexible

When you’re combining photography with a hike, planning goes a long way. I’d looked at maps, photos, and guides beforehand to get a sense of what might be worth shooting. That meant I knew roughly what to expect when I arrived at certain spots, like the dramatic rocks near The Roaches or the mossy steps at Lud’s Church.

That said, hiking photography isn’t about rigid shot lists. You have to adapt to conditions. The weather was overcast and threatening rain — not ideal for comfort, but it can definitely add mood and atmosphere to the images.

Composing Quickly

If you’re hiking with friends, you don’t want to slow the group down too much. Being able to find compositions quickly is a useful skill. Don’t worry if every frame isn’t perfect — sometimes it’s better to move on and let the next opportunity present itself.

Foreground elements (like rocks or flowers) help anchor wide landscapes, while bold features (a large boulder, a tree, a barn) give viewers something to focus on. Even less obvious subjects, like farm equipment or a textured wall, can make for interesting images if they stand out in the environment.

Gear Isn’t Everything

The practical side of hiking photography is often overlooked. Having waterproof clothing, sturdy boots, and a comfortable pack can make the difference between enjoying the process and cutting it short. Wet gear, cold hands, and fogged lenses are all real challenges when the weather turns, as it did on this trip.

Eventually, the rain came down hard enough that keeping the lens clear became impossible, and I called it a day. And that’s okay — sometimes the conditions win.

Balancing Hiking and Photography

One of the key lessons from this trip is balance. If your top priority is photography, then plan a dedicated outing around it: the right location, the right time of day, the right equipment.

But if you’re on a hike first and foremost, treat photography as an added bonus. Don’t worry about missed shots, and don’t take it too seriously. A good walk, good company, and a handful of strong images can be far more rewarding than stressing over perfection.

Final Thoughts

The Nikon Z30 with the 18–140mm lens proved itself as a great hiking combo — lightweight, versatile, and capable of capturing everything from wide landscapes to distant details. While I occasionally wished for a tripod or a wider lens, the convenience of a single do-it-all zoom made the experience enjoyable.

If you’re heading out on a hike with a camera, keep things simple, plan just enough to know what to expect, and remember that the hike itself is part of the reward.

Check out the video of this trip and see the photos that I managed to capture.

On a recent trip to Padley Gorge, I got thinking about a fairly philosophical question:
What really makes a great photographer?

Is it technical skill, artistic vision, consistency—or something else entirely? That’s the topic of discussion in this article, so read on to find out my thoughts!

It’s Not Just About the Gear or the Conditions

Let’s get one thing out of the way first: this isn’t a post about what makes a great photograph. These days, nearly everyone has a camera in their pocket. It’s more than possible for anyone to capture a brilliant image without even really trying, and with the help of AI and editing tools, even an average photo can be made to look impressive.

But does that make someone a great photographer?

I don’t think so. Great images can happen by chance, but the true greats of photography aren’t creating their work by accident.

Technical Knowledge Is Important—But Not Enough

Of course, understanding the technical side—exposure, aperture, focal lengths—is a solid foundation. Knowing how to use your equipment well can help you craft stronger images more reliably.

But we’ve seen photographers take stunning shots with smartphones. Think of White House photographer Pete Souza or amateur photographer of the year, 2020, Zay Yar Lin who have both captured noteworthy images with mobile phone cameras. They of course understand camera mechanics inside and out—but that’s not what makes their work stand out.

Composition, Style, and Storytelling Matter

Strong composition, an eye for aesthetics, and the ability to tell a story through imagery all play their part. But again, even these can happen by accident. Someone might snap an image in the moment that happens to have beautiful composition and a striking story.

Take Nan Goldin or William Eggleston, for example. Their images often feel like snapshots—but their ability to infuse meaning and atmosphere into seemingly ordinary moments elevates them. The line between snapshot and masterpiece isn’t always clear.

Being a Pro Doesn’t Always Mean Being Great

It’s also tempting to equate professionalism with greatness. But just because someone earns money from photography doesn’t necessarily mean they’re pushing the creative envelope.|

I’ve worked in graphic design long enough to know that professionalism often means being efficient, reliable, and meeting client needs—not necessarily breaking new ground artistically.
So working professionally as a photographer, doesn’t automatically equal greatness.

Fame Isn’t the Same as Greatness

In today’s world, building a brand and getting your work seen can make a huge difference. Social media rewards visibility, and sometimes visibility leads to credibility.

But again—fame isn’t a guarantee of greatness.

Look at Vivian Maier. She created thousands of incredible street photographs, most of which weren’t discovered until after her death. She wasn’t famous in her lifetime, but her work speaks volumes. Recognition can be great, but it’s not the only indicator of greatness.

So What Does Make a Great Photographer?

Here’s what I’ve come to believe: Consistency is what separates good photographers from great ones.

A great photographer doesn’t just take one or two standout shots. They produce high-quality work again and again, often prolifically. They reflect on their images, learn from them, and constantly strive to improve. They’re not just satisfied with where they are—they want to keep evolving.

And maybe most importantly, they love the process. Whether it’s a foggy morning in the woods or a quick street snap on the way to work, great photographers are always looking, always seeing, and always creating.

Great Is Subjective—And That’s a Good Thing

At the end of the day, “great” is a subjective label. What I think makes a great photographer might not line up with your definition—and that’s part of the beauty of photography.

What do you think makes a great photographer? Check out the video I made on this topic below, and maybe leave a comment about your own thoughts on what makes a great photographer.

Planning a photography setup for travel can be challenging, especially when balancing image quality, versatility, and portability. In 2026, I’ll be heading to Machu Picchu, and I’ve been carefully considering the best lightweight photography solution for the trip. My key criteria are:

• Lightweight: The gear shouldn’t be cumbersome to carry.
• Compact: It must fit easily in my travel bag
• Versatile focal range: A broad zoom range to capture everything from vast landscapes to distant details.

After evaluating different options, I decided on the Nikon Z30 as my camera body due to its compact size and excellent image quality. However, choosing the right lens was more complicated. Here’s a breakdown of the lenses I considered and why I ultimately chose the Nikkor Z 18-140mm.

Lens Options Considered

Nikkor Z 16-50mm

• Pros: Extremely small and lightweight, making the Z30 feel like a compact camera.
• Cons: Limited focal range (24-70mm full-frame equivalent), restricting flexibility for capturing distant subjects.

Nikkor Z 24-50mm

• Pros: Lightweight, inexpensive, and has some weather sealing.
• Cons: Designed for full-frame cameras, meaning an equivalent focal range of 36-75mm on the Z30—not ideal for wide-angle shots or telephoto reach.

Nikkor Z 24-200mm

• Pros: Excellent zoom range (36-300mm equivalent), great for capturing a variety of shots.
• Cons: The largest and heaviest option on the list, taking up too much space in my bag.

Alternative body option

I also included the option of taking a Sony RX100 VII. This compact camera would have been the most optimal solution for my trip, including a zoom lens with an equivalent focal range of 24-200mm. I was very close to going with this option, however I decided against it because I prefer the controls and ergonomics of Nikon cameras, and it would have also been the most expensive option at around £1000 here in the UK.

Final Decision: Nikkor Z 18-140mm

After weighing all the factors, I chose the Nikkor Z 18-140mm as the best lens for my Machu Picchu trip. Attached to the Z30, it provides a 27-210mm full-frame equivalent focal range—a perfect balance between wide-angle and telephoto capabilities. It will allow me to capture epic landscapes while still being able to zoom in on distant details.

Additionally, this lens is relatively compact at 90mm in length and lightweight compared to other superzoom options. This makes it an ideal travel companion, offering the versatility I need without adding unnecessary bulk.

Conclusion

For a lightweight, travel-friendly setup that doesn’t compromise on focal range or image quality, the Nikon Z30 with the Nikkor Z 18-140mm is my ideal choice for Machu Picchu. It strikes the right balance between portability and versatility, making it perfect for capturing everything from sprawling mountain landscapes to intricate architectural details.

If you’re planning a similar trip, I highly recommend considering this fantastic little superzoom. Here’s a video of my Nikkor Z 18-140mm lens review.