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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.

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.

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.