This approach to photography is just better.

I’m currently writing this on a train in Switzerland having just spent a few days exploring and shooting around the city of Lyon, France.

As ever a trip away is just as much an opportunity to unwind and reflect as it is to take photos, so I couldn’t help but think of how much my approach to photography today differs to that of a few years ago.

Spoiler: it’s both better, and more enjoyable.

If you’ve followed me for a while you’ll know that I gave up purely focusing on the famous ‘spots’ some time ago for a number of reasons.

Years back, I would attempt to replicate the viral photos you’d see on Instagram - think wide ‘hero’ shots of landmarks/views, with the best light possible.

The problem with this mindset quickly becomes noticeable though. Structuring your whole day around one photo means either not doing much else with your time, or abandoning the hundreds of other shots you could have got in that period.

Furthermore, the pressure to nail the shot you have in mind is at its highest - let alone the disappointment if things don’t go your way and you don’t make that photo.

The solution? Just live and shoot in the moment.

This week in Lyon I would just head out whenever I wanted and simply adapted to the conditions around me. Harsh mid-day light led me down narrow streets where the buildings would cut that light into interesting shapes, while later adventures around sunset provided softer levels to play with the skies and wider scenes.

Photography wise I have around 30 good, varied, and original photos I’m proud of.

Personally, I’ve had a memorable time taking in a new city stress-free.

I just simply had my camera in hand the whole time.

Sometimes the photos come, and sometimes they don’t. And that’s the beauty of it all.