🐶 Sniffing Out a Good Photo – The Books That Guide My Lens
Essential companions for planning shoots across Wales and Scotland
Every good photo starts long before I click the shutter.
For me, it often begins with a strong cup of coffee and a stack of well-thumbed guidebooks. I first stumbled across these books during a bit of a YouTube doom scroll — trying to sharpen up my photography and editing skills, and looking for inspiration from other local photographers. Someone mentioned the Photographing North Wales book, and a quick Amazon search later, I found the Photographing South Wales one too. Both landed in my lap not long after, and I later picked up the Scotland edition in 2023.
These aren’t just guidebooks, they’re sources of inspiration, practical tools, and silent co-pilots in the field. This isn’t a sponsored post, you'll see no affiliate links here. These are just books I’ve personally found helpful and wanted to share. Here are the three I always reach for when I’m plotting my next shoot:
1. Photographing South Wales by Drew Buckley
This was one of the first I picked up, and it quickly became a favourite. Drew’s writing is clear, practical, and full of local insight. He doesn’t just tell you where to go — he tells you when to go, how to get there, and what to look for once you arrive. His coverage of coastlines like the Gower and Pembrokeshire has shaped some of my favourite shoots.
Why I love it: It’s thorough, honest, and beautifully laid out. It feels like local knowledge passed down over a pint. Rhossili and Strumble Head are two standout spots that I’ve returned to again and again.
2. Photographing North Wales by Simon Kitchin
A must-have if you’re heading toward Snowdonia or Anglesey. Simon offers a mix of classic locations and lesser-known gems. This book helped me plan several early adventures in North Wales, where dramatic light and moody weather are part of the charm. I’ve barely scratched the surface, I definitely need to get a van so I can spend more time up there.
Why I love it: It strikes a great balance between accessible locations and more remote ones that make you work for the shot (and yes, puff a bit on the way there).
3. Photographing Scotland by Dougie Cunningham
This one’s a beast, in the best possible way. It’s incredibly detailed and beautifully written, covering everything from iconic castles to hidden lochs. It’s also the book that rekindled something in me during a coffee-fuelled morning in the garden — the moment Ruff Draft Studio truly started taking shape.
Why I love it: It’s the kind of book that makes you want to pack your bag immediately, throw it in the van and head to Scotland. Scotland through Dougie’s lens is wild, wide, and deeply inspiring.
Yes, I mark my books. Corners folded, pages dog-eared, Post-its sticking out of the sides like a neon porcupine. These books live on my desk and in my rucksack, often weathered, often open to a page that sparked something.
These books aren’t just planning tools, they’re part of the creative process. I’ll often sit with them even when I’m not planning a trip, just flipping through to stir something in the back of my mind. They remind me why I do this: to explore, to create, to connect.
And who knows, maybe one day I’ll write one of my own.
Thanks for reading.
Keep exploring. Keep creating. And if you see a guy in the hills with a camera and a puppet monkey called Sid, come say hello.
– Gav