About
Welcome to the Photography of Mark Simms.
I’m an amateur photographer based on the Wirral, a peninsula of land in north-west England that lies between the River Mersey/Liverpool on one side and the River Dee/Wales on the other.
A moody, atmospheric shot of the old Rock Ferry pier on the Mersey River/Liverpool side of the Wirral
A chocolate box image of a sailboat resting on the beach at Hoylake on the River Dee/Welsh side of the Wirral
For as long as I can remember I’ve enjoyed taking pictures: simple snaps of holidays, days-out and family gatherings. Over the years I’ve been slowly but surely building my knowledge and learning my craft to the point where photography is now my passion and creative outlet. I’m largely self-taught from magazines, books and the internet, although when I purchased my first serious camera back in early 2008 (a Canon EOS 400d DSLR, in case you’re interested) I did attend a one-day course just to get a handle on the basics.
There are two main areas to my website. My Photostream is where I post most of the work that I’m happy to share. I take images of anything and everything that takes my fancy whilst out and about with my camera, so the subjects are many and varied….although I hope captured with a creative eye, good use of light and strong composition. I try to post something new at least once per week, often with a few words of explanation to add some context, so it’s a good place for people to catch up with what I’ve been doing.
The second is the Sales page where I have provided details about options for purchasing my work and a gallery which showcases the images that I offer as limited edition prints.
I welcome honest, positive and constructive feedback, so please feel free to leave a comment either directly on this site or if you prefer via email on info@marksimmsphotography.com.
A note about camera kit and software:
Above I mentioned that my first serious camera was a Canon DSLR bought back in 2008. Since then I had been slowly adding to and upgrading my Canon kit, but in 2013 I decided to take the plunge and sell my DSLR and lenses in search of a smaller, lighter, more compact package. I decided to move to a Micro Four-Thirds, Mirrorless Compact System Camera, which for me (and my largely hand-held, travel orientated style of photography) is the perfect compromise between image quality, portability and affordability. For the photography “anoraks” amongst you, below is a list of the kit that I currently own and use:
Body: Fuji X-T4
Standard Zoom Lens: Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
Medium Telephoto Zoom Lens: Fujifilm XF 50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR
Long Telephoto Zoom Lens: Fujifilm XF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR
Macro Prime Lens: Fujifilm XF 80mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR
Support – Manfrotto Element Tripod, Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod and Joby Gorillapod SLR-Zoom with Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head
Filters – Hoya 72mm & 77mm PROND 1000 (10 Stop ND)
Accessories – Interfit 24″ x 24″ Pop-up Light Tent and Interfit 22″ 5 in 1 Reflector
Although I try to get as much technically correct as possible in camera, one of the great joys of digital photography for me is the ability to creatively enhance an image in post-processing. For this I use a combination of software packages as follows:
From 1st January 2015 – Adobe Lightroom Classic
Pre 1st January 2015 – Apple Aperture v3.5.1, Nik Efex Pro Suite & Nik Snapseed
© Mark Simms Photography (2012 – 2023)
Mark Simms Photography 
73 Responses to “About”
Hiya Mark, we wondered if you would like to have a piece on our webpage as guest blogger, and do a little feature. It would be great if you could take part in someway with your photo’s. email admin@thewirralhub.com
Your work is really strong. Both your eye and use of light make for inspiring images. Thank you for visiting my blog. I look forward to seeing more of your work!
Thanks for visting and following my blog unsouthernbelle. Thanks also for the kind comments…much appreciated.
Hello Mark I was unable to share your Twitter on your site tonight. I also am not sure what I am to share this is all new to me
I found I was sharing myself as i was clicking on the like tab. I received a lot of emails so I will not do that again.
If you could answer a question how does this help you. There is no instruction on these. Donna I am impressed with all your photo’s
Thank you Donna
Hi, Mark. I know this is probably an incredibly stupid question, but I really don’t know the answer, which is why I’m asking. You have the copyright stuff on your work, but you also have the share buttons. I blog on Tumblr and want to share your stuff, but I don’t want to step on your toes. So, I guess what I’m asking is whether I have permission to share your stuff. I actually think I’ve blogged at least one of your things already on my page, but I’ll promptly take it down if you’d like. Anyway, I just want to make sure I do the right thing. Please let me know. I appreciate your time. Also–with work as beyond beautiful as yours is, you really can’t blame anyone for wanting to show it off! 🙂 MM
Hi Maudie, thanks for contacting me about this and it’s not a stupid question at all – in fact I appreciate the fact that you’ve asked the question – it shows you’re a responsible blogger..:0).
Copyright isn’t about preventing sharing of other people’s work, but it is about protecting ownership – so that the creator of the work is credited and any potential commercial benefits are protected. So I don’t mind you sharing my work, so long as a) you ask my permission, b) I’m credited with the work and c) there is a clear link back to my WordPress site.
By using the share buttons for Facebook, Tumblr etc or by re-blogging a post on WordPress, points b & c above should, I hope, automatically be taken care of – because it should be clear who created the work and have a link back to my site. I only ask to be contacted for permission first, because it’s nice to know who thinks highly enough of my work to want to share it through their sites, blogs and pages etc – also I may want to return the favour..:0).
What I don’t want is for anyone to download work from my site and then publish it elsewhere pretending that it’s their own – that would be a breach of copyright (unless of course I gave them permission to do so). In truth though there is very little you can do to stop someone from doing this – watermarking helps, as does ensuring that images you post are of sufficient size/file quality to display on screen OK, but not enough so they would produce good quality decent size prints.
At the end of the day though you just hope that people are decent enough to play by the rules. You clearly are, so I have no problem if you want to share my work as outlined above – in fact I would be delighted! Of course, it was the last line of your comment that swung-it…flattery will get you everywhere…;0).
Cheers
I was interested in your comments about Aperture, which I trialled but didn’t think I had long enough to really get to grips with, and never bought it.
Like you, I prefer minimal editing, and don’t really understand the fascination with endless fiddling and manipulating. Anyway, my question is, aside from the workflow organisation of Aperture, what do you think are the strengths of the editing programme, I’m still toying with buying it, but I tend to use my canon software for editing at the moment, and don’t know if there would be any added value with Aperture, although it does look whizzy!
Thanks in advance.
I moved from Photoshop Elements 6 to Aperture 2, when I bought my iMAC approx three years ago. I’ve never really used the Canon software so I can’t compare it with that. Not sure if you’ve used Adobe’s Lightroom, but Aperture is similar – it’s all about organising and streamlining workflow, but at the same time providing some pretty powerful editing tools. For me it’s worth the investment. Personally I wouldn’t look at anything other than Aperture or Lightroom – they are designed specifically for photographers. Lightroom is considerably more popular than Aperture – in fact it’s pretty much the industry standard. Lightroom 4 is the latest version and that is fairly new. Aperture is on version 3 and that must be 18 months to 2 years old now. In all comparisons I’ve read Lightroom 4 comes out on top vs Aperture 3. I’m waiting for Aperture 4 to be released, which I’m hoping won’t be long.
You’re very talented! I enjoyed looking through your images very much.
~Christy
Thanks Christy, that really is very kind and very much appreciated! I’m now following your blog, from what Ive seen so far you have a very good eye and a good deal of humour – I look forward to seeing more of your work.
Thanks Mark, I’m glad you’re following! Yep. I’m quite silly.
Great story! Sort of similar to mine in the inspiration realm 🙂 You have some amazing work! I wouldn’t consider you to be an amateur photographer btw 🙂
Thanks Winstone and thanks for following my blog.
Right back at you!
I like your idea of minimal post processing and adhere to this myself.
Having only recently switched to a Mac late last year, I’m wondering whether Aperture might be worth buying.
Love your B & W images.
Hi Victoria, thanks for following it really is much appreciated. I like Aperture. The only thing I would say is that a new version can’t be too far from being released (the current version 3 is quite old now and is certainly lacking when compared to Adobe’s Lightroom 4) so now may not be the best time to purchase. Also if you go with Aperture, then there is no doubt that you’re swimming against the tide somewhat – Adobe’s products are by far the most popular.
I ‘found’ you as a result of your comment on Leannes’s post (What is art). Sadly I couldn’t work out how to ‘reply’ to your comment (doh!) but we seem to have pretty similar views and I just want to say: “Well said!”.
You have a great collection of photos here – here’s to eclectic photography! 🙂
Thanks Noeline, that’s much appreciated. It’s not that I don’t like Leanne’s work – far from it – I just didn’t agree with what she was saying in her post on this occasion.
I was wondering the same thing myself …!
I think she has some lovely work, some of it’s not my thing, but then the world would be a very dull place if we were all the same. Sadly, I think the opportunity for a really interesting healthy debate has been missed …. or possibly not actually sought in the first place …
Hi Mark, I wondered if you stuck around long enough at Cholmondeley Castle(presuming you were there on the Saturday) to catch me, I went about 4th or 3rd last around the cross country so it was quite late! Thanks Susie.
Hi Susie – we left at about 4pm-ish, but spent the last half an hour or so by the show jumping. I’m happy to have a look through my shots though – can you remember what number you were?
Attention: la photo est une drogue!!!!!
Très beau travail que je vais suivre
Amicalement
Alain
Thanks again…:0)
I really enjoyed reading your “about” and it’s great to know that you are a kindred spirit. Chasing things that interest us, with camera in tow everywhere we go. I also really do enjoy historical sites, and wish more people appreciate the special nature of such places. Thanks so much for following my blog, I always enjoy seeing you pop in and leave such wonderful comments. Emily aka Bella Remy
Thanks Emily, that really is much appreciated…..and I really enjoy reading your posts and viewing your images so it is a pleasure to like and comment on your work. 😊
Really beautiful photos. I’m glad to have found your site. ~SueBee
Thanks Sue…..I’m glad you found my site too 😊
Nice work Mark, I came over here courtesy of LCP and like what I see. MM 🍀
Thanks Mick….much appreciated 😊
I enjoy reading biographies and I like yours and that you are self taught. I’m self learning still 🙂 I must investigate more your camera system! Gorgeous lighthouse!! I love them as we have many here on what used to be known as “the graveyard of the Pacific. ( west coast of Vancouver Island). I ‘m honoured that you are following my little blog!
Thanks Cybel…..I’m looking forward to following your blog too..:0).
PS. your gallery is absolutely longingly beautiful!! I can’t leave a comment on all but I will be returning again and again!!
That’s really very kind and much appreciated. I’m sometimes a bit shoddy at adding new stuff to the galleries……and I also don’t want to overcrowd them….but I will try to keep them up to date.
Beautiful images and great use of lighting!
Hi Mark…is your photostream link the best way to see your most current WP blogpost? I’m saving links of those I enjoy because I can’t keep up in the reader any longer.
Yep it certainly is……thanks Laura 😊
Great, thank you!
Lovely photos! I look forward to learning from you as I follow your blog.
Thanks Susan…..hope I don’t disappoint
Lucky you – photographing in the UK you have a wealth of material with the subject of churches and church life worth photographing!
Thanks…..yep the UK does offer up some wonderful photo opportunities.
Some wonderful photo’s on your blog, very glad I stumbled across your work. Very nice equipment, the camera I’ve been using as of late is an Olympus OM-D EM-5 & I love it! For me, it’s a great Street Photography camera. All the best 🙂
Cheers Mark……yay another Olympus fan……I love my OM-D, thinking of getting an EM-5 or the new EM-10 as a second body.
I think you have some wonderful photography dude, i have spent a lot of time up and around your area as my ex-girlfriend comes from there. Beautiful part of the country and i miss it dearly!
James
themanabroad.wordpress.com
Thanks again 😊
I stumbled on your blog tonite and you’re terrific. Great pictures…made me feel I was physically there. Nice work!
Apologies for not replying before, I’ve been away, but thank you for your very kind and positive feedback it really is much appreciated 😊
Loved your About page – answers all the questions that were popping in my head as I went through your pictures. Fabulous series on Delhi – great composition and choice of subjects. You have a fan!
Now you’re really spoiling me…..thanks!!
I’m very happy I found your blog. Fantastic images, Mark.
Thanks again…..I’m happy that you found my blog too and that you like the images 😊
I’mmmmm pretty sure you can chance the first sentence of your Bio.! 😉 You are definitely NOT an ‘amateur’ photographer! This stuff AWESOME. I have not found better from any blog produced by people calling themselves professional.
Thanks so much Marcia…….that really is very kind of you to say so. Thanks also for stopping by my blog and commenting 😊
I wish I could take pictures like this! They are truly beautiful, loved looking through your site!
Thanks Lucy-May…..your kind words are much appreciated. Thanks for visiting my site.
Hi Mark, Thank you for following my photography blog, Jane’s Lens. I hope you enjoy my work. I certainly love what you do and will continue to follow and look forward to your posts. Happy shooting.
You’re welcome Jane and I look forward to following you as well. Thanks for following me and all the likes and comments so far. 😊
Hello Mark, I just found your blog – really stunning photos, I enjoyed watching them 🙂 looking forward to your next ones, I just had to press the “follow” button 😉
Greetings Moni
Thank you Moni and the follow is much appreciated……just hope I can live up to your expectations now 😊
Hi Mark, Your images are inspirational to me and the website is so easy to use and concise. It has been a pleasure to view your work and to read the information. The landscapes are delightful, and Im very enthralled wth the detail you have managed to capure in the architecture and artwork. Thanks for such a fabulous site.
Regards, Junee
Thanks very much Junee. I’m glad you like my work and the format of the website….your comments really are much appreciated.
Hi Mark, too many great shots here not to follow. I look forward to seeing more. Kind regards from another Mark on the other side of the world.
Thanks Mark…..much appreciated
Beautiful Work! I will for sure follow your site 🙂
Thanks very much 😊
I love your photos! Very inspiring.
That’s very kind…..thanks 😊
Hi Mark, I wondered if I could use your image of Hereford Cathedral at night on my website please? I am hosting a Ghost Walk through the city in December and it’s perfect. It would be credited to you of course
Many Thanks
Jayne
Hi Jayne, yes that’s fine and thanks for asking and not just helping yourself it’s much appreciated. Good luck with the Ghost Walk, Hereford is very atmospheric at night so I’m sure it will be a success. Please send me a link when you,Ve added the photo to your website. Kind regards Mark
Great thanks Mark – here is the page…it looks perfect 🙂 https://www.hdparanormal.com/hereford-ghost-walk
That looks really good. Very atmospheric 😊
Thanks Mark. I’ve just noticed that I have forgotten to credit the image to you! sorry about that – now done 🙂
Thanks 😊