Alan Mackenzie Photography

I had the pleasure of introducing Alex Lawrence to Beachy Head in January 2014. Attractive cloud formations and warm afternoon light added to an already stunning location on the Sussex coast. And what better way to finish a trip to Beachy Head with a vindaloo or phall at the Elizabethan Cottage Tandoori in Brighton.

Every winter, starlings escaping the harsh Scandinavian winter migrate to the British Isles and other mild European countries. Starlings feed in gardens and farmland in the daytime and gather in huge groups called murmurations over Brighton Pier in late afternoon.  Murmurations are thought to serve a number of purposes. Firstly, they are a defensive strategy against birds of prey; each starling monitors and shadows seven of its neighbours and this leads to murmurations adopting a typical fluid movement. Should a predatory bird attempt to intercept a murmuration, each starling in its path will automatically move aside, allowing the adversary to pass straight through. Flying in murmurations generates body heat and the collective warmth of bodies acts as a giant radiator when the starlings roost. Competition for the most sheltered places to roost is fierce and dominant males get first preference. Females and juveniles have to sleep in more exposed spots. Although migrant starling...

I don't photograph people nearly as often as I'd like, but I always enjoy it, especially when they are photogenic and look natural in front of the camera. Developing bonds with people unfortunately means having to say goodbye at some point and on Saturday, two lovely people said farewell to us on a night out in Brighton. Zane is returning to Latvia, while Laura is returning to Albert Square as Kat Slater. I wanted to create a permanent record of the occasion and chose the super-fast Canon 50mm f/1.2 L USM lens for the job. This exotic optic is designed for use without a flash in dim light by maximising the transmission of available photons to the camera sensor. Depth of field is extremely shallow, requiring very careful focusing and lens calibration. The resolution is surprisingly good at f/1.2 and bokeh is absolutely beautiful. I would however, like to see a version with an image stabiliser, as shutter speeds of 1/60th second are just on the margin of acceptability.  ...

The year 2013 began cold and winter weather extended right into April. Just look at the first picture of Kingston Ridge for evidence of a ravished, pallid landscape, more reminiscent of February than springtime. When Britain was finally released from the cruel grip of winter, the delay in growth was all too apparent. Even in early May, Friston Forest was barely distinguishable from January. Bluebells were several weeks late and lasted until June, when Roe deer still had their thick winter coats. After a warm start to June, the rest of the month was cool and unsettled. Banks of fog rolled over poppy fields and summer 2013 looked set to be another mediocre disappointment. Enter the July heatwave of 2013. With coastal temperatures rising to the high twenties, we basked in an uncommonly pleasant and prolonged spell of good weather. Painted Ladies, Small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks, Cabbage Whites and Red Admiral butterflies flourished across the county and for once, the air remained still, ...

Cool mornings and shorter days herald the arrival of September, with its bountiful harvests of corn and soft fruit. Some argue that it doesn't even count as autumn at all, instead classing it as summer minor . Indeed, early October in southern England can also mimic summer, with temperatures in the early to high twenties. Autumn is perhaps the most beautiful, mellow and eccentric season of all. It is our last chance to appreciate pleasant weather, before we retreat into a long, winter slumber. The days are still long enough for walks in the countryside; mild temperatures allow for light layers of clothing and towards the end of October, trees enter their dormant phase with a vivid display of yellow, orange and red. Not all trees of the same species change colour at once. Beech woodlands often feature early September green on one side of a glade and early November on the other.  If I was to pick my favourite autumn experience, it would surely be walking through the forest, ...