Ladies and Gentlemen, today’s blog takes us somewhere both familiar and foundational...

My journey into the Pont-Y-Pandy Woodlands didn’t begin as some may expect. It wasn’t born of formal research or environmental planning it began with something far more personal: a deep-rooted love for both commercial and nature photography. In Pont-Y-Pandy i found this small patch of woodland that became my open-air classroom. I was working toward my professional photography diploma at the time, and Pont-Y-Pandy was the ideal location off the beaten path, unseen by my peers, and full of character. But what struck me week after week wasn’t just the light through the trees or the seasonal textures it was the litter. So much of it. What was meant to be a photography study often turned into a clean-up mission. Half my time would go into clearing the scene before I could even press the shutter. And yet, I stayed. I was eager for a challenge, and this location had a uniqueness that couldn’t be replicated.

My first camera:

"I will never forget the first camera i ever bought, It was an amazing moment filled with education, pride and passion, it was a truly great day to share with my daughter and one i will never forget"

Learning To See: The Eye Behind The Lens

Long after the departure of my daughters and during my studies, one area of photogrpahy stood out, panoramic photography. At the time, the technology was still niche, and educational resources were either scarce or unreliable. I quickly learned that to understand panoramic imaging, I would need to teach myself. And so I did. This wasn’t just about capturing wide landscapes. It was about creating immersive, living records of spaces that others overlooked. I often told my peers, "We’re not just snapping photos we’re creating portals." The ability to witness the world through a panoramic lens offered a depth that standard photos couldn’t match. Many thought I was a bit eccentric (in the gentlest way), but I never minded. Every photographer finds their own rhythm, their own process. Mine just happened to involve 360° visions and a whole lot of litter-picking. That diploma? I passed. And it gave me something deeper than a certificate it gave me hope, a new direction, and the foundational skills that would grow into what Lunacare Cymru: Media is today.

So What Is Photography?

Some confuse photography with digital art or image manipulation, and while they share tools, their souls are different. For me, photography isn’t just pressing a button. It’s about mastering observation, feeling emotion in a scene, and using light as both paint and narrator.Each photo speaks without needing to shout. It captures truth sometimes beautiful, sometimes uncomfortable and invites others to see through your eyes. It’s a way of connecting with people, places, and stories, even if only for a brief moment.

1. Commercial Photography

Commercial photography is about so much more than showcasing products or businesses it's about storytelling and bringing spaces to life. My journey as a Street View Photographer under Lunacare Cymru: Media has been particularly rewarding. Over the years, my commercial photographic work has accumulated an astonishing 34 million views, demonstrating the powerful resonance of visual storytelling. Roughly half of my commercial photography profile is public on Google Maps, each published image carefully authored and shared to highlight spaces and places through my unique perspective.

2. Nature Photography

This is where my heart truly lives. Photographing the natural world isn’t work it’s devotion. From forests to wildlife, every image is my way of saying, “Look closer.” It’s a call to action, a message wrapped in beauty: we must protect what we still have. Pont-Y-Pandy and places like it have taught me that a photo can carry more than just pixels. It can carry purpose.

3. Panoramic Photography

In 2015, I began experimenting with 360° imagery and also taking part in the Google StreetView Programme through Google Maps. It felt like opening a door to the future of exploration. This immersive medium remains, in my view, one of the most powerful tools for digital storytelling. Whether walking through woodlands or exploring a forgotten lane, panoramic photography offers something few other formats can a sense of presence.

Closing Thoughts

Looking back, I see how photography was the first seed that would grow into everything Lunacare Cymru has become it was also a passion shared with my daughters. It connected me to land, to people, to purpose. And it still does. What started as a personal study became a public project for our family. What began as a diploma evolved into digital outreach and environmental activism. And for that, I am forever grateful to my supporters, my peers, family and the communities who have trusted me to tell their stories. If you’ve ever thought about picking up a camera, do it. Don’t wait for the perfect kit, or the perfect shot. Just begin. Learn image by image, frame by frame. To explore more of my work, you can visit my online portfolio:

Lunacare Cymru Photography on ViewBug

Ladies and Gentlemen, until the next time... Take care.
Michael “Druid” Thomas
Lunacare Cymru | Media - Blog