This morning it was so cold that there was a frost in London. I had to scrape a thin layer of ice off my car windscreen for the first time this winter. It was one of those beautifully clear, sunny and cold mornings that are fantastic for photography. As I sped northwards along the M1 motorway at 70mph (or thereabouts), slightly late for work as usual, I had to force myself to look forwards rather than sideways, as I drove past countless great photo opportunities. Mist rising as the frosty fields were slowly heating up, causing localised fog in small dips in the terrain. The sun barely visible on the horizon, but still giving a warm glow. A winding river just visible through the white mist hanging above it. The sort of vistas that any photographer would give their right arm for, even someone like me who isn’t all that interested in landscape photography.

But I had to got to work to do a job that has no connection with photography. Like most amateur photographers, I don’t have the luxury of being able to pick and choose when to get out there and take photos - I’m restricted to weekends, late evenings and early mornings. And like most photographers, I’m not in a position to give up the day job just yet. I only wish that I had been in that position this morning…