One of my long-standing projects - one which I've pursued for nearly 40 years - is photographing my village: streets, houses, pubs, churches, the countryside, etc. So I regularly walk the streets and footpaths, camera on my shoulder, shooting what catches my eye.

I very often get into conversation with householders in or near their houses - mainly because they're curious about what I'm doing. I always respond with a question about their property, and give them a "business" card which advertises my website about the village. Just to allay any fears...

I've had some great conversations - and got some great photos from being invited through the front gate and into the grounds. (I never take photographs inside the houses). Only this morning I had a 20-minute conversation with the owner of a 16th-century house, with him talking animatedly about its history and what he'd had done to it over during his 20-year ownership. Fascinating stuff.

Motto: Take an interest in people and their interests, and you'll learn some wonderful things.