Age: Less than 40
Years into photography: 6+
I have always taken photos as far back as I can recall, but always with point and shoot film cameras (of the 110 and 35mm variety). I didn’t really take photography seriously until I bought a decent point and shoot digital camera which had manual controls, a friend then introduced me to flickr.com where I met a vast number of enthusiastic photographers. I then began to learn more about photography from those enthusiasts and within a year of having my new camera I began to lust after a DSLR. My hunger for knowledge grew and I found myself learning something new almost every day.
I use the Canon EOS system, but started out with Olympus digital cameras. My first DSLR was the 350D (which I still have) but currently shoot with the 40D. I use mostly Sigma lenses due to cost constraints, but I am hoping to increase my Canon lens stock in the near future.
It was when I purchased the 350D that I was introduced to the Nottingham Outlaws, and I have not looked back since. I find collaborative or social photography very stimulating and enjoy camera club outings and also attend meetings with flickr. Having been made the club chairman, I am hoping to influence the club toward more collaborative learning and together I can see good competition results in the future. It’s all about improvement and discovery.
I love to shoot landscapes, but just about anything is fair game for me. I like creative takes on old themes and currently attempting to improve my natural portraiture and street photography, whilst also improving my knowledge of flash photography and the subtleties of lighting.
I shoot mostly digital with occasional foray into 35mm and medium format film. I do use photoshop for my more creative productions (see tribute to M.C. Escher), but generally stick to basic RAW conversions using Lightroom 2, this involves dust spot removal, contrast, sharpness and some level/curve work.
My favourite piece of kit at the moment has to be my Honl starter kit for modifying light provided by strobe flash, although I am still learning how to use it, it’s fun playing with it. I have more tripods than I really know what to do with, but my favourite is the Manfrotto 190XProB, and I have a Manfrotto Modo for travel, which is a good compromise of size, weight, versatility and function.
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