I became interested in photography before I became a teenager, my first camera was basically a pinhole camera taking 8 pictures to a 120 reel of film. My first upgrade was to a Box Brownie which had an accurate viewfinder and option for timed esposure. I later progressed to 135mm and transparencies, principally using a Halina

Holidays spent in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly were photographic nirvana to me. Crossing the Royal Albert Bridge over the Tamar, travelling to Penzance by train, and finally aboard the "Great White Stomach Pump" aka the Scillonian.

During the 90's, I virtually gave up photography. In 2008, having moved to the New Forest some years earlier, my interest was rekindled.

In 2012, I purchased my first "serious" camera, and in 2014 ditched the semi automatic camera modes in favour of manual and feeling the need to undertake some formal training, enrolled with First Point Photography which run a three week full time course. This has been completed.

My 2018 goal is to achieve my LRPS, and to enter more photo competitions. 

Always to continue to improve, and study, hence the quote from Leo Palmer on my homepage, to look back at the previous year's work and see an improvement

Qualifications

C&G in Advanced Wedding,  Advanced Studio Portraiture and Digital Mamipulation

Competition wins

2013 Romsey show runner up  2015 Romsey show winner 2018 New Forest Photography group - monthly competition winner

Testimonials

"I know you are good" Mrs Sue Young who has asked me to cover events at  St Lukes church, Sway, on being informed regarding Romsey Show result.
Regarding the Romsey 2015 win, one of the panel runs a photographic business and thought no wonder I was slow to claim my prize given the quality of the winning picture
September 2017 -"Thank you so much for sending these photos over, we really appreciate you taking these. They are fantastic." Alexa Hobday, secretary Romsey Show

Inspirational Photographers

Helmut Newton for portrait with a touch of glamour, eroticism, even having undertaken shoots for Playboy

Gina Milicia. Sicilian born Gina moved to Australia and has photographed just about every celebrity worldwide over the past 25 years.

 "Gina Milicia is one of the most widely known and respected photographers in Australia. She is the master of capturing that ‘magical moment’ both in studio and on location, especially when working with people." - Link

The Gibson family, especially Frank, local photographers to the Isles of Scilly.

Dog and pet photographers  Elke Vogelsang, Rachael Hale McKenna and Arica Dorff

Railway photographers -  O Winston Link, Bishop Eric Treacy, Mike Esau

Sport and action - Dave "a good photograph is knowing where to stand" Black, and Graham "the cycling photographer" Watson, the latter showing how to identify a niche market and make a success of it.

Equipment

Nikon D810, 24-70 and 80-400 lenses.

Canon 7dii 18-135, 100-400mm, for sport, action and wildlife - the 7dii has an impressive burst rate but am tempted to go entirely Nikon with the launch of the D850.

Canon prime lenses - 50mm (the "Nifty fifty") and 85mm

My dream camera would be an updated Fuji S5pro, based on a modern Nikon body with a decent burst rate

Flashes - pixapro 580 (x2) I like the Li-ion batteries because they last longer than AA's and if running low do not start taking longer to charge the flash resulting in missed shots. Canon 550 speedlight x2, Yongnuo x1. All tilt and swivel.

Viltrox external monitor, both for low angle shots and offers tethered view of shots taken

Studio equipment 

Filters - ND  kit for landscapes and Polariser