My interest in photography was kindled by an uncle who processed and printed all his own shots: 10 x8 enlargements were sheer luxury in the '50s! My first proper camera was an Olympus OM10 and this introduced me to the world of aperture and shutter speed selection etc. A combination of career and family commitments created a pause in developing my interest further and I moved to compact (film) cameras, taking ordinary
shots but always with a sense of frustration.

In 2004, after redundancy and and starting a second part-time career, I resumed my interest, acquiring a Canon S1IS digital camera, just 2.3MP and spent a couple of years relearning taking images and starting to learn the art of digital processing. Early in 2007, with a major trip to the Arctic looming, I took the plunge and purchased a Pentax K10D which provides me with ample facilities to indulge my passion.

As I am now about to retire, photography takes more time and provides much enjoyment. I am starting to enter competitions and have had some success in the Wanderlust Travel Photographer of the Year competition and also in the Southampton International Exhibition.

My main interest is in wildlife, followed by landscape and then architecture. I am still very much at the start of the learning curve with landscapes. Attending SCC meetings (I joined in 2008) is an enormous help. I enjoy the friendly atmosphere, the informal exchange of ideas and most of all the competitions which for me are like being shown
through an art exhibition by an expert. Whilst technique is not ignored, technology is and the emphasis is on the message each image is communicating.