I first became interested in photography about thirty-five years ago and I purchased a Chinon film camera.
Work, the commitments of a young family and a love of playing golf meant that it was used very infrequently.
With retirement looming just over ten years ago, I joined a camera club and purchased a Nikon 3100, which I replaced with the Nikon 610. This camera allowed me to develop my interest in landscape photography and I quickly came to appreciate the solace of beautiful surroundings more and more. As my skills improved, I realised that there were issues with sensor marks on my photographs, which eventually Nikon conceded were due to a faulty camera. Thankfully, Nikon exchanged the faulty camera for a Nikon 810.
With the issues sorted, I pursued my interest in acquiring accreditation for my photographs. In due course I was awarded CPAGB and started the long road of BPEs. At present I am just shy of BPE4.
Pursuit of accreditations made me realise I needed to widen the subject matter of my photographs and I now enjoy photographing sport activities, some still life, portraiture and wildlife although my first love is still spectacular landscapes. To assist with all of this I now shoot with a Nikon Z9. A wider portfolio enabled me to achieve AFIAP in 2024.
Currently, I am Programme Organiser and Chairman of Stafford Camera Club and enjoy working with other enthusiastic club members to improve our photography. I also enjoy organising external events for the club and in recent years we have enjoyed successful residential trips to Scotland, the Yorkshire Dales and Wales.
Retirement has given me the opportunity to travel more widely. My favourite photographic locations to date are Scotland, the Lofoten Islands, the Masai Mara, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Austria. I am really looking forward to starting a new accreditation journey with the RPS and really hope the process for attaining LRPS is sorted soon and shared with the members.