I’ve always had a keen interest in graphic design, video and photography, being a creative individual by nature.
My journey in photography started in 1969, at age 10, shooting with an old Yashica “TL Electro” Rangefinder.
It was not until around 1980 that I took my photographic interest more seriously. I bought my first SLR, a Nikon EM and lenses, then upgraded it to a Nikon FM2 a few years later.
I set up a darkroom at the back of my garage using black plastic sheeting for the makeshift walls. (the type you lay in garden beds to stop the weeds coming through. LOL) I then got heavily involved in the technical side of black & white film processing.
Today, I own many digital cameras, but most of my work is now done with a full-frame Nikon kit and the much more compact Olympus Micro Four-Thirds system.
I enjoy the creative side of photography, from seeking out new photo opportunities, to processing each image to make it the best I can.
My main photographic interests are landscapes, still life and candid street photography. However, I try not to limit myself to these genres and enjoy exploring new subject matter.
I have also written a book entitled; “Winning digital photo competitions” Having past experience in owning a photo competition Website and judged thousands of photo entries, as well as personally winning many competitions.
Living in Victoria, Australia, I’m lucky to live next to the Yarra Valley, one of the most scenic regions in my state. A rich landscape with mountain ranges, rolling plains, lakes, streams, and many vineyards, teeming with wildlife. I'll often go out at dawn or dusk to capture the beauty of this landscape in the best of God's light.
_________________________________________________
Thoughts on the pursuit of photography
It is extremely rare for two individuals to ever capture the same unstaged scene. The angle of view, the ever-changing light of day, and the composition we choose all add to the randomness of the light that enters our cameras.
Yet more amazing is that much of what we may photograph may never have been captured before or will ever be again.
Knowing that you have frozen a single moment in time and space that is possibly truly unique is what makes the craft of photography so enthralling.
In the natural world, no two sunset skies are ever alike. The facial expressions of our children change as they grow each day and are there to be cherished for but a moment. The things we see and take for granted in our everyday lives take on new feelings, meaning and beauty in each photo.
My camera is the creative tool that allows me to share with others, the beauty and the magnificence of the physical world around me.
Yet I know my best photo is always the one I have yet to take. This keeps my photographic journey forever interesting, knowing that tomorrow I may take another picture I can be proud of.
A photographer dedicated to his art is like a hunter. His weapon is his camera, waiting to take the perfect shot. The hunt can be as spellbinding as the prey itself,
leading us to places never ventured, or faces never seen.
In this era of modern digital photography, the “shots” we take are now virtually free. This allows almost anyone to capture endless moments in time and inexpensively.
With the traditional darkroom having been replaced by digital software, it allows us, to unleash our creative potential and produce masterpieces we can be proud of with ease. To me, photography is a never-ending journey in the pursuit of that visual excellence.
My Motto... “Don’t feel you need to take photos of impressive subjects Rather, endeavour to take impressive photos of any subject.”
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away."
If you've liked my photos, please feel free to leave a comment on the photos or in my guest book.
