I've been a keen but somewhat frustrated photographer for as long as I can remember. It's a hobby that I've found myself gravitate towards repeatedly through happy times and sad. I still recall the excitement of unwrapping my first "proper" camera - a Pentax 35mm SLR - a 21st birthday gift from my parents. But, like a typical bad workman, I would frequently resort to blaming my tools or just about anything (but me!) for my lacklustre results. I never seemed to succeed to achieve through the lens the results I'd really wanted to capture and saw in my mind's eye. As a result I lurched from flurries of intense activity to periods in the photographic doldrums ...
I've always been fascinated and inspired by the land and sea and have been lucky enough to have spent my whole career working in agricultural science and conservation and representing farmers nationally, as well as having dabbled with a spot of offshore yacht racing in and across the English Channel. All these experiences have brought me just a little closer to understanding and appreciating some of the people, politics and natural forces that have shaped and managed our wonderful but complex landscapes and seascapes for generations. However, it's only been in the last 10 years or so that I've had the opportunity to attend a few landscape photography workshops. These have driven me to work much harder at achieving my photographic ambitions and capturing images that more accurately convey what I see and feel when I'm in these places.
I'm indebted to the many wonderful, talented photographers that I've met during this time and the creative melting pot of exchanging ideas, tips and techniques have been truly priceless and, most importantly, huge fun! Particular thanks must go to Colin Prior and more recently David Clapp for tactfully pointing out the error of my ways, instilling some (much needed) discipline and stretching me both technically and creatively to a point that I'm finally ready to start sharing the results of my efforts.
Long may the journey continue...