Equipment
Involved with cameras from a young age, my personal first camera came in the form of a ‘Super Snaps’ purchased as a birthday present for me in 1995. This saw much use before the purchase of small Konica and Kodak cameras. All three used 35mm film.
By 2002 I was getting more involved in photography, and after much consultation with my keen parents, I ended up with my first SLR, a Centon DF-300. Originally with just a 35-70mm wide-angle zoom lens, I used whatever money I could save to purchase 50mm and 70-300mm lenses.
However, by 2004 the digital era was well upon us, and for Christmas I received a small compact. Originally not content with the camera, I changed quickly back to the SLR, but by 2005 the prices of more upmarket digital cameras had fallen, so I purchased a Fuji S5500, and this was the camera that I gained my first national publication with.
Following a slight lapse in interest in photography in 2006, in 2007 I decided I wished to get more involved once again. A part time job, gained in late 2006, meant that I could now afford a return to SLR photography, and I duly purchased a Canon EOS 400D in the Summer. This camera has proved very well so far, and as well as the 18-55mm standard lens I use a Sigma 70-300mm f4/5.6.
Early in 2008 my interest broadened yet more and I am currently enjoying experimenting with a wide range of Cokin filters to get various results. Once the long-overdue purchase of Adobe Photoshop has been completed, I intend to venture into use of the High Dynamic Range technique as well, this being something that really appeals to me personally.
This does not include my various ventures into video photography.