Mick.

I have had a general interest in photography since I was in my teens, but it wasn't until the early 90's that I started to take it more seriously. I started bird watching around that time and thought it would be a good idea to record some of what I saw but  little did I realize then just how difficult bird photography could be. 

It wasn't until a trip out to Craigleith in the Firth of Forth that I found one good way to get pictures and that is sea bird colonies. 

It also took a turn for the better when the Lea Valley Nature Photographers were formed of which I was a founder member. We have a number of hides in an area of the Lea Valley where birds readily come to the feeding stations.

Bird photography had initially been my main interest but I soon moved on to encompass all aspects of natural history.

I have also tried my hand at portraits for family and friends and have a small home studio set up.

My aim for the coming year having now retired is to do a lot more photography and to try and keep this site as up to date as possible.

My interest in photography began with post processing of Mick's digital images and I spent many hours on the computer getting to grips with photoshop, particularly on portraits.

In 2007 I decided it was time to get a camera and to try and get some images of my own.  The opportunity came up to purchase a Canon 30D (living with Mick it could not be anything but a Canon).  With an interest in nature, landscapes and any kind of wildlife this seemed like a good place to start.

Now with going to a shorter working week I am hoping to improve my camera skills and would like to try some macro work and learn post processing on landscapes.

Equipment.

For 2012 we have upgraded to Canon 7D bodies keeping one of our old 30D's as a back up with a selection of lenses from 10mm to 400mm.

Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 DC HSM

Canon 17-40mm F4 L USM

Canon 24-105mm F4 L IS USM

Canon 70-200mm F4 L IS USM

Canon 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 L IS USM

Canon 100mm macro F2.8 L IS USM

Canon extender 1.4x II

Canon speedlight 430EX II

Manfrotto tripods with various heads

A selection of filters including protectors, polarisers and neutral density.

For processing it is a combination of Lightroom and Photoshop