About
My formal qualifications are in languages and business, and my photography skills are largely self-taught. Years of hands-on practice as a serious hobbyist, a passion for what I do, and a desire to produce top-class results, are my main photographic credentials - together with a businesslike approach that combines the creative element with a commitment to delivering what clients want. After 30 years working as a marketing research professional I have now reduced the 'day job' to the occasional consultancy project, and have made photography my full time day-to-day business. (Why didn't I do this years ago??)
I have always loved black-and-white photography and have had my own darkroom since the mid-80's. I still occasionally shoot b&w film, mostly medium format with my Bronica SQAi, and I also like using a Holga for its quirky old-fashioned look. Producing a gleaming wet print in the darkroom is my idea of photographic heaven, when I get the chance.
My commercial photography is, of course, now fully digital. I currently shoot with both a Pentax K20D and a Pentax 645D. The medium format 645D produces very high resolution, detailed images which can be printed to a large size. I use Adobe Lightroom for processing the RAW images and, whilst I don't like an obviously 'Photoshopped' look, I do spend a lot of time fine-tuning the images to look the way I want, especially for my fine art prints.
Moving to digital some years ago gave me a new fascination for colour photography and I find the fantastic hues, forms and textures of the flower world endlessly absorbing as subject matter.
I love looking at other garden photographers' work, and some of my favourite sites are in the 'Links' section. My favourite flower photograph of all time? It would have to be 'Heavy Roses' by Edward Steichen.