Has been a member of inspi.re for 3 years and 1 month
Is a standard member
Last connected from United States
Uses the website in English
Is currently offline
Hasn't come to the website for over a month
Entered 20 competitions
Came first in 2 competitions
Came second in 2 competitions
Came third in 1 competition
Has written 1497 discussion posts and comments

I started taking pictures when I was a kid using my mother's old Brownie Starmite. I was very unhapppy with the results I got from that old camera, so when I was 12, my Dad lent me his Minolta SR-1 (which was older than I was!) and showed me the basics of the art of photography. In high school, I joined the yearbook committee, and was soon introduced to the mysteries of the darkroom!

I honed my skills at candid, sports and action photography while in highschool and during my last few years, obtained a part-time job working in a local camera store. There I was exposed to numerous skilled photographers who selflessly taught me some of the finer points of our favourite artform. I later worked for a "mobile portrait studio" company taking family portraits for church directories. From that experience I learned about posing portraits from single subjects, up to 11 or more (including animals)!

I was forced to take a hiatus from photography for several years after my equipment was stolen from my vehicle while on holiday. It took me many years to be able to afford a "decent" digital SLR and now am immersed in the joys of discovering a whole new "angle" on my favourite hobby. I hope to be able to eventually make a living from this re-ignited passion!

I know I still have a lot to learn, but I also feel that I can never really call myself a "professional" unless I am willing to pass on what I have learned to those who follow. My goals in this site are to offer positive, constructive critiques (not criticisms, by the way) and encouragement when I can, as well as soaking up as much new knowledge as I can. I look forward to meeting many new friends here, and hope that I can be as helpful to others, as those that helped me.

Feel free to drop me a note if you wish! I don't bite! Really!