About Me
I retired from teaching a few years ago and have since joined the ranks of those who say, "I don't know how I had time to go to work!" My days are full and I'm never bored.
During the summer I spend much time on my allotment which gives me much pleasure. It's a lot of work, but I rarely have to buy fruit and vegetables - even in the winter. It also helps to keep me fit. I enjoy swimming, cycling and walking - my passion is for Nepal and the Himalayan peaks - just awesome! ( The header above shows a panorama taken from Gokyo Ri with Everest just to the right of centre)
I spend far too much time on the computer - learning webdesign, working on my photographs and graphics and recently have been converted to flight simulation - unbelievably realistic and if I could afford it I would learn to fly for real.
Winters are becoming a habit of spending abroad and I'm fortunate to have relatives in Australia, Botswana and South Africa whom I love to visit. (I hope they would tell me if I outstay my welcome!)
Photography
I taught photography for a while and it has always been an interest to me - from the days of converting the bathroom into a darkroom to the advent of digital cameras - which, in one way has taken some of the fun out of photography. However, in my opinion, the immediacy and variety of control given through digital work far outweighs the uncertainty and indeed the cost of film work.
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Sony DSC F828 - My
first digital SLR. (prior to this I had a Fuji Finepix and at 3mpx.
I thought it was great until my Cybershot came along. At 8 mpx. with
a 28-200mm lens and 7/35x zoom my digital photography took off! The
swivel front lens was a joy and I could take close-ups with the subject
touching the lens. Ever wanted to take a picture of a black cat in
a coal hole? With the nightframing function of this camera it was
possible with ease. (Click the picture for a link) |
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Canon EOS 50D - my latest baby.
With a host of new features - I'm still learning. 15mpx. means I can
print A3 with ease (I've got a 5'x3' print from one shot!) Its 3"
HR LCD screen is great for sore eyes and with 25 custom functions
and a host of other features, it is always fun to experiment. With
up to 90 jpegs in a high speed burst, catching the action is a dream.
The standard 17-85mm lens is a good basic lens and coupled with a
70-300mm lens I'm covered for most shots. A macro and 500mm telephoto
are on my Christmas list! (Click the picture for a link) |
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My lastest beauty - after my
50D failed (shutter button locked, but fires with remote!) I decided
to go full-frame and bought an EOS 6D Mk2. Alas some of my lenses
weren't compatible, but I part-exed them for a 24-105mm zoom which
works well. All I need to do now is get out and take some pictures |