Welcome to my site
With the advancement of easy-to-use web design tools on the web, I decided to take the plunge and create my own site. Now that I am "ridingthepines" as we used to say in baseball translated to "retired", I have the time to explore new avenues to express myself. Photography has always been a passion of mine, since the early days of instamatic cameras with flash cubes to today's DSLR and the use of Photoshop on my computer rather than the neighbourhood drug store to view my creations. I received basic photography techniques training while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Photo Tech in the mid-70s. Back then it was all Black & White and training was on the old Speedgraphix cameras - you know, the cameras the Press used in all the old Humphrey Bogart movies. I learned darkroom techniques with trays of developer and fix and huge dryer drums. I learned these techniques from some of the most talented photographers I had the pleasure of working with, both in formal training at CFB Downsview and CFB Borden in Ontario and in the field at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. Since then I have had a couple of other careers and now I've come full-circle - back to photography.
I enjoy shooting photos of my family and friends but my real passion is pets and nature. I have 2 very active Australian Shepherds who, through the sport of Agility, have introduced me to another world of sports competition - dog sports. Shooting action shots during the competitions as well as posed ribbon presentations gives me an opportunity to shoot in varying situations and lighting - indoors and out. Getting that one good shot of a dog in motion on the equipment gives me a real sense of accomplishment. I'm still learning all the features of my DSLR camera and these situations give me lots of practice. I no longer just shoot on "Auto"!
I have purchased portable studio equipment so I am able to pack up and take it with me to shoot photos of my family and friends on location as well as in my basement rec room. I have lots of great nieces and nephews with whom I get to practice on. I would like to start photographing my dogs and friends' dogs in studio.
I have been a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) for a number of years and through them have learned to use Photoshop to enhance my photos. There is still so much to learn and the tools and publications I have access to through this membership help me to produce my best photos.
