ABOUT

Born too many years ago in London and migrating ever further north through my childhood, I eventually moved to North East Scotland through my work in the late '70s and have lived here ever since.

My interest in photography was initially spawned watching my father in his makeshift home darkroom 'magically' make black and white images of the family.  I was given a Kodak Instamatic camera which served me for several years but preferring colour slide film I never did develop any darkroom skills.  My first SLR was a Zenith EM but my head was turned when a friend at 6th Form College brought in his Olympus OM1 and my 'love affair' with Olympus cameras was born.  I started with an OM10 but as soon as I could afford it I upgraded to an OM2 SP.  This camera, and an assortment of OM lenses was to prove a trusty combination for many years; in fact I still own it all and although I have not used it in anger for several years it is all fully functional. Quite impressive for a 40+ year old camera.  My wife bought me my first digital camera as an Anniversary present - Olympus of course, an E510, and over the intervening years I have moved onto an E5 and now, my current cameras, 2X OMD EM1 IIs.

Whereas my photography initially centered around family and friends or holidays and travel, in the past 15 or so years my focus has shifted almost entirely to capturing the Scottish Landscape.  I fully appreciate having such a wealth of stunning scenery on my doorstep or, in the case of the west and north coasts, a couple of hours drive away.  The weather up here may not encourage you down to the beach too often but as a photographer it certainly offers plenty of atmosphere (and challenges!).

I have had images published in a national photography magazine and used by Velbon in a tripod advertising campaign. A regular entrant in  the Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year competition, I was awarded a Highly Commended for an image submitted in (SLPOTY - 4) and in SLPOTY (2022) achieved a further Highly Commended image which was also voted as the Four Seasons - Winter winner. Subsequently I have achieved several Commended awards in the Landscape category.  I recently featured in Outdoor Photography Mazagine (Issue 313) 'In the Spotlight' section.