Hi. I've been around photography most of my life; my parents were both keen amateur photographers using mainly Pentax kit, hence my preference.

I got bitten by the bug proper about 15 years ago when I damaged my back and was off sick for a long time. Grabbing my father's spare Pentax ME Super and 50mm f/2.0 lens, I joined an evening class - "City & Guilds - Introduction to Photography" where I learnt properly about apertures and speeds, etc. I went on to do 2 more City & Guilds photography courses - Introduction to Black & White and Portraiture.

I joined my first camera club, Whitchurch Hill on the Berks/Oxon border, and entered into camera club life happily with this friendly club. I was still using slide film at this time - mainly Fuji Sensia. I was encouraged to submit an LRPS panel using slides and was successful in gaining this distinction.

On moving to Waterlooville, I joined another camera club (whose name I won't mention because it was awful and cliquey). Slightly discouraged, I had a rest from photography for a year or so then my husband bought me a Pentax K10D out of the blue. (He was obviously fed up with me moping about with not much to do in a new area!).

I have now joined Chichester Camera Club, which I'm enjoying immensely; there's so much going on I can't keep up!

My husband surprised me again at Christmas 2009 with a Pentax K-7 and I'm still getting to grips with this great camera.

Now all I need to do is to win the lottery so I don't have to work, have the time to process my photos in the digital darkroom and, oh yes, go on about a million Photoshop courses!!!

My next 'ambition' is to gain my ARPS Distinction, and I'm still toying with ideas and themes - hopefully I'll get some inspiration here!

Incidentally, Battiboy is the name of one of my beloved cats! I'm Cath really...