Seventy years old, young at heart with a lifelong passion for photography. Since the days of the Box Brownie; my first camera - horrendous to use but at 10 years old it worked! Although it was fair to say I had no skill as a photographer.

Then begins my journey with the 35mm SLR cameras that were affordable to the average man. The famous Praktica TTL, if you fired the shutter the whole world knew about it. Shortly after I switched to Canon and the A-1 model. This was an advanced level single-lens reflex (SLR) 35 mm film camera for use with interchangeable lenses... I was hooked!

At this time there was no YouTube for inspiration and no digital camera to review your shot. It had to be correct the first time. Practice was key and working on composition was critical. Luckily, I had a willing model; our dog, Niff Niff. She would sit and allow me to move her head and stay put until the shutter fired… all for a chocolate Malteser!

Hundreds of pictures later, relying on the only available light from a window and my all-time favourite camera, the Olympus OM10 with manual adapter and speed winder, I was beginning to understand shadow, lighting and composition.

My first professional challenge was as a backup wedding photographer. Although the results were good, my enthusiasm was waning and over time I lost interest and sadly gave up.

Then came the digital era and a new lease of life. The Canon 350D was the turning point. I was older, some might say wiser (others will tell you differently) and landscape photography became my interest. I continued to shoot one or two more weddings but it was clear to me that I didn’t share the same passion that I had for landscapes. This was when I decided to focus on purely landscape photography, specialising in long exposures of waterfalls.

In 2005, YouTube was launched and some photographers were offering advice on their channels. This was invaluable and encouraged me to take that next step. So in the cupboard with the 350D. Hello to the new Canon 5D III and a variety of shiny new lenses! Over time (and several upgrades to camera bodies and lenses) enter the Canon 5D SR. A fantastic camera that’s really helped me take my landscape photography to the next level.

In recent years I’ve found inspiration locally; photographing the river Tees, starting at Romaldkirk and following up past High force in the Forest-in-Teesdale, the heart of the Durham Dales. Barnard Castle, another part of the Tees with its quaint cottages by the waterfalls - a photographer’s paradise. This is where I truly learned to focus on composition. Studying the surroundings first; the lighting, the mood of the scene, what works and what to exclude. Only then does the camera come out.

Today my love for the Italian countryside, from north to south, has me in its grip! From beautiful Baveno to the rolling hills of Tuscany and the mountainous terrain of Sicily. Truly inspiring scenery for both aspiring and professional photographers.

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy my work.