I had an old Zenith EM foisted on me in around 1982, but was utterly awful with it – any good pictures were more a question of good luck than good management.

After a series of 35mm compacts, used almost exclusively for holiday snapshots, I finally got a digital compact in late 2005. On my next holiday, it revolutionised my approach to photography. With no worries about the costs of film or developing, I started experimenting – taking shots of textures and colours, buildings at angles etc. Then, when I got home, I put it away.

But in the autumn and winter of 2006-2007, I had to use it for work a couple of times and it was suggested that I should upgrade. I did in March and haven't stopped taking pictures since.

I know a lot more about apperture and exposure and shutter speed now – although I've still masses to learn – but my arts background and inclinations have kicked in and I'm having a ball capturing the world around me, from modern architecture to graffiti to people.

And since we're a year down the line and still going strong, I've just added a second DSLR to my kitbag – a Canon 40D.