Hi Everyone
I live in hertfordshire, England and drive Heavy goods vehicles for a large supermarket chain, covering the south east region. I work during the night and although it has its downfalls, I do get to see a glorious sunrise every day. (ok, not always glorious)
I started making photographs about 20 years ago using 35mm colour transparency film, shooting landscapes and the odd motor racing event. I don't think I ever made a half decent image, though it does take me about six months and 10 looks at one of my images before I even allow myself a 'WOW'
Then about five years ago I was flicking through a black and white edition of Amateur Photographer and I realised my problem. I don't see the world in colour, I'm living in a world that I see in black and white.
My photography changed from that day on. I booked a day with a photographer in the Peak District who taught me the basics of developing and printing. I know its a corny line but man, when that first print appeared on that paper I was hooked.
So, five years of frustration, sheet after sheet of paper in the bin. A huge pile of books on the craft have been read, and eventually I feel that 'Hey, I'm not bad at this!' I even like some of my own photographs now.
I have two ambitions in life. The first is to live long enough to have even one tenth of the Knowledge of some of my modern day mentors (Barry Thornton(R.I.P),Les Mclean,Tim Rudman and Tony Worobiec, to name but a few) The second is that one day, in many years, people will stand in front of one of my images, and be moved in the same way that I was when I stood in front of Ansel Adam's 'Clearing Winter Storm'
'SHEER EMOTION'
I have a long journey ahead of me!!!
I look forward to picking all your brains for their wealth of Knowledge in the near future.
Glad your all there.
Kind Regards
Stoo Batchelor