I first became interested in photography as a teenager when my instamatic camera suddenly became not technical enough to take the pictures I wanted to take.  I invested in a basic SLR camera, and along with some advice from the *very* nice man in the camera shop I set out to become a "photographer". First efforts weren't much cop, but one night I took a picture of a big wheel at the local fair, and from then on I was hooked.  I was also very interested in horse racing at the time, and it seemed natural to combine both interests.  I would go out for the day - using public transport only as I didn't drive at the time - lugging my expanding equipment bag around with me.

I traded in my first camera for a Minolta after a few months, and  the change in quality was noticeable straight away.  First thing I did with the Minolta was to go on holiday to York with it, and this is where I took the picture of Hairy Hat. This photo has been in a couple of local magazines, and once while at the printers, someone liked it so much they made it into a poster.  I kept my Minolta until my then husband gave me a Canon A1 for a birthday present, complete with super duper motor-drive, loads of filters and lenses, the whole package.  None of which I could use as it was too heavy!!   With his blessing, I traded it in for a Pentax MZ50. Not as high tech as the Canon, but auto focus, and a fraction of the weight of the Canon. 

The only drawback with photography was the escalating cost of film and processing.  For a long time I was unable to enjoy my hobby because of the restrictions on my finances, but a few years ago I bought a digital camera, then after a while a DSLR, a Pentax *ist DS.  I started taking photos again, albeit with the camera on fully auto, but then I went to Gozo for a few days and once again got hooked.  I have now got a Samsung GX-20, big step up from the *ist DS, and has enabled me to now start selling photos.

The kit now comprises of: Samsung GX-20, Pentax *ist DS,  Pentax DA 12 - 24mm, Schneider 18 - 55mm DA AF lens; Samsung 50 -200mm, Tamron 70 - 300mm, Sigma 135 - 400mm

Pentax MZ50; Pentax AF 35 - 80, 80 - 200 and 100 - 300