MARTIN

For my 13th birthday, my Mum and Dad bought me my first camera, which was a Kodak 127 instamatic.

I had lots of fun with this camera during my early teens. However, soon after, my interests changed to that of Hospital Radio and mobile discos, and photography no longer featured in my life.

Around 1976, my then boss, who was a very keen amateur photographer, rekindled my interest in the hobby of photography, after which I bought my first SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera, which was a Praktica.

In 1980, I took an ‘O’ Level in photography and shortly after, up-graded my camera to a Pentax Spotmatic II, plus 3 fixed-focal length lenses – 28mm, 50mm and 135mm – all second-hand equipment.

Around 1982, my interest in this hobby dwindled as I was introduced to amateur radio (ham radio). After taking the City and Guilds examination and passing my Morse test, I became a qualified ham with the call-sign G0KCD; never picked up a camera again until 1999.

Late 1999 a friend introduced me to a digital camera. I was so impressed with this camera that I had to have one – here we go again! I paid £315 for a 1.5 megapixel Fuji 1700 – and I have never looked back.

With my interest growing fast, I saw a poster advertising a talk on wildlife, at a local photographic club (The Woodford Photographic Society) and decided to go along. After seeing the quality of the images shown, I came away from this talk, realising that I wanted to improve my technique.

I returned to the Club on a number of occasions, each time seeing some excellent work. Having decided that the only way that I was going to improve my photography was to join the Society, I did so in February 2002.

Following the comments and help I received from its members and the judges of competitions, I felt the Society helped improve my photography greatly.

Since beginning to participate more in competitions, etc with the Upminster Camera Club, I will have an even greater challenge on my hands to progress with my photography.


WENDY

My interest in photography began in 1996, and I wanted to improve.

I went along to the Woodford Photographic Society’s Annual Exhibition in the local Library and decided that this may help.

On joining in late 1996, I purchased my first Single Lens Reflex (SLR) film camera (Pentax KX) and began entering work into competitions; having my images commented on by outside judges. My images were never that good to win anything, but I enjoyed producing the work.

Towards the end of 2001, I found that my ideas for new work were dwindling. Then I met my now partner through the Society, and I have never looked back.

He is as enthusiastic about photography as I am, and we are always looking for opportunities to take more images. He eventually convinced me into purchasing a digital SLR (Pentax *ist DS), which I am very happy with.

My photography has improved greatly, with images of landscapes, animals, buildings and portraiture.