I'd like to ask fellow forumers what made you take up the hobby/work ?

For me i got a camera simply to make some cash via eBay, you know adding pictures to items sold.
I went from a basic COOLiCAM to a high end compact HP910 DSLR style to now a pucka Canon DSLR.

I buy a few items of interest for myself and others and in a way the camera evolved to my needs. I have maybe one of the UK's best collection of Modern camouflage clothing that i regularly photograph for forums and special request. Then as a spin off i have the same stuff in 1:6th scale which is same, photographed for forums.

Now it's got me thinking was/is it the collecting or the actual photographing i enjoy, and i have to say i like the feel of a camera in my hands now. I think i always have but been confused by taking pictures of other things rather than enjoying the art of photography.

There are a few of my interests and paths to my hobby, so whats yours ?

One of my teachers at school was an excellent photographer - he was an English teacher by trade but a photographer by hobby, but his technical knowledge amazed me, and in my free periods, he would take me out into Graves Park near school, armed with a Nikkormat, then an Olympus OM1 and talk me through what he was doing - he would bring in bellows units, different lenses etc, then he would explain to me about depth of field, macro photography, reciprocity law failure - I was fascinated and wanted to take pictures. By the time I had a camera of my own, I more or less understood what to do with it and it grew from there.

One of my teachers at school was an excellent photographer - he was an English teacher by trade but a photographer by hobby, but his technical knowledge amazed me, and in my free periods, he would take me out into Graves Park near school, armed with a Nikkormat, then an Olympus OM1 and talk me through what he was doing - he would bring in bellows units, different lenses etc, then he would explain to me about depth of field, macro photography, reciprocity law failure - I was fascinated and wanted to take pictures. By the time I had a camera of my own, I more or less understood what to do with it and it grew from there.

How old are you Rob? ^_^

I'd never get away with that today!

The feeling of satisfaction when I pick up my DSLR... The grip.... The touch... The weight and the feel.... :loopy: hehe but that is why I just want to keep snapping :D

The feeling of satisfaction when I pick up my DSLR... The grip.... The touch... The weight and the feel....

I know exactly what you mean. Does this mean we're just a bunch of camera fetishists and not photographers at all? Fetographers??? :hihi:

How old are you Rob? ^_^

I'd never get away with that today!

I am 51 now (had to count the rings just to make sure) - the teacher - I am certain he won't mind me mentioning - was Dave Dawson - one of the most inspiring teachers I ever met - he and a couple of other teachers used to take us to the pub at lunchtime occasionally for a pint - great days!!

I am sure you wouldn't get away with half the things our teachers did - I remember some of the parties we had - when I think about it now it was pretty risky at the time - the students (6th formers in the main, but some only about 15) used to meet up in the pub and take bottles from various off licenses - and there was usually something at the parties for us to partake of - this is digressing a bit isn't it?

Anyway, Dave Dawson was my introduction to photography and my inspiration too.