Links
Help For Heroes
Help for Heroes has become, in the words of the Prime Minister, a ‘National Institution’ and it is hard to believe it only started in October 2007. Since then they have raised £1 million a month to help support our wounded servicemen and women injured in the current conflicts. They have done that with your help. This has really been something very simple, a group of friends who wanted to do something to help, that message communicated to others who have joined in and made this the success it so obviously is.
This is not about politics, there is no need to criticise or complain, why moan about it being dark when you can light a candle? They may have started something but thousands have joined us to make this what it is today. This is about ordinary decent people wanting to to do their bit to help, to raise money by joining in and so creating something that has become rather wonderful.
Help for Heroes has become, in the words of the Prime Minister, a ‘National Institution’ and it is hard to believe it only started in October 2007. Since then they have raised £1 million a month to help support our wounded servicemen and women injured in the current conflicts. They have done that with your help. This has really been something very simple, a group of friends who wanted to do something to help, that message communicated to others who have joined in and made this the success it so obviously is.
This is not about politics, there is no need to criticise or complain, why moan about it being dark when you can light a candle? They may have started something but thousands have joined us to make this what it is today. This is about ordinary decent people wanting to to do their bit to help, to raise money by joining in and so creating something that has become rather wonderful.
Canon
Since picking up my first SLR, way back in 1991, I have exclusively used Canon cameras. Always at the cutting edge of technology, bristling with features, it's no wonder that Canon is the choice of professionals and amateurs worldwide.
Since picking up my first SLR, way back in 1991, I have exclusively used Canon cameras. Always at the cutting edge of technology, bristling with features, it's no wonder that Canon is the choice of professionals and amateurs worldwide.
Nikki Little
Nikki is one of an elite band of girls who can truly call themselves a model. Stunningly beautiful, professional with a wide range of looks, she is simply amazing and I'm proud to call her a friend.
Watch this young lady as she climbs to the top.
Nikki is one of an elite band of girls who can truly call themselves a model. Stunningly beautiful, professional with a wide range of looks, she is simply amazing and I'm proud to call her a friend.
Watch this young lady as she climbs to the top.
Britney-Lee
Britney is an internationally acclaimed model, actress and friend. Originally from Perth, Scotland, she is now based in London although she is in such great demand world-wide, you'll struggle to find her back in the UK very often. Brit's talents extend from glamour modelling, through fashion and acting. Another dog-lover, Brit can be seen on the commercial pages of this site with her chihuahua, Keeko.
Britney is an internationally acclaimed model, actress and friend. Originally from Perth, Scotland, she is now based in London although she is in such great demand world-wide, you'll struggle to find her back in the UK very often. Brit's talents extend from glamour modelling, through fashion and acting. Another dog-lover, Brit can be seen on the commercial pages of this site with her chihuahua, Keeko.
Laurena Lacey
Laurena is one of the worlds top glamour models and a great actress, who I have had the pleasure of working with a few times. A lovely lass from Enniskillen, who now spends most of her time between London and LA, Laurena was recently a Playboy Cybergirl and is now something of a regular visitor to the Playboy mansion. She was recently in the hit movie 'I want Candy' alongside Carmen Electra, Michelle Ryan, MacKenzie Crook and Jimmy Carr.
Laurena is one of the worlds top glamour models and a great actress, who I have had the pleasure of working with a few times. A lovely lass from Enniskillen, who now spends most of her time between London and LA, Laurena was recently a Playboy Cybergirl and is now something of a regular visitor to the Playboy mansion. She was recently in the hit movie 'I want Candy' alongside Carmen Electra, Michelle Ryan, MacKenzie Crook and Jimmy Carr.
Billingham
In the early days, i used a succession of cheap, low quality camera bags. These tended not to last that long and were always replaced with the cheapest I could find. Although I knew they didn't offer the greatest level of protection, they 'did a job' as far as I was concerned.
One day, the respected Master Photographer and my mentor, Dr William Cullen asked me how much I would have to pay if I needed to replace all my equipment?
When I replied with a rather scary five-figure sum (as if he didn't know), he simply said "I bet you feel safe knowing that that £20 thinly padded piece of nylon is protecting it then, eh?
Thus began my search for a high quality, long-term investment to protect my valuable kit.
It ended in 1998 when I bought my Billingham 550. An absolute beast of a bag, it has swallowed three bodies, four lenses, a flashgun, god knows how much film (remember that?), batteries, filters and a variety of sundry accessories. It has travelled with me to such far flung places as Hawaii, North Africa, Spain, Germany, Bulgaria, Turkey and Asia as well as the length and breadth of the UK and it has never let me down.
My bag is now over ten years old and looks as good now as it did then, it's no wonder Billingham are world-renowned for the incredible quality of everything they make.
In the early days, i used a succession of cheap, low quality camera bags. These tended not to last that long and were always replaced with the cheapest I could find. Although I knew they didn't offer the greatest level of protection, they 'did a job' as far as I was concerned.
One day, the respected Master Photographer and my mentor, Dr William Cullen asked me how much I would have to pay if I needed to replace all my equipment?
When I replied with a rather scary five-figure sum (as if he didn't know), he simply said "I bet you feel safe knowing that that £20 thinly padded piece of nylon is protecting it then, eh?
Thus began my search for a high quality, long-term investment to protect my valuable kit.
It ended in 1998 when I bought my Billingham 550. An absolute beast of a bag, it has swallowed three bodies, four lenses, a flashgun, god knows how much film (remember that?), batteries, filters and a variety of sundry accessories. It has travelled with me to such far flung places as Hawaii, North Africa, Spain, Germany, Bulgaria, Turkey and Asia as well as the length and breadth of the UK and it has never let me down.
My bag is now over ten years old and looks as good now as it did then, it's no wonder Billingham are world-renowned for the incredible quality of everything they make.
Tamrac
Whilst my Billingham 550 is a great bag for weddings and portrait shoots, I found that it was really unsuitable for outdoor events, biking and landscapes (nothing to do with the quality, it's just that a shoulder bag will always be awkward to carry over uneven ground).
After trying several other well-known rucksack makers, I settled on a Tamrac Cyberpack 8. It allows me to carry a full load of kit as well as a laptop, so it's ideal for travelling abroad (just make sure you use the Tamrac PhoTogs vest to carry your heavier lenses and bodies through check-in). It's reasonably waterproof and INCREDIBLY comfortable to carry for long distances.
Whilst my Billingham 550 is a great bag for weddings and portrait shoots, I found that it was really unsuitable for outdoor events, biking and landscapes (nothing to do with the quality, it's just that a shoulder bag will always be awkward to carry over uneven ground).
After trying several other well-known rucksack makers, I settled on a Tamrac Cyberpack 8. It allows me to carry a full load of kit as well as a laptop, so it's ideal for travelling abroad (just make sure you use the Tamrac PhoTogs vest to carry your heavier lenses and bodies through check-in). It's reasonably waterproof and INCREDIBLY comfortable to carry for long distances.
Manfrotto
Manfrotto are one of the world's foremost manufacturers of tripods, mono-pods and lighting support heads.
Yes, using a tripod slows you down, but there are times when that can be a good thing (especially in this digital 'snap and snap until you've got something' age) and it's an absolute must for landscapes and nightscenes. A monopod, on the other hand, really helps with sports, events and action shots.
As with so many things in life, they're not the cheapest, but the quality shines through above the rest.
Manfrotto are one of the world's foremost manufacturers of tripods, mono-pods and lighting support heads.
Yes, using a tripod slows you down, but there are times when that can be a good thing (especially in this digital 'snap and snap until you've got something' age) and it's an absolute must for landscapes and nightscenes. A monopod, on the other hand, really helps with sports, events and action shots.
As with so many things in life, they're not the cheapest, but the quality shines through above the rest.
