Alpha's picture got me looking thro' the forum's history - I didn't realise it was so young! A credit to everyone, but especially Syyd & Colm - Well Done!! It made me realise that I haven't really given a formal introduction the way everyone else has, so if I may I'll take this rather late opportunity to do so. Before that, though, I see lots of different names in the earlier postings - do you people still come here & just read, or have you opted not to be here? (Is that stupid? If they don't come here, how can they read it? Doh!) Ok, very briefly - you mostly know my name is Mike, and I'm from the North East of England. My first foray into photography was with (and later getting) my dad's equipment when he got bored with it, but never took it seriously until November when I bought a digi. I'm technically minded when it comes to anything except camera's (f-stop? focus? 35mm? eh?) but know enough to have now decided this is a career path I want to follow - a bit later in life than usual, seeing as how I'm now embarking on the quest into the thirty's..! I like art but know nothing about it - yet seem to have an eye for a good picture. My brain works nights, which is good coz I'm about 6 hours ahead of most of you, so when I'm answering posts quickly it's coz I'm burning into the early hours! Oh, and I have a wierd sense of humour, so please don't be offended if some of my comments seem satirical - just tell me when I'm out of line, yeah? Thanks to you all for making me feel so welcome up until now, and I hope we all have a future together.... Mike. p.s. and sorry to have gone on a bit. I do that without someone to tell me to shut up......

Hey thanks for sharing that, Mike, been wondering what/who you are :-)) And good luck with choosing this as a career - I guess photography is one of those things it's never too late to get into. Just read about one of NZ's hottest photographers the other day, he hadn't taken a photo till he was in his early 30's and now he's considered one of the best in the country. (Then again this is NZ we're talking about! :P) I'm quite overjoyed today as I was told I ought to consider photography as a career option myself - never thought I was THAT good heheheh. Anyhoo I think we've all got a pretty whacky sense of humour here. I'm certainly not easily offended, it's good that we don't take ourselves too seriously! :-)

Nope don't shut up....we love ya! Great to hear about you, and to have you here, and I hope this forum stays strong as it is..... Marsh, get to work! AS A PHOTOGRAPHER! Syyd

grin Someday, maybe.