Introduction

As an introduction to this course, I thought that it would be useful to set down what equipment/software that I have been using for the taking and processing of my photographs.


I have a Canon 50D digital camera with a few lenses - wide-angle, 100mm macro, 50mm prime and an 18mm to 270mm 'zoom' lens. Where possible, I shoot in camera Raw for maximum flexibility, although I usually carry a Fuji compact camera which takes only jpeg.


However, I have recently purchased a second-hand Lomo LC-A camera as a 'fun' camera, following attendance at a Lomo course in Brighton (birthday present!) run by Kevin Meredith (Lomo Kev). This was my first serious use of a film camera - and I liked it, particularly the effects from cross-processing the film. Once I get the LC-A serviced, I shall incorporate it into my normal photography. 


For software, I use a combination of Lightroom 3, Photoshop CS5 and Adobe Bridge. It is fair to say that I am a novice when it comes to processing software but I am using Linda.com as an online learning resource for Lightroom. All my digital shots are downloaded to Lightroom initially, using a memory card reader.  I have a Sony Vaio lap top to process and store my photographs (currently backing-up to Crash Plan!). To colour calibrate the monitor, I use Spyder 3 Express software. 


For printing, I use a Canon Pixma MP640 or an on-line printing service (usually PhotoBox).


Finally, I have a Flickr account ('Citysnapper') where I display selected shots.