When I was 6, I smashed my Dad's camera (presumeably by accident, the jury is still out), a moment in my life he'll never let me forget.

In grade 11, I failed Photography class. Not because I was terrible at it, but because my instructor felt it more important to dote over the female classmates, leaving the male students to be left to our own devices, with little opportunity to learn.

That was my first foray into photography.

Years later my father had come home with a Nikon EM 35mm SLR and a bag of other goodies. He had gotten it 'in trade' for some construction work which the client couldn't afford to pay for the work. I loved this camera. It was heavy, angular, and looked utilitarian. I didn't know much about photography by this point still. That's where my father came in.

F-stop. ISO. Aperture. Light Meter. Exposure. He had explained to me what these affected. See, unbeknownst to me, my father had a bit of an eye for photography. This is where it began. Those lessons would always be remembered.

Years would pass where I wouldn't take a single photo. I was more interested in drawing and painting. Until I got my first digital point and shoot. With that, I was snapping photos as much as I could. Capturing moments, capturing scenes, having fun.

Years later, and a few different point+shoots done and gone, I decided I wanted to move to dSLR. That had been a great choice, so much to learn and experience. I was amazed at what different lenses could do, and playing with the exposure triangles, and even using different techniques and effects.

Much studying, research, and a couple photography courses later, I've gotten to a point where I have developed a particular style, namely - street photos, long exposures, contrasty textures, and candid portraiture.

Moving ahead, I plan to try as many techniques and styles as I can, but staying grounded and focused on the styles I love. It's going to be a great road.