Hi there from Bonnie Scotland

<p>My first post so what better a way to use it than to say hello to everyone :)<br /> I'm Andy, a <strong>young</strong> 41yr old father of three from nr Edinburgh, Scotland, 2 boys 18 & 15 and a girl who'll be 21 this year........where did the time go?<br /> Sadly none of them enjoy the same passion as I do but Andrew Jr <em>(youngest one)</em> does like to use the Fuji S1500 digital bridge camera and thought watching a friend printing a 8" x 10" was "magical" so there's still hope :)</p>

<p>Hopefully I'll make some new like-minded friends here, certainly seem to be a very helpful, friendly community.</p>

<p>So, what's my story?.....well I've always owned a camera for family snaps etc and anything else that got in front of my lens<br /> Over the past year I've re-discovered 35mm film photography and now it's probably my main medium unless I require a print immediately.<br />Landscapes, clouds and ambient light exposures tend to be my favourites but have taken portrait shots of my young grandkids which haven't been too bad considering :)</p>

<p>Self-Developing is something I've literally just accumulated everything required for so I'm keen to learn more about both that and enlarging. We don't have an enlarger <strong>yet</strong> but one is definitely on the shopping list!</p>

<p>Anyway, I'm waffling on here so I'll cut it here<br /> Best regards, Andy</p>

<p>Welcome, Grandpa (at 41! - where does that time go, indeed!). So, this means you've got 50 more years or so of photography ahead of you. Can you imagine what we'll be talking about by then? Looking forward to see your work - don't forget to post a few images along the way.</p>

<p>Hello Andy,<br>

You have been a busy man I see with near grown up children! I suppose it should leave you plenty of chance to engage in your hobby now. The advantage of having grown up kids is that you could teach your grandchildren all about dark room chemistry. That would be a whole new generation indeed! Looking forward to seeing some pictures from you soon. The light in the Scottish Highlands is something I have always found to be very special. I love 19th century landscaped from this land of Walter Scott and have so often found that light accidentally caught up in many a photograph of the highlands. Where do you go to shoot landscapes?<br>

I am coming your way for a week during the festival, although it would be more a drinking and socialising trip than photographic!</p>

<p>There's a time when 41 seemed a long ways away. But now in my mid 30's, I can see it on the horizon. So I'm going to agree with the "young" tag.</p>

<p>Welcome to photo.net.</p>

<p>Hi and a big thanks to <strong>Matt</strong>, <strong>Starvy</strong> & <strong>Josh</strong> for the welcome :)<br>

Sorry for playing catch-up with the thread but with weather like this where I am, well you just don't waste it as it'll change on the quarter hour! lol<br>

The mind boggles at where technology is taking us <strong>Matt</strong>, it's exciting to think where it'll be in 10yrs let alone 50. Just the advances in digital cameras over say 5-6yrs has seen some pretty cool stuff out there tempting our wallets and plastic. I try to leave cards at home if I know I'm going to be in the vicinity of a Jessops store or likewise unless I'm specifically after buying something of course.<br>

A parent at a young age (19) <strong>Starvy</strong>, I kept telling myself that too mate, having em young will mean us not being too old by the time they were old enough to fly the coop so to speak, unfortunately I left an important part of that equation out....the age they'd put on us during the first 10-16yrs haha!<br /> Seriously?.....I love them to bits and have my wee grand-daughter here staying over as I type......magical moments!<br>

Although Andrew Jr (15) is keen on taking a digital out now and again, he's not so keen on using any of my film cameras. Imo he hasn't the patience to wait & must see the exposure immediately?, he does however show interest when the negs come out of the Paterson 4.<br /> At first he couldn't grasp how the exposed film became a print so I've tried to explain, to the best of my limited knowledge, how the enlarging process works...it's something I don't have myself but would love.<br>

I'm located in East Central, not too far from Edinburgh out in the countryside, it's a good place to go photo-walks and of course there's Edinburgh itself.....a city that's just so photogenic no-matter what the weather!.<br /> B&W architecture shots aplenty!.....I always try and avoid the castle or at least certain views of it though....the postcard s hots<br /> Actually, a friend & I have been discussing an 'Alternative Edinburgh' collection of shots taken in the city but as far removed from the usual 'Castle from Princes St' type shots you know?<br>

Now & again I get to venture into the Western Highlands, I love the area around Loch Morar near Arisaig & Mallaig right up to Ullapool.....don't even get me started about the inner mainland & Glencoe etc!. I know what you mean <strong>Starvy</strong>, some of the photo opportunities that arise up there without thinking about composure are excellent!<br /> I could talk all day about that part of the country as you can see...ahem<br>

<strong>Josh</strong> I hear that loud and proud my friend!, the time seemed to go into overdrive when Leane, our daughter was born. Even now to a degree, although I tend to try not think about it too much, 50 seems such a long way off but it'll come round sooner than we'd like.<br>

Well my friends I've waffled on & am probably boring you by now but have only just touched the topics mentioned but have so much more to say so hopefully I'll get to know you all better.<br /> <br /> Posting some pics too will be priority!<br>

Cheers, Andy</p><div></div>