ABOUT IAN

Being diagnosed with MND in 2014 was life changing, to say the least. At the time I was still playing rugby and ran The Morgan Old Blacks “Old Timer Rugby” for my club in Dundee. When I was not doing that, I was training for Triathlons, knowing that Rugby every weekend was hitting my body hard and could not be sustained. I needed another physical challenge! I liked running, swimming and cycling. Triathlons ticked all the boxes. In 2016 I could no longer participate in sports although I did carry on with spin classes for another year, as an Instructor. I have always loved getting out and about, either playing or participating in sports, or out in the hills and mountains of Scotland. I also enjoyed my motor bike and enjoyed trips abroad with my wife hanging on the back! On most occasions I would have my camera with me and like many, back in the day, would be excited to pick up the prints from boots, only to find out that out of 36 exposures I might get 4 or 5 in focus and properly exposed

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By 2017 I joined an Angus Camera Club and had bought myself my first digital DSLR Nikon D5000 with  kit lens, it was a revelation having photos straight away on the screen and computer. It was not long until I struck up friendships with members and I embraced the help they were willing to offer. The many talks from guest speakers also inspired me to try something new, or just get out on club outings and of course getting out with members. The support has been tremendous, being introduced to various genre such as wildlife, macro and landscape photography. With joining DPS I hope my learning will not stop and new friendships will develop over time.

 

Eventually I had to give up work due to my condition as my speech was getting worse. My time was my own and with my better half, we decided to travel with the family and on our own. We have been fortunate to travel and see so many wonderful places, seeing different wildlife and fauna, and cultures always with camera in hand.

I even entered a few local competitions, one was in my home town where they wanted some local landscape photos which they planned to enlarge so it would go on a gable end of building to my surprise I won it .

 

Learning new techniques and post editing I feel my photography skills have improved (although some of my scores may say otherwise!) I fill my week with getting out and about. Photography has become my passion and it takes my mind off my condition although sometimes frustration can result me not getting the shot I would like due to my dexterity not being what it should. Most days I try to photograph something either as an experiment or as a result of being at a talk at Brechin Photographic Society or Dundee Photographic Society where so many great photographers  come and inspire so many .Taking photos, editing, posting, laughing at comments and enjoying seeing this wonderful world through the lens of a camera and leaving my diagnosis out of the picture.