My first curiosity with photography was in early elementary school. It helped that my father was a professional wedding/portrait photographer. My first cameras were Kodak point and shoot film cameras. From time to time, I did get to use the many SLR cameras my father owned. My father gave me my first SLR camera, which was a Pentax ME-F with the first auto-focusing lens.

College, Dental School and a new family kept me busy with family and vacation pictures. I wanted to improve and hone the skills my dad had taught me. So in the late nineties, I bought a new Canon A2E camera. I decided it was time to take my photography to a more creative level.

While practicing as a Family Dentist, I continued to develop my photography and creative skills. I upgraded my Canon A2E camera to a professional Canon EOS-3 about 2002. With the advent of affordable digital SLR’s, I upgraded again in 2004 to a Canon 10D (which I now use for in-office dental photography), then to a Canon 20D. Presently, I am using a Canon 40D. I continue to do film (slides) as well as digital photography.

I participate with Betterphoto clubs and contests on a monthly basis. I do occasional art/photo shows in the local area. This will be my 4th year participating in The Sidewalk Art Show (weekend after Memorial Day) in Roanoke, VA.

Ansel Adams once said, “In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration.” Photography has always be an rewarding experience, as well as a way to explore the world. It also has been a way to spend quality time with my wife and sons, as we (cameras in hand) explore together. I continue to take photography courses and workshops to develop my skills focusing on nature, landscape and wildlife photography.

John Singleton, JS Photography, Roanoke, VA