My father was a photographer for most of his life. He ranged from Black and White to Colour and Box Brownie to Medium Format to 3D, with Movie film thrown in. He got so involved with the 3D aspect, that he built himself a 3D camera and showed his work in the USA.

As a kid then, I was in and out of darkrooms and soon was able to develop and print my own film. From my teenage years, I had two Nikkormat bodies, thanks to a Fiji trip by my parents. I used a 50mm Nikkor-S standard lens and later had a 35 mm Nikkor-s lens and a Polaris 70mm-230mm Zoom lens. I usually kept black and white film in one body and colour slide film in the other.

Through the 60's and 70's I spent a lot of time bushwalking, canyoneering, climbing, mountaineering and skiing all over NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and New Zealand. These activities provided great opportunities for photographic experiences. In 1973/1974, I spent 6 months working in South Africa and then travelled through East Africa, Europe and Great Britain. Travelling always provides grist for the photographer's mill. I am planning to scan all of those negatives and slides that have survived their move to the tropics.

I have now moved into the world of digital photography. I often wonder what my father would have made of it all. I think that knowing how inquisitive he was with all things electronic, he would have jumped right in. I started with a Nikon CP8800, and have since upgraded to a Nikon D90 DSLR. I use an 18-105 lens and I use Adobe Lightroom for the management of my photos and to create web galleries.

THE GALLERIES

Hibiscus House Update #8 -The inside We have hung most of the tapestries and paintings. Still the "wall of achievement photos" to do. The Garden designer labours on and is working on the pathway and steps around the side and bottom of the house. Then he will start with the planting. Jacqueline can't wait, birdbath and archway to come. The features of the house are the open vistas through from the kitchen and sitting room to the bathroom, lounge and verandahs. There is a reverse cycle airconditioning unit in both the Lounge and the sitting room, providing all year round comfort. The water supply can be selected from either the town water or the water tank.

Hibiscus House Update #7 The outside Well, the opening of the last lot of removal boxes has at last happened. Colleen and Jacqueline worked all weekend and managed to unpack eveything. The house renovation has been declared finished. Although there are a few minor things to be finalised. There is some latticework to go up around the gazebo and Hacker has to come back and paint the verandahs when we can get some dry weather. I took some photos of the verandahs while Jacqueline and Myra were out shopping. Big mistake! as they came back armed with hanging plants.

Hibiscus House Update #6 Andrew asked Jacqueline whether she had heard of Paul Sorenson. Well, he got the whole story. It appears he has been inspired by Paul and the rock wall shows it. Rob has gotten out of the ground with the ramp and it is not far off completion. Justin the gas plumber has installed an instant hot water heater and it is ready to go. Billy is well into the bathroom tiling and hopes to grout off early this week. Then in come the floor sanders. Hacker will carry out the finishing touches to the paintwork when he returns from a holiday to Noosa.

Hibiscus House Update #5 One last tree to be cut down. A large branch was overhanging the house and dropped heaps of leaves. Carl the tree lopper did his work. Then Andrew the garden designer came in with an excavator and levelled out the garden area behind the house. This area will now be down to the level of the ramp around the house and will have a rock wall, pathways, garden and a gazebo. Jacquiline's new lounge chairs arrived and she and Myra immediately started loungeing. The large 2 and a half seater and the floral chair will go into the new loungeroom when it is finished. The balustrading is progressing and Billy will start tiling the bathroom on Sunday 28th.

Hibiscus House Update #4 Having now retained a Garden Landscape Designer, we have had to clear some trees at the back of the House so that he can bench down to the level of the ramp. Carl Sircairnsalot was called in and he got about doing just that. Only took him around 5 hours, but he does not clear away. He is a great tree climber and it was good to watch him work. The outside colour scheme is coming together and Rob has started on the outside ramp that runs aroung the back of the house. The flooring is down in the loungeroom and is ready for sanding and polishing. The bathroom will be painted next week and Billy will then tile it out.

Hibiscus House Update #3 Things are moving along after the cyclone threat. We had some wind, but it wasn't cyclonic. We lost a palm tree and a banana tree plus a lot of small leaves and branches which Jacquiline insisted on sweeping up. The painting is going well and the mixed hardwood flooring is being laid by Rob. Hacker is plastering the bathroom and will paint it out next week.

Faye's New Garden Faye has sent photos of the new paved area of her garden. All work done by Ed.

Hibiscus House Updtae #2. Not much happened over the Christmas break, however, things have started again with the plasterer lassoed and dragged into action. We have bought all of the paint and Hacker, the plasterer will begin the painting next week. Jacqueline has been busy in the garden.

Hibiscus House Update #1. The building is moving right along. The roof has been finished and duly christened and the sarking is on and cladding has started.

Hibiscus House. Photos of the construction of the additions for Jacqueline's new residence, Kuranda.