[cookie99]

G'day! My Name is Chris Cooke.

I live in Melbourne Australia and have been taking photographs since I was 7 (55 now)

For many years I did most of my photography underwater and in the air (Skydiving, Hang Gliding and Para-sailing until 2001 when a motorcycle accident almost killed me and left me with shattered legs.

Yes like most motorcyclists and very much against the advice of my doctors I returned to motorcycling after 3 years of Rehab and continue to ride and film off bikes "but my walking ain't so good."

I turned to digital slr's three years ago and have never looked back.

My arsenal comprises 1 Canon A1, F1 and Nikonos V ( my film cameras and 1 Canon 350D and two 30D's.

Lenses 17-85 F4-5.6 IS, 17-40 F4L, 24-70 F2.8L, 70-200F4L, 100 F2.8 Macro, 135F2 L, 300 F4 IS, Canon 1.4 X Con. Kenko 2X Con. Kenko Macro tubes.

Flashes 430EX, 580EX, 580 EXII, M$-14EX

Various Tripods some very old and some new

I have recently ventured into Macro photography and am very much a "new boy" at this so please feel free to critique any or all of my photos as I have learned one thing in life you are never too old or too wise to learn. (this applies to ALL of my photography.

I now film with a helmet or bike mounted Sony Bullet cam and have made some spectacular and not so spectacular film off the bike and when I master Adobe Premiere (about two lifetimes away) I will be a happy man.

Thanks for accepting me among you, I hope I can contribute in some way to this group.

Cheers
Chris

[Markulous]

Hey, Chris,

Look forward to seeing some of your pics - even the macro shots!

[cookie99]

Thanks for the welcome mate.

I see you are from Wales, I went to school in Bristol (My Dads home) and during my time there walked over most of South Wales and much of North Wales and I still fhave not so fond memories of being caught in a snow storm in the Brecon Beacons in 1966 and nearly freezing to death.

Tis a beautiful country with beautiful people who sing and play rubgy well (all that really matters in life)

Look forward to seeing some photos of my favourite hiking country.

Cheers Chris

Melbourne at night

[Markulous]

Originally Posted by cookie99

I see you are from Wales, I went to school in Bristol (My Dads home) and during my time there walked over most of South Wales and much of North Wales and I still fhave not so fond memories of being caught in a snow storm in the Brecon Beacons in 1966 and nearly freezing to death.

Tis a beautiful country with beautiful people who sing and play rubgy well (all that really matters in life)

Look forward to seeing some photos of my favourite hiking country.

{whisper}
I'm actually English but infiltrated Wales some years ago - and they play Rugby nearly as well as England (but much better than Oz and NZ!)
{/whisper}

Not been to Melbourne - brother in Brisbane, so visited there and Sydney. Next time!

[Boofers]

Welcome Chris,
beautiful night shots, have fun

[stepheno]

That is some bunch of kit you have there oh...and....welcome to Pixalo

[Sonsey]

Hi Chris, nice intro mate.

It's good to have you at Pixalo!

[cookie99]

Thanks folks,

It is nice to belong to a forum where most have an English (British) accent.

It took an accident and many years of pain and most of my superannuation to accumulate the kit and I still live very much day to day, I would happily return to a Box Brownie and have my legs back than all the kit in the world.

Taking 5 minutes to cross a road ain't much fun.

Cheers
Chris

[P-E]

Hi &

[CathieT]

Hi Chris and welcome!

[simpbow]

Hi &