Niall is a young engineer working in the nuclear industry.

I first started photography seriously in 1999 whilst at Newcastle University. Photography was at first just an interest however it quickly became an all consuming passion. The main subject of my attention was natural history and landscapes but I soon saw the potential to travel and take photographs of the places I had been. As well as being able to bore people to death with slideshows I was able to bring back pleasing images of some of the things I had seen.

A summer placement with Procter and Gamble as an engineering intern provided my first opportunity to try travel photography

Following University I travelled extensively through South America , including spending ten weeks in the Ecuadorian rainforest. My camera never left my side and I learnt a lot about the quality of light and how best to approach travel photgraphy.

At this stage many photographers will give you some profound insight as to how and why they take photographs. I am afraid I am rather simple when it comes to this; I enjoy photography - it gets me out there, it forces me to engage what is around me and I like looking at the end result. The way I see it as long as I am having fun, I am succesful!

I am always interested to know what gear people are using so here is a summary list for my fellow techies:

• Canon EOS 30E film camera body
• Canon EOS 500N camera body
• Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-f/5.6 IS USM
• Canon 24mm f/2.8
• Canon 50mm f/1.8
• Canon 300mm f/4 L USM
• Manfrotto 190 CL tripod with 486 RC2 ball head
• Jessops Extension tubes (13mm/21mm/31mm)

I shoot on a variety of film types but I favour ISO 100 speed for most of my work. Usually Kodak (EBX 100) or Fuji (Sensia 100), however I occassionaly use Fuji Velvia 50 or more specialist films. I struggle to see in Black and White so I tend to shoot only in colour.

When travelling I always carry my tripod (I tend to throw it in with the hold luggage) and I usually carry at least my 28-135mm IS lens as a general travel lens and my 24mm lens for architectural stuff. The Image Stabilisation proves to be well worth the money. This image to the right was shot at 1/10 of a second at 35mm!

If someone will come with me I am happy for the company, but I tend to be anti-social at dawn and dusk when I like to exploit the best light and tear around getting all the images I am after.

If anyone wants to contact me then please feel free. My email address is Niall@lyonimages.co.uk

I have placed a small portfolio of published pieces onto this link if you are intereted. Main publications to date include:

• Travel Photographer of the Year, Portfolio One book
• Bird Watching Magazine
• Practical Photography Magazine
• North East House Hunter Magazine
• Fortingall Art Exhibition 2004 & 2005 (Fortingall Art)

Cheers for reading my waffle, hope you enjoy the site - just remember its all about having fun!