In 2000, when I was 21, my girlfriend Corinna, gave me her Canon Rebel G and two lenses. That camera opened my eyes to a whole new world of artistic possibility. Since then I've been hooked on photography. It's like a drug for me - so good I never want to quit.

I learned most of what I know about photography from my girlfriend. I also read every photo book and magazine I could get my hands on. And I spent 2 1/2 years working at a pro photo lab in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I think working in a lab should be a requirement for anyone who wants to call themselves a "Photographer". I learned a lot about both the processing and photography sides of the business while working in that lab.

Last year, due to a lack of funds, I fell into a creative funk. I had a Minolta Maxxum 7 but hardly used it because I couldn't afford the film and processing. I shot mostly slides, and getting a good print from a transparency is very expensive. I also realized that I hated to catalog my slides and negatives. The solution was to go digital. I am a true believer in digital photography. I still love to shoot film, but now I see myself as a digital photographer. And it's with a digital camera that I will continue my photographic journey.

PhotographyREVIEW.com has been an invaluable tool for me. I discovered it while researching the first camera I actually bought for myself, and I have been back at least weekly ever since. I really think it's the best place on the web for photo geeks like myself. I want to thank Photo-John for providing us denizens of the photo world with such a cool online hangout. It's great for amatuers like me to have a place like PR where we can rub shoulders with experienced and working photographers.

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