Hello. I'm Richard, a retired Orchestral musician (French horn) with BBC Scottish Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Scottish Opera and, after a year at the beginning with the BBC Training Orchestra down in Bristol, lived in the West End of Glasgow for 40 years once leaving the Royal Aca Read more...

Hello. I'm Richard, a retired Orchestral musician (French horn) with BBC Scottish Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Scottish Opera and, after a year at the beginning with the BBC Training Orchestra down in Bristol, lived in the West End of Glasgow for 40 years once leaving the Royal Academy of Music in London.

When I gave up drink on my 40th birthday (I drank far too much) I used the money saved to get a private pilot's licence and then built and flew my own plane (a Tri-R KIS). I moved out to France permanently in November 2004 and have just been granted French citizenship. No more flying though as it's too expensive.

I've been living out here in our small village with my French partner who I met out here and love cycling and photography (and my partner). Sold all my bulky and little used Canon gear in 2015 to move to Fuji cameras, one of which I carry with me all the time.  Changed my trusty X-Pro2 for an X-Pro3 which ticks all the right boxes and more, as I knew it would when I read about it and saw the reviews. I have since changed my X100F for the X100V and it never leaves my side. I actually prefer it to my X-Pro3. 

Dec 2024. Just a little update. I saw the Leica Q3 43 announced and I've always loved between 35 and 50 mm lenses. So I ordered one and sold all my Fuji gear and it's worth every penny of the ridiculous price I paid for it. Still learning how to use it but I just want to use it all the time and, for me, it's just an extension of my eyes. It's now the only camera I own and it goes everywhere with me, as did my Fuji.  I only use that and never my iPhone. I like to be in control of my pictures.

I read about Blipfoto (I make photos every day anyway) and so joined to keep me well on track and am liking it very much although I'm a solitary person in the most part and not in the least interested in the social aspect. I do it mostly for my own photography development, although I do follow other photographers who's work I appreciate.