Start of a journey

I read with interest the lovely letter from Emma Garvie about early digital cameras (AP 1 December). My first digital camera was a Concord Go 2000 bought on a budget by my Mum and sister as a gift. It was very basic, but I loved it because it allowed me to take as many pictures as I wanted of my loved ones/places/favourite subjects whilst reducing costs. Since then I’ve developed a collection of compacts, bridges, DSLRs and camcorders, as well as various bags, tripods, flashguns, spare batteries, books, magazines and the like.

I now carry a Canon EOS 1200D kit plus 75-300mm lens and my preference is wildlife photography. When I was given that little camera 14 years ago I had no idea of the photographic journey I was going to take or what I was going to learn. It can be an expensive therapy – and I say therapy because I suffer with mental health conditions and I lost my Dad in April so it’s been a very tough year. But when I snap away, I get lost in the joy of recording moments that I can treasure for a very long time. I can spend hours in the kitchen or at the back of the house taking photographs of the birds – and without having had that little camera to start me on my digital photography journey, I am not sure that I would ever have had that pleasure. Jane Boswell